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Such Creatures: A retelling of The Tempest
The Island protects all of its inhabitants… for a price.
Shipwrecked on a remote island, Cherubim must keep herself and her depressed father alive. The Island is a world of its own, full of dreamlike strangeness and shifting illusions. In its depths are creatures from another world: banished witches, dead goddesses, and survivors trapped in time.
Then she meets Ariel, a young man as wild as her. As they grow together, their feelings for each other threaten the very balance of the Island. Cherubim must decide if she is willing to bargain with the Island and risk her love… and her humanity.
A storm is on the horizon. The past is coming to capture the creature she has become.
Such Creatures is a vivid, romantic retelling of Shakespeare's magical classic 'The Tempest'. Readers can escape into the life of Cherubim, once known as Miranda. The story draws from the real words of William Shakespeare, with familiar (and not so familiar) characters from Shakespeare, Greco-Roman mythology, and real tales of shipwreck survivors.
This novel blends the immersive atmosphere of Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, with the dreamy prose of Madeline Miller’s classic The Song of Achilles. This book is perfect for fans of mythology, soft evocative fantasy, and empowered feminist retellings of much loved stories.
Shipwrecked on a remote island, Cherubim must keep herself and her depressed father alive. The Island is a world of its own, full of dreamlike strangeness and shifting illusions. In its depths are creatures from another world: banished witches, dead goddesses, and survivors trapped in time.
Then she meets Ariel, a young man as wild as her. As they grow together, their feelings for each other threaten the very balance of the Island. Cherubim must decide if she is willing to bargain with the Island and risk her love… and her humanity.
A storm is on the horizon. The past is coming to capture the creature she has become.
Such Creatures is a vivid, romantic retelling of Shakespeare's magical classic 'The Tempest'. Readers can escape into the life of Cherubim, once known as Miranda. The story draws from the real words of William Shakespeare, with familiar (and not so familiar) characters from Shakespeare, Greco-Roman mythology, and real tales of shipwreck survivors.
This novel blends the immersive atmosphere of Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, with the dreamy prose of Madeline Miller’s classic The Song of Achilles. This book is perfect for fans of mythology, soft evocative fantasy, and empowered feminist retellings of much loved stories.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 11, 2026
This book is so beautifully written, it feels almost lyrical or like poetry to read. As someone who doesn't know much about (or care for) Shakespeare, I was surprised at how immediately invested I was in the characters and the story. It is completely stunning, I loved it and 100% recommend.
September 20, 2026
A beautiful book, the island is described in such vivid lyrical detail, Madison makes you feel so connected to each of the characters. I couldn't put this book down. I'd recommend it to everyone ❤️
Review of advance copy
Rarely has a book so thoroughly caught me in its grip and refused to let go until I breathlessly read to the last page, but Madison Halliday's Such Creatures did exactly that. An expertly retold version of Shakespeare's Tempest, Ms. Halliday's deep knowledge of both the source material and the broader Greek and Roman myths is an exquisite feast of storytelling at its best.
Cherubim has been shipwrecked with her father on a mysterious and magical Island as a child. Though they come near to death, the help of a mysterious shadow in the night—and of the Island itself—spares them. As her father is prone to great fugues of debilitating depression, Cherubim quickly learns to become self-sufficient and capable at providing for both herself and him. And as she explores more deeply into the Island, she learns there's far more to its magic than she realizes.
Where do I even begin with all the things I love about this book? As someone who deeply loves both The Tempest and Greek & Roman myth, I found Ms. Halliday's expert interweaving of both *flawless.* I often laughed after reading passages in the first half of the book because I had to remember *that wasn't how it happened in The Tempest.* But she wrote the story so beautifully that it felt like something that had always existed in this form—and I was returning to it like a cherished, but forgotten dream.
The 'gaps' she wrote into regarding the key players of The Tempest (in this case, Miranda, Prospero, Ariel, and the Island itself) were reinterpretations that I deeply enjoyed. It felt like something fresh and wonderfully creative while also paying homage to the material that came before it.
I also must praise her excellent POV, especially in writing a character that spans over 12 years! She was able to write young Cherubim's growth from innocence to awakening convincingly and winsomely without being cloying—and that feat is far, far harder to accomplish than many writers know.
