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Shakespeare Burning
He's the boy who wants to disappear. One mistake and seventeen-year-old Shake LeCasse lost everything. Now there's no going back and no way to move forward. The once-popular Varsity hockey captain is living in the basement of a grandmother he barely knows, ditching school, avoiding friends and working hard on self-destruction. She's the girl nobody sees. Cleo Lee survives however she can. Lie, cheat, steal, whatever it takes, and saving Mr. Popular isn't part of the plan. Telling him the truth about the night that destroyed his life is downright dangerous. She needs to keep quiet, be smart and let the guy she's been half in love with since middle school throw away a future she'd do anything to have. Too bad she sucks at playing it safe.
324 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2019
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February 22, 2020
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The author actually contacted me and provided me with a paperback copy of this in exchange of an honest review! This does not change my rating or opinions on this one.
The author mentioned that she found me through my review of “The Boy Who Steals Houses”. That’s why my expectation were a bit different when I went into this and expected more of a contemporary feeling to the story than romance, but it was mentioned that it is mature romance in the request so I am okay with that.
The writing ranges from cheesy and edgy to good and lyrical! The book did have a shaky start because the language used was a bit weird and I did not think it was natural for teenagers! That was a small part though and things took a turn for better after that till the end of the book. There are cheesy moments and I think this is a natural in all romance books from my experience. The main character is called Shake LeCasse and yes, what you are thinking is true, he does quote Shakespeare multiple times during the book.
The main characters were Shake and Cleo. Shake has gone through a tragedy lately and Cleo is a girl who already has a little to start with. The dynamics between them involves many tropes, he is the hot muscular jock and she is the cute petite girl and we have to be reminded of that constantly! The other thing that irked me was how I did not feel Shake’s sadness as a raw emotion. I felt that the character felt obligated to have those feelings. I went through a lot so I need to act sad and be shitty to my friends. The characters are horny too because the first sexual act between them was very fast and early in the book and I had to read it twice to make sure I understand what is happening! That all being said, I think there is something addicting in the story that wanted me to read more and more and care enough about the characters to finish the book! I actually finished the 320 pages in a day and a half! So it was not a bad book at all.
Summary: An addicting read with interesting characters but with added cheesy moments. There were many tropes but I still think it can be enjoyed by fans of the genre!
You can get more books from Book Depository
“Question. If I don’t offer the truth, is it the same as lying?”
The author actually contacted me and provided me with a paperback copy of this in exchange of an honest review! This does not change my rating or opinions on this one.
The author mentioned that she found me through my review of “The Boy Who Steals Houses”. That’s why my expectation were a bit different when I went into this and expected more of a contemporary feeling to the story than romance, but it was mentioned that it is mature romance in the request so I am okay with that.
The writing ranges from cheesy and edgy to good and lyrical! The book did have a shaky start because the language used was a bit weird and I did not think it was natural for teenagers! That was a small part though and things took a turn for better after that till the end of the book. There are cheesy moments and I think this is a natural in all romance books from my experience. The main character is called Shake LeCasse and yes, what you are thinking is true, he does quote Shakespeare multiple times during the book.
The main characters were Shake and Cleo. Shake has gone through a tragedy lately and Cleo is a girl who already has a little to start with. The dynamics between them involves many tropes, he is the hot muscular jock and she is the cute petite girl and we have to be reminded of that constantly! The other thing that irked me was how I did not feel Shake’s sadness as a raw emotion. I felt that the character felt obligated to have those feelings. I went through a lot so I need to act sad and be shitty to my friends. The characters are horny too because the first sexual act between them was very fast and early in the book and I had to read it twice to make sure I understand what is happening! That all being said, I think there is something addicting in the story that wanted me to read more and more and care enough about the characters to finish the book! I actually finished the 320 pages in a day and a half! So it was not a bad book at all.
“My misery is almost the same as masturbating. I’m ashamed of it, can’t help it and don’t want an audience.”
Summary: An addicting read with interesting characters but with added cheesy moments. There were many tropes but I still think it can be enjoyed by fans of the genre!
You can get more books from Book Depository
February 6, 2020
Charisse Moritz blew me away with her debut novel and I am eager to read more of her work. I hope she is busy writing.
High school. Do you remember those days? Were you one of the popular ones? Or did you march to your own drummer?
It took me a minute or two to get started, but as personalities began to emerge, it played like a movie in my mind.
He has fallen a long way from the varsity hockey captain he used to be. His grandma wastes no words, telling it like it is, but has him asking the question, “What do I need?” His name is Shake LeCasse. They call him Shakespeare. Ever since the accident, his life has went to hell. Survivor’s guilt keeps him paralyzed. I feel Cleo is going to shake him up good. I quickly grew to love her.
Cleo feels a kinship with him and it grows. She thinks he’s hot. She gets a taste of what she wants before common sense rears it ugly head and reins her in. Cleo is deep, soft and hard, feisty…she ‘borrows’ things, pops in and out like a fairy, Now you she her, now you don’t.
…I can hear his heart beat. Funny how they all sound the same. Even the broken ones.
We have some laughs along the way, along with all the teenage angst that high school entails.
The more I read, the more I loved watching the characters learn and grow, each filling a hole in the others lives that no one else can. I love the snarky, witty dialogue.
“I’m going to kill him. Then I’m going to revive his ass, just so I can kill him again.”
Well…Shakespeare Burning is not a book I would normally pick up to read, but I am so glad I did. Branching out from my normal reads paid off in spades! I am so glad Charisse Moritz reached out to me and after I read the fantastic blurb that tweaked my interest, I had to know more. Something about it talked to me.
The book, the story, the wonderful characters drew me deeper and deeper into a story of loss, grief, sorrow, need, faith, loyalty and love.
I voluntarily read an ARC of Shakespeare Burning by Charisse Moritz.
See more at fundinmental
High school. Do you remember those days? Were you one of the popular ones? Or did you march to your own drummer?
It took me a minute or two to get started, but as personalities began to emerge, it played like a movie in my mind.
He has fallen a long way from the varsity hockey captain he used to be. His grandma wastes no words, telling it like it is, but has him asking the question, “What do I need?” His name is Shake LeCasse. They call him Shakespeare. Ever since the accident, his life has went to hell. Survivor’s guilt keeps him paralyzed. I feel Cleo is going to shake him up good. I quickly grew to love her.
Cleo feels a kinship with him and it grows. She thinks he’s hot. She gets a taste of what she wants before common sense rears it ugly head and reins her in. Cleo is deep, soft and hard, feisty…she ‘borrows’ things, pops in and out like a fairy, Now you she her, now you don’t.
…I can hear his heart beat. Funny how they all sound the same. Even the broken ones.
We have some laughs along the way, along with all the teenage angst that high school entails.
The more I read, the more I loved watching the characters learn and grow, each filling a hole in the others lives that no one else can. I love the snarky, witty dialogue.
“I’m going to kill him. Then I’m going to revive his ass, just so I can kill him again.”
