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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I was initially intrigued by the idea of a precursor to Frankenstein. And while I appreciated the premise of this book, I lost interest about halfway through. I saw the book out to the end but I have no desire to read the next book in this series.
BE WARNED SPOILERS ABOUND FROM HERE.
Why did I lose interest in a book that seemingly fits into every niche that I generally appreciate? The overused love triangle trope. In fact, this book exceeds just the love triangle and creates a love amalgamation that simply made me angry. There is a lone female character in this book (besides the mother figure who exists solely as a someone to worry about the main characters and have them worry about her in return)who magically entrances all three of the male character with her feminine wiles. What feminine wiles you may ask? That is a good question. As far as I can tell the only thing that Elizabeth has going for her is the fact that she is the only girl they know. She's also a distant cousin, not cousin (which I feel like Oppel might have been going for a Wuthering Heights-esque relationship there, but he missed the mark a bit).
Ultimately the book becomes less about the really interesting alchemy and gathering ingredients for a potion that will cure all ills and more about an unbelievable girl being the attention of twin brothers.
BE WARNED SPOILERS ABOUND FROM HERE.
Why did I lose interest in a book that seemingly fits into every niche that I generally appreciate? The overused love triangle trope. In fact, this book exceeds just the love triangle and creates a love amalgamation that simply made me angry. There is a lone female character in this book (besides the mother figure who exists solely as a someone to worry about the main characters and have them worry about her in return)who magically entrances all three of the male character with her feminine wiles. What feminine wiles you may ask? That is a good question. As far as I can tell the only thing that Elizabeth has going for her is the fact that she is the only girl they know. She's also a distant cousin, not cousin (which I feel like Oppel might have been going for a Wuthering Heights-esque relationship there, but he missed the mark a bit).
Ultimately the book becomes less about the really interesting alchemy and gathering ingredients for a potion that will cure all ills and more about an unbelievable girl being the attention of twin brothers.
I had no idea what to expect with this book. We read Frankenstein in Year 7 at school, and I quite liked it (I'll say it was definitely one of the better books we read in school), so when I heard about this, I thought I might give it a go, see how it was. And then when I actually got it, I put it off and put it off, and I have no idea why. Anyway, I finally read it, and it was OK. It was not the best book I've ever read, but not the worst, either. There were lots of good bits, and then there were parts which I didn't like so much.
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, especially Victor. I thought their relationships felt very real and while reading it was obvious that Victor was a teenager. Just the way he thought and the things he did screamed teenager at me. Especially when Victor was discovering his feelings about Elizabeth - I felt I could relate to him, in his not quite knowing what he thinks of the people around him (not because that's how I feel, just because I can imagine feeling like that in that situation, if you know what I mean). I think that his jealousy for his brother, and his eagerness to cure him, and the way he goes about doing it without a second thought, just seemed so real and believable to me. He was definitely my favourite character, and he was a great lead to the book.
Another thing I really liked was the way that it felt very true to the time period it was set in. There were the obvious clues, like the candles instead of torches, but then there were subtle differences like the language they use, and the way that alchemy was seen as witchcraft, that really made me feel as if I was reading about the past, and I really liked that. Sometimes for me, books can seem like they've been set in the past for no reason - they read just like a modern book with modern characters, just set 200 years ago...
But, as you may be able to tell, overall I had mixed feelings about the book. At the beginning, I quite liked it, and I managed to read quickly and I found it interesting. However, for me, it was just one of those books that hold your interest for a while, but then as you read on, you find yourself not caring about what happens anymore, you just want it to finish. Whether this was because the story wasn't interesting enough for me, or the writing wasn't great, or just that at that moment in time I simply did not want to be reading this, I have no idea. Either way, I had to skim read the last third of the book. There was no way I would have been able to finish otherwise. And I know, that's so bad, but I skimmed it so that I understood everything that was going on, and I promise I didn't skip any parts... Skimming it meant that I could just read the most important parts of the story and not get bogged down by little pieces of information that I didn't need to know about.
