HekArtemis
Written on Jul 20, 2019
Based on some of literature’s horror and science fiction classics, this “tour de force of reclaiming the narrative, executed with impressive wit and insight” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) debut is the story of a remarkable group of women who come together to solve the mystery of a series of gruesome murders—and the bigger mystery of their own origins.
Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.
But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.
When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.
- ISBN10 1481466518
- ISBN13 9781481466516
- Publish Date 9 August 2018 (first published 20 June 2017)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Simon & Schuster
- Edition Reprint
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 432
- Language English
Reviews
Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Written on Dec 26, 2018
This novel takes several well known characters out of classic literature (Sherlock Holmes, Jekyll and Hyde, etc.) and mixes them all into a secret society of alchemists and monster makers who are generally menaces of society. As someone who enjoys classics and is familiar with all the stories included here (whether I've read them or not) I am delighted to see these characters sliced together into an exciting cooperative story, driven by the daughters of mad scientists.
My main complaint about this book is the extended backstories - learning the stories behind these girls takes up at least half the book, and as someone who already knows enough about these stories to get by, it was a bit of a boring redundancy for me and I tended to zone out while listening. Outside of these sections, it was exciting a lot, with monster killings and running around London and commentary on the ridiculousness of some social conventions of the time.
It's a light book with familiar characters and a good amount of fun. I won't be purchasing this one for myself, but I will read the next book and keep an eye on Theodora Goss's novels.
Berls
Written on Oct 13, 2018
I picked this up for book club and it was almost a DNF in the first chapter. The style is very different - with the story being told by a narrator that is writing the book and a few other characters periodically interjecting. And that started off pretty confusing and irritating. But when I heard the names Jekyll and Hyde I was intrigued, so I kept reading (yes, I once again picked up a book without actually knowing anything about it). The strange style of narration actually grew on me and ended up being a fun element - it provided a unique form of character development and foreshadowing.
This is definitely a book for someone who finds this period of historical literature (and history) interesting. It's an intersection of Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, Women's Movement, the circus performances of the era, and the growth of scientific societies. I really find all that interesting so I enjoyed it, but it would be annoying if you don't, because it is pervasive.
I really enjoyed the characters - particularly Diana - and I liked the way you had little diversions into their back stories. This was particular to this style of storytelling and definitely wouldn't work for everyone.
I will say the story kind of kept going long past when I thought it would be over - and probably should have been. I did enjoy the ending developments, but it made the story feel like you didn't actually ever know where you were headed or what the goal was.
I do think I'll read more in the series and in audio, as the narration was good and I think it added to the impact of the different style of storytelling.
Terri M. LeBlanc
Written on Jul 10, 2017
Following the adventures of Mary Jekyll (the Alchemist’s Daughter) and her band of merry misfits, Goss ties together some of the most well known fictional characters into a delightful romp through Victorian England in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, Mr. Holmes and his pal, Mr. Watson, even make an appearance to help Mary solve the disappearance of her father, Dr. Jekyll, and the murders reminiscent, for modern readers, anyway, of the Jack the Ripper Murders.
Too keep the story from getting too dark and heavy, Goss tells the story through the eyes of Mary and her friends after their adventure is complete. Goss allows them to break into the narrative, as if she was sitting in the room with them taking down the story, and give additional background about themselves and the story. She breaks the fourth wall in an effort to make the multitude of characters coming together less confusing as each character is able to have a distinct voice while Mary is the main character in the narrative bringing everyone together. At the beginning of the novel this storytelling technique was fun and witty, as to story continued, it became annoying almost like a commercial in the middle of your favorite show as some of the same arguments and discussions were had over and over again. The fourth wall break-ins took over the story at the end leaving an dissatisfying conclusion to the overall story.
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter is certainly a delightful romp through some of literature’s greatest hits. The unique storytelling approach of allowing the characters to break the fourth wall and share more of their thoughts and feelings helps in creating clear voices for the many characters Goss brings together, but she does lean on this device a bit much at the conclusion of the novel much to the disappointment of any reader looking for a satisfying conclusion.