Well…Shakespeare Burning is not a book I would normally pick up to read, but I am so glad I did. Branching out from my normal reads paid off in spades! I am so glad Charisse Moritz reached out to me and after I read the fantastic blurb that tweaked my interest, I had to know more. Something about it talked to me.
The book, the story, the wonderful characters drew me deeper and deeper into a story of loss, grief, sorrow, need, faith, loyalty and love.
I voluntarily read an ARC of Shakespeare Burning by Charisse Moritz.
See more at fundinmental
July 15, 2021
Sometimes you know when you start a book you are going to hate it. Angsty, two dimensional, troubled teens again. OMG! Enough already. I'll just read enough to see where this is going, then I'm DNF it.
Yep.
No.
"Shakespeare Burning" was GOOD. Yes, these teens are angsty and troubled, but with good reason. It's not a sob story about kids living on the wrong side of the tracks. These are real kids, falling apart after a tragic disaster and there is a barrier between them and the adults who should be helping.
This is "The Outsiders" on steroids.
And I loved it.
Trigger warning: There is violence, swearing, teenage sex, reference to sexual assault.
I received this book free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Yep.
No.
"Shakespeare Burning" was GOOD. Yes, these teens are angsty and troubled, but with good reason. It's not a sob story about kids living on the wrong side of the tracks. These are real kids, falling apart after a tragic disaster and there is a barrier between them and the adults who should be helping.
This is "The Outsiders" on steroids.
And I loved it.
Trigger warning: There is violence, swearing, teenage sex, reference to sexual assault.
I received this book free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2020
I picked this book because I was in the mood for something than my normal reads. Young Adult is not a genre I naturally gravitate towards, but something about this book called to me. I am glad I heeded the call. Shakespeare Burning by Charisse Moritz delivered an unforgettable story of two lost and broken souls who developed an unlikely friendship, which became so much more.
Shake Lecasse was a star hockey and one of the most popular kids in school. All that changed in the twinkling of an eye. All it took was one tragic incident and now he has hit rock bottom. Living in his grandmother’s basement, ditching school and doing drugs became his new norm. However, there was one person who knew the truth of what happened that fateful night and she made it her mission to steer him away from the path of self-destruction.
Cleo Lee is from what is considered the wrong side of the tracks. Not a girl with whom Shake would associate. She lies and steals not because she wants to, but as a means of survival. She had an awful home life; one she was desperate to escape.
Despite knowing that a guy like Shake would not have given her a second look, she wanted to help regardless of the physical and emotional risk.
Cleo is a friend you would want in your corner. I admired her Loyalty, dry sense of humour, strength, selflessness and independence. She has been through a lot, but she doesn’t allow her circumstances to break her. My heart broke for her when I learnt of her situation. No one should ever have to go through what she did. She wanted to save Shake, and I loved how they ended up saving each other.
My heart bled for Shake. Losing someone is never easy and worse when it’s your entire family in one fell sweep. I saw first-hand the devastating effect of survivor’s guilt.
Despite the emotional upheavals these two faced, they shared some light moments between themselves and their friends, which had me laughing out loud. We also had teenage angst that came with the whole high school experience. Fans of Shakespeare would love the Shakespearean quotes sprinkled throughout the story.
Conclusion/Recommendation
I became immersed in this wonderful coming of age story of loss, grief, friendship, love and finding oneself. Shakespeare Burning is a story I recommend without reservations.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Shake Lecasse was a star hockey and one of the most popular kids in school. All that changed in the twinkling of an eye. All it took was one tragic incident and now he has hit rock bottom. Living in his grandmother’s basement, ditching school and doing drugs became his new norm. However, there was one person who knew the truth of what happened that fateful night and she made it her mission to steer him away from the path of self-destruction.
Cleo Lee is from what is considered the wrong side of the tracks. Not a girl with whom Shake would associate. She lies and steals not because she wants to, but as a means of survival. She had an awful home life; one she was desperate to escape.
Despite knowing that a guy like Shake would not have given her a second look, she wanted to help regardless of the physical and emotional risk.
Cleo is a friend you would want in your corner. I admired her Loyalty, dry sense of humour, strength, selflessness and independence. She has been through a lot, but she doesn’t allow her circumstances to break her. My heart broke for her when I learnt of her situation. No one should ever have to go through what she did. She wanted to save Shake, and I loved how they ended up saving each other.
My heart bled for Shake. Losing someone is never easy and worse when it’s your entire family in one fell sweep. I saw first-hand the devastating effect of survivor’s guilt.
Despite the emotional upheavals these two faced, they shared some light moments between themselves and their friends, which had me laughing out loud. We also had teenage angst that came with the whole high school experience. Fans of Shakespeare would love the Shakespearean quotes sprinkled throughout the story.
Conclusion/Recommendation
I became immersed in this wonderful coming of age story of loss, grief, friendship, love and finding oneself. Shakespeare Burning is a story I recommend without reservations.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
March 26, 2021
"Why does having someone’s permission to be happy make such a difference?"
Shakespeare "Shake" LeCasse broke my heart! Once a star hockey player, gorgeous and popular, Shake was now a lost soul on a path of self-destruction as he struggled with survivor's guilt eight months after losing his parents and brother Hemmie to a house fire. Cleo Lee was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks dealing with an awful home life and also hurting from losing Hemmie as he was the one person to look after her through all of the terrible things she experienced. Shake and Cleo each become what the other so desperately needed in a highly emotional story of loss, grief and coming of age. An unlikely romance ensued along with all of the accompanying teen angst.
""When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions.”"
My thoughts: The story itself was fantastic, so moving and thought provoking as Shake and Cleo attempted to work through their lives. Narration alternated between Shake and Cleo, revealing plenty of humor and sarcasm while it tackled serious issues, never sugarcoating them, thus feeling a step above a typical YA novel. I loved reading the Shakespeare (and Hemingway) quotes sprinkled throughout and I thought they added a unique element to the story. The highly descriptive writing kept the pages turning but felt a little heavy on the metaphors. Furthermore, the proofreading seemed nonexistent at times and could have been improved greatly.
"“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places,” she says softly. “Hemmie taught me that.” I recognize it. Ernest Hemingway said it."
**Special thanks to Charisse Moritz and Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read and review this Kindle book.**
Shakespeare "Shake" LeCasse broke my heart! Once a star hockey player, gorgeous and popular, Shake was now a lost soul on a path of self-destruction as he struggled with survivor's guilt eight months after losing his parents and brother Hemmie to a house fire. Cleo Lee was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks dealing with an awful home life and also hurting from losing Hemmie as he was the one person to look after her through all of the terrible things she experienced. Shake and Cleo each become what the other so desperately needed in a highly emotional story of loss, grief and coming of age. An unlikely romance ensued along with all of the accompanying teen angst.
""When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions.”"
