Title: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Author: Kiersten White
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Science-Fiction/
Release Date: September 25th, 2018
Synopsis: 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.
This novel follows the point of view of Elizabeth, an orphan adopted into the Frankenstein household as a caretaker and friend for the young Victor Frankenstein. Afraid of being cast back out of the fortunate luck she came into, Elizabeth molds herself into the person she believes she is needed to be. Tasked with the mission of keeping young Victor out of trouble, Elizabeth learns all the necessary actions needed to soothe and keep Victor calm and out of trouble. When Victor goes away to school, Elizabeth is worried her place in the Frankenstein household will no longer be needed. Desperate to get her Victor back, Elizabeth sets out on a journey that sets forth a series of events that will change the life of Elizabeth and all she knows.
I really enjoyed this retelling of Frankenstein! Elizabeth was such an amazingly complex protagonist. Manipulative, clever, adaptable, and sure that to have a place in the world and not be forgotten, she must have someone who needs her.
“If I could have worn nothing but my slips, I would have. But clothes were part of the role I played, And I never stepped out of character where they could see me.”
Enter Victor Frankenstein. Beyond intelligent, curious, and often times terrifying, Elizabeth is the only one who understands him. She is his and He is hers. Even when Victor is doing truly horrific acts, Elizabeth turns the other cheek so afraid of losing the one who needs her and in turn, losing her place in the world.
“I had accused Victor of creating a monster, but I had done the same.”
The scenes are painted so vividly it felt as if I were there in the 18th century England alongside Elizabeth. This was a creepy, twisted, DARK tale that I did not want to end! What an excellent way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein!
Interested in pre-ordering? This is set to be released in September!
Click here to pre-order on Amazon!
Click here to pre-order on Barnes & Noble!
*I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
Shelf-Rated 
Ooooh, this is, like, my number one most anticipated book coming out this year! I’ve always loved Frankenstein, and this just looks so, so, soooooooo good! I’m glad that it held up to expectations!! XD
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