Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Summary/Image from Amazon:

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.  

Review:
 
Jekel Loves Hyde was an exciting and suspenseful tale that continued to capture your attention the whole way through.

This novel is told from two teens perspectives- Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde. Beth crafted Jill in a way that made her easy to like. Simply because of the fact that she was just a sweet and timid girl who I wished I could give a hug and tell her that everything going to be okay. Tristen was the typical bad boy but in reality had a heart made of gold. And talking of them both, I loved how you got to see them build their way up to being friends then something more; since it gave it Jekel Loves Hyde one of those type of reality factors I adore.

The plot of this novel was just a complete wow! I loved how it incorporated not only science but the interesting tale of Jekyl and Hyde. Because of this all, Jekel Loves Hyde was a completely original and fascinating story.

Plus, Beth's writing showed true talent not only because of her well done execution of the story, but because of the fact that she could handle writing from two perspectives so well. I'm truly looking forward to reading more by her.

Overall Jekyl Loves Hyde is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2010, so far, and a novel that you shouldn't miss this year!

Grade: A-
 
Jekyl Loves Hyde is now out! Also be sure to check out the excerpt Beth has posted on her website.

Source/ Disclaimer: Publisher for review. Thanks Harcourt!

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Summary from Barnes and Noble:

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review:

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side has been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for what seems like ages now, but after reading an early copy of the author's second novel, Jekel Loves Hyde (coming May 2010; I highly suggest you pre-order it now!), I knew I had to read her first one. As it turns out, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side was even better than Jekel Loves Hyde, amazingly enough, and a book that I was truly sad to see come to an end; a feeling that I haven't felt in a long time towards a book.

If you've read my previous reviews dealing with vampire books, I'm usually not their biggest fan, which may be the reason it took me so long to read this, but Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side went far to amaze me, making this one of my favorite vampire novels of all time. Since I loved nearly everything about it: the mystery, the romance, the suspense, and Lucius ( cue the *swoon*).

Jessica was a character who came of being very strong, even if she did appear to be a bit irrational at times, but love makes everyone go a bit crazy, no? And I liked that Lucius and her relationship started up from hate then to friends then to love because I have to admit it was fun to see not only lovey dovy scenes, but the funny bickering between the two of them.

The plot of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side was one that never truly had a dull moment because with the action, suspense, and funny parts, it was easy to just fly through this in one sitting. I loved finding about the different vampire families because it was very unique, a quality that I love in a book!

The only thing that made this one be a B+ instead of an A+ was the ending. I think Beth was trying to make it as much action packed as possible, and because of that, it was just a bit too much and too rash. Plus, there were a few things that were left wide open.

In all, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is a book that has it all: action, romance, a looming war, and amazing characters; leaving it to be a book that I highly, highly suggest! Since I'm sure you'll come to love it just as much as I did if not more!
 
Grade: B+

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is now out in paperback, yet another reason to pick it up!

Source: Author/Harcourt for review. Thanks!

Cool Young Adult Related Information: Take Two

You might remember I did one of these a while back and talked about differnt YA news.  And since I have some new news to share, I though I would do Cool Young Adult Related Information: Take Two!

So, without a further ado:

First off, Beth Fantaskey, author of Jekel Loves Hyde and Jessica's Guide To Dating on the Dark Side, is kicking of a brand new contest dealing with Jeykel Loves Hyde. The goal? To create a short video trailer – like a movie preview – for Jekel Loves Hyde! The prizes include the following:

First prize:
•A visit by me to your local bookstore, library or school to sign books and (of course!) meet you.

•Signed copies of both Jekel Loves Hyde and Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.

•Winning entry becomes the “official” trailer for the book on my website, as well as eligible for possible use by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

•And, of course, I’ll bring some other fun stuff when I visit!

Runners-up
•Two runners-up will receive signed copies of Jekel Loves Hyde and Jessica’s Guide.

Bonus Prizes!
•The first 10 entrants will receive signed copies of Jekel Loves Hyde.
 
And let me tell you is defnitly a contest you should not miss! Since, I had the lucky chance of reading an ARC of Jelel Loves Hyde and it was absoultly fantastic; a novel you simply can't miss this May!
 
To find out more info click HERE!
 
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Also, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group has just started up a blog called MacKids! There they will be posting different events as well as other exiting info!  To find out more click HERE.
 
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Lastly, Sourcebooks has a new teen like called Sourcebook Fire starting up this spring of 2010 and to kick it off they've created a really awesome Ning community. The Ning community contains different info, giveaways, and exclusive info about their books! ( And talking about there books, there whole lineup looks spectacular so far!) Amway, be sure to check it out HERE! And if you would like, you can befriend me on there here.