Silvia Moreno-Garcia is becoming one of my favorite authors. Every one of her books that I’ve read so far ends up being amazing. I love the atmosphere she creates as much as the characters. Every time I read something of hers I truly feel that I’ve been transported to a new place and time. I tore through this book in like two days and enjoyed it from start to finish.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

She’s done it again! SMG weaved a beautiful and lush setting with aspects of science-fiction, contemporary social criticism, and historical fiction full of vivid imagery and sympathetic characters. Absolute must-read for anyone who loves reading about a suspenseful and colorful world.

Montgomery, with his heart sickness, soon becomes my favorite character. He is a hopeless romantic who works hard and loves hard. His tragic history and his constant yearning rounds this character out, making you miss him when he is not there.

I did not have the same love for Carlota, which is fine. She is the opposite. Carlota is young and spoiled, even with her sense of decency guiding her choices. I dislike characters that make brash decisions, even if youth is to blame. Her kindness does not make up for her childishness.

My favorite part of the book is the way these two characters took turns speaking to us with first-person narratives. Silvia volleys us back and forth between these two. Showing us how different this breathtaking scenery can look depending the eyes we see it through. One minute you are seeing the jungle as a mature man, the next a teenage girl.

This book lingered in my mind throughout my day. The characters popping up to visit me when unleash except it. The ending hurt. Hopefully, come April, you will find out why.

I think this book is perfect for those who love the gothic and historical fiction genre. I can even see people that like westerns enjoying The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, as well as those who are enchanted with Mexico.

This is a book worth reading. I look forward to hearing what you think about this tale.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for allowing me to receive an arc in exchange for an honest review- all thoughts and opinions are my own!


First of all- I went on a major deep dive for three days on the historical aspects of this story- I legitimately had zero clue about 90% of it. I loved the intertwining of historical fiction and science fiction- I don’t think I’ve read much with that same fusion but I’m a fan now.

Loved the characters, loved the plot. Loved the true human raw emotions depicted. I loved how gothic this book still was while not being marketed as such- Silvia has a real gift in the gothic novel realm. I’d give this a 5 and I can definitely see this trending all over once it’s released!

I knew nothing about The Island of Doctor Moreau but did read the synopsis for this particular book before starting it. This was NOT what I expected, but I really liked it. I hadn’t realized that this novel would be more of a romance novel, within a great sci-fi setting.

It did have a slow start; part 1 was a lot of set up. Once I began part 2 though, it was difficult to put the book down. It moved at a good pace. I loved the characters— a very interesting and diverse lot. (I loved the friendship between Montgomery and Cachito most of all. The latter being my favorite character of the bunch.) I did love the science fiction aspect of it and thought the ending was fabulous.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

A captivating, passionate adventure novel, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau offers an impressionistic rendition of a jungle plantation run by a mad scientist whose dutiful daughter has yet to realize her potential. The story is delivered in vivid, hallucinatory episodes portrayed from alternating perspectives, leading the reader to speculate that some of the events described may obscure hidden truths.

Moral and spiritual questions surrounding the family patriarch are reminiscent of Stephen King's Chapelwaite (based on the short story "Jerusalem's Lot"), and Moreno-Garcia does a great job of staying loyal to HG Wells’ source material while including elements of modern horror and classic adventure stories. Historical context and aristocratic opulence contribute elements of realism to an otherwise surreal narrative as readers observe the privileged existence of Carlota Moreau and the suitors drawn by her magnetism. Her father, the infamous doctor, has become obsessed by his alchemical ambitions for the hybrids he’s created and overwhelmed by the duplicity required to maintain tranquility at his isolated estate on the Yucatan peninsula.

As the doctor’s secrets are revealed and a demanding financier adds pressure to the estate’s already tenuous existence, Carlota discovers her own identity and recognizes her truest desires. Fans of Louis Bayard will be right at home with this fantastic historical adventure and should appreciate the author’s notes distinguishing fictional elements.

A big thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is engaging, exciting, and enchanting. She's become an instant purchase for me and I'm constantly recommending her books to patrons. I loved her take on the Doctor Moreau story.

