05/24/10
Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Posted In: Book Review
Jekel Loves Hyde
Release Date: May 3, 2010
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher
Interest: Author
Challenge: None
Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she’s tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.
To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.
(summary from Goodreads)
Fantaskey’s debut novel Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is one of my favorite books, so I’ve been dying to read more of her novels!
I love her innovative spins on familiar lore, Jekel Loves Hyde was no exception. I’ve never read the classic tale of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, but I’ve been exposed to so much of the story, I had no problem deciphering Fantaskey’s inspiration. And I don’t think that other readers will have a problem either.
Jill and Tristan were two very interesting characters, but I didn’t feel a deep connection to either one of them. The initial attraction that Jill felt for Tristan was believable enough, but I was never sure if it was really Tristan falling for Jill or his other side. I guess either way I could see him falling for her, but it seemed a little rushed for my taste. I guess I didn’t see the appeal of Jill, she was a little too timid, a little too perfect. She just didn’t have much personality, although by the end of the novel I did some some personal growth in her character which was refreshing!
There wasn’t as much of a love story in this novel. Not to say that there isn’t a love story…. there is, but it’s overshadowed by the suspense of Jill and Tristan’s race to find a cure. I didn’t see a lot of the plot twists that Beth threw out there, especially at the end! I love being caught off guard!
Beth Fantaskey is such a fantastic writer! I really wanted to like this just as much or more than I did Jessica’s Guide, but I’d still have to choose Jessica’s Guide as my favorite.
Overall Jekel Loves Hyde is an enthralling take on a classic tale!
Related posts:
- Blog Tour: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey & Contest
- Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
- Author Tales: Beth Fantaskey
- Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart
- Author Tales: Catherine Ryan Hyde
36 Comments
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great review! i've never read fantaskey's work, but i have a thing for modern takes on classics, so i'm going to have to read this one
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I agree with you about Jill's lack of personality. I loved Jessica's Guide and Jessica had so much personality that it kind of made Jill look like cardboard in comparison. I thought the suspense was what saved the book because I didn't care for the romance.
Great review! The book did make me interested in the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but I am glad that Fantaskey's next book is the sequel to Jessica's Guide.
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Really good review! ,I like the general concept of the story ,sounds interesting
I really want to read this and Jessica's guide!,seems like Beth's a great writer!
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This was my first book by this author and I thought it was pretty good (still haven't put my review up yet) I really want to read the Jessica's Guide one though I must make it my next purchase! (So many books so little money..lol)
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great review! i've never read fantaskey's work, but i have a thing for modern takes on classics, so i'm going to have to read this one
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I agree with you about Jill's lack of personality. I loved Jessica's Guide and Jessica had so much personality that it kind of made Jill look like cardboard in comparison. I thought the suspense was what saved the book because I didn't care for the romance.
Great review! The book did make me interested in the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but I am glad that Fantaskey's next book is the sequel to Jessica's Guide.
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Really good review! ,I like the general concept of the story ,sounds interesting
I really want to read this and Jessica's guide!,seems like Beth's a great writer!
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This was my first book by this author and I thought it was pretty good (still haven't put my review up yet) I really want to read the Jessica's Guide one though I must make it my next purchase! (So many books so little money..lol)
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I am so excited to get the opportunity to read this book I just LOVE Beth, and this one sounds awesome!
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I am so excited to get the opportunity to read this book I just LOVE Beth, and this one sounds awesome!
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I loved Jessica's Guide. I really want to give this one a read too. Thanks for the review!
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I agree. I enjoyed this book a lot as well, but not as much as Jessica's Guide. I enjoyed Tristan and Jill's characters, but there was not nearly as much chemistry between them as there was between Jessica and Lucius.
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Great review! The book seems really, really interesting. I hope to see it in a library, because I would like to read it. Thanks for the review!
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I loved Jessica's Guide. I really want to give this one a read too. Thanks for the review!
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Loved your review. I haven't read any of her books yet, but am dying to read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I'm also quite interested in modern takes on classic stories, so will definitely add this to my list of books to read.
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I agree. I enjoyed this book a lot as well, but not as much as Jessica's Guide. I enjoyed Tristan and Jill's characters, but there was not nearly as much chemistry between them as there was between Jessica and Lucius.
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Great review! The book seems really, really interesting. I hope to see it in a library, because I would like to read it. Thanks for the review!
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Loved your review. I haven't read any of her books yet, but am dying to read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I'm also quite interested in modern takes on classic stories, so will definitely add this to my list of books to read.
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What a great twist on an old tale! I'd definitely read it. Also, I like the idea of the geeky chemist girl. Not enough MC's like that!
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What a great twist on an old tale! I'd definitely read it. Also, I like the idea of the geeky chemist girl. Not enough MC's like that!
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I just finished Jessica's Guide, so I'll have to see if I can find this one too!
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Interesting. I've been reading mixed reviews on this book so I'm not sure!
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I just finished Jessica's Guide, so I'll have to see if I can find this one too!
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Loved your review! I read and reviewed this book earlier this month and had some of the same thoughts as you.
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Interesting. I've been reading mixed reviews on this book so I'm not sure!
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Loved your review! I read and reviewed this book earlier this month and had some of the same thoughts as you.
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I've seen a lot of good-but-not-great reviews… I'm glad you enjoyed this, though.
I'll definitely check this out, though, it won't be right at this second.
Thanks, Kristi!
Love, Hannah -
I'm surprised this is Young Adult! Totally wasn't expecting that!
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I've seen a lot of good-but-not-great reviews… I'm glad you enjoyed this, though.
I'll definitely check this out, though, it won't be right at this second.
Thanks, Kristi!
Love, Hannah -
I'm surprised this is Young Adult! Totally wasn't expecting that!
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Great review!
I've been wanting to read this for a while. I loved Jessica's Guide! -
Great review!
I've been wanting to read this for a while. I loved Jessica's Guide! -
Great Review! I've looked at this one several times as well as Jessica's Guide. Guess I will have to add them to my list.
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Great Review! I've looked at this one several times as well as Jessica's Guide. Guess I will have to add them to my list.
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Ooh, this sounds really enjoyable. I'm going to check out Fantaskey's other novel as well!
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Ooh, this sounds really enjoyable. I'm going to check out Fantaskey's other novel as well!
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