Review: The Madman's Daughter

The Madman's Daughter Author: Megan Shepherd Genre: YA Historical Fiction Publisher: Harper Audio Release Date: January 29, 2013 Audiobook: 12 hours and 50 minutes Narrator: Lucy Rayner Source: Purchased from Audible.com Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Description
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.   Review  This book was a book of the month selection by my book club and I would have not read it with out it being brought to my attention.  The Madman's Daughter is a story of Juliet Moreau.  The last name sound familiar?  It should because her papa is the famous Dr. Moreau of The Island of Dr. Moreau.  Yep the same one.  If you did not read it, don't worry you can still read this book and know what is going on.  Juliet works as a maid at a medical college after her father leaves the family in the mist of a huge scandal to fend for themselves.   16 years old Juliet thinks her father is not dead despite the rumors when she runs into Montgomery, an ex-house servant of her family.  This part was way to easy and feel into place to quickly for me.  She just happens to find a small clue and runs to his hotel.  BAM!  There he is.  WOW!  That was easy.  Anyways, Juliet quickly conveniences Montgomery to take her to her father.  Once the author gets to the journey part of the story it gets good.   This audiobook has a lot of Victorian medical treatments and sensibilities that I thought were cute and very appropriate throughout the book.   As in most if not all YA books out now there is a love triangle.  Yep, Juliet is (for most of the book) torn between Montgomery and Edward.  I thought this one was well written because the reader feels a bit of her love for both and the confusion in picking one over the other.  But I have to say that the whole boy issue seemed to be put in the story as an last minute item to make it YA.  The book would have flowed better with out it. Most bloggers/reviewer have labeled this book as horror but I don't see it the same way.  To me Stephen King is horror and this was more of less kiddie scare due to the unseen monster that kills at random.   The narrator of this audiobook has a great young Scottish (?) accent that gives the book genuine quality.  

Reviews by Other Bloggers
Dark Faerie Tales Book Twirps Fiction Folio
Recommendations
I recommend this book to older teens due to the mild violence.
Challenges This book is number 17 in my Women's Reading Challenge This book is number 12 in my Audiobook Reading Challenge This book is number 3 in my Historical Reading Challenge This book is number 26 in my Good Reads Reading Challenge

Mocha Girls Read Book of the Month