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chelsaat's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done it again. I love that she’s able to tackle any genre and just knock it out of the park.
Here she takes on what I’d label “gothic sci-fi” in this reimagining of HG Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Here, Dr. Moreau works on the Yucatan peninsula and has a daughter named Carlota. Montgomery is still around as the trusty but troubled majordomo, and the hybrids - Moreau’s half-human, half-animal creations, evoke more pity than horror.
I loved how SMG twisted this tale into one of the perils of colonialism and playing god, something the original tale barely scratches the surface of. Setting this partly in Carlota’s POV also turns this into a tale of a woman discovering her own power, which I always love to see!!
My only quibble is that the writing is slightly detached, I think to mimic Wells and other gothic tales of yore. It took me a minute to get into the minds of these characters, but it did happen. Just stick with it, I promise. Part 3 in particular is nonstop…I’m still reeling from how the events played out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Here she takes on what I’d label “gothic sci-fi” in this reimagining of HG Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Here, Dr. Moreau works on the Yucatan peninsula and has a daughter named Carlota. Montgomery is still around as the trusty but troubled majordomo, and the hybrids - Moreau’s half-human, half-animal creations, evoke more pity than horror.
I loved how SMG twisted this tale into one of the perils of colonialism and playing god, something the original tale barely scratches the surface of. Setting this partly in Carlota’s POV also turns this into a tale of a woman discovering her own power, which I always love to see!!
My only quibble is that the writing is slightly detached, I think to mimic Wells and other gothic tales of yore. It took me a minute to get into the minds of these characters, but it did happen. Just stick with it, I promise. Part 3 in particular is nonstop…I’m still reeling from how the events played out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Animal cruelty, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, and Xenophobia
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: scientific experimentation
Silvia-Moreno Garcia is a master at setting. And The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is no exception. This latest release has atmosphere, hot evenings, and an undercurrent of suspense. Dual POV, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau tells a story which explores sacrifice and self-discovery. When the ones who love us, see us only as objects, resources, commodities, it becomes up to us to define our place. But that journey can be fraught and full of unexpected discoveries.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is multi-dimensional. On one hand there are characters who are complex and flawed. Both Carlota and Montgomery have to navigate tangled emotions as well as high stakes choices. Everyone's motivations seem to be obscured and no one is laying down all the cards. They explore the ways we hurt people, the barbed comments, and pointed remarks. At the same time, they also celebrate friendship and support.
TW: scientific experimentation
Silvia-Moreno Garcia is a master at setting. And The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is no exception. This latest release has atmosphere, hot evenings, and an undercurrent of suspense. Dual POV, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau tells a story which explores sacrifice and self-discovery. When the ones who love us, see us only as objects, resources, commodities, it becomes up to us to define our place. But that journey can be fraught and full of unexpected discoveries.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is multi-dimensional. On one hand there are characters who are complex and flawed. Both Carlota and Montgomery have to navigate tangled emotions as well as high stakes choices. Everyone's motivations seem to be obscured and no one is laying down all the cards. They explore the ways we hurt people, the barbed comments, and pointed remarks. At the same time, they also celebrate friendship and support.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
ta2dlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another imaginative, historical fiction* from Moreno-Garcia that challenges our preconceived ideas about life, love, and the world we live in. A coming-of-age story in which a young woman learns the powers of seduction while simultaneously learning to shoulder the burdens and consequences of our loved ones' choices.
The transformation shall be brutal, because it's always worse in that way for a woman, but if she survives it, oh how horrible and magnificent she will be.
*This reviewer has not read The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells.
*This reviewer has not read The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Body horror, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
hanarama's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
Thank you Net Galley and Random House for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
The Book at a Glance:
• Dual POVs
• Historical Yucatan
• Mad science
• Retelling of a classic
• CWs: murder, blood, injury, assault, medical content, racism, colonialism, body horror.
Set against the volatile backdrop of 1800s Yucatan and the Caste War, comes a dreamy piece of speculative fiction from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Hidden in the remote settlement of Yaxaktan, Dr. Moreau plies his trade: manipulating flesh and genetics to grow animal-human hybrids, with the aim of producing an obedient and tireless labor source for his patron Hernando Lizalde. In his task, the doctor is assisted by Montgomery Laughton, an Englishman hired by Lizalde, and his young daughter Carlota.
Carlota wants nothing more than to live in Yaxaktan forever. She could never abandon her father or the hybrids for the wider world. However, something changes irrevocably when Lizalde's son arrives unannounced at the estate. Carlota's world is thrown out of balance and she must grapple with the consequences.
SMG presents a beautiful, moody tale that updates the original source material. The doctor remains similar to the original text: a man driven by his own ambition and hubris. He and Lizalde act as mirrors of one another, both commodifying and exploiting animals and humans alike. They represent a the tyranny that colonizers inflict on nature, and those deemed "less" human.
As a coming-of-age, the book grapples in large part with Carlota's view of the world shattering. We see her first as a young girl, and watch as she uncovers the truths hidden from her. This is a story about the loss of innocence and finding inner strength.
The Book at a Glance:
• Dual POVs
• Historical Yucatan
• Mad science
• Retelling of a classic
• CWs: murder, blood, injury, assault, medical content, racism, colonialism, body horror.
Set against the volatile backdrop of 1800s Yucatan and the Caste War, comes a dreamy piece of speculative fiction from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Hidden in the remote settlement of Yaxaktan, Dr. Moreau plies his trade: manipulating flesh and genetics to grow animal-human hybrids, with the aim of producing an obedient and tireless labor source for his patron Hernando Lizalde. In his task, the doctor is assisted by Montgomery Laughton, an Englishman hired by Lizalde, and his young daughter Carlota.
Carlota wants nothing more than to live in Yaxaktan forever. She could never abandon her father or the hybrids for the wider world. However, something changes irrevocably when Lizalde's son arrives unannounced at the estate. Carlota's world is thrown out of balance and she must grapple with the consequences.
SMG presents a beautiful, moody tale that updates the original source material. The doctor remains similar to the original text: a man driven by his own ambition and hubris. He and Lizalde act as mirrors of one another, both commodifying and exploiting animals and humans alike. They represent a the tyranny that colonizers inflict on nature, and those deemed "less" human.
As a coming-of-age, the book grapples in large part with Carlota's view of the world shattering. We see her first as a young girl, and watch as she uncovers the truths hidden from her. This is a story about the loss of innocence and finding inner strength.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Blood, Ableism, and Body horror
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