by Stacey Jay
Series: Juliet Immortal #1
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's "Shiver" and Becca Fitzpatrick's "Hush" will relish this intense paranormal love story featuring Romeo and Juliet, literary history's most tragic couple, who meet again, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies. The most tragic love story in history... Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love. "These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume." "--Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare Within the pages of Juliet Immortal, you will find a dark paranormal tale about what really happened to Shakespeare's fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet. I immediately fell in love with Jay’s writing style and found myself completely immersed in this breathtaking tale.
The tale begins when we learn what really happen to poor Juliet. Flash forward to present day and Juliet Capulet Montague finds herself in the body of high school senior, Ariel Dragland. Ariel has just been in a car accident with a boy named Dylan. As Juliet comes to, in Ariel’s body; Ariel’s memories come flooding in. Only seconds before, Ariel tried to kill Dylan and herself . She had just learned he went on a date with her because he bet his friends he could sleep with “the freak.” As Juliet learns about Ariel’s life, she vows to make things better for her while she completes her mission. As she struggles to get out of the car, Dylan wakes up…only it’s not Dylan its Romeo and he’s come to kill her! She manages to escape but Romeo is fast on her heels. She gets to the road and jumps in a car belonging to Ben. As Ben takes her home Juliet feels safe and at ease with this young man. They share an intense moment. The tale that unfolds held me spell bound as Juliet works to complete her assignment, stop Romeo and keep her own feelings in check.
Juliet is an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. Since her death she has been fighting against Romeo and the Mercenaries. She fights to help soul mates and preserve true love. This trip to earth is different for Juliet because she starts to fall for Ben. I really liked Juliet and connected with her as she tried to set thing right. Romeo realizes what he did to Juliet was a mistake and tries to fix things before it’s too late. Unfortunately his ideas of fixing things only complicate things. To make matters worse his leaders are unhappy with him and intend to stop him. My feelings were all over the place with regard to Romeo. I assumed one thing only to have it revealed that I was wrong, wrong, wrong! I loved the ride the author took me on concerning him. Ben was sweet and complicated. I will admit I was a little smitten with him. Gemma was Ariel’s only friend and I wanted to smack her upside the head one minute and hug her the next.
The tale takes place over a span of three days. While this kept the pace moving, it also led to confusion at times. I love world building and a lack of details, can keep me from getting lost within the pages. It’s an element I love and at times throughout the book I screamed for more detail and depth. When I finished reading and sat back to digest the story that had just unfolded, I found myself pleased that the author kept me in the dark. All the highs I felt as the story unfolded were because of this shroud of mystery. Jay’s writing style was delightful and she provided the pieces as we needed them despite my eagerness. The tale she spun was believable and flowed beautifully from pen to paper. I am not a fan of insta-love but I do believe in soul mates and it was necessary for this tale. Now the ending has two climatic scenes. One was downright cheesy. I do not require an ending where things are tied up in a neat little bow. I am perfectly comfortable imagining my own. I can spend hours creating one in my mind. I know a lot of you do not like open endings and will be delighted this one comes wrapped up for you. For me it felt wrong and forced almost like it wasn’t the authors original ending. Now the second ending was fantastic. It has a cliff-hanger albeit a small one. It’s just enough to have me excited about Romeo Redeemed.
I recommend Juliet Immortal to fans of paranormal romances and retellings. This was such a fresh and delightfully dark look at Romeo and Juliet. Romeo Redeemed will be available October 9, 2012. Look for my review to post in September.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a great read and I think you will enjoy it, despite it..I know i did 🙂
Christa Seeley
hmm from the sounds of it I’m not sure this book would be for me. I really don’t like the insta love and the cheesy ending scene probably would’ve have put me right off. I do know some people however that love stories like this so I will be sure to pass on the recommendation
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Christa 🙂
Danielle Perez
I was trying to comment on this last night but with this kind of commenting i can’t do it from my Kindle Fire… I have to wait till I actually sit down at the puters! haha Great review as always! Sounds like an awesome book!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks..weird I can comment to anyone and anything on my Nook Tablet.
Majanka Verstraete
Juliet Immortal sounds like a great book. I truly enjoyed reading your review, and it makes me want to read the book myself. The concept just sounds so original! Juliet killed by Romeo, and then the two of them becoming enemies for all eternity. Heh, it sounds even more intriguing than the original story. 🙂 I’m mostly curious about Romeo though, especially since you mentioned he’s a difficult character to grasp. Adding this to my TBR list! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Majanka, I am anxious to read Romeo’s story. Hope you enjoy it!
kimbacaffeinate
Welcome cupcake 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Amy, I really enjoyed it and hope you grab it 🙂
Amy Stogner
Great review. This sounds like an interesting book. I’m not a fan of insta love either, but you’re right if it is needed it works. I am going to be adding it to my wishlist.
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe…that cheesy ending has a lot of people curious..LOL
Bella's Shelf
I am swooning KImba! Swoon-ing! Another to buy..My poor credit card 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Guess i shouldn’t tell you Romeo Redeemed will be out October 9th..hehehe!
Bella's Shelf
I bought this late yesterday for less than 6$ total! S&H included! I hope it counts on your credit. When on Amazon I click on the price for the “Used” versions and pick the cheapest. I got a True Blood, NEW, Graphic Novel for 1 cent, 3.99 s&h. I know I sound like a cheap-o, but in this day 7 age every penny counts! Romeo Redeemed..Oh my..lolz..
kimbacaffeinate
Hey ya gotta love a bargain, as long as we can feed out addiction..hehehe
Heidi
I have both of these books to review and I am hoping for a good read. I am okay with open endings and I think it is better than a cheesy forced or a cliffhanger. I am anxious to see how I feel about this.
Michelle
I love the idea of a present day juliet! I know what you mean about lack of details though. I am all for mystery, but there is a fine line between being mysterious and too confusing.
Thanks for the great review. 🙂
Jessi Larie
Yay!! I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while, it sounds so interesting!! Great review 🙂