Stop what you are doing. Seriously. Really. Are you a fan of great, tension-filled stories? Do you love stories that mix the terrors of high school life with supernatural horrors? Are you a fan of the classic novel, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? If you answered yes to any of those questions you must check out Beth Fantaskey’s Jekel Loves Hyde.
Plot 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, this good girl is tempted to peek inside, because the contents just might be key to winning 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. As things heat up in the lab though, Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and will compel her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad. (source – http://www.bethfantaskey.com/jekel-prologue.html)
Review: In a time where I am helping my students cram for their SOLS (state test which they take a week from tomorrow), sending out partials and full request of my manuscript (have 4 partials out and three fulls..), and mourning over the soon-ending show, Lost, I actually found time to read a book. A darn good book too. Really, I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with both Jekel and Hyde and Fantaskey’s frightfully enticing and sexy story. Sure, there are a few plot holes, and I felt the ending was a little rushed, but the story really pulled me in. The chemistry between Jill and Tristen will leave you utterly craving a sequel…please….please…please. Without giving too much away, Jekel Loves Hyde is a fun re-telling of the famous 19th century gothic tale, and a must for fans of gothic YA lit.
Novel Novice 