Jacqueline Carey

A lovely girl grows up in isolation where her father, a powerful magus, has spirited them to in order to keep them safe. We all know the tale of Prospero's quest for revenge, but what of Miranda? Or Caliban, the so-called savage Prospero chained to his will? In this incredible retelling of the fantastical tale, Jacqueline Carey shows readers the other side of the coin—the dutiful and tenderhearted Miranda, who loves her father but is terribly lonely. And Caliban, the strange and feral boy Prospero has bewitched to serve him. The two find solace and companionship in each other as Prospero weaves his magic and dreams of revenge. Always under Prospero’s jealous eye, Miranda and Caliban battle the dark, unknowable forces that bind them to the island even as the pangs of adolescence create a new awareness of each other and their doomed relationship. Miranda and Caliban is bestselling fantasy author Jacqueline Carey’s gorgeous retelling of The Tempest. With hypnotic prose and a wild imagination, Carey explores the themes of twisted love and unchecked power that lie at the heart of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, while serving up a fresh take on the play's iconic characters.

Miranda and Caliban

Becky

3.5 stars

This book was so utterly magical. It was beautifully written, every word felt genuine and true to the original Shakespeare play yet still made it new.

I have to say I wasn't Miranda's greatest fun going in. She had so little personality in the player it was impressive how much I grew to like her in this book Carey kept her characterisation true to the original post yet made her far more sympathetic a character. She begins naive as she is nothing but a child, she could be nothing but. And as she grows her fear and trust in her father means she is quite innocent but also ignorant. Ariel hints at her ignorance and it becomes more noticeable as it progresses. She comes to realise this also. She no longer trusts her father absolutely but instead begins to reason and question and I appreciated that character growth.

As for Caligan? I always felt he was hard done by in the play. He was a poor wretch but I couldn't understand why Prospero and Miranda despised him so and why he felt such contempt for them. This book flawlessly shows both his gratitude to them and also his contempt as he becomes chained. I liked that we see him grow and also see his close connection with Miranda . They each grow and influence one another. It was good to read.

In the end this is their book and their relationship and friendship is the focus. I won't spoil things but I did find the entire book heartbreaking. I wanted so many things and you knew it wasn't meant to be. It all came down to the manipulation of Prospero. I wanted to kill that man myself. He was so selfish and manipulative and I truly hated him, much as I did in the play. Todd to see some things don't change.

I'm not sure what I expected when I picked this book up but it wasn't what I got. What I got was far more powerful and stunning to read. It may not have been my favourite book but it will be one which stays with me for a whole as I think on the fate of each of the characters.

María Belén

I've mixed feelings about this book. 

I think it takes a certain kind of reader to be fully appreciat this book. It's not a book for everyone.

On the one hand, this was interesting. Miranda and Caliban is probably the best written character driven story I've read so far. I loved the writing. 
This is definitely a character study. And one hell of character development. Again, probably the best I've read so far. I was truly impressed, specially by Caliban's character development. It was amazing.

The book is beautifully written. Other than that... I wasn't super entertained. There isn't much in the way of a plot. It's slow paced, there isn't much tension and it can be a bit tedious at times. HOwever, I found myself liking it by the ending. It made me feel. I was left with a bittersweet feeling. But I guess that's the point? 

All in all, Miranda and Caliban is a good book. I liked it. And now I'll go and read something a littler happier and lighter.

Nickie Mohler

Miranda has grown up very lonely, with only her father and their animals to keep her company. Her father is a powerful magus, and says they must live this way to keep her safe. Then, a wild boy shows up, and everything starts to change. Miranda is growing up, and maybe, when she becomes a woman her father will finally tell her who she is and why they are hiding. This book was ok for me. I am a big fan of Jacqueline Carey, but this was not my favorite. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley.

Miranda and Caliban is bestselling fantasy author Jacqueline Carey’s gorgeous retelling of The Tempest. With hypnotic prose and a wild imagination, Carey explores the themes of twisted love and unchecked power that lie at the heart of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, while serving up a fresh take on the play's iconic characters. A lovely girl grows up in isolation where her father, a powerful magus, has spirited them to in order to keep them safe. We all know the tale of Prospero's quest for revenge, but what of Miranda? Or Caliban, the so-called savage Prospero chained to his will? In this incredible retelling of the fantastical tale, Jacqueline Carey shows readers the other side of the coin—the dutiful and tenderhearted Miranda, who loves her father but is terribly lonely. And Caliban, the strange and feral boy Prospero has bewitched to serve him. The two find solace and companionship in each other as Prospero weaves his magic and dreams of revenge. Always under Prospero’s jealous eye, Miranda and Caliban battle the dark, unknowable forces that bind them to the island even as the pangs of adolescence create a new awareness of each other and their doomed relationship.

Miranda and Caliban

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