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someryarns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Alcoholism, Medical content, Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Chronic illness, Gore, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Murder, and Xenophobia
spicycronereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
This novel is loosely based on HG Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Like much of Moreno-Garcia’s work, the novel takes it’s time establishing characters, world building, and bringing the reader into the political context of the setting. And much like other work of hers that I have read, once the conflict of the plot is established, I didn’t want to put it down. There are romance, action, and science fiction elements that blend seamlessly into the backdrop of conflict between indigenous Maya people and European-descended landowners in Yucatán, Mexico.
The novel is a split POV between Carlota, the daughter of Doctor Moreau, and Montgomery, the mayordomo of Moreau’s scientific hacienda. Though we also hear Montgomery’s perspective, the novel is indisputably Carlota’s tale. Her narrative arc, including the challenges in her relationship with Lupe, drive home the horror of Moreau’s experiments. The references to eugenics add nuance to the novel’s backdrop against the Caste War of Yucatán. I was waiting and waiting and silently cheered at the moment that she owns her power and uses it to save those she loves and to avoid the life in which Eduardo would trap her. Then when she manipulates the class-anxiety of her uncle to get her hopeful ending… *chef’s kiss*
Montgomery’s perspective serves most usefully to ratchet up the dramatic irony as his (sometimes drunken) observations of Carlota clue the reader in that there may be more to her story than anyone realizes. Montgomery’s backstory gives the reader a sense of the possible tragic alternatives that Carlota faces. His trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms drive home that colonialism and patriarchy are toxic for everyone.
The secondary characters of Lupe, Cachito, and Ramona add dimension to the novel, suggesting a model of chosen or found family that can be more caring and supportive than biological family.
If you are looking for a traditional romance plot and a neatly tied up HEA, this isn’t it. But if you want an atmospheric novel with action and romance, a FMC you can root for, and an ending in which the marginalized can thrive against imperialist forces, then I highly recommend this one.
The novel is a split POV between Carlota, the daughter of Doctor Moreau, and Montgomery, the mayordomo of Moreau’s scientific hacienda. Though we also hear Montgomery’s perspective, the novel is indisputably Carlota’s tale. Her narrative arc, including the challenges in her relationship with Lupe, drive home the horror of Moreau’s experiments. The references to eugenics add nuance to the novel’s backdrop against the Caste War of Yucatán.
The secondary characters of Lupe, Cachito, and Ramona add dimension to the novel, suggesting a model of chosen or found family that can be more caring and supportive than biological family.
If you are looking for a traditional romance plot and a neatly tied up HEA, this isn’t it. But if you want an atmospheric novel with action and romance, a FMC you can root for, and an ending in which the marginalized can thrive against imperialist forces, then I highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Suicide, War, and Classism
paulineerika's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely one of my favorite Silvia Moreno-Garcia books, if not my favorite. It's a fresh and engaging take on The Island of Doctor Moreau. The characters are wonderfully written (even if I did roll my eyes once in awhile at Carlota) and the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico, with all the themes of colonialism and imperialism and everything that goes along with those, was perfect. And I loved the ending--very fitting for the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Suicide, Misogyny, and Racism
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
4.25 stars
Absolutely read this book in the summer!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's skills with atmosphere and setting descriptions meant I felt the heat and sounds of the jungle, experiences all the more enhanced by the heat wave we're currently experiencing.
I haven't read The Island of Doctor Moreau (only familiar with the premise) so can't comment on the re-telling aspects, but I thought SGM did a good job of creating a new story wholly her own. As mentioned, the atmosphere and setting were fantastic, and I appreciated the characters. None of the characters are even close to perfect - in fact, Carlota and Montegomery in particular are frustrating in their flaws, but damn did I enjoy reading the dialogue, inner monologues, and character interactions. I think some readers will be frustrated with Carlota but I thought her quite realistic considering her upbringing and she really grew over the course of the novel. I would have liked more exploration of her feelings during/after the reveal, since the novel wraps up pretty quickly afterwards.
