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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This is the story of teenage Victor Frankenstein and his angst, okay, his desire to find the Elixir of Life in hopes of saving his twin brother's life. Bringing in characters like the alchemist Polidori, whom I'm sure was inspired by physician and writer, John Polidori, and Elizabeth, whom I felt was loosely based on the writer Mary Shelly, was not enough to leave me satisfied with this book.
This would be a really good book if it wasn't for one thing. It is in no away a prequel to The Modern Prometheus, while somewhat based off the original novel, it goes extremely against it. The whole twin thing to start with and Victor seems completely out of character.
This book only came bearable to read once I decided to just to treat it as a random, no way related to any other novel I've read before.
This book only came bearable to read once I decided to just to treat it as a random, no way related to any other novel I've read before.
This book has been on my TBR for a while, and I bought it for a great sale price from the Kobo store. Here is the summary:
Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one. The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages, and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library again, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life. The elixir needs only three ingredients. But impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn. Victor knows he must not fail. But his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science and love- and how much he is willing to sacrifice.
I loved this book! It has so many great elements: mystery, historical setting, rivalry, jealousy, adventure, and great characters. Victor Frankenstein, his twin brother, and their distant cousin live in the Frankenstein chateau together with Victor’s family and the servants. Along with their friend Henry, they are all well educated and have a great bond, and indeed are the best of friends. One day, they discover a hidden room, full of mysterious and old books, known as the Dark Library.
When their father finds out where they’ve been, he forbids them from entering. However, Konrad begins to suffer from a mysterious illness that seems to threaten his life, and Victor begins to wonder if that forbidden room may hold some knowledge that can save his twin and enlists the help of Henry and Elizabeth in his mission. At the same time, he begins to look at Elizabeth differently, although her heart may belong to someone else.
Victor sets out on a dangerous path, and finds himself torn between love for his brother and jealousy. Victor’s pride and impulsiveness contrast with Konrad’s patience and kindness. While they are twins, they are very unique, and at times Victor wonders if he loves Elizabeth only because he knows that Konrad loves her as well.
I should note that I have never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, although I am familiar with the general story.
I thought the characters were very well written. Elizabeth is fierce, intelligent, and bold, and I really liked her. She was no mere object for two boys to quarrel over. I also loved the conflict between Victor’s love for his brother, and his desire for the recognition and favour that he thinks Konrad receives to Victor’s own detriment. I also liked their friend Henry – he was certainly less keen on adventure than the others, but he nonetheless joins them and wants to do his part.
I thought the writing and pacing were just perfect. The story moved along quickly and went in directions that I didn’t expect, and I didn’t want to put the book down. It was such a great read and one that I am eagerly recommending. I now look forward to its sequel, Such Wicked Intent, which will be released at the end of this month. (From http://pingwings.ca)
Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one. The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages, and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library again, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life. The elixir needs only three ingredients. But impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn. Victor knows he must not fail. But his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science and love- and how much he is willing to sacrifice.
I loved this book! It has so many great elements: mystery, historical setting, rivalry, jealousy, adventure, and great characters. Victor Frankenstein, his twin brother, and their distant cousin live in the Frankenstein chateau together with Victor’s family and the servants. Along with their friend Henry, they are all well educated and have a great bond, and indeed are the best of friends. One day, they discover a hidden room, full of mysterious and old books, known as the Dark Library.
When their father finds out where they’ve been, he forbids them from entering. However, Konrad begins to suffer from a mysterious illness that seems to threaten his life, and Victor begins to wonder if that forbidden room may hold some knowledge that can save his twin and enlists the help of Henry and Elizabeth in his mission. At the same time, he begins to look at Elizabeth differently, although her heart may belong to someone else.
Victor sets out on a dangerous path, and finds himself torn between love for his brother and jealousy. Victor’s pride and impulsiveness contrast with Konrad’s patience and kindness. While they are twins, they are very unique, and at times Victor wonders if he loves Elizabeth only because he knows that Konrad loves her as well.
I should note that I have never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, although I am familiar with the general story.
I thought the characters were very well written. Elizabeth is fierce, intelligent, and bold, and I really liked her. She was no mere object for two boys to quarrel over. I also loved the conflict between Victor’s love for his brother, and his desire for the recognition and favour that he thinks Konrad receives to Victor’s own detriment. I also liked their friend Henry – he was certainly less keen on adventure than the others, but he nonetheless joins them and wants to do his part.