If I may present one minor critique, it is near the midpoint of the book. Without giving spoilers, there is a pivotal shift for our heroine where she realizes—and comes into—her understanding of her power and ability. I loved the inciting incident that caused this, but Cherubim's inner turn and realization happened so quickly that I had to backtrack to make sure I understood what had happened. I would have loved even 2 paragraphs to see her growing realization before she sprints ahead into her new glory.
I could keep going, but really all that needs to be said is, GO READ THIS BOOK and tell everyone you know about it! Madison Halliday has made an ardent fan of me and I will happily show up for whatever creative endeavors she next attempts.
Cherubim has been shipwrecked with her father on a mysterious and magical Island as a child. Though they come near to death, the help of a mysterious shadow in the night—and of the Island itself—spares them. As her father is prone to great fugues of debilitating depression, Cherubim quickly learns to become self-sufficient and capable at providing for both herself and him. And as she explores more deeply into the Island, she learns there's far more to its magic than she realizes.
Where do I even begin with all the things I love about this book? As someone who deeply loves both The Tempest and Greek & Roman myth, I found Ms. Halliday's expert interweaving of both *flawless.* I often laughed after reading passages in the first half of the book because I had to remember *that wasn't how it happened in The Tempest.* But she wrote the story so beautifully that it felt like something that had always existed in this form—and I was returning to it like a cherished, but forgotten dream.
The 'gaps' she wrote into regarding the key players of The Tempest (in this case, Miranda, Prospero, Ariel, and the Island itself) were reinterpretations that I deeply enjoyed. It felt like something fresh and wonderfully creative while also paying homage to the material that came before it.
I also must praise her excellent POV, especially in writing a character that spans over 12 years! She was able to write young Cherubim's growth from innocence to awakening convincingly and winsomely without being cloying—and that feat is far, far harder to accomplish than many writers know.
If I may present one minor critique, it is near the midpoint of the book. Without giving spoilers, there is a pivotal shift for our heroine where she realizes—and comes into—her understanding of her power and ability. I loved the inciting incident that caused this, but Cherubim's inner turn and realization happened so quickly that I had to backtrack to make sure I understood what had happened. I would have loved even 2 paragraphs to see her growing realization before she sprints ahead into her new glory.
I could keep going, but really all that needs to be said is, GO READ THIS BOOK and tell everyone you know about it! Madison Halliday has made an ardent fan of me and I will happily show up for whatever creative endeavors she next attempts.
October 3, 2026
Just read this strikingly confident first novel. Very fresh and original in style and concept, it really makes you think again about the characters in "The Tempest".
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such Creatures is dreamy mysterious fantasy about a badass young girl stranded on a magical island.
While the shipwreck that brought her there also stranded her father, he’s in no state to take care of her so she takes matters into her own hands. As she explores the unknown and often dangerous jungles, rivers and ruins she uncovers more and more of the islands secrets - including a strange and handsome boy who seems just as interested in her.
There are great loves, lost loves, quests, ghosts and gods in this coming-of-age feminist re-telling of The Tempest. Fans of mythology and Shakespeare will love the beautifully inter-woven lore, but you absolutely don’t need to be a classic literature buff to be entranced with the atmospheric world-building and utterly gorgeous writing.
While the shipwreck that brought her there also stranded her father, he’s in no state to take care of her so she takes matters into her own hands. As she explores the unknown and often dangerous jungles, rivers and ruins she uncovers more and more of the islands secrets - including a strange and handsome boy who seems just as interested in her.
There are great loves, lost loves, quests, ghosts and gods in this coming-of-age feminist re-telling of The Tempest. Fans of mythology and Shakespeare will love the beautifully inter-woven lore, but you absolutely don’t need to be a classic literature buff to be entranced with the atmospheric world-building and utterly gorgeous writing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such Creatures is a gorgeous book where the writing will envelope you into the island and help you get lost in time with mythical characters.
A story of self discovery, empowerment and familial love which will leave you thinking about and longing for the characters while you've had to put the book down!
I loved it, such a beautiful escape away from the real world.
A story of self discovery, empowerment and familial love which will leave you thinking about and longing for the characters while you've had to put the book down!
I loved it, such a beautiful escape away from the real world.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews