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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

By: Kiersten White
Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan
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About this listen

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Inescapably compelling."VICTORIA SCHWAB, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue


"A masterful and monstrous retelling." —STEPHANIE GARBER, #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Caraval and Legendary

A stunning and dark reimagining of Frankenstein told from the point-of-view of Elizabeth Lavenza, who is taken in by the Frankenstein family.

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything—except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable—and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

**Ebook exclusive: the full text of Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN**
Fiction Horror Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Scary
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this book. First half was perfectly paced. But the second half was rushed, too rushed.

Solid YA book

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I love Kiersten White's adaptations, which is why I wanted to listen to this. Unfortunately, it was a little underwhelming. it's not a terrible story, but it was a bit of a slog until nearing the later stages of the book and I found Elizabeth to be a very unlikeable and, at times, irritating protagonist. It's not a book I'll likely go back to and will probably forget most of it with time.

Not Her Best Work

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I searched in the audible shop app for ‘books for tweens’ s as I was about to drive for an hour & half with my twin 8 yr olds.

This book came up first. I listed to about 3 or 4 chapters with my kids but they hated it. It was much too slow moving, dark, subtle & complex for them. So we gave up & played music instead.

I was intrigued though, & continued to listen later on my own, becoming more & more engrossed. I loved this book immensely!

Only criticism is why is it listed as a ‘tween’ book?!? It would be ok for teenagers, but possibly too dark even for some of them!

Oh, & there was one plot point which did not make sense but no spoilers!

Fantastic! ... but not for tweens🤔

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