When I started this book I knew it was the classic Romeo and Juliet story, but I wanted a different ending! It is such a good love story that has so much potential for a happy ever after. But alas it has the same tragic ending. IF you like the original Romeo and Juliet this is a good adaptation. There is full character development and you can feel the love blossom between Romeo and Juliet, you can almost see the hope that these two lovers will make it to an old age happy together. And you can feel the anger of the main villain, the treachery and the scheming plots to ruin the peaceful happiness that has settled over Florence. I thought it was a beautiful re-telling. I have to say I got stalled towards the middle. It builds to such joy and the blush of first love but the problem is we all know that it is a tragedy. In your head you keep saying to your self, "this isn't going to end well". The story of Romeo and Juliet will always be timeless and will be re-told in many different ways for the eternities. Just before Juliet commits suicide she says to her friend Lucrezia that the story of Romeo and Juliet must be written down "To bring hope to all that true love can flower in a world as cruel and comfortless as this one." This is the story of the of two star- crossed lovers but with more "back story". The setting has been changed and other historical characters have been added in also.
really liked this book! made me feel better about how this tragic love story ended.
—Lee
A different take on the story of Romeo and Juliet, but still an awesome book.
—nhungpham
Loooooooooooved the references to Dante and his book "a new life".
—selarry
