Prince of Shadows

Taking Romeo and Juliet as an inspiration and telling the story from Benvolio (one of the survivor's) point of view this is an interesting look at the story, and one I actually really liked. The only characterisation I didn't really like was Mercutio, he was my favourite character in the play, but it's a minor quibble, and not because he's gay.

I enjoyed the read, liked the characters and liked the resolution and Rosaline also appealed to me. I want to re-read the play now.

A dark, clever retelling of Romeo & Juliet, full of twisted politics, heartbreaking relationships, and a wry, witty narrator in the form of Benvolio, an Italian Robin Hood bent on holding his world together, no matter how deftly it explodes. Love that Romeo was portrayed exactly as he should be: a bratty, self-absorbed, yet still lovable 16-year-old. It's Meecutio, who completely and utterly broke my heart. Intrigue, horror, love & heartbreak abound! Don't miss this one.

For more reviews, gifs, Cover Snark and more, visit A Reader of Fictions.

Back in that mysterious time before I began book blogging, I read a few of the Morganville Vampires novels. I didn’t stop because I didn’t like them; they just sort of fell by the wayside, as I am wont to do with series at times. I was curious, to say the least, to see that Caine had made the leap from vampires to a Shakespearean retelling, but she has landed this vast jump deftly. Prince of Shadows is going to be a vast surprise for Caine fans, I suspect, told largely in classic style and looking at Romeo and Juliet from a fun new perspective.

First and foremost, I’m impressed with Caine’s writing in Prince of Shadows. She strikes a nice balance betwixt the show more ornate language of Shakespeare and a more reader-friendly style. At times, the lines are drawn almost directly from Romeo and Juliet, and those lines blend nicely. It’s no small feat managing to stand up in some measure to Shakespeare. Though Caine’s style is quite different, I think she hits the right tone, and I very much approve of the fact that she kept the bawdy comedy inherent to Shakespearean humor, even in tragedies like this one.



Caine’s retelling too is quite clever. Cast as the lead is Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin. He’s a supporting character in Romeo and Juliet, standing in as a young tough from the Montague family. From his viewpoint, we can see the larger context of the tragedy of those star-crossed lovers. Though the paranormal elements get a bit overwhelming right at the end, the rest of the novel takes place very much in a convincing historical Verona, as defined by Shakespeare. The twists she’s put on Romeo and Juliet, even when not to my taste, put a very interesting spin on the original, and fit very well with it. Prince of Shadows isn’t so much a retelling as a frame in which we can learn that things were not as they appeared.

The characters of lovestruck Romeo and Juliet both do and do not come off looking better in Prince of Shadows than they did in the play. What Caine really emphasizes is their youth and how out of control of circumstances everyone felt. Many characters, however, retain the black or white natures they had in the Shakespeare. The characters seen in a greatly new light are Benvolio, Mercutio, and Rosaline.

Mercutio has always been the saddest figure in Romeo and Juliet to me, and the same is true here. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about some of Caine’s revisions, but he still breaks my heart. I adore that Caine’s Mercutio is gay, and I like too how those of good character find little fault with him for that. Whether a character believes that love is love is a good litmus test for their nature.



The other change in Prince of Shadows is an increased focus on female roles in the political situation. Though a male is still the lead, he’s surrounded by strong women, both evil and good. His grandmother rules the Montague clan with an iron fist, though scarcely able to move about. His young sister does her best to manipulate within the scope that society allows her. Benvolio’s mother ends up a more powerful figure as well. Rosaline, of course, serves as the best representation, almost an Elizabeth Bennet figure, unwilling to settle for the role provided to women during her era.

Prince of Shadows is not the heavily romance-focused, action-packed adventure that Caine’s Morganville Vampires fans might be looking for. It is, however, a fascinating reconsideration of Romeo and Juliet, and will likely interest fellow Shakespeare nerds. show less

An ARC of this title was provided to me by the publisher, NAL - Penguin, in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

"Was this love, to betray one's family, and defy certain death?" Loc 3316

So when I saw this book was a retelling of Shakespeare's tragic romance, Romeo and Juliet, I was intrigued. Then I read the blurb and discovered it was told through Romeo's cousin, Benvolio's perspective and that he was also the "Prince of Shadows." Told with the amazing backdrop of Shakespearean Vienna, I knew that this could be a hit or miss. Retellings are hard to do well, I think. Usually I stay away from Shespeare retellings-- having read so many failed attempts. But I had to try this out for a few reasons: one, it had many added show more elements (Prince of shadows, gay couples, etc), two, it's written by Rachel Caine (Morganville vampires), and thirdly, we get away from everything that's now become generic about the Romeo and Juliet love story. These are also a few of the reasons why you should try this book on for size.

I haven't read much of Caine's previous works (only Glass Houses which I enjoyed), so I admit in the beginning it was a little bit difficult to get used to her writing style. I took my time reading the beginning; I think it was hard to get in the groove of things. But once I did, I really loved it. Benvolio is an amazing narrator. He's been raised to be loyal to his family, always he had to be the responsible one. But his alter ego is the Prince of Shadows-- which kind of reminded me of a Robin Hood type character who steals and embarrasses wrongdoers. I found him really charming and I admit I found myself crushing on him a bit. I also just have to say that when an author uses a male protagonist and does it right, especially in young adult, I just *swoon*

This is definitely a book where there's a lot going on. You may go into this thinking, I know the story, doesn't matter who tells it I'm not going to be surprised. Well, you're wrong. You don't know this story. You will be surprised. And, if you're like me, you'll love it.

Was there anything that I didn't like? I guess the only annoyance I really had came at the end. This book doesn't have any supernatural elements to it (which I enjoyed), but at the end there was a tiny bit that kind of came through and I don't really understand why. The story could've done just as well without it, and it didn't add anything. In my view, it took a bit away from it. Besides that I found it kind of confusing.

If you love Shakespeare and if you can appreciate a thoroughly creative retelling, I urge you to pick this up! It's such a unique take; full of mystery, romance, betrayal, revenge, death, and sword fights. Rachel Caine, I bow to you. You've taken the most popular and quoted love story of all time and morphed it into something entirely new while keeping the elements that have allowed the story to resonate for centuries. show less

I CAN FINALLY REVIEW THIS.
Rating: 4 stars

I've read Romeo and Juliet. I've read a book told from Rosaline's perspective, Romeo's Ex - Rosaline's Story. Prince of Shadows tells the story of Romeo and Juliet from Benvolio's perspective, as well as the stories of many other characters - strong-willed Rosalie, and passionate Mercutio. I liked how Caine expanded and created a world for the characters, with their backstories and motivations. The Montague matriarch, Benvolio's grandmother, is not one to be trifled with. So everyone has their desires, and then there's Benvolio, a normal guy trying to keep his cousin Romeo out of trouble. But only during the daytime - because at night he transforms into the Prince of Shadows!

It was great to see show more how this all played out, because Caine took the liberties of making the tale readable and relatable. Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio are average Veronese guys, drinking, flirting with the ladies, and picking an occasional fight with a Capulet. As the Prince of Shadows, Benvolio would be like Robin Hood, except he just keeps what he steals for himself. He does help out his rival family's daughter, Rosaline, whenever she's in need. But things change when Veronica Montague reveals Mercutio's secret relationship with Thomas, and the latter is hanged for this 'sin'. Everything keeps on crashing down after that.

I loved almost all the characters. And even the ones I hated, were fun to read as well (I'm talking about you Veronica!). They're not entirely good or entirely bad, and the women in particular have to be devious and conniving in order to make a claim in society. Rosaline by far was my favorite - she's just trying to do her own thing, and read books, but the Capulets keep on trying to send her to a convent. And Romeo pining after her with his terrible poetry - hilarious! Oh Romeo, such a lovesick puppy.

I really had an attachment to a lot of the characters, so you can imagine how I felt when some of them died. Except Tybalt. I knew Romeo and Juliet would die (e-gasp a spoiler?) but Veronica and Mercutio's death struck me the post. Poor Veronica - she's one of those spoiled little sisters trying to get her way, but in the end feels sorry for what he's done. And Mercutio - I felt bad for him from Thomas's death to his own. He went through so much. (As you can see the secondary characters are my favorite's to read!)

This is unusual for me, but I preferred the beginning - middle to the end. The end started to get this magical curse vibe that I didn't see coming, and couldn't picture it as clearly. Really, there's a curse that caused all this? And the steps Benvolio and Rosaline had to go through to stop it - a bit silly, but there's always a need for some tension.

Regardless, it's a good retelling/POV change of Romeo and Juliet, and I recommend it to those Shakespeare buffs out there!
show less

A thrilling retelling of the star-crossed tale of Romeo and Juliet, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampires series.

In the Houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and—if they survive—marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely. Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona—and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on show more convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona…

…And will rewrite all their fates, forever

This is a retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story, but in text and from the Point of View of Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin.

Romeo makes the occasional appearance, as is appropriate for the young heir, still living in his father’s house.

Juliet makes two appearances, one at the famous party, where she meets Romeo for the first time, and one later where her behaviour is already cause for concern and puts her betrothal to Paris at risk.

Caine makes good use of the spaces left in Benvolio’s appearances during R&J and portrays the secondary characters well. The set pieces (such as the fight between Tybalt, Mercutio and Romeo that leads to the death of two and the banishment of the third) are handled well and add further dimensions to the original.

Benvolio has developed a skill as a cat burglar, which allows him to be places and see things that forward the story that wouldn’t have progressed otherwise. Because this is a time without phones, but with paid thugs roaming the streets, there are plenty of fights, but news travels slowly and often through rumour before fact.

Benvolio’s sister is used as an example where women are there to be “traded” in marriage for political means. Men are there to protect the family honour, which means protecting the heir as necessary and progressing the line where necessary – the further away from the heir, the more “disposable” your life is.

In summary: an enjoyable story, that is easy to read, where it is not necessary to know the original text (though it does help to understand the context of some of the set pieces). show less

lovely retelling of romeo and juliet from the pov of benvolio and rosaline. Rachel Caine adds a nice spin on the classic, giving more depth to the characters and storyline. also, who doesn't like a little vigilante "bad" boy?