Overview

A wildly creative Gothic fantasy retelling of Frankenstein, This Monstrous Thing is a wholly new reimagining of the classic novel by Mary Shelley and is perfect for fans of retellings such as Cinder by Marissa Meyer, fantasy by Libba Bray and Cassandra Clare, and alternative history by Scott Westerfeld. In an alternative fantasy world where some men are made from clockwork parts and carriages are steam powered, Alasdair Finch, a young mechanic, does the unthinkable after his brother dies: he uses clockwork pieces to bring Oliver back from the dead. But the resurrection does not go as planned, and Oliver returns more monster than man. Even worse, the novel Frankenstein is published and the townsfolk are determined to find the real-life doctor and his monster. With few places to turn for help, the dangers may ultimately bring the brothers together—or ruin them forever.

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9780062382771

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Reviews

Mackenzi Lee's This Monstrous Thing is simply beautiful. It pulses with electricity, mystery, and heart and brings to life one of my all time favorite tales with an unexpected twist.--Danielle Paige, New York Times bestseller of Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise

The old and new are woven together in language and theme creating a solid tale that explores what it means to be human. Part homage to a sci-fi original, part re-imagining, plenty of teen torment and trouble--an absorbing read. -- Kirkus Reviews Lee's accomplished first novel envisions an early-19th-century Geneva where clockwork technology is common yet controversial. -- Publishers Weekly The adeptly paced and well-written story reveals the troubled relationship between two brothers and how their choices can either destroy or make them stronger. Full of action, mystery, and suspense, this reimagined classic will not disappoint readers of gothic, steampunk, and historical fiction. A satisfying tribute to Shelley's monster tale. -- School Library Journal A compelling and brave retelling of the first science fiction novel. A secret history, a love story, something both old and new. -- Scott Westerfeld, author of Zeroes and Uglies Mackenzi Lee's This Monstrous Thing is simply beautiful. It pulses with electricity, mystery, and heart and brings to life one of my all time favorite tales with an unexpected twist. -- Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise A richly imagined tale of two brothers and a dark science that twists everything I thought I knew about Frankenstein. A monstrously good read! -- Megan Shepherd, author of The Madman's Daughter series In her debut, Lee has crafted an intriguing premise that will easily satisfy gothic horror and steampunk fans. -- Booklist Retellings of classics can be hit-or-miss undertakings, but in Lee's masterful prose, this macabre novel is charged with unmistakable signs of life. -- The Horn Book Richly imagined and ingeniously plotted, this version incorporates quotations from Shelley's text while updating the perennial questions of the original regarding how far is too far when it comes to meddling in the affairs of life and death. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The old and new are woven together in language and theme creating a solid tale that explores what it means to be human. Part homage to a sci-fi original, part re-imagining, plenty of teen torment and trouble-an absorbing read. -- Kirkus Reviews Lee's accomplished first novel envisions an early-19th-century Geneva where clockwork technology is common yet controversial. -- Publishers Weekly The adeptly paced and well-written story reveals the troubled relationship between two brothers and how their choices can either destroy or make them stronger. Full of action, mystery, and suspense, this reimagined classic will not disappoint readers of gothic, steampunk, and historical fiction. A satisfying tribute to Shelley's monster tale. -- School Library Journal A compelling and brave retelling of the first science fiction novel. A secret history, a love story, something both old and new. -- Scott Westerfeld, author of Zeroes and Uglies Mackenzi Lee's This Monstrous Thing is simply beautiful. It pulses with electricity, mystery, and heart and brings to life one of my all time favorite tales with an unexpected twist. -- Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise A richly imagined tale of two brothers and a dark science that twists everything I thought I knew about Frankenstein. A monstrously good read! -- Megan Shepherd, author of The Madman's Daughter series In her debut, Lee has crafted an intriguing premise that will easily satisfy gothic horror and steampunk fans. -- Booklist Retellings of classics can be hit-or-miss undertakings, but in Lee's masterful prose, this macabre novel is charged with unmistakable signs of life. -- The Horn Book Richly imagined and ingeniously plotted, this version incorporates quotations from Shelley's text while updating the perennial questions of the original regarding how far is too far when it comes to meddling in the affairs of life and death. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Author Information

Mackenzi Lee holds a BA in history and an MFA from Simmons College in writing for children and young adults. She loves Diet Coke, sweater weather, and Star Wars. On a perfect day, she can be found enjoying all three. She currently lives in Boston, where she works as a bookseller and almost never reanimates corpses. Almost.

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