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iamcaitlinjacobs's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written. Brilliant retelling. Compelling characters living with the monstrous choices they've made. I loved this one. :)
kel_pru's review
2.0
Ehh. I mean it was a retelling of the Frankenstein story, but it was a bit predictable and not very interesting. Not for me. Surprisingly.
parrotheadpress's review
3.0
Honestly, this is closer to a 3.5. It's an imaginative take on the "Frankenstein" story and well done. But it just dragged for me at times, which keeps it from being a 4.
withthebanned's review
3.0
It should come as no surprise to any of you that I am a huge fan of gothic literature, give me Stoker over Austen any day! Therefore it was no surprise that I was completely on board with this novel as soon as I read the premise. I am happy to say that I was very pleased with the Lee's re-imagining of Frankenstein. While reading, I was reminded of my multiple reads and analyzations of Frankenstein and the question of humanity many times while reading, and I think this would make a perfect companion to the original in any classroom setting.
"When Oliver asked her how she read so quickly, she told him with a sly smile that she took books to bed like lovers."
I absolutely loved the characters of this novel, though I would have liked the secondary characters to have been fleshed out just a bit more. I do believe that my favorite parts were the parts that involved Mary, as I so enjoyed reading the slight nods to her lifestyle with Percy Shelley. I very much enjoyed the relationship between Alasdair and Oliver, I loved how despite everything, the brothers still had deep loyalties to one another. I was very surprised by how intricate and interesting the plot was. There were many layers to this novel, and it was interesting to see how they all weaved together. There were lessons to be learned, and damage done for sure throughout the novel; in the end the reader was able to see the importance of humanity, loyalty, and how our decisions shape us and the world we live in.
Shelf Talker: It turns out that This Monstrous Thing is a wonderful retelling of a classic tale. It blends gothic elements, mystery and questions of humanity together in a truly wonderful way. Definitely pick this up if you are looking for a novel that is gothic, mysterious and at its core, rather sweet.
"When Oliver asked her how she read so quickly, she told him with a sly smile that she took books to bed like lovers."
I absolutely loved the characters of this novel, though I would have liked the secondary characters to have been fleshed out just a bit more. I do believe that my favorite parts were the parts that involved Mary, as I so enjoyed reading the slight nods to her lifestyle with Percy Shelley. I very much enjoyed the relationship between Alasdair and Oliver, I loved how despite everything, the brothers still had deep loyalties to one another. I was very surprised by how intricate and interesting the plot was. There were many layers to this novel, and it was interesting to see how they all weaved together. There were lessons to be learned, and damage done for sure throughout the novel; in the end the reader was able to see the importance of humanity, loyalty, and how our decisions shape us and the world we live in.
Shelf Talker: It turns out that This Monstrous Thing is a wonderful retelling of a classic tale. It blends gothic elements, mystery and questions of humanity together in a truly wonderful way. Definitely pick this up if you are looking for a novel that is gothic, mysterious and at its core, rather sweet.
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
"Perhaps I'm a monster. Perhaps we all are."
This was a completely fascinating and interesting retelling of [a:Mary Shelley|11139|Mary Shelley|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1386351586p2/11139.jpg]'s [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Shelley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639]. I love that Mary herself was showcased in the story. There is a thin line between revolutionist and monster, a man before his times and one that is killing for revenge. I loved the thin line and the ambiguity to everyone.
I also love the automatons and their role in the story. That part of steampunk is also so fun to read about.
This was a completely fascinating and interesting retelling of [a:Mary Shelley|11139|Mary Shelley|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1386351586p2/11139.jpg]'s [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Shelley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639]. I love that Mary herself was showcased in the story. There is a thin line between revolutionist and monster, a man before his times and one that is killing for revenge. I loved the thin line and the ambiguity to everyone.
I also love the automatons and their role in the story. That part of steampunk is also so fun to read about.
larajgriff1's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fun retelling, easy read, but a bit too neat of an ending for my taste.
bookish_whispers's review against another edition
3.0
This Monstrous Thing is set in an alternative steampunk version Geneva where people are patched together by clockwork pieces by illegal mechanics called, Shadow Boys. It is a retelling of the classic Gothic Novel, Frankenstein. In fact this is the story of how this version of Mary Shelly came up with story and maybe almost started a movement. Because life as a clockwork person, not so great.
I was originally drawn to this book because it was a retelling of Frankenstein, which is one of my favorites of the Gothic stories. I can still remember how reading it for the first time in my bed, in the dark with just my book lamp, and jumping every time our housed creaked and popped. So I'm always excited to see someone re-imagine the story. For better or for worse.
