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themandimonster's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a gripping novel. Frankenstein is my very favorite novel and the notion of a sequel seemed intriguing and crazy to me. This tale unfolds work such poetry, such highs and lows, and such greatness. It was hard to put it down, but I paced myself wanting it to last as long as possible. This was a great book and I would go so far as to say it's now a favorite of mine.
abookwithreview's review against another edition
3.0
What makes a man and what makes a monster? This is the central question of the book by Susan heyboer O'Keefe. Frankenstein's monster is told from the point of view of the monster after the Dr Frankenstein's death in the first book.
The answer to that question is not honestly easily given. I asked myself many other questions during this book, but chiefest among them was " if you are told that you are a thing for long enough, do you then become that thing? " For me the answer is that if Victor can manage to not become the monster he has told his entire life that he is, even with some missteps, poor choices, and blood on his hands, then I have to believe that we are all able to retain our humanity in the face of being told otherwise.
The story actually gets a 3.75 star rating from me, however it did not get a four or higher because it does drag.
The answer to that question is not honestly easily given. I asked myself many other questions during this book, but chiefest among them was " if you are told that you are a thing for long enough, do you then become that thing? " For me the answer is that if Victor can manage to not become the monster he has told his entire life that he is, even with some missteps, poor choices, and blood on his hands, then I have to believe that we are all able to retain our humanity in the face of being told otherwise.
The story actually gets a 3.75 star rating from me, however it did not get a four or higher because it does drag.
abookwithreview's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What makes a man and what makes a monster? This is the central question of the book by Susan heyboer O'Keefe. Frankenstein's monster is told from the point of view of the monster after the Dr Frankenstein's death in the first book.
The answer to that question is not honestly easily given. I asked myself many other questions during this book, but chiefest among them was " if you are told that you are a thing for long enough, do you then become that thing? " For me the answer is that if Victor can manage to not become the monster he has told his entire life that he is, even with some missteps, poor choices, and blood on his hands, then I have to believe that we are all able to retain our humanity in the face of being told otherwise.
The story actually gets a 3.75 star rating from me, however it did not get a four or higher because it does drag.
The answer to that question is not honestly easily given. I asked myself many other questions during this book, but chiefest among them was " if you are told that you are a thing for long enough, do you then become that thing? " For me the answer is that if Victor can manage to not become the monster he has told his entire life that he is, even with some missteps, poor choices, and blood on his hands, then I have to believe that we are all able to retain our humanity in the face of being told otherwise.
The story actually gets a 3.75 star rating from me, however it did not get a four or higher because it does drag.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Murder, Pregnancy, and Medical trauma
jojopenguinreads's review against another edition
4.0
Just... Wow! A 'sequel' that is just as good, if not better, than it predecessor!
The writing, storyline, characters, themes... it was all just so good!!
I teetered between loving and abhorring the protagonist (I won't be giving his name, as it's SLIGHTLY spoiler-y), but that's exactly how you feel about him in Mary Shelley's classic novel. It shows how well the author understands the source material and the character of The Creature, and it's honestly really refreshing in a world full of Boris Karloff-esque Creatures (and don't get me started on the fact that the author is capable of closely mirroring Shelley's prose...)!
But you feel awful for the protagonist having witnessed the brunt of humanity's cruelty, but yet you loathe him when he lashes out in return because when he does act out, it's greatly malicious and violent. But in the end, I found myself rooting for him! Despite the impulsive and hateful part of his character, I couldn't help but feel compassion, sadness, and even a little pity.
I just feel conflicted as fuck as to how I feel about Lucy's character... I both liked and disliked her character. She was a mostly cruel person, but she had her moments and you KIND of understand the reason behind her cruelty????? (and if you know, you know.) But overall I think I dislike her more than I like her, and her relationship with the protagonist just... made me sadder?
