Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

Pages: 336f 

Publisher: Manilla Press 

Released: 3rd of August 2023 

Was the greatest ever love story a lie?

The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love.

Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo's attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.

Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo's gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realises that it is not only Juliet's reputation at stake, but her life.

With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo? Or can this story only ever end one way?

A subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare's best-known tale, narrated by a fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline's story.

What I Have to Say 

This was so interesting. I love a retelling with some grit, really getting down to the practicalities of things and showing how unhealthy something is that has been so romanticised. The author took a deep dive into the original Shakespeare and it shows in the retelling. Picking up on things like the fact that Romeo's age is never mentioned but Juliet's is emphasised and reading something wholly new into the text. 

Romeo's villainous nature was really well done. Even if you don't read the blurb before going in (or you read it a while ago and only vaguely remember it, like I did), you pick up very quickly that Romeo is not what he seems. There are little seeds of bad behaviour spread throughout the text that quickly builds up to a full picture even before the truth is revealed to Rosaline. I don't think I've ever been quite so desperate for a character to go to a nunnery before! 

Most of all, this made me want to read Romeo and Juliet again and see all the details that the author has drawn out for this retelling. I want to see it in a new light after reading this and I think that's a beautiful thing. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Manilla Press for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

 

Storm-wake by Lucy Christopher

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 352

Publisher: Chicken House 

Released: 5th of April 2018

Moss has grown up on the strangest and most magical of islands. Her father has a plan to control the tempestuous weather that wracks the shores. But the island seems to have a plan of its own once Callan -- a wild boy her age -- appears on its beaches. Her complex feelings for Callan shift with every tide, while her love for the island, and her father, are thrown into doubt...

And when one fateful day, a young man from the outside world washes up on the beach, speaking of the Old World, nothing will ever be the same.

What I Have to Say 

Lucy Christopher's beautiful writing, combined with her imaginative retake of The Tempest make a beautiful book that's perfect for anyone looking to escape to a beautiful island full of dark secrets. I loved the characters, so connected to their Shakespearean counterparts but also so unique and full of life. 

I loved the close friendship between Moss and Callan, the way they were so close that they belonged to each other in a way that if there had been other children around, probably wouldn't have been the case. It was a unique relationship and so interesting to explore, especially when other people are added to the picture. 

This is the kind of book that makes you want to read it a few times. There's so much detail in the book and so many secrets that come out, meaning that there's so much more to pick up on in the second reading. I'm looking forward to a second and maybe even a third reading. 

My thanks go to the Chicken House for providing me with this copy for review. 

As I Descended by Robin Talley

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 384

Publisher: Mira Ink 

Released: 6th of September 2016 

Maria Lyon and Lily Boiten are their school’s ultimate power couple—even if no one knows it but them.

Only one thing stands between them and their perfect future: campus superstar Delilah Dufrey.

Golden child Delilah is a legend at the exclusive Acheron Academy, and the presumptive winner of the distinguished Cawdor Kingsley Prize. She runs the school, and if she chose, she could blow up Maria and Lily’s whole world with a pointed look, or a carefully placed word.

But what Delilah doesn’t know is that Lily and Maria are willing to do anything—absolutely anything—to make their dreams come true. And the first step is unseating Delilah for the Kingsley Prize. The full scholarship, awarded to Maria, will lock in her attendance at Stanford―and four more years in a shared dorm room with Lily.

Maria and Lily will stop at nothing to ensure their victory—including harnessing the dark power long rumored to be present on the former plantation that houses their school.

But when feuds turn to fatalities, and madness begins to blur the distinction between what’s real and what is imagined, the girls must decide where they draw the line.

What I Have to Say 

I think Robin Talley is one of my new favourite authors. I was gripped completely by Lies We Tell Ourselves and adored it completely. As I Descended was just as good. I was interested to see the interpretation of Macbeth, to see what take Talley would use. I think her beautiful writing combined with the spooky atmosphere of the book, made something wonderful. 

I wasn't sure at first whether I would like the switch that Talley made, from the three witches of Macbeth to Ouija boards and haunted lakes, but I found it really helped to make the atmosphere of the book. 

As perfect as it was and as beautiful  Lily and Maria were in the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, I wasn't as keen on the ending. I felt it didn't follow as closely to the play as it did. I may be biased, because Talley didn't reference the part I was most interested to see, the descent into madness of Lady Macbeth (although don't worry, there is plenty other madness in this book). I understand that it didn't fit so well into the book though, so I forgive it. I just would have liked more parallels. 

Despite that tiny point against it, I really did love this book. I would recommend it to everyone, it was fantastic.