This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel Review

Title: This Dark Endeavor
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
Series: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, book one
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The bottom line: A teen prequel to the gothic classic Frankenstein, this amazing book had everything--fantasy, horror, a love triangle--but best of all, a flawed, relatable narrator in Victor. I loved it and can't wait for more!

Sixteen year old Victor Frankenstein's best friend is his twin, his other half. With Konrad, their cousin Elizabeth, and their friend Henry, young Victor lives a charmed live in his Gevena chateau--that is, until Konrad falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his brother, Victor begins to search for a cure--gambling heart and soul to save his beloved brother, and when both brothers start to have feelings for their lovely cousin, Victor struggles with his own feelings, as well as his humanity, and how far he is willing to go for those he loves.

What I enjoyed:
-The rich, romantic background of Geneva
-The narration in Victor, and how it grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go
-The character of Victor, the antihero of the novel who I found myself almost reluctantly rooting for
-Konrad, and his complex relationship with his twin
-Elizabeth, the lovely, fiery cousin the boys both fall for
-The love triangle was one of the best parts of the novel for me
-The quest throughout the novel that made it fly
-Victor's warm, loving family, despite him chafing against them at times
-The ending that promises a sequel!

What I didn't enjoy:
-There was nothing I didn't love about this wonderful, amazing reimagining of a classic!

Anyone looking for a narrator that's different, or just a good adventure, should grab This Dark Endeavor--it was absolutely amazing! Next on deck: The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima!

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