#Audiobook #Review: 3 out of 5 stars for The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White @kierstenwhite @LLAudiobooks

TITLE: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

AUTHOR: Kiersten White 

NARRATOR: Katharine McEwan

PUBLISHER: Listening Library

PUBLICATION DATE: September 25, 2018

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 10 hrs and 15 mins

GENRE: Young Adult, Historical, Horror, Retelling
ISBN: 9780525636120

"Exquisitely disturbing," raves internationally bestselling author Stephanie Garber of this stunning and dark reimagining of 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.

MY REVIEW:

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook for voluntary review consideration.

My main beef with Shelley's Frankenstein is that I didn't really like Victor! I thought the creature had more compassion than he did, so I was interested to read this interesting take to find out whether my impression of Victor would change. In short, the answer is no. I still don't like him!!

The focus of this retelling is on Victor's relationship with Elizabeth Lavenza, the young girl who joined the household to be a companion for Victor. Elizabeth is a smart girl and quite cunning. Having come from a life of abuse and poverty, she will do whatever it takes to ensure that she never goes back there. She knows her tie to the Frankenstein family and all it provides her is through Victor, so she ingratiates herself to him. She encourages his fascination with life and death and how each part of the body works together, even "playing dead" for him. 

I have to be totally honest and admit that I struggled with this one. It was a very slow start, and it wasn't until Elizabeth went after Victor about midway through that the pace of the story picked up and I started to enjoy it. As much as I dislike Victor, I do have a bit of a morbid fascination with his darkness.

Memorable quote:

"I sought to puncture Heaven and instead discovered Hell."

Katharine McEwan's narration was what kept me listening, especially during the first half of the book which I found quite slow. The cadence and rhythm of her voice carried me along. Here is a sample of the narration:

MY RATING:

3 stars!! In spite of the slow start, I did end up enjoying it. Thanks again to Listening Library for the chance to listen to this audiobook!

This book qualifies as:

#66 for my Audiobook Challenge 2018
#18 for my 2018 New Release Challenge
#66 for my New Authors 2018 Reading Challenge
#68 for my 2018 Try Something New Challenge
#18B for my Good Rule Reading Challenge

#38 for my 2018 YA Reading Challenge
#16 for my 2018 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
Task #20 for my Goodreads An Apple a Day Fall 2018 Seasonal Scavenger Challenge
#1 for my Chapter Break Bingo November 2018

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