I really enjoyed the tone of the book and the bluntness of the characters. Didn't care for the rape/sex and implied incest mentions, but the added context by the author at the end of the book helped me understand it had its purpose and wasn't just there for shock value or anything gross like that. I quite liked the weaving of the historical accuracy with the fantasy plots. Judith is truly a gem.

put frankenstein on a cover or blurb and i will read it with no questions asked. moore’s anima rising is an interesting and compelling mix of the dark and the humorous— but i appreciate that moore wrote a bride of frankenstein retelling that digs into themes of sexual assault, consent, and the treatment of women’s bodies. bc what does it mean to be given life with the sole intent of being a bride? OUUU i love it. this one might be a little too quirky, though, if you’re looking for frankenstein fiction that is as grounded in misery as the original. but it’s fun enough to make you want to follow the characters on their little romp, and i could never fault a frankenstein retelling that ACTUALLY INCLUDES THE CAPTAIN AND HIS LETTERS.

I first encountered Christopher Moore's work when I was a teenager and his first novel, Practical Demonkeeping, came out. I was a big fan for years and Lamb remains a favorite. Some of the more recent works (especially the Pocket the Fool books) were not for me. But Anima Rising is an interesting addition. It reminds me a lot of Coyote Blue with the caveat that it is even stranger and has a lot more references to sexual violence. If you've liked Moore's novels over the years, you will like this one too.

It is Vienna, 1911. Gustav Klimt, a famous painter discovers a woman’s nude body in the Danube canal. He pauses to sketch her when he hears a cough. She is alive! He takes her back to his studio where he and his muse Wally tend to her as he plans to sketch her. She has no memory of who she is, but with the help of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, she begins to recall her history that starts with a memory of being stranded in the Arctic and locked in a crate by a man by the name of Victor Frankenstein. As we go we get answers to the question of why she is there and why so many people are looking for her.

I was very excited to get this book. Christopher Moore is one of my favorite authors. I was a little worried at the beginning that I would not be able to give it a rave review. I was interested in the story of Klimt, Wall, and Judithm but when it switched over to the letters from a ship captain to his sister detailing his account of Frankenstein on the ship my interest waned a little. Luckily, the letters ended and we got deeper into the story of Judith and her origins. Also, we discover that the letters a more than just a recap of events on the ship.

It was chock full of what you expect from Moore. Interesting characters, Moore’s signature humor, and a well-researched book that is more intelligent than you would expect given how funny it is.

I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and humor.

Christopher Moore has written a lot of strange stuff, but Anima Rising definitely takes it to a whole new level. Imagine a novel that mixes Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation Adam, Gustav Klimt, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, a croissant-loving demon dog, a few gods from the Underworld, a drowned zombie girl fished out of a Viennese canal, and, well … you have this book. There are also some intriguing characters that I had no idea were actual real-life women until after I finished this novel – Moore has included a super interesting afterword that gives some biographical information about each, as well as the more famous individuals mentioned above.

This book contains all of the humor and wit that you'd expect from a Moore novel, but it's also much darker than most (all?) of his other works. If you're squeamish about rape/sexual assault, this probably isn't the book for you. There's a lot of sexual violence in this novel and a lot of mistreatment of women. There are also a decent amount of animal deaths, including dogs, in one section of the story but nothing graphic. If you have a thing for Malamutes, though, a bunch of them get eaten and occasionally even made into broth, so … yeah.

Other than the above-mentioned trigger warnings, however, this book really is delightful and quirky. It took several chapters for the characters to grow on me and there are a few instances where the storyline drags a bit, but is it actually possible to dislike a book that includes a croissant-obsessed Malamute? I think not. I loved Judith, Wally, and Gus as characters, and it was entertaining (and also a little sad) watching Judith slowly discover who she was before her drowning in the canal. And, like most Moore books, the humor is really top notch (although not particularly high brow) and the dialogue is witty. It's a chaotic and outlandish story, and it's entertaining in the most ridiculous way possible.

My overall rating: 3.7 stars, rounded up. If you've enjoyed Moore's previous novels and appreciate his deranged sense of humor, you should definitely consider giving Anima Rising a read. It's a wild and pastry-laden ride.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is May 13, 2025.

This book is classic Christopher Moore. Anyone who likes his other books will love this one. Very funny!

I have read some of Christopher Moore's books before, and I found in this one the same style of banter and nonsensical humour, which I really like.
But here the themes are much much more darker than in his previous work.
Women condition and sexual abuse are big themes of the book, and it makes for some bleak moments.
Nevertheless, I found it really interesting and loved the use of historical figures.

