regshoe

Yes, I think that's it exactly. theseatheseatheopensea above was comparing Matthew-Piranesi's experiences to Stephen's in JMSN, who's also traumatised by having the magical aspects of the world used against him, and who also ends up irrevocably changed but very much not lesser. Piranesi is much quieter and less dramatic about it, of course—much as I love the ending of JSMN for what happens to Stephen, I enjoyed this gentler take on it a great deal as well.

the police detective rescues the prince from the tower

Haha, I like that way of putting it! Yes, we really do get the story backwards in this one, don't we. (My copy is a special edition with an extra chapter at the back, in which we see Raphael interviewing two of Ketterley's 'other potential victims' while investigating Matthew's disappearance. That was an intriguing look at her side of the story).

I highly recommend re-reading it :) I'm going to re-read JSMN next—will be a fun opportunity to do a comparison in the other direction...