This Dark Endeavor - What Avon Thinks

Official Summary

Bravery, danger, and intense passion. How does obsession begin?

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.

Short and Sweet
This Dark Endeavor is a thrilling and gothic prequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. With a gorgeous storyline and relatable teen characters, Kenneth Oppel writes a novel that gives tribute to the 1800s classic and simultaneously emulates the unique flair of his earlier books.

So, what's Avon's take on the book?
I was excited to crack open This Dark Endeavor. I'd recently read Airborn, and was excited to return to Mr. Oppel's beautifully crafted settings. This Dark Endeavor certainly does not disappoint. Each of the characters is as well-sculpted as a Michelangelo, and wonderfully relatable as well. Victor Frankenstein, the main character, is a wealthy child growing up in the shadow of his twin brother. Throughout the novel, we see Victor glow green with envy every time his brother proves to be smarter, stronger, and faster than him. However, this element of Victor's personality does not overpower what is underneath. He is curious, naïve, and sometimes a bit stupid, as any sixteen-year-old boy would be. Most of all, he has a deep "passion" that is clearly obvious to the reader.



Konrad soon falls ill, and Victor hunts for the Elixir of Life in the hopes of curing his brother of a rare, deadly disease. He seeks the expertise of Polidori, a poor, greedy alchemist who can help him brew the potion. With the help of his friend Henry and his beautiful cousin Elizabeth, Victor goes on midnight excursions for rare plants, explores underground caverns, and sacrifices himself for the sake of his brother. Throughout it all, he has a strange motivation that keeps him fighting until the end. And as a reader, you start to wonder: does he want the Elixir of Life just so that his brother can survive? Or is there a deeper, more selfish motivation behind it? When Konrad dies, his quest for immortality becomes his life, and the prequel ties in nicely with the classic. He was rash throughout the book, but now, he is on the brink of madness. By the end of the novel, we can see the insane doctor he will one day turn into.

The one thing that I can't fully appreciate about the novel is the love triangle. It seems that the love "triangle" (more like the love 'v') is a common occurrence in YA literature, and authors seem to add it in just for the heck of it. Elizabeth is a well-rounded character. She's independent and reasonable; she bounces off of Victor and balances him out. However, the small sparks of romance between her and Victor seem to be added just for love triangle's sake, or to justify Victor's envy towards his brother (who is initially Elizabeth's lover). Their pre-Frankenstein romance does not develop the characters in any way. By the end of the book, it hardly seems to change their relationship, or tie in to the classic. Nevertheless, Elizabeth carries the plot forward, and it is clear that her existence has a deeper meaning.

Overall, the book is gorgeous. The setting is vivid, and the characters are multi-dimensional. Three cheers for Kenneth Oppel!

So, what did you think of the book? Am I right? Did I get everything completely wrong? Do I deserve to go to jail for this review? Tell me your thoughts!

Introduction to The Infinity

Here's the introduction to my e-book, The Infinity, which will be released in June:

So here it is: my first novel. Some time ago, I decided to write a book about a girl who was kidnapped by a group of time travelers who were running away from a madwoman who wanted to use their DNA to save the world.

It's crazy, I know.

But eventually my boring life blended into their story, and now I can barely remember my life before meeting them and getting to know them as the characters you will meet in this book. My life is tangled in theirs––it always was, I guess. And surprisingly, after writing about this group of crazy people, I learned a lot about myself. In fact, in very loose terms you could say that I found out who I really was.

I'm still kind of figuring things out––I can't tell you exactly what I'm figuring out. But if you really would like to know, I'll just tell you that I'm doing ok. Everything's ok.

When I got my book deal for this novel (the one that you're currently reading), they asked that I write it as though I was writing a young adult fiction novel.  And I did. And here it is. But when I wrote this introduction, they told me to cut it out. And I said no. The only way an author can directly connect to her readers is through the author's note. And I wasn't going to let them take that away from me.

Then they asked me that I at least modify the last line. And I said no.

You see, this is my story.

Well, this is more like our story.

And would you do me a favor, whoever you are, reading this book? Just keep one thing in mind for me:

I don't write fiction.

There's More to 'I' Than You Think

First person narrating is reader friendly. It makes you connect with the main-character, like you're his/her best friend. When used correctly, it's an excellent way of sucking your character into your book.

It has the potential of being a writer and a reader's best friend, but it also has a way of being a writer's downfall, as well as a reader's torture.

PROS

1. Make it unique, make it interesting, make it fast

When you're writing from a character's perspective, you often have an idea of what that character is like already floating around in your head. You can implement that personality into your writing easily. Fit in your main character's thoughts here and there, make that character interact with others in a unique and interesting way, and voila! you have a surefire way of snagging readers with your distinct and engrossing character.

2. Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number...(okay I'll just shut up now...)

When a book is written in first-person, I often finding myself wondering, 'Would I react to this scenario like the main character did?' I find myself connecting with the MC's actions and feelings, and thus I find myself more interested in that character, and therefore more interested in the book. The main character quickly becomes my personal BFF in the book-world she is guiding me through.

CONS

1. Why are you so stupid, Main Character?

Realize that the whole plot of your book is inside the main character's head. So anything that the main character doesn't experience in some way...well, you just can't include it.

So, what if this detail is important to the overall plot line but you can't include it because the main character wasn't there when it happened? What if all the other characters know something the main character doesn't and the reader HAS to know what the main character doesn't know but the main character is the narrator of the story so how does the reader find out that information?

I'm sorry. Really, I'm very very sorry. I cannot help you.

2. One viewpoint, one story. One direction. (just made a 1D reference right there...anyone? anyone?)

When writing from one viewpoint, you'd better be sure that it is a viewpoint that can take you through the WHOLE ENTIRE story without becoming boring. Which means your character better be interesting...AND consistent. If you have a bland POV, the reader will become aware of the fact that your character is not interesting, and therefore your book is not interesting. And as for consistency...if your character is moody and angry for one chapter and happy and joyful for another chapter for absolutely no reason, your reader gets disoriented and confused, and will thus let go of your book.

Happy writing!

See Veronica Roth's comment on first-person writing here.

I Can't...Right?

                                     
I think every novel writer goes through it. It's a time when you just can't write...you don't have nearly 2% as much inspiration and hope and excitement as you did before. You keep putting your writing off; you write less often; your writing quality goes down.

And that's okay. Give yourself a break.
But not forever.

When I was in this lull of writing, I had a conversation with a friend, who was reading my developing novel. And she didn't tell me how much she liked it, or even how to improve it. She told me what it was about. She explained to me the plot, the characters, the style of writing, what kind of book it was.

It wasn't like she was talking to me, the author of the book. It was like she was talking to someone who had never read the book before, let alone wrote it.

And she explained the book to me in a way I'd never thought of the book before. All of a sudden, it was a completely different book, it was a completely different manuscript, it was a completely different project. It wasn't my book, it was someone else's book. And now it was my opportunity to work on it.

And I was excited to start something new. You know why? I had a head start: what I'd already written.

(this pictures is by INeedChemicalX on DeviantArt)

Eyes

The night was mean and stormy.

Avon ran frantically. Her skirt caught in an outreached thorn, shredding the priceless fabric to frayed bits of nothing.

She cries out, softly, as she begins slipping, loosing her footing. Delicate shoes sliding down the mud bank, Avon reaches out around her for anything to stop her inevitable fall toward the raging rapids below her.

She begins falling down the hill faster and faster, the ground giving way to her reign of terror. Branches swipe her, leaves bat her, while the raging rain above pours pelting shards from it's storm, seeming to slice into her skin and prick her cuts open again.  Looking at the frothing river, hungry for blood, below, she began to accept her defeat. She almost gave in; she was about to look to death.

Suddenly, something catches her arms, reaching for the sky, her savior in her dark times. Avon, still looking down, realizes she has stopped moving abruptly. Something, something warm, was clinging to her arm as well.

Slowly, in an extremely suspicious manner, Avon turns to face her attacker. Her hand drifts for the knife in her holster, hidden from wary eyes.

She is met abruptly with dark brown eyes, staring into her soul. Even the slight smirk dancing on the lips seemed to aggravate her.

Who was this man to save her? She was perfectly fine. She would have caught herself if given another second. Look at him, acting so smug. He thinks he's her savior. She didn't need a savior. She was fine on her own!

"Are you just going to keep glaring at me, sweetie? Or do I get a thank you?" he says, almost laughing.

She glares at him for a second more, before he comes a step forward, hand outstretched towards her face. She flinches at first, wary of the approaching hand. His fingers, slender and gentle, caressed her cheek as he wiped blood off of a cut across her face. She, for a moment, almost accepted this behavior.

Wrenching her knife out of the holster, suddenly, she pinned the man to a tree, with the blade to his neck.

"Try it again. Try to touch me again. I dare you." she threatens.

He laughs.

She deepens the cut in his neck.

"Oh it's not so funny now, is it?" Avon taunts.

"Will you please let me go?" he says, pitifully.

"And why should I do that?"

"Perhaps because I have something you may want?" Smirking he raises the coin purse she had hidden in her dress earlier. Reaching to grab it, Avon loosened her grip on his neck. The man ran only a few feet away, waving the purse in the air, taunting her.

She growled and chased after him. Her eyes blazed bright beneath the stormy sky. The broken moon illuminated her face, casting ghostly shadows across her. The man stopped. Avon charged at him.

He laughed. Why does he keep laughing? What is so funny? Does he find my pain amusing?

Avon, approaching the man rapidly, charged him full speed, desperate to retrieve her coins: her only salvation for her new life. The life she might have, if this man would ever leave her be.

