The Glass Scientists: Volume One

by Sabrina Cotugno

The gothic worlds of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and more collide in this graphic novel series about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters. For fans of stylish reimaginings like Lore Olympus and gaslamp fantasies like The Night Circus!

London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse.

That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.

But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.

Volume One collects Chapters 1-7 of this thrilling, humorous, beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features a brand-new side story, a behind-the-scenes look at artwork, and more exclusive bonus content!

• ISBN10: 059352442X
• ISBN13: 9780593524428
• Publish Date: 3 October 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Razorbill
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 240
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593524428

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

Most of us have grown up hearing the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But what if their stories were different than we were led to believe? What if all the mad scientist stories were different? Let's dive into this steampunk world and find out.

Young Dr. Henry Jekyll is working incredibly hard to change the public opinion of mad scientists. He even founded a society to help – the Society for Arcane Sciences. Unfortunately, things aren't quite going to plan.

Review:

Guys, do not sleep on this series! It's absolutely fantastic! I went into The Glass Scientists expecting a fun but overall light read – and I was blown away by what I got. The Glass Scientists is quirky, quick-witted, and overwhelmingly charming. It swept me off my feet and left me wishing there was more (why yes, I am counting down the days to volume two, thank you for asking).

The Glass Scientists Volume 1 introduces us to our cast of characters, primarily Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and a few other famous scientists. Likewise, it introduces us to a new version of London – one where (most) mad scientists are trying to find a way to go legit. All thanks to Dr. Jekyll, of course.

The twists and new takes on the characters make them exceedingly charming – as does the wit behind their design. It is a fun read, especially as you never quite know what they will do next. If you enjoy seeing classic literature with a twist, this series is for you!

Did I mention that the artwork is just as vibrant as the writing? If you peek at the cover, you'll have a good idea of the quality of work in store for you. The characters are surprisingly cute (considering their history) and expressive. And I must confess that I love the heavy use of cooler shades for the backgrounds.

I should mention that The Glass Scientists is based on a webcomic. I haven't personally read it...but now I clearly have to because I'm head over heels.

Highlights:
Clever and Creative
Historical Fiction – with a Twist
Steampunk Vibes
Vibrant Characters
Fantastic Artwork

You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy