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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
queer victorian Frankenstein x Jurassic park with INTENSE feminine rage. Beautiful.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage
kind of basic 🤷♀️ feisty woman w an interest in paleontology rebels against the victorian scientific patriarchy? its almost queer but honestli not enuff so it felt a littl like a bait and switch.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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:
No
This is an amazingly layered book with so many different social commentaries woven into a gothic historical fiction about scientific and personal discovery.
The author perfectly relays the experience of being a gender minority in science and engineering, and how easily credit can go to the dominant group in a system specifically made for the success of that group.
The author discussed race and gender intersectionality well, bringing more nuance and depth to the situation than in other books I have read. Calling out the white female character for her privilege is important, especially when “women in science” books tend to focus on white feminism and gender oppression alone.
I appreciated the commentary on Mary’s marriage with Henry and how she becomes less tolerant of centering him as the novel progresses. It is clear she is not fulfilled with that relationship and he does not have the capacity for empathy and reciprocal partnership. Further, his lack of willingness to develop these skills hurts the people around him and he does not care to see that.
This is an impressive debut and I will be reading everything they publish in the future.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I expected it to be a bit more horrific so was disappointed in that, and the lack of fully leaning into queerness. Apart from that it was a good read.
I really liked this reimagining of Frankenstein. It was well researched and well written, and left me with a feeling of triumph. "We shall be monsters, you and I."
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
This is a well written, tense, creepy read. If you ever wondered what it would be like if Dr Frankenstein decided to turn his attention to making a Victorian-era Jurassic Park this might go some way towards scratching that itch.
The main character is a likeable underdog, an intelligent woman fighting against impossible odds for the scientific recognition that is her due. I was truly infuriated on her behalf regularly throughout the story.