Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This Dark Endeavor (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #1) by Kenneth Oppel is definitely an underrated prequel to Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein. Personally, I think it was a great decision to begin reading this novel after watching The Ghost of Frankenstein on Svengoolie. If you're a fan of retellings and prequels, I highly recommend starting this duology. Now, I need to read book two, Such Wicked Intent.
Most people know my obsession with Frankenstein so I wanted to give This Dark Endeavour a go; since the author Kenneth Oppel calls this a prequel. Victor’s brother Konrad, has fallen ill and no doctor has been able to cure him. Victor’s determination to save his brother has turned to alchemy to find the forbidden Elixir of Life and save his twin brother. With the help of his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and best friend Henry; Victor pushes the boundaries of nature and science in a treacherous search for the ingredients to help Konrad.
This is book one in The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series which I believe is being made into a trilogy. My first thoughts were; a YA novel about Victor Frankenstein was that this is never going to work, but then after a bit of a look at the book I decided to give it a go anyway. I thought maybe if he’s research of Frankenstein is in-depth enough and he keeps to the dark and gothic elements of the original classic it might work. I really should have stuck to my first thoughts because from the very start I hated this book.
First of all this book follows the same old paranormal young adult formula; which means not so much dark and gothic elements but lots and lots to do with a love triangle. I really hate love triangles in books at the moment that felt like the entire plot of this book. Sure they search for the Elixir of Life but there was more to do with Victor’s feelings toward Elizabeth than the actual alchemy.
Personally I wish I never read this book, it really did nothing for the Frankenstein story and love triangles are always annoying. There is a small steampunk element in this book but that felt like the author was jumping on the bandwagon to help market this book to the readers that want Steampunk, Paranormal, Love Triangle filled Young Adult romance. If want gothic and dark YA like I do, then this book is not for you. But if you like the idea of a romance with paranormal elements in it, then maybe give this book a go.
This is book one in The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series which I believe is being made into a trilogy. My first thoughts were; a YA novel about Victor Frankenstein was that this is never going to work, but then after a bit of a look at the book I decided to give it a go anyway. I thought maybe if he’s research of Frankenstein is in-depth enough and he keeps to the dark and gothic elements of the original classic it might work. I really should have stuck to my first thoughts because from the very start I hated this book.
First of all this book follows the same old paranormal young adult formula; which means not so much dark and gothic elements but lots and lots to do with a love triangle. I really hate love triangles in books at the moment that felt like the entire plot of this book. Sure they search for the Elixir of Life but there was more to do with Victor’s feelings toward Elizabeth than the actual alchemy.
Personally I wish I never read this book, it really did nothing for the Frankenstein story and love triangles are always annoying. There is a small steampunk element in this book but that felt like the author was jumping on the bandwagon to help market this book to the readers that want Steampunk, Paranormal, Love Triangle filled Young Adult romance. If want gothic and dark YA like I do, then this book is not for you. But if you like the idea of a romance with paranormal elements in it, then maybe give this book a go.
This book was interesting enough. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein as a teen and how he initially gets involved in the dark arts/medicine in order to tend to his ill brother. Anyone who enjoys the Monstrumologist or even the Fablehaven series would definitely enjoy this as there is quite a bit of similar action. I will definitely check out the second book of the dualogy sometime in the near future.
This, and other reviews can be found on my blog Just a Lil' Lost...
A sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein spends his privileged life being home-schooled with his twin brother Konrad and cousin Elizabeth. Often accompanied by their family friend Henry, the foursome spend their days playing and exploring around the Frankenstein estate when not learning from their father. When Konrad suddenly falls seriously ill, the remaining three companions stumble upon an old library full of strange languages and recipes. They are convinced that if they manage to figure out how to concoct the Elixir of Life, it will save their friend. The trio must race against time and danger to gather the only 3 ingredients required, before it's too late for Konrad.
This book has so much of what I love that I'm kicking myself for how long it took me to get to it. A touch of alchemy with a dash of action and adventure, this book was reminiscent of Harry Potter if Harry & the gang were a rebellious trouble-making bunch. (Well, I guess that can be debatable...) There were so many moments in This Dark Endeavour that brought back great memories of the J.K. Rowling series, from the 2-guys, 1 girl dynamic to the strange creatures and alchemy "magic" that are encountered. There is that same sense of peril & mystery-solving in a more-than-meets-the-eye kind of world.
The depiction of the brother dynamic was also really well executed. The love/hate relationship that Victor and Konrad have with each other feels so real. Whether it's competing with one another to intense jealousy to unrequited brotherly love, anyone with a sibling, let alone a twin, can attest to having at least some of those emotions about each other at some point. I felt this sibling love/rivalry that Oppel described was so well played where siblings can be angry and fight about anything but as soon as something jeopardizes that, blood always comes first. Another major topic of This Dark Endeavour was the debate between science vs faith, which I likened to the long-running theme on Lost. With Victor's desire to find a solution rooted in alchemy to cure his brother, Elizabeth was equally as passionate in praying for Konrad's health at mass. Oppel lays out both arguments in a fair manner, not necessarily leaning towards one way or the other which allows the reader to take from it what they will. Rather than make a potentially controversial declaration that one was more correct than the other, Oppel shows the highs and lows of both sides.
