Scan barcode
el_thegoblinwitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an audiobook ARC of this title.
Everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet, but what about Rosaline? In this Shakespearean retelling, Natasha Solomons takes a background character who is often overlooked in modern adaptations, and twists the classic tale of star-crossed lovers into something wholly new. It's still a tragedy, but from a whole new perspective. Solomons paints Romeo as a predator, and I have to say I'm here for it!
Romeo and Juliet is heralded as the perfect romance, but in reality the entire premise of the story (especially the fact that Juliet is only 13!) is rather problematic and full of red flags. I really enjoyed how these issues are explored in Fair Rosaline, including the age gap; Romeo's gaslighting and manipulation; and Juliet's naivety. It's a fresh take on a story we all know, and while the earlier chapters were kind of painful (knowing what was coming had me mentally screaming at Rosaline to wake up!), it felt so rewarding in the latter half when things started to come to light!
Everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet, but what about Rosaline? In this Shakespearean retelling, Natasha Solomons takes a background character who is often overlooked in modern adaptations, and twists the classic tale of star-crossed lovers into something wholly new. It's still a tragedy, but from a whole new perspective. Solomons paints Romeo as a predator, and I have to say I'm here for it!
Romeo and Juliet is heralded as the perfect romance, but in reality the entire premise of the story (especially the fact that Juliet is only 13!) is rather problematic and full of red flags. I really enjoyed how these issues are explored in Fair Rosaline, including the age gap; Romeo's gaslighting and manipulation; and Juliet's naivety. It's a fresh take on a story we all know, and while the earlier chapters were kind of painful (knowing what was coming had me mentally screaming at Rosaline to wake up!), it felt so rewarding in the latter half when things started to come to light!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Child death, Gaslighting, and Suicidal thoughts
magicsarah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Cursing, Child death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Pandemic/Epidemic
ettegoom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This retelling of Romeo and Juliet brings the story into a completely new light - one that is substantially more disturbing than the modern interpretation would suggest. It does make me wonder whether reading the play again might bring things to light that are easily glossed over in a time where concepts about informed consent are somewhat less valued than they should be.
I think I like this interpretation, although, as someone who loves the ballet, and always wanted to play Juliet, it also makes me wonder whether there is potential for this more subversive interpretation in the original.
I liked that Rosaline has a voice in this version, although the amount of agency that she acquires seems somewhat inconsistent with her status and state within the story - and the interpretation that she brings to her own, and Juliet's parents is interesting, although it could have been more nuanced.
The depictions of emotional abuse, manipulation & sexual coersion of immature young women/girls is disturbingly accurate, as is the way that it can be difficult to 'talk sense' into someone caught up in this type of toxic relationship.
An interesting and worthwhile interpretation of a story which may have been more akin to the original intentation than modern interpretations might suggest? It makes me wonder for sure.
I think I like this interpretation, although, as someone who loves the ballet, and always wanted to play Juliet, it also makes me wonder whether there is potential for this more subversive interpretation in the original.
I liked that Rosaline has a voice in this version, although the amount of agency that she acquires seems somewhat inconsistent with her status and state within the story - and the interpretation that she brings to her own, and Juliet's parents is interesting, although it could have been more nuanced.
The depictions of emotional abuse, manipulation & sexual coersion of immature young women/girls is disturbingly accurate, as is the way that it can be difficult to 'talk sense' into someone caught up in this type of toxic relationship.
An interesting and worthwhile interpretation of a story which may have been more akin to the original intentation than modern interpretations might suggest? It makes me wonder for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Misogyny, Death, Blood, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Incest, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Trafficking
amobrien's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As a lifelong Romeo hater, I am kind of obsessed with this book. It's a sort of Romeo and Juliet untelling - it took the characters and story we all know and added context in a feminist perspective. In the original text, Rosaline is a bit of throw away character, mentioned a few times in referencing Romeo's former infatuation before Juliet but not given much depth at all. Natasha Solomons takes this character and adds nuance. Do you remember how you felt when you first learned how young Juliet was, especially in comparison to Romeo and Count Paris? Solomons basically takes that feeling and makes a whole story out of it. If you loved Hamnet and/or Hester, definitely check this one out!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship
lct's review against another edition
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Pedophilia
Minor: Self harm
swhence's review against another edition
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
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
radagast_the_brown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
interesting re-telling of the classic romeo & juliet story with far more references to actual italy, and revolves around the likely age gap and possible power dynamic between romeo and juliet, as well as his love right before juliet - her cousin rosaline. i found rosaline to be an interesting protagonist: i enjoyed that she was never written as a "not-like-the-other-girls" type of character for not wanting to be married or join a nunnery and instead read books and cavort outdoors and find adventure. she felt well-rounded, had people she cared about, and a complicated relationship with her family. i almost would like to have read this prior to reading romeo & juliet for the first time, just to see the play in a new light. you could certainly read this without having read the play, but the way that natasha solomons integrates shakespearian dialogue into readable modern prose is astonishingly easy to read and made me appreciate the original play more tbh
many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Murder, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Blood
More...