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cheye13's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This one's on me and my misplaced expectations. And probably the modern retelling trend. Nowhere did this book imply it would alter anything of the source tale, and I already have mixed feelings about The Tempest in general.
For what it is, it's written exceptionally well. It builds a full story around Miranda and Caliban that's completely eclipsed in the original while never directly contesting events of The Tempest. That I finished it at all is much more of an endorsement than my rating; I knew where it was going and what it was doing, yet the story had built attachment for the characters and remained engaging enough that I refused to put it down.
For what it is, it's written exceptionally well. It builds a full story around Miranda and Caliban that's completely eclipsed in the original while never directly contesting events of The Tempest. That I finished it at all is much more of an endorsement than my rating; I knew where it was going and what it was doing, yet the story had built attachment for the characters and remained engaging enough that I refused to put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
while the most severe of the child abuse is physical, it's carried out magically, in one severe instance resulting in a coma and brain damage.maledicte's review against another edition
2.0
I wrote a review for this book on my blog! You can read it here.
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Written in the most lovely way. None of the characters were likable, and I kept thinking maybe it would all work out differently. I was fooled.
cathybruce208's review against another edition
3.0
It pains me to only give this a 3 star rating. Jacqueline Carey is one of my favorite writers. The book had so much promise, but it kind of ran out of gas by the end. Of course, we all know what happens in the end—if not, go see/read The Tempest. Miranda and her father, Prospero forgive the men who put them on the island and leave it, and Ariel and Caliban, behind forever.
Creating a book about what it was like for Miranda and Caliban to grow up on the island seemed like a stroke of genius. But the characters for Prospero and Miranda never really came into focus. Caliban's character was better drawn, and in some ways, he is the hero of the story. I know Miranda was meant to be a co-protagonist, but she didn't really seem to change or grow or ever break free from her father's influence. And I'm not sure what we were supposed to make of Prospero, he remained a strictly one-note character. I know the Shakespearean play focuses on him, but it's been YEARS since I saw the play. I couldn't really remember much about his character from the play, but this is still a stand-alone book.
The writing is beautiful and really evokes the island and the experiences of the characters, but it left me wanting.
Creating a book about what it was like for Miranda and Caliban to grow up on the island seemed like a stroke of genius. But the characters for Prospero and Miranda never really came into focus. Caliban's character was better drawn, and in some ways, he is the hero of the story. I know Miranda was meant to be a co-protagonist, but she didn't really seem to change or grow or ever break free from her father's influence. And I'm not sure what we were supposed to make of Prospero, he remained a strictly one-note character. I know the Shakespearean play focuses on him, but it's been YEARS since I saw the play. I couldn't really remember much about his character from the play, but this is still a stand-alone book.
The writing is beautiful and really evokes the island and the experiences of the characters, but it left me wanting.
julieverive's review against another edition
4.0
I do love a good retelling of The Tempest and this was well done.
bingley's review against another edition
5.0
Author's prose is romantic, heartbreaking, and uniquely detailed/expressive. Of course, it's JC.
I love when authors had additional POVs to existing characters (whether their own OCs, or others in literature), so the way she adds backstory between Miranda and Caliban actually makes me appreciate the Tempest more (wasn't my favorite play before, lol).
The relationship btwn the 2 is so pure, and JC manages to express their deep care and connection in a way that goes beyond conventional notions of "romantic love". Re-readable just for these 2 cinnamon rolls, I just wanna give them a hug.
And dam, Prospero is so hateable.
I love when authors had additional POVs to existing characters (whether their own OCs, or others in literature), so the way she adds backstory between Miranda and Caliban actually makes me appreciate the Tempest more (wasn't my favorite play before, lol).
The relationship btwn the 2 is so pure, and JC manages to express their deep care and connection in a way that goes beyond conventional notions of "romantic love". Re-readable just for these 2 cinnamon rolls, I just wanna give them a hug.
And dam, Prospero is so hateable.
hummeline's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read The Tempest in years, but decided to give this a go regardless. And what a ride this was—there's so much you can learn about the life of Prospero and Miranda before the opening of the play, but this takes every crumb and turns it into a riveting story of Miranda growing up. She—and Caliban too, and Ariel!—become complex people, with disparate wants and needs, and it all seems like a completely plausible prelude to the play itself. Rethinking things like what Caliban's relationship with the witch Sycorax is, about the manner of Prospero's departure, and what growing up on this island would be like with a domineering tyrant of a father / lord.
alittlebird's review against another edition
4.0
Carey is always at her best when she is writing something that's one part looming darkness and two parts taking out your heart to crush it repeatedly under a boot heel all while wanting more.
ipomoea's review against another edition
4.0
Review to come, I received an advance copy from NetGalley.