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erynlasbelin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I just kept assuming this was going to be a prequel to The Island, up until that became impossible. I wonder how my impression of the book would differ if I hadn't been working off that frame work for 90% of it.
I really enjoyed this overall, though perhaps a bit less than Mexican Gothic. It's hard to elaborate on why - the characters and their conflicts were all very believable, but I think there were simply too many of them, and some of the story seemed to drag out a bit too long.
I really enjoyed this overall, though perhaps a bit less than Mexican Gothic. It's hard to elaborate on why - the characters and their conflicts were all very believable, but I think there were simply too many of them, and some of the story seemed to drag out a bit too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Cursing, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and War
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
katiemack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I received this as an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read The Island of Doctor Moreau, but I think a more creative, diverse, feminist adaptation of it is a positive (especially when considering how awful H.G. Wells was). I'd say it's more historical fiction that horror, though the author herself calls it "scientific romance," which is apt.
Aside from the romantic entanglements feeling creepy (thankfully Silvia Moreno-Garcia resolves those fairly well), this cast of characters is my favorite of any Moreno-Garcia book I've read. This probably has to do with the hybrids, who are incredibly loyal in a pure yet (at times) sardonic way. Even Montgomery and Carlotta grew on me, despite their faults, and I think the titular doctor's fate is what he deserves. I also appreciated the descriptions of the setting, particularly the historic contextualization of what was happening in Mexico at the time. (The author's note at the end of the book is informative in this regard.)
Grab this if you love Moreno-Garcia's other books (or, like me, if you've had mixed feelings about her other books and wanted to see how this one would be).
I haven't read The Island of Doctor Moreau, but I think a more creative, diverse, feminist adaptation of it is a positive (especially when considering how awful H.G. Wells was). I'd say it's more historical fiction that horror, though the author herself calls it "scientific romance," which is apt.
Aside from the romantic entanglements feeling creepy (thankfully Silvia Moreno-Garcia resolves those fairly well), this cast of characters is my favorite of any Moreno-Garcia book I've read. This probably has to do with the hybrids, who are incredibly loyal in a pure yet (at times) sardonic way. Even Montgomery and Carlotta grew on me, despite their faults, and I think the titular doctor's fate is what he deserves. I also appreciated the descriptions of the setting, particularly the historic contextualization of what was happening in Mexico at the time. (The author's note at the end of the book is informative in this regard.)
Grab this if you love Moreno-Garcia's other books (or, like me, if you've had mixed feelings about her other books and wanted to see how this one would be).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Gun violence
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