2.5 stars The book was decent, at the beginning is actually had a very high hope for a wholesome story and friendship between Creature and Billy. But a2.5 stars The book was decent, at the beginning is actually had a very high hope for a wholesome story and friendship between Creature and Billy. But as soon as we got introduced to characters of Victor and Clerval, the story became a repeating formula that happened three-four more times with minor change of location and new characters until the… very sudden and anticlimactic ending.
As other reviews say, there’s a dash here and there of references to Victorian era classics, such as Dickens’ novels. What bugged me was very obvious inspiration and historical research mainly for late 19th century, instead of 1818, when this book is set in… (also why was there Mary Wolfsonecraft and her husband Percy Shelley? did they add anything to the story other than shock value? maybe i misread something but i didn’t find the point…)
Is it a good book? If you’re like me and enjoy reading Frankenstein book adaptations, only to haunt my girlfriend and Frankenstein Discord server with how funny/horrible some of them are, then yes! i mist say i enjoyed it, and surprisingly, if we overlook some… elements (like Creature bathing with Billy in a river and… that chapter left me with weird aftertaste, to here’s that), it was truly one of the better adaptations i read (i see you both Dark Descent and Angelika Frankenstein) however if you haven’t read Frankenstein nor are interested in reading cheesy B books, my answer is, unfortunately, no.
Rounding up my score to 3 stars, because it was easily one of better adaptations i’ve read (or maybe I’m getting desensitised by reading bad bad BAD books)...more
Where should I even start…. (Tw for mentions of SA, bigotry, religious themes and lots of anger over this monstrosity of an adaptation, pun intended) ThWhere should I even start…. (Tw for mentions of SA, bigotry, religious themes and lots of anger over this monstrosity of an adaptation, pun intended) Things get really weird, really fast, so fast I had an urge to DNF this book for good. ~~~ For context, I recently discovered my passion of reading various Frankenstein adaptations (which usually ends up with me questioning mine, but mostly the author’s sanity) ~~~ The book. If it even can be called a book. Such a boring read. I finished Frankenstein (which has similar page count with this book btw) in few hours despite being slow reader myself, whereas this book took me more than three days to complete. ~~~ The plot is bland as tea. The writing style? Trying to copy Austen but not even trying to look alike (When is the story even set??? Regency era? Victorian England? Not to mention the original story of Frankenstein was taking place near Geneva, Switzerland) The implied love triangle? You know whom she’ll end up with since the start of the novel. She does nothing but have horny thoughts for our male protagonist. Our Angelika (who is nicknamed Jelly by everyone, no, I’m not joking) is the most passive character ever. She does nothing besides completing act of reanimation at the beginning of the book (which was written to be more absurd and creepy than intriguing, but not in a good way). All plot happens by itself, Angelika is our Mary Sue who will remind us readers each two pages her name is written with "k" instead of "c", how overlooked and unique she is, despite nobody wanting to marry her, she had such tragic childhood, and she deserves the best husband to travel the world with and also have dozens of babies with him. I don’t think she thought this plan out (as if she did any of her plans). ~~~ I was creeped out by few first chapters involving the reanimation itself, and moments that followed. Frankensteins play with human lives, stand at the edge of what’s moral and what is not, crazy for science, with their own delusions, blind with their ambition, seeking only scientific approval and life that follows afterwards, living only for this very thing as we are shown mainly at the beginning and near the end of the novel. It’s distasteful to take this fact, this truth we’re presented with, and fill up the rest of the book with romance and cutesy couple stuff. Creating human beings with the only purpose of shaping them to be one’s future lovers, is disgusting and terrifying, not romantic and hot. ~~~ If this wasn’t enough, it’s overfilled with religious overtones. This book is throwing religious references everywhere in our face. Frankensteins are initially very progressive, pro-science and enlightenment, Victor especially keeps expressing his distaste for religion