And this book made me feel just that: sad. Sad, and then its ending left me feeling a glimmer of hope.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! My only complaint is that some parts dragged a bit, to the point where I was skimming until I deemed it necessary to resume, and there were also some plot twists revealed that I feel... mixed about. Like... the twists felt like they should've shocked me (and they did), but they were also a little predictable and came out of nowhere a bit. Some twists felt like they were added for shock value. But the twists weren't enough to take away my general enjoyment of this book, fortunately!
But despite the rollercoaster of emotions I felt, I still enjoyed this read quite a bit! I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the original 'Frankenstein' novel, fans of the Creature as a character, and just overall classical literature, horror, and character study novels!
The writing, storyline, characters, themes... it was all just so good!!
I teetered between loving and abhorring the protagonist (I won't be giving his name, as it's SLIGHTLY spoiler-y), but that's exactly how you feel about him in Mary Shelley's classic novel. It shows how well the author understands the source material and the character of The Creature, and it's honestly really refreshing in a world full of Boris Karloff-esque Creatures (and don't get me started on the fact that the author is capable of closely mirroring Shelley's prose...)!
But you feel awful for the protagonist having witnessed the brunt of humanity's cruelty, but yet you loathe him when he lashes out in return because when he does act out, it's greatly malicious and violent. But in the end, I found myself rooting for him! Despite the impulsive and hateful part of his character, I couldn't help but feel compassion, sadness, and even a little pity.
I just feel conflicted as fuck as to how I feel about Lucy's character... I both liked and disliked her character. She was a mostly cruel person, but she had her moments and you KIND of understand the reason behind her cruelty????? (and if you know, you know.) But overall I think I dislike her more than I like her, and her relationship with the protagonist just... made me sadder?
And this book made me feel just that: sad. Sad, and then its ending left me feeling a glimmer of hope.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! My only complaint is that some parts dragged a bit, to the point where I was skimming until I deemed it necessary to resume, and there were also some plot twists revealed that I feel... mixed about. Like... the twists felt like they should've shocked me (and they did), but they were also a little predictable and came out of nowhere a bit. Some twists felt like they were added for shock value. But the twists weren't enough to take away my general enjoyment of this book, fortunately!
But despite the rollercoaster of emotions I felt, I still enjoyed this read quite a bit! I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the original 'Frankenstein' novel, fans of the Creature as a character, and just overall classical literature, horror, and character study novels!
stacialithub's review against another edition
3.0
This book was disturbing & sad, yet the final few pages offered hope. I think the author did a fair turn to the extended tale of Frankenstein's creature -- the story from his viewpoint, picking up where Mary Shelley's original story stopped.
Both books (the original [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639] & this book) range between intense rage & immense sadness. They're just harrowing.
Both books (the original [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639] & this book) range between intense rage & immense sadness. They're just harrowing.
linwearcamenel's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shelflife's review against another edition
4.0
Frankenstein being one of my all-time favorite books was the inspiration to picking up this continuation of the monster's life after Victor's death.
I have always felt such compassion for the monster being so misunderstood and trying to find his way to humanity without a proper guide/parent. Although I found Susan O'Keefe's ability to capture Shelly's voice magnificently, I did not find myself as sympathetic to the monster through and through. I cared, but not as deeply as the original. I think the relationship between him and Lily was a turn off for me. I could have passed on some of what transpired between them. I did feel for the monster but not enough to get past what exactly he was physically which made Lily almost impossible.
I thought all the characters were quite good and well built in personality and the story deeply told. You can tell that this author had passion for this story and maintained it's integrity well.
I must recommend.
I have always felt such compassion for the monster being so misunderstood and trying to find his way to humanity without a proper guide/parent. Although I found Susan O'Keefe's ability to capture Shelly's voice magnificently, I did not find myself as sympathetic to the monster through and through. I cared, but not as deeply as the original. I think the relationship between him and Lily was a turn off for me. I could have passed on some of what transpired between them. I did feel for the monster but not enough to get past what exactly he was physically which made Lily almost impossible.
I thought all the characters were quite good and well built in personality and the story deeply told. You can tell that this author had passion for this story and maintained it's integrity well.
I must recommend.
jojopenguinreads's review
4.0
Just... Wow! A 'sequel' that is just as good, if not better, than it predecessor!
