This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

I'll skip the synopsis, (chances are, if you're reading this, you've already got a basic idea of what the book's about), but, to put matters simply, This Dark Endeavor revolves around the life of a young Victor Frankenstein, the youth who would go onto create a monster- Frankenstein's monster, to be exact.After his twin brother Konrad falls sick, Victor resolves himself to cure his brother, and sets out to create an elixir that will stave off his brother's illness, and bring him back from the verge of death- the legendary elixir of life. Of course, this is easier said than done, however, leaving Victor to seek out notoriously rare ingredients with the help of Elizabeth, his distant cousin/love interest, and Henry, his best friend. While I won't spoil anything here, allow me to assure you that you're in for quite the quest. What's more, that's only the icing on the cake! And oh, what a cake it is!You see, Kenneth Oppel is a master puppeteer. And not just any puppeteer, mind you. An emotional puppeteer.One of the things I've always respected about Oppel's writing is his finely-tuned awareness of emotion, and just how expertly he makes said emotion burst off the page in his work. True enough, This Dark Endeavor is a thoroughly emotional book. Not in the sense that it's leaking flowery prose and melodrama every other sentence, however- in fact, that couldn't be farther from the truth. It's a work that tugs and pull at a reader's emotions, launching them headfirst into Victor's battle for self-worth. I'll admit, it takes quite a bit for me to become emotionally invested in a character, but right from the very beginning, I could tell Victor's problems were so human, it would be nigh impossible not to find yourself rooting for him in some form or another.It's that same emotional force that makes this book so powerful, so gripping that you dread having to lay it down. Every detail is described in beautiful prose that's not too heavy and not too skimpy- a miracle in and of itself. Oppel excels at immersing readers in a book's atmosphere, and from the serene landscape of Geneva to the chilling ambiance of underground caves, it's quite clear that This Dark Endeavor is no exception.I only have a few complaints. First, near the end of the book, we realize that a certain character had less than good intentions, and the character quickly assumes the role of antagonist. However, the character's sole reason for his action is due to a tiny mistake made by the protagonists, and given the fact that he could've easily alerted them to the situation, his transformation seems a bit jolting to say the least. Perhaps I didn't notice it, but it seemed foreshadowing was a bit light with this character, as if there was no evidence at all of his true nature to be found, however small.Speaking of jolting changes, there's one detail I can't forget to mention. The book's ending. While a sequel is apparently in the works for next year, the ending is clear contrast with all the themes that the book had been building up to at that point. Whenever I first heard about the book, I expected it to end in a similar fashion, but by the end, it truly seemed as if things were going to take a different turn, yet somehow stay faithful to the source work. However, by the first sentence of the final chapter, I knew that wasn't the case. You see, there was no real lead-up to the events of the last chapter, and in fact, the chapter that proceeded it could almost be considered the "happily ever after" of the book. Yet, out of nowhere, the final chapter pops in, and shatters all that. It was for story reasons, no doubt, but a bit more elaboration and explanation would've benefited the chapter greatly. As mentioned earlier, there is a sequel on the way, and perhaps it will answer some of the burning questions I've been left with in the aftermath of this book, but I truly believe a bit more in just that one chapter could've made the book even more wonderful.In short? Buy. This. Book. Even with a bit of a jolting ending, This Dark Endeavor will have you tearing through pages until the very end, and, if you're anything like me, reaching for a copy of Frankenstein to continue the story. Whether it be the wonderful dialogue, the perfect plot twists, or even the lovable, three-dimensional characters, This Dark Endeavor truly has something for everyone.

Have you ever wondered what school was like for Harry before he became a wizard? Or what Hamlet was like as a kid? Do you think George protected other kids when he was young, just like he protected Lennie? Was Bella always so awkward, or was she only awkward in the presence of shimmery bloodsuckers? How did Sonny and Michael grow up so different in the same home and the same family? Sometimes a story doesn't give you the whole picture of the character and what they were like before the story takes place, but if you are lucky, someone got the bright idea to fill in the blanks like Kenneth Oppel did in This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Because before there was a monster, there was a quirky, snarky, punk of a teenager ready to solve the biggest mysteries!Victor is always just a step behind his twin brother Konrad, even in realizing he has a crush on the distant cousin who was brought to live with their family after her father abandoned her. Except, of course, when it comes to getting in trouble. Victor is a professional at mischief and mayhem, much to his family's dismay. When the kids stumble across a hidden library full of alchemy books, Victor is the first to start snooping around... until their father catches them and forbids them to ever enter the Dark Library again. But when Konrad falls gravely ill and no medicine seems to be making a dent, Victor is willing to try anything to save his brother.Convinced alchemy is the only way, Victor finds a book that might contain the secret of the Elixir of Life. He tracks down the only alchemist known in the area only to find a man confined to a wheelchair who was forbidden to practice alchemy by Victor's own father. When Victor pleads for his brother's sake, the alchemist agrees to help them at least translate the code for the recipe. But as the code gets cracked and the ingredients are revealed, the alchemist is just as anxious to try the recipe himself. Being confined to the wheelchair, the kids must get the rare ingredients themselves, even if it risks their lives. But with Konrad's life hanging in the balance, no risk is too much for Victor.Here is the thing about Victor Frankenstein... he is kind of a wise guy. He is an arrogant teen boy who isn't afraid to plod head on into situations despite the possible consequences... actually, without much regard for the possible consequences at all. But he loves his brother. And he is fallible. I liked this fun prequel to the Frankenstein we all read about in high school. I think it was a great way to explain the man he eventually became. It really made me think about Frankenstein differently, which is the reason this would be a fun series to give a young adult who is reading the classic Shelley story. It might also encourage them to write a little fan fiction of their own about their favorite characters from books or movies they have enjoyed! Add to that the beauty in the lesson of different perspectives, and you have quite a fun lesson on your hands!This book is appropriate for any middle through young adult reader who likes to read about adventure, but it would mostly likely have the most impact on someone who has read Shelley's original. Therefore, an older student would probably get the most, but I wouldn't hold a kid back from this story if they hadn't read the original. In all honesty, other than the name, there isn't much keeping you from understanding this story without the original. It's a fun adventure filled with silly kids, emotions, and a mystery to be solved. You will most likely enjoy it just as much as I have, especially as Victor gets himself in and out of one tough spot to another!

