Review: This Dark Endeavor

by Kenneth Oppel
publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
date of publication: August 23, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 298
source: from the publisher
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. With their friend Elizabeth, Henry and Victor immediately set out to find assistance from a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrad's life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

What I Thought

I am about to make a shameful confession: I am not a big fan of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. You may ask, "Why read this book, then?" The main reason I wanted to read this book is the subject matter. Every time I have read Frankenstein, I have wondered, "What led Victor Frankenstein to do these things? What drives him?" Kenneth Oppel tackles these questions with great skill and imagination in This Dark Endeavor.

In this very inventive prequel, we are introduced to a fifteen year old Victor; his twin brother, Konrad; their fiery cousin, Elizabeth; and their timid, poetic friend, Henry Clerval. Life is pretty good for this young quartet. They are educated in a liberal, progressive fashion by Victor and Konrad's parents as they explore the mysterious passages of their chateau. It isn't until Victor, Konrad, and Elizabeth stumble upon a library hidden beneath the floors of the chateau that things begin to change. This dark library houses ancient tomes detailing alchemical processes and elixirs, all of which pique Victor's curiosity. When Konrad falls victim to a mysterious illness, Victor is determined to save him by discovering the formula needed to create the mythical Elixir of Life. Can he overcome the dangers involved in creating the potion and save his brother?

This book is extremely action-packed. There were several passages that had me literally sitting up in anxiety, wondering if Victor, Elizabeth, and Henry would escape unscathed. There is just the right amount of terror to make the book hearken back to Mary Shelley's classic work. In addition, there are some amazingly intense scenes that place our protagonists in grave dangers and will very nearly have you biting your nails in anticipation. From lammergeirs (bearded vultures) to a seemingly supernaturally intelligent lynx, there are creatures galore that add to the overall excitement.

Finally, human nature plays a huge part in this story. Such themes as jealousy, love, greed, and loyalty can be found in abundance, several of which are housed in Victor simultaneously. He is, indeed, the most conflicted character of the lot and has a lot of weight to bear as he struggles with each emotion. I was riveted as I waited to see which emotions would win Victor over and how he would deal with each one. I could definitely see shades of the character he would become in the pages of Frankenstein.

This Dark Endeavor is a highly entertaining read and is a must for fans of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Even if, like me, you are not a fan, I would still recommend giving this book a try. I truly enjoyed it and am glad to have read it. If you are fond of variations on classic literature, you should definitely read this book. I give This Dark Endeavor 4 hoots.






Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the opportunity of reviewing this book.