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Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen

  This is a new to me author but I am delighted to feature on the celebrations for the latest novel by Christy McKellen , Best Mistake Ever . It was published by Boldwood on 16th January. Some mistakes are worth making Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her - she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up. Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he's watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him fo...
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The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller


Published in 2012, The Song of Achilles won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction. Based on Homer’s Iliad and the siege of Troy, it reimagines the story through the eyes of Patroclus. As a boy prince, he was exiled to Peleus’ kingdom following his disgrace after the killing of a nobleman’s son. I read this book for my Book Club and I found myself hooked quite early on and enjoyed seeing life from Patroclus’ perspective. It did not worry me that Achilles’ thoughts were largely a mystery as that seemed appropriate for someone with his parentage. The son of Peleus and the goddess, Thetis, Achilles grew up to be the supreme warrior but was shown to have human faults. The story centres around the growing friendship and love between Patroclus and Achilles. 

Dealing as it does in the land of Myths and Legends, it would have been easy for the book to become two dimensional. Miller merges the world of man and the gods seamlessly and within the context of the story, I was able to believe in the events which could have seemed like fantasy. As young adolescents, Achilles, with Patroclus goes to be tutored by Chiron, a centaur, as preparation for his destiny as one of the greatest Greek warriors. This section seemed logical within the story and never absurd. The descriptions of the caves and the mountains are detailed and believable.

I personally found the depiction of Thetis, the sea nymph to be the most moving part of the book. Her rape by Peleus at the behest of the gods had produced Achilles. It had been prophesied that her child would be greater than his father. The gods feared this and made sure that his father was mortal and no threat to them. Her whole existence after this seems to be to try to protect him so that he can fulfil his destiny through her strength and power. As a goddess, she does not understand love and particularly disapproves of Achilles relationship with Patroclus.

If the book has a true hero, it has to be Patroclus with all his human faults and frailties. He is shown to have compassion and courage. He shows us Achilles’ human side and enables us to care what happens to him. 

In short: a page turner which keeps you engaged to the final word.

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