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dsims93's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.75
thereadandseek's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
southern_belle_books_'s review against another edition
5.0
I must admit, the length of this book was incredibl off putting. But I never should have doubted Theodora Goss.
This series is one of the MOST brilliant ever written.
I am obsessed and I need to read book 3 ASAP after THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!
This series is one of the MOST brilliant ever written.
I am obsessed and I need to read book 3 ASAP after THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!
gamz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
The one reason it took me this long to start this book, after enjoying the first book in this series a lot, was the fact that it's quite a big book. Nothing against big books, but it's quite hard to read them within one day, which I prefer. But, thanks to the reading challenge I'm doing I was finally sort of forced to pick it up. And where I feared I'd need quite some time to read this, I eventually finished it within 48 hours.
This story is just so amusing and entertaining! Especially if you've read some classics (in this case especially Dracula) and can fit some pieces before the characters can. In a really original way Goss connects a lot of classics and history. And it's quite surprising how well they work together and how well the different storylines fit into one bigger story line without having to change the source material too much.
In this book we get to see and learn quite a lot about that bigger storyline. And although a part of it is sorted and solved, there's more than enough left for the next book in the series. In a brilliant way this book turns characters into scientists, if they're not already, and turns heroes into villains and the other way round. The way the conflict between ethics and science is portrayed is so interesting, although our judgement is quite clouded.
Because the true stars of this series are the heroes of this story. The daughters of those famous scientists, among them Mary Jekyll and Diana Hyde, are amazingly well written. Each of them is very unique in their own way and although they keep on seeing themselves as monsters and failed experiments, it's hard to not like them, to not root for them and to not see them as special and unique as they are.
Nice side note: The writing really fits the time period, without becoming hard to read, and the characters, in between the story, commenting on their own actions, descriptions and thought processes, makes it a perfect read to introduce high school readers to the classics! If they can get past the fact that it's quite a big book, that is.
This story is just so amusing and entertaining! Especially if you've read some classics (in this case especially Dracula) and can fit some pieces before the characters can. In a really original way Goss connects a lot of classics and history. And it's quite surprising how well they work together and how well the different storylines fit into one bigger story line without having to change the source material too much.
In this book we get to see and learn quite a lot about that bigger storyline. And although a part of it is sorted and solved, there's more than enough left for the next book in the series. In a brilliant way this book turns characters into scientists, if they're not already, and turns heroes into villains and the other way round. The way the conflict between ethics and science is portrayed is so interesting, although our judgement is quite clouded.
Because the true stars of this series are the heroes of this story. The daughters of those famous scientists, among them Mary Jekyll and Diana Hyde, are amazingly well written. Each of them is very unique in their own way and although they keep on seeing themselves as monsters and failed experiments, it's hard to not like them, to not root for them and to not see them as special and unique as they are.
Nice side note: The writing really fits the time period, without becoming hard to read, and the characters, in between the story, commenting on their own actions, descriptions and thought processes, makes it a perfect read to introduce high school readers to the classics! If they can get past the fact that it's quite a big book, that is.
sydney_jane's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
suvata's review
4.0
Book 2 of 3 in The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series is a “chunkster” at 720 pages.
From the Publisher:
In the sequel to the critically acclaimed The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, Mary Jekyll and the rest of the daughters of literature’s mad scientists embark on a madcap adventure across Europe to rescue another monstrous girl and stop the Alchemical Society’s nefarious plans once and for all.
Mary Jekyll’s life has been peaceful since she helped Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the Whitechapel Murders. Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, Justine Frankenstein, and Mary’s sister Diana Hyde have settled into the Jekyll household in London, and although they sometimes quarrel, the members of the Athena Club get along as well as any five young women with very different personalities. At least they can always rely on Mrs. Poole.
But when Mary receives a telegram that Lucinda Van Helsing has been kidnapped, the Athena Club must travel to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to rescue yet another young woman who has been subjected to horrific experimentation. Where is Lucinda, and what has Professor Van Helsing been doing to his daughter? Can Mary, Diana, Beatrice, and Justine reach her in time?
