This started very slow for me, but I think part of that is because I was expecting there to be more plot. It's definitely more of a character driven book though. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. Like lots of others, my heart absolutely broke near the end. I cried real tears, and it's been a while since a book has made me do that. The descent of Achilles character and how it affected Patroclus, who still loved him despite everything...just perfection.