Vivid, Fascinating and Rebellious
I will admit two things from the start. One, I have never read The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells. Two, I have never read anything by Silvia Moreno Garcia.

My first admission stops me from being able to attest to Moreno-Garcia's success in a retelling. Therefore, this review will only be from the point of view of such absence in knowledge and will be looked at from the my ignorant eyes of the original tale. My second admission stops me from being able to recall anything about Moreno Garcias previous books. I think everyone probably knows her best from her novel, Mexican Gothic, a book that still sits on my TBR. After hearing so many wonderful things about that book, I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to read her newest release.

Disclaimers now aside, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau was weird. It was not a bad weird but a weird that kept me uneasy and skeptical. Doctor Moreau and his daughter live secluded, far from civilization- their only companions being Doctor Moreau’s fabricated hybrids. See, Doctor Moreau is no ordinary Doctor. After being estranged in France, he found himself in a situation to continue his personal work of “perfecting humanity” through regenerative and experimental science. These hybrids were that of human and animal creation; most very rarely a success, more often just sick, pained animal crossbreeds.

Moreau’s daughter, Carlota, was born sickly. Doctor Moreau was able to keep her alive through continuous treatments of jaguar gemmules to keep her own pain at bay. She is not just his daughter, but his most successful experiments. (Gemmules = “An asexually produced mass of cells, which are capable of developing into a new organism..”) She is a subservient daughter; humble, timid, and kind. She’s only ever known her home in Yaxaktun. Life has always been simple. Reading from her perspective was wondrous. She truly loves her father, his hybrids, and her home. Her voice is romantic and therefore the majority of her experiences throughout the book are bright, vivid, beautiful and told with care. She was a meek and charming character who truly blossomed in the book.

Fifty percent of the book is told from Carlota's perspective and the other fifty told from Montgomery’s. Montgomery is 15 years Carlota’s elder, come to Yaxaktun in desperation of a job and in the lowest part of his life. Where Carlota is sunshine and positivity, Montgomery is her perfect counter part- gloom and brood. Montgomery is very much sad and broken. An alcoholic with a tragic past of love lost, he is there to exist and work only. Montgomery and Carlota's povs perfectly overlap every time, wonderfully blending from one to the other. Each chapter transition was seamless. Montgomery is seasoned and therefore has a more stable observation where Carlota is ignorantly living in her romanticized world.

There were only three things that threw me off in this book. The hybrids being one. While Lupe and Cochito were wonderful characters, the fact that they were hybrids of big cats and humans was sort of repulsive. I have read fantasy books with wild, hybrid creatures and it never bothered me. I never thought twice about it, actually. So what was so different this time around? It was the experimentation of man on creatures for self-pride at the expense of the living. Searching for perfection whilst quite honestly, only creating misery. This isn't necessarily knock on the book at all. Authors are artists and art is supposed to make you feel something albeit happiness, sadness, or (in this specific case) discomfort. As previously mentioned, this book was loosely based off of HG Wells', an author known for making his readers feel discomfort, The Island of Doctor Moreau. In this case, Moreno-Garcia more than excelled in her adaptation! Personally, I feel we should feel discomforted by scientists disturbing nature in the name of science and experimentation.

The second thing would be the age difference between Montgomery and Carlota. I'm not a fan of the age gap trope. Especially in this case where he met her as a minor of fourteen years in age. I can't say more to this without giving it away but three chapters in and you understand Montgomery is a bit infatuated with Carlota so I'm not giving much away by the previous statement. What comes from that is different and needs to be experienced by the reader. It wasn't terribly considering the relationship's growth but it did throw me off about fifty percent of the book.

Thirdly, was the conflict in Mexico during the mid 1800's between the European descendants and the native Mayan population. I feel like I would've loved to see more of this conflict as a main plot. It however seemed more as a background conflict to further vilify the Lizalde family (the owners of many haciendas throughout Mexico, including the Moreau residence). It was mentioned here and there in passing and played a large role in the end but not enough to feel completely present through the book. Considering the last chapter is a description of the author's intention of the novel and it focusses mainly on her original inspiration of this book being the Caste War of Yucatan in 1847, it missed the mark for me. It's not that these points mentioned in the epilogue were not represented. They are partially there, key word being partially. I just felt this book would have thrived more if it was more of a focal point.

