Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Summary

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 the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.
To improve 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. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Last year I picked up Beth Fantaskey's Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side expecting a silly vampire romance. I was impressed with how witty, complex, and fun the book was. So it was with great anticipation that I picked up Jekel Loves Hyde. Fantaskey's sophomore novel does not live up to her freshman effort, but it was a fun read nonetheless.

Tristan Hyde is cursed with an evil twin - a beast living within him that causes him to act cruelly and violently at unexpected times. He fears that it will soon overtake him. His father and grandfather were similarly haunted by the beast. It was Jill's ancestor, a science genius, who started the beast trait in the Hyde family. Now Jekel and Hyde are together again - in high school chemistry class. Tristan convinces Jill to use old family files to try to find a cure to rid himself of the beast before he is irredeemably changed.

Tristan is a fabulous love interest. Dark and handsome but sweet and caring at the same time. He's not exactly the stereotypical bad boy. He has a definite evil side but is fighting it with ever fiber of his being.

Jill is a typical YA female protagonist. She is smart and driven but not one to veer from the main path. Her father's unexpected death, her mother's resulting breakdown, and Tristan's interest pushes her to take more risks than ever before.

The plot becomes rather silly as the book goes on. Perhaps I would take it more seriously if I'd read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but I couldn't help rolling my eyes at the stretched plot points. Tristan and Jill find a formula that can either cure or create the monster. Jill accidentally tastes the formula and unleashes her wild side. Can she and Tristan save each other from the temptations of their ancestors' creations?

Jekel Loves Hyde was a fun book and worth reading, but didn't completely do it for me.

Rating: 3 / 5

17 comments:

  1. I totally agree with your review! I liked the book, but it was a little over the top sometimes. I am looking forward to the next Jessica book which I think comes out this year.

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  2. Well, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side better because I actually just purchased that book. :D

    It's been a while since I've read a review for Jekel Love Hide. Though I love a good eye rolling session, I'm not sure I'd pick this one up. The premise does sound interesting and fun, but like you, I haven't read the original.

    Great review, Alison.

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  3. I actually read this one before Jessica's Guide, and I really liked it. Beth has a great writing style. I can't wait for the second Jessica book!
    Nice review.

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  4. Hmmm... I'm not sure if this is my kind of book but your review was great.

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  5. I found this book fell a little flat for me. I had high hopes since JGFDOTDS was good, I was hoping this one would be good. Nice review!

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  6. This book looks good and I loved JGTDOTDS. Sorry you didn't love it.
    -Danna

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  7. I still need to read Dating on the Dark side, especially since you seemed to love it so much! This book sounds cute, and sometimes I don't mind the silly plot elements. Tristan sounds quite enjoyable, I've always been partial to that name too, so bonus:) Fantastic review Alison!

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  8. Thanks for honest review- was very different from Jessica but I liked it.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  9. great review Ive wondered about this one. I heead a lot of buzz about it.

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  10. I have really wanted to read this book! Sorry it wasn't amazing =(
    l just got Jessica's Guide to Dating The Dark Side, have had VERY good things about it!

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  11. I have yet to get to this one, but I was also pleasantly surprised with "Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side" and am really looking forward to its sequel. Hope to read this one soon.

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  12. Sorry you didn't find it amazing, but enjoyable is also nice at times.
    Tristan sounds like a great character. Not a typical bad boy who fights the evil temptations. Like! ;) Great review.

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  13. I've never read anything by Fantaskey--I don't think I'll pick up this book, although I might if I ever get around to reading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

    Thanks for the review!

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  14. I thought this was quite good, but I can see your points of view as well. I'm still eager to read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side! Nice, honest review :)

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  15. I thought about reading this one, but I guess I'll just pass on it. Sounds like it gets a bit too crazy for me!

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  16. I love this review! I agree, not as good as Jessica's Guide and it did get over the top as the book went along but....I had a lot of fun getting swept up in it all. I have read the original, so it was fun seeing all the ways she incorporated it into her own story (I totally recommend the original. It's barely even 100 pages!)

    I loved Tristen, too. Though I liked him a lot more before the cure. What did you think of that epilogue? That one goes on my list of worst epilogues ever.

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  17. I tried reading this one..I couldn't. It ended up a 'Did Not Finish' because it just got way too silly. I did like Jessica's Guide though. Great review.

    btw, nice blog :)

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