Kenneth Oppel

The purest intentions can stir up the darkest obsessions. 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.

This Dark Endeavour

When his twin brother falls ill in the family's chateau in the independent republic of Geneva in the eighteenth century, sixteen-year-old  Victor Frankenstein embarks on a dangerous and uncertain quest to create the forbidden Elixir of Life described in an ancient text in the family's secret Biblioteka Obscura.

This dark endeavor

Cindy Lee

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The actual rating is 4.5 

When I first came upon this group, I knew I liked this bunch. Victor, especially. He was so reckless and headstrong, I liked him :) Victor, Konrad, Elizabeth and Henry hang out together. One day, they came upon the Dark Library. Victor, being the reckless teen he is, convinced everyone to look at these books. They were full of dark secrets and recipes (for potions, etc.).

Soon after they visited the Dark Library, Konrad fell gravely ill. The doctor couldn't heal him. Victor decided to visit the Dark Library even after his father forbade to go there again. He found the recipe for the Elixir of Life and then began his journey to find the ingredients.

I don't usually read these kind of books... I'm not that big of a fan of YA historical fiction. But this one I had to pick up simply because it's by Kenneth Oppel. I like that author's work; I've read his Silverwing series (when I was younger) and it's pretty good.

I feel like, in this book, I can take a break from all of the romances that other YA books seem to have. This one does too, but it doesn't take over a lot of the book. Most of this one was adventures and dark tales which I enjoyed a lot.

My favorite character in this book is Victor. I can feel his passion and his recklessness. He's seems like a normal teenage boy, wanting to show off for the girl that he likes. I don't know; I think I like Victor waaay more than the other characters. I feel like I can see different parts of him. His love for his sibling. His love for Elizabeth. And then his love/craving for adventure.

At the end of his journey, I can't say I was surprised much. I pretty much predicted how the Elixir/result/etc. will turn out. Nonetheless, this was a brilliant novel I think everyone should try.

Kristen Thomas

Jackie Cunningham

Kayleigh Septer

Laura Hurst

Elyse Peter

Caterina P.

Alice

baelgia

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Addison Degginger

Christian Huss

Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one. The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages, and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library again, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life. The elixir needs only three ingredients. But 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 Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

Brittney Wilson

Jennifer Merchant

Elaine Nguyen

Samantha T-E

Sevro B

2011 Governor General's Literary Awards Finalist - Children's Literature (Text) Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one. The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life. The elixir needs only three ingredients. But impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn. Victor knows he must not fail. Yet 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.

MJ Laird

Kaeli Wolf 

Susan Magana

Phil James

This Dark Endeavour

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