Young Adult Book Review: A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd
Title: A Cold Legacy
Series: The Madman's Daughter #3
Author: Megan Shepherd
Age Group: YOUNG ADULT
Genre Type: Gothic, Horror
Publication Date: January 27th 2015
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins
SUMMARY:
After killing the men who tried to steal her father’s research, Juliet—along with Montgomery, Lucy, Balthazar, and a deathly ill Edward—has escaped to a remote estate on the Scottish moors. Owned by the enigmatic Elizabeth von Stein, the mansion is full of mysteries and unexplained oddities: dead bodies in the basement, secret passages, and fortune-tellers who seem to know Juliet’s secrets. Though it appears to be a safe haven, Juliet fears new dangers may be present within the manor’s own walls.
Then Juliet uncovers the truth about the manor’s long history of scientific experimentation—and her own intended role in it—forcing her to determine where the line falls between right and wrong, life and death, magic and science, and promises and secrets. And she must decide if she’ll follow her father’s dark footsteps or her mother’s tragic ones, or whether she’ll make her own.
With inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman’s Daughter trilogy is about the things we’ll sacrifice to save those we love—even our own humanity.
What darkness began, only madness can end.
Filled with chilling suspense, dark science, and a highly atmospheric setting, A Cold Legacy is the finale book in author Megan Shepherd's trilogy The Madman's Daughter - a conclusion that I have been breathlessly waiting on with high anticipation.
Dark Science, Frankenstein and "Perpetual Anatomy."
Inspired by the classic Frankenstein, author Megan Shepherd once again gives her readers a story that incorporates unique elements from a Gothic classic. This time around there's plenty of unexplained oddities with a mix of chilling and horror filled experiments to keep us on edge. A touch of the macabre wrapped-up in Victorian sensibility.
Dead bodies in the basement, secret passages and rogue gypsies.
Each book in this series has a fantastic, highly atmospheric setting that transports us into a dark world where science, romance and Gothic horror collide. Set upon the remote Scottish moors, Ballentyne manor holds some bizarre secrets. Its owner Professor Elizabeth von Stein is a descendant from the legendary Victory Frankenstein, and has brought her own form of science to the highlands and its people.
Juliet, dual nature, forbidden experiments, and the chance to finally be free.
The theme of dual nature is again present in this story, with Juliet still grappling with her fascination and horror over her fathers experiments. Strong, beautiful, resilient, and fallible. Juliet continues to be a favorite heroine of mine for the very fact she represents such struggle to do right, yet is often caught-up in impossible situations, leading to imperfect choices. This time around, just as she settles old fears with her fathers science and her dual nature, the hidden world of Ballentyne manor holds forbidden temptations and dangers to Juliet and all those she loves.
Endearing Romance and Friendship
The romance is finally on course in this final conclusion, but there are many obstacles set in Juliet and the one she loves way before they can truly be together. Edward's life still hangs in the balance, and a growing friendship between him and Lucy was very interesting to see develop. So much happened in this fast plot that I actually missed some of the drama and dark romance of the two previous books, but I loved where each character ended in this story and gave me the HEA that I wanted for them.
In the end of it all.
A wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite series, one fans should not miss. A Cold Legacy left me happily satisfied, yet sad to see some of the most dramatic characters I've come across and grown to love, end.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars. I really liked it!
PLEASE NOTE: A copy of this book was provided by Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins in exchange for my fair and honest review. Thank you Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins for the review opportunity!
