Defy the Stars

by Stephanie Parent

Out of Print

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.

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Poetry, High School

596 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2012

Reviews

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

HAPPY POETRY MONTH!

april is national poetry month,
so here come thirty floats!
the cynics here will call this plan
a shameless grab for votes.
and maybe there’s some truth to that—
i do love validation,
but charitably consider it
a rhyme-y celebration.
i don’t intend to flood your feed—
i’ll just post one a day.
endure four weeks of reruns
and then it will be may!

**************************

Romeo and Juliet: Love Story or Cautionary Tale?

this is the question this book conveniently asks in the middle of the narrative, giving me the perfect jumping-off point for my review.

because this is a retelling of romeo and juliet, with meth. in verse.

thought i should get that part out of the way right off the bat. because, yes, i have bemoaned to book-in-verse format time and time and time again, because i think that usually, it doesn't really do the book any favors; it just looks like a buncha sentences broken up unnecessarily to make the story longer. and i am also not a romance-reader, although i have done my explorations in my two romance/erotica book clubs. but that is simply for the sake of broadening myself so i know what's out there. but i was kind of charmed by this author's comment on one of my threads that i decided to take the risk. you know, to see what's out there.

and even though i know for sure i am not the ideal reader for this, i'm glad i gave it a shot, because i did like it, despite still maintaining that books do not need to be written in verse.

so back to the cautionary tale. yeah, romeo and juliet. the quintessential love story of two crazy kids who fall in love after knowing each other for about an hour and die tragically because they can never be together...

i mean, shakespeare pretties it up and makes you sympathize with the lovers because he could do that - he's shakespeare. but it's a waste, right? a teenage infatuation that never had the chance to go the way of most teenage infatuations: the screaming matches in the hallways, the drunken late-night gifts left on doorsteps after driving over the lawn and totally ruining it, the revenge hook-ups, the burning of photographs... teen love is a rite of passage that (hopefully) gets all the drama out of the system in order to form more meaningful attachments later in life, and killing yourself over some teen-love is a total cop-out.

but to return to the book. this is only a sortof retelling. there are the lovers from different worlds, the parental disapproval (which, considering the Thing That Happens in this book, is totally understandable), murrrrderrrr, "montag street", and an unhappy resolution. which is all i will say about that.

but the meth element adds another dimension (why you no write about meth, shakespeare??) it brings up the theme of love-as-addiction, and whether a powerful infatuation can be as destructive as substance abuse.



which, yeah, it pretty much can.

and her characters are sympathetic, too: julia is a talented pianist in her huge home with well-meaning but distracted parents and reed is a stoner being raised by his older brother, who cooks meth to pay the bills. worlds collide.

their connection is forged through music. reed plays guitar, writes his own songs, he is the bad boy in a leather jacket who has a secret tenderness that attracts julia. of course, there is familial disapproval on both sides, and their love is thwarted on all sides, until in true shakespearean fashion, through a series of decisions and misunderstandings and treachery, things get dark.

and it is sad and touching and realistic. and, lord, does the verse just fly. this is a very fast read. that is one good thing about the verse-format. you can feel like a reading-machine!

and so i wanted to leave you with a bunch of cautionary photos of meth and its aftermath, but the pictures i found were too horrifying even for me, and i couldn't deal with posting them on this review.

[image error]

draw your own conclusions.

[Magen Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don't know if it's about love, so much, as fate. Something bigger than Romeo and Juliet, something greater than any two people, pulled them to each other, entwined their lives like...like a knot that no one could untangle. They could no more change what happened than...than stop a star from falling.-Reed"

This book was beyond what I thought it would be.
It ensnared me, held me captive from first sentence to the last page.
I had no chance to escape once I read the first word.
Defy the Stars is stunningly written and beautifully told.
It's a swirl of emotions.
Depth of beauty and danger.
Dark and alluring.

I would first like to thank Stephanie Parent for allowing me to read this book.
Thank you!

This is a book, written in verse style. Something I am not used to reading.
I have, however, read books by Ellen Hopkins, so the writing style wasn’t all that new to me.
But, writing a review was a bit tough.

Julia Cape, a straight lace girl, who’s just trying to finish high school and leave her town behind so she can play.
Play her piano that is, the only thing in her life she truly and wholeheartedly loves.
Every day, in and out, she plays, thinking of nothing much, otherwise.
School, piano, friends and family.
That’s Julia’s world.

That all chances when she has a discussion on Romeo & Juliet with the stoner, Reed MacAllister, where she ‘scoffs’ love at first sight, and Reed tries to defend the classic love story.
With just that one discussion, Julia just can’t seem to keep that dark and mysteries stoner, Reed, out of her head.

Then, with one encounter after another, these two find a different meaning in love at first.
Julia finds hope and love, where she that there was none.
Reed enters her life so un-expectantly, changing so many things for her.
And there begins their story of star crossed lovers.

With a bang and swift movement, her hands poised over the keys, she tells her story. With the sounds of piano chords.

You are rushed on a symphony of verses and words.
You enter a world that is raw and heartbreaking.
The emotions run deep and consume you.

"Even when we’re not together, I still taste him on my lips, a collision of sweetness and dark like a night sky scattered with stars."

From first words Julia and Reed collide.
First kiss they are enraptured with each other.
From there, they can't escape the grip they have.
They can’t fight fate.

Throughout the story, I could feel the dark and encouraging emotions seeping off this page.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It made me, in a way, be consumed in this world that Parent created.
The flow of the story was smooth, and the plot was beautifully told.
Parent kept the pace of the book nice, I was never lost nor did it feel rushed.
Music plays a heavy theme in the book and the writing style reminded me of how music flows.
It was captivating.

Julia and Reed start off with a complicated relationship, not knowing each other, to not liking each other, complete with misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Then fate seems to take the wheel and with a stirring of actions,
Reed and Julia set forth on a path of love, self-discovery, tragedy and hope.

The characters felt somewhat real and strong.
They each had flaws, weaknesses that were exposed in the book.
I got to know Julia on a personal level; however, I felt I didn’t get to really know Reed that well. We only get to see certain sides of him, and I felt there was just so much more to learn about him.
They truly are the complete opposite of each other.
The only thing I felt was missing, was that we didn't get to know the characters but on certain levels.

Parent tells a story of faith, love darkness, hope, tragedy and discover.
It was a heartbreaking and a consuming read.
Raw, dark and twisted, yet hopeful, fresh and inspiring.

I don’t think I have ever cried so hard over a book…


This book held me captive, and with a swirl of emotions, I couldn’t put it down.
Defy the Stars is about a tragic love story, so if you need a stunning heartwarming and tear-jerking read. I highly recommend this book!

[Maria Stanica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, you guys! So, for the first time ever and author contacted me and asked me to review her book. I, of course, was super excited and said yes! I was even more excited to learn that it was an "edgy contemporary Romeo and Juliet retelling in verse." I love books like that (Hi, Prom and Prejudice). Stephanie Parent is an amazingly kind lady and I'm sure that her book is going to get super popular in the near future. (By the way, I will be posting the Amazon link for her book at the end of this post. It's only available in Kindle at the moment.) She got the cover done with a zero dollar budget which is so impressive! Now, please enjoy a review of Defy the Stars by Stephanie Parent.

Summary:

"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 plot, 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.

Please note that this novel contains mature language and themes, including drug use."

Review:

Firstly, I know what you all are thinking: "I thought she was uncomfortable reading books about drugs... A book that has to do with drugs?" Let me tell you: the author is NOT condoning drug use this book. Yes, it IS a major part of the story, but drugs ruin the characters' lives - the main character experiments with it, but decides to stop taking it before she gets addicted.

And about being uncomfortable with drugs, aren't a lot of people? I don't like drugs and I don't approve of them in the slightest, but as a teenager I know that it is a major influence in a lot of people's lives. If I understand why authors include drug use in a book and it makes sense, it doesn't take away from the book, in my opinion. I hope that cleared things up.

I loved the way this book was written - the verse, I mean. It was so... cool, for lack of a better word.I had never read a book like that before and it made everything so much more dramatic and interesting.

The way she wrote it was fantastic - I legitimately cried at the end. I have read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare several times (I love it), and although I knew how it would ultimately end, it was really interesting to see the way she had everything happen. It was awesome how she used drugs as the poison.

I loved how some of the characters had names that began with the letter of the name of the shakespeare character they were "portraying": Julia - Juliet, Reed - Romeo, Perry - Paris, etc...

I loved the characters except Perry, but I don't think anyone was supposed to like Perry.

One complaint - I wish Perry had gotten stabbed. I'm not one to be like, "GO VIOLENCE!", but I don't mind battle scenes and all that stuff. However, Perry made me so angry, I wanted him to get stabbed by one of those big powerful guys. He made my skin crawl, but I think he was supposed to.

I also really liked Julia and Reed's relationship. They were just so good together. The only time I was annoyed is when Reed gave Julia drugs. That was not good (I understand why it happened, I was only mad at the character).

Another cool thing was Julia and her piano. I play the piano, and her talent made me wish that I could play as well as her. It was just so cool to see how she connected with piano and how that difficult piece of music was only difficult until she went through the type of pain that the music was portraying. It was beautiful, really.

In all, I give it five stars. I read it in a few hours (a few days ago) because I was super into it. I recommend this book, but please do remember the warning in the summary/blurb thingie.

Please check out my blog post where I post this exact same review - and I include an excerpt of the book and an interview with the author! Hope you enjoyed:
http://princessofpages.blogspot.com/2...

[Eunice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I was never a fan of Romeo and Juliet but when it was said that this book is some sort of a retelling of the said famous romance novel I was curious as how the author will pull it off. Well, actually it was more like I wanted to see a different ending, something that isn't really tragic or well, stupid because I really resent the ending of the original novel. Thankfully, I think the author did a very good job in portraying the story of Reed and Julia as the modern Romeo and Juliet and although the ending wasn't exactly what I had hoped for it was I guess, the best that could have come for a retelling of a tragic love story.

Julia and Reed comes from complete opposite world. The rich and the poor, the good and the bad, the responsible and the reckless. That isn't exactly a new setting to us but despite that it wasn't really hard to be swept and curious with the story of these two. Julia is a character that is easy to relate with and understand. Her emotions and feelings are very well voiced out making it even easier for us to understand her better. She did a lot of mistakes and wrong decisions but she's unmistakably a compassionate and strong person.

Reed is a character I'm very torn with. Not that he isn't likable but he was a character that I can't seem to have a firm grasp at. I saw the good in him, the vulnerable side, the reasons behind the addiction, his genuine intentions and I understand him, I really did and I did grew to care for him. Yet, despite all that it seems that he keeps on slipping away as the story goes on. It was sad and disheartening but I feel like the author purposely wrote his character that way.

The romance between the two was sweet and lovely. I love how the two met and how their feeling for each other developed, how they admitted it and how they fell into each other and didn't seem to care what people say about them. However, some part of me felt like it was lacking a bit of intensity, to completely convince the readers that they were indeed utterly, madly in love without words saying it. It might have made the ending even more compelling and powerful.

Nonetheless, Defy the Stars is lovely and heartwarming read although it ended still pretty tragic (not as much as the original Romeo and Juliet though) but the ending, for some reason I find encouraging. I was actually satisfied with it and it showed what should have been the right choice for the ending of a tragic love story.

Thank you YA Bound and Stephanie Parent for the review copy of this book.

This review is also posted at Book Overdose

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

What starts out as a simple love story between two people from two different worlds, turns out to be so much more complicated and tragic that my heart still hurts.

Julia simply put is your average student just trying to survive high school and eventually go off to college where she can practice her music. She feels like no one understands her even her parents and she knows that life will be so much better when she can just be around other music people like herself. With pressure from her friends, she decides to go out on a date with Perry, the guy her parents desperately want her to be with. Well when things don't go as planned and Mr.Perry gets a little to grabby she runs away and in the process runs smack dab into Reed, the guy she never knew she wanted until he looked at her with his bright blue eyes. Reed is everything her parents don't want for her, guy from the wrong side of the tracks, brother possibly into illegal stuff, and just no hope for a future. Julia knows Reed isn't perfect, but she loves him anyway and knows in her heart that she can save this boy from himself.

What an emotional story. I think Stephanie Parent did an amazing job at showing that not all teenage love is perfect. What Julia and Reed go through is totally heartbreaking. It was real and tragic and just so moving. I really appreciate the author taking her time with this book, I felt like having it in verse definitely helped pace things so we only get the most important parts of the story. I loved getting to know these two characters flaws and all. I only wish that a particular character would have listened and waited. I know that is cryptic but I can't say anymore as it will give too much away.

A great debut from what I hope is a long career for Ms.Parent. I will definitely be on the look out for her next novel.

This review and more can be found here:

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had little to no expectations going into this book. I had received a review request, and saw that the book was in verse. I'm a huge fan of verse novels, so I thought I would give this a try.

I loved it. It consumed me for two days. I couldn't stand putting it down, because I was so into the characters and plot of this novel. I play the piano, so I especially loved all the musicalness that Stephanie injected the verse with. If you don't know anything about music, I'm sure you could still enjoy this book, but some of the jargon may go over your head. But even if you've never even played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, you should give this book a read.

I can see myself in Julia. Though she makes choices throughout this novel that I would question myself, I can still relate to her because she seems so real to me. The way her feeling and emotions were described in this book make perfect sense.

Reed: the kind of guy that most parents would cringe at seeing on the arm of their daughter. He definitely plays the bad boy well, but he avoids falling into a lot of shallow stereotypes by having an amazing back-story, and backbone for that matter. I love male leads who can stand on their own two feet and make decisions. His story is super tragic. :(

The plot was great, and though I thought that maybe it dragged a tiny bit right before the climax, I was too in love with the characters to care. For being a relatively unknown book, the depth of the characters really surprised me.

I knew from the beginning that this book was a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but I still hoped somewhere in my heart that there would be a happy ending. I knew that I couldn't have one, and I'm actually glad there wasn't one. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending was bitter sweet, and perfect.

I really recommend this book to, well, anyone. Please give this a read if you have an ereader! You can find it on Amazon. :)

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My musical interest is unlimited, and any story that has music in the mix is bound to get my attention. Defy the Stars stands on its own as one of the most exhilarating, thought-provoking, and fascinating story portraying the life of a young girl coming into her own and deciphering what it truly is she wants in life.

What's so wonderful about Stephanie's writing, other than the fact that the story's written in verse, is how instead of chapters things are taking place throughout the course of months. I think that's a cool way of showing growth in the main character's life over the particular period of time leading up to her graduation, as well as how her relationships fair. Whether its with her friends, family, and Reed.


