Image Map Image Map

Monday, January 21, 2013

The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) by Megan Shepherd ARC Review with spoilers

3.5/5 Stars
Details of the Book
paperback ARC, 420 pages
Published by Balzer + Bray,
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository |


Inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau. Juliet Moreau has been haunted her entire life by her father's horrifying scandal that turned him for London's most prized surgeon to a criminal on the run. Forced from her privileged life, Juliet struggles to keep herself off the streets working as a maid in the medical college where her father once taught. After escaping from the clutches of a vulgar professor she meets up with her childhood friend and ex-servant Montgomery. With him, Juliet embarks on a journey to a strange island to not only find out that her father is alive, but that the scandalous rumors are true. Besides dealing with her father's creations, Juliet is torn between Montgomery and the puzzling Edward Prince. 

This book really snuck up on me. If you can't tell from my previous reviews Gothic Thrillers are not my style. In fact while reading, I slugged through it because despite how it's well written, I was terrified. That also is a credit to Megan Shepherd's writing style. Even in it's gruesome details, it makes you want to know more. The books covers romance, animal abuse particularly vivisection, deception, and a bit of sci-fi. The Madman's Daughter is book one of Megan Shepherd's much anticipated trilogy.

My reason behind only giving this book 3.5 stars out of 5, is not due to the quality of the book but more because it's not a book that I would want to read again. That being said, I will definitely read the sequel.

Strengths/Likes:

1) Shepherd is very successful in evoking many conflicting emotions, such as fear and curiosity. Her words are very sensual despite the vivid images of vivisection that make you want to look away. 

2) There was really strong character development throughout this entire novel. Each character grew from the moment they are introduced to the last page of the book. When you believed you finally understood every aspect of a character, a new dimension was added and you will discover that there's always more to learn about each character.

3) The plot twists in the novel kept you wondering what was going to happen next. The novel teaches you that looks are deceiving and despite what you think you know, you're wrong. 

4) Edward Prince, he is an extremely complex character. Even though I knew who Juliet's choice was going to be, I was rooting for him for a good portion of the book. 

4) As previously stated, gothic thrillers are not my thing, but I couldn't put this one down. I typically don't like horror stories or movies or anything that involves blood but I was haunted by this book and couldn't put it away. 

Weaknesses/Dislikes: 

1) I felt that in describing something scary, that Shepherd used the term "nightmare(s)" too often. When describing the creations, specimens, or even some of the incidents they would be described as nightmares. I have many things that I would consider nightmares, so I would have liked more of a description as to what these nightmares were. 

2) Shepherd was pretty good with all of her surprises and plot twists, but I felt the ending was pretty obvious. After everything that happens to both Juliet and Montgomery, I didn't feel that their separation was fitting because of how they were constantly searching and defending each other. It didn't make sense as to how he could let her go off into the unknown. 

Favorite quote: "Montgomery climbed out, slapping Edward on the shoulder, and gave me a look like he wanted to do all sorts of scandalous things to me. My body longed to touch him, but I told myself there wasn't time for that" (346).

              Yes, I am a pervert for liking this quote but over time all of you will realize that I have always been haha. 

4 comments: