School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Megan Shepherd's deliciously dark and exciting sequel to The Madman's Daughter (HarperCollins, 2013) continues with Juliet's return to London after her escape from her father's island. Life is somewhat easier for Juliet now that she is backa former colleague of her father's has taken her under his wing so that she does not want for anything, she has a job developing grafted rose bushes, and her friend Lucy has welcomed her with open arms. But not all is well. The serum her father, the infamous Dr. Moreau, developed to keep her symptoms at bay is no longer working and she cannot seem to perfect a new and stronger dose; she misses Montgomery, her old friend and new lover; and one of her father's monsters, Edward Prince, now known as Dr. Jekyll, has also returned to London. To make it worse, a serial killer, dubbed the Wolf of Whitechapel, is murdering people who have wronged her, and a Scotland Yard inspector keeps questioning her about her father. Somehow, Juliet holds the key but can she survive long enough to save the ones she loves and unmask the conspirators who are behind the terror? Shepherd masterfully blends yet another classic horror story into a new setting, and the continuing echoes of H. G. Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau combined with Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde result in a book that resonates with evil and suspense. While the novel can be read independently of the first title, as enough of the backstory is given to make what is happening clear, readers will have a more satisfying experience if familiar with the previous installment. The psychological questions that Prince/Jekyll raises as to evil, desire, and nature vs. nurture add a depth of richness not often seen in young adult literature. Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas

Kirkus Reviews

Juliet Moreau struggles with monsters, morals and family tragedy in this moving, if melodramatic sequel (The Madman's Daughter, 2013). Not content to relax in the well-appointed home of her guardian, professor von Stein, or to shop and gossip with her friend, Lucy Radcliffe, 17-year-old Juliet sneaks away to the slums to experiment in anatomy, botany and chemistry. Her father is gone—killed by her own hand—but his medical misconduct and her former poverty are not forgotten. When her former persecutors fall victim to a serial killer, Juliet suspects that someone or something made it off the island. Juliet finds herself torn again between her love for the faithful (if secretive) Montgomery and the tortured Edward Prince, who shifts between boy and Beast. Amid a whirlwind of romance, fancy dresses and death, Juliet uncovers a vast conspiracy that stretches into the highest ranks of society and touches everyone she knows. Although heavy-handed, Shepherd's unsubtle allusions to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein draw readers' attention to the classics and may provoke discussions about medical ethics and split personalities. The experiments are more fiction than science, and Juliet contradicts her supposed delicacy by dispatching threats with chemistry and violence, but the fast pace of the story overpowers the minor imperfections. Secrets and mad scientists offer a gory gothic adventure. (Gothic thriller. 14 & up)

Voice of Youth Advocates

This sequel to The Madman's Daughter (HarperCollins, 2013) delivers on the promise of the first novel. Juliet Moreau escaped the island and is living under the guardianship of an ex-member of the King's Club of colleagues connected to her father. Juliet conducts research on her serum since its effectiveness is waning. She also feels guilty about helping kill her father on the island and is heartbroken about Montgomery's choice to stay. Soon, Juliet is concerned about the Wolf of Whitechapel murders since the wounds are very similar to the Beast creature from Edward's transformation. Juliet's best friend, Lucy, has two suitors, Inspector Newcastle and the mysterious Henry Jakyll, who are not all they seem. Juliet must tread carefully, while also dealing with the return of Montgomery and tracking down Edward's beast side as the Wolf of Whitechapel.The cliffhanger ending combines elements of The Island of Dr. Moureau with elements of Frankenstein, adding moral dilemma. The love triangle issue is still active for Juliet but the thrust of the plot and character development is focused on the Prometheus moral dilemma and fans of the first novel will not be disappointed. Intrigue and true reader engagement is promised. This book is an excellent sequel and readers will eagerly await the final installment in the trilogy. Characters and plot continue to be strong and the mash-up of classic literature with modern paranormal fiction is still refreshing and appealing. This novel will provide crossover appeal to both older teens and adults.Karen Sykeny.

ALA Booklist

This follow-up to The Madman's Daughter (2013) finds Juliet Moreau in London, far from the surgical horrors of her father's island so she thinks. Edward, whose love she'd spurned, has made it back, too, and his monstrous alter ego, the Beast, is to blame for a rash of brutal killings. Is there a way to save Edward before the Beast's violence turns to Juliet? Meanwhile, a cabal of powerful men hopes to take Dr. Moreau's discoveries and use them for nefarious means. As with the previous book, this is a romance first (albeit one where a human brain is discovered in a hat box). There are two dashing, virile men vying for Juliet's loyalty e of whom is literally a lustful animal d there is the requisite amount of tormented dithering, with lines like "Montgomery had shipwrecked my heart." Luckily, Shepherd's integration of romance into her nods to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, Frankenstein, and Jack the Ripper is masterful, and she does not back down from a hugely dark cliff-hanger ending. Bosoms, prepare to heave d throats, prepare to scream.

Horn Book

While Juliet Moreau (The Madman's Daughter)--back in London after escaping her father's island--struggles to find a cure for herself and the other victims of her father's work, she discovers a shocking conspiracy amongst London's most powerful men. Shepherd hybridizes famous horror stories by H. G. Wells and Robert Louis Stevenson to create her own romance-tinged tale of monsters and murder.