Once again, drawing from another literary source comparison, I loved that this was a backstory to a pre-existing, well-known tale. I thought of Gregory Maguire's Wicked, where everyone thinks they know the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, but Maguire illustrates so much more depth and history to Elphaba. Oppel achieves the same effect with this book, giving new life and backstory to the man who eventually creates Frankenstein's monster. A fantastic beginning to an edge-of-your-seat series that will leave readers gasping with shock and crying out in surprise.
A sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein spends his privileged life being home-schooled with his twin brother Konrad and cousin Elizabeth. Often accompanied by their family friend Henry, the foursome spend their days playing and exploring around the Frankenstein estate when not learning from their father. When Konrad suddenly falls seriously ill, the remaining three companions stumble upon an old library full of strange languages and recipes. They are convinced that if they manage to figure out how to concoct the Elixir of Life, it will save their friend. The trio must race against time and danger to gather the only 3 ingredients required, before it's too late for Konrad.
This book has so much of what I love that I'm kicking myself for how long it took me to get to it. A touch of alchemy with a dash of action and adventure, this book was reminiscent of Harry Potter if Harry & the gang were a rebellious trouble-making bunch. (Well, I guess that can be debatable...) There were so many moments in This Dark Endeavour that brought back great memories of the J.K. Rowling series, from the 2-guys, 1 girl dynamic to the strange creatures and alchemy "magic" that are encountered. There is that same sense of peril & mystery-solving in a more-than-meets-the-eye kind of world.
The depiction of the brother dynamic was also really well executed. The love/hate relationship that Victor and Konrad have with each other feels so real. Whether it's competing with one another to intense jealousy to unrequited brotherly love, anyone with a sibling, let alone a twin, can attest to having at least some of those emotions about each other at some point. I felt this sibling love/rivalry that Oppel described was so well played where siblings can be angry and fight about anything but as soon as something jeopardizes that, blood always comes first. Another major topic of This Dark Endeavour was the debate between science vs faith, which I likened to the long-running theme on Lost. With Victor's desire to find a solution rooted in alchemy to cure his brother, Elizabeth was equally as passionate in praying for Konrad's health at mass. Oppel lays out both arguments in a fair manner, not necessarily leaning towards one way or the other which allows the reader to take from it what they will. Rather than make a potentially controversial declaration that one was more correct than the other, Oppel shows the highs and lows of both sides.
Once again, drawing from another literary source comparison, I loved that this was a backstory to a pre-existing, well-known tale. I thought of Gregory Maguire's Wicked, where everyone thinks they know the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, but Maguire illustrates so much more depth and history to Elphaba. Oppel achieves the same effect with this book, giving new life and backstory to the man who eventually creates Frankenstein's monster. A fantastic beginning to an edge-of-your-seat series that will leave readers gasping with shock and crying out in surprise.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending held a lot of promise the rest of the book didn't necessarily live up to.
I didn't feel enough of Frankensten in this novel. It does not need to be the same, but to pull from the source material it needs to have some of the same feeling in it. Also this book was a big alchemy bummer. Everything was somewhat convenient. I didn't feel all that much forward momentum.
I wanted more from the relationship with Victor and Konrad. They didn't get to spend nearly enough time as brothers. I wanted to feel that bond in a more visceral way.
I didn't feel enough of Frankensten in this novel. It does not need to be the same, but to pull from the source material it needs to have some of the same feeling in it. Also this book was a big alchemy bummer. Everything was somewhat convenient. I didn't feel all that much forward momentum.
I wanted more from the relationship with Victor and Konrad. They didn't get to spend nearly enough time as brothers. I wanted to feel that bond in a more visceral way.
Victor Frankenstein takes us on an adventure against mythical beasts and to dark libraries and creepy cemeteries. Motivated originally to save his twin brother, Konrad, he seeks answers in the forbidden alchemy. Young Victor struggles with his pride, curiosity, darkness, love and jealousy.
I’d hoped for more of the makings of Frankenstein, but I can see the groundwork being laid for darker things in the future.
I can’t believe this was my first LUKE DANIELS experience. I believe he captured the young Frankenstein’s strength and touch of wonder as he undertakes the impossible. You can feel his passion for Elizabeth and the danger that lurks beneath the surface when things don’t go his way. He also does Elizabeth justice. She balances boldness and the softness you expect from the time.
I’d hoped for more of the makings of Frankenstein, but I can see the groundwork being laid for darker things in the future.
I can’t believe this was my first LUKE DANIELS experience. I believe he captured the young Frankenstein’s strength and touch of wonder as he undertakes the impossible. You can feel his passion for Elizabeth and the danger that lurks beneath the surface when things don’t go his way. He also does Elizabeth justice. She balances boldness and the softness you expect from the time.