Once again, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has created a story that is all about the vivid and interesting setting. Based loosely on The Island of Doctor Moreau (though no knowledge of the source material is required), this version is set in the isolated and tumultuous depths of Mexico, with complex characters and rich details. It's hard to place this in one particular genre, and should appeal to readers of classic science fiction, character-driven stories, and well-researched historical fiction.

The story of Doctor Moreau is a new one to me, I had a vague understanding of it before picking this up but never read the book. However, this book’s writing is inviting and doesn’t let my lack of knowing a hindrance in it’s experience.

This book is the first one I’ve read from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Throughout reading the writing style was lyrical and enchanting. If I hadn’t paced myself for the sake of reviewing to best of my ability- this book would have been read in one sitting. I absolutely loved the blending of fiction and science, it was certainly one of the better aspects to keeping my mind engaged.

I am a reader that loved to have a collection of quotes that resonate with me- and wow I need a physical copy to just highlight every one, this book has a ton of them. More than my reading journal page could handle. If you are a fan of classic Gothic novels, this book is worth checking out; the writing, story, and characters are exactly like the classics.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves a tapestry of the idyllic and charmed life of the dark and lovely Carlota Moreau. Although the men in her life are haunted by tragically lost loves, Carlota maintains a pleasant, obedient, and selfless disposition. Dr. Moreau's failing health leaves him desperately searching for a secure husband for Carlota, bringing strangers and suitors to her lush sanctuary of Yaxaktun on the Yucatán peninsula. Carlota is eager to love, but must she compromise her beloved home and the family of Dr. Moreau's ailing and misfit hybrid humanoids?

Moreno-Garcia deftly introduces us to bold, beautiful, horrifyingly tragic, and despicable characters and breathes life into them on the written page. I was instantly invested in them because Moreno-Garcia wrought fresh, authentic, and believable perspectives. I was swept away with Carlota's ethereal dream and yearned for her to achieve it.; I felt her joy and suffered her desolation.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an extension of a classic tale that demands equal recognition on the shelf next to H.G. Wells's original.

This retelling inspired by ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ is absolutely fantastic. It was hard to put down and go about my day. ‘The Daughter of Dr. Moreau’ takes place during the war on Yucatán’s peninsula where the Mayan people fight against Mexican tyranny. We begin the story with Carlota, the only child of Dr. Moreau, who lives a quiet life amongst beautiful scenery and her father’s hybrid creatures. At the same time, we are introduced to Montgomery Laughton, the new overseer sent by Dr. Moreau’s wealthy benefactor. Having Montgomery and Carlota as dual POVs works extremely well as the story progresses, especially as secrets are revealed and two unexpected guests throw everything out of order.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has such a beautiful writing style. The plot creeps along underneath the introduction of characters and places in the best way, coming to a slow boil before huge reveals and twists. ‘The Daughter of Dr. Moreau’ is lush, romantic sci-fi and I will come back to it again and again. Outstanding!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great retelling/inspired novel. I love the background and location. This reminded me, a bit, of Mexican Gothic and I loved it! I don’t want to give anyway any spoilers but if you are a fan of gothic novels then lock up this book!

3.5 ⭐️ Rounded Up for the fantastic last 1/3 of the Book.

If you are looking for Creepy, the home where Dr. Gustave Moreau lives with his daughter, Carlota in the secluded town Yaxaktun on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico certainly is the place to go. Silvia Garcia-Moreno does a great job laying the perfect feeling for the place. Isolated, in the jungle, large desolate house, and Dr. Moreau certainly enjoys his experiments.

He is currently working on mixing humans with animals. This started since his daughter has a rare illness that will kill her if a cure is not found. He does perfect an injection using jaguars’ DNA to save Carlota. These creatures are called the hybrids and he has never quite tweaked them to be able to work the lands of the haciendas, as his benefactor, Hernando Lizalde would like. Each of the hybrids must take a Formula, since each has different ailments, most painful and in constant need of care. Mr. Lizalde is not concerned with this, as he is trying to rid the area of the indigenous Mayan Indians who work as near slaves. Yet, if he can never completely exploit the Mayans, the hybrids would work perfectly instead.

Dr. Moreau hires Montgomery Laughton to come and help with the hybrids and care for the place. Two hybrids, Lupe and Chicito grow up in the house and are sort of part of this family. Carlota loves living in Yuxaktan and can not imagine ever leaving. She adores her father and does not question this living arrangement.

