Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd,
read by Lucy Rayner
Publisher: HarperAudio
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Format: Audiobook (12 hrs, 50 min)
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Buy: Amazon | Audible | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound | iTunes
Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.
Accompanied by her father’s handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it’s too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.
Inspired by H. G. Wells’s classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman’s Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we’ll do anything to know and the truths we’ll go to any lengths to protect. (Goodreads)
I listened to the audiobook of The Madman’s Daughter, and the narrator, Lucy Rayner did a fantastic job. I learned while I was reading it that it’s a retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau, which I haven’t read. I loved the premise of this novel, and I was excited to get my hands on it, but unfortunately, this story just wasn’t meant for me.
My favorite thing about this book (besides the narrator) was the gothic, dark feel of it along with the underlying mystery. I haven’t read many gothic books, and I really enjoyed that aspect. I also really liked the protagonist, Juliet. Given that she lives in the Victorian era, she’s a very strong and independent character.
I think what prevented me from loving this book, was that my brain couldn’t buy into the science of it, so I kept getting hung up on details. And sadly, the story was anticlimactic for me. I can’t really explain more and keep this review spoiler free, so I’ll just leave it at that.
The Madman’s Daughter is well written and full of unique characters, with an ending that took me completely by surprise. I’d recommend this to any fan of Gothic novels and love triangles.
Check out these reviews from bloggers who loved it: Mundie Moms; Book Hounds; and Coffee Bean Bookshelf.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
Sometimes it is really hard to write a spoilerfree review of a book that didn’t quite work for you. Sorry this was one of them, but always happy to hear about a fantastic narrator.
fakesteph recently posted..Sundays In Bed With… Rot and Ruin
I have this sitting on my shelf right now. I can’t decide whether to start it or not. The science fiction aspect has to be really engrossing for me to really get into it. Great review. 😀
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..Review and Giveaway for Chosen Ones (The Lost Souls #1) by Tiffany Truitt
I have a copy of this that I really need to get to. I’ve heard lots of mixed things that echo what you’ve said here. But I’m a huge HG Wells fan so I think I need to at least give it a shot.
Christa recently posted..Book Review: Zom-B Underground by Darren Shan
I’m not an audiobook girl, but this book was so creepy, I’m sure it was made even more so by the reader. Great review!
Christina recently posted..Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
I hadn’t though about picking this up on audio. I wonder if our library has it yet.
carol recently posted..Review: The Age of Doubt by Andrea Camilleri
Twitter: pabkins
says:
Love triangles? eeerrrgh no. But I loved the movie the Island of Dr. Moreau so I might give this a shot anyhow. Sorry it wasn’t your cup of joe!
Pabkins @ My Shelf Confessions
pabkins recently posted..Review: Written in Red (The Others #1) by Anne Bishop
Twitter: pabkins
says:
hmmm I’m going to have to see if the library has the audio book
pabkins recently posted..Review: Written in Red (The Others #1) by Anne Bishop