Friday, November 23, 2007

AngelMonster by Veronica Bennett


AngelMonster
Veronica Bennett
Candlewick Press
HC – May 9, 2006
ISBN# 978-0-7636-2994-6
PB – August 28, 2007
ISBN# 978-0-7636-3407-0

At the age of sixteen, Mary is filled with romantic hopes and dreams. The day she runs away with Percy Shelley she thinks those dreams have been realized. Shelley is a poet, a free spirit that has shunned society and the wife and kids he has left behind to be with Mary. Along for what the girls believe will be a wonderful adventure is Mary’s sister, Jane, who’s changed her name to Claire.

What begins as a whirlwind romance soon becomes a series of events that bring death and heartache to young Mary. The death of a child is devastating, but for Mary that nightmare has visited her several times over. A life filled with grief over her lost children is difficult, but added to that pain is the dramatic changes in Shelley’s behavior, and the need to sedate him while he recovers from his breaks with reality. Mary’s a strong girl for all that she’s endured, but when she believes that Shelley has been unfaithful, it’s a blow to their marriage that never has the chance to be resolved.

AngelMonster is a fictional account loosely based on the young life of Mary Shelley and the difficult life that eventually led to her writing Frankenstein. Ms. Bennett pens an imaginative tale of romance and heartbreak. AngelMonster is an emotional roller-coaster ride that pins you to your seat and makes it impossible to set it down. Readers will experience the joys of love, the beauty of life and the tragedy of death. This is a young adult title that is best suited to mature readers.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

6 comments:

Katie said...

Sounds like it should be really good. I'll add it to my list :)

Kimberly Swan said...

When I read the jacket flap I thought it was going to be a paranormal romance, but I was in no way disappointed that it wasn't. There are some scenes that are just heart-wrenching, but you won't want to stop without seeing how everything plays out. :)

T.C. Robson said...

Very interesting. Another great review! Sounds pretty good. May be looking into this one.

Kimberly Swan said...

It was very interesting. If Mary Shelley's life was even a fraction of this fictional tale then it's hard to imagine her surviving it. Thanks T.C.!

Wendy said...

Sounds good; I'll added to my list, too. :)

Kimberly Swan said...

Hope you enjoy it Wendy! :)