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maggies's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've always loved the idea of revisiting classic literature to examine whether things could've ended differently, and this was so well executed. It manages to be faithful to the original text, pulling direct quotes and recreating scenes, while also changing the story without changing the meaning of it all. I would highly recommend this as a companion to Romeo and Juliet because it really drives home fact that R+J is not a love story. If I had read this in high school alongside the play, I imagine I'd have felt very differently about Romeo!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pedophilia
Minor: Violence, Miscarriage, Blood, and Pregnancy
Rosaline spends a lot of time ruminating on being "spoiled" and "unclean"clotalksbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this exploration into the minor players of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Although it includes the key moments covered in the play, it provides context and background to the scenes we know so well, and in a believable way! I am totally convinced these things were happening behind the scenes. It made me care desperately for characters that I just dismiss in the original, like Tybalt. I shed a fair few tears...
I loved the way women are given power in a time when they appeared to have little say, despite there being a Queen. Not all men are painted as devils though, nor all women as saints, which I liked. It was just so well written, and I'm desperate to read others by the author which I already have on my TBR that have been there too long!
I loved the way women are given power in a time when they appeared to have little say, despite there being a Queen. Not all men are painted as devils though, nor all women as saints, which I liked. It was just so well written, and I'm desperate to read others by the author which I already have on my TBR that have been there too long!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
lealula's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
pagesbycaroline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Such a captivating story! I found this ARC at my local library and was so excited to read it before its release date! I love the spin on this classic story and the honest look at the romance between Juliet and Romeo. It was so refreshing to read a story that paints it not as a dream, but a nightmare in disguise. Rosaline is strong and independent, but she makes the same mistakes many girls fall into at one time or another. The feminist perspective was a bit much, specifically for the time period the story takes place, but it was muted enough not to be a distraction to the plot or character development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, Gore, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Pedophilia
Minor: Sexual content, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
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