This Dark Endeavor

The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, Book 1

By: Kenneth Oppel

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

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 peaks 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 Konrads 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.

©2011 Kenenth Opel (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Not enough for me

It wasn't dark and thrilling enough for me - it seemed more like a Harry Potter adventure than a horror story.
The flavor of it was just not right in my opinion

This Dark Disappointment

Most people know my obsession with Frankenstein so I wanted to give This Dark Endeavour a go; since the author Kenneth Oppel calls this a prequel. Victor’s brother, Konrad, has fallen ill and no doctor has been able to cure him. Victor’s determination to save his brother has turned to alchemy to find the forbidden Elixir of Life and save his twin brother. With the help of his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and best friend Henry, Victor pushes the boundaries of nature and science in a treacherous search for the ingredients to help Konrad.

This is book one in The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series which I believe is being made into a trilogy. My first thoughts were that a YA novel about Victor Frankenstein was never going to work, but then after a bit of a look at the book I decided to give it a go anyway. I thought maybe if his research of Frankenstein is in-depth enough and he keeps to the dark and gothic elements of the original classic it might work. I really should have stuck to my first thoughts because from the very start I hated this book.

First of all this book follows the same old paranormal young adult formula which means not so much dark and gothic elements but lots and lots to do with a love triangle. I really hate love triangles in books and this novel felt like the entire plot was centred around the love triangle. Sure, they search for the Elixir of Life but there was more to do with Victor’s feelings toward Elizabeth than the actual alchemy.

Personally I wish I never read this book, it really did nothing for the Frankenstein story and love triangles are always annoying. There is a small steampunk element in this book but that felt like the author was jumping on the bandwagon to help market this book to the readers that want Steampunk, Paranormal, Love Triangle filled Young Adult romance. If you want gothic and dark YA like I do, then this book is not for you. But if you like the idea of a romance with paranormal elements in it, then maybe give this book a go.

Good narration, weak story

What would have made This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein better?

The premiss of the book is a great one. What lead a young Victor Frankenstein to become what he ended up becoming? As a fan of the original Frankenstein, I was excited to find this book on Audible, and on sale to boot. I quickly discovered the reason whycit was only $5. While the narrator does an outstanding job, all he can do is read the words in front of him. It might of been a better story if the narrator had just made it up as he went along.
The whole time I was reading This Dark Endeavor, I was thinking to myself, "Did a high schooler write this?" No offense to those of you that are in high school. In fact, I encourage you to try your hand at writing a young Dr. Frankenstein tale of your own. I tihnk you would be pleased to see that it turns out to be better than this book.

What character would you cut from This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein?

I would cut all of them. It's as if the author never read Frankenstein at all. He seems to have no grasp on who the characters are or how they would act.

Any additional comments?

Five bucks was way too much.

This Dark Endeavor

Terrible spinoff of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
It was cheesy and didn’t go along with the original.
I personally hated it.