My thoughts: The story itself was fantastic, so moving and thought provoking as Shake and Cleo attempted to work through their lives. Narration alternated between Shake and Cleo, revealing plenty of humor and sarcasm while it tackled serious issues, never sugarcoating them, thus feeling a step above a typical YA novel. I loved reading the Shakespeare (and Hemingway) quotes sprinkled throughout and I thought they added a unique element to the story. The highly descriptive writing kept the pages turning but felt a little heavy on the metaphors. Furthermore, the proofreading seemed nonexistent at times and could have been improved greatly.
"“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places,” she says softly. “Hemmie taught me that.” I recognize it. Ernest Hemingway said it."
**Special thanks to Charisse Moritz and Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read and review this Kindle book.**
April 2, 2020
YA authors, clean your desks, take your inspiration pills, sharpen your pens!
There is a new author in town and she comes with a blast! If this Charisse Moritz's first work is not just a supernova, then we are to be fed by a new Sun!
Yep! C.M. was for me a fresh breath giving me a strong reason and reward for not giving up to YA stories. And when I'm talking about YA stories I refer to those full of drama, angst stories, about characters who are (or feel that they are) between rock and a hard place.
CM navigates between sentiments and harsh realities admirably avoiding the cliches and the razors of the too much, unconvincing aspects or distasteful repetitions. She masterfully increases the intensity of the readers' feelings, bringing a bit of new information, a different angle or a different facet fueling this way the necessary crescendo and readers' interest. Her characters are smart and they prove it whilst there is still enough room for emotional reactions and "not thinking all the way" situations so characteristic to the teens.
The main moments and important stages are punctuated by Shakespeare's quotes. They are a conclusion for what it was and a prevision of what it comes. Hemingway's encompasses exactly what we want from the story. Well done! Reading Shakespeare Burning could open the taste of the new generation for classics.
All the seriousness of what happened and happens is tuned at the perfect level by using humor. It is brought in different ways and by different characters, but even in the humor, there is a trace of sorrow.
The result is a story that captures you, involves you in everything that happens.
This is certainly an author to keep an eye on! Enjoy!
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/202...
There is a new author in town and she comes with a blast! If this Charisse Moritz's first work is not just a supernova, then we are to be fed by a new Sun!
Yep! C.M. was for me a fresh breath giving me a strong reason and reward for not giving up to YA stories. And when I'm talking about YA stories I refer to those full of drama, angst stories, about characters who are (or feel that they are) between rock and a hard place.
CM navigates between sentiments and harsh realities admirably avoiding the cliches and the razors of the too much, unconvincing aspects or distasteful repetitions. She masterfully increases the intensity of the readers' feelings, bringing a bit of new information, a different angle or a different facet fueling this way the necessary crescendo and readers' interest. Her characters are smart and they prove it whilst there is still enough room for emotional reactions and "not thinking all the way" situations so characteristic to the teens.
The main moments and important stages are punctuated by Shakespeare's quotes. They are a conclusion for what it was and a prevision of what it comes. Hemingway's encompasses exactly what we want from the story. Well done! Reading Shakespeare Burning could open the taste of the new generation for classics.
All the seriousness of what happened and happens is tuned at the perfect level by using humor. It is brought in different ways and by different characters, but even in the humor, there is a trace of sorrow.
The result is a story that captures you, involves you in everything that happens.
This is certainly an author to keep an eye on! Enjoy!
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/202...
April 19, 2020
Shakes Burning narrates the story of Cleo and Shake, two troubled teenagers that end up being in love.
This YA romance was refreshing, really emotional and intense.
During the first chapters the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking, but then it gets waaay better.
The fact that the author uses quotes from Shakespeare along her story was unexpected and was a great addition.
This YA romance was refreshing, really emotional and intense.
During the first chapters the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking, but then it gets waaay better.
The fact that the author uses quotes from Shakespeare along her story was unexpected and was a great addition.
June 12, 2020
I love this book! The characters are perfect ! The book is funny and witty. Def recommend , it’s a book you won’t want to put down !!!
September 5, 2020
“What do I need? That’s the million dollar question.”
I received a book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not change or affect my review in any way.
Shakespeare Burning is an awesome Ya romance novel. I have not been much into romance but this book made me weep(😫). So first things first, Shake Lecasse is a teenager aged 17 and a former college Mr. Popular and has a kink for quoting Shakespeare. Shake loses his parents and his brother and his house in a fire accident. He is only person left alive.(My poor baby). Then there is Cleo Lee, she is a wolverine(not literally, ha but u will know what I mean if you have read the book). She has been half in love with Shake since middle school but she has obstacles in her own life and saving Shake from his own ultimate demise was not in her plan. But what can we say, Love is blind. But most importantly she has a secret from the night that Shake has lost everything. What do you think it might be?
Why the hell people think losing every member of my family would make me crave endless amounts of lasagna is a mystery to me.-Shake Lecasse
What I loved about the book was the charecters, everyone was authentic and an utter perfection. I got hooked with the story as soon as I started. Shake is now living with his grandma.(Granny is a force of nature! And nobody get to mess with her.) Shake is grieving for his family. He ditches school, avoids friends and zone out completely. Everyone tries to help but that only makes it worse.
“You wanna be a dropout, quit. You quit. You wanna graduate, go to school. Pissing on both sides of the fence just leaves no place dry to stand.”- Shake Lecasse.
Told you she was cool. Now let’s talk about Cleo. She stays in school all the time, has bruises, steals and cheat to survive. Shake’s life changes the moment when he meets Cleo in detention. Cleo is very annoying and gets on Shakes nerve too often. He finds himself in less pain whenever she is around.
Since suffering is the only thing I can do for them and less than I deserve, I devote all my time to it.-Shake.
Did I tell you about Shakes’s living nightmare. It is ALLIE KINDLE. She is pretty loud and tortures Shake with endless nicknames.
“In respect respect of this being a Monday, for the sake of my sanity, let’s take it down a decibel or two.”-Mr.
Schwartzmeyer.
(Allie’s idea of a hug)”I’ve experienced that hug. It’s a cross between a really scary pillow fight and the thing that crushes cars into cubes. I hear cracks and pops from Shake’s spine, and he makes the sound of a mink getting shaved.”
It was a fun read, I was reading it at midnight and wasn’t able to contain my giggles and was caught red handed.(so beware, thou shall read when the sunrises). Ok I’m getting out of track. Lets get to the story. So, Shake and Cleo are like half parts of a whole. Cleo is the one who pulls him out of the water and they both swim ashore. But there is still a secret Cleo has, what will happen if she told him? Will that change everything? Go read it and find out!
There is nothing I didn’t like about this book. So I would recommend it for anyone interested in romance and only if you are okay with strong languages.
“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.”
A Hemingway quote.”
This book will help you to know how to deal with grief when you lose someone very close to your heart. That not all is lost and in their absence, you don’t have to suffer and fall but rise and live on to bring forth their memory. They live as long as we remember them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2022
Trying to understand how people rated this book less than 5 stars. The characters in this book will stick with me for a long time. This author has the ability to make Shake and Cleo feel like my best friends and also an image of myself I hoped to forget. Love this book.
