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azrah786's review against another edition
4.0
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, gore, blood, murder, death, kidnapping, electrocution, animal cruelty, long term illness
Dangerous Remedy was one of my favourite debuts of 2020 so I was super excited for this sequel and it did not disappoint!
Monstrous Design jumps right back into the story with the same fast paced, high-stakes, page turning plot but this time the setting is split, with half the members of the Battalion of the Dead running around the streets of Georgian London searching for Olympe and the other half still in revolutionary Paris keeping an eye on the Duc. The story kicks off pretty much where book 1 ended and a little “story so far” section at the starts means you’re easily up to speed!
The storytelling is as beautifully immersive as expected – the Frankenstein vibes that were apparent in the first book are cranked up even more and I admire the historical detail within Dunn’s narration that so effortlessly transports you both in time and place through the alternating points of view.
Now this second book still has its action and twists but is definitely a lot more character focused. Along with Camille and Ada, James’ perspective has been added into the mix and through these three points of view we discover more about each of the characters and their backstories. I can’t commend Dunn’s writing enough in how she has developed and portrayed the emotions of these messy individuals.
Though I did miss the camaraderie that was present in book 1 with all of the characters together in one place as well as scenes where Camille and Ada were together, I loved that the spotlight was given to other relationships. Ada and Guil were such a wholesome team up (I particularly loved learning more about Guil since he is my favourite from the gang) but I was absolutely living for the Al and Camille scenes – their bickering and banter was A+++
I’ll admit I did guess some of the twists and at times the book did start to feel very “middle book” filler-y but I thoroughly enjoyed it all nonetheless and am now eagerly awaiting book 3!
If you're a fan of the found family trope and stories where (dark) magic and science colide and haven't picked up this trilogy yet then you're truly missing out and need to pick up these books now!!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
CW: violence, gun violence, gore, blood, murder, death, kidnapping, electrocution, animal cruelty, long term illness
Dangerous Remedy was one of my favourite debuts of 2020 so I was super excited for this sequel and it did not disappoint!
Monstrous Design jumps right back into the story with the same fast paced, high-stakes, page turning plot but this time the setting is split, with half the members of the Battalion of the Dead running around the streets of Georgian London searching for Olympe and the other half still in revolutionary Paris keeping an eye on the Duc. The story kicks off pretty much where book 1 ended and a little “story so far” section at the starts means you’re easily up to speed!
The storytelling is as beautifully immersive as expected – the Frankenstein vibes that were apparent in the first book are cranked up even more and I admire the historical detail within Dunn’s narration that so effortlessly transports you both in time and place through the alternating points of view.
Now this second book still has its action and twists but is definitely a lot more character focused. Along with Camille and Ada, James’ perspective has been added into the mix and through these three points of view we discover more about each of the characters and their backstories. I can’t commend Dunn’s writing enough in how she has developed and portrayed the emotions of these messy individuals.
Though I did miss the camaraderie that was present in book 1 with all of the characters together in one place as well as scenes where Camille and Ada were together, I loved that the spotlight was given to other relationships. Ada and Guil were such a wholesome team up (I particularly loved learning more about Guil since he is my favourite from the gang) but I was absolutely living for the Al and Camille scenes – their bickering and banter was A+++
I’ll admit I did guess some of the twists and at times the book did start to feel very “middle book” filler-y but I thoroughly enjoyed it all nonetheless and am now eagerly awaiting book 3!
If you're a fan of the found family trope and stories where (dark) magic and science colide and haven't picked up this trilogy yet then you're truly missing out and need to pick up these books now!!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Gore, Blood, Murder, Death, and Animal cruelty
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
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
I didn't think I could love these characters more after the first book, but thus was a whole new level. I'm utterly obsessed. This is a new firm favourite series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
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