Science Fiction: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The whole reason I decided to pick up last week's DSN, The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, is because Silvia Moreno-Garcia had come out with this week's The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, which is a reimagining of sorts of the classic tale. Instead of taking place on an island somewhere in the Pacific, Moreno-Garcia places all of the action in 19th century Mexico, with all of the conflict that was present during that time.

The Situation: In an attempt to pay off his debts, as well as make something from the mess that has become his life, Montgomery Laughton has decided to take a job in the Yucatan peninsula with the mysterious Dr. Moreau. He knows exactly what kind of job he has signed up for, though the doctor still has his secrets. There is also the beautiful, young, and naive Carlota Moreau, the doctor's daughter, who does her best to be exactly what her father wants and obey everything he says. She is also aware that her father has secrets, but due to her delicate health she has always been dependent on his medical knowledge. Plus, she loves her life and her home, as well as the many hybrid creatures her father has created.

The Problem: When Lizalde, the man in charge of Dr. Moreau's funding, decides that the work he has trusted the doctor to complete is not moving fast enough, it is clear that something must be done to secure the compound's future. And since Lizalde's son Eduardo has clearly taken an interest in Carlota, the solution seems simple. Carlota will marry Eduardo, the future of the compound will be secured, and Dr. Moreau can continue with the work he does for Lizalde, as well as the work he does for himself. It soon becomes impossible to hide the myriad of secrets the doctor has been holding onto, and it is one thing when Lizalde and his son find out the truth. But how will the doctor explain what his daughter and Montgomery soon discover about Carlota's past?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in a remote location in late 19th century Mexico. Instead of having all the action take place on a mysterious island with almost no contact with the outside world, Moreno-Garcia placed Dr. Moreau, his daughter, his employees, and his creations in the jungle of Mexico, right in the middle of the real conflict that took place between the Mayans and the Mexican, European, and mixed population. Readers of the classic tale by H.G. Wells will of course recognize Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and also the creatures. Wells' protagonist Edward Prendick does not make an appearance, but instead we have Carlota, Dr. Moreau's beautiful daughter who would love nothing more than for things to remain as they are, though it is clear that is not a possibility. Told in alternating chapters by both Montgomery and Carlota, readers get a different story that deals with more than questionable research practices. 

My Verdict: I rarely read reimaginings or retellings of stories, even for ones I enjoyed. It might be because I mainly look for stories that are new and original ideas. But in any case, I took on this one mostly because I did not know much about the original story, and I also wanted to read more of Moreno-Garcia's work. The novel starts out promising enough with the hiring of Montgomery and the introduction of Carlota as a new character. However, Carlota's lack of awareness and backbone quickly becomes tiresome, and Montgomery is rendered nearly useless due to his alcoholism. The characters the reader is supposed to side with are annoying, the bad guys are infuriating, and the action soon gets complicated, messy, and a little hard to follow. I will say that the introduction of Dr. Moreau's daughter does add to the story, as does the Mexican setting.

Favorite Moment: There are brief moments early on in the book when Carlota catches undeniable glimpses of who her father really is.

Favorite Character: I did not think I would be choosing Montgomery by the end of the novel (especially considering the role he played in the original story), but he has surprising moments when he manages to pull himself together and be of use.

Recommended Reading: For more from Moreno-Garcia, I recommend Mexican Gothic. For more science fiction in general, I recommend this year's Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan.

Classic Fiction: The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells

Full disclosure: I never had any interest in reading The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells until I saw that an upcoming offering by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic, Velvet Was the Night) was a reimagining of the classic tale. Add to this that Wells' story is incredibly short (less than 150 pages), and I figured it was as good a time as any to pick up the fairly well-known story.

The Situation: On January 5, 1888, Edward Prendick was found in a small open boat out at sea. Having been missing for nearly a year, he was assumed to have drowned after the boat he was on, the Lady Vain, was lost after a collision. Though he claimed that his mind was blank as to what happened during the time he was missing, his nephew and heir would find a long narrative where Edward details his time on a strange island, accounting for the months he was gone. The narrative tells of the strange and enigmatic Dr. Moreau, who inhabits the island with his assistant Montgomery. As soon as Edward arrives (and even before, when he is still on the boat that rescued him), he knows there is something odd about the other 'men' assisting Montgomery, and he knows he has heard Moreau's name from somewhere.