May 30, 2023
Another home run by Charisse Moritz. The characters may be in highschool but this reads as an adult novel. Can't get enough!
July 19, 2020
After reading Charisse’s other book Shatter, I was excited to get started on her debut she also sent me to review. Much like the other in that it’s a story of teenage tragedy and finding love and how to love. I did like that this book was like a prequel to Shatter but not part of the series. Shakespeare Burning introduces you to some of the characters you will find in the Shatter: The Choosy Beggars Series Book One. So it gives you a familiar atmosphere when reading it.
Shake is a boy whose life has been turned upside down by the tragedy of a house fire that take his whole family from him. He is living in anger every day and can’t get his life back in order. Cleo is a girl who is not wanted by anyone. Her mother has abandoned her and she is trying to survive in the towns drug house with her mothers boyfriend. Shake and Cleo make the most unlikely pair but somehow they need each other. Can they make it work?
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. Classified as a Young Adult book, I would say 18+ for the age appropriate factor. There are a few mature themes and a lot of language. It can’t get pretty graphic at times. Despite the maturity level of the book Charisse still did not disappoint. I feel like her interpretation of teenagers and hard circumstances they may deal with is very on point. It’s like she has had a front row seat to these tragedies and has taken note of each reaction of the characters. Life can be so hard being a teenager without tragedy. The outcome of how they deal with them can be even more tragic. I cannot wait to read more from Charisse.
I give it 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Shake is a boy whose life has been turned upside down by the tragedy of a house fire that take his whole family from him. He is living in anger every day and can’t get his life back in order. Cleo is a girl who is not wanted by anyone. Her mother has abandoned her and she is trying to survive in the towns drug house with her mothers boyfriend. Shake and Cleo make the most unlikely pair but somehow they need each other. Can they make it work?
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. Classified as a Young Adult book, I would say 18+ for the age appropriate factor. There are a few mature themes and a lot of language. It can’t get pretty graphic at times. Despite the maturity level of the book Charisse still did not disappoint. I feel like her interpretation of teenagers and hard circumstances they may deal with is very on point. It’s like she has had a front row seat to these tragedies and has taken note of each reaction of the characters. Life can be so hard being a teenager without tragedy. The outcome of how they deal with them can be even more tragic. I cannot wait to read more from Charisse.
I give it 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Read
October 13, 2020This book was a wonderful depiction of coming of age. There was loss and grief but with it came friendship and soul searching.
The main characters were Shake and Cleo, both with their own tragedies and stories to tell. They were two lost, broken souls who came together through friendship and so much more.
Shake went through a tragedy lately that absolutely broke my heart for him. He lost everything and the only thing that he came out with after the tragedy was self-destruction and survivors guilt. He used to be the star hockey player, with great grades, and a girlfriend--a relatively normal, nice life. Now he’s ditching school, living in his grandmother’s basement and doing drugs.
Cleo isn’t much better than him but she also has her reasons for the way she lives her life. She lies, cheats and steals as a means of survival. Her story was just as heartbreaking as Shake’s, and while she had her own tragedies she did everything she could to steer Shake off his path of self-destruction. She wanted to save Shake but in the end they ended up saving each other. She isn’t the typical person I would be friends with but she is definitely someone I would want by my side when things get tough. I admired her loyalty, selflessness and dry humor.
Emotional turbulence aside, Shake and Cleo shared some nice--albeit cheesy--moments together and with their friends which had me smiling like a goof. The writing seemed a bit too edgy for me, it was explicit (which I was warned about) but it didn’t stop me from continuing the story. I think there was something addicting in the story that wanted me to keep reading.
This book was a coming of age story full with characters who form an unlikely friendship--and more, who overcome hardship and find themselves along the way.
The main characters were Shake and Cleo, both with their own tragedies and stories to tell. They were two lost, broken souls who came together through friendship and so much more.
Shake went through a tragedy lately that absolutely broke my heart for him. He lost everything and the only thing that he came out with after the tragedy was self-destruction and survivors guilt. He used to be the star hockey player, with great grades, and a girlfriend--a relatively normal, nice life. Now he’s ditching school, living in his grandmother’s basement and doing drugs.
Cleo isn’t much better than him but she also has her reasons for the way she lives her life. She lies, cheats and steals as a means of survival. Her story was just as heartbreaking as Shake’s, and while she had her own tragedies she did everything she could to steer Shake off his path of self-destruction. She wanted to save Shake but in the end they ended up saving each other. She isn’t the typical person I would be friends with but she is definitely someone I would want by my side when things get tough. I admired her loyalty, selflessness and dry humor.
Emotional turbulence aside, Shake and Cleo shared some nice--albeit cheesy--moments together and with their friends which had me smiling like a goof. The writing seemed a bit too edgy for me, it was explicit (which I was warned about) but it didn’t stop me from continuing the story. I think there was something addicting in the story that wanted me to keep reading.
This book was a coming of age story full with characters who form an unlikely friendship--and more, who overcome hardship and find themselves along the way.
January 29, 2021
Shake and Cleo are two teenagers lonely and in pain. Their lives and traumas are polar opposites but they hurt the same. One outwardly distances themselves the other tries to hide into the shadows and stay low. This unlikely duo will find their way to each other and learn to heal. The emotional rollercoaster of this story takes you through the halls of a highschool, the seedy underside of a community, to the cells of a jail and the cold linoleum of a hospital room.
The first few pages had me worried that I wasn’t going to enjoy this read but just a few minutes later and I was thoroughly engulfed. This book was hard to put down. The characters are engaging, the story line keeps you wanting more. The plot and character development that unfolds has you laughing, crying and boiling your blood all on one page. And while the dialogue and renderings are thorough, the author always keeps some nuggets of knowledge at a distance only to be revealed at the perfect moment.
Ms. Moritz has an amazing gift for the written word. She manages to pull off two perspectives of a story line keeping both true to the character and the world in which they see themselves. The material may seem a little too mature for YA at times, but as a mom of teenagers, I would gladly hand this to them. It captures the unique perspective of that age and lays it out in a way that tells them that no matter their trauma, they will be okay.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The first few pages had me worried that I wasn’t going to enjoy this read but just a few minutes later and I was thoroughly engulfed. This book was hard to put down. The characters are engaging, the story line keeps you wanting more. The plot and character development that unfolds has you laughing, crying and boiling your blood all on one page. And while the dialogue and renderings are thorough, the author always keeps some nuggets of knowledge at a distance only to be revealed at the perfect moment.
Ms. Moritz has an amazing gift for the written word. She manages to pull off two perspectives of a story line keeping both true to the character and the world in which they see themselves. The material may seem a little too mature for YA at times, but as a mom of teenagers, I would gladly hand this to them. It captures the unique perspective of that age and lays it out in a way that tells them that no matter their trauma, they will be okay.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 17, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, so I wanted to read it so I could leave a review in thanks for the free book. I was sucked in right from the start and finish the book quicker than I usual. The story bounces back between Shake and Cleo, which helps the reader keep track of what each character is thinking. It also makes you want to slap the characters sometimes. :) As the description gives a good general overview of the story and I don't want to give too much away, I'm not going to go into too much detail. I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it if you like YA novels. I was really happy with the ending too. Good Job Charisse!
