I always really appreciate the books Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes because she gets me into different genres I would never approach on my own. A gothic tale? Gotcha. A noir? Yep! Whatever Gods of Jade and Shadow was? You betcha. Historical Fiction is never really my jam, but to mix it in with a retelling of HG Wells and by SMG? You knew I was going to be all over this.

And friends, it's just as I would've thought. I love the way she crafts her stories always around Mexico, and this story is no exception. Only knowing a tiny bit about the source material was a delight because I was genuinely shocked with every new twist and turn. I really loved the characters, their interactions, the world they were in... really lovely.

The last bit felt the tiniest of rushed for me, not so much that it was not appreciated, but more so that I think a lot happened so it felt like things were truly just going, going going. Again, not bad! But definitely noticible.

But yeah! Loved this. I kind of knew I would, and to have that confirmed was lovely. 4.5.

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
What a wonderful surprise this book was. I had never read the original H G Wells book and have never been
much interested in SciFi. I was asked to read and review and said yes without knowing what the subject matter was.
The book is a re-writing of the H G Wells book The Island of Dr. Moreau. Instead of an island, the story takes place in the Yucatan with rebels and Mayans and rich, entitled Mexicans, and political uprisings in the background. I absolutely loved the story. If all SciFi was so lovely and so believable, I would read more of it. This could not be classified as a horror story. I have to assume that most of the characters are based loosely on original characters. A reviewer pointed out that the naming of Montgomery Laughton might be in honour of Charles Laughton who played Dr. Moreau in a movie based on the original book.
The story surrounds Carlotta Moreau whose father, the scientist, is hiding in the Yucatan working on his projects. He is creating hybrid people for workers. He is dependent on funding by the Lizande family, very wealthy Mexican royalty, who have remained in the background until Eduardo Lizande arrives at the home of the Moreaus and falls for Carlotta. And Carlotta falls for him. And mayhem ensues. Not in the Marx Brothers sense but int the sense that all the structure and control that Dr. Moreau has created around his little "family" begins to fall apart.
Carlotta is a very engaging young woman. Montgomery is your typical alcoholic drinking away his sorrow and his 'poor me' life. They hybrids are lovely creatures and the Lizandes are as despicable as rich entitled people who trample over everyone in the pursuit of selfish interests can possibly be.
I recommend this book. You only need to want to read a really good story to enjoy it.

Carlota Moreau is the daughter of a researcher, a researcher who is part genius part madman... who has been experimenting on creating hybrids between animal and human genes. In the beautiful estate in the Yucatan peninsula lives Carlota, her father, and his experiments... and then comes along Montgomery, an english researcher with a tragic past of his own. But everything changes when the son of her father’s sponsor and his cousin arrive at the estate.. and soon Carlota finds herself falling for the beautiful eyes of Eduardo Lizalde, an impulsive, careless, and charming man. Moreau does not discover his daughter in her infatuation, instead he encourages it because it would then give him more funding for his research..., yet Montgomery and Eduardo’s cousin Isidor are against it because they both know that Carlota and Eduardo will only ruin each other. Things only spiral further as Carlota begins to discover her father’s secrets, secrets that pertain to her... and when things reach a peak and Eduardo’s father comes to stop the engagement and seize all his property, i.e. the hybrids, it is now up to Carlota and Montgomery to save them before it is too late. This is a story based off of The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.gG. Wells. The story really builds on how childish, naive, and young Carlota is. The vast majority of it occurs when she is 20 years old, as a sheltered obedient daughter who gets her first taste of rebellion and romance things definitely begin to spiral for her. Overall a happy ending, yet something felt like it was missing for me. I generally really enjoy this author’s work but this one fell a little flat for me and I guess I was just a bit annoyed by Carlota as a character, but I can understand why she acted the way she did and why she made certain decisions. This is a coming of age story, with magic. This is a story about a young woman who takes her first step into being an adult, who realizes there are consequences, who has responsibilities, and who learns to speak up for herself and to have the strength to stand up for those she cares about. It’s a story about a girl falling in love for the first time, experiencing heart break for the first time, and finally growing out of her younger self. Though it wasn’t perfect for me, definitely give it a go. I will definitely be reading the author’s future works and can’t wait to see what she writes next.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I was intrigued by this book as I was already familiar with the story of Doctor Moreau. This version of the story is set in Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula amidst a backdrop of conflict between Mexicans and Mayans. The ability to remain isolated and hidden among the jungle of the landscape allows for Doctor Moreau to continue his scientific work of experimenting with combining animal and human traits to create hybrids. The main character is his daughter, Carlota, and her subjugation and obedience to her father becomes unpredictable as she grows from a child into a woman. Carlota begins to question her father and as she rebels, she is forced to ask questions and make decisions on how to best take care of the hybrids and herself as her father ages. With the doctor's finances dwindling from his benefactor Carlota is pushed into an engagement that will benefit her father and his future endeavors. Throughout Carlota's journey towards independence the blurriness of just who are the true monsters in this story remains unclear. You will find yourself rooting for Carlota as she tries to keep the only family she has ever known together and safe.

Having read the author's Mexican Gothic, I was interested to dive into The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, and see where she went with the characters from a classic novel.

It might not have been the trip I was expecting, but it was definitely a trip. The descriptions of the doctor's household, the Mexican countryside, and Carlota's thoughts are all unnervingly dreamlike - and then we get to the hybrids.

Real and theoretical conflict abound, as threats from within and without begin to dismantle the doctor's careful world, and his daughter begins to understand the true nature of her father's work.

You definitely do not need to read the island of Doctor Moreau to thoroughly enjoy this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Carlotta is the daughter of Dr. Moreau. She lives with him in secluded Yaxaktun, where her father does controversial work- creating “hybrids,” which are part human and part animal. They hybrids are generally intelligent creatures and Carlotta grows up with them as friends.

Montgomery works for Dr. Moreau and it remains mostly unclear how he feels about Moreau’s work. It seems as though he disagrees with it from the beginning, but his troubled past & current alcoholism seem to keep him there.

Dr. Moreau is getting fairly desperate for more funding, and he believes the solution to this is to marry Carlotta into a rich family. When Edwardo Lizalde and his cousin Isidro visit Yaxaktun, Dr. Moreau advises (basically demands) Carlotta to become his wife.

Montgomery doesn’t like Eduardo and urges Carlotta not to marry him. Isidro also doesn’t condone the union, and together the two of them alert Eduardo’s father (who owns Yaxaktun and is therefore Dr. Moreau’s benefactor), who then storms the house and demands Dr. Moreau’s exist and the release of the hybrids. The remainder of the book is the heroic attempts of Carlotta and Montgomery to protect the hybrids and save Yaxaktun.

There is a surprising twist regarding Carlotta that I did not expect, although in retrospect it all makes sense. The conclusion of the book is satisfying and it wraps up really nicely.

All in all, it is a nicely written story and one that drove me to contemplate some big topics: religion, the ethics of science & human intervention, relationships, and more. Carlotta is a likeable character, as is Montgomery, although slightly less so. It is fascinating to see how Carlotta changes throughout the book, allowing circumstances and situations to change her perspective of others.

Thank you to NetGallery for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

While I did enjoy The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, I'm a bigger fan of other works by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I liked her twist on the classic and if you're interested in reading this book, you don't have to read the original to understand it easily. I love how in each of Moreno-Garcia's books she incorporates and exposes the audience to Mexican history and culture. I'm always a big fan of her books!

**I received a free ARC from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.**
Although this is not my normal book style, I volunteered to read it when I got the email. SMG is an absolutely fabulous writer. Everything she does is rich and textualized with many layers of meaning woven in.

This book, written with strong feminine figures, is a reconceptiolization of H.G. Wells, "The Island of Dr. Moreau". It is not a horror book as the author herself has said. In this version, the hybrids are sickly and passive for the most part.