Thank you William Morrow for this ARC!

Very interesting and absurd but unfortunately not for me. I found the characters underdeveloped but the humor was very good.

Anima Rising is such a wild ride, you guys! Like, imagine Vienna in 1911, Gustav Klimt being all artsy, and then bam—a woman literally pulled from the Danube, coughing like a zombie come to life. Add a sprinkle of Freud, Jung, and a giant devil dog who loves croissants (yes, really), and you’ve got this bonkers mash-up of history, humor, and Frankenstein vibes. It’s as chaotic as it sounds, in the best way possible.

The characters? Okay, Judith is fascinating but doesn’t totally pop like I hoped—though Klimt, bless his eccentric little heart, makes up for it with his messy genius energy. And can we talk about the humor? It’s Christopher Moore doing what he does best: snarky, smart, and sometimes so out-there you’ll laugh out loud in public and scare people.

That said, a few parts dragged or felt like they were trying a bit too hard to be clever. But the sheer creativity—omg, chef’s kiss. The Vienna setting is lush and moody, and Moore’s take on historical figures is totally extra in the best way. It’s definitely a ride worth taking.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4 stars

I was so excited to get this as an arc. This is classic Moore. All the humor, misadventures, and just good fun is present here. If you’re familiar with his work, you know what you’re getting into, if not…why not? And why not start here for a lighthearted stress free adventure.
Another all around solid book By a favorite author.

Anima Rising by Christopher Moore: A Quirky Journey Through Time and Madness

Plot and Setting:
Anima Rising plunges readers into the vibrant and somewhat macabre world of early 20th-century Vienna, where the famed painter Gustav Klimt finds a woman, presumed dead, in the Danube canal. This woman, named Judith after one of Klimt's paintings, has no memory of her past but possesses a story that ties back to the Arctic and even the Underworld. Christopher Moore, known for his satirical and humorous take on historical and fantastical elements, crafts a narrative where Judith's journey of self-discovery intertwines with elements of science fiction and Gothic horror. The setting is rich with historical detail, though Moore's playful anachronisms and inventive twists on real historical figures like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung add a delightful absurdity to the backdrop.

Characters:
The characters in Anima Rising are both its strength and its Achilles' heel. Judith, the undead woman seeking her identity, is compelling, albeit a bit underdeveloped in terms of depth compared to Moore's previous protagonists. Klimt, portrayed with a mix of artistic genius and human frailty, serves as an interesting lens through which to view Vienna's high society. However, the interactions with Freud and Jung, while humorous, sometimes feel more like cameos rather than integral parts of the plot. The addition of Geoff, the giant croissant-eating devil dog, adds a unique flavor to the narrative, embodying Moore's characteristic whimsy.




Humor and Style:
Moore's signature humor is very much present, offering a blend of the absurd, the witty, and the occasionally raunchy. The novel's approach to combining elements of Poor Things and Bride of Frankenstein is audacious and often results in laugh-out-loud moments. However, there are instances where the humor feels slightly forced or out of place, possibly due to the gravity of some themes like identity and existential crisis which Judith navigates.




Themes:
Central themes revolve around identity, creation, and the human (or inhuman) condition, echoing the Frankensteinian elements with a modern, comedic twist. The exploration of memory and self through Judith's character provides depth to what might otherwise be a purely comedic narrative. Moore also subtly critiques societal norms and the art world of Vienna, though these critiques are often overshadowed by the novel's more playful elements.

Conclusion:
Anima Rising is a testament to Christopher Moore's ability to weave historical settings with fantastical elements in a way that entertains while occasionally probing deeper into philosophical questions. The book might not reach the heights of some of his more critically acclaimed works due to its uneven pacing and the sometimes superficial treatment of its characters, but it remains a fun, if somewhat chaotic, read.

Rating Breakdown:
Plot & Creativity: 4/5 - A wild, imaginative plot with a unique premise.
Character Development: 3/5 - While characters are fun, they sometimes lack depth.
Humor: 4/5 - Moore's humor shines, though occasionally feels misplaced.
Setting & Atmosphere: 4.5/5 - The historical setting is well-captured, enriched by Moore's playful reinterpretations.
Thematic Depth: 3.5/5 - Themes are present but can be overshadowed by comedy.

Overall Rating: 3.8/5

Moore's Anima Rising is recommended for fans of his previous works, those who enjoy a humorous take on historical fiction, and readers looking for an escapist, quirky narrative. However, expecting a deeply philosophical or character-driven story might leave one wanting more from this particular adventure.