October 20, 2020
This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. From the start, I was laughing at the vivid descriptions and humorous comparisons between characters and things. With alternating narrators you get a complete sense of the story, and I fell in love with both characters from the start. I will also say, I was kept in suspense (from the beginning) with regards to what Cleo knew or didn’t know about Shake’s family and the ending did not disappoint. I highly recommend, and look forward to more work from the author.
July 4, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and I was not disappointed. I read this in two days, which is incredibly fast for me. I couldn't put it down! I connected to the characters and laughed out loud multiple times. 4.5 stars rounded up.
May 3, 2020
This is a coming of age of sorts for two high school students who come together because of personal tragedies. High school is an environment that is relatable to everyone - friendships, sense of belonging, home life, first loves, etc. This is a great debut, it's entertaining and an easy read. Thanks to the author and Goodreads for this ebook.
January 11, 2021
This is not the first book I’ve read written by Charisse Moritz, and I sure as heck hope it won’t be the last. I was so excited to finally get time to read ‘Shakespeare Burning’ after utterly devouring ‘Shatter’.
Before I dive into the review itself, I just want to make a polite request… Charisse Moritz, please get in my head and narrate my internal monologues. I can’t even count the amount of times Shake and Cleo’s thought processes reduced me a giggling mess. I need some of that sass in my life!
Thanks in advanced for accepting my humble request.
Now, onto the review itself…
Much like ‘Shatter’, ‘Shakespeare Burning’ was a contemporary YA romance that did not hold back any punches. It covers some heavy, hard-hitting themes with grace and heart-wrenching empathy: loss of loved ones, abuse, drugs, trauma, broken relationships, letdowns, and so, so much more. Both main characters were unique, endearing, and utterly imperfect. There were moments when I wanted to yell at them as much as I wanted to hug them. Charisse Moritz made sure I was along for their emotional rollercoasters every damn step of the way.
First up, in order of appearance, we have the broody, emotionally shut-off Shake. Right away, we know he is dealing with some deep stuff, and that he has been coping by retreating into himself. It was so easy to sink into his mindset, and wow- I just wanted everyone to give him a moment to just breathe. Moritz manages to catch that quintessentially adolescent desire to dissolve into a puddle of nothingness with utter perfection. Before the events that saw Shake’s seemingly picture-perfect childhood spiralling into darkness, he had a good bunch of friends and a lot of personal strengths. Shake’s arc in the novel is about a young man learning to push past soul-crushing loss to find a new place in a world that, for him, is fundamentally changed.
Luckily, and in a similar vein to ‘Shatter’ (or, I should say ‘Shatter’ is in a similar vein to ‘Shakespeare Burning’, as it came out after), our female protagonist utterly refuses the self-flagellating Shake to retreat. Cleo herself has one hell of a life to deal with. With circumstances quite different to Shake’s, Cleo has been in survival mode for so long it has become her only mode. She has had to struggle every day of her life to get to the next, and it shows in her coping mechanisms and how she interacts with the world. She has a core of strength and resilience that gets her through the horrific daily trials that make up her reality. Despite her persistent spirit and the most loyal and loving best friend anyone could ask for, she still needs something else to helpher find herself and find safety, which is where this story really takes off.
But while we’re on the topic of the best friend- everyone needs to get themselves an Allie Kindle.
I mean, for real. Where the hell can I sign up for one?
While I am TOTALLY HERE for Shake and Cleo, I cannot let this review go without drooling over Ally. There isn’t a single moment when I don’t want to kidnap her to be my BFF. Every description of her had me cheering, and her antics were the cherry onto of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that is ‘Shakespeare Burning’. Here’s a little nugget I highlighted as I read (and yep, I’ve found the highlight feature on my Kindle app!): “She’s so colorful, she should be hung from the ceiling and stuffed with candy.”
I’m pretty sure Ally actually would be filled with candy. She probably farts rainbows and burps candy floss, too. She is the sweetest, craziest, most loveable character. She has her BFF’s back and is caring in a way that very few people are. She is determined to be herself in a world that tends to crush eccentricity, and I salute her.
And there we go, I got carried away. As anyone who has ready YA will suspect, Shake and Cleo have their ‘Meet Cute’ moment in the book, even though they know of each other beforehand. Some circumstances mean that they wind up in each other’s company, and romance can’t help but develop. What results is the most addictive flourishing of a beautiful, healthy relationship between two people who desperately need someone relentless, empathetic, and fierce loving in their lives.
There are some very usual complications that come up, and some others that are delightfully new. Shake has some friends who struggled to help him, but come through in the end, and there is a butt-load of fist-fighting in this one. I wasn’t quite expecting that level of fisticuffs after reading ‘Shatter’, but Shake runs with a different crowd, and Tia and Taz have very different friendships that don’t lend themselves to that sort of conflict-resolution.
Which naturally leads me to another thing that had me all excited: the little links to Tia and the West family. I mean… part of me is relieved I read the books in reverse publication order, because I was squealing like a teakettle whenever I saw someone from the West Clan. I LOVE how this set up the key players for ‘Shatter’, and it just adds a depth to the world-building that makes me happy on a very fundamental level.
Overall, ‘Shakespeare Burning’ is the best investment I’ve made with my time recently. It contains the kind of character development, narration, and storyline that dumped me into a post-novel-listlessness when I finished it. While I wish it wasn’t over, I am so pleased with the ending that I can’t complain. I would recommend this book for anyone, but if I have to be more specific, it is great for YA readers, romance readers, and those who enjoy the high-school settings.
Now that it’s over, I’ll just sit here and wait (not at all) patiently for Moritz’s next release. If you’re reading this, I highly suggest you jump on the bandwagon. You won’t regret it.
Favourite quotes (Kindle highlighting FTW):
- Not the big toe. It’s not big toe level bad.
- We walk together. He walks. I jog.
- I slide my hands back into his curls and lay down on his chest so I can hear his heartbeat. Funny how they all sound the same. Even the broken ones.
- “Brought you home. Duh.” I singsong the last part, cuz I’m mature like that.
- “Everybody at school blames Allie. But it’s bullshit, right? That’s the secret. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, but she sits in detention every day, covering for something or somebody else.”
- “The hurt’s in here. It’s big and awful, and it’s ours. We don’t need to feel it at max capacity every second to prove it. And I hate to tell you this, but your pain doesn’t change a frigging thing for them…. So all you’re doing is hurting yourself.”
- “So if you wanna shout, fight, f*ck, skate, dance, laugh, whatever, it’s all right. Doesn’t mean you aren’t hurting enough.”
