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seilahuh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i'll keep it short. i loved this book. but i'm at the point of seeing how easily reviews can warp a book. like it's different coming at it with a familiarity with other high rated popular "romances", which rely upon the fmc being this weak, fawning, ultimately coerced object for desire to be exerted upon, to seeing angelika headstrong and capable mostly (the story clarifies what this means), intelligent and retaining her choice so much no man satisfied her but the one she would find in her morose profession. this was fresh for me, it was what i hadn't expected, nor really knew i needed to see written just like this.
and it's probably a faux pas to address reviews in my review but (would that be honest to me) i cannot believe how little people actually engaged with the story...over engaging pop, lib. (not genuine; androphilic, misogynistic) feminism. coming from that angle too of knowing quite more about that topic and having a stance more concrete than "it hurts men's feelings to gesture to smaller dicks being less satisfying for an individual woman," in comparison to the harrowing reality of real life misogyny being more than feelings. and being a more stringent (rad) feminist type myself, it's interesting to see how shallow concepts can rewrite entire material. i would've thought the story was so much worse if i had went in off these elements.
it's odd to me that a book where the woman as a contrast to so much popular material takes action, and is desiring and knows what she wants even despite virginal status, is not fragile and fawning, and is not just an object for an mmc to run over and rape, and carves out respect and stitches it even into his very skin and the fabric of his soul. . .would come off this unfavorable to women who have rated actual rape stories quite highly. even among a "dark" romance crew, i would think this would maybe resonate. but maybe it's that really foundationally, the elements that make that genre and type of story favorable make the reading experience incompatible here, because nothing here is actually forced no matter what reviews might say. that's not the actual story, not at all.
i don't believe angelika is unlikable, i have read quite unlikable characters. i think she's just not been given a chance for not being so docile and being sure of herself in many places, and there's a refusal to actually see the landscape that has made her vain in spite, and that makes this story. that makes william love her, and choose such a fiercesome woman who loves him just as equally, fairly, beautifully. it's really so sweet, i wish people, women, other mages would give themselves a chance for sweeter love without patriarchal force or abuse that would make them reject this story so vehemently for those differences.
and it's probably a faux pas to address reviews in my review but (would that be honest to me) i cannot believe how little people actually engaged with the story...over engaging pop, lib. (not genuine; androphilic, misogynistic) feminism. coming from that angle too of knowing quite more about that topic and having a stance more concrete than "it hurts men's feelings to gesture to smaller dicks being less satisfying for an individual woman," in comparison to the harrowing reality of real life misogyny being more than feelings. and being a more stringent (rad) feminist type myself, it's interesting to see how shallow concepts can rewrite entire material. i would've thought the story was so much worse if i had went in off these elements.
it's odd to me that a book where the woman as a contrast to so much popular material takes action, and is desiring and knows what she wants even despite virginal status, is not fragile and fawning, and is not just an object for an mmc to run over and rape, and carves out respect and stitches it even into his very skin and the fabric of his soul. . .would come off this unfavorable to women who have rated actual rape stories quite highly. even among a "dark" romance crew, i would think this would maybe resonate. but maybe it's that really foundationally, the elements that make that genre and type of story favorable make the reading experience incompatible here, because nothing here is actually forced no matter what reviews might say. that's not the actual story, not at all.
i don't believe angelika is unlikable, i have read quite unlikable characters. i think she's just not been given a chance for not being so docile and being sure of herself in many places, and there's a refusal to actually see the landscape that has made her vain in spite, and that makes this story. that makes william love her, and choose such a fiercesome woman who loves him just as equally, fairly, beautifully. it's really so sweet, i wish people, women, other mages would give themselves a chance for sweeter love without patriarchal force or abuse that would make them reject this story so vehemently for those differences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
the ethics of reanimation being mixed with love are actually broached, and i think engaging with this question most of all makes the experience more pleasant or interesting, than thinking "if a man wrote this" or about this story if it were flipped to be reanimated woman to man creator. we already have that and it's awful, cause it's not comparable.rosemwood's review against another edition
3.0
A twist on the classic Frankenstein. As I read this the movie Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder in it. I kept looking for that humor twist but it didn't come. There was one POV Angelika. There was a love triangle that was strange and hard to take like the author felt they needed to through something into the plot to make it better.
allisonschoneschmetterling's review against another edition
2.0
this was okay! I really liked the first half, forced through the rest. Ending was super cheesy, could have done without the prologue. I get the cheeky references to the OG Frankenstein etc but I think it really dumbed down the whole book. (I’m not all for “everything is explained and tied in a neat bow” endings, HEA or otherwise). And the super heavy God stuff in the last third was a huge turn off. I know this isn’t a straight up retelling but it is kind of weird to be so heavy handed on “faith will save your life you have to have science AND faith you have to PRAY!!!” Like.. why are you selling religion to me in this smutty Frankenstein spin off … Miss Mary Shelley would never …
Lots of opportunities to do cool stuff with a potential body snatching scandal but it was all dropped for the sake of a love triangle plot line. I know it’s a romance but the Insta love etc was too much for me (prob just personal preference) like I know Angelika made him to be her match but like you don’t know this man !!!!! He is a stranger !!!!
Love how dramatic Angelika is tho, she and Victor were really funny together.
All in all, just kind of meh. Probably wouldnt recommend and won’t read again.
Lots of opportunities to do cool stuff with a potential body snatching scandal but it was all dropped for the sake of a love triangle plot line. I know it’s a romance but the Insta love etc was too much for me (prob just personal preference) like I know Angelika made him to be her match but like you don’t know this man !!!!! He is a stranger !!!!
Love how dramatic Angelika is tho, she and Victor were really funny together.
All in all, just kind of meh. Probably wouldnt recommend and won’t read again.
kimberlywyatt5's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is absolutely amazing. Sally Thorne’s imagination is top notch. This is a great adaptation of Frankenstein. It is equal parts romance, comedy, & sci-fi. I will read any book this author puts out. The conversations between the characters are flawless & cheeky. The romance is swoon-worthy. 10/10
lizeth26's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, this was weird and hilarious at times. I just didn't love the characters as much.
laurenscholle's review against another edition
2.0
boooo tomato tomato. weird relationship between brother and sister and zero character development or intrigue.
jamielynngirl16's review against another edition
Just didn't feel any desire to read
rachelley98's review against another edition
3.5
There is character growth but the 180 switch with Will in the third act was so abrupt and oddly written. Could’ve been better transitioned and ending cut to very last minute resolution
etecho's review against another edition
3.5
A fun, quick audio book. We love a Frankenstein retelling, and this one has a bit of homey mystery in the mix as well.
kanade8's review against another edition
Poorly Written, characters were insufferable and the plot was a farce (it could have been fun but it wasn't)