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sam_xmc's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
wgibson624's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mirandyli's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this retelling. It's my favorite in the remixed classics series so far.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Classism, Cursing, Hate crime, Abandonment, Body horror, Addiction, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Medical content
verloren918's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ugh, I have so many mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, in general, I liked it. It was creepy in all the right ways, even if the surprise is spoiled from the beginning just from living in society. Can you imagine, reading Jekyll and Hyde for the first time right when it came out, before it lived in the general social consciousness? I bet it was AMAZING to have that twist for the very first time. One of these days, I have to actually read the original. I've been freaked out by it ever since I was a kid thanks to the portrayal of it in The Pagemaster (seriously, that face he has when he says "my name is... MR. HYDE!" lives rent free in my nightmares). But this makes me think that I can take it :D I love that this is a queer, black retelling, and that works SO well as a theme here. It all makes TOTAL sense. I see what the author was doing and I approve. Also, as an aside, the narrator on the audio book is fabulous.
That being said, my biggest gripe is that we don't get enough of their relationship, or who Henry is before everything goes wrong, to understand why Gabriel is so obsessed and stalkery. It wouldn't necessarily bother me quite so much, except we lose a lot of context as to who Henry is (when he's said to be acting out of character, we haven't seen much to contradict it, tbh), and why Gabriel cares so much that he can't let it go. It's a little like getting thrown into the deep end of the pool when you've only been taught the doggy paddle. It didn't even have to be a lot, just like... an extra chapter near the beginning to act as some arm floaties. You know?
So, 3.5, which I think is fair. Good, could've been significantly improved by some different choices.
That being said, my biggest gripe is that we don't get enough of their relationship, or who Henry is before everything goes wrong, to understand why Gabriel is so obsessed and stalkery. It wouldn't necessarily bother me quite so much, except we lose a lot of context as to who Henry is (when he's said to be acting out of character, we haven't seen much to contradict it, tbh), and why Gabriel cares so much that he can't let it go. It's a little like getting thrown into the deep end of the pool when you've only been taught the doggy paddle. It didn't even have to be a lot, just like... an extra chapter near the beginning to act as some arm floaties. You know?
So, 3.5, which I think is fair. Good, could've been significantly improved by some different choices.
faydrielreads's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Preface- I have never read the original story of Jekyall and Hyde. So many of issues are with the original and not necessarily this book.
I'll start with the positives. I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. I felt like it transported me to the time period.
I really enjoyed the conversations around blackness and the rampant racism and homophobia of that period.
I did enjoy the beginning of the story when Gabriel and Henry were falling in love. My main issue with it was Gabriel's obsession with Henry once Henry started to distance himself. I understand he cares deeply for Henry and is concerned but it felt overbearing for over 2/3 of the book to be just his constant obsessing with little to no other plot lines eith the exception of the blip of his change of employment. This ruining the book for me, could have been shorter.
I'll start with the positives. I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. I felt like it transported me to the time period.
I really enjoyed the conversations around blackness and the rampant racism and homophobia of that period.
I did enjoy the beginning of the story when Gabriel and Henry were falling in love. My main issue with it was Gabriel's obsession with Henry once Henry started to distance himself. I understand he cares deeply for Henry and is concerned but it felt overbearing for over 2/3 of the book to be just his constant obsessing with little to no other plot lines eith the exception of the blip of his change of employment. This ruining the book for me, could have been shorter.
cecilivre's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rocking w this adaptation heavy!! Love the reworking of quotes and plot lines from the original into the new plot!! Loved the recurring themes and the more specific metaphoric and literal split. Very engaging and entertaining!!! Made me care about side characters and the relationships Jekyll and Hyde had with others much more. Great read!!!!! ๐๐๐
thereadingpan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the first โremixโ Iโve read of this series, I was very interested in the concept. I did find the book to be really slow on the start up, the first 40% felt boring and slow march of not much. Once Hyde showed up that helped!
The gore was good and well placed, the descriptions of scenes was very well done, I just canโt get over that I was bored half the time in a story that plot wise is anything but boring.
The gore was good and well placed, the descriptions of scenes was very well done, I just canโt get over that I was bored half the time in a story that plot wise is anything but boring.
jess_always_reading's review against another edition
This was not for me, the author sped through the romantic relationship that we're then supposed to be invested in for the rest of the book and I just didn't care about the characters enough. Disappointing given every other book in the series that I've read has been awesome.