I would have given it five stars, but in places, our heroine Carlota just rings wrong for me somehow. She is naive one minute and then totally independent the next. Stubborn one moment, and then turns into a completely passive, obedient child. Also, her age gave me a bit of an ick factor in some places.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books are always hit or miss with me (I loved Mexican Gothic, I yawned through Velvet Was the Night, I questioned my journey with this author after Gods of Jade and Shadow, but I liked Certain Dark Things), however THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU is a grand slam for me! This book is certainly going to be a hit for this author's fans!

The story is a retelling-esque version of the classic novel, The Island of Doctor Moreau, taking place in 1870s Yucatán, Mexico. The story focuses on young adult Carlota Moreau, the daughter of scientist Doctor Moreau, a man with scientific achievements that can change the world as we know it. Living in this lonesome and quiet estate, Carlota also lives with the family's housekeeper Ramona and the hybrids. A group of creations of the doctor—half human, half animal—followers of the doctor. After hiring Montgomery Laughton, a man who was referred to by Doctor Moreau's patron funding this research for his own desires, all of them live together trying to survive and create. That is, until the Doctor's research leads to dire consequences.

I don't want to give too much of this story away, as I actually didn't even read the synopsis before jumping in. I just really enjoy the author and fell in love with this cover. UM HELLO, YES PLEASE. I can honestly say that this will be in my favorites of the year for sure and if you enjoy this author's works, you will be so happy to pick this one up. If you struggled with this author's writing style before (slow burn with elaborate atmospheric storytelling), you will not the reader for this book. This one is definitely strictly science fiction and drama, the genres that this author has crafted so beautifully in her stories. What a joy—I can't wait for Silvia Moreno-Garcia's next book.

I was underwhelmed by Silvia Moreno-Garcia's “Mexican Gothic," and liked "Velvet was the Night" much better. But I was spellbound by "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau," which uses setting, character, and plot to build a story that must be devoured.

The choice of setting is brilliant --while H.G. Welles' story takes place on a Caribbean island, Silvia Garcia-Moreno puts her Doctor Moreau in Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula during the Caste Wars of the late 19th century when Maya people rose up against Mexico. Add the meddling English from British Honduras and it is a powder keg ready to blow.

Debt slavery is an occurring theme and not only Maya peasants are trapped by it. Dr. Moreau lands at a remote hacienda with his debtor demanding that he create a subservient population to serve as workers on plantations since the Maya have not worked out, nor has any imported labor. Moreau is excited by the idea and by the time the novel opens he has created—with varying degreed of success—-a number of human/animal hybrids as farm labor. He also has a beautiful daughter, Carlota, who has grown up on the plantation and whose only friends are hybrids.

Moreau has hired a wrecked Englishman as manager who finds himself accepted by the hybrids and the Moreaus. One of my complaints about “Mexican Gothic” is that there aren’t enough Mexicans in it, and I found that adding English characters pulled me out of the story. There’s a historical excuse for Montgomery, who might represent the British recognition of the Maya over Mexico. But he’s such a hopeless drunk that he isn’t connected with anything but his own need and finding some sort of port in his personal storm.

Carlota is a delicate and kind young woman who needs a mysterious infusion occasionally to calm her system. She spends her time reading, helping her father, and teaching the hybrids. You are right when you think that someone from outside will see Carlota and fall for her, but you will be wrong if you think her father will oppose any such match. What will this mean for everyone at Yaxaktum, and the future of Dr. Moreau’s experiments?

Silvia Moreno-Garcia fully fleshes out the hybrids, showing rather than telling, leaving us more curious about them. We learn about the pain in their bodies through Carlota’s ministrations, and their humor and, yes, humanity, through their connections with others. It’s a deft feat that adds to the depth of the story.

I had quite a discussion with another reader about the difference between horror and science fiction, and I decided who cares? Whatever you call it, this is a cracking good read.

