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Remixed Classics #7
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix
In Teach the Torches to Burn, a breathlessly romantic remix of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and seventh book in the Remixed Classics series, a queer teen boy discovers first love amid a bloody, centuries-old feud.
Verona, Italy. Seventeen-year-old aspiring artist Romeo dreams of a quiet life with someone who loves him just as he is. But as the heir to the Montague family, he is expected to give up his womanly artistic pursuits and uphold the family honor--particularly in their centuries-old blood feud with a rival family, the Capulets. Worse still, he is also expected to marry a well-bred girl approved by his parents and produce heirs. But the more Romeo is forced to mingle with eligible maidens, the harder it is to keep his deepest secret: He only feels attracted to other boys.
In an attempt to forget his troubles for just one night, Romeo joins his cousin in sneaking into a Capulet party. During a fateful encounter in the garden, he meets the kindest, most beautiful boy he's ever encountered, and is shocked to learn he's Valentine, the younger brother of one of his closest friends. He is even more shocked to discover that Valentine is just as enamored with Romeo as Romeo is with him.
So begins a tender romance that the boys must hide from their families and friends, each of them longing for a world where they could be together without fear. And as the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets escalates out of control, Romeo and Valentine find themselves in danger of losing each other forever--if not by society's scorn, then by the edge of a blade.
Verona, Italy. Seventeen-year-old aspiring artist Romeo dreams of a quiet life with someone who loves him just as he is. But as the heir to the Montague family, he is expected to give up his womanly artistic pursuits and uphold the family honor--particularly in their centuries-old blood feud with a rival family, the Capulets. Worse still, he is also expected to marry a well-bred girl approved by his parents and produce heirs. But the more Romeo is forced to mingle with eligible maidens, the harder it is to keep his deepest secret: He only feels attracted to other boys.
In an attempt to forget his troubles for just one night, Romeo joins his cousin in sneaking into a Capulet party. During a fateful encounter in the garden, he meets the kindest, most beautiful boy he's ever encountered, and is shocked to learn he's Valentine, the younger brother of one of his closest friends. He is even more shocked to discover that Valentine is just as enamored with Romeo as Romeo is with him.
So begins a tender romance that the boys must hide from their families and friends, each of them longing for a world where they could be together without fear. And as the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets escalates out of control, Romeo and Valentine find themselves in danger of losing each other forever--if not by society's scorn, then by the edge of a blade.
Audible Audio
First published August 22, 2023
About the author
Caleb Roehrig
15 books842 followersCaleb Roehrig is a writer and television producer originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having also lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Helsinki, Finland, he has a chronic case of wanderlust, and can recommend the best sights to see on a shoestring budget in over thirty countries. A former actor, Roehrig has experience on both sides of the camera, with a résumé that includes appearances on film and TV—as well as seven years in the stranger-than-fiction salt mines of reality television. In the name of earning a paycheck, he has: hung around a frozen cornfield in his underwear, partied with an actual rock-star, chatted with a scandal-plagued politician, and been menaced by a disgruntled ostrich.
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August 12, 2022this series is taking "but make it gay" very seriously and i love it
August 22, 2024
“Two days ago, I could not think of one thing to look forward to, and now I am dreaming in weeks and months and years.”
I watched this movie recently called In the Mood for Love, and I loved it so much that it had the unfortunate side effect of me… pretty much comparing it to each and every romance book I’ve read since. Unfairly so, I might add. What can I say? It’s a high bar! If every fleeting glance isn’t accompanied by the sad wailing of a violin’s waltz to signify a repressed and desperate yearning, then what’s the point in anything? Thankfully, as far as comparisons go, I think this book more than holds its own. Which is wonderful because at first, I was afraid to continue reading on because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle a queer retelling of a famously tragic, “everybody dies” story like Romeo & Juliet. But when I soldiered on and realized that Juliet was still a character in this story, mostly unchanged from the original, and not retooled into a male character like I originally thought this book would be, I was like, “oh good, I'm good, this should be a breeze!” But then I noticed the plot threads of the original started slotting into place with Valentine (Romeo’s love interest in this book) in Juliet’s stead… and my anxiety started anew. It was a wild ride reading this book, that's for sure. It was all quite dramatic, actually. Anyway, like lots of folks, I read Romeo & Juliet in school, and despite the “required reading curse” and the fact that adults tried really, really hard to make me like it, I actually liked it! Really, it's a miracle I got through it at all. I remember my teacher had a weird tone when talking about the main point of the story though, like the main take-away that we should have was that Romeo and Juliet were simply dumb kids caught up in a whirlwind romance. And even if they’d lived, after the dust settled, there’s no way that they would have remained in love. Not to air out old grievances, but that interpretation never really sat well with me. Like, does it matter? Does their love somehow mean less because of the brevity of their acquaintance? I'm answering my own rhetorical questions here, but I certainly don’t think so. Romeo & Juliet is a tragedy not only because they both die entirely avoidable deaths, but because we see two young people’s ability to make their own choices cut short by outside forces. Both caught in the crossfire of other people's ignorance and blind hatred. Whether or not it would have lasted, it’s sad because they never get the chance to see it to fruition.
