Review: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

3.5 yummy peanut butter blossoms.

Cover Love:
I do love this cover, it's mysterious and it fits the tone of the book. Also, you just know that young Victor is a heartthrob even though you can't see him.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I love Kenneth Oppel's Airborn series. So, I want to read more and more of his books. This is his newest and I couldn't wait to get it read. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

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 piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not 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. With their friend Elizabeth, Henry and Victor immediately set out to find assistance from 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 Konrad's 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.

I Kept Reading Because:
To be honest I almost stopped. But, I kept seeing really good reviews by people (and other authors) that I respect so I decided to give it one more try. I was very glad I did.

Romance?: A little.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I started this book at a bad time of my life this fall. Issues were causing me to not be able to focus on any books I started. I picked this up and put it down several times during the last two months, but just didn't stay with it. About a week ago I decided to finish it before I allowed myself to start anything else. And I whipped through it.

Mr. Oppel has a knack for creating male characters that are very crush worthy. While Victor in now way reaches the levels of adoration I have for Matt Cruse from the Airborn books, he has found a place in my heart. Despite being a hot headed jerk most of the time. Maybe it is his passion that I love, or the fact that he would do almost anything for Konrad, but by the end of the book I was looking forward to the next book in Victor's saga. There was just something about him!

There was a lot of action in the book. Enough to keep reluctant male readers interested.

I really liked how we got a glimpse of modern medicine with the doctor who was sure he could find out what was wrong with Konrad by studying his blood. So we have that science basis and then we have Victor's obsession with alchemy (which is a mixture of science and magic--I always thought it was just turning lead into gold, but it really is so much more).

I am looking forward to book #2-Such Wicked Intent (the cover was just revealed last week!).

To Sum Up: Lots of action and a compelling main character make this a good read!

Book requested and received from Simon & Schuster. Thanks!