Another Jekyll, Another Hyde
by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
March 13th, 2012
Candlewick Press
Young Adult/ Fantasy
Jekyll and Hyde
March 13th, 2012
Candlewick Press
Young Adult/ Fantasy
Jekyll and Hyde
Thomas finds himself with a very undesirable stepmother. Desperate for relief from the situation he turns to a new drug. Something isn't quite right as he begins to have unexpected side effects. Time begins to slip through his fingers and a voice emerges in his mind. Dangerous things are happening and someone is behind them. Thomas might be the culprit.
The villain is more believable. Her depth of evil so strong it can plant seeds of despair right into the marrow of your bones. I haven't done the genealogy but it is very possible she is related to Voldemort. If they aren't blood related perhaps they were childhood friends. They both share such common goals and means. Both want immortality and have no loyalty to those who help them reach their goal.
Thomas has a very nice relationship with his father. I like that they game together and take time to talk. Thomas also goes through the crucible to find out that there is more to him that he thought. Which is hard to believe as he is already a stellar kid. Edward Hyde is definitely the character who comes off the worst in the bargain. Poor thing had no choice in the whole matter. All the good parts of him including his life were stripped away magically.
This book feels remarkably similar to Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith. To my way of thinking this is how Tantalize should have worked out. Our hero is being poisoned and has no idea. The consequences are dire resulting in the loss of his body and life. Unlike in Tantalize our hero gets a chance to make his own choice.
All the books finally tie together in this conclusion. Even several of the previous characters reemerge from the backstage to lend a hand. My largest complaint is the ending. The cost is high for success. The characters walk away with little more than their life. This was definitely the best book of the three.
Content:
Swearing: mild
Sexual Content: mild
Violence: mild
Underage drinking and drugs
Moment Divine:
"Sorry. I'm not gangsta enough, Charles Thomas Goodman-Brown the Third (nonconsecutive), but I'm sure there's someone on the Yale alumni board who could help me get rid of a body. That or I'll just find out which hedge fund he invest in and drive his portfolio into the ground."
"I could be the Notorious A.I.G. . . . You know . . . as my street name."
"Sure, Dad. I gotta go. Wanna game later?"
"No problem. I'll just run a Fortune 500 while I wait."
