Carlota Moreau: a young woman, growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula. The only daughter of either a genius or a madman.
Montgomery Laughton: a melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol. An outcast who assists Dr. Moreau with his scientific experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas and plentiful coffers.
The hybrids: the fruits of the Doctor’s labor, destined to blindly obey their creator and remain in the shadows. A motley group of part human, part animal monstrosities.
All of them living in a perfectly balanced and static world, which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Doctor Moreau’s patron, who will unwittingly begin a dangerous chain reaction.
For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and in the sweltering heat of the jungle, passions may ignite.
THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU is both a dazzling historical novel and a daring science fiction journey.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've never read the original that inspired this book, so I went in blind and without expectations. I did have a vague knowledge that Dr. Moreau created monstrous creatures here they are hybrids. So they are still beings that outsiders would be frightened of but lead lives as humans at the hacienda.
I enjoyed getting to know Carlota, Montgomery, and all the characters that lived at the hacienda. We meet her as a young woman in her early teens whose father, Dr. Moreau, has kept her sheltered there in their home but also educated her. She's helping prepare for the visit of Mr. Lizalde, the man who funds her father's research. He's there to see how things are coming along and to bring a new majordomo.
There is a time jump of six years and we meet Mr. Lizalde's son and nephew. They were told to not venture to the hacienda without the older man but do anyway. Montgomery does his best to send them away but Carlota intervenes. After they meet with her father, he encourages Carlota to spend time with Lizalde's son in the hopes of them starting a relationship. But also so he doesn't lose his funding.
But they must keep them from seeing the hybrids. Because these visitors have no idea what really happens here. But these aren't the only secrets the hacienda harbors and the doctor won't even answer the many questions Carlota has.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC to review.
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