Review: THis Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

 

 

PUBLISHER
SIMON & SCHUSTER 

 

3 Book Series

 

I love YA books with male leads! It is such a different feeling seeing the world through the male perspective . I snapped this book up immediately when I read the synopsis. In Dark Endeavor we meet a young Victor Frankenstein. Victor lives a life of comfort and intellectual stimulation along with his twin Konrad and their sister in spirit, if not blood Elizabeth. The three are inseparable. They spend the majority of their time in the family chateau exploring artistic and literary pursuits along with philosophical teachings at the knee of their father.

 

Their idyllic life is disturbed when Konrad becomes suddenly and deathly ill. Victor decides to explore his family's secret Biblioteka Obscura and find the ingredients for the Elixir of Life. As Victor draws in Elizabeth and his best friend Henry into his dangerous quest, we see glimpses of the maniacal zeal and hubris that will lead Victor down a dark path filled with loss and sacrifice.

 

I loved everything about this book! Kenneth creates an all absorbing atmosphere in this read that places you firmly into the mind and heats of the characters.

 

Though identical, the twins differ in many ways. Konrad has a peaceful demeanor , yet he has a wealth of experience in matters of the heart which stuns Victor, especially when he discovers the object of Konrad's affections.

 

Victor is fire and passion held in a falsely placid demeanor. what begins as a quest to heal Konrad opens up darker passions in Victors heart, and puts him on the path to create a monster.

 

This book deftly balances action and romance and has some shocking twists and turns. I cant wait to read book 2!