- What do I need? To… (Don’t want to finish these lines, because they are beautiful to read, but when you get to them- cherish them for the gems they are)
Before I dive into the review itself, I just want to make a polite request… Charisse Moritz, please get in my head and narrate my internal monologues. I can’t even count the amount of times Shake and Cleo’s thought processes reduced me a giggling mess. I need some of that sass in my life!
Thanks in advanced for accepting my humble request.
Now, onto the review itself…
Much like ‘Shatter’, ‘Shakespeare Burning’ was a contemporary YA romance that did not hold back any punches. It covers some heavy, hard-hitting themes with grace and heart-wrenching empathy: loss of loved ones, abuse, drugs, trauma, broken relationships, letdowns, and so, so much more. Both main characters were unique, endearing, and utterly imperfect. There were moments when I wanted to yell at them as much as I wanted to hug them. Charisse Moritz made sure I was along for their emotional rollercoasters every damn step of the way.
First up, in order of appearance, we have the broody, emotionally shut-off Shake. Right away, we know he is dealing with some deep stuff, and that he has been coping by retreating into himself. It was so easy to sink into his mindset, and wow- I just wanted everyone to give him a moment to just breathe. Moritz manages to catch that quintessentially adolescent desire to dissolve into a puddle of nothingness with utter perfection. Before the events that saw Shake’s seemingly picture-perfect childhood spiralling into darkness, he had a good bunch of friends and a lot of personal strengths. Shake’s arc in the novel is about a young man learning to push past soul-crushing loss to find a new place in a world that, for him, is fundamentally changed.
Luckily, and in a similar vein to ‘Shatter’ (or, I should say ‘Shatter’ is in a similar vein to ‘Shakespeare Burning’, as it came out after), our female protagonist utterly refuses the self-flagellating Shake to retreat. Cleo herself has one hell of a life to deal with. With circumstances quite different to Shake’s, Cleo has been in survival mode for so long it has become her only mode. She has had to struggle every day of her life to get to the next, and it shows in her coping mechanisms and how she interacts with the world. She has a core of strength and resilience that gets her through the horrific daily trials that make up her reality. Despite her persistent spirit and the most loyal and loving best friend anyone could ask for, she still needs something else to helpher find herself and find safety, which is where this story really takes off.
But while we’re on the topic of the best friend- everyone needs to get themselves an Allie Kindle.
I mean, for real. Where the hell can I sign up for one?
While I am TOTALLY HERE for Shake and Cleo, I cannot let this review go without drooling over Ally. There isn’t a single moment when I don’t want to kidnap her to be my BFF. Every description of her had me cheering, and her antics were the cherry onto of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that is ‘Shakespeare Burning’. Here’s a little nugget I highlighted as I read (and yep, I’ve found the highlight feature on my Kindle app!): “She’s so colorful, she should be hung from the ceiling and stuffed with candy.”
I’m pretty sure Ally actually would be filled with candy. She probably farts rainbows and burps candy floss, too. She is the sweetest, craziest, most loveable character. She has her BFF’s back and is caring in a way that very few people are. She is determined to be herself in a world that tends to crush eccentricity, and I salute her.
And there we go, I got carried away. As anyone who has ready YA will suspect, Shake and Cleo have their ‘Meet Cute’ moment in the book, even though they know of each other beforehand. Some circumstances mean that they wind up in each other’s company, and romance can’t help but develop. What results is the most addictive flourishing of a beautiful, healthy relationship between two people who desperately need someone relentless, empathetic, and fierce loving in their lives.
There are some very usual complications that come up, and some others that are delightfully new. Shake has some friends who struggled to help him, but come through in the end, and there is a butt-load of fist-fighting in this one. I wasn’t quite expecting that level of fisticuffs after reading ‘Shatter’, but Shake runs with a different crowd, and Tia and Taz have very different friendships that don’t lend themselves to that sort of conflict-resolution.
Which naturally leads me to another thing that had me all excited: the little links to Tia and the West family. I mean… part of me is relieved I read the books in reverse publication order, because I was squealing like a teakettle whenever I saw someone from the West Clan. I LOVE how this set up the key players for ‘Shatter’, and it just adds a depth to the world-building that makes me happy on a very fundamental level.
Overall, ‘Shakespeare Burning’ is the best investment I’ve made with my time recently. It contains the kind of character development, narration, and storyline that dumped me into a post-novel-listlessness when I finished it. While I wish it wasn’t over, I am so pleased with the ending that I can’t complain. I would recommend this book for anyone, but if I have to be more specific, it is great for YA readers, romance readers, and those who enjoy the high-school settings.
Now that it’s over, I’ll just sit here and wait (not at all) patiently for Moritz’s next release. If you’re reading this, I highly suggest you jump on the bandwagon. You won’t regret it.
Favourite quotes (Kindle highlighting FTW):
- Not the big toe. It’s not big toe level bad.
- We walk together. He walks. I jog.
- I slide my hands back into his curls and lay down on his chest so I can hear his heartbeat. Funny how they all sound the same. Even the broken ones.
- “Brought you home. Duh.” I singsong the last part, cuz I’m mature like that.
- “Everybody at school blames Allie. But it’s bullshit, right? That’s the secret. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, but she sits in detention every day, covering for something or somebody else.”
- “The hurt’s in here. It’s big and awful, and it’s ours. We don’t need to feel it at max capacity every second to prove it. And I hate to tell you this, but your pain doesn’t change a frigging thing for them…. So all you’re doing is hurting yourself.”
- “So if you wanna shout, fight, f*ck, skate, dance, laugh, whatever, it’s all right. Doesn’t mean you aren’t hurting enough.”
- What do I need? To… (Don’t want to finish these lines, because they are beautiful to read, but when you get to them- cherish them for the gems they are)
December 8, 2019
*I received a free copy of Shakespeare Burning. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased.*
Shake LeCasse is a guy with a lot of problems, the start of the book offers a view of a boy who is angry and lost. The more I read about Shake, the more sorry I felt for him. He is definitely a tortured soul, a lost kid who has lost his direction in life. I learn about his tragedy, survivor's guilt in teenagers can be dramatic, but in his case, totally justified.
Cleo Lee likes to pick on him during detention. She should not have, but she cannot help herself. She's the girl everyone avoids, the only thing she needs is the word "trouble" on her forehead. Cleo helps out Shake many times, despite constantly telling herself to stay away.
The book is written in first person's point of view, but in Shake's and Cleo's respectively. I think that it works pretty well. Their voices are different enough to know who I am reading. As the story progresses, it is clear that Cleo is helping with an agenda. What happens when Shake finds out?
Shakespeare Burning has a lot of different characters, they add color and character into the book. However, the story does revolve around past history, and a bombshell that will change it all. This is a book for mature young adults for the sex and drug references. I love Shakespeare Burning for the sass, the pain and how friends can help you find a way towards the light.
