The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

by Kiersten White

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
 
"Inescapably compelling."VICTORIA SCHWAB, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue


"A masterful and monstrous retelling." —STEPHANIE GARBER, #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Caraval and Legendary

A stunning and dark reimagining of Frankenstein told from the point-of-view of Elizabeth Lavenza, who is taken in by the Frankenstein family.

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything—except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable—and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable. 

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness. 

**Ebook exclusive: the full text of Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN**

Reviewed by moraa on

4 of 5 stars

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4.5 stars

Sometimes we were strangers even to ourselves

There's not much, given the chance, I would change about this book. It's a beautiful retelling and a wonderful story. The characters came alive in my mind and I was genuinely scared most of the time.

I loved the idea of the story of Frankenstein with a woman at the forefront. After all, the story was written by a woman even though many of the men around her tried to take credit for the work.

This is a light and easy read, you should be done in no time.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 24 November, 2019: Finished reading
  • 24 November, 2019: Reviewed