by Kennth Oppel
Book Type: YA, Fiction, Horror
Summary: 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.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: I decided to read "Frankenstein" after finishing this series because I was curious about the similarities and differences between the characters and story. In this book Victor has a twin brother. The perfect, strong, intelligent, talented brother... who is also dying. Victor can't imagine life without his twin so he goes on a treacherous journey to find a way to save his brother from certain death. They discover a book on alchemy and a once brilliant alchemist to help them translate and understand what needs to be done. They go on one journey after the next to procure the ingredients for the Elixir of Life they intend to make. Victor is desperate and determined in this book, much like he is in the original tale of "Frankenstein". The story is dark and mysterious, the adventures undertaken are exciting and dramatic, the alchemy used to procure the ingredients are fascinating, and the characters are well developed and intriguing. Overall I thought it was a very fun story.
by Kennth Oppel
Book Type: YA, Fiction, Horror
Summary: 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 and growing a body.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: Konrad is dead. After everything they went through in "This Dark Endeavor" he still died. He has moved on to the afterlife and Victor can't let him go. He is desperate to bring his brother back. They find an elixir that allows them to walk in the afterlife for a time, giving them the opportunity to interact with Konrad and unwittingly aid an evil entity return to power. This story deals with temptation for power and knowledge, the desire to play God, addiction, passion, and coming to grips with loss. The characters must pay the price for the ambition and jealousy that drives them. Will they learn from their foolishness before it's too late? It is very stressful to follow along with Victor and his friends as they struggle with these different emotions and desires. There were many times I shouted out "NO" because I just wanted them to stop. Stop being so crazy! Stop letting this dark dreary world take over your mind and SOUL. AH. Ahem... This book is slightly creepy. It's distressing to follow these characters, possessed by their desires and completely unable to see the reality of their circumstances. They don't realize how they are harming themselves and those around them. The characterization of Victor in this book is the perfect lead in to the deranged madman we follow along in "Frankenstein".
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