The Daughter of Doctor Moreau was a peculiar tale of found (or created?) family in a rural South American home.
The book opens with a young Carlota Moreau, the daughter of Dr, Moreau, their housekeeper Ramona, and what appears to be her two siblings Lupe and Cachito. The first few chapters, up until the six-year jump, were very slow and difficult to keep up with.
As the reader, Silvia introduces small clues as to what takes place in the home. Once the plot was underway, more characters were introduced such as Montgomery, Eduardo and Isidro and they kept the plot moving forward slowly. In parts, the prose was difficult to read due to the descriptive nature of what took place in Moreau's laboratory. It became clear that the doctor was experimenting, creating hybrids of animals the reason being 'medical advancements' but Hernando Izalde's funding of these experiments was to create reliable workers to use instead of slaves. To Carlota and eventually Montgomery, the hybrids were their family. Although they were not human, Carlota grew up with them and saw them as siblings. Their environment became more hostile with Moreau's desperation for Carlota to marry Eduardo, to further his funding and it appeared she indeed fell in love with him.
At the penultimate peak of the book, a revelation is made regarding Carlota and the hybrids having to find a way of escaping, fighting Izalde's men or risk becoming slaves and workers for him.
It was a difficult read at points and in others, it was slow and difficult to absorb. The premise and inspiration behind the story, the novel 'The Island of Doctor Moreau' by H.G. Wells, provided vivid and uncomfortable writing opportunities and Silvia Moreno-Garcia definitely took advantage of this.
Thank you for this eARC it was great to read.

Another genre bending smasher from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Part romance, part coming of age, part colonial sf horror but completely gripping and enthralling as always.

Real rating: 3.5

This review may contain spoilers.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau by HG Wells. I didn't read the classic, so my review will not be based on comparisons.
The story revolvs around Carlota, Moreau's daughter, and the events that lead to the revelation of the doctor's secrets. Everything begins to crumble when Eduardo Lizaldes, son of Moreau's patron, arrives at Yaxaktun and falls for Carlota.

The plot is quite slow. The story begins when Carlota is a little girl and Montgomery arrives in Yaxaktun to take the place of the old mayordomo. From there, there’s a 6-year time jump, which takes us to when Carlota is 20 and meets Eduardo. For most of the book I had no idea where it was going, because before the 70% almost nothing really important happens, except squabbles and flirting between Carlota and Eduardo. The narrative would certainly have benefited from a faster pace.

As in every book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the setting is the most successful, between the historical context well explained and the customs of Mexico. The atmosphere is perhaps what I liked most about the book, as it kept me glued to the pages (just like in Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow).

There are various clichés and situations whose result was obvious from the beginning, which made me roll my eyes as they are treated as unexpected plot twists - but which in fact are exactly what the reader expects. From this point of view I must admit that I was disappointed, because I found nothing that really struck me, except the relationship between Montgomery and Carlota. Montgomery’s feelings towards the MC at first seemed out of place, but the more you go on the more they are contextualized, and I must say that I was a little saddened that Carlota did not return the feelings - although on the one hand I recognize it as a good twist, any other author would have put them together (for sure they had more chemistry than Eduardo and Carlota).
The other big problem I had with this book was Carlota. Her characterization is not very consistent, as Carlota goes from naive behavior and on the verge of complete stupidity to moments when she seems smarter than the devil, and then back to doing bullshit five minutes later. This also includes the instalove between her and Eduardo. And I can understand that Carlota grew up in Yaxaktun without having relationships with anyone other than her father, Montgomery and the hybrids, but here we break through the wall of ridicule. They say they love each other after two days and act like they’ve known each other for months, when barely a week goes by. It would have made a lot more sense if her feelings had developed towards Montgomery, with whom she grew up - especially since at several points in the book Carlota dwells on him instead of Eduardo, thinking that he's beautiful, that he's strong, thinking about his scent... I mean, come on, it seems that the author has changed in the course of the work the relationship between the two for external reasons, because everything seemed to lead to a love story.

The only characters really characterized are Montgomery and Carlota, as they are the only with a pov, but all the others are just in the background. Moreau, Eduardo, Isidro, Lupe, Cachito, Ramona... they're just cardboards and although they have distinctive features the characterization stops there. And I was a little disappointed in that because for a book based on the story of Moreau and his hybrids, we see very little of the hybrids, even Lupe and Cachito, who are Carlota’s sister and brother.