This book is broken into three parts. The problem I had is that for the first two parts, I found the book dragged quite a bit. I was not invested in the characters since I didn’t feel each was brought to life much. Montgomery is a central character and I came to understand that he is a flawed man, but one who cares about those at Yuxaktan. Carlota, is an empathetic, if naive young woman. As the book starts progressing, she becomes much bolder and begins having many questions.

Part Three is when the book comes to life. I finally got to really know this strange family. The hybrids Lupe and Chicito are amazing and are brave and loyal. Montgomery also shows his character and willingness to look after Carlota and the hybrids as well. People may not be as expected, but are still accepted. Yet, Part Three starts 70% into the book. I wish the entire book was like this last third. It was so good then. We certainly get to know if Dr. Moreau is a madman or a genius. We know the intentions of the Lizaldes. We know how those with power can and often will try to destroy those perceived as weaker then themselves. Yet, since things are not as they seem, we learn who can be trusted and who can not. There is a very strong feeling of family. So, the ending was fantastic and loved this.

Overall, the book didn’t come together for too long and I did find this disappointing. I really enjoy Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing and the way she sets scenes. I knew the making of hybrids was disturbing, but did not know where this was going to go which was ok. I was unsure if everyone would turn out to be evil, some characters, or if there were elements I did not know which would explain everyone’s actions. It was the pacing that was so problematic. Then when the entire story does come out, it is really well constructed.

Thank you NetGalley, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Randon House Del Ray for providing this book. I am always happy to leave a review.

I will freely admit, I've not read _The Island of Dr. Moreau_, so had no familiarity with the general plot of the book this read is based off of. I did have a few flashbacks to _Frankenstein_, having read that earlier this year, and that was interesting.

But, I ended up setting this aside as I just Could. Not. get into it. The characters weren't particularly compelling; the alcohol use was a bit triggering (for me personally); and the hybrid component ... simply didn't appeal to me. I would say this is more a "wrong reader" scenario for the book than anything else. :)

I will say, the book cover is gorgeous--as are, it seems, all of Moreno-Garcia's! Love them!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was the first book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the story and could not put it down. I liked the writing and the characters.

Review of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

My thanks to Del Rey (a trademark of Penguin Random House LLC) for my ARC of this novel.

The Island of Dr. Moreau written by H. G. Wells was published in 1896. I read this book when I was a teenager and well on my way to loving all things spooky. As long ago as that was (probably over 50 years), I remember feeling frightened, amazed, transfixed, and hooked on this genre of novel. I had never read anything like it. Even after decades of reading true crime, murder mysteries, thrillers, and graphic novels of similar breed, I remember thinking that Wells was an imaginative genius. Needless to say, I was immediately drawn to Ms. Moreno-Garcia’s novel. I was not disappointed.

This novel is well-told and an excellent follow-up to the original Wells book. This book is not as spooky. Maybe mysterious is the best adjective to describe it. Without giving anything away, one of the main themes running through the book is whether Carlota (the daughter) is a hybrid or not. I will let you find out.

The story is interesting throughout and well-paced. All of the characters are complete and interesting. I have only one regret. I kept wishing throughout the book that there were pictures of the hybrids created by the doctor. Ms. Moreno-Garcia describes the hybrids completely and clearly. I still wanted to “see” them…even just pen and ink sketches would be great. I can certainly fantasize and get my own mental picture, but I still wanted to see exactly what this author saw while creating them. I do not think well-drawn sketches would have taken anything away from the novel. I wanted them. I still do.

If you read The Island of Dr. Moreau, I think you will enjoy The Daughter of Dr. Moreau. Even if you did not read The Island of Dr. Moreau, Google a synopsis of it and then read The Daughter of Dr. Moreau. Again…I think you will enjoy it.

