review: the heartless city by andrea berthot

Andrea Berthot’s The Heartless City reimagines the classic tale of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This time many in London have taken the Hyde drug or been infected or murdered by a Hyde and the city is under quarantine as a result. The Heartless City mixes regular teen antics with the danger of Hydes (think supernatural creatures on par with vampires and werewolves) ravaging the city. Though entertaining, the teen stories are standard fare and predictable with Iris and Elliot instantly falling in love and teaming up against those who are conspiring to keep the Hyde population thriving. The premise is the story’s biggest appeal as it creates a good vs. evil scenario where evil is twice outdone by intelligent women, but too many minor threads detract from the more powerful elements.
3/5
Review copy provided by the publisher, Curiosity Quills.