Beth Fish Reads: Today's Read: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

12 February 2013

Today's Read: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

What would you do if you thought your father was evil? Juliet Moreau, 16 years old, is in service in London, making a quiet life for herself and hoping no one discovers her shame: Her father has been exiled from England for conducting unholy experiments on living creatures. When rumors surface that he has set up a new laboratory on a tropical island, Juliet decides to undertake the dangerous journey to learn the truth of her past.

I awoke, head throbbing, the taste of chloroform in my throat. I was on the same wooden-framed bed I'd seen through the keyhole. I bolted upright. Scanned the room for my attacker, for a weapon, for an explanation as to why I was there.

I remembered in flashes. The face in the mirror. The cloth against my mouth.

—The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd (HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray, 2013, p. 30; quote from uncorrected proof)

Quick Facts

Setting: London; a tropical island
Circumstances: Juliet learns her father, a mad scientist, is still alive and sets off to stop his horrifying experiments
Characters: Juliet, Dr. Moreau, the handsome Montgomery
Genre: Gothic, suspense, adventure
Miscellaneous: retelling of the The Island of Dr. Moreau from Juliet's perspective; first of a trilogy; movie rights have been bought

Buy The Madman's Daughter at an indie or at a bookstore near you. (Link leads to an affiliate program.)
ISBN-13: 9780062128027
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

15 comments:

Julie P., 2/12/13, 7:03 AM: I bet this novel will be perfect for so many teens out there!
Laurel-Rain Snow, 2/12/13, 7:43 AM: I've been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the peek into the story. And for visiting my blog.
Heather, 2/12/13, 8:07 AM: I've seen this one around quite a bit lately. It sounds so good. And the author is from NC! I'll get my hands on it soon.
starryeyedjen, 2/12/13, 8:15 AM: I enjoyed this novel quite a bit...it was suspenseful and creepy in all the right places. :) Great teaser! Thanks for sharing! Here's my teaser! Happy Tuesday! :D
Shan, 2/12/13, 9:02 AM: Having finally read The Island of Dr. Moreau, this one sounds very interesting! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
bermudaonion, 2/12/13, 9:26 AM: Megan Shepherd was at Malaprop's with Lenore - her book sounded fascinating.
Alice Audrey, 2/12/13, 10:28 AM: This is an interesting premise. Did her father capture her? Scary thought.
Zibilee, 2/12/13, 10:47 AM: I think that I would like this one, as I generally love retellings when done well, and since this one is a take on one of the most popular and horrific stories of all time, I am sure that I would get a lot out of it. Need to see how I can grab this one. Excellent and creepy quote today!
Daryl, 2/12/13, 11:27 AM: oooh ... i might need to get this ... thanks!
Unknown, 2/12/13, 11:27 AM: This book sounds wonderfully creepy, sad and fascinating. It also sounds like a very well done retelling. I going to keep an eye out for this book...Thank you!
Sim Carter, 2/12/13, 12:38 PM: Sounds like a super suspenseful read - and I like the cover too.
BUT I was very distracted by the photo atop your page. It's so lovely and I can't help thinking I'd like to see those bridges in person.
I've written up 'my take' on The World Without You by Joshua Henkin - along with my casting suggestions - if you have a chance to stop by. Have a good week!
Margot, 2/12/13, 7:52 PM: Who doesn't remember the mad Dr. Moreau. Interesting perspective to write from the daughter's perspective.
Nise' , 2/12/13, 9:15 PM: I have seen this around and want to read it.
Heather, 2/13/13, 12:14 AM: Have been seeing a lot about this one, it sounds good. My teaser: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Becca, 2/14/13, 7:44 AM: I just bought this one when I saw Megan speak in Richmond. I am dying to find time to get to it in my reading schedule! I heard it was unputdownable.