Name: Jek/Hyde
ISBN: 9781335007957

Amy Ross

"A unique retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. Lulu's best friend, Jek, gets caught up with the new boy in town, Hyde, who is devilish, untrustworthy and has an unexpected history. Lulu wonders if Jek can really be saved--and whether she will be Hyde's next target."--Publisher's description.

Jek/Hyde

Lulu and Jek are science nerds, and have been best friends since they were young...or at least they used to be. Lately Jek has been pulling away from Lulu, just as she's coming to terms with how she really feels about him. Just as she was ready to see if there could be something more between them.

Sheila Goicea

This full review can be viewed on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com

#1 for the #MonthofMonstrosities tag!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Release date, October 03, 2017.

I will start this review out with saying that I was not a fan of this book. I will also point out that this review will be a short one, because I have very little good, and too much bad to say about it that I just don't even want to discuss it all. I want to also make it clear that in no way does this review reflect upon the author herself!

So, we start off following the main character, Lulu, a high school teenager who has a love for science. She often helps her best friend Jek, with science experiments he conducts for fun. The two have been inseparable for years, but when Lulu notices Jek secluding himself more than normal, Lulu becomes worried about him.

Lulu knows that Jek dabbles in experimenting with, and developing drugs, but it isn't until a new friend of his shows up that she becomes more suspicious of his activities. Hyde, a man of secrets, becomes a more prominent figure as the story goes on.

When Lulu discovers Hyde's unwholesome parties, strange character, and devious acts, she tries to warn Jek of his actions. But Jek mysteriously disappearances during the time Hyde is present. she begins to unwind a sinister tale that will leave her heartbroken in the end.


  Now, for the few things that I did like about this story:


#1 Seeing how the original The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story is steeped in sci-fi, I liked how this retelling followed suite in having a strong science-related theme. 

#2 The depiction of Hyde's character was constructed well--what I read was pretty close to how I would imagine a "Hyde" would be. Elusive, changeable, and impressionable.




  The things that I didn't like:


#1 This book is being marketed in the Young Adult genre. BY NO MEANS other than the fact that the characters are teenagers, is this book appropriate for young adult readers. I can't believe the amount of trashy unwholesome material this book has to offer for teen readers. Orgies, drugs, parties, murder, rape, and the like make up a majority of the discussion and setting in the book. Not to mention, the teens are completely unsupervised, and making drugs in their own homes, as well as having absolutely no guidance from their parents about the dangers of their actions. 

#2 There is little to-no-surprise factor to the plot. It is very predictable from the beginning how things will end up, making me wish it was told in a different perspective altogether. There is no real mystery!

#3 Character development in the main character Lulu (as well as others), was heavily lacking. She worried about a lot of things, but was resistant to noticing the obvious staring her right in the face. 

#4 Jek's character was ethnically different than majority of others, and it was supposed to be a positive trait. However, it actually turned out to be negative as Lulu's mother constantly commented on how "a guy like him" wasn't worth her daughter's time. There wasn't a point where his race was looked at in a positive light.

#5 The overall message:

  
    Hyde forced me to acknowledge a darkness I wanted to deny in myself...and in his way, he taught me to appreciate and respect that side of me as much as any other.
  

Wait...WHAT!? THIS is the takeaway that this book has to offer it's readers!? You MUST be joking, especially when you read it in full context of the passage. 

(SPOILERS AHEAD) Lulu goes on to think: 

  
    With his passion for understanding the universe, it must have tortured him to know that the thing that was destroying him was beyond his comprehension. I owe it to Jek to seek out the truth he couldn't uncover. 
If I can find it--if I can isolate that mysterious compound that caused Jek's transformations--what doors might that open? Jek's experiment produced results beyond his wildest imagining, but there is still so much left untested. What effects might his drug have on a different subject? On me, for example. Would I split off and produce another Hyde, or someone completely different?
I can't stop wondering what my own shadow-self would be like...
And I can't wait to meet her.
  

...She says/thinks that just after watching her best friend commit suicide.

I think I'm hyperventilating.



I concur, Marion. I concur.

Seriously, folks. This book is a huge problem. Lulu is saying that she now appreciates the part of her that can morph into a psychopathic murderer, rapist, drug-dealer? Yeah...NO. I can't help but wonder what would inspire such a resolution to a story like this.

I cannot rate this book more than 1 star, as I am thoroughly convinced it has hardly anything to offer any reader.

Vulgarity: Lots.
Sexual content: Lots. Including rape, orgies, and overall dark content.
Violence: Lots, including suicide.

Jek/Hyde

Reviews

Highlights