Overall, I was impressed with Moreno-Garcia's writing style. It's beautiful and captivating. I didn't devour it as I had expected but I would never say it didn't hold my interest, it just never fully enthrall me. I wasn't captivated. I was intrigued. My favorite part of this book was Carlota. She was beautiful of the mind, not just appearance. She had a fascinating tale. For being an adult, she very much felt like a child at the beginning. Though, at the end, she became a woman. Her innocence was not her down fall but her strength. She loved with a ferocity that captured the hearts of her piers and I. Her very existence was a rebellion. She was breathtaking and a complete joy to accompany throughout the book.

Would I recommend this book? I would. It is slow, it is weird but it is vivid and fascinating. If your curiosity gets the best of you here, follow it. I give it 3.5/4 stars. (rounded up to 4)

[4.5/5 stars]

Carlota Moreau, the only daughter of Dr. Moreau, lives isolated in a luxurious state in Yaxaktun. Montgomery, Dr. Moreau's assistant, is financed by the Lizaldes. With the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, son of Dr. Moreau’s patron, a fragile balance is broken and it leads to a vicious chain reaction.

Loosely inspired by "The island of Doctor Moreau" (originally published in 1896), THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU takes place in nineteenth-century Mexico, against the backdrop of a real conflict between Maya people of the Yucatan peninsula and the Mexican.

Moreno-Garcia nailed in another novel. In this book, the author uncovers the mystery/secrets in a juicy way, which the readers are drawn into an atmospheric storytelling. I appreciated both the historical parts and sci-fi elements (hybrids animals and scientific experiments). Additionally, SMG smartly examines themes of colonization, class and racism; and at the same time, makes sharp reflection on arranged marriage and religion (all the talk about sins and creation made me cringe at times).

In the beginning I thought Carlota Moreau was just another futile character, but once one learns about her true nature and backstory, one realizes that she is a flawed, captivating character. Montgomery, an apparent coward, is a deeply a hurt person who one also learns to like and root for. This is a quiet story with great dose of romance. There is a straight commentary on survival x ostentation (frivolous pursuit), the abusive system of debt and punishment and achieving great purposes. What Moreno-Garcia does best is to deliver what seemed like a defined plot line and twist it into unexpected/peculiar scenes.

Told in multiple POVs, I thought that this reimagining was dreamy, thrilling and a solid historical sci-fi approach from SMG.

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Dey Rey . All opinions are my own ]

cw: violence, abuse, death, gun violence

Yes yes yes an outstanding retelling! I loved this story told from the perspective of Dr. Moreau’s daughter Carlotta and his majordomo Montgomery.

You see the story building and unfolding in front of both of them as the tension builds around the future of their experiments and what is to happen to the inhabitants of Yaxactun. Contextually it’s beautifully set amid the turmoil Mexican revolution and the industrial revolution. Both advancements coming on the heels of the other, each necessary for the others success.

The tension between Loti and Monty is frustrating and sweet. Their story just as well told as the one around them.

This year I've found myself reading a lot of classic retellings and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is no exception. With a small cast of characters that widens the more you discover Moreau's experiments, this one has the reader sympathetic with many of the characters. However, it took me a while to get into the storyline. I didn't feel an objective for a good portion of the book. But then, somewhere around the halfway mark, the storytelling revealed the plot, and we see it start to unravel.

This is a fair retelling. It's a bit of sci-fi, with historical elements thrown in and a good deal of romance in our idealistic young Carlota, who is "in love with love," as Montgomery tells it. At what point has man gone too far? Carlota's character development took a long time, but to be fair, she was a product of her father's influence through and through. Overall, this is a good retelling in a beautiful setting. Thank you, Ballantine Books, for sending this along.

This is a brilliantly written novel with well developed and loveable characters. I enjoy historical fiction and this one transports you to the Jungles of the Yucatan to the native conflict in the late 1800's

The story weaves in the HG Wells Classic but stands alone with its own unique story, utilizing the wildlife of the peninsula and the experiments of Dr. Moreau.

There are traces of a young lady coming of age and discovering who she is, while trying to understand her secretive and tormented father and the secrets of her childhood. I believe, however that the real story is of slavery, servitude, religion, and power. It shadows what was happening in the Yucatan in that era with an encapsulating story.

I highly recommend this one. Take it in as a light, fun story or a deeper meaningful read about the power of money, the evils of alcohol, the control of religion, and the power struggles of the classes.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)
Pub Date: 7/19
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Historical Fiction/Retelling

This was a strange yet oddly fascinating story that is loosely based on the classic/sci-fi book The Island of Doctor Moreau. Set in a secluded and lush jungle in Mexico, Silvia Moreno-Garcia focuses on the doctor's daughter: her thoughts, her fears and her experiences during her seemingly peaceful, yet isolated life. The book alternates between the two POVs of Carlota Moreau, the daughter, & Montgomery Laughton, Dr. Moreau's new assistant.