The Problem: It does not take long for Edward to realize what it is that unsettles him about Dr. Moreau, and the island itself. It seems the doctor made the decision to escape civilized life and society in order to conduct his experiments. Edward is horrified to realize where he is, and the sounds that come from Moreau's laboratory do not help ease his fears and anguish. Even after Dr. Moreau's clarifies a few things, Edward can only hate his time on the island. The animals that have been experimented on and turned into psuedo human versions of themselves - while others have had other animal qualities added - are sources of revulsion to Edward. Even Dr. Moreau admits to the dangers of living and cultivating such a place, though he cannot see the oncoming tragedy through his own aspirations.

Genre, Themes, History: Originally published in 1896, today The Island of Doctor Moreau is largely considered a science fiction classic. The introduction establishes that the story that follows is a narrative written by Edward Prendick, explaining the nearly year-long amount of time he was missing at sea. From February 1, 1887 to January 5, 1888, Edward was unaccounted for, and according to him, he spent his time with Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and the assortment of strange beasts that the doctor had experimented on via vivisection. Told entirely from Edward's point of view, the story takes a look at what it means to be human, and what it is that separates us from animals. 

My Verdict: With the kind of horror stories, movies, and TV shows that we have access to today, many will consider this one to be fairly tame. Even so, it is easy to see why readers were initially horrified upon its original publication in the late 1800s. First, there is the idea of vivisection: Dr. Moreau insists on performing his experiments on still living animals. Then there is the unsettling fact that he is attempting to turn animals away from their beastly nature by making them more human, but the results are by turns both creepy and terrifying. While the bloodier scenes are not described in too much detail, and the vivisections remain behind closed doors, the actions of Dr. Moreau may still be too much for some readers. Again, this book is short, but proceed with caution. 

Favorite Moment: *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT* When Dr. Moreau is killed by one of his own experiments...because of course he would be. 

Favorite Character: This is a tough choice because even Edward can be tiresome, but he is the reader's only narrator (though an incredibly unreliable one), and seems to be the one of the three humans on the island that best understands the horrors of what is happening. 

Recommended Reading: With books like these, I always recommend Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. And I will also recommend another one of Moreno-Garcia's books, Mexican Gothic.  

Young Adult Fiction: Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

This week's DSN is the sixth book from Karen M. McManus, and it is another intense young adult thriller for readers who love a good mystery. Nothing More to Tell follows a group of students at the Saint Ambrose School as a community continues to heal after one of its most tragic events, and those involved struggle to keep their secrets hidden.

The Situation: After more than four years away, Brynn is not exactly happy to be returning to the Saint Ambrose School, the Kinder through 12 private school she used to attend before her family moved away from Sturgis. Not only had she lost her best friend, Tripp, shortly before moving away, but the exit was also preceded by the murder of her favorite teacher, and the crime was never solved. Now that Brynn has returned, and she has secured an internship at a true-crime show, she desperately wants to find out what happened. Using every bit of her journalism skills and instincts, Brynn sets out to solve the biggest mystery Saint Ambrose has to offer.

The Problem: Tripp was there when Mr. Larkin's body was found, and the careful story he weaved with his two best friends is full of lies. Now he cannot wait until the end of his senior year when he can finally leave Sturgis and Saint Ambrose behind. Of course, Brynn has to return right when he is near the finish line, and also right when a memorial is being planned to honor Mr. Larkin's memory. Having Brynn around already makes Tripp feel unsettled...after all, there is a reason he put some distance between them four years ago. But now they are working together on Mr. Larkin's memorial, and Tripp knows that if anyone can pull the truth out of him about what happened in the woods four years ago, it is her.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in the fictional town of Sturgis, Massachusetts. Brynn and Tripp, the book's two narrators, are students at Saint Ambrose School, a private school that caters to the mix population of both wealthy and middle-class families that make up the town, resulting in an obvious divide between the two and a heavy amount of resentment. At the forefront of the plot is the mystery of what happened to Mr. Larkin four years ago when his body was found in the woods. Brynn is determined to find out who murdered him, while Tripp wants to continue protecting himself and his friends. Secrets and lies are traded at every level, and as good as Brynn's journalism instincts are, this story has twists and turns that even she never saw coming.