Star rating: 4 stars (stubbornly still wanting sketches of hybrids)

Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves science-fiction and historical fiction seamlessly with her newest novel, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. Carlota Moreau has only known the world of Yaxaktun, a ranch deep in the forest of the Yucatán Peninsula. Her father has found a way to keep her childhood sickness at bay, but in order to do so, he has taken on an impossible feat. Dr. Moreau has dedicated himself to researching how the genetics of animals can help cure human illnesses. In exchange for funding, Moreau has learned how to create animal-human hybrids in order to provide workers for his patron, Hernando Lizalde. When an outsider arrives, the neatly cultivated world of Yaxaktun begins to crack. Carlota must confront the facade she’s been holding on to about her father, her home, and about herself. Carlota loves her home and can’t imagine living beyond its borders. She has been raised to show deference to her father, to always show respect and never to challenge him. At the beginning of the novel she is young and naive. She has very little understanding of how the outside world works and is unable to see that her father has essentially trapped her at Yaxaktun as he is the only one who is able to treat her illness. Slowly Carlota begins to recognize that her world is not as perfect as she once thought. Surrounded by men with power, Carlota must find the strength within herself and forge her own path forward or be someone else’s pawn for the rest of her life. Aside from Carlota, we are also provided with Montgomery’s POV. As Yaxaktun’s mayordomo, Montgomery is essentially in charge of running the ranch. Montgomery had been aimless for years, racking up debt and falling deeper into alcoholism before falling even deeper into debt to Lizalde, Yaxaktun’s patron. In order to work off his debt, he agrees to work for Dr. Moreau. Life has robbed Montgomery of hope and enthusiasm. He sees in Carlota the parts of himself that have been snuffed out. Self-pity and jealousy rage inside him, making him bitter. He is plagued by his own inaction and cowardice, but when Carlota and the hybrids are threatened, he begins to find something to fight for. Moreau rules over Yaxaktun with little empathy. He is more interested in perfecting his hybrids than recognizing their personhood. He has fashioned himself into a god, using religion to keep those under him in check. Unlike Dr. Moreau, both Carlota and Montgomery have spent more personal time with the hybrids. They have become friends and even family. They worry for their well-being, putting them in direct conflict with Moreau and those even more powerful than he. Though Yaxaktun feels like its own little world, a familiar place meant to be preserved, it is also a kind of prison to many of the characters and each must decide exactly how much they are willing to sacrifice in order to escape. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Daughter of Doctor Moreau tells an evocative and dangerous tale, with a vivid historical backdrop and fully-fleshed out characters.

I am a bit torn on the rating for this novel. I waver between 3.5 to 4 stars, but Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of the best at creating dreamy and atmospheric descriptions which keeps it closer to 4 stars. Yaxaktun is beautifully rendered, and much like Mexican Gothic, you can't help but be drawn into the luscious jungle paradise of the Yucatán peninsula where tensions boil beneath the surface. Unfortunately, it just never made it fully across the finish line for me with the story. I have not read H.G. Wells, so it's possible that I lacked some context for what Moreno-Garcia was attempting to do with the reimagining of the story. Carlota felt somewhat underdeveloped until way later in the book which is interesting considering its cast as a feminist retelling. I ran into similar issues with Mexican Gothic, the atmosphere is amazing but the story lacks a true north that it's leading to. It feels like it keeps trying to build and then stalls out each time until the last quarter of the book.

I'm glad that I read it because her writing is lyrical, but wish there was more substance to the story. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the early access to the title in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, this may be my favorite book of this author's to date. It was exciting from the beginning and I did not want to put it down.

I didn't read the synopsis because I don't care I'm going to read anything she writes. So I was a little shocked ( I haven't read The Island of Doctor Moreau) like full on chills. And I don't want to say too much because I think going in blind is a good idea! (Check trigger warnings though)

The characters were interesting and I was excited to see there development. And I loved all the information at the back of the book that tells you the historical parts.

Seriously, even if you haven't liked other books by this author I would recommend picking this one up because it is truly amazing.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a late nineteenth-century retelling of “The Island of Doctor Moreau” set in Mexico.

It is a beautifully written gothic science fiction novel with an atmospheric setting and tension that builds throughout the book.

It follows Carlota, the titular character, who has grown in an isolated island with her father and his experiments. It also follows Montgomery, a newcomer and new mayordomo of the island.

Problems begin with the arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the son of the man financing Moreau’s experiments, along with his cousin Isidro. Secrets threaten to be revealed, and tensions run high.

The author weaves in Mexican history- exploring the politics of the time while telling this story.

My only issue with this book was Carlota’s naivete. How she acted with Eduardo was grating and made me want to slap some sense into her.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau It’s set in 19th century Mexico and there is a lot of beautiful imagery around the setting.