Reed and Julia together is beautiful but somewhat dangerous. His situation is not to be taken lightly. Reed isn't a bad guy, in my opinion, its just the stuff around him that's bad. I think music is what connected the two on another level, aside from their strong chemistry.

Julia is an interesting character. I loved how playing the piano was something she decided to do on her own as oppose to being pressured into it by her parents. Though, she does seem pressured in other ways, whether its living up to their expectations of excelling, or establishing a relationship with someone they deem as respectable, focused, and up to their liking. Julia is a teen so of course her way of discerning certain things will leave you with questionable expressions, but nonetheless, her ability to rise above all else is quite remarkable.

So, what else can I say about this novel? The setting is brilliant, the plot is far from generic, the characters are relatable. Stephanie Parent offers an interesting view on what happens with teens in society, no matter their background, If you're up for a rather realistic read then this is a story for you.

[Sarah]

I'm going to say this straight up: I totally missed that this is a cautionary tale about drug abuse until I was about a quarter into the book. If I had known this, I probably would not have read it, because I don't care for novels about drug abuse.

While this is a verse novel, and I love verse novels, Defy the Stars is largely more of a fractured prose-style than a more structured verse novel like, say, Love and Leftovers. I tend to prefer the later, so again, my personal preferences are a knock against this one. Finally, this is a very plot heavy novel, which is light on the character development and I prefer character-driven stories when it comes to realistic fiction.

I'm going to think on this some more and probably review it on CEFS, but I had a hard time with some of the main character's choices in terms of understanding why she made choices and why she loved troubled boy Reed so much.

The highlight for me was definitely the sections about Julia and her (this is a weird word, I know) relationship with the piano. Those passages just bring the music and her struggles with and passion for to life.

I do think Ellen Hopkins fans will like this book, especially since it doesn't shy away from the realities of drug abuse and why and how people get swallowed into that life. The blurb also recommends it for Lisa Schroeder fans, but I actually think that this novel has little in common with Lisa's verse novels. Thematically and tonally they're very different.

I also think that fans of super-dramatic novels like Slammed that are so popular right now will also like Defy the Stars.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow…just…wow. This put me in a predicament once I finished it. I wanted to rave about it and share it with people, but it left me utterly speechless and I had no clue how to even start. Luckily after a some deep breathing and some reflection I think I can handle it.

Defy the Stars is not something I typically read on multiple accounts, one it’s contemporary which is usually a no go because reality fiction tends to be too ‘real’ and two it’s written in verse. Well neither of those held me back from enjoying this at all, in fact I read it in about 7 hours (only because I had to take food breaks). This was addicting, pun slightly intended in this case. The verse is great, and though I’m sure I’m still not quite getting the whole idea behind verse novels I really enjoy how it’s set up and how it flows. I love when the words are spaced a part different and when they zig zag across the pages. It really gives the emotion a visual kind of presence in the book. The book is set up in months as opposed to traditional chapters and I think that’s fantastic, it gives you a better sense of time when it comes to the events and how Julia changes over the course of the book. The story itself is…raw and emotional, and it had my heart aching. There is just so much and it was tugging me back and forth on how I felt about it, much like Julia herself. The writing is exceptional and I can really tell that the author enjoys music because parts of this are practically lyrical in nature.

When it comes to Romeo and Juliet I usually have the rare opinion, I love it but I have never seen it has romantic. It was just tragic to me, on my bad days I see it as just too teenagers who didn’t think things out. I mention this because Julia herself mentions it in the novel, we shared the same opinion. I suppose when I read this I kind of expected the same emotions but I was so surprised to find myself hoping against all reason they would find a way to work things out and be together. Logic and reason were utterly tossed aside for Julia and Reed. Julia is a great character, she’s structured and organized and she has the world ahead of her. Music is her life and because of her passion I could practically hear the music she would play. And then there is Reed, who is so different. His life is far from ideal, he doesn’t have money and drugs are no stranger…but for some reason I really liked him. He isn’t a bad guy, though his choices are far from good…he’s redeemable. I can’t even describe how odd that feels to me, I normally would never see a person this way especially not after the crap he takes, but he truly broke my heart. Their relationship is complicated to say the least and it both lifts them up and drags them down. There were times when all I saw was how much she was enjoying her life and how happy she truly was, but then there would be a major snag and my mind would be screaming for her to get away from the situation. Julia’s heart is so open when it comes to Reed and it really puts her at risk, and I think Reed needed that in a way. He really has something to look forward to but it made him more vulnerable, and I think it just brought things down on him harder. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting and I’m glad, even though this book left me kind of shattered in a way.

I could go on and on about this book at this point, and even though I’ve taken the time to write out my thoughts I’m still saying wow. I completely recommend this one to pretty much anyone who will give verse novels and contemporary a try. It’s worth the time and the money I think.

[Pooja Sathyanarayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review (originally posted on my blog) + Giveaway of the book: http://aandhowareyou.blogspot.in/2012...

Julia and Reed.

Modern-day versions of Romeo and Juliet.

This should be easy, you might think. Their fates are locked the minute their eyes meet and are made to read the parts of Romeo and Juliet in English class.

I felt uneasy as I started reading Defy The Stars, the opening verses setting the tempo to a relationship that was doomed from the start. Julia, after all, is well-off while Reed is from the wrong drug-infested side of town. And we all know how Romeo and Juliet ends.

What was the point, then of falling in love with these characters?

And yet, when Julia dismissed the conception of love at first sight and Reed quietly justifies it, I realised that Defy The Stars was a modern adaptation in the truest sense. It was multi-layered and more intense than I'd ever expected it to be.

"I see what Julia's saying," he starts, "but the way Shakespeare writes... Just 'cause a feeling doesn't make sense, doesn't mean it's not right, you know?"

Julia is devoted to playing the piano. She hopes to get into a prestigious music conservatory. Reed is a stoner and branded a slacker whose life will amount to nothing.

When their paths cross... they instantaneously forget that a life when they got by without really knowing each other even existed.

Their lives are hopelessly intertwined, especially when tragedy strikes and Julia's parents and Reed's brother will not rest until they cut ties with the other.

It's devastating. It crushes them more than they ever thought it would.

This is the part when I felt swayed by the rhythm... carried away by the remorse and arousal and urgency and enamored with their story. This is the part when Defy the Stars felt more than just another Romeo and Juliet adaptation and I was swept away by the complexity of the tale and the parallels drawn from the classic.

The dirty drug world, the hauntingly beautiful piano pieces played by Julia and the intensity of Reed's gaze... their histories, their relationship outside each other and the melodies which soar and then are tainted by melancholy. Reed's guitar riffs, the hopelessness and the urgency to overcome it...

The free-verse brought each and every aspect of this book alive until I could feel myself in Julia's skin, struggling to hit the right note and make sense of her relationship with Reed. Her fingers ran across the keys, transcending technique until each note was entrenched with feeling. I felt her desperation to make their relationship work against all odds as her heart overpowered her mind.

And the ending truly blew me away... In my opinion, it couldn't have been more true to how things would've panned out for Romeo and Juliet in the current decade. It was utterly devastating yet poignant. And unlike the classic, I could come to terms with it.

