First published 2008
Prospero once ruled Milan until his brother Antonio betrayed him and seized power. Now the deposed duke lives in exile on an isolated island with his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel who serves him, and Caliban, a native creature he has enslaved. When a storm drives a ship carrying his enemies toward the island, Prospero sees his chance for revenge. He commands Ariel and other spirits to wreck the vessel and scatter the survivors across the island. Among the castaways is Ferdinand, Prince of Naples, who encounters Miranda and falls in love with her. Prospero manipulates events from behind the scenes, testing Ferdinand's devotion and tormenting his former enemies. Yet the sorcerer's quest for vengeance reveals his own moral contradictions. He enslaves Caliban despite the creature's legitimate claim to the island. Caliban resists his master's control, exposing the colonial violence beneath Prospero's righteous anger. As romance blooms between Miranda and Ferdinand, their love becomes the key to resolving the conflicts that have torn apart kingdoms and families.
Genres: adaptations, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Milan, Island
Period: Exile
95 pages · Hardcover · Dingles/Treehouse Court
Content warnings: colonialism, slavery