Mundie Moms

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Book Review: Romeo Redeemed (Juliet Immortal #2) by Stacey Jay


Published by: Random House
Released on: October 9th, 2012
Source: book from publisher to review
Series: Juliet Immortal #2
4 Stars: I Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Seductive companion to the popular Juliet Immortal, in which former lovers—Romeo and Juliet—meet, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies.

Cursed to live out eternity in his rotted corpse, Romeo, known for his ruthless, cutthroat ways, is given the chance to redeem himself by traveling back in time to save the life of Ariel Dragland. Unbeknownst to her, Ariel is important to both the evil Mercenaries and the love-promoting Ambassadors and holds the fate of the world in her hands. Romeo must win her heart and make her believe in love, turning her away from her darker potential before his work is discovered by the Mercenaries. 

While his seduction begins as yet another lie, it soon becomes his only truth. Romeo vows to protect Ariel from harm, and do whatever it takes to win her heart and soul. But when Ariel is led to believe his love is a deception, she becomes vulnerable to Mercenary manipulation, and her own inner darkness may ultimately rip them apart -quoted from Goodreads


There's one good thing about my waiting to read Juliet Immortal, and that was being able to read both of these book back to back. Picking up immediately after Juliet Immortal ends, Romeo Redeemed lives up to it's seductive nature. I mean look at that cover.... Romeo is definitely not at all who I thought I had figured him out to be. He's much more complex, and intense. I loved the side of Romeo I got in this story. 

Much like Ariel was, I found myself drawn to his vulnerability and that hidden redeeming quality he has. It made him seem much less of a monster and much more a broken boy who yearned to fix his past mistakes and just be loved. The romance and chemistry are exactly what I would have excepted with love story like this, addictive and sighworthy. Romeo definitely lives up to his name. Of course Romeo's love story isn't without it's complications. 

Stacey Jay did an amazing job at bring Romeo and Juliet's love story full circle. She revealed surprising things about her incredibly flawed, vulnerable, broken characters. Through the heartbreak, the surprises, and twists, there's moments of love, romance, and above all hope for each of the characters. I really liked that this story was told from three different perspectives, Romeo's, Juliet's and Ariel's. It gave the story more depth, and allowed me to understand each character more, as well as connect with them on some small level. 

Being a more character driven storyline added a richness to the story I don't think would have been possible if it had been written differently. Like all classics, this story has magic, an incredibly character journey and an epic quest for love. If you're looking for an addictive, mesmerizing love story I'd recommend picking up Juliet Immortal & Romeo Redeemed. You can read my 4 star review for Juliet Immortal here

Book Review: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay


Released on: August 9th, 2011
Source: Purchased
4 stars: I Really Enjoyed It

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - quoted from Goodreads


Stacey Jay has written an incredibly mesmerizing story about Romeo and Juliet, and given it a hauntingly romantic, and utterly heartbreaking twist. We all know of the tragic love story that befell these two historic love birds, but there's a lot more to this story we don't know. I loved the exciting twist Stacey gave this love story. Juliet Immortal is a love story in every essence. It's also one ripe with redemption, sacrifices, self discovery, and making the impossible possible. What we learn about Juliet and Romeo's eternal connection is horrifying, unimaginable, and despite all we learn, I love that this love story is also about redemption. 

I always thought of Juliet as a tragic victim who was driven by love, and blinded by her distress over seeing her lover supposedly dead. I never thought of her as weak, nor did I think she was strong. I always thought of her as just, well Juliet. There's been times I've read this play and felt heartbroken for her and understood why she did what she did and other times I wondered why she did it. Stacey Jay gave me a Juliet I saw in a whole new light. She wrote a character who is strong, someone I felt sorry for and someone I cheered on at the same time. Above all, she gave me a complex character whom at first I thought I had figured out, but quickly realized there are many layers to Juliet. Her grief,  her new found determination to love again, as well as to forgive make Juliet a character determined to overcome a past marked with pain, and give her a future full of hope, and the ability to find true love, again.