Defy the Stars is an indie gem. I urge you to give it a try, especially if you're fond of modern-day adaptations. I was moved by this beautifully written tale and blown away by how well developed and multi-layered the characters were. I felt one with the pace of the story and when it ended, I couldn't stop myself from rating it on Goodreads right away; the remnants of Julia's last actions still lingering in my mind.

[Henrietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because this story contains mature language and themes, including drug use, I was a little apprehensive at first. I didn’t want to prematurely judge the characters but I was afraid I would feel drown in the darker, brooding mood that overshadowed the fragile, sweet love of two teenagers.

From the blurb, it’s already hinted that Reed’s upbringing is very different from Julia’s. Even though they go to the same high school, they associate themselves with different crowds. Reed is often seen with those who smoke and take drugs. Julia is usually found running to the practice room playing the piano whenever she has a spare moment. But are they really two different types of people?

I like that for the most part, Reed and Julia are trying their best to hang onto hope and sanity. What they have is fragile. The families are hostile to one another. The pressure is suffocating, making them both question about their existence, their sense of self-worthiness. I feel so sad watching them struggle with what they can hang onto, and when they feel they have nothing left to treasure, it’s just the epitome of tragic woe.

To be honest, I never like Romeo and Juliet. I never feel much of a connection with the characters and I find the family hostility pointless. Reading Defy the Stars, however, helps me see the tragic love story in new light. The male protagonist may be weak and melodramatic but he does have a sweet friendly nature that is charming and attractive. In Defy the Stars, Reed is vulnerable. He thinks lowly of himself. Making poor decisions definitely wouldn’t save him from troubles but when he is thoughtful, he is so… lovable, considerate and swoon-worthy! I can’t help but feel sad and achy for all the crap he has to endure.

What can I say about Julia? When she is rational, she organizes her routine with plans and charts. In moments when she yearns for freedom, she goes a little wild, takes risk and lets her emotions take over. I personally find the essence of the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata really captures the nasty ups and downs of Julia’s emotional ride. You have to read the story to see what I mean but if you’d like to hear what the third movement sounds like, check out this video and if you’d like to hear all three movements of the sonata, click here.

Even though tragedy is not my usual cup of tea, I enjoyed reading the story and felt deeply moved by the ending. Defy the Stars is gripping, touching and heartbreaking. With an ending that is powerful and emotional, I doubt I’ll forget this story any time soon.

--
This review was originally posted on my blog.

A copy of the book was provided by author for review purposes.

[Caro [The Book Rogue] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was.. wow, a journey as romantic as it was poetic! The writing style had me in knots and pieces, from the beginning almost to the end. It had such rhythm that it developed... a force, almost like it was its own being. Maybe it's the peotic structure, or all the muscial terms and expressions, or the both of them combined. What a great way to do a Shakespeare adaption! And just like a musical piece, it had its highs and lows, so it was possible to stop and put it down when it became too much. It was simply amazing.

The story with its characters was just as good. There wasn't exactly that much to discover, but it was good in its simplicity. It wasn't something you had to stop and think about, to figure it out for yourself before you could put it into context with the characters, so it made you able to focus more on the characters and feelings. Okay, I can't imagine a real life story being more complicated than a paranormal or dystopian story, but I still appericiate the down-to-earth reality flash it gives me in between all the craziness I dive into. Plus, it kinda reminds you that life in itself can be cruel and tragic enough wihtout wishing for paranormal and outer-space things to happen.

Juliet as a sheltered high society lady with her own stubborn mind was perfectly reborn in Julia; and Romeo as the loyal, troubled spirit with a drug problem was updated in Reed with a rough background instead of a (at least half-way) steady home. Yet, it was clear he wasn't anything like his brother Cary, who I'd say was both Mercutio and Tybalt put into one. I know it sounds crazy to merge those two, to even think they could fit together into one person, but that's what it feels like -- to me, anyway.

Plotwise, as a remake of Romeo and Juliet, Defy the Stars was... very good. Not totally outstanding, but powerfully written, especially on the emotional level. However, since it was so emitonally charged, I was a little disappointed by the ending. Of course totally I approve of it from the logical and psychological point, and I admit it was an interesting turn of events, but it just ruined the R+J drama ending.

Btw, [careful, spoiler ahead!!!] I don't believe Reed did this to himself, but that those goons his brother owed got to him because he picked that stupid alley, and of course they'd make it look like suicide! He was perfectly fine before, so why should he suddenly do something like that? Not 'coz of that stupid message Perry sent from Julia's phone, you can't believe that, Reed wasn't that stupid. Grr. I guess I'll be angry about this for a little while longer...

Area Scan: Style: 5/5 -- Plot: 5/5 -- Characters: 3.5/5 -- Suspense: 3/5 -- Romance: 4/5 -- Drama: 5/5 -- Humor: 3/5

[Janna Bartolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.

Heres much to do with that, but more with love.-Shakespeare

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.

"I don't know if it's about love, so much, as fate. Something bigger than Romeo and Juliet, something greater than any two people, pulled them to each other, entwined their lives like...like a knot that no one could untangle. They could no more change what happened than...than stop a star from falling."-Reed

Julia is a pianist studying her whole life, this is her talent, dream and passion. I could relate to Julia's character in some ways, as she was very passionate in everything she did. She loved like she played piano, full of emotion and passion, her emotions taking over. Reed was hard to relate to, he was a troubled teen who seemed to have lost his way. He came from a troubled home, he's the guitar playing, bad boy constantly fighting an internal struggle with the pressures of drugs and violience. This story feels real, the characters relatable and it does not hold back when it comes to young love and the pressures of being a teenager. These starcrossed lovers shared a passion for music, they were not willing to fight fate and they believed that true love would prevail.

This beautiful and lyrically written story is written in verse, and the chapters are a timeline of the story which I thought was brilliant. The minute I started this book, I knew I was not putting it down. This story was REAL and RAW and evoked every emotion I have ever felt about love, life, death and hope right to the surface. It reminded me of that blissful yet painful first love that is so intense, nothing can change it or take it away. Its a love you are willing to fight for, give up for, change for and sometimes die for. My heart bled for Julia and Reed and when I was finished I breathed, dreamt and ached over ths story. I still do...

"For never was a story of more woe..."

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the author offered me a copy for review, I knew I had to read this one! I've been wanting to read more novels in verse, and Romeo & Juliet is one of my favorite stories, so this book was definitely something I thought I'd love. The story follows Julia: a senior who is more comfortable sitting at her piano than joining the social scene. And Reed: a stoner with surprising insight caught in a bad situation. Of course these two are our starcrossed lovers from different sides of the tracks.

I practically flew through this book! Not just because it's a verse novel and therefore less wordy by nature, but because the story completely grabbed my attention, so I couldn't put it down! Julia has her life in order, but then things start slowly spinning out of control. She finally talks to Reed and starts secretly seeing him which leads to lies, sneaking around, not being able to focus, and eventually getting into drugs.

The author tackles some huge issues in this book. She presents them realistically, which at times is scary. Drugs are not something to take lightly, as Julia does in the beginning. She doesn't think about the consequences of the drugs, but only about how it gives her that extra boost she needs. It throws out some twists and turns that she could never imagine, and that I wasn't expecting.

