Reviews tagging 'War'

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

15 reviews

spicycronereads's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• 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

This novel is loosely based on HG Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Like much of Moreno-Garcia’s work, the novel takes it’s time establishing characters, world building, and bringing the reader into the political context of the setting. And much like other work of hers that I have read, once the conflict of the plot is established, I didn’t want to put it down. There are romance, action, and science fiction elements that blend seamlessly into the backdrop of conflict between indigenous Maya people and European-descended landowners in Yucatán, Mexico. 

The novel is a split POV between Carlota, the daughter of Doctor Moreau, and Montgomery, the mayordomo of Moreau’s scientific hacienda. Though we also hear Montgomery’s perspective, the novel is indisputably Carlota’s tale. Her narrative arc, including the challenges in her relationship with Lupe, drive home the horror of Moreau’s experiments. The references to eugenics add nuance to the novel’s backdrop against the Caste War of Yucatán.

Spoiler

I was waiting and waiting and silently cheered at the moment that she owns her power and uses it to save those she loves and to avoid the life in which Eduardo would trap her. Then when she manipulates the class-anxiety of her uncle to get her hopeful ending… *chef’s kiss*

Spoiler

Montgomery’s perspective serves most usefully to ratchet up the dramatic irony as his (sometimes drunken) observations of Carlota clue the reader in that there may be more to her story than anyone realizes.

Montgomery’s backstory gives the reader a sense of the possible tragic alternatives that Carlota faces. His trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms drive home that  colonialism and patriarchy are toxic for everyone. 

The secondary characters of Lupe, Cachito, and Ramona add dimension to the novel, suggesting a model of chosen or found family that can be more caring and supportive than biological family. 

If you are looking for a traditional romance plot and a neatly tied up HEA, this isn’t it. But if you want an atmospheric novel with action and romance, a FMC you can root for, and an ending in which the marginalized can thrive against imperialist forces, then I highly recommend this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Suicide, War, and Classism

abril_chavez's review

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book presents a fantastical, whimsical far away land that's been shaped by important politics and colonization of the time. It adds elements of a love story, not just your classic love story, but the love within a family, love for one's self, and how different sorts of love can be toxic. Although "love story" would not be the main way to describe this book; it's mostly a book about a family who's trying to stay together and hold onto the peace they've created for themselves in their isolated Hacienda when threat comes knocking on their door. If you've read The Island of Dr. Moreau, then you sort of know what to expect in terms of characters in the book. If you haven't, like me when I started this book, then you're in for an unexpected twist that makes the story so much better.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Religious bigotry, Medical content, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Body horror, War, and Toxic relationship

gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: War

amartin48's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is an excellent book for lovers of fables! Nothing terribly challenging or unpredictable happens, but it is an entertaining read that takes you right where you want to go, with a pinch of mystery along the way.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Gore, Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Minor: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Confinement, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and War

birduh's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, War, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Blood

Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, Medical content, Racism, Sexual content, and Slavery

Minor: Trafficking and Death of parent

wholeottabooks's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Slavery, War, Racism, and Gun violence

pvbobrien's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Racism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Gore, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

Minor: Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Slavery, War, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

wlreed312's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Colonisation

Moderate: Classism and War

goatsrsexy's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• 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

3.75

This was a pretty good read. Based on the Island of Dr Moreau but seems more inspired by the Island of lost souls (movie) I'm surprised it didn't get a mention in the afterward.

This book had absolutely beautiful prose especially the descriptions of scenery and emotions. It was set in the Yucatan Peninsula in the 1800s and adding true Mexican and Mayan history added a lot to the story. I think it worked well. Carlota and Montgomery were both beautiful and deep characters. This book really makes you think about a lot of different types of morality.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism

Moderate: Violence, War, and Child abuse

cozyteareads's review

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Cursing, Racism, Blood, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, War, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Medical content