To me, this book read more like a middle grade book than a young adult one. I think it was because the plot was incredibly simple, and I was just looking for more. More depth, more thought, more twists. Nothing really surprised me in the book, and some of the things that happened just seemed like there could have been a lot more to it. Also, from the cover and the synopsis, and having read Frankenstein, I expected it to be a lot darker than it actually was. And while this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to reading a dark and gritty novel, and it not being there kind of took something away from the plot for me...
This Dark Endeavour, overall, was just not for me. And I think it was more that I had problems with the plot, rather than because the book itself was bad. It was a quick read, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I'd still say that, if you're interested, give it a go, because mainly for me, it was a plot thing. If it sounds like something you'd like, read it! I've included some links down below to other reviews from bloggers who really enjoyed it, so you can gain a different perspective on this book...
*Thanks to Random House Children's Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.
Originally posted at www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, especially Victor. I thought their relationships felt very real and while reading it was obvious that Victor was a teenager. Just the way he thought and the things he did screamed teenager at me. Especially when Victor was discovering his feelings about Elizabeth - I felt I could relate to him, in his not quite knowing what he thinks of the people around him (not because that's how I feel, just because I can imagine feeling like that in that situation, if you know what I mean). I think that his jealousy for his brother, and his eagerness to cure him, and the way he goes about doing it without a second thought, just seemed so real and believable to me. He was definitely my favourite character, and he was a great lead to the book.
Another thing I really liked was the way that it felt very true to the time period it was set in. There were the obvious clues, like the candles instead of torches, but then there were subtle differences like the language they use, and the way that alchemy was seen as witchcraft, that really made me feel as if I was reading about the past, and I really liked that. Sometimes for me, books can seem like they've been set in the past for no reason - they read just like a modern book with modern characters, just set 200 years ago...
But, as you may be able to tell, overall I had mixed feelings about the book. At the beginning, I quite liked it, and I managed to read quickly and I found it interesting. However, for me, it was just one of those books that hold your interest for a while, but then as you read on, you find yourself not caring about what happens anymore, you just want it to finish. Whether this was because the story wasn't interesting enough for me, or the writing wasn't great, or just that at that moment in time I simply did not want to be reading this, I have no idea. Either way, I had to skim read the last third of the book. There was no way I would have been able to finish otherwise. And I know, that's so bad, but I skimmed it so that I understood everything that was going on, and I promise I didn't skip any parts... Skimming it meant that I could just read the most important parts of the story and not get bogged down by little pieces of information that I didn't need to know about.
To me, this book read more like a middle grade book than a young adult one. I think it was because the plot was incredibly simple, and I was just looking for more. More depth, more thought, more twists. Nothing really surprised me in the book, and some of the things that happened just seemed like there could have been a lot more to it. Also, from the cover and the synopsis, and having read Frankenstein, I expected it to be a lot darker than it actually was. And while this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to reading a dark and gritty novel, and it not being there kind of took something away from the plot for me...
This Dark Endeavour, overall, was just not for me. And I think it was more that I had problems with the plot, rather than because the book itself was bad. It was a quick read, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I'd still say that, if you're interested, give it a go, because mainly for me, it was a plot thing. If it sounds like something you'd like, read it! I've included some links down below to other reviews from bloggers who really enjoyed it, so you can gain a different perspective on this book...
*Thanks to Random House Children's Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.
Originally posted at www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com
I had no idea what to expect with this book. We read Frankenstein in Year 7 at school, and I quite liked it (I'll say it was definitely one of the better books we read in school), so when I heard about this, I thought I might give it a go, see how it was. And then when I actually got it, I put it off and put it off, and I have no idea why. Anyway, I finally read it, and it was OK. It was not the best book I've ever read, but not the worst, either. There were lots of good bits, and then there were parts which I didn't like so much.