There's only one thing that keeps this from being a 5 Star read for me: I wish we had gotten to know Reed a bit more. At times he felt like he was just the love interest rather than an actual character. Other than that, Defy the Stars is definitely one of the best self-published books I've read. It doesn't suffer from the ailments that tend to put people off of self-published books, like major typos and a general lack of editing. It's highly polished, well written, and the story is beautifully told. If you're a fan of retellings, verse novels, new adult novels, issues novels, or love stories, do not miss out on this one!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

My Thoughts:

When I received this review request, I was excited. An indie novel told in verse? I love novels written in verse! I’m a huge fan of them. I knew I had to read this one.

It starts with Julia playing Moonlight Sonata on the piano. That piece is one of my favorites, and it adds to the overall feel of the story. She loves playing piano. She will go off to college and beyond there play piano at concert halls. Everything that is expected of her is laying out in front of her. She never anticipated doing something as illogical as kissing Reed… but she does.

Reed is one of the stoner guys at school, not one of the affluent crowd her family expects her to be interested in. A person like Perry, whose parents are close to her parents, who is the logical choice for someone of her status. He’s not who she is interested in though. Despite the part of her that wants to please her parents, she gives in to her desire to be with him. And her parents seem to be fine with it… until the secret comes out.

Once her parents know about Reed and his background, they instantly forbid her from seeing him. Of course, this doesn’t stop the two of them from sneaking around when they can. But there’s only so much time left before school is over and Julia needs to make a choice: out of state college or Reed.

Defy the Stars is a love story, but it doesn’t have a happy ending. It is tragic--it breaks your heart and glues you back together only to break again. The love of Julia and Reed is moving, you can’t bear to see them suffer. Stephanie Parent has delivered an amazing retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The verse style only adds to the magnificence of this timeless story. I highly recommend it.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM

[J. Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defy The Stars is one of the books that is both heart wrenching and heart felt. It grabs you from the beginning and keeps you reading right till the end. This is a story about about three people who all want something but are not so sure they can get it let alone deserve it. The verse writing was only a plus with this story because it made me love the characters more. I could feel what they felt and it kept me reading and reading late into the night.

Julia is a senior and waiting for school to end. She is excited about going to college where she will continue to play the Piano. She is looking forward to getting away from her life and her family. She is also looking forward to getting away from Perry her class mate who is a little crazy about her. He is creepy in more ways then one and she is dying to get away from him. Then things change when she goes to her English class and they begin discussing Romeo and Juliet. The town's bad boy Reed challenges Julia and with that challenge Julia's and Reed's lives will change.

Reed challenges Julia by saying there is such a thing as love at first sight. Julia scoffs at him but as they get closer to one another Julia realizes that there is such a thing and she feels love for Reed. But just like Romeo and Juliet there is Perry and he is determined to ruin what Julia and Reed are establishing. They will have to fight hard to be a couple but in the end what will happen to them? Will Perry ruin them? Will Reed and Julia be able to be together? Will love be enough to break the barriers between Julia and Reed? This is a must read love story because the raw emotions add so much to this story. I promise you you will not be disappointed with this story and I need more from Stephanie Parent!

[Ashley Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

“For never was a story of more woe..” Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

This was a gripping modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It was written in verse style and was an easy read. I liked the fact that the Stephanie inserted snips of Romeo and Juliet in the beginning of some chapters. Thus, you knew how it related to the original story.. or didn't.

The story follows Julia, a senior in high school and an accomplished pianist; and Reed, a stoner kid from the wrong side of the tracks. As with the original story, their paths cross, but their path’s don’t necessarily mix. Julia’s mother is the head of anti-drug organization and Reed’s brother is the head of a major drug operation. With the odds not in their favor, the two fell in love despite knowing they shouldn’t be together. Reed and Julia make plans to be together, when a tragedy strikes.

I really wanted to love this story, because I loved the original Romeo and Juliet. But the affection for Reed wasn’t there for me. I just didn’t feel that undying love between Julia and Reed. Unfortunately the scene where Julia tries drugs is also lacking for me.

The ending was by far my favorite part of the book. I would rate the last 30% of the book, 5 stars. Even though you think you know what’s coming at the end, you don’t! All in all, if you want a short, easy read and a few tears at the end, this would be a good book to read.

[Linda Kage · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three things I can't stand in my romance stories:
1. Verse.
2. Drug use.
3. Learning that at least one of the main characters is going to die on page one, totally ruining any chance of a happily ever after.

Now guess how many of those three things Defy the Stars contains. Yeah, ALL THREE! But I still couldn't stop reading this book. It was just soooo good.

It's not some big long confusing poem that was totally over my head, but beautiful and lyrical. Yet it still contained a plot with emotion and engaging characters and all that wonderful stuff I love in novels, keeping me flipping pages until the end. It was like the best of both worlds.

And the drug use wasn't as bad as I worried it would be. It wasn't good, but it put an amazing spin on this modern day Romeo and Juliet story. Actually, I liked this better than the real Romeo and Juliet because it had more scenes where the hero and heroine connected on a deeper, emotional level.

If you want a heart-wrenching tear jerker, this is defintely an amazing one to read!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love story or cautionary tale?” asks a character in Stephanie Parent’s Defy the Stars regarding Shakespeare’s doomed lovers.


Perhaps the answer isn’t as black and white as the question suggests. Life so rarely is. Why should the love story of Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague be any different?


So perhaps then, it is both. A love that burns so intensely, so brightly, so recklessly, yet so truly and with such wild abandon that it can’t help but come to abrupt and tragic ends. A love that becomes so much like an addiction, a dependence so absolute, a need so all-consuming that one can’t imagine taking another breath without being with the one they love. It’s a dangerous and intoxicating. It’s at once terrifying and exhilarating, both beautiful and ugly.


I’ve always dismissed the story of Romeo & Juliet as the story of two silly lovers consumed by lust, unhealthily obsessed with each other. And while that is still possibly true, Stephanie Parent’s modernized retelling made me reconsider the complications between the lovers, giving the romance new relevancy and causing me to view the story with a new depth and perspective as she explores the nature of addiction – both emotional and physical. As with Shakespeare’s star-crossed pair, there are still plenty of head-shakingly bad decisions made, secrets kept, lies told – choices that lead down a definitive path. Choices that had they been made differently, or had the truth come to light might have altered the outcome. But that, I guess, is what makes Romeo & Juliet such a tragedy – that it could have been so easily avoided in the first place?


I mean couldn’t it have? Could it have played out any differently?


Like I said, I’ve never been a big fan of Romeo & Juliet, but Stephanie’s Reed McAllister and Julie Cape crawled under my skin and stayed there. Both high school seniors months away from graduation, Reed & Julia have attended the same school for years never really taking notice of one another. And then one fateful day she bumps into Reed in the quad, really seeing him for the first time, and later that same day disagreeing with him over the nature of Romeo & Juliet’s love for each other in their English class. Reed becomes something Julia can’t quite shake, and fate seems determined to keep throwing them together. But how can this… thing… between them — between two people from such radically different worlds — possibly last or survive? Could love be the great equalizer?


Julia. Somewhat awkward with people, Julia has always found solace and consistency in her love of music, specifically the piano. As she says several times throughout the book: people come and go, but the piano will always be there. She’s disciplined, focused, driven. Julia nailed her college auditions and is currently awaiting the letter that will decide her future as a pianist – the long-awaited and much-coveted acceptance packet from Peabody. And yet, for all her accomplishments, she feels like there’s a void in her life. From a more well-to-do family, Julia peers through the cracks of insincerity, the “keeping-up-of-appearances,” that marks her life, and she feels unsatisfied. Reed and his somewhat questionable lifestyle provide her with a means of escape, of reevaluating herself and her priorities, and the possibility of finding something real to call her own.