This Monstrous Thing was for kind of the better.
I say kind of only because when I originally saw the book, and even when I picked it up, I didn't know it was a Middle Grade novel. Which wouldn't have stopped me from reading it. Just because I'm not ten doesn't me I can't enjoy I book set for them, I did. Like this book I mean. It just wasn't as dark and as scary as I thought it was going be. At least for me personally. I could totally see my younger cousin not sleeping because of parts, or grossed out in places.
Despite that little hick-up, which wasn't really a hick-up, I liked This Monstrous Thing. Mackenzi Lee created a wonderful world and a strong story inside of that world. It was easy to pick up on the political drama of this steampunk Regency world without being bogged down by it. I didn't really see much flaw with character, keeping mind the age range this book was written for. Oliver was always sort of a mystery, but I felt that was the point. As a reader were only meant to see him the way Alasdair saw him. I felt like I disliked characters because they were written to not be trusted and to be disliked. I felt the story very quickly and there were very few moments where the story lulled.
My favorite part was the friendship between Clemence, who quickly became my favorite character, and Alasdair. I also really liked that they weren't written in as a romantic pair. They both sort of have what the other needs. Clemence is a person in Alasdair's corner that helps to keep both a clever and good man. While Alasdair is just there for Clemence without expecting anything in return by her friendship. It was wonderful to see.
Really the only issues I had with the book was I was expecting something different from what I got. Which really was own my fault for not noticing the fact this retelling was meant for a younger generation. Of course I also wasn't overly fond of our main character either. I spent most of the pick wishing he'd be brave and just make a decision about what it was in fact that he wanted. I needed him to decided what kind of Shadow Boy he was going to be. Not sit an mope.
But, all-in-all, I liked the book. I feel Mackenzi Lee retold this classic story wonderful for a new generation of readers, and I can't wait to share with my younger cousins who read. I've already passed my copy on to a friend who also is big fan of Frankenstein. So three stars is my final rate of This Monstrous Thing. It was a fun read that I enjoyed as a whole, but not something I see myself picking up again.
Though, I would like to see this become a TV show. I think it would be wonderful on screen.
What did everyone else think of the book? Any other Frankenstein re-tellings I should add to my TBR?
This and other reviews can be seen at my blog Bookish Whispers!
I was originally drawn to this book because it was a retelling of Frankenstein, which is one of my favorites of the Gothic stories. I can still remember how reading it for the first time in my bed, in the dark with just my book lamp, and jumping every time our housed creaked and popped. So I'm always excited to see someone re-imagine the story. For better or for worse.
This Monstrous Thing was for kind of the better.
I say kind of only because when I originally saw the book, and even when I picked it up, I didn't know it was a Middle Grade novel. Which wouldn't have stopped me from reading it. Just because I'm not ten doesn't me I can't enjoy I book set for them, I did. Like this book I mean. It just wasn't as dark and as scary as I thought it was going be. At least for me personally. I could totally see my younger cousin not sleeping because of parts, or grossed out in places.
Despite that little hick-up, which wasn't really a hick-up, I liked This Monstrous Thing. Mackenzi Lee created a wonderful world and a strong story inside of that world. It was easy to pick up on the political drama of this steampunk Regency world without being bogged down by it. I didn't really see much flaw with character, keeping mind the age range this book was written for. Oliver was always sort of a mystery, but I felt that was the point. As a reader were only meant to see him the way Alasdair saw him. I felt like I disliked characters because they were written to not be trusted and to be disliked. I felt the story very quickly and there were very few moments where the story lulled.
My favorite part was the friendship between Clemence, who quickly became my favorite character, and Alasdair. I also really liked that they weren't written in as a romantic pair. They both sort of have what the other needs. Clemence is a person in Alasdair's corner that helps to keep both a clever and good man. While Alasdair is just there for Clemence without expecting anything in return by her friendship. It was wonderful to see.
Really the only issues I had with the book was I was expecting something different from what I got. Which really was own my fault for not noticing the fact this retelling was meant for a younger generation. Of course I also wasn't overly fond of our main character either. I spent most of the pick wishing he'd be brave and just make a decision about what it was in fact that he wanted. I needed him to decided what kind of Shadow Boy he was going to be. Not sit an mope.
But, all-in-all, I liked the book. I feel Mackenzi Lee retold this classic story wonderful for a new generation of readers, and I can't wait to share with my younger cousins who read. I've already passed my copy on to a friend who also is big fan of Frankenstein. So three stars is my final rate of This Monstrous Thing. It was a fun read that I enjoyed as a whole, but not something I see myself picking up again.