Just like Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore (a Gay Gatsby retelling), this book does a wonderful job of following similar story beats of a classic tale while also meaning and saying something completely different, constantly finding new ways to be poignant and tug at the heartstrings. It was really exciting to see all the old familiar faces, only given a new context within the narrative. And while I loved all the new that comes with this adaptation, the thing is… it’s kind of nice to see that Romeo and Juliet are still arguably the most important characters in this book. There’s no doubt about it that this is the kind of story that's simply at its best when they’re both the central figures. It’s interesting to see that their relationship remains the catalyst for every event that transpires, with the only difference being that in this interpretation, they share a more relaxed, quiet fondness that serves as a replacement for the burning infatuation of the original. So fans of the play should breathe easier knowing that this is still categorically Romeo & Juliet, even if it’s mostly in spirit rather than a strict recreation of the same story. Part of me does miss the twisted irony of the original ending and I believe that when a tragedy is so drastically changed by overriding it with a happy ending, something important is lost, but you know what? At the end of the day… I don’t really care that much. Especially when I think about what’s gained when there are more books like this in the world! When it comes to queer retellings, especially historical-fiction queer retellings, ending on a happy note is more transgressive than any tragic finale could possibly give us. Besides, the original play is still right there, so there’s really no harm done. Yeah, so while the original Romeo & Juliet posits the foolishness of lifelong grudges and the failure of the prominent families, of society, this interpretation tells us simply that if Romeo were gay and Juliet were asexual, every problem would have been solved. As easy as that. My personal take-away? Being queer saves the world, obviously.
One summer night, we ran away for a while / Laughing, we hurried beneath the sky, to an obscure place to hide / That no one could find (Underneath the Stars – Mariah Carey)
I watched this movie recently called In the Mood for Love, and I loved it so much that it had the unfortunate side effect of me… pretty much comparing it to each and every romance book I’ve read since. Unfairly so, I might add. What can I say? It’s a high bar! If every fleeting glance isn’t accompanied by the sad wailing of a violin’s waltz to signify a repressed and desperate yearning, then what’s the point in anything? Thankfully, as far as comparisons go, I think this book more than holds its own. Which is wonderful because at first, I was afraid to continue reading on because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle a queer retelling of a famously tragic, “everybody dies” story like Romeo & Juliet. But when I soldiered on and realized that Juliet was still a character in this story, mostly unchanged from the original, and not retooled into a male character like I originally thought this book would be, I was like, “oh good, I'm good, this should be a breeze!” But then I noticed the plot threads of the original started slotting into place with Valentine (Romeo’s love interest in this book) in Juliet’s stead… and my anxiety started anew. It was a wild ride reading this book, that's for sure. It was all quite dramatic, actually. Anyway, like lots of folks, I read Romeo & Juliet in school, and despite the “required reading curse” and the fact that adults tried really, really hard to make me like it, I actually liked it! Really, it's a miracle I got through it at all. I remember my teacher had a weird tone when talking about the main point of the story though, like the main take-away that we should have was that Romeo and Juliet were simply dumb kids caught up in a whirlwind romance. And even if they’d lived, after the dust settled, there’s no way that they would have remained in love. Not to air out old grievances, but that interpretation never really sat well with me. Like, does it matter? Does their love somehow mean less because of the brevity of their acquaintance? I'm answering my own rhetorical questions here, but I certainly don’t think so. Romeo & Juliet is a tragedy not only because they both die entirely avoidable deaths, but because we see two young people’s ability to make their own choices cut short by outside forces. Both caught in the crossfire of other people's ignorance and blind hatred. Whether or not it would have lasted, it’s sad because they never get the chance to see it to fruition.