Reed. Forbidden. New. Exciting. He gets Julia on a level that no one else seems to, and he sets her world on fire like no one ever has. But Reed has secrets, obligations and a habit that looms over their new-found happiness, threatening everything that matters to both of them. Reed himself is a bit of a tragic figure, when considering his past and his present. He’s both tough and yet not at all – with a aching vulnerability and a heartbreaking uncertainty that lies just beneath the surface. He’s a young man molded by unfortunate circumstance, less than ideal family connections, and addiction. Until Julia his life was pretty bleak, but together, they become the guiding star of each other’s universes… for better or for worse.


Defy the Stars is written in verse. Honestly I’m a bit of a rube when it comes to anything regarding poetry. I wasn’t sure if there was a mental cadence I was supposed to be reading to. Wasn’t sure if there was some kind of syllabic rhyme or reason to the structuring of the story, or if the formatting was just supposed to emphasize certain thoughts and feelings above others. I’m going with the latter? Final answer? Anyway, eventually I gave up trying to figure out the “in verse” thing and just read the story. And it is gorgeously written… so lyrical with beautifully poignant descriptions that touch the soul, while being completely raw, brutally honest and oh-so-real. This book doesn’t pull punches. It was a bit hard to get through at times, an emotional kick to the gut so to speak, but so worth the read.


Overall. Stephanie Parent’s Defy the Stars is a beautifully relevant, starkly honest and surprisingly addictive modernization of the greatest love story ever told.


** Recommended for an older YA audience due to mature content

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also posted in Oops! I Read A Book Again

Defy the Stars was my first ever verse novel. Stephanie gave me an e-copy as a gift (Thank you so much Steph! <3) so I dived right into reading it. And boy, did I like it. :)

I love poems and I sometimes cry over reading one. So the idea of a verse novel sounded fantastic. Defy the Stars can be called a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Or at least it's inspired by it. I mean, it's quoted everywhere, they discuss it in class. Meta or not, Romeo and Juliet definitely plays a role in this novel. Now, let's get right to the plot.

Julia is the quintessential talented, young thing. She plays the piano and that's her life. She doesn't even think about boys like her friends. Until Reed came into the picture. Whereas Julia is the girl you want your parents to meet, Reed is absolutely the last person you'll introduce to them. He is nice but he does drugs. So basically he's the epitome of bad influence on perfect, little and rich Julia.

If you are allergic to sad reads, then stay away from this. I don't think it's a spoiler because the novel pretty much opened with it so I'm just gonna say it: Reed dies at the end. So if you don't want to spend reading a novel knowing the guy dies in the end, I do not suggest this book. But if you're like me who likes the journey as much as the end (maybe even more), go and read this!

Julia and Reed's love story's kind of an insta-love and while I normally stay away from those, I soldiered on because of the plot. I know that this novel will tackle issues such as drugs and family and it reminded me of Shattered Soul by Jennifer Snyder. I even told Stephanie that and I think she and Jennifer are now friends after reading each other's book. :P I gobble up realistic fiction, the grittier the better, so I had to read this.

I know almost to nothing about the piano (I can read and play notes but that's it) so I technically didn't understand any musical terms Julia says. But I'd like to applaud Stephanie for showing us that music is really vital in Julia's life. Not telling us, but showing us. Like how scientists use scientific terms in daily life (guilty as charged!), Julia speaks it. Thinks it. It consumes her thoughts, she speaks in musical terms and all that. Plus, all the mention of crescendos and mezzafortes made the novel sound beautiful.

I like the format but sometimes, the cuts in the verses are awkward, as if the author just needs to cut this thing down so she puts pauses and cuts the line. It's a minor gripe of mine because still, the poetic and unrushed storytelling had me reading page after page.

So why a three? I like the novel, I really do but it gradually lost some of that by the end. For one, I don't like how Julia seems willing to throw it all away for Reed. But I may be biased because I am a career-oriented person so it kinda pissed me off. Moreover, Reed's eternal spiral to drugs, sigh. I am a dreamer, a romantic, so I just thought that maybe with Julia in his life, he can change his ways. He can be the man he ought to be, can be. Reed is really a good person inside but he's been dealt with the wrong cards and he chose to play those cards badly. Plus, while I knew that Reed's gonna die and that I shouldn't get attached, I still got attached to him and I felt really really sad when he died. I didn't like HOW he died. It's just, sigh, both frustrating and heartbreaking.

Overall, I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to try reading a verse novel and for fans of realistic contemporary YA.

So once again, thank you to Stephanie for giving me a copy. Yey! :D

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that unfortunately I don’t think free verse works in e-book format. The reason for this is that the words in free verse form a pattern on the page, sweeping you along with the story, the shapes of the words and the use of white space within free verse always add a dynamic element in the prose that I found lacking in the ebook version.

As this is a re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet while reading you are inevitably awaiting the tragedy to strike. Told in first person narrative from Julia’s point of view. A musical prodigy dedicated to the piano from a very young age. Her dedication is admirable but it does control her life, she isn’t a sociable person on the whole and tends to life in her head more than interacting with others even her parents. In all honesty I didn’t like Julia very much, I didn’t connect with her and found her actions questionable for most of the story.

On the other hand I adored the love interest in the form of Reed; the complete opposite of Julia in social and economical standing yet he was far easier to relate to. I didn’t agree with his choices either but at least there was an understanding within the prose as to why he made the decisions he did. In the main part it was taken out of his hands and he was a product of his environment. The whole nature versus nurture debate in full force, it made me question if Reed every really stood a chance. I wanted a happy ending for him more than anything. The phrase ‘Don’t Judge A book by it’s cover’ certainly applies to Reed. I did think that the drug use was slightly glorified, even though the effects were shown they didn’t pack the same punch as Ellen Hopkins Crank.

The class divide was vividly portrayed and proved that it still exists perhaps it always will, the prose really provided food for thought on a number of issues ranging from social/economical divide to the use of drugs. The insight provided into the trials and tribulations of navigating social situations showed the similarities in situations experienced by both the privileged and poor, something I hadn’t previously considered; when you don’t have money you only think that to have money would make you happier there’s the thing it can’t buy happiness. The difference in Julia’s life compared to Reed’s does soften Julia as a character and makes here appreciate things she had previously taken for granted.

Quotes from Romeo and Juliet are placed at the chapter headings and re-enforced the story-line doubly impacted by the use of the play within the classroom setting where the characters give their opinion on the original.

As always with free verse I am impressed with the use of simile and metaphor enabling the imagery to be conveyed within few words. The family relationships are the cornerstone in Romeo and Juliet and giving credit to Stephanie Parent they were equally dynamically and symbolically portrayed within Defy the Stars.

My favorite part of Defy the Stars was the use of music, the way in which the history of music added to the main plot really appealed to me. I loved how music was shown to bridge the gap in social standing. Also the use of music to evoke memories both good and bad, all the emotions tied to certain songs. This is something I definitely relate to.

On the whole an interesting re-imagining of the tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Originally reviewed on Pages Of Forbidden Love
I can’t even begin to tell you how much this book broke my heart. When Stephanie emailed me about reading Defy The Stars I knew two things 1) I had to read this book and 2) This wasn’t going to be a happy book. I went in knowing I was in for some hard times but I really didn’t expect all the water works this book had me going through.

