Based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, Mullin's Rough Magic seeks to expand the story, but fails utterly. The book is interesting in concept, but not in execution - and feels more like 3 books than one.
Story 1: Sycorax (Well before the Bard's play)
The childhood and growing of Sycorax could have been a really good book, but only on it's own! Early on Sycorax discover's her magical abilities, but sees a dark future revealed in flames she has created. Unfortunately the reader never discoveres exactly what Sycorax sees in those flames. With that bit of information, the writer could have continued to show us how her missteps take her to exactly the place she doesn't want to be. Instead we speed through her childhood and life until she ends up on the island.
Story 2: The Tempest
We could have had this story begin with Sycorax being stranded on the island as a witch. It could have ended with Chiara and Caliban going back to the island. The end! A good enough story had the characters been better filled out. **Note** I though Chiara was the most interesting character in the book. This section of the novel is the most thorougly realized. Sure the story still needs filled out a little more. And the characters aren't as well developed as they could be. All of this could have been accomplished had Mullin focused on this part of the story.
Story 3: The Leviathan, et. al (i.e., the confusing part of the book)
Chiara, reborn after her trip through the Leviathan, returns to the island a newly born creature. While away Caliban and the young witch, Calypso (not that Calypson, don't worry) have learned of their shared relation. The island is saved, Chiara breaks Caliban's heart. All in all, the story from this point forward is forced and over too quickly to be of much interest.
Rouch Magic is just that, Rough! Keep to the Tempest and don't bother with this one.
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