Review Star: Jekel Loves Hyde

I'm having a new meme inspired by "Spotlight Review" at Bookworming in the 21st Century. Every week I'll pick up two of the best reviews I've read for a same book (it doesn't mean automatically 5/5 reviews ), this way we'll have the opportunity to share different opinions on a book we have read.
This week the book reviewed will be: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Release: May 3rd 2010 by Harcourt Children's Books

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 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.

1st review by Stacy from Wicked Walker

Rate: 3,5/5
Review: I have seen a few reviews on this book, going from "I love it" to "embarrassingly bad"..and hey, to each their own. I fell somewhere in the middle on this one. I liked the book, I thought the idea of a story based on the descendants of Jekyll/Hyde was an interesting one and the characters didn't grate on my nerves. The story is told from alternating points of view, Jill and Tristen, so I kind of feel with that...I didn't get as involved in the one character as I wanted to. The mystery of not knowing what the other is thinking is fun for me.

Jill Jekel is a nerdy, timid science nut that has never really had a boyfriend. She connects with Tristen Hyde over a science project where first prize would win a $30,000 scholarship. Tristen is an aloof, good looking outsider (by his choice) that agrees with help Jill on the project for his own reasons...he believes that the "Hyde monster" lives inside him and has made him do terrible things in the past. He believes Jill has the solution to his problem, literally, in the form of a potion created from the notes of Dr. Jekyll.

I found this a quick and interesting read based on a storyline that is unique. I would have wished for maybe more character development to enroll me into their lives more, but that didn't stop me from reading it pretty quickly. If you enjoy dark, quirky, science-nerd type stories, check it out on May 3rd when it is released!


2nd review by Marisa from BAM Book Reviews

Rate: B+
Review: The main character, Jill Jekel, is small, timid and quiet. I loved her. At first, she seems to be very vulnerable and weak but by the end of the book I found her to be courageous and strong. She was very interesting and I felt like I could relate to her, differences aside. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from her perspective. Speaking of that, I also loved the odd times where the story was being told by Tristen.

That leads me to evil Mr. Hyde himself. Tristen was a very complex and mysterious character. I liked him from the beginning but I never really fully understood who he was. His life is filled with secrets and unanswered questions but as you get deeper enthralled in the mystery of his "curse" things become clearer and secrets are revealed. Him and Jill are like opposite people but yet they're also alike in many ways. Which is why I loved the chemistry (aha) between them.

I really liked Jekel Loves Hyde. From the first page, I was intrigued and wanted to figure out how the story would develop. It had a great plot, full of mystery and I loved how Beth retold a great classic story in a new and exciting way. I love the whole idea.

Although I really enjoyed the book, I feel as though there was something missing. The book felt rushed to me. At the end of the book, everything happened at once in a matter of about five pages. And romance! I feel like there was barely any romance. It was mostly fighting and physical tension. But other than those two minor things, the book was great! Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is still my preferred book of Beth's but this one did not disappoint either.


I haven' read this book yet but it's on my TBR list. The opinions and the different reviews I've read about  JLH are sometimes totally at the opposite, from "really bad" to "loved it" but still, I'm really curious about this book and I enjoyed Jessica's Guide... so I'll keep Jekel Loves Hyde in my list until I finally have the occasion to read it.
PS: go check for more reviews on these two really great blogs! 8)