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Alum pens NY Times best-seller

By Sydney Springer

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She swirled her pink Sharpie across the title page of her latest book, “The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein,” at the Barnes & Noble signing. New York Times best-selling author and BYU alumna Kiersten White said she always signs books with a bright color.

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Her novel was released on Sept. 25, debuting fourth on The New York Times young adult hardcover best-seller list.

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This year was the 200th anniversary of the acclaimed classic “Frankenstein” penned by science fiction writer Mary Shelley in 1818.

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White said Shelley’s work inspired her to write her modern-day Frankenstein novel. At the time of her Barnes & Noble visit, White was on a promotional tour meeting readers all over the country. 

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“The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein” follows main character Elizabeth Lavenza, the fiancee of Victor Frankenstein, spiraling into darkness as she realizes her place within the Frankenstein family depends on keeping Victor alive. When Victor goes missing in Ingolstadt and doesn’t return any letters, Elizabeth goes off on her own in 18th century Europe to find him and discover the truth.

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White’s version of Elizabeth is a different character than the one Mary Shelley originally created.

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