Full disclosure, I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the author however I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is scheduled for a July 19, 2022, release
Not all family is by blood
Somewhere on the Yucatan peninsula lies the hacendado of Yaxaktun. Not your typical hacienda, Yaxaktun is home to the eccentric Dr. Moreau, his only child Carlota and a cast of characters known as hybrids. With his mayordomo, Mr. Laughton overseeing the day-to-day running of Yaxaktun, the good doctor spends his days with his experiments. But with his sponsor growing anxious and tired of the delay he begins to insert himself into the operation. And when his son becomes smitten with Carolta, Dr. Moreau’s real secret is threatened with exposure. The fate of all Yaxaktun hangs in the hands of one person, but will Carlota be resourceful enough to save her father, his research, her friends, and the only home she has ever known.
Scheduled for a mid-July release, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is the newest title by author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Having recently read “Velvet Was the Night”, I was excited for the opportunity to read this newest release. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a fanciful reimagining of the classic “The Island of Doctor Moreau”, but in Moreno-Garcia’s retelling, the setting has been changed to nineteenth-century Mexico. Having never read the original, I had no preconceived notions or biases to overcome so it was very easy to immerse myself in the backdrop and the story. Moreno’s descriptions of Yaxaktun and all her residents were so vivid that it was easy to forget the words being read as my imagination ran wild with the story. Also, with the narrative primarily from the perspectives of Carlota Moreau and Montgomery Laughton the mayordomo of Yaxaktun, the bouncing between perspectives in the same narrative helped to keep my interest as well as reveal certain plot points or backstory items in a setting most appropriate for the point of view being presented.
To date, I have only read two titles by this author, but I have really enjoyed them both. I love the way that Moreno – Garcia brings her heritage and experiences into the stories she creates, and I hope to read many more of her offerings in the future. Whether you are familiar with the source story or not, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau will draw the reader in and provide them with hours of enjoyment as you experience this epic tale.
Jennly Reads 