Read the Way

I really, really enjoyed this book.

I have never read The Island of Dr. Moreau, but I did go into this book knowing the basic gist of the story. That said, I did love how this book followed the general trajectory of the source material, but added a few of its own spins to the story.

I loved so many of the characters in so many different ways. Every single one of them was flawed, some of them profoundly, but there was something redeeming to be found in each of them except the Doctor himself.

Juliet, Montgomery, even Edward were all such fascinating characters. They all had redeeming qualities, but each of them had a dark side. Juliet was definitely not a damsel in distress, despite the way Edward and Montgomery treated her at times. The love triangle didn't even bother me in this story. In so many series, particularly of the YA variety, it sometimes seems an author has a love triangle simply for the sake of having one and the drama that it creates. But you could legitimately see how both Edward and Montgomery would appeal to Juliet in different ways. Especially once you learn the entire truth of her condition and once you learn the secret that Edward has been harboring for almost the entirety of the book.

This book definitely inspired some strong emotions. I was actually surprised by how graphic certain parts were, given the genre. It was equal parts riveting and revolting.

Considering the source material for this book, I spent the first 2/3 of it wondering how there could possibly be one sequel, let alone two of them. Having finished it and read the synopsis for the sequel (I avoided it before finishing this book because I didn't want to be spoiled and that was a VERY good decision, FYI), I'm pretty excited to see where this series goes. The next book in the series is based on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde which is another story that I haven't read, but know the basic gist having seen a movie or two based on it. I'm curious and nervous to see where this creepy-ass series is going to venture next.