Douglas Rees

Because I am such a sucker for books and I want my children to find the same joy and escape in them that I do, I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find books that I think they'll enjoy when I am in the bookstore. Most of the time, I fail miserably. I saw this book on the shelf and after reading the cover copy, wasn't sure my daughter would appreciate it. But the idea of a modern day reworking of the Romeo and Juliet tale caught my own fancy and I regretted not buying it for show more myself. I told my daughter the premise and she said she'd be willing to read it so immediately back to the bookstore we went. If I had bought it without asking her, odds are she never would have read it but because I wanted to read it too, she zipped through it, enjoyed it, and cheerfully passed it along to me. Obviously I was predisposed to like it and happily, it turned out to be a cute and fun young adult read.

Miranda is a high school theater geek who is trying out for the part of Juliet in the joint high school/community production. She desperately wants the part not only for herself but because her mother, who as an actress before she met Miranda's father, never got to play the part. Miranda thinks it would be lovely to be able to dedicate her performance to her mother, who has been a hard working single mother for the several years since Miranda's father left them to "find himself." Because Miranda wants the part so badly, she goes home and casts a spell to become famous. No, she's not a witch. She's just a teenaged girl desperately wishing, by any means possible, to be cast in the part she wants. But Miranda's spell does work. Sort of. At least when the smoke clears, it appears that Miranda has summoned a real Elizabethan actor into her kitchen. Best yet, his name is Edmund Shakeshank and he is William Shakespeare's younger brother. As Miranda helps him adjust to being plunked down in the twenty-first century, he helps her with her acting and together they run through some of the more entertaining Shakespeare plots all while the play in which they are both players runs into some significant road blocks.

The story over all is charming and fun and the Shakespeare references are entertaining. The novel is not without problems though. It is patently unbelievable and much of it was too easy. No one seems to blink much of an eye that Edmund was inadvertantly transported from his century to ours. And he, in turn, is only incredulous of a few major things rather than completely overwhelmed as any true Elizabethan would be in the same situation. Most of the plot is fairly predictable but there are a few delightful twists that keep the narrative tension from going slack. As a love story, it definitely captures immature high school relationships, as opposed to ones fully realized. The characters are pretty transparent but likable enough. The plot with Miranda's absent father is a false note and was certainly less enjoyable than the rest. While not high literature, the novel was goofy, frothy, entertaining fluff that continues to appeal despite its weaknesses; it left me smiling. show less

This book far surpassed its predecessor. It was an incredible joy to read. The world of Vampire High has all the making of turning into the next Harry Potter series. It astounds me that it has flown so far under the radar for so long. Rees's ability to weave mythos (both original and antiquated) with real life and history is astounding. What I would give to live in the world he has created (if not just to get my paws on Gregor! Muy caliente!).

Yes, four stars. I was surprised, too. This is a terrific, and terrifically funny, book. The premise really grew on me. The humor managed to keep up a brisk pace in a story that really is a story -- with, like, issues and character development and stuff. Plus, I embarrassed myself while waiting outside my son's Lego class by laughing out loud several times during the penultimate chapter. Which is right near the end, and won't make any sense unless you've read the chapters leading up to it. show more So get cracking. show less

I really liked the first half of this book. I even gushed about it a little bit to Sarah of Sarah Says Read. I really like when characters from the past stumble into the 21st century. I think it has something to do with gentlemanly manners and Old English. (Yep, I’m one of those people who not only understands, but loves Old English). I thought that some of the best lines were when Edmund was trying to adjust to the new technology. The best one was perhaps when he first opened the show more refrigerator and said, “It’s winter in there!” It’s amazing that some of the simplest things make me laugh so hard.

I didn’t like how accepting the mother was to have a time traveling Elizabethan boy staying in her guest room. She doesn’t really ask any questions and he’s immediately part of the family. I didn’t know what to make of that.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The second half wasn’t as adorable as the first half. It kind really technical and scientific as far as time travel goes. I found it to be a little distracting and rather than kind of nonsensical adorable like the first part, it was just a little too out there for my taste.

I do think that a lot of people will like this book, but the technical science lingo was completely over my head. I did like the premise of the novel and it had a satisfying ending. I think I am going to be largely in the minority on this one. I think that this would be a great pick for younger readers, especially as a jumping off point for Shakespeare. show less