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, especially Victor. I thought their relationships felt very real and while reading it was obvious that Victor was a teenager. Just the way he thought and the things he did screamed teenager at me. Especially when Victor was discovering his feelings about Elizabeth - I felt I could relate to him, in his not quite knowing what he thinks of the people around him (not because that's how I feel, just because I can imagine feeling like that in that situation, if you know what I mean). I think that his jealousy for his brother, and his eagerness to cure him, and the way he goes about doing it without a second thought, just seemed so real and believable to me. He was definitely my favourite character, and he was a great lead to the book.
Another thing I really liked was the way that it felt very true to the time period it was set in. There were the obvious clues, like the candles instead of torches, but then there were subtle differences like the language they use, and the way that alchemy was seen as witchcraft, that really made me feel as if I was reading about the past, and I really liked that. Sometimes for me, books can seem like they've been set in the past for no reason - they read just like a modern book with modern characters, just set 200 years ago...
But, as you may be able to tell, overall I had mixed feelings about the book. At the beginning, I quite liked it, and I managed to read quickly and I found it interesting. However, for me, it was just one of those books that hold your interest for a while, but then as you read on, you find yourself not caring about what happens anymore, you just want it to finish. Whether this was because the story wasn't interesting enough for me, or the writing wasn't great, or just that at that moment in time I simply did not want to be reading this, I have no idea. Either way, I had to skim read the last third of the book. There was no way I would have been able to finish otherwise. And I know, that's so bad, but I skimmed it so that I understood everything that was going on, and I promise I didn't skip any parts... Skimming it meant that I could just read the most important parts of the story and not get bogged down by little pieces of information that I didn't need to know about.
To me, this book read more like a middle grade book than a young adult one. I think it was because the plot was incredibly simple, and I was just looking for more. More depth, more thought, more twists. Nothing really surprised me in the book, and some of the things that happened just seemed like there could have been a lot more to it. Also, from the cover and the synopsis, and having read Frankenstein, I expected it to be a lot darker than it actually was. And while this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to reading a dark and gritty novel, and it not being there kind of took something away from the plot for me...
This Dark Endeavour, overall, was just not for me. And I think it was more that I had problems with the plot, rather than because the book itself was bad. It was a quick read, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I'd still say that, if you're interested, give it a go, because mainly for me, it was a plot thing. If it sounds like something you'd like, read it! I've included some links down below to other reviews from bloggers who really enjoyed it, so you can gain a different perspective on this book...
Originally posted at www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, especially Victor. I thought their relationships felt very real and while reading it was obvious that Victor was a teenager. Just the way he thought and the things he did screamed teenager at me. Especially when Victor was discovering his feelings about Elizabeth - I felt I could relate to him, in his not quite knowing what he thinks of the people around him (not because that's how I feel, just because I can imagine feeling like that in that situation, if you know what I mean). I think that his jealousy for his brother, and his eagerness to cure him, and the way he goes about doing it without a second thought, just seemed so real and believable to me. He was definitely my favourite character, and he was a great lead to the book.
Another thing I really liked was the way that it felt very true to the time period it was set in. There were the obvious clues, like the candles instead of torches, but then there were subtle differences like the language they use, and the way that alchemy was seen as witchcraft, that really made me feel as if I was reading about the past, and I really liked that. Sometimes for me, books can seem like they've been set in the past for no reason - they read just like a modern book with modern characters, just set 200 years ago...
But, as you may be able to tell, overall I had mixed feelings about the book. At the beginning, I quite liked it, and I managed to read quickly and I found it interesting. However, for me, it was just one of those books that hold your interest for a while, but then as you read on, you find yourself not caring about what happens anymore, you just want it to finish. Whether this was because the story wasn't interesting enough for me, or the writing wasn't great, or just that at that moment in time I simply did not want to be reading this, I have no idea. Either way, I had to skim read the last third of the book. There was no way I would have been able to finish otherwise. And I know, that's so bad, but I skimmed it so that I understood everything that was going on, and I promise I didn't skip any parts... Skimming it meant that I could just read the most important parts of the story and not get bogged down by little pieces of information that I didn't need to know about.