and church as an institution itself, only to see the all main cast literally fall on knees and pray in faith at the last chapter. If this wasn’t enough, our creation protagonist is later revealed to be priest in his previous life!! He changes this selfish, spoiled, and rude Angelika Frankenstein into a good christian lady with proper behaviour! How dreamy. ~~~ The whole story is boring, useless, uninteresting- just Google synonyms for boring. I do not care about anyone, not about their ambitions or dreams (I cared for the protagonist creation in first couple of chapters, because, HE WAS LITERALLY BEING ABUSED AND GUILT-TRIPPED INTO HAVING SEX WITH ANGELIKA. Not just by her, BY EVERYONE!!! Imagine being born with the only purpose of being someone’s sex and husband material. But it’s all fun and games because woman is the one in power over a man, hahaha am I right??) ~~~ Not even the smut is worth it, I didn’t wait 30 chapters to read something I would write in 8th grade. Not to mention Vic is bonking his fiancée on each page and making everyone aware of said fact, this story also includes many uncomfortable moments between siblings Vic and Angelika that rubbed me the very wrong way. ~~~ One thing I give props to author about is her self-awareness and letter of apology to Mrs Shelley herself included at the very end of book, which is, fair. Because Mrs Shelley is doing cartwheels in her grave when she found out about this book. And one big thanks to the author for courage to publish thing book, for giving me more Frankenstein-themed book content to review.
~~~
One star ⭐️
~~~
Note: I do not recommend reading this book late at night, I was late for school for oversleeping the very next day, this book brings bad luck....more
The whole book was ????? if one wants to write a new take on old book, at least make a fresh, interesting take on it. No one wants to read how the MarThe whole book was ????? if one wants to write a new take on old book, at least make a fresh, interesting take on it. No one wants to read how the Mary Shelley’s book is "wrong" and that this adaptation is THE one that tells THE TRUE STORY™️
Also the ending??? I have no words, none, 0 out of 5 stars....more
All this book has offered was mansplaining, manipulation, manslaughter. In the most literal sense.
I thought grotesqueness of Dark Descent of ElizabetAll this book has offered was mansplaining, manipulation, manslaughter. In the most literal sense.
I thought grotesqueness of Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein was enough of a crazy ride to pronounce it the most hilarious and awful adaptation of Frankenstein. It was until I read this book.
Dark descent was "feminist, empowering" take on Elizabeth’s life full of hilarious plot holes, disturbing takes and anything but strong female characters, written by a woman. This book is again a "feminist, empowering" take on Elizabeth’s life, which we see through gaze of male author, where rape, incest, disturbing practices and madness is seen as the female empowerment. Oh, and children being groomed and brainwashed into horrible, horrible sexual practices is seen as feminist and according to nature too.
The later part of book was… easier to read I think? It was now less about grooming children and more about Elizabeth’s descent into madness (wow so feminist) + basically Frankenstein retold from her perspective. If the whole book was written like the last two parts then I’d gladly give it even 4 stars. However, the disturbing things this book is calling "natural" and "power of women" makes it utter catastrophe.
Was it worse than DD? This one was at least solidly written, but the disturbing stuff is a huge turn off. If we not take those disturbing things into consideration then sure, it’s better than Dark Descent. However I believe the both books deserve to burn in fiery pits of hell and be forgotten about.
To conclude, was this book necessary? It didn’t add anything to Mary Shelley’s book, it didn’t give any conclusion, any pleasure to read. All I got was disgusting male perversion and fantasies of female rape, cult brainwashing and incest. Never again....more
The letters? Fantastic! The atmosphere, visuals and unique ideas presented in this graphic novel? OutstaI love it, I have almost nothing wrong to say.
The letters? Fantastic! The atmosphere, visuals and unique ideas presented in this graphic novel? Outstanding! It was a very pleasant read for someone like me, a big fan of original Frankenstein. Some steampunk elements and details which weren’t similar with the novel didn’t feel right but overall I think for an adaptation this one is very good one.
