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A review by li3an1na4
Rose & Poe by Jack Todd
4.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A modernish retelling of The Tempest set in Belle Coeur County, Massachusetts. This story follows the characters of Rose&Poe or if you're familiar with The Tempest, a more likeable Sycorax and Caliban.
I had not previously read or known much about The Tempest prior to reading this book. It's hard for me to say how this compares to the original or if it's better/worse.
I can judge the book on it's own merits. While it's obvious some characters had to exist because of the original text, it never felt like it was forced. Airmail the courier who shows up randomly both summoned and mysteriously is obviously Aerial the sprite, but the oddity of his existence feels right even in this book. The book itself has fantastical elements, without really coming off as being a fantasy book, which I'm sure owes a lot to The Tempest.
If The Tempest is about a parent's unconditional love of their child and also deception by an associate, then Rose and Poe captured it well.
I do think that it could have benefited from "more". Adding to some of the story, building up some characters, etc... I can't tell if it's the book staying true to the original play or if it's on the author.
A modernish retelling of The Tempest set in Belle Coeur County, Massachusetts. This story follows the characters of Rose&Poe or if you're familiar with The Tempest, a more likeable Sycorax and Caliban.
I had not previously read or known much about The Tempest prior to reading this book. It's hard for me to say how this compares to the original or if it's better/worse.
I can judge the book on it's own merits. While it's obvious some characters had to exist because of the original text, it never felt like it was forced. Airmail the courier who shows up randomly both summoned and mysteriously is obviously Aerial the sprite, but the oddity of his existence feels right even in this book. The book itself has fantastical elements, without really coming off as being a fantasy book, which I'm sure owes a lot to The Tempest.
If The Tempest is about a parent's unconditional love of their child and also deception by an associate, then Rose and Poe captured it well.
I do think that it could have benefited from "more". Adding to some of the story, building up some characters, etc... I can't tell if it's the book staying true to the original play or if it's on the author.