(I received a free copy of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein from the publisher, Penguin Random House. I did not receive any compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.)
About The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein: 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.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein Review
From the author of the And I Darken series, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein unapologetically explores the darker side of the human instinct to survive. Kiersten White’s reimagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is flawless. It’s despairing, horrifying, and not a little bit psychotic. It’s fearless in the exploration of the lengths one will go to in order to survive. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is unfailingly honest as Elizabeth sinks to the lowest of lows.
If you are not familiar with White’s previous works, you may not know that her female characterization is nothing short of amazing. Her characters are bold, unconventional women. Elizabeth is no different. She is a survivor. A manipulative, scheming survivor. Yet, she is also incredibly alone. By ensuring her future, Elizabeth isolated herself. So much so, she finds herself alone with only Victor for company.
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As Elizabeth slowly comes to terms with the depth of Victor’s depravity, she begins to reflect on her actions. Furthermore, she begins to examine how low she will sink for her own survival. It’s not long until she realizes that her survival may be the only thing that will protect the world from Victor. With courage and recriminations, Elizabeth rises to the challenge to become something more than the deceptive liar Victor loves.
Adaptation Recommendation
Oh. My. Goodness. YES! I go back and forth between a full-length feature film or a TV mini-series (like The Alienist). Versions of Frankenstein exist in many forms. There are comedic interpretations, horror films, and other dramatizations. However, there is nothing like The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. Foremost in my mind is the setting and the costumes. The time period gives designers a goldmine of beauty to explore. Then, there is the complexity of Elizabeth Frankenstein. She is an irresistible character for any actor to take on. I could see Elle Fanning, Zoey Deutch or Willa Holland sinking their teeth into this fascinating woman.
Final Thoughts on The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
There is nothing sweetly romantic about The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. Twisted and unhealthy, Victor’s love for Elizabeth often drives her decisions. Her obsessive need to hold onto this list, leads to questionable choices and dangerous decisions. I cannot lie. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein was on my to-read list since this past summer. And for good reason. I devoured this re-imagining of Frankenstein. From beginning to end, this gothic tale captivated me. Spine-tingling, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein will have you questioning what would you do to survive. What, or who would you sacrifice?
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein arrived in bookstores on September 25th – grab your copy today!
Content Note: Nothing explicit or vulgar but there is some violence which some may find disturbing.
Have you read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein? Are you a fan of Kiersten White’s novels? Drop me a line below!
OVERALL RATING
“You had me at hello.”
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