This is a good book, but not quite what I expected. I loved reading Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow, so I was hoping I would love this book, too. Unfortunately, it just didn't hold my attention like the other two did. Perhaps it's the author's change in writing style. Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow are more in the fantasy and horror realms and this book is more in the Sci-Fi realm and is a retelling of a classic novel. That being said, this book was compelling enough that I finished it.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an ARTIST. Although this book was science fiction, not horror (like the other book of hers I read) it still haunted me. Her description of Yuxaktan created such a clear image in my head of an aging hacienda inhabited by a mad scientist with a god complex and his “hybrids.”

I went into the book completely blind, so was certainly surprised once I realized what was going on, but I was still hooked from page one.

I loved watching Carlota grow up and grow out of the fairly oppressive hold her father had over her. She is so much more than initially meets the eye, and proved herself to be brave and resourceful despite life not being the kindest to her.

This book surprised me and captivated me, and I even had a dream about it, which just proves I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

One of my absolute favorite authors. I thoroughly enjoyed this and love that each of her books is always different. I really enjoyed the characterizations especially of the hybrids and had guessed one of the more pivotal twists somewhat earlier but that didn't make the read any less enjoyable. I enjoy how there's always flawed characters although it seem definitely does seem to be men decided with women that seem to feel a bear above them the characterization in the beautiful ones comes to mind). But lash landscape around a historical backdrop based on a controversial character p
Playing God. 3.5 stars

Hit after hit, Silvia Moreno-Garcia never misses. I would read a cereal box if she wrote it. The Daughter of Doctor Morreau did not disappoint. It may not be horror, but it's still gothic and I love it.

I absolutely love Silvia Moreno-Garcia! Her writing is just amazing. It blows me away. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an amazing blend of historical and science fiction. This story is a reimagining of the classic, The Island of Doctor Moreau. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for it to drop in July so I can get a physical copy!

10/10 definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Finally a brand new, refreshing, creative retelling of H. G. Wells’ “The island of Dr. Moreau” with feminism vibes, taking place in Yucatan peninsula during the war of Maya people who fight for their freedom against Mexican tyrants.

After seeing 1996 movie adaption which was totally cringefest ( or Brando freak show as the critics mentioned) I was a little worried about any other retelling or adaptation of the book but Silvia Moreno Garcia’s creative story telling, her clever way to blend this sci-fi story of hybrids into Mexican war and real historical events help me to enjoy the entire execution.

Carlota was interesting, peculiar, unconventional character and the other narrator Montgomery’s sad back story and secrets he’s carrying help you engage with him.

The riveting style and intense horrific elements keep your attention intact.

And let’s not forget to give my praises for this hypnotizing and vivid cover!

In the beginning I got a little hard time to get into the story because of scientific terminology but after the introductions of the characters, I finally pick up my pace and focus on the entire progress. Dr. Moreau, an eccentric French scientist, lost his wife and daughter, moving to Yaxaktun, in the jungle for opening a sanatorium to conduct his scientific searches for hybrids, raising his daughter Carlota who is suffering from blood disease, being injected a medicine keeps her alive.

We witness his meeting with Montgomery: an Englishman with dark past, suffering from debts and tragedies, healing himself with alcohol, who is going to be a new mayordomo, assisting him with a number of chores.

Montgomery has hesitations for taking the job but his debts to Moreau’s funder Mr. Lizande and a violent unexpected incident forces him to change his mind.

Then we move forward to six years and see the arrival Eduardo Lizande who becomes obsessed with Carlota changes the dynamics in the household.

This is great historical and gothic approach to the classic sci-fi story I truly enjoyed and absolutely recommend you to read!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ Ballantine/ Del Rey for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy of one of the most anticipated books of the year in exchange my honest opinions.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an advanced copy of this science fiction story set in Mexico.

