Jen's Review
by Megan Shepherd
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: January 29, 2013 (US)
Pages: 420, Hardcover
Source: For review via Edelweiss
Rating: 4.5 Teacups
My goodness, you guys.
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. The
Madman's Daughter is full of grit, savagery, and intensity. Because of
this, it's memorable and terrifying at the same time. This book is absolutely
unput-downable and totally addicting.
The prose itself is
one thing that I have to mention: lush and beautifully written, it adds more to
the already mysterious and hypnotic mood to the story. From description to
description of the island to the creatures, the visual images Shepherd creates are
vivid and real, as if the reader is submerged in the world itself. Shepherd's
writing style is juicy and just plain awesome.
My favorite part of
this addicting story was the different and exciting characters. The character
development and changes that they go through are incredible; from being
civilized to savaged, Juliet slowly learns the horrifying truths about the
island and her father. I couldn't help but feel for her-- I found myself
gasping along with her revelations. Juliet is also a cautious character, and
thank the lord for that or she would have died a long time ago. Yes, there is a
love triangle. I wasn't terribly annoyed with this, but Juliet's indecisive
thoughts were a little hair-pulling sometimes. I was a strong believer of
Montgomery from the start, purely because he and Juliet shared a past together
and his friendly nature was endearing.
And I totally have a
love-hate relationship with the vivid descriptions of the creatures. I think
it's completely terrifying and disgusting, but it's also kind of cool, if that makes me a terrible person for
thinking that. The island setting and concept just works really well, and it's
enchantingly intriguing. The story is captivating and is quite an addicting
read; I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next.
The one minor issue I had with The Madman's Daughter was the ending to this story. Not going to
spoil anything, but WHAT THE HECK. NO. You canNOT just end a story like that.
It's not a cliffhanger, but it's just
like, HELLO I WANT MORE. Sorry for the all-caps, but it was a bit
disappointing. I suppose it inspires the reader to read book two, but still.
However, it did evoke an emotion out of me, and it is unexpected. My heart kind
of melted a bit. It's an interesting type of ending. I didn't like it, but I
liked it. Yep. Best way to put it!
So as you can see, I
highly enjoyed The Madman's Daughter. If
you're in for a spine-tingling, great romance, and an awesome retelling, please check out this book, I'm begging you.
Even if you don't completely enjoy it, I promise you that you'll be glad to
have read a book with such a unique concept. I highly recommend it-- I'll
definitely be looking out for book two!
4.5 Teacups for The Madman's Daughter!
*Thanks to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing me with a review copy!*
Posts
Yay! I cannot wait to see just how brilliantly written this book is.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this review! But maybe I'll wait until book #2 is out before I read this one. :P
I read another review on this one earlier this week and omg, I want to read this! I hate cliffhangers, but if that's the only flaw in this one, then I am almost okay with that and will read it anyways. I am excited to read this. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI hate cliffhanger endings, but grit, savagery, and intensity? Gosh, that sounds amazing! I've been on the fence about this because of the love triangle - which I hate - but maybe I should give this one a try. Wonderful review, dear! :)
ReplyDeleteTotally opposite feelings about the love triangle-hated it! It seemed to me that Juliet liked whichever guy she was with and easily forgot about the other one until she was with him again. I also found some of the descriptions too gory for me-I like lighter books.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it! I really want to read it myself and will definitely try and get my hands on a copy now. It sounds, from your review, like it was well-written and had good characters and setting which is what us book reviewers always like!
ReplyDeleteAww, yeah, I loved Montgomery as well! I thought he was just...awesome. And oh gosh. That ending. I just stared at my Nook, certain there were more pages. BECAUSE NO. Blah, I guess I'll definitely be reading the sequel though!
ReplyDeleteMolli | Once Upon a Prologue
I love the look of this so much! I might get a bit annoyed with the love triangle, but the descriptions and characters sound so good I'd probably overlook it. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteI WANT THIS!! The cover alone gives me the chills and I love the way you describe the mystery and intensity of this book. Juliet would make such an interesting character but the love triangle... Hmm... I haven't read The Madman's Daughter yet but you're sure I'll be scouting for it in no time, awesome review as always, Jen :D
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much, Jen! The writing sounds so beautiful, and I love how you were really able to visualize everything. Although, haha, I can see this turned out to be an issue with the description of these creatures. ;) I'd be more like you probably, and be all like "YES CREEPY MONSTERS! ME LIKEY!" (yes, I acknowledge that I'm a bit out there ;)). But even with a love triangle and ugh, a cliffhanger, I think will definitely be picking this one up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely review, Jen! <3
YAY JEN!!! So glad you really enjoyed this one too. I was just sort of horribly fascinated the whole time I was reading. I hated Dr. Moreau with a scary intensity, and I love to hate characters so that was actually kind of fun, and I just couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what happened. I agree the ending was a touch - abrupt maybe? Certainly caught me off guard, I had no idea there was going to be a sequel when I started it!
ReplyDeleteI have read so many great review on this book! I am so excited to read- once I get a copy to read-. It sounds like I would really enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Review Jen :)
JEN!!! OMG This review is amaaaazing. I've been wanting to read this book for awhile now and you have totally convinced me - hook, lined and SINKER, for seriously! This line how you described this book just made me sing: "full of grit, savagery, and intensity." I'm SOLD. I'm so ready to read all about the island and Juliet, and even OH My the love triangle you are talking about! I completely love when a book is super vivid that you can be transported into the book with ease. Amazing amazing, well thought out review! LOVED IT.
ReplyDeleteOoh, this sounds like an even better book after reading your review. Something tells me I will have a morbid fascination with the monster descriptions while I read them and then ponder then until I cannot sleep that night. And you actually made the ending seem more interesting since my main criteria for a good conclusion consists of emotion and surprise. Thanks for the great review and I must read this book soon!
ReplyDeleteThis book was so amazing. I understand your love hate relationship with the description of the creatures. they were ugly and creepy but i needed to know more- and i felt for them terribly. yes the end is like OMG what?? Really? as i screamed through my tears. Great review.
ReplyDelete