THIS DARK ENDEAVOR by Kenneth Oppel-REVIEW

Victor Frankenstein wasn’t always the mad scientist we know him as today. Once he was simply a rebellious and rambunctious young man living a privileged life. It’s not until his identical twin, Konrad, becomes ill that his mind begins straying to thoughts of alchemy. Well, that and the fact that he, along with his brother and distant cousin Elizabeth, stumble upon a hidden library deep within their chateau. Not an ordinary library though, but one filled with books of recipes for magic potions and elixirs. 
 
When their father finds them in the Dark Library, he asks them to promise never to return because of the dangers of the information they might find. Alchemy is a foolish and dark endeavor and one that is illegal to perform. To Victor, the library is an interesting place filled with mysterious books and Konrad’s possible death provides Victor with the excuse to return. Enlisting the help of their best friend Henry and beautiful Elizabeth, Victor finds a recipe for something called the Elixir of Life and is willing to stop at nothing to find a way to concoct the potion. 

The journey is a dangerous one and filled with much adventure. Not only does Victor have to conquer his fears, but he must also fight his growing feelings for Elizabeth and increasing jealousy of Konrad. Will Victor be able to find a way to save Konrad or is it foolish for him to even try as his father says?

My heart goes out to Victor. Konrad is more charming, smarter, and the favorite of the staff. When he finds out that Elizabeth loves Konrad, too it is almost more than he can take. Will his feelings for Elizabeth get in the way of his desire to save Konrad?

THE DARK ENDEAVOR is an interesting take on the Frankenstein classic. Kenneth Oppel has answered our question, “What led Frankenstein to his fascination with creating life where there is none?”  The sequel, SUCH WICKED INTENT comes out August 2012.

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly - REVIEW

It is the summer of 1899 and Calpurnia Tate(Callie) is 11 years old. Callie befriends her cantankerous grandfather whom for years has been a mystery to her. Being raised with 6 brothers Callie is very disturbed at her mother’s attempts to make a lady out of her.

Callie spends her days with her grandfather exploring nature. On one of their excursions they find a possible new form of plant. They spend the summer anxiously waiting to hear if it is what they think it is.

Throughout the summer Callie learns to love her grandfather. She learns about nature around her. And she learns that there are responsibilities that she herself has as a growing young woman.

I loved this sweet novel! It made me laugh and it made me cry. I loved the relationship that Calpurnia formed with her grandfather. I loved the transformation of Calpurnia as she came to discover things for herself and became her own person while struggling against the restraints of the time period.