The year is 1876, a bloody and bad time for Paris. First the Prussians invade, causing mass starvation in the city. Then the Communards fight back, starting a civil war, killing tens of thousands of people. But it's the first invasion that created a monster... or two, quite by accident. Odile and her little brother, Grulechon, had sought the refuge of Paris after their parents were murdered for being Cagot witches. Now, years later, Odile is selling rats as food, and running from her latest experiment, which has turned a chimpanzee into a murderous feral animal. And as she's running away, she runs right into a very young Henry Jekyll, lately of London...

Dr. Jekyll very much wants those transforming salts, and when he gets them, and Mr. Hyde comes out, the war in Paris goes from outside to inside the mansion Odile is part prisoner to. But the salts are running out... If you enjoyed This Last Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel, you'll very much enjoy this one! Recommended by Naomi Bates, Librarian, Texas USA Follow Naomi at: www.naomibates.blogspot.com