Book Review: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

Title: Such Wicked Intent

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Series/Novel: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 213

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Year Published: 2012

First Line: "The books flew open like startled birds trying to escape the flames."

"When his grieving father orders the destruction of the Dark Library, Victor retrieves a book in which he finds the promise of not just communicating with the dead, but entering their realm, and soon he, Elizabeth, and Henry are in the spirit world of Château Frankenstein creating a growing a body."

My Rating: 5/5

This book is the first one I've really taken the time to read while being in college, and I certainly do not regret it. This instalment in the Victor Frankstein's life was ridiculously good. It was entertaining as well as thrilling. I found it difficult to put this book down once I had the time to pick it up, and was shocked around every corner. I thought frequently back to what was happening in the book (surprisingly not that helpful in class), and fantasized about the characters. I thought frequently of the relationships that were growing between characters in the novel and how they would manage to overcome the impossible, by simply reading a book.

Books like this one simply do not go out of style or out of date. There is no technology that is semi current as there are in some current novels (for example reading about IMing now might make us giggle), rather this book creates a world of it's own. One prior to the world in which the Monster as we know comes alive. Rather it features one man's love for his brother and how love can make one do wild and crazy things.

The mixture of this with alchemy is astounding and truly magical. Or should I say clearly a science.

THANK YOU KENNETH OPPEL FOR EXPANDING MY IMAGINATION AND THRILLING ME AROUND EVERY CORNER!

Thank you for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

This book is truly astounding. Every aspect of it caught me off guard, I was frequently surprised, thrilled and consumed with emotion. I feared for the characters I loved, worried about those that I questioned and wondered about the impossible that was slowly but surely seeming more possible. The characters in this installant really rounded out so I could easily see who they were as humans, and the thrill that can be felt throughout the book was evident immediately. I think this novel blew me out of the water and was quite a page turner.

♥Characters:♥

♥Victor: Although throughout this book he seems a little off his rocker, Victor is a passionate fellow. He risks his life time and time again to save his brother. Is it alright that he's going after his brother's love? Not really but honestly Konrad is dead and if Elizabeth was interested in Victor there is no reason why they shouldn't be together. Slightly creepy, but I'm sure not unheard of. Victor does become obsessed with things easily. This is apparent even before the butterflies appear and offer their "assistance" in the matter. He can't seem to let go of his brother and allow him to rest in peace. Rather he needs him back as he feels he has failed to keep him alive, maybe even fearing that he murdered him. This is a possibility, but it's not like Konrad was getting any better to begin with. I believe that Victor does go mad before things get better, but at least he can say he has given his all for his brother. Pure devotion.

♥Elizabeth: How sad it must be to live in a world were the one you love no longer exists? Can you blame her for trying to get him back? I can not. I would do the same and fight anyone who got in my way. On the other hand the fact that she was possessed makes me question her actions towards Victor, did she really feel the need to kiss him or was that part of the butterfly act. At least we know that she is truly courageous and willing to do anything for those she loves. I do wish that she would give Victor or even Henry a chance in the future, but I would understand if she did not as how do you repair from such heartbreak at such a young and promising age.

♥Henry: He is becoming increasingly more bold and feriocious. I was impressed that he was able to act so brave after visiting the spirit world, and I'll admit that after realizing the butterflies were affecting the judgement and personality of the others, I assumed he was covered in them. Perhaps he has realized that he can not live his whole life waiting for something to change, rather he has to change himself. I do hope that he continues this behaviour, although I do not believe he will win Elizabeth's love it is still worth a shot. Also we should applaud that he went after the Pit Monster even though the thing could have likely killed him. Impressive my dear Henry, impressive indeed.

♥Konrad: Finally the sad truth. Konrad is dead. And he will remain dead. Through the hope and the struggle of building his body, I think he began to realize the one chance he had. After that chance left he resigned himself to his death. I knew that he would not take Victor's life, although I do wish he would have so that he and Elizabeth could have their happily ever after, perhaps it is best that things go back to how they were meant to be. At least me know that he was gathered in the mist and was able to leave that wretched house. Perhaps he found others or at the very least peace.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Final Line: "And I turned back to the storm and thought: Such astonishing power."