I thought the writing and pacing were just perfect. The story moved along quickly and went in directions that I didn’t expect, and I didn’t want to put the book down. It was such a great read and one that I am eagerly recommending. I now look forward to its sequel, Such Wicked Intent, which will be released at the end of this month. (From http://pingwings.ca)
I imagined Benedict Cumberbatch playing the Frankenstein twins and it vastly increased my enjoyment of this novel, which was already enjoyable.
3.5 stars.
Victor Frankenstein lives in a gigantic mansion with his Twin brother Konrad and his beautiful distant cousin Elizabeth. They have all grown up together in the Frankenstein chateau, exploring all the hidden passages and rooms. But one day, the trio accidentally find a hidden library full of alchemy recipes. Before they know it, Konrad succumbs to a mysterious illness that can only be cured with the risky Elixir of Life.
Wow. That's all I can say right now. Great book. It was action-packed, thrilling, breath-taking and wonderfully written. Kenneth Oppel, I now forgive you from writing such horrible sequels to "Silverwing".
A reason why this book is a 4 star is because of the wonderful twists in the plot. The ending? It came really unexpected. There should be a sequel, right?
Anyways, "This Dark Endeavour" is easily, great read. And the cover? Amazing!
Victor Frankenstein lives in a gigantic mansion with his Twin brother Konrad and his beautiful distant cousin Elizabeth. They have all grown up together in the Frankenstein chateau, exploring all the hidden passages and rooms. But one day, the trio accidentally find a hidden library full of alchemy recipes. Before they know it, Konrad succumbs to a mysterious illness that can only be cured with the risky Elixir of Life.
Wow. That's all I can say right now. Great book. It was action-packed, thrilling, breath-taking and wonderfully written. Kenneth Oppel, I now forgive you from writing such horrible sequels to "Silverwing".
A reason why this book is a 4 star is because of the wonderful twists in the plot. The ending? It came really unexpected. There should be a sequel, right?
Anyways, "This Dark Endeavour" is easily, great read. And the cover? Amazing!
Started off rather over the top but things got rolling very quickly once we had the set up. Konrad got ill more or less immeidately and the quest was on. Exciting enough for a YA book and predictable in the plot if not the precise end. What is really great and horrifying about this is Victor. He is a monster and not even a completely well meaning one. That is the scariest thing here. Especially since we all know what he is going to do one day.
It was fine. It took me a long time to read, probably because I was busy. I'm not a huge fan of the "collect three ingredients for a potion" plot/quests, so, maybe that's why I wasn't that into it. I remember really enjoying the Airborn series, and was rather surprised I liked this as little as I did. Oh well. Maybe someday I'll get around to reading the next one.
dark
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed reading This Dark Endeavour because it had action, suspense and danger. Find my full review on my blog here.
*******No Original Review*******
******Reread 10/2018
I was very excited about this reread because I had not read this since high school so it has been at least four years. The story was going to feel brand new to me. I was ready!!!
However, this story did not age well. Maybe it is because I have changed or what. I was very new to reading and I was easily impressed. I know I fell in love with the characters back then especially Konrad. But while I was reading I was confused why did I like Konrad so much in high school he is barely there?! Also, the romance is weird and it is usually something I can not stand: a love triangle with siblings. But it worse they are twin brothers fighting for their cousin. The story was bland there was a lot of tell and no show.
If I had to rate this now I would give it a 2-star rating...... which is sad. I was also going to read the sequel....but I not going to force myself.
Maybe I should not have reread this.
******Reread 10/2018
I was very excited about this reread because I had not read this since high school so it has been at least four years. The story was going to feel brand new to me. I was ready!!!
However, this story did not age well. Maybe it is because I have changed or what. I was very new to reading and I was easily impressed. I know I fell in love with the characters back then especially Konrad. But while I was reading I was confused why did I like Konrad so much in high school he is barely there?! Also, the romance is weird and it is usually something I can not stand: a love triangle with siblings. But it worse they are twin brothers fighting for their cousin. The story was bland there was a lot of tell and no show.
If I had to rate this now I would give it a 2-star rating...... which is sad. I was also going to read the sequel....but I not going to force myself.
Maybe I should not have reread this.