Reviewed:
What can I say? aroslav is a craftsman that weaves words into pictures. I said it all in my review of Triptych and it all applies to The Prodigal too. The Model Student Trilogy should be required reading.
On the other hand, if this is the first of the series you've considered, I strongly suggest you start at the beginning, with Model Student, follow that with Triptych, then return to The Prodigal. You need to get to know the characters from the very beginning.
Read them all, and enjoy every paragraph!