Scan barcode
chilivanilli28's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Child death, and Death
klbreyfogle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a wonderful read! Pretty dark, at times (both content-wise and thematically) but it was fun to read a queer woman in STEM Frankenstein spin-off and I appreciated the writing style. Lots of of-the-time misogyny and homophobia that can be rough, but I liked the ending (a happy ending imo) and personally choose to believe that the monster made its way back to Scotland and lives on as the Loch Ness Monster
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Death, Classism, Sexual assault, Blood, and Homophobia
chelsevie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
5.0
Favourite book of the year?! Of the last 3? Can't think of anything that could top it.
In the Authors Note McGill explains how she initially pitched this book as 'Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs...'
Add to that - make it Feminist AF with a gorgeous queer subplot and one of the most captivating and relatable protagonists I've come across in a long time.
From the voice of Mary Sutherland (Great Neice of Victor Frankenstein), an orphaned bastard with a sharp mind for science and an even sharper tongue struggling to be taken seriously for her work in 1850's Britain and desperate to have her place in the 'boys club' that is scientific society.
When she discovers her great uncles research, assured of her own capabilities and intelligence, she sees a light at the end of the dark and long tunnel of insignifance and resolves to create a monster of her own.
Beautifully written with a cast of fully realised characters and a unique alteration to the great Frankenstein experiment, this book had me reeling and gasping aloud.
I'm so impressed that this is McGills debut, and at such a young age. Much like Shelley herself.
In the Authors Note McGill explains how she initially pitched this book as 'Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs...'
Add to that - make it Feminist AF with a gorgeous queer subplot and one of the most captivating and relatable protagonists I've come across in a long time.
From the voice of Mary Sutherland (Great Neice of Victor Frankenstein), an orphaned bastard with a sharp mind for science and an even sharper tongue struggling to be taken seriously for her work in 1850's Britain and desperate to have her place in the 'boys club' that is scientific society.
When she discovers her great uncles research, assured of her own capabilities and intelligence, she sees a light at the end of the dark and long tunnel of insignifance and resolves to create a monster of her own.
Beautifully written with a cast of fully realised characters and a unique alteration to the great Frankenstein experiment, this book had me reeling and gasping aloud.
I'm so impressed that this is McGills debut, and at such a young age. Much like Shelley herself.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Misogyny
kmartbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
5.0
I love this so much. The authors note doubly so.
Update:
"Our Hideous Progeny" is a gripping and ingeniously reimagined book set in 1853 London, in an homage to Mary Shelley's classic "Frankenstein". But his niece is a (closeted) queer paleontologist! It has so many things I love; dinosaurs, the Victorian setting, and the major themes from Frankenstein. McGill's narrative follows the journey of Mary Saville and her husband Henry as they endeavor to replicate the infamous experiments of Mary's great uncle, Victor Frankenstein, in a bid to carve their names into the annals of the scientific world.
The novel deftly captures the essence of the original "Frankenstein," while delving into a far more rich exploration of themes such as the ethical boundaries of scientific pursuit, the intricate complexities of familial ties, the exploitation and brutality of nature, and the societal challenges faced by women in the Victorian era. Through Mary's character, McGill offers a potent depiction of a woman ahead of her time, fiercely determined to challenge the limitations imposed by societal norms and gender roles, even as she grapples with personal struggles and the weight of the loss of her child.
The addition of diverse characters, including queer characters and an individual coping with chronic illness, enriches the narrative tapestry, infusing it with contemporary relevance. Mary's complexity is accentuated by her sharp intellect and unapologetic nature, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The intricate relationships and interplay between the characters, particularly Mary and her volatile husband Henry, create a palpable tension that drives the narrative forward, making for an enthralling Victorian gothic novel that captures the essence of its source material while introducing fresh perspectives and poignant contemporary themes.
I freaking adored this book. Dinosaurs and the monstrosity of man. Chef's kiss.
Update:
"Our Hideous Progeny" is a gripping and ingeniously reimagined book set in 1853 London, in an homage to Mary Shelley's classic "Frankenstein". But his niece is a (closeted) queer paleontologist! It has so many things I love; dinosaurs, the Victorian setting, and the major themes from Frankenstein. McGill's narrative follows the journey of Mary Saville and her husband Henry as they endeavor to replicate the infamous experiments of Mary's great uncle, Victor Frankenstein, in a bid to carve their names into the annals of the scientific world.
The novel deftly captures the essence of the original "Frankenstein," while delving into a far more rich exploration of themes such as the ethical boundaries of scientific pursuit, the intricate complexities of familial ties, the exploitation and brutality of nature, and the societal challenges faced by women in the Victorian era. Through Mary's character, McGill offers a potent depiction of a woman ahead of her time, fiercely determined to challenge the limitations imposed by societal norms and gender roles, even as she grapples with personal struggles and the weight of the loss of her child.
The addition of diverse characters, including queer characters and an individual coping with chronic illness, enriches the narrative tapestry, infusing it with contemporary relevance. Mary's complexity is accentuated by her sharp intellect and unapologetic nature, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The intricate relationships and interplay between the characters, particularly Mary and her volatile husband Henry, create a palpable tension that drives the narrative forward, making for an enthralling Victorian gothic novel that captures the essence of its source material while introducing fresh perspectives and poignant contemporary themes.
I freaking adored this book. Dinosaurs and the monstrosity of man. Chef's kiss.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
therebeckening's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal cruelty, and Sexism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, and Child death
Minor: Lesbophobia and Miscarriage
Gambling, financial abuse,sproutedpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Chronic illness representation:
- Maise: migraines, asthma and lung issues, heart issues, history of childhood illness.
- Mr. Jamsetjee: tremors (likely Parkinson's) referred to as “shaking palsy”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Gun violence, Animal death, Racism, Gore, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
Discussion of phrenology (challenged) and racism in science, description of animal corpses and their decomposition (not overly graphic), description of surgical procedures on animal corpses, use of laudanum to treat chronic migraines, infant death/stillbirthclaraxmas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Classism, and Animal cruelty
attackrat's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
4.5
The fervor with which this book gripped me is unprecedented. it is slow, it is arduous in the details of this woman’s life as a wife of an archaeologist who would like to be one herself, and it asks a lot of me to become so invested in their fictional bone drama. And yet, I am. Mary has such a contagious passion that she could tell me about anything and I would listen. I was riveted by this book despite its slow pace, and it has queer and disabled rep!!
My only complaints are fairly insignificant; Mary’s husband irked me for the *entire* novel and I’m sure he is supposed to, but at a certain point you can indeed hear too many “It did not matter anymore”s from a woman who is being unfairly treated. The other complaint is unfair I think, and it’s that I find fictional misogyny exhausting. But it’s historical fiction, so really I don’t know how fair that complaint is. And I really loved the book despite that, so it’s up to you if that really matters. Overall I thought this was an incredibly thoughtful and passionate book that forever changed my perspective on the Plesiosaur.
My only complaints are fairly insignificant; Mary’s husband irked me for the *entire* novel and I’m sure he is supposed to, but at a certain point you can indeed hear too many “It did not matter anymore”s from a woman who is being unfairly treated. The other complaint is unfair I think, and it’s that I find fictional misogyny exhausting. But it’s historical fiction, so really I don’t know how fair that complaint is. And I really loved the book despite that, so it’s up to you if that really matters. Overall I thought this was an incredibly thoughtful and passionate book that forever changed my perspective on the Plesiosaur.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Animal death, Misogyny, Ableism, and Grief
sovner736's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault
virgo_punk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Body horror
Moderate: Gun violence and Child death