REVIEW: Frankenstein: A Life Beyond, by Pete Planisek

Ten years after the loss of his entire family to madness and death, Ernest Frankenstein finds himself compelled to return to the city of his birth, Geneva, in order to discover if his elder brother, Victor, might still be alive.  Only Victor can provide the answers to questions, which have long plagued Ernest.  The quest for answers will force Ernest to confront demons, both internal and external, from his past, which refuse to be at peace and which ultimately will endanger both he and his new family. Hunted across Europe their only hope may lie with a French spy, Ernest’s childhood friend, and a mysterious gypsy girl whose people believe that Ernest will lead humanity to its salvation or final destruction.

Frankenstein A Life Beyond by Pete Planisek is the first direct sequel to Mary Shelley’s iconic story, Frankenstein, which examined Victor Frankenstein’s quest to both create and kill an unnamed creature that ultimately destroys all but one member of the Frankenstein family, Victor’s brother, Ernest.  Frankenstein A Life Beyond explores many of the issues left open by the original, while establishing new characters and mysteries.

This is one of my favorite kinds of books--an Adult for YA novel. It's not written from YAs, it's written for adults, BUT because so many YAs are introduced to Shelley's Frankenstein in high school English classes, it's a great "what to read next" title.

This isn't a "re-write" it's a continuation of the story we already know. Where Mary Shelley leaves off, Planisek picks up, answering the what if questions. It's impressive, to say the least.

This book centers around Ernest, the last surviving Frankenstein (well, except for the monster). He has moved away and moved on, building a life as different from Victor's as possible. He has a family, a home, and the life he grew up in is...gone. Until...

The writing is wonderful. Planisek doesn't alter the original Frankenstein mythos and history. Instead, he weaves it into the story he needs to tell. It's not slow, it moves and draws the reader in, just like Shelley's work. The "flashbacks" are a bit long in some places, but gave a small break in the "present day" action.

The creature (the monster) receives the same treatment from Planisek as he did from Shelley...which can't have been easy. Honestly, reading this book is like reading the story Mary Shelley would've told--and it's wonderful.

This is book one of a trilogy...and I can't wait for the second installment.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Enceladus Literary LLC through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.