This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein [Hardcover]

Kenneth Oppel (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 23, 2011 | Series: Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Oppel has reinvented the gothic thriller for modern readers. The narrative crackles with tension, emotions run high, and the atmosphere is perfectly dark and brooding. The Shelleys would be proud. I definitely recommend you check out the book when it's published August 23. I anticipate This Dark Endeavor will get a lot of attention, and rightly so."--Rick Riordan

"Oppel’s novel is a gripping tale of undying devotion, mixing hope with foreboding."—The Horn Book in a STARRED review

“Oppel’s tale is melodramatic, exciting, disquieting…a delicious mix.”—Publisher’s Weekly in a STARRED review

"Brash, jealous, and arrogant, Victor is sweet relief from today’s introspective YA protagonists, and one can easily visualize how this teen becomes the mad genius of Shelley’s Frankenstein."--Booklist

"Oppel grapples with the human duality of animal and soul in ways that recall (but don’t repeat) Shelley’s similar thematic explorations as he revitalizes the classic horror tale for a new generation."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED review

“This Dark Endeavor may renew interest in Frankenstein, but it also stands alone as an original and welcome addition to the world of young-adult fiction.”—Kelley Armstrong, author of the Darkest Power series

"A dark and dramatic back story for Shelley’s tormented creator."--Kirkus Reviews

"Sharp readers will find allusions to Mary Shelley, her literary circle, and classic horror films; for those simply wanting a good story with plenty of action, this book will not disappoint."--School Library Journal

"The action and suspense begin on page one and let up very little in this excellent work of gothic science fiction."--VOYA

“Adventures do not come more thrilling, gorgeously written or absorbing than this.”

—The London Times

About the Author

Kenneth Oppel has published more than fifteen books for children. In 1995, he won the Air Canada Award for the best Canadian writer under the age of thirty. Formerly the Books for Young People Editor at Quill & Quire magazine, he now writes full time. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife and children.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (August 23, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781442403154
• ISBN-13: 978-1442403154
• ASIN: 1442403152
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kenneth Oppel is the author of numerous books for young readers. His award-winning Silverwing trilogy has sold over a million copies worldwide, and been adapted as an animated TV series and stage play. Airborn was winner of a Michael L Printz Honor Book Award, and the Canadian Governor General's Award for Children's Literature; its sequel, Skybreaker, was a New York Times bestseller and was named Children's Novel of the Year by the London Times. His most recent books are THIS DARK ENDEAVOR and SUCH WICKED INTENT, prequels to the gothic classic Frankenstein. Born on Vancouver Island, he has lived in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, England, Ireland, and now lives in Toronto with his wife and children.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling adventure July 6, 2011

By J. Prather TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

After turning the final page of This Dark Endeavor, I immediately wanted to go search out and re-read my battered copy of Frankenstein. If this book has the same effect on the young audience it targets, then it will indeed have served a noble purpose. While I wasn't immediately engaged by this story that seemed to take a bit too long to get rolling, it wasn't long before my imagination was totally taken in by the fine writing, the depth of characterizations and the thrilling adventure.

The author does an amazing job at achieving balance in a story that is at times gruesome and haunting, and sometimes just hold your breath, edge of your seat thrilling. Victor's narrative voice is strong and true, and the dialogue is masterfully done. Obsession lies at the root of this story and here we get an intriguing look at the genesis of one of the most famous obsessions in literature. Teens will be captivated by Victor's quest for the elixir of life and will willingly follow him anywhere in his attempt to save his brother. They will relate to Victor's love/hate relationship with his twin brother, and his jealousy over the beautiful Elizabeth.

Heart wrenching emotion, villainy, alchemy, and love all combine much as they did in Shelley's masterpiece to form a story that is a worthy prequel to a classic. This will appeal to young adults with a thirst for adventure, especially boys who will be quick to place themselves in Victor's shoes. Elizabeth is a strong character who will also broaden the appeal to young girls who enjoy period fiction. Give this one to fans of Yancey's The Monstrumologist. While it does not provide the monsters, it does provide a literary examination of the dark side of human nature perfect for those with a thirst to examine their own obsessions. Recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Action, Suspense, Love, Adventure, Jealously... this book has it all! August 24, 2011

By Mundie Moms/Mundie Kids

Format:Hardcover

Action, suspense, brotherly love, romance, adventure, jealousy, desire, and betrayal are just a few of the things that make This Dark Endeavor feel like you're reading a beloved classic. With it's perfectly paced story line and well developed, believable in-depth characters, this story about young Victor Frankenstein is both engaging and intriguing.

I was hooked form the moment I started reading this book. Everything about it captured and held my attention. I really felt drawn to Victor, Elizabeth and Victor's brother Konrad. They're closeness, and imaginative adventures had me wishing I was there to accompany around their Chateau Frankenstein in the beautiful outskirts of Geneva. There's a rich history both with the family Chateau and the surrounding area that I devoured. I also really liked the Frankenstein family. Victor's parents are high class, outstanding citizens who are also quite liberal and well educated for their time. I should say it was uncommon for a women to be liberal, have a voice and be as well educated as his mother is. That intelligence is passed on to Victor.

What starts out as a quest to save his brother leads Victor down an enticing, darker road that many of taken and few have walked away from unscathed. It was so easy for me to sympathize with Victor's motives for doing what he does. He's a very passionate character, who will do anything to save his beloved brother from dying of a mysterious illness. One of the things I loved about the brothers is their bond and the way they balance each other. Konrad is the laid back, easy going brother who's slow to temper, unlike Victor. Victor is a complex character who's head strong, stubborn and very competitive. One of my favorite characters is their distant cousin Elizabeth, who of course not only has the eye of both brothers, but she's well educated, loves an adventure and can be just as hot tempered as Victor. She's also a very strong heroine.

I wish I could talk about the plot with out giving away spoilers. I love the way the story is written. It's flawless, and well paced which made for a story I read in one sitting. Kenneth does a great job with how he writes a couple of his scenes, which could have easily become a little bit more gruesome had they been written differently. These scenes flowed effortlessly into the story's over all plot and were written into the story for a reason. One of the other things I really like about the story is that each scene has a purpose in the over all telling of Victor's story. It was really refreshing for me to read a book that didn't just feel well written, it felt complete.

Kenneth Oppel has done an amazing job at bringing to life what Victor Frankenstein's life was like as a teen. Staying true to the feel of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I felt Kenneth captured the feel of this 18th century story beautifully with his detailed setting, the feel of the book and the characters themselves. There's something about this era that's always intrigued me and This Dark Endeavor has definitely fueled my need for more. You don't need to be die hard fan of Frankenstein to pick this book up. I wasn't a huge fan of Frankenstein, but I really loved this book. It's a fantastic story that I recommend picking up. In fact, it's one I think teachers can use in conjunction with Frankenstein in their classrooms.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For an added treat, try the audio August 17, 2011

By E. E. Ellsworth

Format:Hardcover

Audio Review: From the very first chapter, I was absolutely hooked by Luke Daniels' narration.Though Konrad and Victor are identical twins, Daniels gave each of them a distinct voice that very clearly matched their personalities. Victor was hasty, loud, and often immature. Konrad was deliberate, gentle, but sometimes haughty. I was even impressed with his narration of Elizabeth and Victor's mother. A good narrator should add to the story, and I felt like listening to the audio brought me a little closer to the characters and allowed me to drink in the darkness of it.

My Review: Billed as a prequel to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," This Dark Endeavor is a deliciously gothic tale that adds a new dimension to Victor Frankenstein that a new generation of readers will devour.

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie Frankenstein. My father, a genetics professor, shows it to his classes at the beginning of each semester to demonstrate Hollywood's depiction of science. Because scientists are mad, obsessed individuals that replace science with God in their quest to understand the world and life. But, unlike the movie's depiction, "This Dark Endeavor" shows Victor as a frustrated teenager who abandons both religion and science in an effort to heal his brother, Konrad.

One of the many things I liked about this book was the exploration of Victor's family and their progressive views. Set in the heat of the French Revolution, Victor's father believes in treating his servants as equals, and is a well-respected leader in the community. Victor's mother is a feminist that believes that women should be equal to men. The glimpse into Victor's childhood and his rivalry between himself and his (barely) older brother Konrad turns Victor from a crazed scientist into a man searching for an answer and a way to bring back life.

Even though I greatly enjoyed the book, I did not like Victor. He was whiny, impulsive, and aggressive. In many ways he reminded me of Edward from Twilight. He's passionate, but his passion came off to me as just full-forced aggression on anyone who didn't do what he wanted. He harasses and bullies Elizabeth. He forces Henry to do his bidding, and often gets into heated arguments with Konrad and his father. Luckily, there was plenty of great plot to distract me from Victor's sometimes annoying nature.

This is a great read by itself, but I think it would be a great opportunity to introduce younger readers to a piece of classic literature. My advice? Read this book right at the end of summer, just when the evenings begin to get cold. It will add to the whole mood.