The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Format: Kindle eARC
Published: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy, Contemporary

Description:
I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....


Review:

The Juliet Spell was a really cute novel about a girl who decided to cast a spell to get the role of Juliet in the school play...only the spell went horribly awry. Miranda Hoberman cast the spell and ended up with William Shakespeare's little brother, Edmund, standing in front of her.

The story started out very cute and funny as Miranda introduced Edmund to the marvels of the 21st century. Each piece of technology both mesmerized and confounded him in a way that left me wanting Douglas Rees to introduce something new just to see Edmund's reaction.

The plot took off soon with Edmund joining the cast of the play and Douglas Rees incorporated many lines of the play into the novel. This added a charming feel to the book, making me feel as though I was sitting watching the play rehearsals and seeing the cast recite the lines.

The romance of the book didn't really develop until late in the book and when it did, I felt the author didn't really let the relationship develop as much as it could have. However, as Douglas Rees pointed out in the book, this story is based off Romeo and Juliet and we often confuse it with being a romance when in reality it was a tragedy.

Overall, this was a cute, enjoyable read. Lovers of time-travel and quirky tales will enjoy this spin on Douglas Rees' novel.



Rate: 4/5


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7 comments :

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I love the dress the girl is wearing on the cover. I might get tomatoes thrown at me for saying this but I've never been a fan of Romeo and Juliet. But with that being said this story sounds like a cute take on the original.

    (sorry deleted and re-posted my comment bc of coarse I noticed a typo that made no sense)

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  3. I was never a fan of Romeo and Juliet either! But since this was contemporary, it wasn't bad. I loved seeing Edmund adjust to being thrown centuries into the future. My only complaint was I expected more romance than there actually was.

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  4. I don't mind a Romeo and Juliet type of story, just as long as its not too cheesy or cliche. Great review. Loving the cover of this book! So I'll definitely be checking this out!

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  5. I adore Romeo and Juliet I'm always wary of reading a retelling. I know this is a retelling as such. I have for review just haven't gotten around to it.

    Great review Destiny. It sounds like a cute.read

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  6. This definitely wasn't a retelling so it should appeal to both readers who like and dislike Romeo and Juliet :)

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  7. Never have read romeo and Juliet but this sounds good. I like the cover with the pink being the only color.

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