The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a retelling of the HG Wells classic The Island of Doctor Moreau. Silvia Moreno-Garcia retells this story by focusing on Carlota Moreau, the doctor's daughter, who lives in isolation surrounded by hybrids.
This book didn't quite hit the mark for me. I didn't love the story or the characters.

I received a copy of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau as a part of the Hugo Awards pack and was absolutely delighted by the book. I had been meaning to read Silvia Moreno-Garcia for some time and this excellent book very much did not disappoint and earned my vote in the Hugos ballot.

I especially enjoyed the examination of class, feminism and colonialism in a low-fantasy / magical-realist 1800s Yucatán setting. I also loved that Moreno-Garcia described Moreau's scientific method with: “In my novel, Moreau is not a vivisectionist. He probably figured out CRISPR technology more than a hundred years before anyone else.”

Strong recommend.

I received access from NetGalley as a part of the Hugo Awards packet, with no expectation of review or endorsement.

The slow burn of this novel didn't work for me because I wasn't caught up in the plot and didn't really care for the characters either.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a reimagining of the Island of Doctor Moreau set in the Yucatan, which is lush and oppressive in the best possible way. This gothic horror explores power, colonialism, and identity without feeling heavy-handed, and it will linger long after you've placed it back on your shelf.

The story blends gothic atmosphere, historical fiction, and a touch of romance, while exploring themes of identity, power, and colonialism. Carlota is a compelling protagonist—curious, kind, and slowly awakening to the dark truths surrounding her father’s experiments.

Moreno-Garcia’s writing is lush and vivid, painting the setting with rich detail. The dual perspectives of Carlota and Montgomery, her father's troubled assistant, add depth and tension to the plot.

Overall, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that combines classic sci-fi elements with fresh cultural and emotional layers. A great read for fans of gothic fiction and literary reimaginings.

This isn't as fast paced as I like but it was good. I love The Island of Doctor Moreau and thought it was an interesting take on the story.

I own this and intend to read it in the future I'm just clearing this off my board to reduce stress. I will update when I read/review.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a slow burn, but once it gets going—especially when Dr. Moreau’s experiments come into focus—it really finds its groove. Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes *The Island of Dr. Moreau* and gives it a fresh, feminist twist, setting it in the Yucatán during the conflict between the Maya people and the Mexican government. It’s an atmospheric, historical sci-fi blend that leans more into quiet tension than full-blown horror, which works… but also left me wishing for a little more drama in places.

Carlota is a compelling protagonist—raised in isolation, she’s intelligent, headstrong, and naïve in a way that makes her arc feel earned. Montgomery, the brooding overseer with a tragic past, adds an interesting contrast. The writing, as always with Moreno-Garcia, is gorgeous, making even the slower parts enjoyable. If you’re into gothic vibes, historical fiction, and subtle sci-fi with a side of rebellion, this is worth the read. And that cover? Absolutely stunning.

"Carlota Moreau: A young woman growing up on a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula. The only daughter of a researcher who is either a genius or a madman. Montgomery Laughton: A melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol. An outcast who assists Dr. Moreau with his scientific experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas and plentiful coffers. All of them live in a perfectly balanced and static world, which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Dr. Moreau’s patron, who will unwittingly begin a dangerous chain reaction. For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and, in the sweltering heat of the jungle, passions may ignite."

The book starts out slow, but it picks up and kept me interested. I love the premise, the cover, and the characters.

This is a story about creation.

I’ve really enjoyed other books that give their own spin on the Dr. Moreau lore, and I’ve loved and… not loved the authors work at an almost 1:1 ratio so I was excited to pick this up to see how it went- and, I’m not sure! It was well written, the prose is beautiful etc… but the scifi was lost and it felt more like regular historical fiction/romance adjacent literature. I’m sure this will work for lots of readers!

Thank you so much Netgalley & Del Rey!

This book completely drew me in with its twist on a classic story, making it feel fresh. The main character's evolution through the book was engaging and the historic background details added depth.
The book does start a bit slow, but it picks up once all the world building is complete.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an author I've been wanting to check out for so long, and this book was certainly an experience. It was interesting and I enjoyed the writing, but something about the characters and story didn't vibe that well with me. I see the author has written lots of other genres so I think one of the other books could be a hit for me.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia blends gothic horror with Mexican folklore in a haunting narrative. Taking place in a secluded coastal town, the story centers on a young woman who explores sinister family secrets connected to her elusive father, all amid an escalating atmosphere of unease. Moreno-Garcia’s poetic writing and vivid world-building provide a gripping and eerie reading experience.

The beginning was super fan but the closer it got to the end I was more and more bored. It is a super fun book for most but I didn't enjoy it.

I was excited to read this book, even though I knew nothing of the plot. However when reading the book you quickly understand the doctor’s work and the stakes.
In the end, I must say I was a little disappointed. For a thriller, it is particularly flat and plain. It lacks mystery: everything is quite predictable - the intrigue is slowly developing but I knew too easily beforehand the direction it’s going. I would have loved more surprises, more plot twists… I would have kept me on the edge of my seat, whereas this did not.

Garcia-Moreno’s latest novel is a reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau, a book that I am unfamiliar with, so I can’t say what the author was influenced by from the original book. But I did enjoy the descriptions of the beautiful setting and the strangeness of the tale. And it certainly makes the reader think about the morality of creating life in the fashion of Doctor Moreau - something that very much would have once seemed impossible, but I’m sure our science is not far from nowadays, if not already there. This book was strange and whimsical and sometimes heartbreaking, but definitely an adventure.

This was good, but my least favourite of Moreno-Garcia's work. The pacing is off; it takes too long to get going, and then so much happens with so little explanation. I'm not sure whether this is all because I haven't read the book that inspired it, but not a favourite of mine.

I loved "The Island of Doctor Moreau", however I tried a few different times and just could not get into "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau."

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an instant-read horror author for me. I always learn something about culture or humanity while also feeling positivley creeped out, and this book provided just that.

Huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This was a bit challenging to get through as I was often stopping to look into words or phrases. I think if you go in knowing there’s challenging parts then the book can be really interesting. Once I got a hold of the storyline, I was hooked!