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alexoph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
allusory's review
3.0
Retellings of Shakespeare plays are all the rage these days, so it's not surprising to see a fantasy author tackle the magic rich world of The Tempest. Carey's take widens the play from a tale of Prospero's grand revenge scheme into a story of two children growing up supported by each other while in the power of a man whose care and interest is only for his own ends.
Read the rest of the review at http://allusoryreviews.wordpress.com
Disclosure: this review is based on an ebook galley provided by Tor via Netgalley
Read the rest of the review at http://allusoryreviews.wordpress.com
Disclosure: this review is based on an ebook galley provided by Tor via Netgalley
amihanbooks's review
4.0
OVERALL RATING: ★★★★✰ (4.5)
Legend (there's no symbol for a half-filled star so I used this instead):
☆ = 0
✰ = 0.5
★ = 1.0
World building: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Prose: ★★★★★ (Shakespearean)
Romance: ★★★★✰ (too sad)
Ending: ★★★★✰ (also too sad)
Masterful retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest that gives depth to Prospero's docile daughter Miranda and the 'monster' Caliban. Instead of focusing on Prospero's bitter past and desire for vengeance, we see his grand plans unfold through Miranda's eyes. She is no longer simply a tool for her father's revenge, but a lonely girl who chafes against the limitations set upon her. She finds solace in her only friend on the island, Caliban, whose brutishness from the original story is replaced by a tender, gentle love and desire to set Miranda free from her father.
While The Tempest was a comedy that ended in Miranda and Ferdinand's happy wedding, this novel has twisted it into a psychologically compelling tragedy. Miranda and Caliban fall in love, but Prospero is still the master puppeteer we know. The author retains the original ending, leaving Caliban abandoned on the island-- but this time around, we are not glad to see him go.
This is definitely worth reading if you enjoy lyrical, old english prose, romance, alchemical magic, and tragic endings.
Legend (there's no symbol for a half-filled star so I used this instead):
☆ = 0
✰ = 0.5
★ = 1.0
World building: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Prose: ★★★★★ (Shakespearean)
Romance: ★★★★✰ (too sad)
Ending: ★★★★✰ (also too sad)
Masterful retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest that gives depth to Prospero's docile daughter Miranda and the 'monster' Caliban. Instead of focusing on Prospero's bitter past and desire for vengeance, we see his grand plans unfold through Miranda's eyes. She is no longer simply a tool for her father's revenge, but a lonely girl who chafes against the limitations set upon her. She finds solace in her only friend on the island, Caliban, whose brutishness from the original story is replaced by a tender, gentle love and desire to set Miranda free from her father.
While The Tempest was a comedy that ended in Miranda and Ferdinand's happy wedding, this novel has twisted it into a psychologically compelling tragedy. Miranda and Caliban fall in love, but Prospero is still the master puppeteer we know. The author retains the original ending, leaving Caliban abandoned on the island-- but this time around, we are not glad to see him go.
This is definitely worth reading if you enjoy lyrical, old english prose, romance, alchemical magic, and tragic endings.
alexperc_92's review
5.0
Such a beautiful and touching story! It's a shame this book is so underrated. But what kind of ending was tihs?
rmyd42's review against another edition
4.0
Ouch, my heart.
Also more evidence that Prospero is a bag of dicks.
Also more evidence that Prospero is a bag of dicks.
jessriannereads's review against another edition
5.0
❝’Tis the fine edge of a blade that divides innocence from ignorance, and methinks it a blade that will turn in thy hand and cut thee one day.❞
— Jacqueline Carey
❖
This novel has me thinking of a life in solitary on a island, with naught but a suspiciously overbearing father, a meddlesome and mercurial spirit, and a single friend condemned to a life as a slave and monster.
This novel is a brilliant and devastating rendering of the characters in Shakespeare’s tragicomedy, The Tempest. Carey explores the blossoming of friendship and sexuality, the oppression of sexuality, the harshness of prejudice, and the innocence—and ignorance—that comes with adolescence. Carey chronicles the woes of puberty when met with the strictures of a domineering father, and master, and of the struggles that come from loneliness, forbidden love, blind faith, and loyal devotion.
It could also be considered a tragicomedy, as there is slight humor in the beginning, as the two friends are young and learning together, but as the years pass, dark intentions take hold and everything on the isle changes. The ending is poignant.
Miranda’s tender heart and Caliban’s troubled soul kept me enthralled and their story is one I will always remember. This novel is a beautifully tragic story of love, protection, obedience, friendship, faith, vengeance, and magic.
— Jacqueline Carey
❖
This novel has me thinking of a life in solitary on a island, with naught but a suspiciously overbearing father, a meddlesome and mercurial spirit, and a single friend condemned to a life as a slave and monster.
This novel is a brilliant and devastating rendering of the characters in Shakespeare’s tragicomedy, The Tempest. Carey explores the blossoming of friendship and sexuality, the oppression of sexuality, the harshness of prejudice, and the innocence—and ignorance—that comes with adolescence. Carey chronicles the woes of puberty when met with the strictures of a domineering father, and master, and of the struggles that come from loneliness, forbidden love, blind faith, and loyal devotion.
It could also be considered a tragicomedy, as there is slight humor in the beginning, as the two friends are young and learning together, but as the years pass, dark intentions take hold and everything on the isle changes. The ending is poignant.
Miranda’s tender heart and Caliban’s troubled soul kept me enthralled and their story is one I will always remember. This novel is a beautifully tragic story of love, protection, obedience, friendship, faith, vengeance, and magic.
bookchellf's review
5.0
I am not at all surprised that I enjoyed this book. I have always liked Jacqueline Carey's writing and this was just another one to add to the list. The prose is very poetic and beautiful and both Miranda and Caliban had their own distinctive voices. While Jacqueline Carey definitely made these characters something of her own I do not think she did the Bard any disrespect in doing so.
I found myself sharing much of the emotions of Miranda and Caliban in this book. Caliban especially I was rooting for. In this book he is a tragic but kindly man who has been dealt a cruel hand at every moment. And in many ways meeting Miranda was just another one of those cruelties.
This book is not a happy one so if you are looking for a joyful read this one might not be for you. But if you are looking for something beautiful and tragic then I definitely would say check this one out.
I found myself sharing much of the emotions of Miranda and Caliban in this book. Caliban especially I was rooting for. In this book he is a tragic but kindly man who has been dealt a cruel hand at every moment. And in many ways meeting Miranda was just another one of those cruelties.
This book is not a happy one so if you are looking for a joyful read this one might not be for you. But if you are looking for something beautiful and tragic then I definitely would say check this one out.
fletcher's review against another edition
4.0
What I would give to have a hundred Shakespeare retellings in Jacqueline Carey's style 😭 Her prose is just so beautiful. I LOVED this portrayal of Prospero--and of Ariel as well, cruel as he can be. The ending made me throw my hands in the air. God. I so wish there was a sequel, but it's beautiful as it is. I discovered this quote on the author's website and couldn't find it any more apt: "If you enjoy having your heart ever-so-delicately shattered to smithereens, this is the one."
jennifer_fatula's review
medium-paced
4.25
A beautiful retelling of The Tempest by Shakespeare (though I am not familiar with the original work).
ireitlitam's review
3.0
This re-imagining of The Tempest was interesting considering the small setting (an island in the ocean) and the few characters who populate it. The island was the best character for me with the castle, the history