My Verdict: So many reveals...maybe too many? If anything, this story will keep readers entertained and guessing. The secrets keep coming, as do the characters. Everything starts with a small circle of Saint Ambrose students and their families, but that circle grows quickly, as does the list of suspects. Those that are familiar with McManus' style will feel like they are once again in a community of people holding onto vital information that both saves lives and endangers others. And the character of Brynn is believable as an ambitious young journalist looking for the truth. In fact, she is so believable that I found her annoying as she insists on looking for answers where she clearly should not. And Tripp is haunted almost to the point of self-destruction. Fans of McManus will not be disappointed, and this would be a great starting point for new readers looking for an introduction to her work.

Favorite Moment: Tripp's relationship with his mother is strained, and for good reason. And there is a moment where he gets to tell her off, again for good reason, that is both satisfying and heartbreaking.

Favorite Character: Regina is Tripp's sweet but no nonsense boss who cares for him, but also is not afraid to push him when he needs it. And Brynn's sister Ellie is smart and helpful without being annoying.

Recommended Reading: Another stand alone book by McManus that I enjoyed is The Cousins, though her most famous is still One of Us Is Lying. 

Historical Fiction: Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

It is time to talk about the highly anticipated Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Readers continue to get excited every time a new book is announced for Reid, and with the incredible success of 2019's Daisy Jones & The Six and 2021's Malibu Rising, (both of which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction in their respective year) it is not surprising. This time, Reid tells the story of a tennis champion who decides to come out of retirement to defend her record.

The Situation: It is 1994 and Carrie Soto sits in the stands of the US Open, anxiously waiting to see if her record is about to be tied for the most Grand Slam singles wins. If Nicki Chan wins this match, she will also have 20 Grand Slam wins, and maybe even a few years to win some more. Carrie retired five years earlier, but at this moment, if Nicki wins, she cannot imagine staying that way. Carrie cannot imagine a life where she is not the best female tennis player the world has even seen. To say the sport is her life would be an understatement. And to say that winning was everything to her would only scratch the surface of what being the best really means to Carrie Soto. So when Nicki does win that 20th title, Carrie and her father Javier come to an understanding right there in the stands that she will be coming out of retirement, and he will be her coach.

The Problem: At the age of 37, Carrie will be the oldest female tennis player to ever win a Grand Slam title, must less hold a record of 21 wins. Training will be brutal - she has already had one knee surgery - and of course, the press and commentators will be just as unforgiving. It also does not help that Carrie's rise to the top did not earn her any friends. Known for being cold, calculating, ruthless, standoffish, as well as downright mean, Carrie earned her nickname of "Battle Axe." But she does not care about any of that. Carrie cares about winning and getting her record back, with her father at her side. Friendships are not really her thing, and she has never been good at romantic relationships either. What she is good at is tennis. It may in fact be all she has.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set mostly in 1995 as Carrie trains for and plays in the four tennis Grand Slam championships: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Told from Carrie's point of view, the reader is given full access to how she thinks, even during the intensity of a tennis match. She has one focus, which is to not only play the best tennis she can, but to be the best and always win. To fail is a devastating disaster. As a female athlete, she is expected to be graceful and kind as well as dominant, but Carrie is certainly the latter, with no interest in being the former. Then there is the relationship with her father, who possibly loves tennis more than she does. Carrie has kept her social circle small, because being the best at tennis has always been the focus, and the worry is that if she loses the record, would she know how to be anything else? 

My Verdict: So, I might as well start with this: Carrie Soto is a hard character to like. In fact, I did not like her, and I rooted against her with the turn of every page. I understand there will be some out there who feel for her, even like her, but I am not one of them. Even so, Reid managed to write a book that is still exciting, and enjoyable, and intense, and even easy to read, despite its main character and narrator being so terrible. There is a slight element of predictability, while also keeping the reader on their toes just enough where they cannot see the next scene coming, or the outcome of the next match. It is a focused look at someone whose entire life is one thing, and they are incredibly good at that one thing. Readers can expect a story that is part cautionary tale, part celebration of tennis, and 100% a look inside the mind of a ruthless winner.

