Prospero Regained - Book Review [Tor]

While earlier volumes of the series paint a picture of familial discord, the intrusion and metaphoric notions of Hell helps create a diatribe of redemption in "Prospero Regained"[L. Jagi Lamplighter/Tor/480pgs] which functions both as a psychology lesson of deceit versus the necessity of reinvention.When we last left the structure of the Prosperos, they were descending into Hell to both find their lost siblings and free their illustrious father. This was circled in the basis specifically of Eramus and Miranda, a brother and sister with nothing to say to each other. The male end of the spectrum had long since condemned his sister for causing him the loss of his love. But like the voyage of Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit", the terrain and its inhabitants tends to reflect the feelings of the beholder allowing for a transcendence of sorts.As the story structure moves on, undeniably bringing parallel structure with "Paradise Lost" and Dante, the different geographic perceptions of vice and the dark perceptions they enchant begins to reflect the emotions of the characters as they pass through. Like "Watchmen" more than "Constantine", what is not said and simply perceived is more important than what is actually shown.The key to the structure in perspective to Miranda is Mephisto, who is also the Demon Prince of the same name. The key in any story of resurrection and rebirth is the playing of both sides for a common good. Even for someone as mentally unstable as Mephisto, the idea is that he is just sane enough to make all the difference.Like Cain and Abel, Theo and Gregor, two other siblings, are marred by protection and knowledge both coming from the mistaken influence of Miranda who herself feels like she is been decimated from this earth. After suffering violation (from her perspective) at the hands of a succubus, her perceptions begins to change when she sees that her love which took on a different form with an elfin king-turned-demon was actually his true feelings in disguise waiting to get out. Now granted this is all internal and heresay so the actuality of her emotions inbalances back and forth in natural order.The ideal is that everyone in Miranda's mind is the traitor and she, by reflection, is the traitor to everyone. After freeing more of her siblings (including sister Logistilla and the blind Cornelius), the revelation of Master Prospero and his predicament necessitates notions of sacrifice which creates the best overall drama and stakes.The climactic element of the novel is threefold but, in creating its basis, there is much of a suspension of belief required but its resolution is inherently cinematic and overly romantic in its overtones but this necessitates a kind of rebirth with propels the epilogue like the enlightenment at the end of "The Tempest". Like all good journeys that have overwhelming archetypes the notion of being reborn with an almost Messiah vision fuels the need of the human race to evolve.B+