SGM had a lot to say thematically about colonialism, disability (coded with the hybrids), family relationships, religion, and power dynamics (to list a few). Doctor Moreau is one of those people so blinded by his own intelligence and goals, that he sees the ends justifying the means, and views everyone under his care/responsibility as lesser. The slow breakdown of his relationships and interactions with his daughter and the hybrids as more information is revealed highlights the power of knowledge (and religion) is maintaining control.
I would have loved to see more on-page scenes with the Mayan rebels, but will have to content myself with what's given to us. The afterword on historical context was appreciated. I always learn something new from her novels.
As with her other novels, the pacing is uneven - though I can never decide if it's intentional (I'm leaning that way). The first half is almost always slower than the second half, where the action takes off (and this novel fits that model).
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It's a fun and relatively fast read, with some good themes and a solid though somewhat open to the future possibilities ending.
Absolutely read this book in the summer!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's skills with atmosphere and setting descriptions meant I felt the heat and sounds of the jungle, experiences all the more enhanced by the heat wave we're currently experiencing.
I haven't read The Island of Doctor Moreau (only familiar with the premise) so can't comment on the re-telling aspects, but I thought SGM did a good job of creating a new story wholly her own. As mentioned, the atmosphere and setting were fantastic, and I appreciated the characters. None of the characters are even close to perfect - in fact, Carlota and Montegomery in particular are frustrating in their flaws, but damn did I enjoy reading the dialogue, inner monologues, and character interactions. I think some readers will be frustrated with Carlota but I thought her quite realistic considering her upbringing and she really grew over the course of the novel. I would have liked more exploration of her feelings during/after the reveal, since the novel wraps up pretty quickly afterwards.
SGM had a lot to say thematically about colonialism, disability (coded with the hybrids), family relationships, religion, and power dynamics (to list a few). Doctor Moreau is one of those people so blinded by his own intelligence and goals, that he sees the ends justifying the means, and views everyone under his care/responsibility as lesser. The slow breakdown of his relationships and interactions with his daughter and the hybrids as more information is revealed highlights the power of knowledge (and religion) is maintaining control.
I would have loved to see more on-page scenes with the Mayan rebels, but will have to content myself with what's given to us. The afterword on historical context was appreciated. I always learn something new from her novels.
As with her other novels, the pacing is uneven - though I can never decide if it's intentional (I'm leaning that way). The first half is almost always slower than the second half, where the action takes off (and this novel fits that model).
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It's a fun and relatively fast read, with some good themes and a solid though somewhat open to the future possibilities ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Blood, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Violence
calcifire'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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Animal cruelty
rhi_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Murder, Child abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Classism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Misogyny
tree_star's review against another edition
3.0
The Island of Doctor Moreau is one of my favorite books of all time. I had high hopes for a feminist leaning retelling but it left me with a lot to be desired. It read like fanfiction.
Some chapter repeated from a different POV which annoyed me.
I did like how some of the racism, sexism and colonialism is reframed, but honestly I didn't need to read a while ass book when I wrote this critical review in college.
It was fine. I am in the fence about the redemptive ending.
Some chapter repeated from a different POV which annoyed me.
I did like how some of the racism, sexism and colonialism is reframed, but honestly I didn't need to read a while ass book when I wrote this critical review in college.
It was fine. I am in the fence about the redemptive ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
theos_bananabread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Medical content, Drug use, Alcoholism, Addiction, Gun violence, Colonisation, Blood, Violence, and Gore
persephonefoxx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, Colonisation, and Sexual harassment
linblythe_pub22's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
This book is great. I prefer other books by this author but that's not because the book doesn't measure up. It's because she's used the vehicle of period romance/period adventure/scientific romance to communicate class politics, racial politics, colonisation, imperialism, capitalism, feminism and intersectionality. I love the layers and themes of this but the genre is not my cup of tea. But for anyone wanting to learn more about the above themes or simply interested in period romance/period adventure/science romance, you'll love this book. It is so well researched and put together so seamlessly. You can see the neat references to the real time period and also the Island of Dr Moreau by HG Wells. It's beautifully written and a great escape.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Sexism, Racism, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Classism, Colonisation, and Death