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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Actually, it's a 3.5 stars, simply because the ending really caught me off guard.
this book was so stressing i cant belive someone helping him would just go against him and kill him for something he wanted when he sacrificed two fingers. this was a good book though xd!!
A very enjoyable and adventurous romp through the teenage Victor Frankenstein's mind and castle, along with his twin brother, a friend and the girl they all love, who more than proves herself in the adventures.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took me forever to get into this book. It was a bit more interesting once the quests for the ingredients began, but it was still a bit slow up until the home stretch of making the elixir. Based on the time it takes place, I'm not surprised at the cousin love story, but it's still gross.
Well, this book was certainly interesting....and disturbingly entertaining.
This Dark Endeavor is a sort-off "retelling/prequel" to the famous Frankenstein. We follow Victor Frankenstein, who's trying to find the elixir of life, a cure for his brother's illness.
I really liked the book. It was gripping, had an adventure feel to it, dark and some cringe-worthing scenes. I really liked the story, but the thing that stuck out most to me was the eerie feeling I got from both the setting of the book, but the characters as well. Victor Frankenstein is a interesting character, and he developed a lot through this short book. I loved his motives, and I was really intrigued by some of the dark sides that we got to see from him. His love for his brother and devotion to do anything to save him was really brave. To see his struggles throughout the book was also very interesting.
I'm really curious to read the second book, because there were some answers unattended for. I also really want to read Frankenstein as well. If you're in the mood for something dark, gothic and entertaining then you should really pick up this book. It was really good!
This Dark Endeavor is a sort-off "retelling/prequel" to the famous Frankenstein. We follow Victor Frankenstein, who's trying to find the elixir of life, a cure for his brother's illness.
I really liked the book. It was gripping, had an adventure feel to it, dark and some cringe-worthing scenes. I really liked the story, but the thing that stuck out most to me was the eerie feeling I got from both the setting of the book, but the characters as well. Victor Frankenstein is a interesting character, and he developed a lot through this short book. I loved his motives, and I was really intrigued by some of the dark sides that we got to see from him. His love for his brother and devotion to do anything to save him was really brave. To see his struggles throughout the book was also very interesting.
I'm really curious to read the second book, because there were some answers unattended for. I also really want to read Frankenstein as well. If you're in the mood for something dark, gothic and entertaining then you should really pick up this book. It was really good!
This book took too long for me to read, I can't believe I gave it this rate.
The book was best when it focused on Victor and Konrad -- their relationship as brothers and the lengths they would go for one another. However, the love triangle really fell flat for me, leaving me disinterested.
(5 out of 5 Stars) Vivid, Intense, and Engrossing, This Dark Endeavor is the Best Series Launch We’ve Seen in a Long Time.
Kenneth Oppel, best known for his books Silverwing and the Michael L. Printz winning Airborn writes a teen-oriented prequel to Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein. It’s a risky career move for Oppel- for one thing; a Frankenstein prequel aimed at teen audiences isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do. Teens wouldn’t have interest in the book if they aren’t interested in the original (who when picking up the classic book groan something along the lines of “It’s so heavy…”) and will probably be limited to logging online to see if maybe it got remade into a movie starring Denzel Washington. Those who liked the book would be hesitant, to say the least, to so show interest in a spin-off- Frankenstein doesn’t have a back story, as the book is more of a metaphor for a psychological study of a man not fitting into society’s social norms and conventions. Most would assume it would just add insult. The good news, however, is that Oppel takes the monumental challenge into his hands and handles it magnificently. The book is dramatic, lavishly written, and engrossing. Oppel plays with a lot of the original book’s mythology here- Victor Frankenstein is a teenager in the book. He also has a twin brother, Konrad, who everyone, including the girl he’s in love with, prefers. They’re the sons of a wealthy ruler and put on plays in their spare time. After finding a secret passage in their father’s library, they discover that it holds an alchemist’s laboratory that belonged to their grandfather. Their father shuts them down, forbidding them to go in again. But when Konrad falls ill and they fear death, Victor knows that the only way to make him better is through alchemy. With the help of his distant cousin and love interest, Elizabeth, and devoted friend/poet, Henry, they set off on a transportive escapade to find the cure. The plot is intricately detailed- carefuly alchemic study obviously went into this, the fabrications of 19th century England and some of the more precise idiosyncrasies, such as the coelacanth, are well thought out. The book is intellectually exciting and also visceral. As well as this, the human drama and philosophy plays on. Victor wants to help his brother, but should he continue, knowing that Elizabeth will just choose him? Is alchemy really black magic? As he surges deeper into it, will his frighteningly dark passion grow into an uncontrollable fume? And also- that opening chapter is amazing- you'll very well find yourself shocked as the pages fly through a sort of 'picture within a picture' concept, the characters carefully unfolding through the introduction. It's guaranteed to hook you and carry you throughout the remaining chapters. The book generates a near-breakneck pace, multilayered plotting and fleshed-out narrative. His vivid character building adds to the mix. Coupled with its careful melding of genres without adding insult to the original, Endeavor is the best series launch we’ve seen in a long time.
This Dark Endeavor
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Number of Pages: 304
Price: $16.99 Hardcover
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
for Young Reader
Published: August 2011
Recommended Reading
Age: 11+
See this review again and more at jasonsbookstack.blogspot.com!
Kenneth Oppel, best known for his books Silverwing and the Michael L. Printz winning Airborn writes a teen-oriented prequel to Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein. It’s a risky career move for Oppel- for one thing; a Frankenstein prequel aimed at teen audiences isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do. Teens wouldn’t have interest in the book if they aren’t interested in the original (who when picking up the classic book groan something along the lines of “It’s so heavy…”) and will probably be limited to logging online to see if maybe it got remade into a movie starring Denzel Washington. Those who liked the book would be hesitant, to say the least, to so show interest in a spin-off- Frankenstein doesn’t have a back story, as the book is more of a metaphor for a psychological study of a man not fitting into society’s social norms and conventions. Most would assume it would just add insult. The good news, however, is that Oppel takes the monumental challenge into his hands and handles it magnificently. The book is dramatic, lavishly written, and engrossing. Oppel plays with a lot of the original book’s mythology here- Victor Frankenstein is a teenager in the book. He also has a twin brother, Konrad, who everyone, including the girl he’s in love with, prefers. They’re the sons of a wealthy ruler and put on plays in their spare time. After finding a secret passage in their father’s library, they discover that it holds an alchemist’s laboratory that belonged to their grandfather. Their father shuts them down, forbidding them to go in again. But when Konrad falls ill and they fear death, Victor knows that the only way to make him better is through alchemy. With the help of his distant cousin and love interest, Elizabeth, and devoted friend/poet, Henry, they set off on a transportive escapade to find the cure. The plot is intricately detailed- carefuly alchemic study obviously went into this, the fabrications of 19th century England and some of the more precise idiosyncrasies, such as the coelacanth, are well thought out. The book is intellectually exciting and also visceral. As well as this, the human drama and philosophy plays on. Victor wants to help his brother, but should he continue, knowing that Elizabeth will just choose him? Is alchemy really black magic? As he surges deeper into it, will his frighteningly dark passion grow into an uncontrollable fume? And also- that opening chapter is amazing- you'll very well find yourself shocked as the pages fly through a sort of 'picture within a picture' concept, the characters carefully unfolding through the introduction. It's guaranteed to hook you and carry you throughout the remaining chapters. The book generates a near-breakneck pace, multilayered plotting and fleshed-out narrative. His vivid character building adds to the mix. Coupled with its careful melding of genres without adding insult to the original, Endeavor is the best series launch we’ve seen in a long time.
This Dark Endeavor
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Number of Pages: 304
Price: $16.99 Hardcover
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
for Young Reader
Published: August 2011
Recommended Reading
Age: 11+
See this review again and more at jasonsbookstack.blogspot.com!
Seeing as how I have never read Frankenstien I am not sure whether or not the foreknowledge of the story to come would have made this book more enjoyable or vise versa but regardless I loved this book. Lots of adventure and hard to put down!
adventurous
dark
mysterious