To me, this book read more like a middle grade book than a young adult one. I think it was because the plot was incredibly simple, and I was just looking for more. More depth, more thought, more twists. Nothing really surprised me in the book, and some of the things that happened just seemed like there could have been a lot more to it. Also, from the cover and the synopsis, and having read Frankenstein, I expected it to be a lot darker than it actually was. And while this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to reading a dark and gritty novel, and it not being there kind of took something away from the plot for me...
This Dark Endeavour, overall, was just not for me. And I think it was more that I had problems with the plot, rather than because the book itself was bad. It was a quick read, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I'd still say that, if you're interested, give it a go, because mainly for me, it was a plot thing. If it sounds like something you'd like, read it! I've included some links down below to other reviews from bloggers who really enjoyed it, so you can gain a different perspective on this book...
Originally posted at www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-this-dark-endeavour.html
This book makes me want to reread Frankenstein. Gripping and I finished it within two days, which is probably a record for me in the past few months.
Classic Oppel adventure story. Likeable characters, fantastic plot and pacing, a real pleasure to read.
I have never actually read Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and wasn't sure I wanted to read this book, but I ended up enjoying it. The main character, as you might imagine, isn't entirely likable, which made it a little hard to appreciate some of the time. There was plenty of turmoil and adventure though to keep me interested.
A forbidden secret library. Adventure. A love triangle. Suspense.
The quest to find the ingredients to the elixir of life...
What an amazing prequel to Mary Shelley's classic, Frankenstein -
Victor is your typical 15 year old teen boy, everything seems to be fun and games until something serious and life-changing happens and Victor must decide if doing the wrong thing is actually the right thing to do.
He enlists his twin brother, Konrad, their 'distant' cousin, Elizabeth, and family friend, Henry, on an adventure never to be forgotten.
Yes, there is a bit of a love triangle going on, but it is done so perfectly that you will not lose the pace of the story, nor be distracted by it either.
There were a few 'gasp-out-loud' moments where I had to will the images out of my head - but I am squeamish, lol, and those who are not, will love every single detail of their journey.
This is a definite 'buzz-worthy' must read!
The quest to find the ingredients to the elixir of life...
What an amazing prequel to Mary Shelley's classic, Frankenstein -
Victor is your typical 15 year old teen boy, everything seems to be fun and games until something serious and life-changing happens and Victor must decide if doing the wrong thing is actually the right thing to do.
He enlists his twin brother, Konrad, their 'distant' cousin, Elizabeth, and family friend, Henry, on an adventure never to be forgotten.
Yes, there is a bit of a love triangle going on, but it is done so perfectly that you will not lose the pace of the story, nor be distracted by it either.
There were a few 'gasp-out-loud' moments where I had to will the images out of my head - but I am squeamish, lol, and those who are not, will love every single detail of their journey.
This is a definite 'buzz-worthy' must read!
Pacy and fun, in a silly-dark-Gothic kind of way. You can suck me in easily with hidden alchemical laboratories and outlandish quests and gender-bending teenage girls; but you lose me a bit with romance that feels forced and unnecessary, and with evil cripple stereotypes. I wanted to love the on-board wheelchair weaponry, but in the end I was left yawning at the evil-mad-crippled-scientist-with-a-cat thing, even if the cat was a somewhat awesome lynx familiar.
Overall, though, I definitely liked it and would recommend it for a quick, fun read. Despite the grisly amputation scene, it feels late middle grade to me, not adult-young-adult.
Overall, though, I definitely liked it and would recommend it for a quick, fun read. Despite the grisly amputation scene, it feels late middle grade to me, not adult-young-adult.