3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Reading with Tequila, September 24, 2010
This review is from: Romeo & Juliet & Vampires (Paperback)
Romeo & Juliet is the classic tragic love story. Whether they've read the play or not, everyone knows exactly what happens. I'm a big fan of William Shakespeare. I feel that his his plays transcend time and readers can easily find situations and themes in them that apply to modern life. I am also a big mash-up fan. I believe that the current trend of adding monsters to classic works is an entertaining way of dusting them off and wowing new readers. But mash-ups need to do more than add monsters to be successful. They need to add them in a way that enriches the story and makes it as good if not better than the original.
Having said that, Romeo & Juliet & Vampires takes the original play and rewrites it in novel format. I like this change. The novel format gives readers an insight into the thoughts and motivations of the characters that just can't be as clearly conveyed in a play. The wording in Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is also changed from the original. This updating into a more modern method of speech may appeal to those new to Shakespeare's works, but I believe it will disappoint long-time fans. What is Romeo & Juliet without memorable phrases like "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet."?
The very general, very basic idea of Romeo & Juliet is all that is left of the original. The vampires take over this reinvention, completely changing the entire story line. Even the famous, unforgettable ending is completely different. In the end, the book isn't even a tragedy anymore.
Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is very easy to read. It could have been more enjoyable if it didn't veer so far from the original or even if it had went a completely different direction making it more paranormal historical fiction. As it is, the book is too close to the original while being very far away from the message the original was trying to convey.
I believe those who have never read the original will find Romeo & Juliet & Vampires very satisfying, but I doubt who loved the tragedy will feel anything other than disappointment. Perhaps Romeo & Juliet was better left untouched.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fun Twist on Shakespeare's Classic, September 7, 2010
This review is from: Romeo & Juliet & Vampires (Paperback)
Juliet's family, the Capulets, are some of the most bloodthirsty and vicious vampires there are. Yet, Juliet - still a human for a short time - is kind and firmly against harming others. Only problem? She's going to turn into a vampire soon, and she only has two options: Kill and become a vampire, or die a slow and very painful death. She's entertaining the latter option until Romeo, a Montague, comes along. Coming from a family dedicated to killing her kind, especially her family, they should hate one another. Against all odds, they fall in love. However, Juliet's time as a human is dwindling, and the two will face more obstacles...and death is an almost certain outcome.
An intriguing and fun take on Romeo and Juliet, Gabel doesn't disappoint with her fresh take on such a classic story. The characters in this story are very fresh and easy to sympathize with. I found Juliet to be a sweet, sympathetic character, and Romeo an honorable and equally kind. Their romance was sweet, if only a bit rushed (but hey, it's kind of like that in the original). Juliet's struggle with becoming a vampire is an interesting twist, and her parents were downright frightening and intense. The vampire twist seemed to mesh perfectly with the story.
There are, obviously, some differences both major and minor in comparison to Shakespeare's original version. I was glad for the differences, the twists, and for the similarities. Even if you think you know how it all ends because you read Shakespeare's original, think again.
HIGHLIGHTS: Gabel makes this story readable, which isn't always the case with Shakespeare. I definitely also loved the characters, like Nurse, whom I actually liked more in this version. The story still maintained the essence of Shakespeare's original version, but it was also different and creative in its own right.
LOWLIGHTS: A few scenes seemed a little rushed. I would have definitely preferred the balcony scene to be a bit more fleshed out. But honestly, I enjoyed this one far more than I thought I would.
*Received advanced copy of novel in exchange for my honest opinion
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Charming fluff, great for vamp fans, not so great for Shakespeare buffs, March 2, 2011
This review is from: Romeo & Juliet & Vampires (Paperback)
I bought this charming book for a friend who'd played Lady Capulet in my film club's vampiric take on "Romeo and Juliet," appreciating the ironic coincidence, and had to read it before handing it over. It's pretty well-done and gives an interesting new development to the vampire craze. That being said, I think Shakespeare buffs will be slightly put off by the poor attempts at Elizabethan English, such as Friar Lawrence's use of "good tidings" as a greeting, and, of course, the changed ending. Still, it's worth a look and is a fun read.
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