I'm very nervous about retellings based on classic literature. I'll dabble with ones based on Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, and a few others; however, hesitation to read them is always present at first. Reading a retelling is always a risk. It can either be a wonderfully crafted love letter to the original, or a mockery so awful it leaves the reader offended. Well, I'm pleased to say that Kiersten White's The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is not a mockery. In fact, it's one of the greatest love letters to a classic I've read in a long time. I'm not delaying this any longer, let's jump in!
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The writing is breathtaking. I loved the style, it fit so well with the story and was gripping. The narrator of the audiobook also did a remarkable job reading the lines of Elizabeth Lavenza—bringing her and the story into an even greater life. I loved the portrayal of the characters. Victor Frankenstein I had a little trouble liking at first, but as soon as I distanced myself from the original book I fell in love with what Kiersten White did with him. The story in Elizabeth's perspective was different and very well done.
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I truly had no problems with this book. It was amazingly well done, Kiersten White wrote it in the greatest respect for Mary Shelley and I appreciate that so much. If you're also a little skittish about classic retellings, I encourage you to give this a read. You may be pleasantly surprised and thrilled with this one. I shall certainly be hunting for a physical copy of Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein for my shelf. Where it can rest right beside Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
5/5⭐️