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darquedreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
karenreads1000s's review
4.0
Another good book! Good Gothic horror. I didn't guess the twist at the end... looking forward to reading the next one.
postitsandpens's review
4.0
I was a little fuzzy on the details of the first book of this series, but appreciated that the author did a good enough job of a recap so I wasn't completely confused coming into the sequel over 8 years after reading book one. This story starts out as a retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau, but in the sequel we're given another retelling in the form of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Juliet continues to be a strong-willed and stubborn main character, who makes some tough decisions. The book has an amazing gothic, horror-like feel, and was perfect for spooky season. I'm curious to see what will happen in the final installment!
twhittie's review
4.0
Just as good as the first, which can be rare! I loved the entwining of a classic creepy tale in the plot, just like the first. The love triangle isn't even annoying to me, which is saying something! Now all I can think about is reading the final installment.
izumisano's review
4.0
I don't know why everyone is hating on this book. I wasn't really excited about the truth of the monster in the first book (it seemed too convenient and far fetched) but Shepherd embraces it to make an interesting retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. There is the ever enduring love triangle but I don't know if it would be teen literature without it. At least she calmed down about the paralyzing touches of her suitors. In the end the book was fast paced and enjoyable.
sidneyellwood's review
1.0
manipulative love interests, an underdeveloped main character, and lousy plot make me give this a 1 star. i don't give out 1 stars easily, but i literally yelled in frustration. everything was quite predictable except for the ending, which was the best part (along with lucy, who seemed to be the best developed character in the novel).
plus, both edward and montgomery ended up becoming somewhat manipulative throughout the course of this novel - for obvious reasons for edward, montgomery, because he keeps so many secrets from juliet. and the love triangle! WHY IS JULIET ALSO ATTRACTED TO THE BEAST? AAAARREGHHHH. immensely frustrating. really hoping the third one is better.
plus, both edward and montgomery ended up becoming somewhat manipulative throughout the course of this novel - for obvious reasons for edward, montgomery, because he keeps so many secrets from juliet. and the love triangle! WHY IS JULIET ALSO ATTRACTED TO THE BEAST? AAAARREGHHHH. immensely frustrating. really hoping the third one is better.
teganbeesebooks's review
5.0
So good!! No sophomore slump for this series! Much faster paced than the first & the tedious love triangle stuff was no lonfer tedious! Can't wait for the next one! Full review to come!
eacolgan's review
3.0
Like its predecessor, this book is less good in execution than in concept; in fact, I'd say this is as little like its source material as it's possible for an adaptation to be. Very quickly the focus shifts from murder to how to save Edward; it's definitely not a murder mystery or a horror story except at the very beginning as people around Juliet start dropping dead. And I'd have preferred the name Hyde never be mentioned than have Montgomery drop it once and then never show up again. The middle third of the book was way too bogged down in love triangle nonsense, which just never quite stuck the landing - the whole idea that Juliet has this scary wild side doesn't really play out in her choices and actions until the end of the book, when she's already chosen to stay faithful to her feelings for Montgomery. I found myself surprisingly enjoying Lucy's presence a lot, and the way she joins in on the plot without sacrificing any of her squeamishness or insistence on standards. (Her reaction to the hatbox brain cracked me up.)
The book is at its best from the masquerade onward - plot and bloody mayhem by gaslight, with just a dash of romance for color. I really liked the end, it set up the close of the overarching story very well. I'll certainly listen to the trilogy's final installment, because I love the concept of tying these 3 classic Gothic horror stories together, and I love Frankenstein best of the 3.
The book is at its best from the masquerade onward - plot and bloody mayhem by gaslight, with just a dash of romance for color. I really liked the end, it set up the close of the overarching story very well. I'll certainly listen to the trilogy's final installment, because I love the concept of tying these 3 classic Gothic horror stories together, and I love Frankenstein best of the 3.
biblio_amy's review
3.0
Okay, so I am a little disappointed in this second book. With the way the book left us hanging at the end of the first book I was expecting more, like maybe picking up on the boat or even flashbacks of some sort to help us know how Juliet survived/made it back to London. I think that there is just too much unnecessary dialogue with Juliet and her feelings between Edward and Montgomery. I do however like the take with the Jekyll and Hyde approach for Edward, except I think he's a bit annoying. I think Lucy was a bit more of the stronger female character as opposed to Juliet in the 2nd book, which was a bit of a surprise for me but a good one. I am interested to see where the 3rd book may take the story line since we found out that Elizabeth's family is actually related to the Frankenstein family. Will we discover that the monster still exist? Will Edward actually die this time?! I plan on reading this next book, I just hope it is better writing like the first one and Juliet makes up her mind with her feelings!!