Julia is an innocent girl. She plays piano and just wants to get through the rest of her school year so she can graduate and hopefully get into a good music school. She has a plan and she likes to structure things, even spending class planning out her schedule and practicing her music in her head. She isn’t looking for change but she can’t plan everything and one day while rushing to class she runs into Reed and somehow change is what she gets. After an in class reading of Romeo and Juliet and continuously running into him Julia can’t stop thinking about Reed. She catches herself daydreaming about him and wishing to stop. After all, Reed isn’t what she needs and it could never work.

Reed is the complete opposite of Julia. He doesn’t really have a plan and is just trying to get by. He’s had a hard life and he is stuck in it. He doesn’t have parents that care about him and his brother is scum (putting it kindly) but that is all he has. Reed is such a sad and broken character. He’s never had much and deals with life the only way he knows how. He has things rough but he is deep and when he talks about Romeo and Juliet or fate and destiny I just can’t help but love him. I couldn’t help but love him but I also hated him too, for not being everything I knew he could be. For letting his brother get the best of him and for letting Julia be dragged (even though it was willingly) into his world, even when I was wanting her in his life.

It’s very clear that Reed and Julia are from different worlds but the pull between them is so strong that it doesn’t stop them. Their relationship becomes intense so quickly but it is written so well and I really appreciated the fact that although Julia had such strong feeling she still thought about what her feelings really meant and not jumping straight to declaring her love for him. Reading about them together was just beautiful and heartbreaking. I wanted so much for them. I wanted things to work out so badly.

I haven’t read many books in verse, besides most of what Ellen Hopkins has written, but I was ready to read more and I think Stephanie did an amazing job. I was sucked in with her writing from the very first pages. I was wowed from the beginning and I really wanted to read the whole book in one sitting. I love what she did with the story and how deeply she allowed me to feel for her characters. I got so emotional reading her words. Defy The Stars was perfect even with all the darkness within its pages and it is going to stick with me for a long time. Definitely one of my favorites. I can’t wait to read more of Stephanie’s work.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found out about this book, and that it was in verse, I was eager to start. Gimme gimme gimme. I have a soft spot for books in verse. I absolutely love how an author can pack a page with emotion in so few words. I didn’t feel Defy the Stars had that true verse-y flow, though it was still packed with emotion, just in a fuller way.

I loved Julia. She was driven, focused, and, let’s face it, MUSICAL. As a fellow pianist, I adored reading the scenes where Julia was playing the piano. She plays a Chopin Ballade that I PLAYED! It made me feel special, and I identified with her. The descriptions of her playing are so well done, and as a musician, I am extra picky with musical descriptions. I wanted to feel her playing, and Stephanie Parent definitely captured that.

Reed broke my heart a little. I hated his situation, his tragic past. I wanted so much more for him, and I thought Julia would be the answer. But instead of her pulling him out of his abyss, he dragged her into his. Unintentionally. Sort of. This isn’t your typical Bad Boy seducing Good Girl story. It’s much deeper than that. Julia is dealing with some self-made stresses that she is unable to suppress or cope with naturally, so when Reed presents an opportunity, she takes it.

This is where the drug use comes in. I admit, I was really shocked at first. Angry. Guarded. I wanted to scream at Julia for risking everything for a momentary high. But I understood it. I felt the pressure she was under, and her first experience was so impactful, she was left craving more.

Oh, Julia… Sad face. Sad heart.

This story is sort of a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, and the underlying theme is brought about in their English class. Stephanie did a beautiful job of embedding the theme without overwhelming the story with “retelling”. This story was different, new, fresh, and vivid.

I am not ashamed to admit that my favorite scenes were during Julia and Reed’s drug induced hazes. The language is so vivid.

"This golden rush of energy blasts through my mind, invades my veins till it fills every inch of me. I've never felt this awake - the world has never been so clear, like I could reach out and hold it in my hand... I can actually feel the tension crackling between us until we collide and now I know what it feels like to be this close to someone, lips hands tongue teeth, breath mind soul, I will never ever go back to the way things were before."


Overall, this was a heart-wrenching, beautiful tale of love gone wrong, of the pressures of life, and of the things we will sometimes do to overcome – or bury – those pressures.

[Neysa (Papier Revue) · Rating 4 out of 5]

[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]

"There he is, his lips against mine. There we are, our world changed forever. And then the images are propelling me up, away from the piano, though the chords roll on inside my head as I run out of the room, down the hall, through the back door, and outside, bare feet on the dew-soaked grass."
—Julia

Defy the Stars totally piques my interest with the line "Much more than just another Romeo and Juliet story". I mean, that story was already so bittersweet. But when I decided that I would read this book, I totally got what that sentence mean, which is true.

Defy the Stars introduced us to our uptight main character, Julia Cape, the daughter of the wealthy Cape family. Her world was just like a constant schedule, in that time doing this, and in this time doing that. Never would it occurred to her that she was about to take a dramatic turn. Until she met Reed.

The plot in this book was quite great in my opinion. Stephanie told the reader a lot about Julia's life so that the reader would get all the details, yet it was still interesting and not boring. I also love how Julia and Reed's relationship seemed so true, and was based by a strong connection between them, not just another He-is-oh-so-handsome-and-now-I'm-so-into-him kind of love.

The character was well-developed too, especially Julia and Reed as the main character. The thing that drew me most was how they both came from a very different world, yet they struggled with life in such a similar way. I also love Julia's strict parent, who loved fame more than their own child's happiness. It was so believable I could totally sympathize with Julia.

One thing I'm not quite fond of this book was, while the main character was great, some of the minor character, like Julia's second best friend, and the teacher, and well, some side character, was not as developed as the main one. I think it was quite okay since they didn't appeared in a lot of scene, but it gave some kind of incompleteness feeling on it.
I also thought that the ending could use some more impact. It delivered, but it didn't really went straight to my heart. But while it lacked of impact, it sure still lingered for a long time even after I've finished reading it.

Overall, if you love contemporary book, and would love to read something about life struggle, insecurities, and how sweet and heartbreaking our teenage's love is, this book is totally worth the read.

[Angela Fristoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started reading Defy the Stars, I found myself completely torn. On one hand I love anything Shakespeare (yes, even the cheesy 10 Things I Hate About You), and Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorites. On the other hand is that I hate sad endings and Defy the Stars starts off letting you know this will be a sad ending, which really shouldn't be a surprise considering it's a retelling of one of the saddest love stories ever told.

So, where did that leave me? Well, I went in cautiously. I tried not to let myself care about Julia and Reed, to realize that I knew exactly where their story was going so that I wouldn't feel let down. And for a while it worked, I picked apart things about them I didn't like, how quickly their relationship developed, how cliche the characters were, but by the end I cried. I can't say I was a big fan of Julia. She was so easy to jump into danger again and again, I just wanted to smack her, especially since she does it simply because she likes a guy. Reed, however, felt like a much more powerful character. He has deep problems that even at the end I didn't feel were ever truly revealed. I really wanted to know more about him, and while his storyline was realistic for his character, it was also very sad. Ultimately it was Reed's character that kept me reading, and hoping that maybe this reimaging of Romeo and Juliet would have a happy ending.

