A worthy successor to Mary Shelley, Oppel has flawlessly recreated her style, her themes, her strong characters, even the mood of the original work. Yet he has also added the element of first love. 
 The characters were what initially drew me in. Victor is a strong narrator, a compelling character, and he is supported by a cast of unique personalities with their own motivations. The interplay between Victor and his twin is bittersweet and heartbreaking. The adventure is non-stop with no shortage of suspenseful action sequences. Teen boy readers will love the fighting and the magic. Girls will love the unrequited love. 
 Truly an exceptional book in its genre. Recommended for teens and adults alike.