I honestly hoped to like The Daughter of Doctor Moreau better, I had high expectations, but I don’t think they were all met. The only two things I really enjoyed were the setting and Montgomery, but the end result is relatively mediocre.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an ambitious reimagining of the classic Island of Doctor Moreau set against political unrest and turmoil of late 1800's Mexico, with a feminist twist.

Staying true to its source material, Moreno-Garcia examines the links between science and faith and humanity's place in and with nature. But unlike the H.G Wells classic, this story adds depth and nuances with the Mayan struggles for independence against colonisation, and the place of women in that society.

What I loved the most about this book was the main character Carlota claiming her power. For all her life she's been raised to be obedient and docile and to not only see her claim her rage and power as a part of herself and to then wield it as a weapon was triumphant. I wanted to be there screaming with her!

Lastly I loved the found family aspect of this book, the respect and support they show each other was lovely. The fact that a relationship didn't turn into a romance was also fantastic! Instead of taking an easy cheap out, the characters talked about their feelings for each other and developed an amazing friendship.

While I loved the open ending, I really felt like this book was lacking something. Whether that be some more Sci Fi elements or some more rebel involvement, I'm not sure. But because of that i will be giving this book a 3.75 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for the Arc in exchange for a review, all opinions are my own.

Carlota Moreau had led a sheltered life on her distant estate far from any trouble on the Yucatán peninsula. Her days are spent helping her father with his hybrids, half animal half human creations, created to blindly obey the Doctor, and Montgomery Laughton an outcast who finds himself in the Doctor's employ. Their lives are quiet, simple and monotonous, that is until the arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the son of the Doctor's patron. Hid arrival sets into motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever, throwing everything they knew into the wind and bringing to light the true purpose behind the Doctor's monstrosities.

The story is told from the alternating POV's of Carlota and Montgomery. Carlota's story is that of a girl coming of age in a world she is wholly unprepared for. She finds herself constantly pulled between her wish to be a good daughter and her desire to see and feel things she hasn't been able to experience. She is naive and extremely curious, wanting to experience all life has to offer without really understanding the consequences. Montgomery is a jaded man. In debt to the Lizalde family after his wife left him, he went to work for the Doctor as a way to pay it off but finds himself interwoven in this bizarre family of humans and creations. He drinks to forget his past as well as to try and deny his future, but he is loyal to the Moreau's and is willing to do anything to protect them and the creations he lives with.

We also get an introduction to many of the hybrids that live on the estate. Creatures that most people would find monstrous. Part human part animal, none could truly survive in the human world but looks, as we always know, can be deceiving. These creatures have the same feelings, wants, needs, desires as humans do and thanks to both Carlota and Montgomery seeing them in a positive light, we as the reader feel for them and worry for their survival. The Doctor is the other main side character we get a view of and he is a man who believes what he is doing is right, damn the consequences. Genius often breads a certain type of person, one who is blinded by their goals, determined to make the world see things their way, and he is more than willing to cause pain to achieve his goals.

A big theme in this book is what it means to be a monster. Unsurprisingly, the real monsters in this book aren't the hybrids, but the humans who choose to fear them, the human who created them. It's a fear deep rooted in society, a fear of anything different, and once they see these creatures, they are determined in their opinion. But the creatures aren't cruel, they simply want to survive in a world that is not willing to accept them. It tells us that looks can be deceiving, and that it's not what's on the outside that makes us a monsters, but rather the thoughts that we have on the inside, our actions that truly show how monstrous we can be.

If you've been following me for a while then you know that Silvia Moreno Garcia is one of my all time favourite authors. Not only do I love all her books, but she is one of the few authors who has got me to read books outside of my comfort genres and enjoy them. The Daughter or Doctor Moreau is a science fiction novel with horror elements, though don't worry if you're a wimp because it's by no means overly scary. Through the story Moreno-Garcia shows us the plight of women, social and gender inequality. Having her books largely set in Mexico, through differing conflicts, she always brings an extra depth to her story and this was no different showing the relations between the Mexican. British and Maya rebels. This also added to the commentary of what makes a monster, the British being unable to see the hybrids as anything other than a servant or a threat, with the rebels on the other side recognising them for what they truly are.

