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A review by justinkhchen
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
3.5
Thematically spot on, but the plot suffers, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein perfectly captures the hazy gothic atmosphere, and its first-person perspective makes sure the emotion is front and center, claustrophobic in an intense, hypnotic way. The pivotal theme of monster is well explored, as Kiersten White cleverly utilizes her cast of morally gray characters to dissect the varying type of monsters, and their relationship to the (sometimes involuntary) makers.
While I enjoy the heightened melodrama and the protagonist's psychological arc, the finer detail of its plot feels less refined, as if Kiersten White had the outline, but couldn't come up with anything intriguing to connect the dots. One of the novel's 'reveal' is so obvious, yet we have to wait until 2/3 into the book to have it out in the open. The last quarter of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is also where its YA root is the most obvious, suddenly becomes a jovial, adventurous story, in contrast to the earlier, more melancholic tone. Lastly, there are multiple places where the book should've ended, and every time it resumes, it becomes less provocative, and more cliché. I get it, there's a punchline the author really wants to hit, but the dragged-out closure definitely tarnish my overall impression.
Overall The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is a very thorough 'remix' with a feminist bent, but its enthusiasm to flip the narrative is sometimes in the way to its own success: too many scattered thoughts packed in without a closer lens at telling its own story. It does remind me conceptually of A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson (another classic retold from a female perspective, in fist-person); if you're a fan of one of these titles, I would recommend checking out the other.
While I enjoy the heightened melodrama and the protagonist's psychological arc, the finer detail of its plot feels less refined, as if Kiersten White had the outline, but couldn't come up with anything intriguing to connect the dots. One of the novel's 'reveal' is so obvious, yet we have to wait until 2/3 into the book to have it out in the open. The last quarter of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is also where its YA root is the most obvious, suddenly becomes a jovial, adventurous story, in contrast to the earlier, more melancholic tone. Lastly, there are multiple places where the book should've ended, and every time it resumes, it becomes less provocative, and more cliché. I get it, there's a punchline the author really wants to hit, but the dragged-out closure definitely tarnish my overall impression.
Overall The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is a very thorough 'remix' with a feminist bent, but its enthusiasm to flip the narrative is sometimes in the way to its own success: too many scattered thoughts packed in without a closer lens at telling its own story. It does remind me conceptually of A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson (another classic retold from a female perspective, in fist-person); if you're a fan of one of these titles, I would recommend checking out the other.