Still Star-Crossed

May 15, 2013
Love and violence intertwine in this spectacular sequel to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The peace purchased with Romeo's and Juliet's deaths lasts two weeks before the Capulets and Montagues renew their fight in the streets of Verona. Those closest to the young lovers struggle with their grief: Rosaline Tirimo mourns both her cousin Juliet and her former suitor, Romeo, but resolves to escape the cycle of violence and the grudging charity of the Capulet family by becoming a nun. Benvolio Montague sees Mercutio's and Romeo's ghosts everywhere, but he suppresses his anger at the Capulets. Then Prince Escalus attempts to force the feuding families into concord by arranging a marriage between Rosaline and Benvolio, even as a third party incites riots and slays young Capulets and Montagues indiscriminately. Unlike their cousins' whirlwind romance, Rosaline and Benvolio's courtship consists of squabbling, sleuthing and a grudging sense of duty. Taub splits her focus between the personal and the political, sending the narrative shuttling among Rosaline, Benvolio, Rosaline's spirited sister, Livia, and desperate Prince Escalus without losing the thread. Rosaline and Benvolio's tale is equal parts historical fiction, detective story and high adventure, relayed in accurate but not overwhelming period language, informed by Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare's other works but offering an expanded and original perspective. A perfect blend of the intimate and the epic, the story both honors its origin and works in its own right. (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

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August 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-This fast-paced, captivating sequel to Romeo and Juliet is a fascinating homage to one of the Bard's best-loved plays. Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Romeo, and Juliet have all perished by the sword or by poison, and yet the houses of Capulet and Montague still rage against each other. Prince Escalus, desperate for peace in his city, determines that the only way to end the bloodshed is for a marriage to take place between the households. Rosaline, niece to Capulet, who once rejected her erstwhile suitor, Romeo, and Benvolio, nephew to Lord Montague, are the chosen, but they have no interested in marrying each other and resolve to end the violence without approaching the altar. Meanwhile, Rosaline's sister Livia discovers that Paris is still alive and falls in love with him while secretly nursing him back to health. However, Paris, guided by the treachery of Lady Capulet, decides to amass an army to dethrone the prince. Full of secrets, duels, and duplicity, this novel brings a joyous ending to a once-tragic tale. Although Paris and Lady Capulet are evil personified, Rosaline, Benvolio, and Livia are well-developed characters, and Escalus and Friar Lawrence, though less important, are believably complex. The period details of costume and custom greatly enhance the story's realism, and the quick-moving action will keep readers both alert and entranced. This well-written novel, whether standing alone or serving as a back-door introduction to the original, should be a first purchase for school and public libraries.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Grades 9-12 When Verona's violence can't be quelled, Prince Escalus orders the dark, devilish Montague Benvolio to wed Rosaline, of the Capulets. Benvolio sees Rosaline as the cause of the strife that ensues, while Rosaline struggles to reconcile childhood feelings toward Escalus. Together, Benvolio and Rosaline banter their way to a compromise, unmask the mystery person who is on the blood feud, reunite the families, and avoid their undesirable trip to the priest! This dark drama, set in the world of Romeo and Juliet, is tempered with wit and humor as Taub blends Shakespearean-style dialogue with a less opulent prose narrative that artfully decodes the vocabulary for readers new to the Bard. Readers will enjoy following the heroes as they encounter romance, intrigue, and characters reminiscent of Hamlet and the cast of Much Ado about Nothing, among others. Pair this highly enjoyable story with Sharon Draper's Romiette and Julio (1999) or Suzanne Selfor's Saving Juliet (2008).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2014
Picking up after the events in Romeo and Juliet, this novel doesn't require prior knowledge of the play. Rosaline and Benvolio--Capulet and Montague--are betrothed to marry and cement Verona's peace. But conspiracy's afoot, violence simmers, and the young pair's hearts remain uncertain. This inventive, well-paced narrative plays cleverly with Shakespearean conventions and Elizabethan dialogue and should appeal to modern readers.

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