Review: Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Publisher:  Candlewick Press

Publication Date:  March 27th, 2012

An elusive stalker is targeting Marlowe kids - and something unearthly has gotten into its wealthiest student - as the Another series builds up to a fiendish finale. When his billionaire father marries French governess Nicola Vileroy, high society is all abuzz - but Thomas, the most popular student at Marlowe, is just plain high. Ever since his girlfriend Belle dumped him, he's been spending less time with old friends and more time getting wasted at clubs. But after someone slips him a designer drug one night - and his stepmother seems to know way too much about his private life - things really start to get scary. As Thomas's blackouts give way to a sinister voice inside his head, and as news of a vicious hate crime has students on edge, Thomas comes to the sickening realization that Madame Vileroy has involved him in a horrifying supernatural plan. How can he muster the strength and will to stop it? The pulse-quickening climax revisits Jekyll and Hyde as a current-day cautionary tale laced with a heady dose of paranormal intrigue.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I recently read and reviewed the first book in this series, Another Faust (read my review HERE), in preparation for reading this book.  My eye had been on it for awhile, and when I got an advance copy of Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, I knew it was time to get around to reading it.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and wish I had time to read book number two, Another Pan.  I understood what was going on in Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, but there were a few holes, so I will definitely go back and read Another Pan, but I think you really only NEED to read Another Faust to read this book.

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde was fantastic.  I liked it slightly better than Another Faust because there wasn't a lot of backstory to bog it down, so it was a quicker, more action-packed read.  Where the pacing in Another Faust kind of ebbed and flowed, the pacing in this book was non-stop, all while keeping the mystery and intrigue alive until the last page.  This is the kind of book series that would make a brilliant movie franchise because of how well written the world and the action sequences are.  They kind of read like a movie, and you become very involved.  This book took me maybe a day and a half to read because I found it impossible to put down; if I had, I would have had a knot of anticipation in my gut until I was able to pick it back up.  The story was great, and I always felt an intense need to know what was going to happen next.  The Nayeris delivered in spades; they provided plausible answers that often opened up other questions.  The conclusion, however, was extremely satisfying.  It wasn't too neat and it didn't feel at all rushed.  It was exactly the type of ending a series like this should have.

The characters were mostly the same as those in Another Faust.  There were a couple of new ones, judging from the dialogue,  that I think were from Another Pan, but their roles were rather small, so I didn't feel like I needed their story.  Madame Vileroy, of course, is a central character, but the main character in this book is Belle's boyfriend from book #1, Thomas.  Madame Vileroy manages to marry his billionaire father, and becomes his stepmother.  The things she has in mind for Thomas are not pretty.  She's as manipulative and evil as ever, but she's also in a weakened state and desperate to regain her full power.  From the wedding until the end of the book, she turns Thomas's world upside down, while making it look to everyone else, including Thomas, like he is slowly descending down a drug-addled path to madness.  We do see the original Faust children a few times, but this story is not really about them, and their main purpose is to serve as backstory to people who may not have read Another Faust.

I can't say that this is the best book of three, because I haven't read Another Pan yet (I fully intend to, so stay tuned), but I can say, that I feel like the Nayeris outdid themselves over Another Faust.  This series is a brilliant modern-retelling of an old tale woven together with some classics, and I hope lots of people will pick it up.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has a lot of recreational drug use (along with a strong cautionary message), a good bit of violence (a la Mr. Hyde), and some allusions to sex.  That said, I don't think it would be inappropriate to upper-Middle School age students because of the consequences to all of the actions described.  Honestly, I think they would gain from reading this modern retelling.  Grades 8 and up (ages 13+).

Review: Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: August 25th, 2009

A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites us into the world of the elite Marlowe School, where some gifted students are having a hell of a year.

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have been meaning to read this book for a couple of years, and I just never got to it.  It sat of my shelf and kind of got forgotten as many of the books I buy do.  I'm not sure why I put off reading it at first, but I'm glad I found a reason to come back to it (I got a copy of the 3rd book in the series, Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, on NetGalley), because it was really good.

It's funny.  I was reluctant when I first picked this book back up because the reviews are rather mixed.  People seem to have pretty strong opinions of it in both directions.  Personally, I don't see what the haters see.  I thought this book was very well written, and the story was interesting and quite original, which isn't necessarily an easy task when retelling an old tale.  It was thought provoking and full of scenarios that made me step back and ask myself what I would have done if presented with the same "deals" the Faust children were presented with.  I also liked the little italicized snippets of Madame Vileroy's past (and one future) deeds.  I felt like they gave a lot of insight into the fact that the five Faust children were not really as special as she made them think they were.

I have to say that aside from the brilliant premise, the characters were my favorite part.  The Nayeri siblings manage to develop them in such a way that you connect with them over time.  While I never actually liked Victoria or Valentin, the authors made me understand their drive and absolute need, at any cost, to be the best.  I found Belle to be the most pathetic of the five, and the more that was revealed of her story, the more I felt that way; I can't say I ever grew to LIKE her, but I did feel a growing pity for her that made it impossible for me to ever dislike her.  As for Christian and Bice, they were by far, my favorite characters.  Christian really wanted to be good, and honestly didn't understand why he felt compelled to "steal" the way he did; I felt like he had an honest soul that was ensnared in something very ugly.  Bice was written to be endearingly awkward, and I was quite (pleasantly) surprised by how her story evolved, right up until the end.  As for Madame Vileroy... Beautiful, manipulative, ever-present and ready to prey on every insecurity the children had.  I've met some creepy characters in my many years of reading, and I dare say that she takes the cake in an overt sort of way.

Finally, I want to touch on the plot pacing.  This was a major complaint for a lot of reviewers; they said it was much too slow and choppy.  On this point, I have to disagree.  While I didn't find this to be a quick read, I never found it tedious either.  The character development and backstory took time, yes, but those pieces were absolutely essential to making the story what it was.  I felt like it moved smoothly and I liked that there were important reveals throughout the story, instead of one climactic one in the end.

Overall, I thought this story was very well done.  I think that as a retelling of an old folk tale, it held on to all of the important elements of the original, while evolving into something completely unique, modern, and relevant.  It is definitely a book that has to be read by the right person; someone who enjoys reading and digging into thought provoking novels.  Patience is key in truly enjoying this book.  I'm looking forward to reading books number two (Another Pan) and three (Another Jekyll, Another Hyde).

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  I didn't really find much objectionable content.  No sex, language, or gratuitous violence.  It is a rather dark story, and very complex, so I wouldn't just give it to a younger reader, and as I said in my review, it needs to be read by someone who is willing to dig in.  That said, as an average, I would recommend this to grades 8and up (ages 13+).  A mature well-read 6th or 7th grader would enjoy it as well, but given the length  and time spent on development, it would have to a more patient one (my daughter, who is almost 11, would never get through it).