With The Daughter of Doctor Moreau Moreno-Garcia has one again created a genre bending read filled with romance, social commentary and wondrously dynamic characters. It's plot twist may be easy to guess, but that takes nothing away from the shock factor and instead gets you more emotionally invested in the story line. If you enjoy atmospheric reads, writing that completely immerses you in the story and a setting that almost becomes a character itself, then look no further.

I am an avid Silvia Moreno-Garcia fan, counting Mexican Gothic, The Beautiful Ones and Gods of Jade and Shadow among my favourite books of all time. I greatly admire her indomitable skill at moving between genres, all while keeping the same gorgeous, heart-wrenching prose and magnificently fleshed our characters. She’s a master in her field and I will forever read anything she writes.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau reminded me most of Gods of Jade and Shadow, but with a far more sci-fi bent. I love stories that are a reimagining of a classic tale, which this fits perfectly. Drawing from HG Wells The Island of Doctor Moreau, Moreno-Garcia turns the focus on his clever and commuted daughter, Carlota. Like all SMG books, it was a study in slow burn, with the added touch of mystery and lush historical details. Although, generally, I’m not a fan of sci-fi I loved the reimagining, mostly down to SMG’s hypnotic storytelling. If you’re at all a fan of her work, or are looking for a lush historical, feminist sci-fi story, this is for you.

Like with every Silvia Moreno-Garcia book, I was slow to draw in but hooked by the end, somehow still finding myself surprised with how fluidly I’d moved from passive interest to complete absorption. Though this wasn’t my favourite of her works, I still loved the story and would highly recommend it.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the main character and I get this was supposed to be almost a retelling but the pacing was off. The first half of the book was very slow. And the characters particularly the hybrids weren't distinct enough and seemed to meld together.

I remember reading The Island of Doctor Moreau a good few years ago, but I only remember snippets of this - reading this book has definitely made me want to revisit it for comparison! I’m really into female retellings of books so I was eager to get stuck into this one and it was interesting having the tale of Doctor Moreau from his daughter, Carlota’s, perspective. She’s raised to obey and respect her father which means she doesn’t question those things that she should. Doctor Moreau has created a sort of cult in his compound, with weekly medicine to keep the hybrid creatures and his own daughter bound to him and regular sermons from his beloved Bible. As a reader, it’s easy to see Carlota’s naivety and how she’s been kept under her father’s thumb but it’s impossible to blame her as it’s all she’s ever known, and she does come through for her friends when it matters. Her naivety is strangely juxtaposed by her cunning, leaving me wondering how much of her behaviour was an act. As we’re never given her inner thoughts, it’s a mystery that cannot be unravelled.

Although I did enjoy this book, it didn't seem as though Carlota's story was the most compelling narrative. Overall, there wasn't much plot progression in the story but the last few chapters were perhaps my favourite, as twists were revealed and the tale picked up speed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

In this reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau, Moreno-Garcia weaves a novel set in 19th century Mexico combining historical fiction and science fiction. The story follows Dr Moreau's daughter Carlota who helps her father with his research funded by the wealthy Lizaldes. Despite never leaving Yucatan, she believes there is no better place on earth. But as funding is withdrawn and there are more frequent visitors to the estate, her world starts to unravel and it turns out things aren't quite what they seem.

I really wish I had read The Island of Doctor Moreau before having read this as I think it would really add something to the intertextuality of this novel. Whilst I really enjoyed the book, I found that a few things were a little predictable (although there were plenty of smaller twists) and the ending dragged just a little.

However, what I really loved was the setting of the novel. Moreno-Garcia really drops you in the heart of the place and the caste conflict without lengthy exposition, and it's something that will stay with me long past reading this novel.

Once again a beautiful story from an incredible author. The writing is incredible and the way Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes characters with flaws and female characters who are both strong and gentle is incredible. She also has an amazing ability to teach with her work as I am led to google the events that occur in the story in this case being The Caste War of Yucatán with the beautiful back drop of Mexico consistent through all her books. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is already an autobuy author for me and this is another example of her incredible work.