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel

Title: This Dark Endeavour

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Series/Novel: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 298

Publisher: HarperTrophyCanada

Year Published: 2011

First Line: “We found the monster on a rocky ledge high above the lake.”

“Sixteen-year-old 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. 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.”

My Rating: 4/5

This book has some familiar names from literature in it. You guessed it the Frankenstein’s. But not in the cliché silly way that some would picture these fictional characters. This Dark Endeavour really gets in touch with the characters. A reader can find themselves experiencing many emotions at one time. Those of excitement, nervousness, fear, exhilaration and repulsion are only a few.

All and all this book was enjoyable. At the beginning I found it hard to get into. I think that the use of old English made it slightly hard to take seriously in the beginning, but by the end it all just seemed to piece together so perfectly. I felt as though I stood beside the Frankenstein family through their time of need. Being able to see things from many points of view, although not all.

Kenneth Oppel did an incredible twist on a classic, a personal telling of everyone’s favourite horror story.

THANK YOU KENNTH OPPEL FOR GETTING PERSONAL!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel

I found that this book was an interesting Young Adult twist on a classic. Not even so much of a twist as a prequel and an answer to “why”. Kenneth Oppel expands on the world of Frankenstein. He appears to do so while respecting the original story, just adding his own flair where he feels there is need.

The author made me feel for the characters, all of them. All though some of the time I agreed with characters, I didn’t want to. Throughout the novel I found myself agreeing avidly with decisions I never would have in different context.

And how about that ending, the suddenness, the shock and the numbness that could be felt within the last chapter were all emotions that one might feel in the same situation.

♥Characters♥

♥Victor: I can’t say that I agree with all his decisions. He was easy to trust although so many others seemed to warn him against trusting so easily. Although I found myself rooting for him and Elizabeth more than I wanted to, I’m a sucker for a bad boy. Even though he had no right to claim his love for her and attempt to steal her, I can understand how he would want validation as a human. To be constantly compared to your twin would not be easy. I was impressed that he never turned against his brother though. So truly he was not evil. He never wished illness on his brother, and even when he was trying to steal his girl, he still fought to cure him. So I suppose that that is respectable and loyal.

♥Konrad: As it is pointed out time and time again. Konrad is seen as better, happier, more social and all together the smarter of the twins. Although when it comes down to it, he does not agree with Victor’s image of him as the golden child. He does his best to keep his temper, even when he finds out about the stolen kiss and other’s feelings for his beloved. He even tried his best to keep her safe. His death was truly unexpected, but in the end I suppose we are really reading about resurrection of the dead.

♥Elizabeth: She is strong woman, who holds tightly to her beliefs. I can respect that. She is clearly loyal and would do anything for the one she loves. She is even willing to risk her life. Which is more of a love than some can say they ever find. I do believe that she and Konrad would have made an excellent couple, but she does have a wildness about her that is not unlike Victor’s. He certainly was not wrong about that.

♥Henry: He is cowardly. He consistently stays behind and the one time he is heroic he has trouble continuing his bravery. I hope that this improves in the next novel, as there is no doubt that more bravery will be needed.

♥Polidori: What a fiend. It does not surprise me in the least, but I thought him to be a little better of a man. I though he may mentor Victor but instead he turns against them completely. I believe that he does know who they are though; I think he is just waiting for the right moment to strike. I also strongly believe that Krake is not a lynx but some hybrid he conducted in his laboratory, but that may just be my imagination getting away with me though.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 223

“From the stained-glass windows shafts of coloured light angled through the stillness of the church. My thoughts drifted.

Wine to blood. Lead to gold. Medicine dripped in my brother’s veins. The transmutation of matter.

Was it magic or science? Fantasy or truth?”

♥Final Line: “I promised that I would see my brother again- even if it meant unlocking every secret law of this earth, to bring him back.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo