Wednesday 4 January 2012

This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel (Young Adult)


6th October 2011, David Fickling Books
384 Pages, Hardback
Review copy , Teenage
Content: Violence(medium graphic), Romance(unrequited), Suspense(frequent)

Summary from David Fickling Books


In this prequel to Mary Shelley's gothic classic, Frankenstein, 16-year-old Victor Frankenstein begins a dark journey that will change his life forever. Victor's twin, Konrad, has fallen ill, and no doctor is able to cure him. Unwilling to give up on his brother, Victor enlists his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and best friend Henry on a treacherous search for the ingredients to create the forbidden Elixir of Life. Impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn.

Victor knows he must not fail. But his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science, and love – and how much he is willing to sacrifice.


The Mole's Review

I really wasn't sure what to make of this book... It says it's a teenager's book but it felt like a book for younger readers except that the approach to the subject matter didn't suit  younger children. I found it engaging and kept reading although I didn't find it that enjoyable - something I found intriguing in a way.

The story is all about alchemy, science and death.... a little on the darkside and while there is love and romance it lacks a feel good ending.

There will be many readers who will enjoy this story for what it is - a prequel to Frankenstein - and it does that very well as that is another story that lacks a feel good end.

Suggested Reading

The Monstrumologist: Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey another dark read...



1 comment:

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

Hmm - interesting idea. I've noticed there seem to be a lot more books out these days that are new takes on old classics (both books and just traditional fairy tales) then there were ten years ago.