"The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1)" by Megan Shepherd

"The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1)" by Megan Shepherd

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Published: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 420
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Read November 21 to 22, 2014


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Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true. Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood. Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

I think the first thing I should say is that while I don't exactly like creepy, gory, bloody stuff, I absolutely loved this book!!!


Juliet came from a nice family. They were rich and her father was a respected scientist doctor guy. However, her dad goes crazy and disappears. He is presumed dead, so Juliet and her mother lose their wealth. Her mother dies while Juliet is young, so she has to learn to fend for herself. But that is hard, since everyone can't get over the fact that her dad went psycho, so she becomes an outcast.





She then hears that a scientist is in town, and she assumes that it is her father, as she thinks that he has come back for her. Upon searching for him, she realizes that it is not her father, but his apprentice, Montgomery, who was her childhood friend. That she was also in love with. He disappeared with her father when he left, leaving her heartbroken.





She convinces him to take her with her, even though he doesn't think that it is a good idea. During the ship ride to the island that her father is living on now, they pick up a young man, Edward,  stranded on a make shift raft. Juliet is fascinated by him, but Montgomery doesn't like him. They reach the island, and Juliet's father is OK with his daughter's appearance.


Juliet finds out that her father has been doing experiments on animals, combining their DNA with other animals' or humans'.


And because of that, there is some of this:





Well... not exactly, but pretty much yeah.


She learns that she was her father's original experiment. And the reason she has to take daily injections is to keep her body from shutting down.
The ending is so sad and it made me so mad and made me desperate for the next book.








Juliet
Since she was a young, rich, Victorian girl, I expected her to be weak, but I was surprised. She had a backbone and was determined to find her father. She wasn't weak and she could take care of herself. I loved her!


Montgomery
I wanted to like him, but I just couldn't. Especially since he chose Juliet's father over Juliet multiple times. Besides, he also helped her father do some terrible things.


Edward
When I learned about his past, I was very surprised. I didn't expect it! I think that is another reason that I am rooting for him. He and Juliet have much more in common and he always had her best interest and safety at heart. I love him!


Overall, this book was such an amazing retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau and I can't wait to read the sequel. There was so much creepiness and some hotness in there that it was kinda uncomfortable with the mixture, but I still loved it!