Romeo, Romeo, Romeo. Wow! Is he a well written character! I have to say I battled the will to like him, and try to understand him in this book, but man he made it so hard to do that. He is so incredibly complex. Part of me wanted to run and cower in the corner when he enters a scene and the other part of me was drawn to him, and wanted to learn more about him. What I first thought about him, is not at the character he turns out to be. He really surprised me. I desperately want to elaborate on his character, but I feel what I want to say will ruin the surprise of what/who he is in this book. 

Part of the story's appeal wasn't just the fantastic twist Stacey gave Romeo & Juliet's story, it's how she wrote her characters. Nothing about them is what I thought. She enticed me with the mystery and the painful past her character's have, and the untold future that lies in front of them. The history, the romance, and the heartbreak are just a few of the things I enjoyed about this book. Stacey Jay's writing is incredible! It's beautiful and compelling. It hooked me, and gave me so much more than I had excepted to get from this story. What she did with the greatest love story ever told is remarkable. It's intense, addicting and one I couldn't stop reading. I am in love with this Romeo and Juliet. This is a forbidden love story I highly recommend picking up. 

Waiting on Wednesday #163: Boundless by Cynthia Hand


Published by: Harper Teen
To Be Released on: January 22, 2013
Series: Book #3 in the Unearthly Series
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound 

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all -quoted from Goodreads

I can not wait to read this! I have a feeling this book is going to be full of heartbreak, love, and surprises. I need to know what is going to happen with both Tucker and Christian. With each book in the series so far I've switched on who I want Clara to be with. The thing that stinks is they're both great guys. The end of Hallowed killed me! Hopefully Boundless won't be as heartbreaking. Luckily we don't have too much longer to wait to find out. While you're waiting for Boundless's release, download RADIANT, the novella that continues the story between Hallowed and Boundless, here. It's only $1.99! What book are you waiting on?

Smart Pop Books's Mortal Instruments Holiday Gift Guide



Just in time for the holiday season, Smart Pop Books has created this fabulous Mortal Instruments gift giving guide to make it easier for you to find that perfect shadowhunter gift for that certain TMI fan in your life. Check out this list of gift ideas they've come up with.



  • DIY Temporary Tattoos. Use this printable tattoo paper to make runes for your favorite Shadowhunter—no stele required!
  • Runes Leather Bracelet. Choose what runes to include on this made-to-order bracelet that Isabelle, Alec, and Jace alike would wear. [Official Merchandise]
  • Shadowhunters and Downworlders. Another shameless self-promotion alert: it’s not out yet, but come January 29, the Mortal Instruments fan in your life will thank you for pre-ordering our Clare-edited anthology featuring essays from some of their favorite YA authors.
  • Rune Earrings. Get these handmade sterling silver earrings in eleven different runes! [Official Merchandise]
  • Rune Ornament. If Shadowhunters had Christmas trees, we’re pretty sure they would use these ornaments to decorate. (This product has not been endorsed by Cassandra Clare.)
  • Binding Rune Split Pendant friendship necklace. The rune on this pendant will ensure that your friendship is binding (sorry, couldn’t resist). An additional option: this parabatai rune split pendant[Official Merchandise]
  • Fairy Ring. The ring that allows Clary and Simon to communicate in the City of Lost Souls is perfect for communicating your affection. (The listing is for just one ring; you may want to nab two if you’re planning on using them like walkie talkies when traveling between Cities!) [Official Merchandise]
  • Tarot Deck. Chances are you won’t find the Mortal Cup hidden in this deck, but who knows what the cards will reveal?
  • Parabatai Friendship Rune Print. Printed on a Mortal Instruments book page, matted, and framed, it’s a meaningful gift for your own parabatai. (This product has not been endorsed by Cassandra Clare.)
  • Sketchbook. Perfect for your very own Clary.
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