I have never read The Island of Doctor Moreau, so I approached this spinoff tale without any preconceived notions or expectations about the plot. It tells the story of Moreau's experiments with vivisection and his creation of human-animal hybrids, and of his daughter, who suffers from an ailment for which he's been giving her mysterious treatments since childhood. It's set in a remote hacienda on the Yucatan peninsula, and I liked the setting against the backdrop of 1870s Mexican history.

The premise is intriguing, and while it starts off slow, the story kept me engaged as the tension rose, and I absolutely LOVED that the author chose not to go for a traditional, expected ending. The characters are messy and memorable, and felt genuine. The writing is picturesque and vividly descriptive. In a few places the prose seems to stretch a little bit higher than it can reach, with some occasional odd word choices or clumsy phrasing, and at times the dialogue reads as more modern than contemporary for the period, but these are slight stumbles on an otherwise very enjoyable journey. I was beginning to anticipate feeling a little bit annoyed/disappointed at a direction one narrative thread seemed to be heading, but I was happily surprised that it didn't end up going in that direction at all, and I was delighted with the conclusion the author chose instead.

I had a great time reading this book, and I'm thankful to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and review. I will be buying a physical copy to add to my bookshelf for future re-reading.

This compelling narrative revolves around the life of Carlota Moreau, the daughter of the renowned Dr. Moreau, as she comes of age amidst the lush backdrop of the Yucatán peninsula. Dr. Moreau is known for his groundbreaking work in creating hybrid beings, melding elements of both humans and animals, resulting in creatures that oscillate between endearing and monstrous. The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Carlota and Montgomery, Dr. Moreau's dedicated overseer and assistant.

Intriguingly, the destinies of these characters are inextricably tied to the Lizaldes, the powerful and enigmatic family who own Dr. Moreau's residence and finance his daring experiments. When Eduardo Lizalde enters Carlota's life, the narrative takes a dramatic turn, setting in motion a chain of events laden with conflict and consequence.

The author's undeniable talent shines through in this narrative, weaving together a vivid and immersive tapestry of imagery that transports readers to the heart of the Yucatán peninsula. The prose is nothing short of brilliant, with the author's skillful storytelling and evocative descriptions painting a rich and captivating world. Through a masterful narrative pose, the author skillfully delves into the complex web of relationships, morality, and ambition, making for a truly mesmerizing reading experience.

Maybe I went in with my expectations a little too high but I was a little underwhelmed by this book. It was a nice and enjoyable read, but that's also all that it as for me. The pacing was nice and it read away easily - after the initial confusing and vague start of the book and the switching povs that threaded back events from the previous chapters but in a different pov - but the story didn't really pull me in. It all felt a little flat. Outside of Lupe and Cachito I didn't really like any of the other characters until much, much later in de book.

Maybe I'll revisit this book some day and re-read it, but maybe this one wasn't entirely for me.

This was a solid three-stars for me. The title is intriguing, as is the original HG Wells story. I enjoyed it overall but couldn’t find a way to connect with the characters - I found them to be relatively 2D and I wish the author had invited us to know them better. Also I think the plot could have benefitted from a bit more complexity - I found much of it quite predictable. All in all it was an enjoyable read but not one I would jump to recommend

Thanks to Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for the early reader copy of this book in exchange for an independent review.

This book is nominated for a 2023 Hugo award and deservedly so. The story is built upon The Island of Dr. Moreau but presents new ideas and characters. The story is well written, and the pacing is good. The characters are complex and well developed. An enjoyable read.

I thought this book sounded so cool and it absolutely was. It was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book and I was not disappointed. The setting is beautiful. I loved the descriptions of the hybrids. They're so varied and personable and it makes you feel for them. I grew connected quickly to the characters. I liked the relationship between Carlotta and Lupe as it felt like a realistic sister relationship where they fight all the time but are also there for each other. While it was a slow burn, I was intrigued the entire time and didn't feel like I was bored. I respected that the author included real history and adds the science element while tackling huge real issues like colonialism, racism, enslavement of indigenous peoples, medical experimentation, and misogyny. I thought the characters were incredibly realistic.

My main complaints were that I wanted more dialogue from the other hybrids besides Lupe and Cachito. I also would have loved if it leaned a bit harder into the horror element. I gave this book four stars. I really enjoyed reading it but it didn't have the feeling I get from a five star read.

I'm definitely going to go put more of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's book in my TBR!

I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I didn't read the original novel, but you certainly don't need it for this reimagining. And this book certainly didn't disappoint. Moreno-Garcia's writing is lush and imaginative, and I loved the descriptions and the characters. I have a soft spot for cat-hybrids, and Cachito and Lupe and their sibling relationship with Carlota were amazing.

Carlota's character arc was a bit predictable, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of reading it. The ending and the question of romance didn't end like I expected, but I felt that the ending suited the book and was better for it.

I absolutely love Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing, and this is a fantastic horror novel, with a lush setting that you can absolutely sink into. Really good commentary, really good writing, everything I could want, once you just get into the plot, as it does take a while to start. Also, my grandmother has actually read this book, and she also adored it, so it's definitely good for a wide range of people.

This was not bad at all.

I have read Mexican Gothic by SMG and I had liked it. I don't remember how I rated it but it stayed with me for long, I can still remember snippets of it. And as far as I remember I didn't like some parts of it but overall a different and a good read.

The daughter of Doctor Moreau feels same, written in a distinct style it makes for an unique experience set in Mexico. Inspired by the Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells, it is retelling of the same old book, executed quite well. I haven't read the classic but I knew the premises.

First half of the book is slow paced and it took me time to get into the story, I did not find it interesting. But as I crossed about 30% of the book, the story takes up a pace and gets quite interesting.

