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erikarose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
antifuchs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
sailornina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aritrigupta's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fantastic retelling of an old classic, and given I hadn't read the original story, I was free of biases. I would award 3.5 stars to the book, as, despite the beautiful narration, I was not moved by it.
[a:Silvia Moreno-Garcia|4088550|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597118464p2/4088550.jpg] has a faithful fan in me, and I would inevitably read all that she writes. She has a way with words that make the narration fluid yet dreamy, and this was no different.
Stuck on Yuaxuktun, a luxurious and mysterious refuge for Doctor Moreau's dreaded hybrids, Carlota Moreau grows up to be hopeful, brave and blossoms into a force to be reckoned with. Montgomery Laughton is running away from life, and finds peace in Moreau's estate, as he hopes to drink to his death. As central pieces of the story, I loved the contrast they provided, the jaded and the hopeful tones, to the story Moreau's hybrids, of Moreau playing God. Moreno-Garcia is amazing at using uncommon historical backdrops for her story, and that is reflected in this book as well. If I were to pick apart the book, it would stand to be meritorious in most of its aspects, however, there was a certain lack of heart in the story. There is more than enough drama to it, the stakes are high, the setting is immaculate, yet, I found myself detached from all the characters. I would still recommend this to fans of gothic, historical horror, but I had hoped for more.
[a:Silvia Moreno-Garcia|4088550|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597118464p2/4088550.jpg] has a faithful fan in me, and I would inevitably read all that she writes. She has a way with words that make the narration fluid yet dreamy, and this was no different.
Stuck on Yuaxuktun, a luxurious and mysterious refuge for Doctor Moreau's dreaded hybrids, Carlota Moreau grows up to be hopeful, brave and blossoms into a force to be reckoned with. Montgomery Laughton is running away from life, and finds peace in Moreau's estate, as he hopes to drink to his death. As central pieces of the story, I loved the contrast they provided, the jaded and the hopeful tones, to the story Moreau's hybrids, of Moreau playing God. Moreno-Garcia is amazing at using uncommon historical backdrops for her story, and that is reflected in this book as well. If I were to pick apart the book, it would stand to be meritorious in most of its aspects, however, there was a certain lack of heart in the story. There is more than enough drama to it, the stakes are high, the setting is immaculate, yet, I found myself detached from all the characters. I would still recommend this to fans of gothic, historical horror, but I had hoped for more.
tuesdays314's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pastelwriter's review against another edition
I tried TWICE to give this a chance…but I just couldn’t do it.
Generally speaking, I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing style. I find it engaging and interesting. However, it was not enough to make me be able to deal with some of the issues I had with this novel.
1. I couldn’t take the fact that we had a 35 y/o man absolutely smitten with a 20y/o young woman…who he met…when she was FOURTEEN!!!! I just couldn’t deal with it. It made me uncomfortable, and I felt like it was an unnecessary dynamic added to the story.
2. There was no fucking need for so many scenes to be told BOTH from Carlota’s perspective AND Montgomery’s perspective. The “added” information was hardly ever elucidating enough to feel warranted. It was just a waste of time, energy, and page count. The point of a dual pov isn’t to read things twice but to get access to parts of a narrative that truly would be unknown if it was single pov.
3. Montgomery and Carlota both made me feel conflicted as characters. Carlota was too childish and acted like a brat …and Montgomery was often too morose and self-hating. I could’ve seen myself eventually liking both…but ultimately I didn’t have enough patience to find out.
I truly wanted to love this, but there were too many little things that kept me from doing so. And based on what others have said about the events that transpire in this novel… I have no interest in following that shitshow.
Generally speaking, I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing style. I find it engaging and interesting. However, it was not enough to make me be able to deal with some of the issues I had with this novel.
1. I couldn’t take the fact that we had a 35 y/o man absolutely smitten with a 20y/o young woman…who he met…when she was FOURTEEN!!!! I just couldn’t deal with it. It made me uncomfortable, and I felt like it was an unnecessary dynamic added to the story.
2. There was no fucking need for so many scenes to be told BOTH from Carlota’s perspective AND Montgomery’s perspective. The “added” information was hardly ever elucidating enough to feel warranted. It was just a waste of time, energy, and page count. The point of a dual pov isn’t to read things twice but to get access to parts of a narrative that truly would be unknown if it was single pov.
3. Montgomery and Carlota both made me feel conflicted as characters. Carlota was too childish and acted like a brat …and Montgomery was often too morose and self-hating. I could’ve seen myself eventually liking both…but ultimately I didn’t have enough patience to find out.
I truly wanted to love this, but there were too many little things that kept me from doing so. And based on what others have said about the events that transpire in this novel… I have no interest in following that shitshow.
joceyreads's review against another edition
3.0
This is very readable book. It’s enjoyable and I’m glad I read it, but I didn’t love it. I’ll think about it a bit more.
colaloopa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25