The cover of this book is what drew me in initially, followed by the premise which sounded promising. Unfortunately I didn't find myself "vibing" with this one the way I did with Mexican Gothic. The writing was vivid, there is no doubt that Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a wonderful way with words. And I appreciated the themes of morality, found family and prejudice throughout. However, I felt like the story was missing the dark and gritty aspects I was longing for. There was so much more I wanted to experience with the weird & wild creations of Dr. Moreau - playing god, creator vs. creations, monsters, etc. The pacing was also very, very slow. I'm all for a slow burn, but the climax and the "twist" was somewhat predictable and didn't exactly feel like much of a payoff after all of the build up.

Is this worth reading? Bottom line is yes, especially if you are a Silvia Moreno-Garcia fan. If you enjoy a slow burn with an atmospheric setting I would also recommend this book. I think I had a totally different idea of what this book was going and what it actually was, I would caution against thinking it's more sci-fi/horror than it really is.

**Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, Silvia Moreno-Garcia and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

The deal: It’s a feminist retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau in 19th century Mexico, and explores themes like religion, science, power, colonialism, and womanhood.
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Is it worth it?: Yeah, I liked this. You’re probably imagining it as considerably more sci-fi or horror than it is, too (it’s less of both than, say, Mexican Gothic). While I really enjoyed Carlota (the titular daughter), I was left wanting more from her, and I’m not sure the second POV from the old white guy was necessary. Still would endorse this though. And surely someone somewhere is scheming up a killer adaptation.
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Pairs well with: Moreno-Garcia usually puts together comprehensive readers’ guides! I absolutely loved the one she built for Mexican Gothic and no doubt this one will be excellent as well
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B

I enjoyed the movie Island of the book was ok. Even though the book did have its moments it was hard to get into at first. Was she really a chip off the old block or was it all an act. I definitely have to reread to see if I get more out of it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars!

This is an interesting retelling of an old classic. It takes place in Mexico, which I really loved. The location/back drop and history in this story was one thing I loved about it.

The story itself, while intriguing, was very slow moving. The pacing seemed off to me. One moment the story was moving forward steadily, and the next moment it was barely progressing at all. This was a huge downfall for me and, at times, I considered putting the book down for good. Which would have been a real tragedy since I loved Mexican Gothic by the same author.

The characters we a mixed bag of personalities. I loved the hybrids and actually felt compassion for them and their sad lot in life. Bad health, short lives…. It seemed so wrong that they had to endure that cruelty.

Dr. Moreau- disliked

Carlota- liked and disliked. I hated her naivety at points, though couldn’t blame her based on her upbringing. I enjoyed her more as the story progressed.

Montgomery- actually probably my favorite character in this book, flaws and all. He deals with the ghosts in his past by constantly drinking, but he has a good heart and cares for Carlota and the hybrids

Eduardo- well….. no thanks

I definitely didn’t love this book, but I enjoyed it well enough. Despite the slow pacing, the sometimes obnoxious characters and their poor choices, this was an entertaining read.

I was interested in this book due to the popularity of Mexican Gothic. I had an extremely difficult time getting through the book. I found it too slow paced- it didn’t get even a bit interesting until 40%, I didn’t love any of the characters, & then the twist around 60% wasn’t really shocking.

