Title: The Madman’s Daughter (The Madman’s Daughter #1)
Author: Megan Shepherd
Release date: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Pages: 432
Source: Publisher
Reading level: YA
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.
Accompanied by her father’s handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it’s too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.
Inspired by H. G. Wells’s classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman’s Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we’ll do anything to know and the truths we’ll go to any lengths to protect.
It’s always hard writing a review for a book that’s already been read and loved by so many bloggers. It seems like everything important has already been said. However, I’m still going to try and add my two cents to the buzz floating around about The Madman’s Daughter. I’ll start by saying that all that buzz is very well deserved.
The Madman’s Daughter is a blend of mystery, horror, historical, romance, and so much more. While normally I wouldn’t love all that in one book, it worked for The Madman’s Daughter. There was never too much going on at one point. Everything somehow managed to tie together in the end and it made for one completely crazy but awesome story.
Normally historical books tend to drag on for me and I do get a little bored with them. That was so not the case with The Madman’s Daughter. The setting was so rich and to be honest, creepy, and I adored it. The island is one place I would never want to visit. Oh my gosh, you guys, that place is so scary! Inhabited with kind of mutant like islanders and crazy, murderous creatures, this is no place you want to take a vacation to. Megan Shepherd’s writing really brought the island to life and there wasn’t a single point in the story where I couldn’t picture it in my mind.
To be honest, going into this one, I didn’t expect it to creep me out. The synopsis didn’t do justice to the actual horror of this book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not exactly something you’d see in a horror movie but to me, it was terrifying. There were so many times when I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and hoping for the best. I never knew what was going to pop up next and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s definitely not a book you want to read when alone at night but if I can make it through, anyone can. (I’m a total scaredy cat.)
As for the characters, they were all wonderful in their own weird ways. Juliet definitely had some issues (she did after all have a crazy guy for a father) but it was easy to see that she was a good person. Montgomery was a mystery for most of the story, as was Edward, but I liked them both, in different ways. Montgomery seemed mysterious but like a good guy. Edward on the other hand seemed to be hiding some darker secrets. While there was a bit of a love triangle between Juliet and the two guys, it worked for the story. Trust me, this is one love triangle that won’t bother you all that much. As for Juliet’s father, I never liked him. He was just a little too messed up and way too rude.
And I know this is a long review but I just have one more thing to mention; Megan Shepherd’s writing. Read The Madman’s Daughter for that alone if nothing else about it appeals to you. Debut author or not, Megan Shepherd has some serious writing skills. Her writing is lush, descriptive, and completely enthralling. This is one author that is on my list to watch for. I’m pretty sure I’ll be reading anything she writes in the future.
Overall, The Madman’s Daughter is a book I have to recommend. It has a little something that everyone can enjoy and I suggest you get your hands on a copy as soon as possible!
What others have to say about The Madman’s Daughter:
Scribbles & Wanderlust’s review: “The suspense of their personal secrets, mixed with the dangers of the humid and wild jungle, make for a fantastic gothic read.”
Dreaming In Books’ review: “The Madman’s Daughter is deserving of all of the hype and praise.”
Dark Faerie Tales’ review: “Overall, I thought this was a great book. It’ll take you on a whirlwind ride and might test your mind – but it’s well worth it.”
Read and Reviewed’s review: “Brutal and gruesome in equal measures, The Madman’s Daughter is not a book for the faint of heart.”
Series:
The Madman’s Daughter (#1)
Untitled (#2) – 2014
Untitled (#3) – 2015
Great review! Bumping this one up on the TBR list…
I really like that this is so creepy, definitely something I would like too. Great review. Hopefully I will get to read it and soon.
If it’s a horror it seems the cover doesn’t really do it justice either! Seems like a good read though.
How coincidental! I’ve been looking for a creepy, horror novel to get into, and this sounds perfect! I’m getting my hands onto this right away! 🙂
I actually had no idea this was horror! To be honest I never knew much about it but I’ve seen so much hype! I might have to go ahead and check it out. Great review Katie <3
Jasmine
I actually just got this book from the library yesterday! Thanks for the review! XD
Thanks for the review! I never thought this book was going to be so good, I’m not much into horror books honestly, but maybe I’ll give it a chance!
Aw, thanks for the link, Katie! I’m so, so glad you enjoyed this book, too. Shepard’s writing is choice, and the book definitely is scary and DIFFERENT. Everyone was messed up and secretive. ^_^ I’m just delighted you enjoyed reading it!
I have wanted to read this one for a while now, may have to pick it up sooner rather than later.
Wow, I have heard good things about this book, but your review just bumped it up on my TBR. I can tell I’m going to fall head-first into this lush, creepy world, and the fact that you complimented the writing makes me salivate. Thanks for the lovely thoughts!
I love creepy books, this one has been on my radar since it’s release. I am so glad to hear that the love triangle isn’t too frustrating. I generally hate ALL love triangles, and they frustrate me to no end. But I’m curious about this book enough to brave the triangle 🙂
This book creeped me out so much-the vivisection stuff was just too horrifying for this rather wimpy reader!
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews for this book. But mixed reviews always make me more curious than a ton of great or a ton of bad. It makes me want to see what side I will fall on
Didn’t like this because of the animal cruelty, although I have to say the plot and characters were interesting.
There were some parts that were exceptional and the Gothic style was perfect 🙂
Lovely review 🙂