Synopses & Reviews
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. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;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. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;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 oneand#8217;s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.
Review
"Oppel's novel is a gripping tale of undying devotion, mixing hope with foreboding."--The Horn Book in a STARRED review
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"Oppel's tale is melodramatic, exciting, disquieting...a delicious mix."--Publisher's Weekly in a STARRED review
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"Brash, jealous, and arrogant, Victor is sweet relief from todayand#8217;s introspective YA protagonists, and one can easily visualize how this teen becomes the mad genius of Shelleyand#8217;s Frankenstein."--andlt;iandgt;Booklistandlt;/iandgt;
Review
and#8220;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 andlt;iandgt;This Dark Endeavorandlt;/iandgt; will get a lot of attention, and rightly so."--Rick Riordan
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"Oppel grapples with the human duality of animal and soul in ways that recall (but donand#8217;t repeat) Shelleyand#8217;s similar thematic explorations as he revitalizes the classic horror tale for a new generation."--andlt;iandgt;Bulletin of the Center for Children's Booksandlt;/iandgt;andlt;Bandgt;,andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;Bandgt;STARRED andlt;/Bandgt;review
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"A dark and dramatic back story for Shelley's tormented creator."--Kirkus Reviews
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"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."--andlt;iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/iandgt;
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"The action and suspense begin on page one and let up very little in this excellent work of gothic science fiction."--andlt;Iandgt;VOYAandlt;/Iandgt;
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and#8220;andlt;iandgt;This Dark Endeavor andlt;/iandgt;may renew interest in andlt;iandgt;Frankensteinandlt;/iandgt;, but it also stands alone as an original and welcome addition to the world of young-adult fiction.and#8221;and#8212;Kelley Armstrong, author of the Darkest Power series
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"Adventures do not come more thrilling, gorgeously written or absorbing than this."--London andlt;Iandgt;Timesandlt;/Iandgt;
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andlt;bandgt;A London Times Best Children's Book of 2011:andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;"Kenneth Oppel's This Dark Endeavour is a captivating Gothic novel.... Books this good are for life, not just Christmas."
Review
"This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel...is a brilliantly layered exploration of what made Victor Frankenstein the man he became....
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"Oppeland#8217;s novel is a gripping tale of undying devotion, mixing hope with foreboding."and#8212;andlt;iandgt;The Horn Bookandlt;/iandgt; in a andlt;bandgt;STARRED andlt;/bandgt;review
Review
and#8220;Oppeland#8217;s tale is melodramatic, exciting, disquietingand#8230;a delicious mix.and#8221;and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Publisherand#8217;s Weeklyandlt;/iandgt; in a andlt;bandgt;STARRED andlt;/bandgt;review
Review
"A dark and dramatic back story for Shelleyand#8217;s tormented creator."--andlt;iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"andlt;a href="http://books.telegraph.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9780857560124andamp;utm_source=tmgandamp;utm_medium=article_8914926andamp;utm_content=christmasandamp;utm_campaign=bookshop" jquery1322577905271="50"andgt;This Dark Endeavourandlt;/aandgt; by Kenneth Oppel...is a brilliantly layered exploration of what made Victor Frankenstein the man he became.... Victorand#8217;s struggle to pit fraternal love against his baser emotions, particularly his animal attraction to their cousin Elizabeth, who loves Konrad, gives a compelling psychological edge to this richly imagined Gothic thriller.--andlt;Iandgt;The Telegraphandlt;BRandgt; andlt;/Iandgt;
Synopsis
Growing up, twin brothers Victor and Konrad fill their lives with imaginary adventures...until the day they stumble upon The Dark Library, where they discover secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is drawn back to The Dark Library and uncovers an ancient formula, beginning a treacherous search for the ingredients to create the forbidden Elixir of Life. Their success depends on how far they are willing to push the boundaries of nature, science…and love.
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. andlt;iandgt;Airbornandlt;/iandgt; won a Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the Canadian Governor Generalandrsquo;s Literary Award for childrenandrsquo;s literature; its sequel, andlt;iandgt;Skybreakerandlt;/iandgt;, was a andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestseller and was named Childrenandrsquo;s Novel of the Year by the London andlt;iandgt;Timesandlt;/iandgt;. He is also the author of andlt;iandgt;Half Brotherandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;This Dark Endeavorandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Such Wicked Intentandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;The Boundless.andlt;/iandgt; Born on Canadaandrsquo;s Vancouver Island, he has lived in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada; in England and Ireland; and now resides in Toronto with his wife and children. Visit him at KennethOppel.ca.