Shake LeCasse is a guy with a lot of problems, the start of the book offers a view of a boy who is angry and lost. The more I read about Shake, the more sorry I felt for him. He is definitely a tortured soul, a lost kid who has lost his direction in life. I learn about his tragedy, survivor's guilt in teenagers can be dramatic, but in his case, totally justified.
Cleo Lee likes to pick on him during detention. She should not have, but she cannot help herself. She's the girl everyone avoids, the only thing she needs is the word "trouble" on her forehead. Cleo helps out Shake many times, despite constantly telling herself to stay away.
The book is written in first person's point of view, but in Shake's and Cleo's respectively. I think that it works pretty well. Their voices are different enough to know who I am reading. As the story progresses, it is clear that Cleo is helping with an agenda. What happens when Shake finds out?
Shakespeare Burning has a lot of different characters, they add color and character into the book. However, the story does revolve around past history, and a bombshell that will change it all. This is a book for mature young adults for the sex and drug references. I love Shakespeare Burning for the sass, the pain and how friends can help you find a way towards the light.
April 15, 2020
This was such an amazing read!!! I loved how they actually used quotes from Shakespeare and although I don’t usually favor books with the jock guy and less than popular girl this book was so much more than just the trope!! I truly loved the dynamic between the two characters and the romance between them that made me want to read it from start to finish in one sitting!! Thank you for such a great read and I hope to see more of this great storytelling by the author!!
October 24, 2019
Shakespeare Burning has been one of my favorite reads this year! I had a hard time getting into the first chapter but after that everything really picked up and it became hard to put down.
It's hard to believe this was a debut from the author because I feel she nailed it! Whether you like young adult or not it's hard not to feel the pain and anguish of the main characters as Shakespeare and Cleo's story unfolds. We rotate chapters between them unleashing their feelings about each other and trying to deal with their own separate problems of abuse and tragedy . Problems that no teenager should have to go thru.
A few times the emotions run so high I came close to grabbing my tissue box. When a work of fiction can cause that...well that's saying something all in itself!
Favorite Quote from Shakespeare Burning: "She mangles a laugh. “Don’t sell me taco farts in a bottle and call it perfume."
*I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
It's hard to believe this was a debut from the author because I feel she nailed it! Whether you like young adult or not it's hard not to feel the pain and anguish of the main characters as Shakespeare and Cleo's story unfolds. We rotate chapters between them unleashing their feelings about each other and trying to deal with their own separate problems of abuse and tragedy . Problems that no teenager should have to go thru.
A few times the emotions run so high I came close to grabbing my tissue box. When a work of fiction can cause that...well that's saying something all in itself!
Favorite Quote from Shakespeare Burning: "She mangles a laugh. “Don’t sell me taco farts in a bottle and call it perfume."
*I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
January 2, 2020
This is a moving story of two lost, broken souls who find each other and build a lasting connection. Shakespeare (Shake) has lost his entire family. While Cleo has no one to support her, she insists on ensuring that Shake makes something of himself.
"So he stood me up,...and said, "I'm sure the faculty has shown a certain leniency due to your circumstances, but I am disinclined to facilitate your self-destruction."
Shake is on a downward spiral, and this book is partly about his redemption.
"Tell me, Shake, what do you need?"
This book is about Shake figuring it out. As he quotes, "our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven."
Wonderfully written and excellent story development! Highly recommend!
"So he stood me up,...and said, "I'm sure the faculty has shown a certain leniency due to your circumstances, but I am disinclined to facilitate your self-destruction."
Shake is on a downward spiral, and this book is partly about his redemption.
"Tell me, Shake, what do you need?"
This book is about Shake figuring it out. As he quotes, "our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven."
Wonderfully written and excellent story development! Highly recommend!
April 8, 2020
I received this e-book through a Goodreads giveaway.Ms.Moritz is a new author to me ,one I will be reading more of in the near future.I love reading mature YA storylines especially when the characters are so relatable like Shake and Cleo.I highly recommend this book.
April 8, 2020
Entertaining. Fun to read. Well written
January 1, 2020
Read in 1 day. Could not put this book down.
Want to read
August 15, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/15/2020)! 🎁
May 22, 2020
"What do I need? That's the million dollar question."
I received a book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not change or affect my review in any way.
Shakespeare Burning is an awesome Ya romance novel. I have not been much into romance but this book made me weep(😫). So first things first, Shake Lecasse is a teenager aged 17 and a former college Mr. Popular and has a kink for quoting Shakespeare. Shake loses his parents and his brother and his house in a fire accident. He is only person left alive.(My poor baby). Then there is Cleo Lee, she is a wolverine(not literally, ha but u will know what I mean if you have read the book😏). She has been half in love with Shake since middle school but she has obstacles in her own life and saving Shake from his own ultimate demise was not in her plan. But what can we say, Love is blind. But most importantly she has a secret from the night that Shake has lost everything. What do you think it might be?
Why the hell people think losing every member of my family would make me crave endless amounts of lasagna is a mystery to me.-Shake Lecasse
What I loved about the book was the charecters, everyone was authentic and an utter perfection. I got hooked with the story as soon as I started. Shake is now living with his grandma.(Granny is a force of nature! And nobody get to mess with her.) Shake is grieving for his family. He ditches school, avoids friends and zone out completely. Everyone tries to help but that only makes it worse.
“You wanna be a dropout, quit. You quit. You wanna graduate, go to school. Pissing on both sides of the fence just leaves no place dry to stand.”- Shake Lecasse.
Told you she was cool. Now let's talk about Cleo. She stays in school all the time, has bruises, steals and cheat to survive. Shake's life changes the moment when he meets Cleo in detention. Cleo is very annoying and gets on Shakes nerve too often. He finds himself in less pain whenever she is around.
Since suffering is the only thing I can do for them and less than I deserve, I devote all my time to it.-Shake.
Did I tell you about Shakes's living nightmare. It is ALLIE KINDLE. She is pretty loud and tortures Shake with endless nicknames.
“In respect respect of this being a Monday, for the sake of my sanity, let’s take it down a decibel or two.”-Mr.
Schwartzmeyer.
(Allie's idea of a hug)"I’ve experienced that hug. It’s a cross between a really scary pillow fight and the thing that crushes cars into cubes. I hear cracks and pops from Shake’s spine, and he makes the sound of a mink getting shaved."😂
It was a fun read, I was reading it at midnight and wasn't able to contain my giggles and was caught red handed.(so beware, thou shall read when the sunrises). Ok I'm getting out of track. Lets get to the story. So, Shake and Cleo are like half parts of a whole. Cleo is the one who pulls him out of the water and they both swim ashore. But there is still a secret Cleo has, what will happen if she told him? Will that change everything? Go read it and find out!
There is nothing I didn't like about this book. So I would recommend it for anyone interested in romance and only if you are okay with strong languages.
"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.”
A Hemingway quote."
This book will help you to know how to deal with grief when you lose someone very close to your heart. That not all is lost and in their absence, you don't have to suffer and fall but rise and live on to bring forth their memory. They live as long as we remember them!😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2020
**Actual rating is 4.5 stars.
Moritz approached me last month about reading her book and man, oh man, oh man did I enjoy the journey this book took me to?!