Though, I would like to see this become a TV show. I think it would be wonderful on screen.
What did everyone else think of the book? Any other Frankenstein re-tellings I should add to my TBR?
This and other reviews can be seen at my blog Bookish Whispers!
novelsbycaitlin's review
4.0
You don't need to be a giant Mary Shelley/Frankenstein fan to enjoy This Monstrous Thing. Although, you'll appreciate Lee's awesome dedication to Mary Shelley five times more. Still, doesn't take away from how flippin neat this book is.
First off, this isn't a soul adaptation of Frankenstein. This is a story about Mary Shelley as well--the author of good ol' Frankenstein. For those who aren't aware of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, well, here's a quick summary. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein at the tender age of 17 (published by 18) and was the first book to delve into that which hadn't a name at the time, science fiction (later on in life she would continue to expand the science fiction genre by writing the first dystopian--because she's awesome). Frankenstein is THEE novel that represents Romanticism of England in the early 1800's. Mary also introduced the mad scientist as well as a monster that isn't actually evil or bad by nature--a creature born and turned into a monster by its creator and surroundings. To top it all off, the original reason why Mary began writing such a novel was Lord Byron--you know, the biggest celebrity in North America and Europe at that time also creator of the Byronic hero and bascially just one of the most famous poets of all time--was like "let's have a competition and write scary stories." The other two participants were Percy Shelley, another HUGE poet and celebrity of the turn of the century, and a little no name wannabe poet who ended up writing a The Vampyre, a novel about an aristocrat that is immortal and sucks people's blood and then kills them. The guy basically influenced Bram Stroker's Dracula and other upperclass vampire myths.
So Mary Shelley and Frankenstein is pretty flippin awesome. There are TONS of adaptations, but This Monstrous Things goes an extra step to include Mary into her own fiction. It's awesome.
This adaptation is an alternate, steampunk history. It's about two brothers--one a little two ambitious, the other a little too rageful--and how they lose themselves and their relationship. A girl they spent the summer with, takes the brother's story and writes a novel that sparks an uprising. I won't go much further, but to say how Lee is capable of writing a stand alone novel with so many moving parts, and actually functions and works is pretty awesome.
My only complaint revolves around how slow and strange the ending felt. There was a resolve, but Lee spent maybe a bit too much time tying her ends into knots (and I wish there was one more scene between Alasdair and Oliver). I won't lie, I skimmed the last twenty pages.
Besides that, this is one of my favorite books of the year! Totally a sleeper hit.
First off, this isn't a soul adaptation of Frankenstein. This is a story about Mary Shelley as well--the author of good ol' Frankenstein. For those who aren't aware of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, well, here's a quick summary. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein at the tender age of 17 (published by 18) and was the first book to delve into that which hadn't a name at the time, science fiction (later on in life she would continue to expand the science fiction genre by writing the first dystopian--because she's awesome). Frankenstein is THEE novel that represents Romanticism of England in the early 1800's. Mary also introduced the mad scientist as well as a monster that isn't actually evil or bad by nature--a creature born and turned into a monster by its creator and surroundings. To top it all off, the original reason why Mary began writing such a novel was Lord Byron--you know, the biggest celebrity in North America and Europe at that time also creator of the Byronic hero and bascially just one of the most famous poets of all time--was like "let's have a competition and write scary stories." The other two participants were Percy Shelley, another HUGE poet and celebrity of the turn of the century, and a little no name wannabe poet who ended up writing a The Vampyre, a novel about an aristocrat that is immortal and sucks people's blood and then kills them. The guy basically influenced Bram Stroker's Dracula and other upperclass vampire myths.
So Mary Shelley and Frankenstein is pretty flippin awesome. There are TONS of adaptations, but This Monstrous Things goes an extra step to include Mary into her own fiction. It's awesome.
This adaptation is an alternate, steampunk history. It's about two brothers--one a little two ambitious, the other a little too rageful--and how they lose themselves and their relationship. A girl they spent the summer with, takes the brother's story and writes a novel that sparks an uprising. I won't go much further, but to say how Lee is capable of writing a stand alone novel with so many moving parts, and actually functions and works is pretty awesome.
My only complaint revolves around how slow and strange the ending felt. There was a resolve, but Lee spent maybe a bit too much time tying her ends into knots (and I wish there was one more scene between Alasdair and Oliver). I won't lie, I skimmed the last twenty pages.
Besides that, this is one of my favorite books of the year! Totally a sleeper hit.
annejin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
chelsbells1994's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0