Book cover of The Madman's Daughter

Book description

For fans of Libba Bray, this first book in a gothic suspense trilogy is inspired by H. G. Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau and has been hailed by New York Times bestseller Carrie Ryan as having "beautiful writing, breakneck pacing, a pulse-pounding mystery, and an irresistible romance."

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Why read it?

3 authors picked The Madman's Daughter as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I really enjoyed the plot twists in this book. They were completely unexpected.

This book has everything to keep and hold my interest! There’s mystery, science, romance, and secrets. I personally enjoyed finding out who the monster truly is. Let me tell you, you will never, in a million years, guess that!

It left me wanting to read more, and luckily for me, The Madman’s Daughter is only the beginning of the trilogy. 

This atmospheric novel, a retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau, is a perfect blend of gothic romance and haunting mystery. It’s beautifully written, well-paced, and filled with unexpected twists. I love the feminist theme presented through the main character, Juliet, who is independent despite the hardships she endures, is not dissuaded from pursuing her passion for science even though it wasn’t proper for a woman to do so at the time. There is also an underlying theme throughout the book that expertly juxtaposes sanity and madness, eliciting the question of where the line should be drawn.

The Madman’s Daughter is a gorgeous gothic mix of horror, mystery, and romance. Inspired by H.G Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, it offers a glimpse of a classic often unfamiliar to many YA readers. As a former teacher, I loved finding new ways to introduce the classics to teens, and the fast-paced, secret-filled Madman’s Daughter is an absolute gift in this respect! Not only is it a delicious read in its own right, it shines a fresh and fascinating light on its inspiration, guiding many new readers back to Wells of their own accord and in their own…

From Zoë's list on YA retellings of the classics.

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