Review: The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Book Description via Goodreads:

Paperback, 304 pages

September 27, 2011, Harlequin Teen

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. Waypast. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

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

Source: Pinoy Book Tours (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

When I first started The Juliet Spell, I didn’t know what to expect. But I was glad to realize that my fondness of theater-themed books increased with this debut. The main character, Miranda or Miri, was a dedicated theater girl. She was full of hope, dreams and unbridled desire to be Juliet in the upcoming play of her school. Now, I’ve encountered a lot of characters who wanted to be Juliet. But Miri was different. Miri had a purpose to be Juliet and the reasons to back them up. Aside from theater life, at home, she was casting spells. She wasn’t a witch though. She was just a simple girl looking for ways to enhance her chances to get her desired role. So she cast a spell – the one that made her Juliet and made her life and everything else in the story complicated.

Her spell brought her a special treat and a complication – Edmund Shakeshaft – the brother of the one and only William Shakespeare. He was fresh from the Renaissance, confused, shocked and panicky. He brought with him his 100% real old British charm and good looks. Being stuck in the twenty-first century left him with no other choice but to adapt and try to blend in, in the bizarre high-tech world. He was a fast learner, a charmer and a true actor. He managed to make both Miri and Vivian, Miri’s competition when it comes to Juliet, fall in love with him. Sadly, Edmund had the hots for Vivian and they took their relationship to a higher, more intimate level. Miri, hurt but still undeniably in love with Edmund, always looked out for him. She was trying in vain to keep him away from harm, namely Vivian.

As the rehearsals went on, Miri found herself in the middle of a set of jealousy, crap and chaos. Bobby was still mad that he got Tybalt instead of Romeo. He focused all his anger on Edmund though, especially since Edmund was dating Vivian, who Bobby secretly had a thing for. Drew was probably the most composed of them all. Smart, friendly and easy to be with, he always popped into the scene to help and save Miri and Edmund. But Edmund’s secret was getting harder and harder to keep. People were starting to ask too many questions and it was getting difficult to lie with ease. Could they keep his secret safe? Or would they have to think of a quick solution to Edmund’s stuck-in-the-21^st-century-problem?

Theater drama mixed with real-life drama in The Juliet Spell’s romantic tale of tragedy, time-travel and second chances. The Juliet Spell was well written, had vibrant and realistic characters and had its own strong heroine to conquer the stage. I recommend this to Shakespeare readers, romance readers and time-travel fanatics.

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