My coming across this book was a bit of pure luck, browsing the shelves at Waterstones and seeking something with a boy on the cover, or at least a boy protagonist along the girls that seem to dominate the YA genre. So when the book I picked up (actually Suck Wicked Intent, which I hadn’t realised was book two at the time) offered not only a boy on the cover but the promise of a thrilling dark and gothic prequel to the story of Frankenstein, I was rather excited.Now let’s put it into context, I have never read much gothic horror, be it classical or modern, and my attempts at dipping my toes in the horror genre have never gotten me very far. I love the creepy, mysterious build ups but the endings always leave me disappointed, often bitterly so. I did, however, hope that a story set in a time period so very suited to the genre and mixing alchemy with the paranormal would be what I had been looking for.Instantly, Victor (main twin and POV of both books) was my favourite of the twins: Konrad just seemed too damn good and too damn reasonable whereas Victor already promised all the greyness I like to find in my protagonists. So when Konrad falls mysteriously ill after he, his brother, and their childhood friend Elisabeth discover the family’s hidden Dark Library which contains hundreds of tomes on alchemy, Victor isn’t willing to sit still and wait for the doctors to do something. Instead, helped by Elisabeth, for whom he is just about starting to develop feelings, and their friend Henry who has always been dragged into their ‘adventures’, he delves into the Dark Library–against his father’s wishes–to seek a cure for his brother. That’s how he finds himself in possession of the recipe for the Elixir of Life, the one thing that could save Konrad and restore his life once and for all.With the help of the alchemist Polidori who lives in disgrace in the nearby city, the three teenagers set off on a quest to find the different ingredients needed for the Elixir.I was glad I knew from the back of book two that Konrad was going to die (sorry for the spoiler!) because otherwise this book would have hit me where it hurt and I don’t know whether I would have found myself more upset or angry at it. Although I couldn’t quite get attached to Konrad (who I spent the latter half of the book when he wasn’t back to half dying wanting to smack around the head), I felt for Victor as he was forced, first by his father then by Konrad himself, to stop pursuing his dabbling in alchemy.But with how two out of the three ingredients in his possession, Victor decides he can’t possibly give up now and manages to shake both Henry and Elisabeth out of their refusal to help and the three of them return to the alchemist to finish up the Elixir.The end of the book left a bitter taste in my mouth and left me both very disappointed and unfulfilled. No reason is given as to why what happens happens, and not even in the second book do any of the characters question the why. It’s a little frustrating, and I do feel that Oppel could have done better with this. There would be have been many different ways to end book one that would have been by far more shocking and yet far more appropriate, leaving the mystery open instead of taking part of it away.Bar the ending, the book was fantastic. Victor is a flawed but believable character who, having just turned sixteen and possessed of passion. Having always come second best to Konrad, Victor feels that this is his time to shine, and where possible get the girl. But more than that, Victor craves the knowledge that comes to him, and with it the skill set that he is starting to acquire. Because Victor is good at alchemy, he seems almost intuitively skilled with it and for once he no longer feels as though he isn’t good enough. By his side is Henry, a friend from childhood who far prefers poetry to adventure but is steadfast in his loyalty to Victor and his brother. And there is Elisabeth, the pretty girl, distant cousin to the twins and the target or everyone’s attention. Now, having already read and finished book two, I can’t quite remember what I though of Elisabeth in this book. I think she was okay although I really wanted to smack the over-religiousness she displays later on in the story right out of her (but that, I guess, is just a question of preference).All in all, This Dark Endeavour was a really good book, well written with the perfect imagery for its genre and believable flawed characters. It’s just a pity the ending seemed to leave me wanting more of a resolution.

Bought this for my teenage son who was studying Frankenstein at school. He enjoyed it a lot.

THIS DARK ENDEAVOUR is simply a brilliant book. Oppel has undertaken the task of 'explaining' how Victor Frankenstein became the man he did; what drove him to try and play God and create a life by himself? From having read other reviews here on Amazon, I have learnt that Oppel is going to write another book after this, continuing the story of the young Victor, and I am so glad of this news. Although THIS DARK ENDEAVOUR is aimed at younger readers, adults will easily be caught up in the story too.The main drive of the plot follows Victor, Elizabeth and their friend Henry trying to find the ingredients they need for the elixir of life, to save Victor's twin, Konrad. But there is also the sub plot which examines the love that the twins share for Elizabeth, their distant cousin. All of the characters are well developed, each adding something to the plot. Oppel has also done a great job at creating tension and atmosphere - with the addition of the Dark Library, the subject of alchemy and the torments of the heart and soul, Oppel's book is satisfyingly Gothic.All in all, this is a great read. I loved it. Although this installment ends in a way which provides some resolution, there is also a very natural link to the next part of Victor's story. On the inside flap, there is a tag line which says something like, from the purest intentions, the darkest obsessions can be born. This brilliantly sums up the premise of this book.Highly recommended.

A truly wonderful book with a really entertaining story. I love this gothic, horror style. One of my favourite novels.

It was good, I like the book, I liked the book because it was very interesting, plus it was also kinda different from the ones my school mates have