This book is not for the faint of heart, it's an amazing story, but if you are expecting a loving, cute, romantic book this is not it.
I don't usually read these kinds of stories, not because I don't like them, but because it's kind of hard for an author to keep my attention with hard topics like the ones in this book. Moritz somehow wrote a story that not only kept my attention, but had me wanting to keep reading and it made me feel what the characters were going through. It was such an amazing reading journey.
Where to even begin with this amazing story you guys?
Well, we have Shake, he used to be the most popular kid in school, he had the life many would envy, star hockey player, great grades, family money, but along with that there was a lot of pressure from his parents, and one night that pressure made him take a decision that changed his life forever.
Not in the way you are thinking, he sneaked out of his house the same night his parents and older brother died during a mysterious house fire and he survived because of that little act of revelry.
Of course almost a year later he has one of the worst cases of survivor guilt and is constantly trying to destroy his life and any semblance of future he could have hoped for before the fire.
Then we have Cleo. Little poor Cleo who is trying to survive long enough for graduation and getting out of her house to have some semblance of normalcy. She has liked Shake for a long time, but she knows a guy like him would never look at a girl like her, yet she wants to help him. She knows he can do better and just needs the right kind of push to stop the self-destruction streak he's got going on.
Whether Shake likes it or not, Cleo becomes part of his life and somehow becomes the push he needs.
Obviously the transition of her becoming part of his life doesn't come easy and it doesn't come without it creating major issues for Cleo who is also harboring a secret about the night Shake's life changed forever.
And of course Shake, who doesn't know what he needs, wants, or if he even wants to keep trying.
There are hard topics described somewhat graphically, like physical and mental abuse as well as drug abuse. These two teenagers have a hard life and there is no sugarcoating it.
Shakespeare Burning is just a raw story of two teenagers with the weight of the world on their shoulders and drowning from it until there is the little ray of sunshine brought to them by each other's company.
Moritz wrote the purest story of survival from two kids that should have been protected by their parents or loved ones, but were left to fend for themselves, it's sad, it's unsettling, and it just makes you so mad at the world that allowed for their beautiful souls to be damaged so much.
Needless to say I freaking loved their journey, the story was amazing and I completely recommend it.
I hope you guys get it and if you do, you love it as much as I did.
You can read the whole review here.
Moritz approached me last month about reading her book and man, oh man, oh man did I enjoy the journey this book took me to?!
This book is not for the faint of heart, it's an amazing story, but if you are expecting a loving, cute, romantic book this is not it.
I don't usually read these kinds of stories, not because I don't like them, but because it's kind of hard for an author to keep my attention with hard topics like the ones in this book. Moritz somehow wrote a story that not only kept my attention, but had me wanting to keep reading and it made me feel what the characters were going through. It was such an amazing reading journey.
Where to even begin with this amazing story you guys?
Well, we have Shake, he used to be the most popular kid in school, he had the life many would envy, star hockey player, great grades, family money, but along with that there was a lot of pressure from his parents, and one night that pressure made him take a decision that changed his life forever.
Not in the way you are thinking, he sneaked out of his house the same night his parents and older brother died during a mysterious house fire and he survived because of that little act of revelry.
Of course almost a year later he has one of the worst cases of survivor guilt and is constantly trying to destroy his life and any semblance of future he could have hoped for before the fire.
Then we have Cleo. Little poor Cleo who is trying to survive long enough for graduation and getting out of her house to have some semblance of normalcy. She has liked Shake for a long time, but she knows a guy like him would never look at a girl like her, yet she wants to help him. She knows he can do better and just needs the right kind of push to stop the self-destruction streak he's got going on.
Whether Shake likes it or not, Cleo becomes part of his life and somehow becomes the push he needs.
Obviously the transition of her becoming part of his life doesn't come easy and it doesn't come without it creating major issues for Cleo who is also harboring a secret about the night Shake's life changed forever.
And of course Shake, who doesn't know what he needs, wants, or if he even wants to keep trying.
There are hard topics described somewhat graphically, like physical and mental abuse as well as drug abuse. These two teenagers have a hard life and there is no sugarcoating it.
Shakespeare Burning is just a raw story of two teenagers with the weight of the world on their shoulders and drowning from it until there is the little ray of sunshine brought to them by each other's company.
Moritz wrote the purest story of survival from two kids that should have been protected by their parents or loved ones, but were left to fend for themselves, it's sad, it's unsettling, and it just makes you so mad at the world that allowed for their beautiful souls to be damaged so much.
Needless to say I freaking loved their journey, the story was amazing and I completely recommend it.
I hope you guys get it and if you do, you love it as much as I did.
You can read the whole review here.
July 26, 2020
Shakespeare Burning opens with Cleo and Shake (and wonderful secondary character, Allie) in detention. Shake, who had been a god around school before his entire life changed eight months earlier, now wants nothing more than to disappear. Cleo, who's always been invisible, has a penetrating stare that makes Shake feel "seen" and it's unbearable. Suddenly, everywhere he goes, she seems to be there, making him think and feel things he doesn't want. Cleo, who may have more information about what really happened that tragic night, knows she has to stay away but can't. The undeniable magnetism between these two, the suspense of the true backstory and the clever, witty, often poignant writing of the author, Charisse Moritz, make this novel an unputdownable page-turner.
This novel may be YA but the writing is not at all juvenile. One reviewer didn't understand “I turtle my head...” but I remember smiling at this line; the use of turtle as a verb is no different than when we say "I googled something". To me, that kind of writing displays a real understanding of how people, especially those of Cleo and Shake's age, speak and I hope the author doesn't change her clever style. I laughed throughout the book, from the very first page, which was an unexpected surprise. But don't mistake this for a light, fluffy comedy romp; Moritz tackles some heavy emotional issues, including loss and survivor's guilt, sexual abuse, drug use and violence. She handles each of these beautifully and, while I cried and felt the characters' pain and struggle, I wasn't bogged down by overly descriptive ugliness. Cleo and Shake have endured enough in their young lives and deserve happiness. Will they find it with each other? You'll have to read and see.
This novel may be YA but the writing is not at all juvenile. One reviewer didn't understand “I turtle my head...” but I remember smiling at this line; the use of turtle as a verb is no different than when we say "I googled something". To me, that kind of writing displays a real understanding of how people, especially those of Cleo and Shake's age, speak and I hope the author doesn't change her clever style. I laughed throughout the book, from the very first page, which was an unexpected surprise. But don't mistake this for a light, fluffy comedy romp; Moritz tackles some heavy emotional issues, including loss and survivor's guilt, sexual abuse, drug use and violence. She handles each of these beautifully and, while I cried and felt the characters' pain and struggle, I wasn't bogged down by overly descriptive ugliness. Cleo and Shake have endured enough in their young lives and deserve happiness. Will they find it with each other? You'll have to read and see.
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