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aksmith92's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The novel not only delves into the technical aspects of their scientific endeavor but also raises thought-provoking moral and ethical questions. Mary's character is driven by a complex mix of ambition and defiance, challenging her time's patriarchal and imperialistic limitations. Her relationships—both with Henry and other characters like Maise, Henry's sister who becomes her confidante and ally—reflect themes of power, gender, and betrayal. The strong character development in the novel will make you feel connected and invested in the characters.
What I Liked: This was a great ride. I loved the prose, the plot, and, of course, Mary, who C.E. McGill depicted as a flawed and unique character who was also someone you wanted to root for. There were pieces of actual scientific historical context in this novel, but it wasn't like you needed to know it in depth to get it, but it was a lovely touch. Mary was brilliant, and I had such a great time reading about her researching things, figuring out the scientific community, and her beautiful relationship with Maise. I also completely loved her throwing wine in the face of someone ANNOYING [read to find out]. Overall, this was a fantastic book. Exploring Mary's relationship with the Creature was also done phenomenally well.
What Could Have Been Better: This book was slightly slow at the end of the day. I put "medium" for the pace because I think it evened out by the end; however, the beginning, even up to the first half, was a tell, not show, building the scientific piece of the story. I didn't mind it, but you might. Additionally, as much as I enjoyed Mary, she made some more questionable decisions near the middle/two-thirds of the way through. I get what she was doing, but as a reader, you just knew it was a bad idea.
However, I loved it! It was a great take on a popular book (that I still haven't read), and I think the feminist and non-heterosexual elements were a nice touch.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Medical content, Death of parent, and Classism
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
persephonefoxx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“We shall steal fire from the heavens, and I shall not repent, even for one minute- for what sort of God would condemn us to such a cold world without it? We are merely taking what should have been ours from the beginning.”
This was truly spectacular. As a huge lover of gothic literature, this really ticked so many boxes for me. An atmospheric tale of beauty, horror, and the intersection of the two that are so commonplace within the genre.
This book is an ode to Frankenstein and scientists of the time, this was a stunning tale of science, womanhood, and the pursuit of discovery. All tied up in one woman’s love of dinosaurs. I loved this, deep in my bones.
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Racism
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
btg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Mary is a curious scientist with little patience for unjust social structures, coming to us at the beginning of the book after a year in mourning of her stillborn child. Henry, her husband, is a gambling addict with daddy issues who, frankly, personifies male privilege and has even less patience or awareness of politics than his wife, much to their detriment. Due to the death of Henry's father, the two travel back to his childhood home for the will reading and to meet Henry's sister, Maisie, who is chronically ill (in an excellent portrayal). It is here our story begins, as eventually financial difficulties, He ry's actions, the discovery of letters from Victor Frankenstein inspire Mary and Henry to attempt to bring back a pleisaur to life and restore their professional reputations.
I expected the book to be very dark as a Frankenstein retelling, and I'm delighted to say that while appropriate for spooky season, it is quite hopeful in time. The relationship between Maisie and Mary is quite cute and healthfully portrayed (which is helpful with balance, as Henry is truly a jerk).
Enjoy Our Hideous Progeny if you'd like to dip your toe into Gothic literature but still want happier endings and romance. This will not please readers looking for action packed or grimdark work --it's ultimately a book about living and hope, even as it's difficult to hold it.
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexism
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
hiddenfallacies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
From its real-world details (that had me pausing in my reading to look up the historical context) to its richly expressed environments, I found myself lost in this story quite easily. The narrative often made me feel as if I was experiencing the world alongside Mary, sharing her sorrows and triumphs and everything in-between. Perhaps that was one of my favorite things about this novel - all of the characters felt real.
The only thing preventing this from being a five-star read is that I felt the story ended right as it was truly beginning for Mary! I would love to see the follow-up the author joked about in their note at the end.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Vomit, and Colonisation
lisavandonselaar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
jodean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Drug use, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Colonisation
inkwellimps's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death and Gun violence
Minor: Religious bigotry
The child death is in two characters' backstory and not explicitly shown.cosypuck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
rainstar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Ableism and Chronic illness