mel_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
4.0
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
The novel Unnatural Creatures follows the lives of three women: Caroline, Elisabeth, and Justine. All three are linked to Victor Frankenstein. Caroline is his mother, Elisabeth is his adopted cousin and future bride, and Justine is a servant in the Frankenstein home.
A retelling of the classical novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. But this time told from the points of view of three different women in Victor Frankenstein’s life. Unnatural Creatures is historical fiction and not a true horror novel, but the mood is often eerie and atmospheric.
The narration by Barrie Kreinik is excellent.
Thanks to Muse Publications LLC for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
The novel Unnatural Creatures follows the lives of three women: Caroline, Elisabeth, and Justine. All three are linked to Victor Frankenstein. Caroline is his mother, Elisabeth is his adopted cousin and future bride, and Justine is a servant in the Frankenstein home.
A retelling of the classical novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. But this time told from the points of view of three different women in Victor Frankenstein’s life. Unnatural Creatures is historical fiction and not a true horror novel, but the mood is often eerie and atmospheric.
The narration by Barrie Kreinik is excellent.
Thanks to Muse Publications LLC for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
laceystairs's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Such a wonderful new addition to a classic horror story that is so beloved.
This is the story of Frankenstein and his mobster. Or rather the women who were affected and ultimately brought down by the mad Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created.
This novel is told through three different perspectives. And wgat I liked so much was while this story was being told, you knew the original tale was unfolding parallel to it, and every do often the plots intersect.
An enjoyable Gothic horror with all the elements of madness, family curses and tragedy.
Enjoyable for people who are familiar to the original tale of Frankenstein, as well as waders who arn't.
This is the story of Frankenstein and his mobster. Or rather the women who were affected and ultimately brought down by the mad Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created.
This novel is told through three different perspectives. And wgat I liked so much was while this story was being told, you knew the original tale was unfolding parallel to it, and every do often the plots intersect.
An enjoyable Gothic horror with all the elements of madness, family curses and tragedy.
Enjoyable for people who are familiar to the original tale of Frankenstein, as well as waders who arn't.
syddnixx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
amobrien's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Centering around the stories of the women in Victor Frankenstein's life, Unnatural Creatures breathes new life into the original gothic tale. It is beautifully written and atmospheric, and I can imagine many people turning to this in the fall as it seems to be a perfect spooky season read. I love retellings that focus on women's perspectives, and Unnatural Creatures is full of strong, resilient women that I loved reading about!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
pellepanda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book tells the stories of three women, who's lives were intermingled with Victor Frankenstein's both before and after he created his monster. The book follows a chronological timeline where we get the stories of the mother, the bride, and the servant.
This book is beautifully written in the classic gothic style. I listened to the audiobook and Barrie Kreinik does an excellent job portraying the feeling associated with the genre. You definitely get the same feeling as you do from reading Frankenstein, for better or worse. The drawback for me is that it at times gets a little tedious, but that comes with the territory.
It's not an easy task to flesh out women who's already been established, but I think Waldherr does a good job bringing these women to life. It tells the story of people who have been ignored and cast as background characters, but the book is still centered around Victor Frankenstein in how they are connected to him. My biggest problem with them is that they still feel a little like caricatures of the time at points, and how similar the tone is for all three women (which could be a problem with the narration instead of the writing).
Overall I think the book is worth the read or listen if you enjoy gothic books or are a fan of retellings of classics.
This book is beautifully written in the classic gothic style. I listened to the audiobook and Barrie Kreinik does an excellent job portraying the feeling associated with the genre. You definitely get the same feeling as you do from reading Frankenstein, for better or worse. The drawback for me is that it at times gets a little tedious, but that comes with the territory.
It's not an easy task to flesh out women who's already been established, but I think Waldherr does a good job bringing these women to life. It tells the story of people who have been ignored and cast as background characters, but the book is still centered around Victor Frankenstein in how they are connected to him. My biggest problem with them is that they still feel a little like caricatures of the time at points, and how similar the tone is for all three women (which could be a problem with the narration instead of the writing).
Overall I think the book is worth the read or listen if you enjoy gothic books or are a fan of retellings of classics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Ableism
Minor: Classism, Incest, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Bullying
ajbuxton65's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
nasselin's review
5.0
LOVED LOVED LOVED!!! Perfect for the season, and I loved the focus on the women of the Frankenstein world. I never read the original, but I enjoyed this version anyway. Recommended for spooky reads and strong women!
bookish_heidi's review
4.5
Dark, gothic and atmospheric- This tale of the women in Victor Frankenstein’s life is absolutely intriguing! This story is told through the eyes of his mother, his betrothed and his maid. As far as retellings go, this is absolutely incredible!