With the third book in this series just released, I at last decided to read the trilogy, the first two of which I bought on a whim because the title of this one just would not be denied.
It is told in rather scattershot fashion, in a kind of meta way, in which the characters of the story oversee the story’s construction by one of their number.
It makes sense when you read it.
The alchemist’s daughter of the title is one Miss Mary Jekyll, who is left almost penniless upon the death of her secretive father. As she begins to investigate Dr. Jekyll’s mysterious death, and life, however, Mary comes into contact with the fractious Diana Hyde and three other young women with somewhat unnatural origins — Catherine Moreau, Beatrice Rappacini and Justine Frankenstein — and they uncover a sinister plot by pseudo-scientists of the Victorian era who aim to rule the world.
Throw in a suave appearance by ace detective Sherlock Holmes (whom the ever-upright Mary finds strangely attractive), and this book becomes a thorough delight of fantastical imagining — and reimagining — that is a pure delight.
Onwards to the sequel immediately go I!
SCORECARD
TBR DAY 294: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #1) by Theodora Goss
GENRE: Steampunk
PUBLISHED: 2017
TIME ON THE TBR: 1 year.
PURCHASED FROM: Amazon.
KEEP: Yes.
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