Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 310pgs

The Story

When does obsession become madness? Tragedy has forced sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein to swear off alchemy forever. He burns the Dark Library. He vows he will never dabble in the dark sciences again—just as he vows he will no longer covet Elizabeth, his brother’s betrothed.

If only these things were not so tempting.

When he and Elizabeth discover a portal into the spirit world, they cannot resist. Together with Victor’s twin, Konrad, and their friend Henry, the four venture into a place of infinite possibilities where power and passion reign. But as they search for the knowledge to raise the dead, they unknowingly unlock a darkness from which they may never return.

The Review

In the next installment of Kenneth Oppel's Victor Frankenstein series, SUCH WICKED INTENT, is just as well-written as the first book of This Dark Endeavor which I loved immensely. Mostly because of Victor himself  (cause I really love him and his inner demons!). But for some reason I didn't quite find this second installment to be as satisfying as the first book nor was it a book that stayed necessarily on course of its original source of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but regardless of that, I still found it was was a very well-written book with a lot of unexpected twists and dark adventures in it that I think any Gothic fan will love and eat right up!

From the previous book, I absolutely loved Victor's character and everything he represents (even if he does frustrate you in everything he does and the dangerous actions he takes). And even in this book I loved the fact that the author still fueled his burning passion of science, schemes, manipulations and such because it's just . . . so Victor, you know? But in this sequel I felt really sorry for Victor because, one, he's dealing with the death of his twin brother, Conrad, will he blames himself for, and, two, he's still struggling with his romantic feelings for Elizabeth, his distant cousin and the girl who was set to be betrothed to his brother which has many complications of its own considering Elizabeth did love Conrad. Victor just has all these torments in him in this sequel and I wanted - so badly - for him to be happy for once in his life but it's hard to be considering his ultimate fate in Frankenstein but I still love him.

The only kicker for me in this book was Elizabeth. Now I haven't always loved Elizabeth because she a bit of an over-the-place kind of girl and she's always hard to read as a character (I just don't know whether to like, love, or loathe her really), but she is the main link to Victor's obsession and desire, which I cannot help but love. So while it is apart of the storyline - Elizabeth and Victor's relationship - and part of the reason why many conflicts come Victor's way, but Elizabeth is this very selfish young woman and I think she treated Victor horribly in this book by playing with his mind. I mean, Victor, of course, is not entirely innocent and Elizabeth has always refused him with his feelings for her as well, but still . . . I don't like girls playing with guys minds . . . it's unfair and it's no wonder why Victor was a madman at times - all because of her. Still, I loved Victor and his obsessive nature. It's part of the reason why I loved the classic of Frankenstein.

Overall, SUCH WICKED INTENT may not have entirely won my heart like the first book did but it definitely sets up a nice sequel and I'm really, really hoping there's another book in the works because I'm really, really missing my dear Victor and his scientific obsessions of creation.

The Rating

4/5 stars

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 298pgs

The Story

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 piques 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 Konrad's 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.

The Review

If you are familiar with Mary Shelley's masterpiece of Frankenstein, then you'll know this series and the events that follow it will lead to some sort of tragedy. So when I found out about this series and the fact that it followed a young Victor Frankenstein in his teenage years, I've been dying to read it not to mention been meaning to start the series a few years ago since I love Frankenstein, but in the end I just never got around to it. Until now that is. But now after reading the book, I can see what all the fuss is about and I became so addicted to it all!

Staying true to the original source of science, love, betrayal and the darkness that comes with all forbidden and out-of-this-world alchemical creations, THIS DARK ENDEAVOR writes itself up to become this fantastic Gothic tale by retelling a classic and telling a new one with the whole search Victor, his friend Henry and Victor's distant cousin Elizabeth go on for the Elixir of life in order to save Victor's twin brother from death. Just let me tell you this book was just so . . . fascinating and I certainly enjoyed every bittersweet moment of it.

I think out of everything what I loved about this book was Victor. I guess that comes from loving him already from Mary Shelley's classic book. So despite this Victor being not the easiest character to like or even love, but I still loved his angsty personality and seeing him as this part-innocent and part-dark teenager, and how it all began for him before the actual events of Frankenstein. In the book, I found, you can definitely see why and how he came to be this God-like scientist who takes risks despite their dangerous consequences. You could see how obsessed he had become which I secretly loved (because they were pretty dark obsessions)! I also came to love the other characters too - including Victor's friend, Henry, who was very charming and funny, and Victor's distant cousin, Elizabeth, who is quite a force to be reckoned with and I can understand why Victor was seeing something special about her.

Overall, THIS DARK ENDEAVOR was quite a surprising little read and any fan of Frankenstein or pretty much any fan of any other Gothic-like tale will be damned to miss out on this book right here! It was such an awesome read and I hope there are more books to come. Loved it!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars