This Dark Endeavor Book Response

Book Title: This Dark Endeavor
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Year of Publication: 2010
Number of Pages: 300

I. Plot Summary-Victor and Konrad are twin brother and live in a huge house with a very wealthy family. Their friends Henry and Elizabeth stay with them often and are pretty much part of the family. One day they stumble upon a secret in their home that was hidden behind a book shelf. The stairs led to the Dark Library where their great grandfather practiced alchemy and made potions. Konrad falls deathly ill and all of the doctors in the world can not seem to help him. Victor and his friends seek help through the Dark Library and the help of a alchemist to create the Elixir of Life to save Konrad's life.
II. Literary Elements
A. Narrator-First Person. "Kill it! I roared" p.1
B. Protagonist-Victor, He is the brother of Konrad who fell deathly ill. He is strong, smart, and cunning but sometimes his temper can hold him back. He seeks out the Elixir of Life to save his brother no matter what." I made an icy promise to myself. I promised that I would see my brother again. Even if it meant unlocking every secret law of the Earth." p.300
C. Antagonist-His brothers Illness. Konrad's Illness makes him weak and gives him a fever. It leaves him teetering on the threshold of life. It never seems to go away. "We prayed to God on that boat to keep Konrad alive and well." p.275
D. Setting-" Chateau Frankenstein had been built by our ancestors more than three hundred years before, outside the village of Bellerive, not four miles from Geneva." p.12
E. Conflict-Victor and his friends battle the obstacles that get into the way of finding the ingredients for the Elixir of Life and Victor fights his feelings for Elizabeth who is Konrad's love. " We must continue on for Konrad. We can not sit back idle and wait for him to die." p.210
F. Theme- No matter what happens you must keep trying to save the one you love. It is all about how far you are willing to go to save the one you love and the boundaries your willing to cross to bring someone back. "I will save Konrad no matter the cost. This will be mine to do and nobody else.: p. 185
III.Reflection-I found this book to be very interesting and kept wanting to read more to see what would happen. I thought the way the people interacted with each other. The language on how they spoke with each other was very interesting. The ending of the book hits you like a brick wall and surprises you and I thought it was the perfect ending. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good story and likes to read about the love that people can share amongst each other.