–review by Kara, teen reviewer

Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

five-stars

This is the second book in the series. If you haven’t read the first book, This Dark Endeavor, stop reading this review and go find it to start the series.

This time Victor doesn’t just dabble in alchemy, he plunges into the occult. All for the sake of saving his brother, not from a mysterious illness but from death itself.

There’s something about these books that is riveting and horrifying. Most people know the story of Frankenstein and his monster, but this book makes you sympathize with Victor. You are both rooting for him to succeed in his endeavor to raise his brother from death but cringing because it brings him one step closer to the craze that makes him one of the most recognized literature characters ever.

The characters are pictures of real people. They have believable personalities and desires. They aren’t perfect, but their faults only make them more realistic. Their growth is great, the good and the bad. It was particularly enchanting to read about Victor’s growth. Every time he took a step in the right direction, he also took a step that drew him further into madness.

The book itself is a little different than most young adult. It takes place around the 18th century, so there are definitely some technological and social differences. While this could’ve put a wall between the story and the reader, making it hard to envision their lives, it doesn’t. Their wonder and amazement is fascinating to read about. But even though their time setting is completely different than what we’re used to, the issues that they are dealing with, hunger for power, mourning for a lost love one, and desperation are issues that permeate every age and era, creating a bridge from the past to the present. Combined with a magnetic plot, the book is captivating and hypnotic.

Overall, I really recommend it to everyone (even those who didn’t particularly like the first one because this one is better than the first). 5 stars. –Kara, teen reviewer

 


 

Read Kara’s review of the first book in the series:  This Dark Endeavor

Find the book in our library:  Such Wicked Intent