The writing, storyline, characters, themes... it was all just so good!!
I teetered between loving and abhorring the protagonist (I won't be giving his name, as it's SLIGHTLY spoiler-y), but that's exactly how you feel about him in Mary Shelley's classic novel. It shows how well the author understands the source material and the character of The Creature, and it's honestly really refreshing in a world full of Boris Karloff-esque Creatures (and don't get me started on the fact that the author is capable of closely mirroring Shelley's prose...)!
But you feel awful for the protagonist having witnessed the brunt of humanity's cruelty, but yet you loathe him when he lashes out in return because when he does act out, it's greatly malicious and violent. But in the end, I found myself rooting for him! Despite the impulsive and hateful part of his character, I couldn't help but feel compassion, sadness, and even a little pity.
I just feel conflicted as fuck as to how I feel about Lucy's character... I both liked and disliked her character. She was a mostly cruel person, but she had her moments and you KIND of understand the reason behind her cruelty????? (and if you know, you know.) But overall I think I dislike her more than I like her, and her relationship with the protagonist just... made me sadder?
And this book made me feel just that: sad. Sad, and then its ending left me feeling a glimmer of hope.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! My only complaint is that some parts dragged a bit, to the point where I was skimming until I deemed it necessary to resume, and there were also some plot twists revealed that I feel... mixed about. Like... the twists felt like they should've shocked me (and they did), but they were also a little predictable and came out of nowhere a bit. Some twists felt like they were added for shock value. But the twists weren't enough to take away my general enjoyment of this book, fortunately!
But despite the rollercoaster of emotions I felt, I still enjoyed this read quite a bit! I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the original 'Frankenstein' novel, fans of the Creature as a character, and just overall classical literature, horror, and character study novels!
The writing, storyline, characters, themes... it was all just so good!!
I teetered between loving and abhorring the protagonist (I won't be giving his name, as it's SLIGHTLY spoiler-y), but that's exactly how you feel about him in Mary Shelley's classic novel. It shows how well the author understands the source material and the character of The Creature, and it's honestly really refreshing in a world full of Boris Karloff-esque Creatures (and don't get me started on the fact that the author is capable of closely mirroring Shelley's prose...)!
But you feel awful for the protagonist having witnessed the brunt of humanity's cruelty, but yet you loathe him when he lashes out in return because when he does act out, it's greatly malicious and violent. But in the end, I found myself rooting for him! Despite the impulsive and hateful part of his character, I couldn't help but feel compassion, sadness, and even a little pity.
I just feel conflicted as fuck as to how I feel about Lucy's character... I both liked and disliked her character. She was a mostly cruel person, but she had her moments and you KIND of understand the reason behind her cruelty????? (and if you know, you know.) But overall I think I dislike her more than I like her, and her relationship with the protagonist just... made me sadder?
And this book made me feel just that: sad. Sad, and then its ending left me feeling a glimmer of hope.
Overall, I enjoyed this read! My only complaint is that some parts dragged a bit, to the point where I was skimming until I deemed it necessary to resume, and there were also some plot twists revealed that I feel... mixed about. Like... the twists felt like they should've shocked me (and they did), but they were also a little predictable and came out of nowhere a bit. Some twists felt like they were added for shock value. But the twists weren't enough to take away my general enjoyment of this book, fortunately!
But despite the rollercoaster of emotions I felt, I still enjoyed this read quite a bit! I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the original 'Frankenstein' novel, fans of the Creature as a character, and just overall classical literature, horror, and character study novels!
michelle_leitheoir's review
2.0
Interesting concept. Sloppy execution. It had disturbing elements, not only in the way you would imagine from a book about Frankenstein's monster, but also in other ways that were quite frankly just messed up. It was uncomfortable to read sometimes, and not in any sort of good way.
I was intrigued to learn this author usually writes children's books, though. I wouldn't peg a book like this coming from a children's author.
I was intrigued to learn this author usually writes children's books, though. I wouldn't peg a book like this coming from a children's author.
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