Review: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

The Story (from Goodreads):

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.
They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.
Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

My Thoughts:

Firstly, I'd like to thank Cathy from Abnormally Paranormal Reviews for bringing this book to my attention. Without her, I would never have known about this book nor would have I bothered to read it as I'm not big into horror. Click HERE to read Cathy's awesome review.
      I don't know what to say about This Dark Endeavor. I was never a big fan of Frankenstein but the idea of reading about Victor's journey to becoming such a literary monster intrigued me. I expected to read about an unlikeable boy who was bad to the core. Instead, what I got was a heart wrenchingly realistic portrayal of the many small deeds and motivations that would lead a normal person into committing a terrible act.
      This Dark Endeavor is first and foremost an adventure. It follows Victor and his friends on a journey to discovering the elixir of life. Along the way, we learn about the fierceness of Victor's devotion to his brother Konrad, his unflinching though not wholly unexpected love for his distant cousin Elizabeth and the beginning of his obsession with alchemy.
      Maybe I have a little (lot!) of darkness in me too because I identified so much with Victor. There are a million little thoughts and ways in which you could see his darker side starting to appear but in all honesty, I would have thought and acted in the same way. You can see that throughout his life so far, Victor has felt that he is not as highly regarded as his brother Konrad. So when Konrad comes down with a mysterious disease, Victor is motivated not only by love for his brother, but also by an ambition to be a hero. To be the one who saves the day.  Totally understandably in my opinion.
      I can't speak highly enough of the characters in this book. I loved them all, good and bad. I especially loved Elizabeth who is so worthy of the admiration that she receives from Victor. Though their romance is doomed from the beginning, I couldn't help but hope for some kind of dramatic author's license to give them a happily ever after.
      I can totally recommend this book to any reader, even if you haven't read Frankenstein.

The Rating:

9/10