Monday, August 22, 2011

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth OppelVictor Frankenstein, his brother Konrad, their distant cousin Elizabeth are in the library one day when they discover a secret passage. Surprised that they hadn't found it before, they go down the passage to find a secret library, filled with books about ancient medicine and alchemy. When Konrad falls deathly ill, Victor returns to the "Dark Library" and finds the instructions to prepare the Elixir of Life - supposedly the only one that really works. With the help of Elizabeth, their friend Henry, and an old alchemist, Polidori, they set about collecting the ingredients for the Elixir. Surviving the dangers of creating the Elixir, they then fight for the Elixir with Polidori, who wants it as his own. Narrowly escaping Polidori (and his lynx Krane) they return home to give Konrad the Elixir, and his health returns. But soon after, they discover the Elixir does not work - when Konrad dies. Crazed, Victor vows that he will someday raise his brother from the grave...

This book was exciting at every turn, as well as dark and mysterious throughout. It is a very interesting prequel to the classic story Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I think that it is a very accurate portrayal of Frankenstein's childhood, the author captured his character quite well. The book is also quite realistic, almost as though it actually happened. There was only one thing I didn't like, though I can't explain it well, it was sort of like the levels of a video game, if you understand what I mean. There's an objective, they have to go through the challenges, complete the task, and then they go through another "level". It's not too bad though, and i really liked the book despite that.

Quite gory toward the end, examples: fingers being chopped of with a chisel and hammer, then being flayed and cut up. And cutting open a lynx's stomach with guts spilling out. I thought it was cool, but it might be a little over-the-top for others.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Santa Fe, TX USA

Victor Frankenstein, his brother Konrad, and their distant cousin Elizabeth are in the library one day when they discover a secret passage. Surprised that they hadn't found it before, they go down the passage to find a secret library, filled with books about ancient medicine and alchemy. When Konrad falls deathly ill, Victor returns to the "Dark Library" and finds the instructions to prepare the Elixir of Life - supposedly the only one that really works. With the help of Elizabeth, their friend Henry, and an old alchemist, Polidori, they set about collecting the ingredients for the Elixir. Surviving the dangers of creating the Elixir, they then fight for the Elixir with Polidori, who wants it as his own. Narrowly escaping Polidori (and his lynx Krane) they return home to give Konrad the Elixir, and his health returns. But soon after, they discover the Elixir does not work - when Konrad dies. Crazed, Victor vows that he will someday raise his brother from the grave...

This book was exciting at every turn, as well as dark and mysterious throughout. It is a very interesting prequel to the classic story Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.  I think that it is a very accurate portrayal of Frankenstein's childhood, the author captured his character quite well. The book is also quite realistic, almost as though it actually happened. There was only one thing I didn't like, though I can't explain it well, it was sort of like the levels of a video game, if you understand what I mean. There's an objective, they have to go through the challenges, complete the task, and then they go through another "level". It's not too bad though, and I really liked the book despite that.

Quite gory toward the end, examples: fingers being chopped of with a chisel and hammer, then being flayed and cut up. And cutting open a lynx's stomach with guts spilling out. I thought it was cool, but it might be a little over-the-top for others.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Santa Fe, TX USA