Racing against the clock to save Lucinda from certain doom, the Athena Club embarks on a madcap journey across Europe. From Paris to Vienna to Budapest, Mary and her friends must make new allies, face old enemies, and finally confront the fearsome, secretive Alchemical Society. It’s time for these monstrous gentlewomen to overcome the past and create their own destinies.
“Theodora Goss is a wonder. Her elegance, wit and powerful voice pull no punches. A brilliant, deeply felt, and nimble book.” -- Catherynne M. Valente, Hugo-Award winning author, on THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER
“Theodora Goss' splendid debut novel is a whipsmart look at the truths hiding in the stories - Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, and others - that you might think you know. Full of bravery, adventures, monsters, and sisters, The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter is a rich delight. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next book.” -- Kat Howard, author of ROSES AND ROT, on THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER
From the Publisher:
In the sequel to the critically acclaimed The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, Mary Jekyll and the rest of the daughters of literature’s mad scientists embark on a madcap adventure across Europe to rescue another monstrous girl and stop the Alchemical Society’s nefarious plans once and for all.
Mary Jekyll’s life has been peaceful since she helped Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the Whitechapel Murders. Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, Justine Frankenstein, and Mary’s sister Diana Hyde have settled into the Jekyll household in London, and although they sometimes quarrel, the members of the Athena Club get along as well as any five young women with very different personalities. At least they can always rely on Mrs. Poole.
But when Mary receives a telegram that Lucinda Van Helsing has been kidnapped, the Athena Club must travel to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to rescue yet another young woman who has been subjected to horrific experimentation. Where is Lucinda, and what has Professor Van Helsing been doing to his daughter? Can Mary, Diana, Beatrice, and Justine reach her in time?
Racing against the clock to save Lucinda from certain doom, the Athena Club embarks on a madcap journey across Europe. From Paris to Vienna to Budapest, Mary and her friends must make new allies, face old enemies, and finally confront the fearsome, secretive Alchemical Society. It’s time for these monstrous gentlewomen to overcome the past and create their own destinies.
“Theodora Goss is a wonder. Her elegance, wit and powerful voice pull no punches. A brilliant, deeply felt, and nimble book.” -- Catherynne M. Valente, Hugo-Award winning author, on THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER
“Theodora Goss' splendid debut novel is a whipsmart look at the truths hiding in the stories - Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, and others - that you might think you know. Full of bravery, adventures, monsters, and sisters, The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter is a rich delight. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next book.” -- Kat Howard, author of ROSES AND ROT, on THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER
touchdownmike55's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I want to like it more. The characters are solid, and the little bits of world building from other lore is usually fun. I liked this depiction of Irene Adler a lot, and getting out of London to see Prague and Budapest was a great choice.
But there’s just something not right about the pacing. Both books so far have had surprisingly short and unsatisfying climaxes for all of the buildup that comes before them. This book deals a lot more with our main girls’ romantic relationships, and none of their potential suitors managed to draw my interest. On top of that, the girls themselves just feel a bit infantilized to me. Mary is supposed to be an equal to (or at least stand up next to) literal Sherlock Holmes, and near the end of the book it feels like she’s become the head of a middle school detective club.
The narrative framing where the girls chime in as the book is being written is still a cool and unique concept, but in practice it tends to just provide spoilers or repetitive gags more than any insights or satisfying payoffs.
It’s not a bad book, I don’t regret reading it, and I bet I’ll read the third as well. But I don’t think I will recommend the series to others unless the next entry makes serious strides forward with the potential that has been there from the start
But there’s just something not right about the pacing. Both books so far have had surprisingly short and unsatisfying climaxes for all of the buildup that comes before them. This book deals a lot more with our main girls’ romantic relationships, and none of their potential suitors managed to draw my interest. On top of that, the girls themselves just feel a bit infantilized to me. Mary is supposed to be an equal to (or at least stand up next to) literal Sherlock Holmes, and near the end of the book it feels like she’s become the head of a middle school detective club.
The narrative framing where the girls chime in as the book is being written is still a cool and unique concept, but in practice it tends to just provide spoilers or repetitive gags more than any insights or satisfying payoffs.