Carlota Moreau is a young woman growing up in an exotic location of Yaxaktun property in the Yucatan peninsula. She divides her days between books, lazy walks and helping her bellowed father. Her peaceful and pleasurable life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of the son of her father’s benefactor, the handsome Eduardo Lizalde. Enchanted by Carlota’s beauty, he stays at Yaxaktun and unwillingly discovers its secrets. The true nature of the place was hidden from the outsiders, as Carlota’s father is no one else, but the mysterious Doctor Moreau, known from The Island of Dr Moreau by H. G. Wells, and Yaxaktun is where he conducted his experiments…

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an exciting position. The plot could probably be called a schematic historical romance if it wasn’t for the characters and the elements taken from Wells. The novel is a fascinating retelling of a science fiction classic. Instead of an isolated island, we have a secluded property surrounded by the jungle. Instead of a shipwrecked man, the narration is written from the point of view of the Doctor’s daughter Carlota and the English overseer Montgomery Laughton. Both are well written, complex and realistic, and their personalities affect their narration. Carlota is young, hopeful and slightly naive, while Montgomery is not exactly old but experienced, tired and sarcastic. Having the events presented through two entirely different voices was very engaging.

I found it very hard to classify this novel. It is a mesmerizing mixture of gothic, romance, science fiction and historical fiction. Set against the historical background of the Maya rebellion, the story diverts into a dream-like world of Moreau’s hybrids and his despotic rule over them. The realistic events blend with those more fantastical seamlessly, creating a truly original narrative. What I also liked about this book is that the romantic theme does not take over the book completely. It is a crucial part of the plot but only one of the many ideas pushing the action forward.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this book. It reads more like slower, thought-provoking literature than fast-paced fiction, but I believe the world created by the author might enchant many readers.

I picked this book up hoping that it would give me the same excellent atmosphere and 'vibes' that Mexican Gothic did - and I have to say I was NOT disappointed. If anything The Daughter of Doctor Moreau goes even further than the earlier book did and creates something even more wonderful and weird.
I have to say I knew nothing of the book this work is built upon so I can't comment on that element of the story but I just thought that the creation of this little world with all the constructs and the intense family conflict which broadens out into a more global conflict was incredibly well handled. As ever Silvia Moreno Garcia knows how to create not only a global place for her story to take place but to also shape the atmosphere of the smaller spaces in the story - something which is key to achieving the levels of creepiness some of the labs and other locations need to take on in this particular book.
Where Mexican Gothic begins eerie and then gets weird, The Daughter of Doctor Morea jumps right in with some of the weird elements which worked well for me as I enjoyed the mystery of how everything fit together. I will say I think some of the drama and the tension of the book didn't play out as well for me as it might for others simply because I misunderstood something mentioned early on in the book and unintentionally figured out the plot twist as a result - so when the reveal came I went 'didn't we already know this?' as opposed to the shock that I hope other people will experience. Mea culpa but I thought it worth mentioning.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which once again cements Silvia Moreno Garcia as an author whose work I will always seek out, even if she turns her hand to writing car manuals I will be preordering them!
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau 4/5⭐️
This book just had all the right vibes for me and I loved it!
In Silvia Moreno-Garcia's newest novel we follow Carlota Moreau in 19th century Mexico. She is hidden away in a secluded estate on Yucatán far removed from the conflict on the peninsula.
As the daughter of the (mad?) scientist she spends her days surrounded by nature and her father's hybrid creatures who are her only friends and family.🐆
One day her father brings in a new overseer to assist in his experiments and shortly after new people arrive at their Yaxatun estate interested in Carlota's beauty and the doctor's secrets.
This is such a fabulous gothic science fiction historical novel set in Mexico during a time of colonization, class and subjugation, where the Maya people fight for their freedom against Mexican tyrants. You feel this eerie setting on every page where the beauty of the country is overpowering but the loss and caste war is looming over you and the dark scientist's secrets make
you want to uncover the truth on every page.
I highly recommend this book if you love a gripping mystery, historical fiction, a beautiful setting, and a strong feisty main character!

This was an interesting book and I quite enjoyed it. It tells the story of Carlota, the daughter of Doctor Moreau, and the hybrids that he has created.

I found it a little slow at the start, but was intrigued once I got into it. I liked the alternating chapters told from Carlota and Montgomery's point of view. They both had realistic voices and I appreciated the different perspectives and insights it gave. The story itself I found a bit slow in the middle and it felt like a long lead up to the end. Despite this I found the writing style very easy to read and the author created quite vivid imagery. Overall, an interesting read and I would like to read other books by this author!

Thank you Quercus Books and NetGalley for the arc of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I’ve been an admirer of Moreno-Garcia’s writing since discovering Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow, and once again I have not been disappointed.

