Kenneth Oppel is the author of numerous books for young readers. His award-winning Silverwing trilogy has sold over a million copies worldwide and been adapted as an animated TV series and stage play. Airborn won a Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the Canadian Governor General's Literary Award for children's literature; its sequel, Skybreaker, was a New York Times bestseller and was named Children's Novel of the Year by the London Times. He is also the author of Half Brother, This Dark Endeavor, Such Wicked Intent, and The Boundless. Born on Canada's Vancouver Island, he has lived in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada; in England and Ireland; and now resides in Toronto with his wife and children. Visit him at KennethOppel.ca.
"Fans of Kenneth Oppel and "This Dark Endeavor" will seize upon
this tightly written, morbid tale in which the familiar adventurers
blossom into more complete, nuanced characters who fight to save
themselves from their own worst instincts."
* "Printz honor-winner Oppel skillfully portrays [Victor] as both a
troubled teen and the boy who would become Frankenstein. Addictions
and lustful encounters add another layer of sophistication to the
gothic melodrama. A standout sequel and engrossing ghost
story."--"Kirkus Reviews", starred review
"Everything readers love about Oppel is here: his fierce
intelligence; baroque but concise prose; developed, unsentimental
characters; and ability to keep his eye on the prize--in this case,
the stubborn, yet somehow still likable, character of Victor and
his slow road to becoming Mary Shelley's mad
scientist."--"Booklist"
"Kenneth Oppel creates a darkly Gothic world so unique it's not
bound by literary traditions.... Mr. Oppel is an expert storyteller
and an outstanding world builder."--"NY Journal of Books"
"Oppel's second book in "The Dark Endeavor Chronicles" is every bit
as thrilling and engaging as the first one.... Oppel's character
development is exceptional, and it is clear that he has done his
research. The book draws readers in from the beginning and
continues to create suspense as the characters go in and out of the
spirit world, where dark creatures lurk. Fans of both Oppel's first
book and Shelley's original work will not be
disappointed."--"VOYA"
"Vividly descriptive language and further development of complex
main characters keep the narrative intense and engaging.... The
improbable doesn't seem so impossible thanks to Oppel's impressive
storytelling ability."--"The Horn Book"
In this sequel to This Dark Endeavor, Oppel continues the story of young Victor Frankenstein, as he-along with friends Henry and Elizabeth-travels into a netherworld to find and rescue his twin brother, Konrad. But dark spirits look to circumvent this family reunion and cause further pain-and Victor must determine if he craves power more than love. Narrator Luke Daniels skillfully portrays Victor, capturing both his arrogance and naive moments of grandeur. In his rendition of Elizabeth, Daniels employs a higher pitch and evokes her strong convictions. Additionally, the narrator lends appropriate and unique voices to the book's other characters and provides solid and entertaining narration throughout, modulating tone, emphasis, and timing to ratchet up moments of drama. Ages 12-up. A Simon & Schuster hardcover. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Gr 9 Up-In Kenneth Oppel's sequel (2012) to This Dark Endeavor (2011, both S & S), brilliant, arrogant, and inquisitive 16-year-old Victor Frankenstein is desperately mourning the recent death of this twin brother, Konrad. Although he had sworn off the use of dark magic, when Victor discovers a text that convinces him he can bring Konrad back to life, he enlists the aid of Elizabeth, Konrad's heartbroken betrothed (whom Victor covets for himself), and their best friend, Henry, to help him enter the spirit world. Together they construct and grow a mud body into which they plan to release Konrad's spirit. Creepy at times (with butterflies which attach like leeches, bringing the teenagers their hearts' desires while stealing their life forces for an evil purpose), this gothic horror story will keep listeners enthralled. While the men's voices are compellingly narrated by Luke Daniels, the female voices are lacking. Elizabeth, a spirited character with a mind of her own, generally sounds subdued, often speaking in a whisper. Victor's voice is a delight: abrasive, supremely self-confident, and yet likeable. Gentle music is played at the beginning and end of each disc. A must-have where A Dark Endeavor or Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are popular.-Julie Paladino, East Chapel Hill High School, NC (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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