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter is a wonderful book for any reader who has contemplated what would happen if some of their favorite fictional characters gathered under one roof and on an adventure together.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jul 5, 2017
Mary Jekyll's mother has past leaving her in a financial pickle. A request from their solicitor leads her to discover she has a sister. Notes found in her mother's desk suggest that the mysterious Mr. Hyde may be alive and in the area. Thinking she might be able to collect the reward money offered she sets out to find him and thus begins our adventure.
Mary enlists the aid of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson. Gruesome murders in the Chapel Hill area and her father's notes soon have her hunting down more clues. Along the way, Mary encounters Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein. She, of course, offers these women an escape from their circumstances and before you know it, they are aiding her in the investigation. Her once empty home is becoming quite full, much to the chagrin of her housekeeper. As she learns their stories, she discovers a secret organization performing ghastly deeds in the name of scientific discovery.
This motley crew of ladies or as they refer to themselves, "monsters" were delightful. First, we have Diana Hyde a boisterous fourteen-year-old who is sure to eat Mary out of house and home. Then there is Beatrice Rappaccini whose breath and touch are deadly. Catherine Moreau is a female with unusual cat-like characteristics and Justine Frankenstein an unusually tall woman with a gentle quality rounds out the group. I loved their conversations and how each contributed to the investigation. It was delightful watching them form a sort of family. They eventually name themselves the Athena Club. I for one am hoping for more adventures with them.
The stories delivery was brilliant. Mary is writing a book, and each contributes their story. Mary reads to them what she has written, and they add comments or make suggestions. Instead of editing, she writes these in as footnotes and sometimes they are hilarious. I was worried at first that this might be too much for audio, but it worked splendidly. Often the pages are directly related to their investigation.
I feel Goss captured each of these characters and her take on the classics from which they came felt genuine, lending an air of authenticity to the tale. Through Mary, she even advises the reader of certain misconceptions or misinformation found in the classic stories themselves. For example, Dr. Frankstein did not kill the bride of Frankenstein before breathing life into her, as is evident by Justine herself. All of these tidbits of information were fascinating.
The tale is a mix of macabre, mystery and delightful humor that comes from the ladies banter amongst themselves. More than once I burst out laughing. Their voices felt genuine, and Kate Reading captured each of their unique personalities. As I listened, each character was easily recognizable from Sherlock to Diana.
Audio provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Liz (Bent Bookworm)
Written on Jun 18, 2017
“No wonder men did not want women to wear bloomers. What could women accomplish if they did not have to continually mind their skirts, keep them from dragging in the mud or getting trampled on the steps of an omnibus? If they had pockets! With pockets, women could conquer the world!”
This was a fabulous book to start out 2018! It was just the right parts dry, sarcastic humor, witty remarks, and references to the classics mixed with strong female characters. My inner book nerd did so many happy dances. I absolutely LOVED the characters and ideas pulled from the classics (Frankenstein, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and I think maybe another that I’m missing). However, the reader does not have to have read those classics to enjoy this book. The characters are entirely fleshed out in this book alone. They have their own stories and the style of writing is completely entertaining. It starts out written in 3rd person, but within just a couple of pages it shifts – brilliantly – to a sidebar commentary of the various characters interjecting while the narrator is writing! It sounds complicated but it is amazing and brilliant and I laughed out loud so many times.
Based around the idea of a secret scientific society at the end of the 19th century, the story starts out with the main character, Mary Jekyll, burying her mother and in desperate financial straits. Then through a series of unusual discoveries in her mother’s papers, she stumbles across a strangest of characters – all of which seem linked to herself and her dead father in some way. Then they link up with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and between their ever-growing little menagerie of misfits they attempt to solve the mystery of this strange society.
There’s no real romance – there are hints of it, and some of the characters have obviously had past relationships or relations, as they are referred to at one point. I admit that I’m really looking forward to the sequel, not only to see what exactly was going on with the Society but because I am dying to know if Mary actually ends up with Dr. Watson (as in the original Sherlock Holmes stories, Dr. Watson’s eventual wife was named Mary), or not! I feel like it will be a NOT but I just need to know. :P
Overall, 5/5 stars and a fantastic start to my reading year 2018! Highly recommend to YA readers who are fans of historical fiction in general, but especially classic literature.
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