Although this book missed the mark for me, I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A retelling of the Island of Doctor Moreau. More of his daughter, Carlotta’s view. The doctors scientific experiments and the people controlling his creations. I looked forward to reading this and I see potential for a second book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is, as the title suggests, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican historical sci-fi reimagining of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Intimate familiarity with the original tale is not necessary, although I did look into it briefly so I could prepare myself for the potential flavor I might be getting. And given the intensity of the premise, Moreno-Garcia is one of the few authors I can think of to reimagine it, while also critiquing both the existing aspects and those of the colonial Mexico she has transplanted the story to.
As is typical for her, she takes her time to establish the world her characters inhabit, from the broader political situation of historical Mexico, to the immediate environs of the Moreau estate. It’s a slow build, but you immediately get a sense of where the story is going, and it grows even more and more apparent as the story goes on.
It’s pretty clear to anyone going in who knows even a bit about Doctor Moreau that he’s a take on the archetypal mad scientist, so certain of his own genius, yet lacking self-awareness of the harm his “revolutionary” experiments cause. And the way this comes to light through the POV characters is well done. His daughter, Carlota, in particular, begins the book adoring him and believing he can do no wrong, but over time grows past her naïveté and begins to question things. Montgomery is the newly-hired assistant who has been through struggles of his own, and is the one who takes on a protective role over Carlota and the hybrids, when others, whether it be Doctor Moreau or Lizalde, just want to exploit them. And the way said exploitation parallels that of the Black and indigenous people who are impacted by colonialism, and Lizalde’s plans to replace them with the hybrids as a source of labor, is poignantly and horrifyingly rendered.
While it’s not my favorite of Moreno-Garcia’s work, it’s nonetheless excellent, and I love how she puts a feminist and colonialist lens to the Doctor Moreau narrative. It doesn’t really compare to anything she’s previously written genre-wise, so don’t go into this looking for another Mexican Gothic, for example. However, anyone who has consistently liked her work and writing style and/or is intrigued by the premise will likely enjoy this.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia once again hits a homerun with this enchanting, beautifully written retelling of The Island of Dr Moreau. Set in the lush landscape of 19th century Yucatan Penninsula, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau centers on Moreau’s daughter Carlota who has been raised amongst hybrid animal-human creatures born of her father’s design and scientific endeavors and Montgomery, a widowed man who comes to the hacienda in search of work and a home. In true gothic fashion, Moreno-Garcia blurs the lines between man and monster and which is truly at heart the beast.

An absolute must read for fans of the author, retellings, and of course classic horror enthusiasts. Without a doubt, Silvia Moreno-Garcia is my newest favorite author and never disappoints.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 stars Once again I find myself enchanted by the world Moreno-Garcia creates. This sci fi historical novel, a reimagined Island of Doctor Moreau with it's human hybrids set in the rich jungles of old Mexico was such a satisfying story, I will definitely be placing it into my top books of the year.

I loved the two main characters of Carlota and Montgomery, their inner thoughts and actions are a jumble of emotions of who they used to be and who they want to be. Carlota is the devoted daughter happy in her bubble with the hybrids and her father, but as she grows and matures the arrival of the handsome son of the hacienda owner wakes her up to new feelings. Her development is the highlight of this book with it's feminist overtones as she struggles to get her voice heard over all the men in her life. Montgomery on the other hand is the drunkard with a past who has made mistakes and questions whether he is worthy of even being alive. His story speaks of intensity of the heart and perseverance.

Side characters are varied and compelling with the setting of the hacienda having a certain mystic vibe to it. Themes included of colonialism, classism, sexism, morality and scientific research add to the richness of this story. It is a story of what of humanity and the things we do to each other in the name of the greater good or selfish desires. This is a fantastic summer read and I think some who were disappointed with her last novel will be thrilled with this one.

Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I am not familiar with The Island of Doctor Moreau, which this story is somewhat based on, I was still able to pick up on the story pretty easily. I thought the slow-paced writing style was beautiful and an interesting blend of both science fiction and historical fiction. I also thought that the setting (Yaxaktun, on the Yucatan peninsula) was fascinating and I appreciated the author weaving real historical conflict in Mexico, especially one that I haven't learned much about, into this fictional story. Additionally, I generally love stories with multiple points of view, and enjoyed going back and forth between Carlota and Montgomery's accounts of the events that occurred. Ultimately, I think this is an engrossing gothic read with commentary on patriarchy, racism, and colonialism, and I look forward to going back through the author's other novels soon!

A reimagining of H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau" here Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau" takes place in late 19th century Mexico, in an isolated part of the Yucatan where Dr Moreau conducts his experiments and his daughter, Carlota, grows up with only her father, the housekeeper, and the 'hybrids'. The rest of her knowledge of the world comes from her father and her books. Montgomery Laughton gets hired as the caretaker and the book alternates POV between Carlota and Montgomery. He is broken and miserable, an alcoholic who is either trying to fix his life or end it while she is young and curious about everything.

There weren't really any surprises in this book, the pace was extremely slow, and I found I didn't really care for any of the characters. I was reading the book more to finish it than to find out what was going to happen, or maybe hoping that something would actually happen. When the predictable does finally happen at the end and Carlota has to face some hard truths (and the reader gets about five minutes of danger and gun fights) I still couldn't get into it.

You could argue there is plenty of symbolism here about man vs animal, colonialism, etc. but none of it goes below the surface. I found it a disappointing book compared to some of Moreno-Garcia's others,

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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.