She launched herself at the man. Acting as a cat, with claws outstretched to shred her prey, she pounced on him. The man, taken aback at first, caught on. He sidestepped her attack. She, defeated, tumbled into the brush behind. Avon sat up, furious and stared at the man, merely a few steps away. He smirked at her once again. Really what is his problem?

Slowly, he approached her, his hand outstretched with the purse inside. She cautiously rose and took the offering. Avon opened the purse, checking inside for any missing coins.

She looked up at him.

"Why?"

"I've never seen a girl with such fire in her eyes. I've never experienced your caliber of vigorous determination. I just wanted to see what you'd do when provoked. I'm sorry." For the first time in their interaction, the man stared at the ground, ashamed.

Avon, though deeply confused and angered, attempted to sympathize with the man. She stepped towards him, grabbed one of his hands, and told him it was alright. The man smiled at her again.

For the first time, she smiled back, digging another knife into his throat. She had tackled him to the ground and was now sitting on his chest, pushing the blade ever further into his throat, once again.

"Tell me, why does this keep happening?" he asks.

"Simple. You're a fool."

"You're the one always putting yourself in the best pick-pocketing position." he smiles.

She rolls her eyes. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"My name is Ayren. I already told you what I want with you."

"I don't believe you."

"Then why'd you bother asking?"

"I don't trust you, but I need someone with charm and wit like you. Will you accompany me to my new life, perhaps for a sum?"

"I'd travel the world with you, just to see that blaze in your eyes."

He smiles.

She rolls her eyes.

Their adventure begins.


Deb K is a writer from the USA. She's a violin virtuoso, an environmental activist, a poignant actress, and a pretty wicked writer (as you can obviously tell). If you think's she's the most mind-blowing person you've ever met, I agree. 

"I won't grow up"

The thought of getting older (from a child's--well, my-- point of view):

When I was young I always imagined that when I reached the wonderful self-fulfilling age of eighteen, I would become an adult.
And yes, when I do reach that age, I will be an adult.
But I won't feel like one.

I have realized that the day I've always been waiting for will never come. The day when I can be as arrogant and obnoxious as I want and still get away with it. The day when I'll be sure about everything and will have complete control over my life and there will be no more insecurities and I will be the bravest person on the planet. The day when I'll wake up and say, 'Whoo-hoo! I'm a grown-up!'

Sometimes I feel like I am still five years old. Sure, I may be smarter and taller and uglier (*cough* somewhat partial sarcasm *cough*) than when I was five, but I don't feel that way.

Maybe it's because the changes happen so slowly that you don't notice them. It's not like one night your four-year-old self falls asleep while snuggling a stuffed bear and then wakes up, puts on a tie and a suit, and goes to work in a cubicle in downtown Manhattan.

Our bodies change and our minds change, but the super sub-conscious doesn't notice all the change going all around it because it's stuck in its little hobbit-hole. So by the time we're adults the super sub-conscious suddenly wakes up, takes a peek outside, and says, "What just happened here?!"

And it's sad and upset that it missed the train ride. And it's sad and upset that life is still boring and a bit scary and those insecurities are still there and there is still so little control and what did you say about being brave?

But that's okay, because there are a lot of people who missed the train, too.

The last thing I have to say? Peter Pan, you were wrong. You were so, so wrong.
Growing up? Pshah. There's no such thing.

"You fail only if you stop writing."

Ever know those wonderful days when inspiration strikes and you swear to God that you have a #1 New York Times bestseller ready to burst out of your head and become a novel? 

Yes, I have seen those days. And unfortunately, those days only last for about a week. 

There is no Secret to Success Instant Awesomeness that you can sprinkle over your laptop to finish writing your book. In fact, you could be the best writer on the planet, but never write a book. And unfortunately, quality over quantity does not work in this case. Because the more you say "I just need to make it perfect!", the more you lay off actually working on it, and the less likely you are to finish it. 

Quantity. Then quality. 

Recipe for Magical Book (please note: this recipe should be modified to fit one's needs)

Ingredients
8 cups of discipline
300 cups of coffee
3 cups of dedication
2 cups of concentration
1/2 cup of patience

Preparation
Pour or place all ingredients into an extremely large mixing bowl. Mix until the gosh-darn-it book is finally done.

The Imagination Part of the Brain

Ever heard the phrase, "Good things come to those who wait?"

Well, it's wrong. Don't wait. Write.

I have recently learned that imagination does not hit if you go through three days of your life ignoring that essay that's screaming at you from its place on your desk. When an essay needs more imagination, don't ignore it.

Write, write, write. It doesn't matter if you're going to cut it out sooner or later. Writing is the source of amazing stuff. When you write, you think. And maybe, just maybe, you'll think of something perfect to resolve that issue you had in your essay.

It works, I swear.