Book Review: The Juliet Spell

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (27 Sep 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0373210396
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210398

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....

Miri’s school is putting on a production of Romeo and Juliet…and Miri is determined to be Juliet. She rehearses and memorises lines but it isn’t enough. When Miri is turned over for the part, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Miri casts a spell but it backfires on her. Rather than getting her the role she wanted, she inadvertently plucked William Shakespeare’s younger brother, Edmund, out of his time, and dropped him in hers.

Edmund is confounded with the future, seeing everything with childlike curiosity and marvel…especially when he finds out how famous Will is in the future. Miri enlists Edmund’s help with the play, but he does her one better. He tries out for Romeo himself…and gets it. Suddenly Miri is understanding Juliet a whole lot better.

The Juliet Spell was a light and quirky read. It is written a little immaturely at times, though its content is definitely not for the younger end of the YA spectrum. While it was a witty and brilliant new take on the genre, there was something missing for me. Some element not present to take it from an okay book to an amazing one.

The characters felt underdeveloped, and to my irritation, took things as they came. A teenage girl summons a boy from the past and says he will live with them? No problem. You suddenly realise you have feelings for the boy? Okay. The boy is catting around with uber-bitch? No worries. The book’s saving grace was Drew – highly loveable character with all the right answers and reactions. The downside was he didn’t have enough page time.

The Juliet Spell is a perfect read for anyone who likes light YA with a hint of romance, time travel and doomed relationships.