RB Reviews: The Mad Scientist's Daughter

The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Published: 7th February 2013
Pages:400
Science Fiction
(Thank you so much to Angry Robot for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review)

"There’s never been anyone - or anything - quite like Finn.
He looks, and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task is to tutor Cat.
When the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world." From Goodreads.

What worked: The Mad Scientist's Daughter is one of those dark, haunting books that really put you on a rollercoaster of emotion. In a way, it reminded me of Bicentennial Man but told from the human's POV. It had the same clinical feel to it as the movie but there was something so beautiful in the writing that although I wanted to put it down, I didn't. Putting into words how a book affected you is really difficult but there was something about the flaws and almost broken nature of Cat. Our female protagonist is a very difficult character to pin down. At times, she is frustratingly selfish and at others selfless. She made me want to slap her and then hug her.

Finn, where do I even start with him?! My heart broke for the poor guy (robot?) as I watched him struggle throughout the book and for a big chunk of it, he didn't even make an appearance! Still, every page, I would do a quick scan for his name and hope that I'd get a peek of him. (Don't worry, that's not really a spoiler!)

Without a doubt, The Mad Scientist's Daughter is a character-driven book that will have you crying your eyes out. Yes, I did catch one of my own falling so this is officially the first book in 2013 that has made me cry!

What irked: Even as I type it, it looks ridiculous but all of the robotics that infiltrated everyday life made me feel a bit claustrophobic. I'm not sure why, but it did which took me away from the story a bit.

I would have also liked a bit more of an explanation as to how the world got that way in the first place but overall, TMSD ticked all the boxes.

Recommended to: Sci-Fi fans and those of us who are incredibly nosy about what the future could hold! I would give it.... ***4 Stars - This book was really good, a definite re-reader!***