This book was a weird one and while I might not have been the ideal audience for it, there's a good chance my library patrons will greatly enjoy it.

This book is a reimagining to The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells. This book focuses on Moreau's daughter Carlota and her relationship with Moreau's patron's son, Eduardo Lizalde and the chaos that arises from his arrival.

First, the good parts: Carlota is a great protagonist and far-and-away was my favorite part of the book. Moreno-Garcia remains one of the best authors currently in regards to writing fascinating female protagonists and this book is another great example of that trend. Moreno-Garcia also does a wonderful job adapting and modernizing Wells's tale.

On the other hand, this book was pretty hard to follow for me and the sections that focused more on Eduardo and other members of the cast were far less successful than the ones that were more Carlota-centric. This book also just didn't grab me like Moreno-Garcia's Velvet was the Night did and I kept just wanting it to be as absorbing as that earlier book.

Overall, I'm sure there will be a lot of readers that love this book and that I just wasn't the right reader at the right time. I'm very thankful to the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Silvia-Moreno’s highly anticipated new novel magnificently reimagines H.G. Wells’ science fiction classic, The Island of Dr. Moreau, setting it in the lush Mexican South of the 1800’s and centering the tale on Moreau’s daughter, Carlota. Growing up on an isolated estate in the Yucatan, Carlota has only ever known the company of her father, the human-animal hybrids he’s created, and Montgomery, his new assistant with a checkered past. Told from the overlapping viewpoints of Montgomery and Carlota, what unfolds is a story that explores themes of colonialism, slavery, and the ethics of creating new life. Silvia-Moreno’s choice of setting, and the diverse set of characters add layers and meaning to the original work by Wells. This masterful mix of sci-fi, historical fiction, and gothic horror will appeal to readers of those genres as well as fans of retellings of classics.

★★★ ☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I don't like horror, and the further in I got, the more I felt like I was in a quagmire that could be awful. I didn't read the whole thing, though the descriptions and characters were compelling.

If you need an adventure that borders on the unusual, if you're willing to bite your nails through some chapters, if you want surprises about mutations and interactions - you might like this one.

3.5/5 stars.  To be released July 2022.

Silva Moreno-Garcia returns to her element with The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.  Her blend of historical fiction and supernatural elements always makes for an intriguing read.  An obvious spin on the Island of Doctor Moreau, Montgomery finds himself employed by the mysterious Doctor in 18th century Mexico.  The novel is told from alternating perspectives of Montgomery and the doctor's daughter, Carlota.  Filled with mystery, romantic inclinations, and lyrical world-building, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a page turner of a world that isn't always as it seems.

A great re-telling of the classic Dr Moreau tale. Being already familiar with the story I was a little skeptical about how interesting it would be, but I was wrong. This book kept me reading with well fleshed out characters enough differences to the original story to keep it interesting. The relocated setting in Mexico seemed to fit the tale perfectly. My only critique was that the story was overly populated with European charters, yes colonialism is something present in this era, and is explored well; but from a Mexican author writing a story set in Mexico i would have hoped for more emphasis on the Mexican characters, they felt somewhat secondary a lot of the time.
that being said I would highly recommend this book.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an interesting, well written, and thoughtful take on the original tale placing the story on the Yucatan Peninsula which the author notes was occasionally referred to as an island in old documents. The story is told alternating between the viewpoints of Carlota, the doctor's daughter and Montgomery. The violence and extreme cruelty of the original story is toned down in this version as it is hidden from Carlota's eyes. She is aware of it, but is not present during most of the violence.
One of the aspects of the book I really enjoyed was being able to put it down between readings and come back to it the next evening and fall immediately back into the story. The story stayed with me. Even now, after finishing the book, I find myself still thinking about the characters and the plot.
(Digital copy read courtesy of NetGalley)

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
An historical gothic and science fiction novel with a unique premise. Very well written and rich in descriptive narrative. Carlota and Montgomery and the hybrids will stay in one's mind a long time. Unexpected ending. Author's ending notes give more insight into the history and culture of the region.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau blew me away. I simultaneously wanted to speed through this novel and savor every word. Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes such three-dimensional characters and fun, dynamic plots. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next, the author pulled the rug out from under me (in a good way).

Set in a verdant wilderness of the Yaxaktun, this story shows a reverence that transports the reader. The pacing of the story gave me time to breathe after taking my breath away. Carlotta was naive, stubborn, and vain. Montgomery was self-loathing, cowardly, and an alcoholic. However, I couldn’t dislike either one. They are strikingly human, and their compassion and love for their found family was so compelling.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau cemented Silvia Moreno-Garcia as one of the authors whose books are automatically on my TBR list. I read this as an ARC, and I cannot wait to own a hard copy in July.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a great fiction that drew me in from the very beginning and kept me enthralled until the very end.

I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Mexican Gothic, so I was excited to read this one.

I really enjoyed the unique premise, the slow burn of the pacing of the novel, the character cast, and plot.

Being a character-driven novel, the details of the surroundings, the complexity and nature of the characters have to be richly drawn and presented, and they are.

I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, and intrigue associated. I enjoyed the dual points of view, and the descriptions of Mexico during the 1800s, physically and socially.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House/Ballentine for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/19/22.

Silvia can do no wrong. This retelling of the Island of Doctor Moreau was enchanting and spellbinding. Wells wrote the story from a macabre point of view. This reimagining was like taking a walk in the night - Hauntingly beautiful and gloriously mysterious. Silvia knew what we did not - that we needed a retelling of this story that showed emotion we as readers could cling to.

Carlotta is the daughter of the infamous Doctor Moreau. She tends daily life for everyone in their sanctuary in Yucatán - including the hybrids of Doctor Moreau’s creation.

Hidden secrets, deceit, subjugation are all underlying layers woven into this enthralling read. Each layer within the story underlines an allegory of cultural and class awareness that was dominant within the timeline as well as the inequality seen between the social classes. Our main character’s growth is viewed as the main story. a meek and mild - do as she’s told young lady growing up within the span of the novel and doing what’s right and just even as her world falls apart around her.

The pace of the novel was on point. The dual point of view allowed readers different perspectives of the same situation. The cultural references made me nostalgic for a time long ago.

I received an ARC from netgalley.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an invocative story that tells the tale of Doctor Moreau and his human-like hybrid creations. Intertwined are his daughter, Carlota and the majordomo, Montgomery. In a secluded island named Yaxaktun, the lives of the Doctor, Carlota, Montgomery, and the hybrids are altered when Eduardo Lizalde pays an unexpected visit and becomes enamored with Carlota.

This is definitely a character driven story. The readers are given an intimate understanding of Carlota and Montgomery during their switching perspectives. It’s a testament to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s fantastic storytelling that I felt so impacted by our main character’s woes. The slow pacing of this story ensures that the readers appreciate the thoughtful details that go into the characters' development. There are several points I’d love to reference specifically, but will refrain due to potential spoiler alerts!

The plot itself was really easy to follow and held my interest throughout the novel. The plot twists that were revealed added a tense feeling to an already mysterious atmosphere when reading this book. I also want to applaud the authors efforts in adequately describing the socioeconomic climate of Mexico in the 1870's. I can tell a lot of research and thought when into that and it really contributed positively to my reading experience.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book. I can’t wait to buy my copy when this officially releases!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC!

There’s a lot to like about this new work from Moreno-Garcia including sequences offering romance, drama, and action in turn. I enjoyed the alternating perspective, especially seeing the same events through both sets of eyes. The ending is not especially pat and I appreciate that choice.

'The Daughter of Doctor Moreau' isn't expected to be published until July 2022, and I'm already anticipating having my hands on a physical copy at that time.

I am delighted to have received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

Goodreads world and my colleagues... you'll be able to see this review closer to the release date!

Everything that Silvia Moreno-Garcia has written has been brilliant, and this book was no exception. From page one onwards I was immersed in a vibrant world.

Other than being able to visualize this world and characters, one of the main things that fascinated me was the glimpse into humanity: the desires and vices that drive people, and the hypocrisy they exhibit. People ARE flawed... some choose not to see it... and some try to weed out the flaws.

I cannot express how much I am anticipating buying this book, and being able to share this with my students as well!