One thing I found in common with Mexican Gothic is the characters of Virgil from Mexican Gothic and of Eduardo from the daughter of Doctor Moreau felt almost same. The Same enchanting character in the start, going in 360 degrees transformation.

I liked Lupe and Montgomery more than Carlota. The plot twist was good but predictable. It wasn't really a shock got me. So Overall a good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House publishing group for the ARC.

One of my favorite authors wrote a book inspired by one of my favorite modern classics novel? SIGN ME UP!

As soon as i saw this i knew I would like it, and i did. I devoured this in one sitting. I’m truly obsessed. Highly highly recommend!

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a coming-of-age story about a doctor’s daughter, Carlota, growing up in a secluded home in Mexico. As she starts gaining her own independence, she has to negotiate the pressures of her father’s and society’s expectations for her. Added to this, her unique siblings add complexity and a touch of magical realism to the story.

This story was a touching one about a woman’s search for her true path in life and what truly matters.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno Garcia was a beautifully written, new take on an old tale. This genre-bender (fantasy, sci-fi and historical fiction) will delight you. So well done.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A lovely update to the original tale, which was quite misogynistic and racist. SM-G delves into the after effects of eugenics and, in her hand, they are magical.
Highly recommended.

3-3.5 stars

This is the second book that I’ve read by this author, and I love her writing style. It’s incredibly immersive with lush settings and rich descriptions. She really knows how to transport you to these imaginary worlds, and her stories easily play out like a movie in my mind. I love learning about Mexican culture and tradition, even though I have a hard time with her use of Spanish words. I don’t always know what they mean, which can make understanding the story a little more difficult. But it doesn’t take away the mood and atmosphere that she creates in her stories, which are superb. They are creepy, eerie, and alluring in the best ways possible!

This is a re-telling of a classic book that I can’t remember if I read it or not. If I did, it was way back in high school, and I don’t really remember it. I have seen the 90s movie, but it’s been a really long time, though I remember it not being very good and pretty disappointing. But overall, I am familiar with this classic story. I appreciated her nod to the original while creating this new concept. I thought it was very creative and fun to be in this world. She had an interesting interpretation of this tale.

The story itself had a lot of potential, unfortunately, it fell pretty short for me. I loved the concept but the execution needed some work. I wished more happened and was flushed out a bit more because it was a tad on the boring side. I wished there were horror or fantasy elements. It’s another slow burn and doesn’t pick up pace until about 60% into the story. I enjoyed the last third of the book more than the first two thirds. Once we get the plot twist, which I didn’t expect, it starts to get good. This is the same thing that happened in Mexican Gothic. However, I enjoyed that story a lot more than this one.

As for the characters, the bad guys were easy to dislike, but the good guys weren’t always easy to like. I definitely felt compassion and empathy toward the hybrids and even Carlotta and Montgomery at times, but the two main protagonists had their flaws and made some bad choices and acted in certain ways that annoyed me. I found myself not caring as much as I wanted to about the main characters. I couldn’t really find them relatable. However, I did appreciate the growth and change we see in both of them over the course of the story. I also liked that this story is told from their two POVs. It helped put things in context better. I wish the side characters were fleshed out a bit more because they were a little bland and boring. However, I really enjoyed the found family element with all the characters.

Even though this wasn’t my favorite book of hers, I will absolutely read more by this author. She’s a very talented author, and I love her beautiful lyrical writing.

Would I recommend this novel? If you like a mix of historical fiction/sci-if/fantasy, slow burn stories that focus more on characters than plot, and don’t have high expectations going into it, then you may like it. But personally, Mexican Gothic was better, and I absolutely recommend that one.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

I really enjoyed this book.
There is a lot of sci-fi/fantasy mixed with historical fiction which I really appreciated. I think this book was beautifully written & the author really brings each of the characters to life with her writing.

It´s fine.
The idea, setting and characters are innately compelling, I just think the story isn’t told in an especially exciting or unique way. In theory, I like that a lot of the book is quiet and character focused, but what is presented isn’t complex enough to justify that. Still, the book never made me lose interest and Silvia Moreno Garcia really has a knack for coming up with the most enthralling premises.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is another winner from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Atmospheric and moody, with a pace that feels appropriately languid, I nevertheless ate this book up in just a couple of days. Carlota is a gripping main character, pulling the reader along as she discovers and rediscovers the world around her, including herself and her relationships. This book feels like a stifling hot day that finishes with a plunge into satisfyingly cool water. A must-read for fans of Moreno-Garcia and The Island of Doctor Moreau alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Entertaining despite a rather predictable plot. The writing is also quite repetitive and the characters are all based on known stereotypes. I've also had Mexican Gothic on my bookshelf for some time and it'll likely stay there, unread, for a while longer.

Not knowing much about Doctor Moreau previously, this book sucked me right into the tale. Silvia Moreno-García does a good job of weaving the story to a climax that has you sitting on the edge of your seat with the reveals. I appreciate the dual POV’s that gave us more insight then had it been singular. My heart was aching for Carlota and the heartbreak she had to endure. I did not suspect for one second that she was one of Doctor Moreau’s experiments until it was revealed. I think Moreau did love her but at the end of the day he was a scientist which made his personality the way it was. I absolutely couldn’t stand Eduardo and knew that he was going to be a disappointment from the beginning. I loved the fact that Carlota and Montgomery’s relationship didn’t develop romantically. It felt so genuine and real, she loved him but not in that way. This is now my 3rd book by this author and I’m continually impressed how unique each experience has been.

Firmly grounded in both the Yucatan peninsula and in a constant state of unease, Moreno-Garcia once again succeeds in creating a haunting, ethereal story that stays with the reader long after the last page. I loved this retelling and found it almost impossible to put down.