DAC Blog Tour: Review of The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1)
Author: Megan Shepherd
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 432
Source: Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours
Format: Paperback ARC
Rating: 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: 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.

Scandalously, thrilling and a bit disturbing; The Madman's Daughter is a book like no other. 

Megan Shepherd introduces us to Juliet whose family fell from society with the accusations about her father's inhumane experiments that forced him to flee London causing rumors of his death.  By a chance encounter she learns that her father is still alive and has the opportunity to go live with him on a remote island and determined for herself if those accusations where true. 

This story was so good.  There are so many little mysteries and surprises that totally catch you off guard...well at least I didn't see them coming.  Initially I was caught up in the scandal but as soon as I met Dr. Moreau, like Juliet, I was a bit repulsed and yet completely intrigued.  As grossed out as you may get at times, the story still pulls you in and makes you want more.  Even though this was a longer novel I flew through it.  I tried to slow down and savor it, but I ended up not having the will-power. 

Not only does the story completely engross you, but the characters are just as fascinating.  Juliet is a forward thinking young lady who has learned medicine, but her father's experiments may be too much or reveal too much about the sickness that may run in the family.  While Juliet may think she is mad, I think she was just ahead of her time.  She was independent and wasn't the docile girl that she was supposed to be.  The relationships she forms with both Montgomery and Edward keep the novel from getting too disturbing and heinous.  The romance is interesting, but there is so much underlying baggage that goes with the characters that you never quite know what to think.

The best thing about this novel was the questions it made arise.  I won't go into the complicated web of theories and moral issues that are floating around in my head, but let me warn you that this novel will stay with you long after you've devoured it. 

 

P.S. Don't Forget to enter my giveaway for Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison. There is a giveaway for both US and International readers!