Review: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

NOTE: This book is a sequel to This Dark Endeavor. Therefore, it will contain spoilers for the first book in the series. You’ve been warned!

Summary:  When does obsession become madness? Tragedy has forced sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein to swear off alchemy forever. He burns the Dark Library. He vows he will never dabble in the dark sciences again—just as he vows he will no longer covet Elizabeth, his brother’s betrothed.

If only these things were not so tempting.

When he and Elizabeth discover a portal into the spirit world, they cannot resist. Together with Victor’s twin, Konrad, and their friend Henry, the four venture into a place of infinite possibilities where power and passion reign. But as they search for the knowledge to raise the dead, they unknowingly unlock a darkness from which they may never return.

(Source: Goodreads)

Review: I don’t always read horror fiction, but when I do, it’s based on classic novels and written by Kenneth Oppel.

Will Victor Frankenstein ever learn? Well, we already know the answer to that question is “no,” so it’s a credit to Oppel’s storytelling skills that we still find his adventures as a young man so compelling. After Victor discovers that one of his ancestors found a way to visit “the other side,” Victor starts plotting a way to bring his dead twin back to life.

As usual…things don’t go according to plan. General weirdness ensures, like finding clues in a painting Arnolfini Wedding-style, strange undead butterflies, making mudpeople, and discovering an ancient tomb right under the Frankenstein Chateau. Sometimes I would wonder “Where is Oppel going with this?” but the last half of  the book comes together with the kind of horrifying twists that literally made me go, “Oh no!”

As in the previous books, Victor’s not an especially likeable main character, yet there is still some altruism in him. What “romance” there is still ties directly into the creepy, unsettling tone of the book. It did annoy me that all the young men pursued Elizabeth, but that’s just the way things go.

Victor’s jealousy and selfishness in particular were frustrating to read about, but they’re necessary. There is a line spoken by Elizabeth where she declares that she never quite knows which forces motivate Victor’s actions. This is an integral part of Victor’s character that is so important to who he will later become. Speaking of which, overall this novel seemed to have more in common with Shelley’s original novel. Victor’s frequent use of the phrase “the creature” certainly brings back memories of the way he will regard his eventual monstrous creation.

In short: Oppel doesn’t disappoint in his second super-creepy installment about the world of young Victor Frankenstein.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Cover & Title: The title works, but I kept waiting for a character to say it in the book. Not a fan of the “photo shoot” cover picture, but I will say Victor’s black armband to mourn his brother is a good touch.

Where I got the book: Shelves of the local library.

Review: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

Summary: Victor Frankenstein is close to his twin Konrad, yet secretly envies his brother’s talents and good nature. When Konrad falls ill with a mysterious and dangerous sickness, Victor is willing to resort to ancient dark arts that his father has forbidden him to explore. Along with his friends Elizabeth and Henry, Victor’s search for the Elixir of Life will cause him to encounter deadly creatures, gloomy forests and caverns, and personal sacrifice. Despite this, the most frightening things Victor discover may be within himself.

Review: I picked up this book in the first place for two reasons: 1) because the author’s Airborn Trilogy are among my favorite books of all time (and will finally be a movie after all these years) and 2) because I read the original Frankenstein for class this semester and found it fascinating.

This Dark Endeavor is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Mr. Oppel’s previous books. It has a lot of suspenseful adventure along with great character exploration. While the scrapes that Victor and company get into are certainly hair-raising, it’s getting inside Victor’s head that is really what makes this book good (and disturbing). He’s not what you would call a very likeable narrator, but this is totally consistent with his personality in the Mary Shelley novel. Victor swings between jealousy towards Konrad and guilt over these feelings. He’s rather self-centered, and can’t resist the allure of the forbidden fruit of dark science. In Frankenstein, Victor has a curious lack of empathy and as well as a detachment from his emotions. I thought it was very interesting that throughout the novel, it seemed like Victor took cues from Konrad on how to feel about various things – even when it came to being in love.

Speaking of which, while Matt and Kate have a charming (if slightly rocky) romance in the Airborn books, Victor’s relationship with Elizabeth was…weirder. It’s kind of animalistic and even squicky, but this definitely fits with the eerie tone of the book. It’s different from their relationship in Frankenstein, in which Elizabeth is devoted and Victor aloof, but Oppel’s allowed to take some liberties. After all, Victor never mentioned having a twin brother…

Although I couldn’t put the book down, it really did creep me out. It’s the sort of thing you read with all the lights on. In fact, I even skimmed a few pages for the sake of wanting to be able to get to sleep that night. Especially towards the end, the story takes a turn straight to disturbing and depressing. Again, this is in line with the Gothic horror and tragedy of the 1818 novel.

In short: It looks like this will be a home run for Oppel, as there’s a sequel and a movie on the way. While it’s not something I’d be jumping up and down to read again anytime soon, This Dark Endeavor is definitely a well-thought-out and gripping novel. Before reading it, I’d recommend first picking up Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and also make sure you’re in the mood for such a scary adventure.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Something similar: The Hollow Kingdom by Claire B. Dunkle is another slightly chilling read with some unconventional romance. It’s set around the same time period as This Dark Endeavor, but involves more fantasy elements as well as a lot more humor. I also enjoyed the creepiness of the original Phantom of the Opera novel by Gaston Leroux.

Cover & Title: I love the title. It feels old-fashioned and suits the mood of the book. It’s also in a line of dialogue spoken by a character in the book. The keyhole design on the cover really grabs the eye.

Where I got the book: Shelves of the local library.