I didn't quite getting the happy ending I wanted, not surprising considering Parent let's us know that right up front in the prologue. But neither did the ending go exactly the way I was expecting. While Parent stayed true to some aspects of Shakespeare's original tale, she does make it her own. Despite finding the ending sad and hopeless, there was just a touch of light at the end, something to make the reader think that maybe all hope is not lost, and that the experiences we have that seem so unsurvivable can make us stronger.

The writing style was definitely different as it is set up as verse, and while there were times I could fall into the rhythm of it, other times I would stumble over a word that didn't follow the regular soft-hard pattern of the syllables and it pulled me out of the story. After a while, though, I found myself focusing more on the characters, and simply reading the story as regular prose.

I would recommend Defy the Stars to lovers of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and anyone who loves a romance with a good cry at the end.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review can be seen here on Books and Swoons .

**I received a copy of this book from the author for a blog tour stop but it not did not influence this review in any way.**

As I first started reading, I found myself clicking with the protagonist, Julia. Julia is the good girl who always seems to do what she's told and doesn't question her parent's choices for her. The only thing she's passionate about is the piano and she spends the majority of her time either playing it or inside her own head. I felt some sort of a camaraderie with her and I was things to go right for her and I became her biggest cheerleader. When she meets Reed, I was so excited. Good girl meets bad boy and they fall in love is such a cliche story line, but I love it. Reed is a dark, broody and mysterious guy but he and Julia seems to have this spark that just pull them together.

Now I don't want to spoil what happens but after one night between Julian and Reed, my views of them started to change. I became really disappointed in them and while I tried to keep and open mind, I just expected more from Julia. She transform to this completely different person, she became a whiny, rebellious, crazy mood swings person after always being a smart, rational girl. I also expected a lot from Reed as well, he should have told Julia the first time and for what happens in the end? I was as angry as Julia was. He should have fought for himself and like Julia said "...but you should have tried anyways."

As these changes happened and I tried to put my grown-up wisdom aside, I realize what it was that the author was trying to do. Julia was this adult-like teenager that when she fell in love and started doing things out her norm, she changed. Julia had to trip, fall, and make mistakes so that she would learn for herself and come out stronger. The author created characters where you can see the changes they went through and that it was necessary for them to grow. So I have to give Ms. Parent her credit for creating such a wonderful tragic love story.

[Amanda (Born Bookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOAH. I have to say this book completely blew me away! Defy the Stars is a brilliant reinvention of the classic Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare. Now, this is not a story I was familiar with beyond the general knowledge of two young lovers torn apart by their families and ending in tragedy. I’ve never actually read it or even seen the movie for that matter so I can’t really talk about if the author stuck closely to the original or strayed from the well-beaten path. What I can say is that she caused me to fall in love with a story I never had an interest in before.

I read this book in one sitting though it is much longer than the normal verse novel, weighing in at a lofty 596 pages. It took me a good 6 to 7 hours only leaving my chair to eat. I was captivated by the story before me, getting sucked into the world of Julia and Reed. All the characters were so well developed; from her parents, to her best friend Sara, to major creeper Perry, to Marc, Cary, Ms. Cheng, they were all so real.

One of the things I thought was really unique and I really enjoyed about this book was how large a role music plays. The main character, Julia, is a brilliant piano player who practices day in and day out with dreams of attending one of the most prestigious music conservatories. I loved all the talk about piano and how it was such an essential part of who Julia was. Her thought process revolved around music, she would classify characters by their voice type: soprano, alto, bass.

I do want to mention that there is a pretty heavy amount of drug use in this book. I’ve never read anything like it before. I normally try to stay away from the subject, but the author handled it in such a way that it didn’t bother me. While the characters do use a lot of drugs, the book definitely doesn’t condone them.

Even though I knew the tragic ending that was in store, I found myself hoping it wouldn’t be so, wishing to re-write history. I won’t give anything away but there is a twist on the ending you won’t see coming. Defy the Stars has easily become on of my favorite verse novels and I can only hope Stephanie will continue to write more!!!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defy the Stars is a frustratingly beautiful and heartbreaking novel. You know you've fallen for characters when you find yourself screaming at them and expecting them to listen to you. Then feeling devastated for them when you see the outcome you predicted. Right away you know that things aren't going to be all sunshine and lollipops for Julia and Reed. I knew my heart was going to be broken, I just didn't realize how severely it would break.

Julia has everything going for her, she seems to have the perfect life, but looks can be deceiving. Her life was missing something, that spark that you don't even know you need until you find it and realize that you don't ever want to be without it again. She makes stupid decisions, lies, and forgives more than any person should. Reed is sweet and pathetic all at once. One minute I adored him and the next I didn't want anything to do with him. I think there comes a point in a relationship where no matter how much it hurts you have to let go of that other person to save yourself. Reed was one of these people that needed to be let go of and it was hard to watch Julia hold onto him even as he was breaking her.

This book is written in verse but didn't always read like a verse book if that makes sense. Not a bad thing at all, I just noticed that it was different from other verse books that I have read. I definitely enjoyed Defy The Stars even though the ending left me with tears streaming down my face.

Plot: You know all along where this story is taking you but as it pulls out emotion after emotion you forget that you knew all along.
Characters: The characters are so frustrating because as the reader you can see the logic that they can't and you just want to save them from themselves. (that wouldn't make for a very good story though) They are so believably flawed.
Writing: The verse style of Defy The Stars makes it easy to read this book straight through to the end in one sitting because of how wonderfully it flows.
Ending: Completely heartbreaking
Content: This book contains drug use, and some non graphic sexual content. This is by no means a light or fluffy read.

[Rebecca Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

For never was a tale of more woe . . .

If you’re a fan of Romeo and Juliet retellings, then here’s your chance to pick up an awesome book. Defy the Stars is a one-way ticket to the Emotional Rollercoaster, where you can’t get off until the ride is finished. Dark and gripping, Defy the Stars is a modern-day retelling of the famous Shakespearean love story, and the characters and plotline are just as tragic.

Reed (Romeo) and Julia (Juliet) are from opposite sides of town. Both, however, love music; Julia plays piano, and Reed plays guitar. Gradually, these two begin talking to one another, until one night, after one of her parents’ social dinners turns into a nightmare (thanks to Perry (a.k.a. Paris)), Julia runs into Reed and they share their first kiss. From then on, these two slowly gain each other’s trust. Julia attempts to understand Reed’s addiction, why he sells meth for his brother, etc.—and she even tries some!

But along the way, there’s trouble in paradise. Julia’s uncle is a cop, and he’s about to bust a meth lab. Could it be Reed’s house? Perry has started following Reed and Julia, showing up at the oddest places. What does he want? To top it all off, Julia’s parents have forbidden her from seeing Reed when they learn he’s a drug addict. Will they run away together?

Overall, do not expect butterflies and gumdrops and rainbows as you head into this book; it’s very, very gloomy, touching upon the main theme of drug addiction. Also, this novel is told in verse. I know that’s not everybody’s thing, but I love poetry, so I was all for it. The ending? What can I say? I was a bit teary-eyed, to be honest. There was one particular page—which only had a few words on it—that made my heart feel like someone vacuumed it out of the rear of my ribcage and left a cavernous hole inside. The only downside I saw to this book is Perry didn’t get what he deserved (and by this I mean, a good shanking or two). If you love realistic, dark fiction, especially Romeo and Juliet retellings, then I’d recommend picking this book up.

**A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review