The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter

If you love Victorian fiction The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter is for you. Let’s jump into my review.

Synopsis

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.

My Thoughts on The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter

Honestly, The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter was so much fun. I read it because I love The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and I wanted to revisit that world. But this gave me even more than that. Basically, think of the big-name gothic Victorian stories and it played a part in this story. It actually inspired me to read the stories that I haven’t read yet.

The Easter eggs were my favorite part of the story the plot was decent as well. While it leaned on the other stories it still had enough intrigue to keep my attention. It did get a touch muddled near the end but overall, it was fast-paced and inventive. It was like a love letter to Victorian literature.

Oh, one thing I do need to mention. It has sections of dialogue that interrupt the narrative. The girls are all writing the story together and it’s their commentary on the writing. It took me a minute to get used to. At the very beginning it would pull me out of the story, but I eventually got used to it. It still wasn’t my favorite thing, but it did add a little extra personality.

My Rating: 4/5

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