Audiobook Review: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter
The Madman's Daughter #1
Author: Megan Shepard
Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Historical Fiction/Gothic/Fantasy
Released: January 29th 2013
Review Source: Harper Audio
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) 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.

(audio portion)

This is my first audio book I have listened. It is something that I have to get used to, but have found that I actually enjoy. When I was given The Madman's Daughter to listen to and review, I didn't know what to expect. I quickly looked it up and discovered that it is based on the classic novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells which was written back in 1896. I have to say that the cover sort of threw me off because the story is pretty disturbing and the cover looks beautiful and sweet. But I think the cover and story’s contrast actually work great together in this case.

(book portion)  

Juliet, the main character is left to fend for herself after her mother passed away a couple of years back and her father, a well-known physician in London, was accused of horrible crimes against animals. Juliet doesn't really believe the rumors as her father shortly disappeared and had been presumed dead after the rumors began. She was just a little girl, but she remembers her father working crazy hours in his lab, but her father was sweet and gentle with her, he couldn’t possibly be the monster everyone was accusing him of being. Now that her mother is dead and all her family has turned their backs to her, she finds a job cleaning. Then one day, she sees a childhood friend of hers, Montgomery. Montgomery has come back to London to gather some supplies to take back with him. That’s when she learns that her father is very much alive. She manages to convince Montgomery to take her back with him so she could see her father. There on the ship, she meets Edward, who is found floating almost lifeless after his ship sunk. So just like you expect, there is a love triangle and you probably guessed it – Montgomery and Edward. Juliette has known Montgomery ever since she was a little girl. But here comes Edward with his mysterious and hero characteristics, manages to capture Juliette’s attention and possibly her heart. Montgomery loses some points when Juliette discovers her father in his lab one night with Montgomery right by his side experimenting on a cougar. This really bother’s Juliette because it just confirms all those horrible rumors about her father back in London. After seeing her father doing this, Juliette runs into the forest. That’s where she sees this strange looking creature that also has human features. Not quite a man, but also not an animal. Then she manages to see Edward and they both end up in a tiny village where people were half human and half animals. This was definitely her father's work.
This was a great remake of a classic novel. It still had the original characters and some new ones so it gave it a twist, but still followed the original classic. It also managed to give me the heebie jeebies - when Juliette walked in on her father doing his experiment. So if you are into gothic novels, The Madman's Daughter is perfect for you. I truly enjoyed listening to Lucy Reyner. She truly brought this book to life.