This Dark Endeavor

This Dark Endeavor
by Kenneth Oppel
The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, book one

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 discover secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies. Father forbids them from ever entering the room again, but when Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is drawn back to the Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Victor, along with his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and friend Henry, immediately set out to find a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help them create the formula.

Determined to save Konrad, the three friends scale the highest trees in Strumwald, dive into the deepest lakes, and even make an unthinkable sacrifice in their quest for the elixir’s ingredients. And as if their task was not complicated enough, a new realm of danger—that of illicit love—threatens to end the ordeal in tragedy. (description from Amazon.com)

I enjoyed this book. I've been wanting to read something by Kenneth Oppel for awhile and I'd heard great things about this book. The concept of Dr. Frankenstein before he becomes infamous, his journey to becoming "The Dr. Frankenstein"... genius.  This was fast paced and intriguing and I'm very much looking forward to book two. 

Alchemy, romance, dark secrets, and death.  This book has it all.  Oppel has a great, accessible writing style, too. You almost forget that you are reading historical fiction. There is no issue with archaic words or a feeling of things being "too foreign" for our culture.  I will definitely be trying some of his other books soon, too!

Full disclosure: Purchased book for my Nook