Favorite Moment: There are a few instances where Carrie and Nicki Chan get to have real conversations one on one. There is one in particular where the usually cheery Nicki drops the smile and tells her fierce competitor something Carrie needs to hear. Whether Carrie fully took it in is debatable...

Favorite Character: There are a fair amount of unlikable people here, but Carrie's father Javier has a joy about him that his daughter lacks, even though he can be almost as intense about tennis and winning as she is.

Recommended Reading: Daisy Jones & The Six remains my favorite of Reid's books. What I really need to do is explore the ones that came before it. 

Contemporary Fiction: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Today's DSN was bought entirely on a whim. I cannot remember where it is I first saw it, but I read the description, and decided to give it a chance, not even knowing if it would make the blog or not. But here it is, an intriguing story about the strange relationship between an older woman and an incredibly intelligent octopus.

The Situation: Tova Sullivan is nothing if not neat, tidy, resolute, disciplined, and consistent. She is the ideal employee to work the nightly cleaning shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. She is quick and efficient, but thorough, and even insists on bringing her own cleaning solution. When a small injury causes Tova to miss work for a few weeks, it is actually perfect timing for the hapless and lost Cameron Cassmore. Cameron drove into the small community of Sowell Bay on a unique mission, and needs to make some money quickly. He may not be as thorough as Tova, or have the same relationship with the aquarium's many creatures as she does, something he learns during his first face off with Marcellus, the 60 pound giant Pacific octopus that knows more than anyone realizes.

The Problem: Tova has become a master at simply moving on, something she had to do after her husband died a few years before, and also when he son died many years earlier the summer after he graduated high school. The grief is still there, as are the awkward looks and silences from friends and acquaintances whenever the subject comes up. At 30, Cameron should be comfortably settling into adulthood, except he constantly screws up every opportunity that comes his way. However, he is determined to complete his current mission, the one that brings him to Sowell Bay. And then there is Marcellus, the intelligent and perceptive octopus that is also on a mission, one he must complete before the end of his life, something he knows is fast approaching. If he fails, he fears his friend Tova may not receive the information she has been searching for. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set in the small Pacific Northwest town of Sowell Bay. It is a small community where it is acknowledged that people talk, so not many are surprised when their news travels fast. At the center of the story is Tova, a small, older woman who stays busy, out of people's way, and mostly to herself. When she sees Cameron having a hard time at the aquarium, she feels she must step in, even though she is supposed to be nursing an injury. The other primary narrator is Cameron, who blames his lack of direction on the fact that his mother abandoned him when he was nine years-old. But the narrator that starts the book off and introduces the reader to the Sowell Bay Aquarium is Marcellus. The octopus keeps the reader updated on his nightly adventures out of his tank, and on what he sees while trapped inside of it.

My Verdict: The often fantastic thing about picking up a book after doing very little research on it is that I have no idea what to expect. I knew there was an older woman and a smart octopus, and that was about it. So I was delightfully surprised to find myself exploring the small, tight-knit community of Sowell Bay, and the residents that 'like to talk,' though it does come more from a place of concern than gossip. And while Marcellus the octopus is one of the more important residents, he is not so prominent in the story that he takes over. Yes, he is an incredible octopus, and there are some readers who may wish to have more time with him and his story, but ultimately, the book is about human relationships, and how those relationships can lead to the most unlikely discoveries. It is a story that takes many turns, and touches on the subject of grief in a way that is appropriate, and not heavy-handed. 

Favorite Moment: For some reason, I took a fair amount of delight in a scene where Cameron loses his luggage after flying on a budget airline. And according to other passengers who often use the airline, this is to be expected. 

Favorite Character: Marcellus is funny, and a great idea for a character, but I ultimately have to pick Tova. She leads a quiet life, minding her own business, doing what she needs to do, and occasionally has conversations with a giant Pacific octopus. I gotta respect it.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Anxious People by Fredrick Backman. It has the same kind of quirky energy and spastic characters that make the story uniquely entertaining.