Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Book Review: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd


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Title: The Madman's Daughter
Author: Megan Shepherd
Series/Standalone: The Madman's Daughter (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Retelling
Pages: 420
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook and Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The basement hallways in King's College of Medical Research were dark, even in the daytime."

"Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London- working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward- both of whom she is deeply drawn to- Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius- and madness- in her own blood.

Inspired by HG Well's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect."

My Rating: 4.25/5 

This story was deeply frightening. It includes a girl who thought she had been orphaned and/or left behind trying to make her way in the world. It shows how she discovers her father is alive and confronts the rumours that put him on the run in the first place. And it follows her along her travels through and around a tropical island. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but what I will say, is if you are a chicken like me, maybe don't read this at night. I think that Megan Shepherd did a great job of writing suspenseful atmosphere and conversations without making it feel over the top. I also think that the characters were complex and we might not even know just how complex upon completion of this first book. I will say that the ending just didn't do what I hoped it would and therefore I don't think it provided the ending I had hoped for. I am interested in continuing with the series and would recommend for anyone looking for a Gothic Thriller I would strongly recommend this first book!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny




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