Defy the Stars Blurb:
Julia Cape: A dedicated classical piano student just trying to get through her last semester of high school while waiting to hear from music conservatories.
Reed MacAllister: A slacker more likely to be found by the stoners’ tree than in class.
Julia and Reed might have graduated high school without ever speaking to each other…until, during a class discussion of Romeo and Juliet, Julia scoffs at the play’s theme of love at first sight, and Reed responds by arguing that feelings don’t always have to make sense. Julia tries to shake off Reed’s comment and forget about this boy who hangs with the stoner crowd—and who happens to have breathtaking blue eyes—but fate seems to bring the two together again and again. After they share an impulsive, passionate kiss, neither one can deny the chemistry between them. Yet as Julia gets closer to Reed, she also finds herself drawn into his dark world of drugs and violence. Then a horrific tragedy forces Julia’s and Reed’s families even farther apart…and Julia must decide whether she’s willing to give up everything for love.
DEFY THE STARS is written in an edgy free-verse style that will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins and Lisa Schroeder; however, the writing is accessible enough to speak to non-verse fans as well. The novel’s combination of steamy romance and raw emotion will appeal to fans of Gayle Forman, Simone Elkeles, Jennifer Echols, and Tammara Webber. With a story, language and form that both pay homage to and subvert Shakespeare’s play, DEFY THE STARS is much more than just another Romeo and Juliet story.
This novel contains mature language and themes, including drug use.
Reed MacAllister: A slacker more likely to be found by the stoners’ tree than in class.
Julia and Reed might have graduated high school without ever speaking to each other…until, during a class discussion of Romeo and Juliet, Julia scoffs at the play’s theme of love at first sight, and Reed responds by arguing that feelings don’t always have to make sense. Julia tries to shake off Reed’s comment and forget about this boy who hangs with the stoner crowd—and who happens to have breathtaking blue eyes—but fate seems to bring the two together again and again. After they share an impulsive, passionate kiss, neither one can deny the chemistry between them. Yet as Julia gets closer to Reed, she also finds herself drawn into his dark world of drugs and violence. Then a horrific tragedy forces Julia’s and Reed’s families even farther apart…and Julia must decide whether she’s willing to give up everything for love.
DEFY THE STARS is written in an edgy free-verse style that will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins and Lisa Schroeder; however, the writing is accessible enough to speak to non-verse fans as well. The novel’s combination of steamy romance and raw emotion will appeal to fans of Gayle Forman, Simone Elkeles, Jennifer Echols, and Tammara Webber. With a story, language and form that both pay homage to and subvert Shakespeare’s play, DEFY THE STARS is much more than just another Romeo and Juliet story.
This novel contains mature language and themes, including drug use.
My Review:
Over the few days it took me to read Defy the Stars, the
book became like a drug to me. Each moment away had me itching for more of the
high. Granted I had to take breaks to do things like, *Gasp* feed my children
or *sigh* shower. But if I could have avoided those things, I would have in
order to get the next fix of this book.
Defy the Stars is a beautifully written, poetic
interpretation of the classic Romeo and Juliet story. The flow of the writing is
flawless and draws the reader into the story. These real, raw characters are
beautifully flawed, creating people we as readers can relate to. Despite
depiction of drug use in this book, we love and understand these characters. We
want these characters to grow, to learn, and every time they fail, we urge them
to get back up and fight again.
One of the things I was the most impressed with was the
connections to Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Now, someone could have come along
and twisted the original story and come up with a less than impressive knock
off, but Ms. Parent weaves the story into her own, creating something
beautifully impressive. It is by no means a knock off. She makes the story her
own and in reading Defy the Stars, we forget that we’re reading an
interpretation of the Bard’s story. Yet, when I finished and began a few notes
for this post, I began to realize just how closely she was able to tie in bits
and pieces of the original play. From the apotheCARY, to the beloved
cousin/uncle, to the banishment of Romeo, all pieces that are skillfully played
by Ms. Parent. Upon finishing this book, I want to now go back to my English
studies from college and reread Romeo and Juliet. I think if I do, I’d see even
more connections that Parent slipped in under the radar.
This is one of the most amazing books I’ve read in a long
time. Parent has found a new fan in me.
5/5 stars.
Goodreads:
Amazon:
Be sure to go back and check out the rest of the tour.
Giveaway Info:
1st prize: $30 gift card from Amazon and a e-book copy of Defy the Stars.
2nd place: 4 e-book copies of Defy the Stars.
Additional Prize: A query letter critique by Stephanie Parent.
All giveaways are open internationally!
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