It’s not a bad book, I don’t regret reading it, and I bet I’ll read the third as well. But I don’t think I will recommend the series to others unless the next entry makes serious strides forward with the potential that has been there from the start
ketutar's review
2.0
Well... it's better than the first book. I think I gave it two stars because I actually managed to finish it. So this gets three. Don't think I liked it, though :-D
I am bothered by the timeline. I don't think it would have taken two weeks to travel from Paris to Wien, even in the 19th century. I'm also not quite sure when these events are supposed to be happening. I think it's supposed to happen in the last decade of the 19th century, but I'm not sure.
I think Diana is unusually childish and selfish. She behaves like 10 years old, not like the 14 years old she's supposed to be.
Mary is awful. She gets praised by everyone even though she never does anything. And even though Diana is awful as well, she is supposed to be awful, and everyone is bitchy to her. Mary on the other hand is supposed to be this angel, and she most of the time is being horrible to Diana. Frankly, I can't remember her doing anything in this book. She planned the trip to Wien, but it didn't happen, because Sherlock Holmes jumped in, and took care of it all. He even placed her with Irene Adler, who just handily happened to live in Wien. Then when they get kidnapped, Mina Harker just happens to handily live in Budapest, and just handily happens to send someone to rescue them. They manage to rescue whatever the girl's name was from the asylum - or Diana managed to do that - but somehow Mary gets the credit for it. What did she do? Nothing at all.
This is one of the reasons why I hate marysues so much. The author has to tell us what a wonderful, amazing, intelligent, resourceful, lovely person the marysue is, BECAUSE SHE NEVER DOES OR SAYS ANYTHING TO SHOW US THAT SHE IS.
(The other reason is that everyone, at least every good person, immediately falls in love with her. This, too, happens here.)
Then the research thing. If you want to write fan fiction, respect the canon.
1) Irene Adler was a contralto, not a soprano.
2) Sherlock Holmes had grey eyes.
3) Vlad Dracula's name was short of Vladislaus, not Vladimir.
(4) Hobbits stole mushrooms when they were children, they didn't steal carrots when they were adults. This one isn't to Theodora Goss, it's to the idiots who made the LOTR movies.)
YES, THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.
And that actually made me reconsider and take away one star.
I am bothered by the timeline. I don't think it would have taken two weeks to travel from Paris to Wien, even in the 19th century. I'm also not quite sure when these events are supposed to be happening. I think it's supposed to happen in the last decade of the 19th century, but I'm not sure.
I think Diana is unusually childish and selfish. She behaves like 10 years old, not like the 14 years old she's supposed to be.
Mary is awful. She gets praised by everyone even though she never does anything. And even though Diana is awful as well, she is supposed to be awful, and everyone is bitchy to her. Mary on the other hand is supposed to be this angel, and she most of the time is being horrible to Diana. Frankly, I can't remember her doing anything in this book. She planned the trip to Wien, but it didn't happen, because Sherlock Holmes jumped in, and took care of it all. He even placed her with Irene Adler, who just handily happened to live in Wien. Then when they get kidnapped, Mina Harker just happens to handily live in Budapest, and just handily happens to send someone to rescue them. They manage to rescue whatever the girl's name was from the asylum - or Diana managed to do that - but somehow Mary gets the credit for it. What did she do? Nothing at all.
This is one of the reasons why I hate marysues so much. The author has to tell us what a wonderful, amazing, intelligent, resourceful, lovely person the marysue is, BECAUSE SHE NEVER DOES OR SAYS ANYTHING TO SHOW US THAT SHE IS.
(The other reason is that everyone, at least every good person, immediately falls in love with her. This, too, happens here.)
Then the research thing. If you want to write fan fiction, respect the canon.
1) Irene Adler was a contralto, not a soprano.
2) Sherlock Holmes had grey eyes.
3) Vlad Dracula's name was short of Vladislaus, not Vladimir.
(4) Hobbits stole mushrooms when they were children, they didn't steal carrots when they were adults. This one isn't to Theodora Goss, it's to the idiots who made the LOTR movies.)
YES, THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.
And that actually made me reconsider and take away one star.
mamabeargin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25