I had never heard of Doctor Moreau before but the author included some details in the author’s note. He is a fictional character who did experiments and created animal/people hybrids.

This book uses that idea and puts a new spin on that original story.

The focal point is the Doctor‘a daughter as she navigates life in a secluded estate. At the start of the book, her only friends are the hybrids. She has to reckon with her father’s madness and make decisions that early 19th century women wouldn’t have been raised to make. She is a strong character and I liked her a lot. She is naive in some areas, but she learned along the way.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

There is no genre that SGM can't write. I'm always excited to hear about her new releases because of the way she takes classic tropes and morphs them into new things. This was an interestingly fresh take on the sci-fi classic "The Island of Doctor Moreau" and I feel like the essence of Moreau as a mad scientist was executed perfectly. I really liked the characters and Yaxaktun as the setting, I just felt like things dragged a lot in the middle. For me, the remedy is either a more expansive plot that can bear the weight of the story or a book that is just shorter in general. I did still really like this one though! In a way, it felt closest to her fave book of mine, which is Gods of Jade and Shadow.

A retelling of a classic, The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells, this historical fiction/sci-fi novel focuses on the hypothetical daughter of Dr. Moreau. Set in nineteenth century Mexico, on an isolated and verdant estate. Carlota is the daughter of mad-genius Moreau, scientist who breeds human and animal hybrids. She lives a peaceful and idyllic life caring for the hybrids, her father, and enjoying all the beauty the Yucatán has to offer. Worlds collide as the son of the estates benefactor arrives and the peaceful nature of their home unravels.

I never read the original Doctor Moreau but was expecting more horror vibes, especially after reading Moreno-Garcia’s earlier book Mexican Gothic. While the creative premise and feminist slant was enjoyable. Pacing was a mixed bag and I found myself losing interest at some of the slower parts.

Read this book if you enjoyed the original Doctor Moreau and are interested in a new retelling of the classic. Alternatively, read this if you are interested in Mexican history, this book gives a soft look into life on the Yucatán peninsula in the nineteenth century.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse / Ballantine for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is my sixth Sivia Moreno Garcia book, and her captivating writing never disappoints. Moreno-Garcia whisks you away to the Yucatan, and you feel every bit of the surroundings while reading this compelling story. The tension between the characters is palpable, and I love the way she gets you to connect with them. Her knowledge of Mexican culture and history is woven so well into the story,
I liked the mad-scientist theme she was going for with the storyline though the scientific language is a bit much. Overall, I think this is an entertaining read.

A highly anticipated read for 2022- and rightfully so. A new twist on an old tale - Dr Moreau. I have not read the original story - I was a little lost in a few areas. Which I have come to expect from this author. But never fails to make it worth my time.
Carlota grows up in an isolated estate in the Yucatan - with her father, his hybrids and few household staff. She is surrounded by all she loves - birds, her father, her friends; Carlota cannot imagine a different life.
Montgomery joins the staff as the majordomo - hunting wild animals, daily activities such as tending to the hybrids.
All is quiet until Lizalde's - the owner of the estate, son stumbles upon them while hunting rebel rousing Indians. Enamored by Carlota, he returns; Dr Moreau pushes his daughter to make this match with the hope of securing additional funding for his research. Carlota just wants them all to be safe.
Complex examination of humanity, racism and tolerance.

Moreno-Garcia has an uncanny ability to write across genres and create atmospheric stories that transport you, so I was super excited for this one. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me -- a good idea failed by the execution. In her author's note at the back of the book, Moreno-Garcia explains that she wanted to write this retelling as a historical novel on the Yucatan, and I love that idea, would love to be able to hand this to readers and tell them they'll discover history they didn't know in this new version of a story they love. But in the book itself, we don't really get that history. We get a lot of stereotypical bad guys and telling not showing.

I think we either needed more -- more history, more action outside of the Moreau household, more insight into the characters and/or the science fiction -- or less, ie tighten this up into a tense short story. This wasn't terrible and I still think Moreno-Garcia is immensely talented, but it's not a book I'll be recommending.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a retelling of a classic from different points of view. The first half of the book is a bit slow and was kind of hard to get through, but the action plot picks up in second half. The human characters also left something to be desired. I didn’t really like any of them. The hybrids and the descriptive language are the only things that redeemed this story for me.