Lamplighter, L. Jagi: Prospero in Hell

[calico_reaction]

Comments

[maibyers]

I've added the first in the trilogy to my to-read list. It sounds interesting.

[ardys_the_ghoul]

Still want to read the first one, but haven't had the opportunity.

Captain Obvious Time: The first and third titles are a reference to Milton, "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained," so I would assume a certain amount of Christian mythos just from the title.

Although, I do have to point out that the Christian religion isn't the only one that involves a "Hell"--in fact, the word "Hell" comes from Norse mythology. Of course, I haven't read the book, so if the Hell portrayed here is along the lines of Dante's representation, that's definitely a Christian slant.

(I have to put on my scholar cap at least once a day or I get cranky.)

[calico_reaction]

Trust me, it's very obviously referring to the Christian hell. I can promise you that! And as an avid reading of the modern/urban fantasy genres, I've seen lots of representations of Hell, and I'm definitely well aware that not all are Christian-based! :)

Now, I've not read Milton (maybe I've read an excerpt or two), so I can't speak to the Christian themes in that, so I had no assumptions going into the trilogy. :) That being said, I do like the parallel of the titles! :)

[ardys_the_ghoul]

I have read part of "Paradise Lost" (I was supposed to read the whole thing for a college class, but I never did--oops). Basically, it chronicles the founding of Hell after Lucifer's fall from grace, the creation of Adam and Eve, and Satan's efforts to corrupt them to get revenge against Heaven. In the end, the "Son" (clearly referring to Jesus, before he became a man), is so moved by Adam and Eve's remorse at their failure to follow God's rules that he volunteers to go to earth as a human and die to save them--which sets up the plot of Part II, "Paradise Regained," which I have not read and is far less popular and well-known than Part I

[calico_reaction]

Long posts are fine! You're starting to convince me that perhaps I should be giving these works a shot one day...

[ext_474525]

Great review, I had very similar reactions - about the rape and about the religious aspects - and went on for days thinking about them before writing our review. I did mention in the review that I was afraid that Miranda would completely desert Eurynome for a more...Christian experience. The author left a comment in the review saying:

"It is probably really bad form to give anything away, but...to paraphrase the Princess Bride, "Miranda does not desert Eurynome at this time." Or ever."

So I have hopes for the ending - even as I wait for it with some caution.

Ana (book smugglers)

[calico_reaction]

Ah! I didn't realize you all had an LJ for commenting! Thanks so much for swinging by. In fact, I didn't realize you posted a review for this title, and would love to read it. Got a link, by chance?

Glad to see I'm not the only one with similar fears and experiences. Thanks so much for dropping by. :)

[ext_474525]

Wow how hard was it to post this reply. I spent the whole day yesterday trying - was it a problem with LJ? I sympathise! : (

Anyways, I don't have a LJ account but yours seem to allow me to connect via Twitter. : )

Here is the link: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2010/10/joint-review-prospero-in-hell-by-l-jagi-lamplighter.html

[calico_reaction]

I heard that LJ was having issues yesterday, so it wasn't just you! Thanks for replying! I'll check out your review now. :)

[ext_463379]

Thanks for the review! I just finished the first book in the series (for the book club) and I'm still trying to decide whether or not to get this one.

I'm not a big fan of preachy novels, either, hopefully this series won't go in that direction for the third book!

[calico_reaction]

Do you have a review up regarding your thoughts on the first book? I would love to know what's got you undecided to continue the trilogy, just to see if I can help steer you one way or the other. :)

[ext_463379]

My review of the first book is here (http://tethyanbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-prospero-lost-by-l-jagi.html) I was still writing it before. :)

[calico_reaction]

Hmm... okay, you may want to wait to continue until you get reactions from the third and final book, because while things happen in book two that force Miranda's growth, I think you're going to have some of the same complaints, especially about the book not standing alone. If the trilogy ends well, then you'll know if the journey's going to be worth it or not. :)

[crowinator]

Great review. I hadn't thought of the potential religious ramifications you described or if this was turning into a Christian fantasy with an agenda. I hope not, too

[calico_reaction]

The fact that her power comes from the purity of virginity definitely made the rape (in hindsight) unavoidable. In truth, the only way to avoid rape in this instance as a serious plot device is to take away Miranda's power coming from the purity of virginity. Like you, I'm very interested to see how the third book wraps everything up, and according to a comment above from the Book Smugglers, we haven't seen the last of Eurynome, which is promising. I don't mind if this book did end up being a Christian Fantasy, so long as it's not one with an agenda. Of course, for some people the very nature of having something be a Christian Fantasy is to have an agenda, but I think there's a line between the two that's difficult to navigate. But it can be done.

We'll see what happens in the third book!