Once again Moreno-Garcia weaves a world of light and darkness, fantasy, and wonder that enthralls and pulls the reader in. Loosely based on The Island of Doctor Moreau, the story is transplanted to Yucatán, Mexico - a place I have many fond memories of, having lived there for a few years, and focuses on the doctor’s daughter Carlota and the journey that she takes metaphorically, as she grows from child to adulthood.

The story itself is engaging, the world building balances the foreboding with the beautiful and the characters are honest in their personalities and flaws. I won’t say the story itself is unpredictable, but that is not a negative, as the tale itself is like a beautiful rug, woven with care, skill, passion and precision.

If you have enjoyed Moreno-Garcia’s previous storytelling, you won’t regret picking this up, and if you haven’t I recommend giving this book a go.

Loosely based off H.G. Wells "The Island of Doctor Moreau".

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau tells the story of Carlota, who lives with her father, Dr Moreau, and his host of "hybrids".

The pacing of this book just felt off throughout. It started out so slow, but just as it started to pick up, it raced through to an ending.

There wasn't much to the story, except from Carlota discovering herself and the hideousness of her father and his disregard for the condition his "hybrids" found themselves in. There was a touch of a romance, but this just felt so forced and wrong that I was relieved when it was over.

The characters were the highlight of the book in my opinion, especially little Lupe and Cachito.

I would definitely recommend this one for fans of H.G. Wells with a feminist streak.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a historical fantasy novel, packed with twists and turns.

Carlota Moreau lives with her scientist father, the eponymous Doctor Moreau, and an assorted cast of misfit characters. They live on a crumbling island estate, baked in the unrelenting sun, and far from civilisation. Carlota loves her small world and never really dreams of life beyond the island - until the fateful day when Eduardo Lizalde arrives at her home. This arrival sets a spiralling chain of events into motion, that is sure to change Carlota's world forever.

To a certain extent, there is also a case of morality in the book. Who is the real villain of the story? The reader is left to make their own mind up about the characters, and come to a conclusion without having their hand held throughout.

Although I loved the characters, world-building, and writing style, I felt that the plot lets the book down. It felt rather predictable and unexciting. The story is a reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau, which I'm personally unfamiliar with, but I feel that this would only be amplified for those who already know the original story. However, the book doesn't tie up every loose end completely - perhaps intended for a future sequel?

The writing is warm and languid, like a lazy afternoon in mid-summer. It envelopes, immersing you in the island and the world the author has created. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is such a talented author, and this book is further proof that she can seemingly turn her hand to any genre she pleases, with expert results!

Lastly, I also think it's important to mention the beautiful cover of this book - isn't it gorgeous?

This book was such a delight. Having read Mexican Gothic, I had really high hopes and wasn't disappointed.

The author is so brilliant at weaving a world that you can escape to within moments, no matter the kind of day you're having; it's a true skill. The characters are well written and flawed but likable. The setting is luscious but dangerous too - a perfect combination.

The story has been influenced by The Island of Doctor Moreau and Moreno injects horror into the most beautiful of settings with ease.

If you enjoyed her previous work, you will adore this. If you haven't, take a risk on a talented author and a brilliant story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for the opportunity to read and review this book.

One thing about Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books is that they never disappoint and this one is another great addition to her bibliography! I would 100% recommend it

The problem I have with Moreno-Garcia's books, having read Mexican Gothic, is that her other books are, well, not Mexican Gothic. She writes over a range of genres, so I thought the eerieness and gothic nature of The Island of Dr Moreau would be fertile ground for her imagination.
What I got instead was something much quieter: Carlota, the eponymous daughter of Dr Moreau, is quiet and kept rather infantilised by her father and the story is essentially a romance between her and Eduardo, the son of Moreau's benefactor. Yes, the hybrids are there but their hybrid nature is almost secondary: aside from one moment, there was no body-horror or shock and we the reader accepted them as quickly as the characters. They became, essentially, symbols for the oppressed workers of the era, exploited and overworked and liable to brutal punishments.
Alongside them, our other point of view character, Montgomery, was a troubled Englishman and hunter, brought in to oversee Moreau's property.
There were revelations and twists, of course, and Carlota really developed as a character.
I did love the growth of the emotions between Montgomery and Carlota, which was a complex and layered relationship, especially once Eduardo arrived in the narrative.
What I found myself yearning for - which I know Moreno-Garcia can write so well - is setting, really conjuring up the oppressive heat and atmosphere of Mexico.