A young women comes of age on her father's estate, kept away from the outside world both for his need of secrecy for his work, and to control and protect his child. Two servants help raise and nurture her, along with a man who oversees her father's lush estate the sits close to a war in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Oh and she helps in the care and maintenance of wonderful creatures which are hybrids of man and animals, and the life work of her father Doctor Moreau. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic has in The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, rebooted the classic story by H. G. Wells, to a different place and time, and created something new, timely and just as unsettling.

Carlota Moreau is a young girl living in an estate near the Yucatán Peninsula during the Caste War, a revolt of the Maya people against their Mexican oppressors. The estate is far enough to be safe, but quite for the good Doctor to carry out his work without being bothered. The overseer of the estate Montgomery Laughton has a dark secret and a terrible thirst for alcohol, and maybe feelings for Carlota. Carlota spends her days reading and aiding in he care of the hybrids, the life work of Doctor Moreau. The son of Doctor Moreau's funders Eduardo Lizalde comes to visit, to see the work, and soon he falls in well not love, lust with Carlota, which her father thinks would be great for his work. Laughton does not like this turn of events, and soon things start to go bad on the estate.

A very fresh and I hate saying feminist take on a classic story that is more known for its odd movie version starring Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. The addition of Mexican history gives the story more resonance and power than just being on an island somewhere in the South Pacific. The writing is quite good, and the plot moves along well, even with the lavish language and descriptions that fill the pages, which help the story. Some might want more of a horror tale, rather than the science fiction aspect, but did not hinder my enjoyment. The characters are all interesting, though Carlota can be a tad annoying in some spots, but that just shows again the skill of the writing.

I an mot much a fan of remakes or reboots, but I enjoyed this one alot. The history helped, as was focusing on Carlota who if quite a fun character, even though she acts strange sometimes, but makes sense for her character. A fun take and another very good book by this author.

Bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues strong with her new book The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.  Based on the fictional world of Doctor Moreau and his animal/human hybrid experiments, the book focuses on the young girl he raises as a daughter. Carlota Moreau is young and beautiful, raised on a an estate on the Yucatan peninsula. Fairly insulated from the political conflicts closer to civilization, Carlota is well-behaved and acts as a caretaker to the hybrids, Dr. Moreau's experiments.  The estate is overseen by a man named Montgomery Laughton, a man who has left his tragic past behind for alcohol and hiding out in the jungle. When Eduardo Lizalde, the careless son of Dr. Moreau's financier arrives, he is clearly attracted to Carlota Moreau and not exactly quiet about it. While Dr. Moreau feels that Carlota and Eduardo should marry to ensure the future of the estate, Laughton quickly realizes that the life he, the Moreaus, and the hybrids live may soon be destroyed.  

Moreno-Garcia's writing, as always, is lyrical and intelligent. She describes the scenery with precision, making it easy for the reader to picture themselves in the middle of a cenote in the jungle as easily as working to make medication in Dr. Moreau's laboratory. There is something magical about her writing, and how it can so easily transport the reader into the story. 

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is available July 19, 2022 from Random House Publishing.

I usually enjoy Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books! So of course I enjoyed this one. I haven't read the original so I was unfamiliar with the story beforehand but this was so good.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well, that was out of my comfort zone!

A mixed bag for me. I went in blind and probably should have read the synopsis, or at the very least researched the novel The Island of Doctor Moreau , which this is a reimagining.

You might be expecting horror, but this one is historical with a heavy science fiction angle. The author's settings and vivid descriptions always captivate me. This one is set Mexico in 19th century, in an estate called Yaxaktun. The mansion has a laboratory for the mad-scientist, Doctor Moreau to do his "experiments". He lives there with his daughter, Carlota, housekeeper Ramona and the "hybrids" (cringe).

There was a lot happening in this novel. The pacing went from quick to snail's pace at different points. I couldn't help but think Dr. Moreau was unethical and creepy. At one point, I gasp so hard I almost jumped out of my skin. There is also a bit of a light romance, some Beauty and The Beast feels, a gun fight, hands like claws, and other unexpected side effects of Dr. Frankenstein, I mean Dr. Moreau!