I tend to enjoy new spins on the classic books, and this one doesn’t disappoint.  Though only loosely based on the original Jekyll and Hyde storyline, it incorporates many of the themes and morals while weaving in aspects of modern day life.  Thomas Goodman-Brown is a high school student who, was a high achieving, popular, happy kid.  Everything starts to change when his dad inexplicably marries a French governess, Nicola Vileroy.  Right off the bat, Thomas doesn’t like her, but can’t convince his dad or anyone else that she’s up to something evil.  While out clubbing with a friend one night, a girl gives him a bottle of W, a new type of narcotic.  She tells him firmly not to share with anyone.  After the first pill, Thomas can’t resist taking more, despite the extreme blackouts and loss of control he experiences.  After a few of the pills are gone, Edward Hyde begins to appear in the back of Thomas’s mind.  Slowly, Thomas realizes that each W pill is a little piece of Hyde, Nicola’s biological son from centuries back. As he fights for control over his life and his own mind, Thomas begins to solve some of the mysterious events that have happened in his school.  This was definitely an intriguing read, and the updated classic tale with a paranormal twist was quite captivating.

NetGalley Review   Publication date 3.13.12