Reviews

Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey

jillkahnwald's review against another edition

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3.0

If you haven't read The Tempest, I'm not sure this book will mean much to you. The author has a way with words, and the characters' psychologies are quite interesting, but the plot relies too heavily on The Tempest and seems too heavy-handed at times. Prospero is also portrayed as kind of a pervert, and there were opportunities to present the plot through certain lenses that the author didn't take advantage of. Overall, it's essentially Shakespeare fanfiction. If that's your thing, you may like it.

captainsillypants's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

roseice's review against another edition

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3.0

Amazingly, I haven't read The Tempest; nor did I know anything about it before reading this book. Rather than priding myself in my knowledge of Shakespeare, I vastly enjoy discovering his stories one-by-one, in a random fashion, and being fascinated anew each time. I love Shakespeare, but I prefer my approach to him--rather than seeking his plays out, I take them when given to me. Through school, through chance, like in this case.

I want to read The Tempest now. This crap is right up my alley. Stranded on an island, living in a palace, elementals for servants, a spirit trapped in a tree, a concealed revenge, a daughter in servitude and a boy magically enthralled to slavery. It has every element of a fascinating story sharpened by dark conflicts. I loved the small things of this story--I loved not knowing anything about Prospero, and slowly learning about his plot, with Miranda. Miranda and Caliban's early friendship, before it became sodden with lust (and frankly disgusting). The salamander in Prospero's sanctum. Miranda's painting. Prospero's morning chanting.

Ariel's role--oh my word, Ariel. This was another measure of potential. I can't say what his role is in The Tempest, or if Carey was just following the original story, but he was such a richly sketched character, and I cannot tell you how much I wanted Prospero to refuse Ariel his freedom in the end, and for Ariel to act on the darkness that was brewing beyond his gaze in many instances. It would've been amazing to see Ariel destroy Prospero and Miranda to narrowly escape, but I feel like Ariel's role was far too neatly tied up.

Caliban was a fascinating character, but I came to truly dislike his relationship with Miranda. It's so obessive and later so physical it's truly disturbing to read about, and it loses all of its charm in becoming a beastly thing that too heavily emphasises sexuality. Realistically, both of them are at an age to be sexually curious, but in this case, it overpowers the story and overwhelms Caliban's characterisation, overshadowing and reversing the growth and maturity he was finding in the pages before he sees Miranda naked, and instead of fitting with the story, it just felt random--too much all at once. What was meaningful about their relationship was lost in it, and it was carnal to the point I felt like Miranda could be interchangable with any young lady--if there were any but Miranda on the island. Caliban just wanted a female body.

If their "romance" hadn't slapped me in the face, but instead developed in a meaningful way and then become physical... but alas. It is what it is. It unfortunately dampened much of the book for me. I found myself wanting to skip Caliban's point of view. Thereafter, I couldn't take him seriously. And the ending is less than satisfying for anyone who was cheering them on.

All in all, this was a fascinating, well-written story. I'm glad for this introduction to The Tempest!

alexoph's review

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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 against another edition

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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

amihanbooks's review against another edition

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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.

alexperc_92's review against another edition

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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

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4.0

Ouch, my heart.

Also more evidence that Prospero is a bag of dicks.

jessriannereads's review

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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.

bookchellf's review against another edition

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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.