What I thought I will read will be some interesting tale of Creature and his later life. Even the start seemed promising and close to the origin*sighs*
What I thought I will read will be some interesting tale of Creature and his later life. Even the start seemed promising and close to the original book, some moments had the potential and a surprising depth.
What I unfortunately got was a story disturbingly chilling to bones, with awful plot, inconsistency and disgusting elements, even Mary Shelley would twist in her grave if she knew.
The beginning and natural description made by the Creature are the best part, the rest of the plot is chilling to core but not in a good sense. I didn’t understand the "worm" reference until the very last reveal, that was quite shocking (not in a good way). Creature (as well as Walton) is inconsistent, changing his motives and unpredictably changes his behaviour and reasons. Not even towards the Waltons’, but to complete strangers he meets along his journeys as well. The reveal about Lily’s origin was disgusting to me, and the part where creature finds "a mate" sickened me to stomach.
I’d give it 1,5 stars out of 1 since in some aspects it’s better than Dark Descent but also goes to disturbing and unnecessary wild territory....more
The story starts surprisingly good. It’s so light-hearted, poetic, impressive, I won’t lie when I say first couple of chapters has made my FrankensteiThe story starts surprisingly good. It’s so light-hearted, poetic, impressive, I won’t lie when I say first couple of chapters has made my Frankenstein-obsessed heart happy, wondering if it stays this way.
Needless to say, no. The well-written pages are full of unbelievable alchemist magical nonsense (yes, I know it *could* be possible given the canon, however the explanation and back-up is unbelievably grotesque and falls flat), the Harry Potter-esque adventure our main characters go on is full of unreal moments (vultures?? IN SWITZERLAND?) and very, very, very nasty moments where (spoiler: siblings want each other carnally) which made me uncomfortable and are the main reason I am giving this book 3 stars instead of 5.
It’s written so well. And that’s what I’m disappointed about the most. It had such a potential and it’s so tragic how easily this book fell in my eyes. There aren’t many good Frankenstein adaptations which makes me even more sad.
Overall I’m giving 3,5 stars, I’d give 4 but I can’t, I’m sorry but I can’t....more
What to even say… Where the first book excelled in, this one just disappoints in every way. And this dares to call itself a prequel to Mary Shelley’s FWhat to even say… Where the first book excelled in, this one just disappoints in every way. And this dares to call itself a prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein??
It’s a grotesque magical story, not suitable to feed off of Frankenstein story. If it was an original series, based off of author’s worldbuilding set in late 18th century Switzerland? With more books to come, explaining the stories and fates of our young characters? Bravo, I’d gladly enjoy this series. But not when I’m reminded every second that what I’m reading is Frankenstein prequel.
One good thing is that there’s less of certain siblings moments which I wrote about in 1st book’s review. However it’s far more unbelievable and so horrible it’s nothing but a source of laughs.
Overall 2,5 out of 5, I’m not giving one star since, I dare to say, it’s much better and pleasant to read than Dark Descent, however this only shows how low is the bar set....more
I don’t even know what to write… my god where to even start-
Grotesque, horrible, ableist, inc*stious, laughably awful story and I can’t stress it enough. It’s so, so bad. This is a work of an author who claims to write better than Mary Shelley. Who says this is a feminist novel. *falls on bed laughing through tears*
Trash, trash, trash you shall remain. Forever a source of a laugh among 'Frankenstein: or the modern Prometheus' community. Whoever reads Frankenstein and then this book, and says it’s far better should read it again and judge it’s flaws. Is this review subjective? Yes, of course, every review in this site is subjective. And every story should be criticised. I might explain later in detail why this story is horrendous and should be viewed as such more often but right now I don’t have the strength.
The beginning: chilling yet stupid, the plot: awful, the ending made me cry (from the cringe).
I would give 0 stars but that’s not possible so I’m giving it a 1....more
hypo.critical
>
Books:
frankenstein
(21)
Loading...