Just like Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore (a Gay Gatsby retelling), this book does a wonderful job of following similar story beats of a classic tale while also meaning and saying something completely different, constantly finding new ways to be poignant and tug at the heartstrings. It was really exciting to see all the old familiar faces, only given a new context within the narrative. And while I loved all the new that comes with this adaptation, the thing is… it’s kind of nice to see that Romeo and Juliet are still arguably the most important characters in this book. There’s no doubt about it that this is the kind of story that's simply at its best when they’re both the central figures. It’s interesting to see that their relationship remains the catalyst for every event that transpires, with the only difference being that in this interpretation, they share a more relaxed, quiet fondness that serves as a replacement for the burning infatuation of the original. So fans of the play should breathe easier knowing that this is still categorically Romeo & Juliet, even if it’s mostly in spirit rather than a strict recreation of the same story. Part of me does miss the twisted irony of the original ending and I believe that when a tragedy is so drastically changed by overriding it with a happy ending, something important is lost, but you know what? At the end of the day… I don’t really care that much. Especially when I think about what’s gained when there are more books like this in the world! When it comes to queer retellings, especially historical-fiction queer retellings, ending on a happy note is more transgressive than any tragic finale could possibly give us. Besides, the original play is still right there, so there’s really no harm done. Yeah, so while the original Romeo & Juliet posits the foolishness of lifelong grudges and the failure of the prominent families, of society, this interpretation tells us simply that if Romeo were gay and Juliet were asexual, every problem would have been solved. As easy as that. My personal take-away? Being queer saves the world, obviously.
One summer night, we ran away for a while / Laughing, we hurried beneath the sky, to an obscure place to hide / That no one could find (Underneath the Stars – Mariah Carey)
February 20, 2024
I was slightly skeptical when I started this book because I didn't know how smoothly the story would run. But apparently I had nothing to fear! The author kept a lot of the same elements but also added a lot in, and they did it in a way that made sense. I was worried that it was just going to be a mess. But the writing style in my opinion is straight up beautiful. There was also a great masquerade part which is my favorite from this book and “Romeo & Juliet.” Speaking of Juliet I absolutely love how the author wrote her character, I don’t know what it was, it was just well done. And to be honest all the characters just got more depth to them which was nice. This book completely had me to the very end. (4.5)
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August 8, 2022oh wherefore art thou release date not sooner?
September 15, 2023
i personally believe every classic should have a gay retelling
3,5 * – This book was really nice!
I got into the story right away. Caleb Roehrig's writing managed to immediately grab my attention. I really liked learning about Romeo, and seeing his friendship with Benvolio and Mercutio (their banter is SO funny!!!!!!!!!!!). I read the 1st half of the book in 1 day – I was sooooo excited to see the story unfoald, and the romance develop! The anticipation was just.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍
I have to say that the 2nd half lost me a bit, and that is for one reason in particular: the insta-love . 🫥🫥🫥 Listen: I *hate* insta-love. HOWEVER!!!! The insta-love in this book didn't immediately bother me, surprisingly!!! I actually REALLY liked Romeo and Valentine's first meeting! I think that a closeted gay guy (in a time where being gay was unthinkable) subtly flirting with another dude at a masquerade party and having a cute moment while their identities were concealed was suuuuper nice! I liked seeing Romeo acting out of character and being bold, because, in that moment, he felt like he could. So I actually didn't mind the instant attraction between Romeo and Valentine!
The problem is that......... the relationship never developed enough, in my opinion. 🫠 While I do think that their romance and their moments together were all suuuuuper cute, I just couldn't get over the fact that they'd been talking only for 2 days (sure, they knew each other from childhood, but let's be real: that doesn't count; they hadn't spoken in YEARS! they were basically strangers). The fact that Romeo was feeling ~sparks~ when he touched Valentine's hand and he wanted to kiss him after *1 short conversation*, the fact that they talked about grand feelings and knowing each other so deeply even though it had only been 2 days, Romeo reminding us that 24 hours prior he had a years long crush on Mercutio (which, yes, just went away after 1 or 2 conversations with Valentine), them talking about being together forever when they met YESTERDAY, saying they love each other after less than 1 week........ It was all too much for me, and I could never forget the fact that it had only been a couple of days.
Additionally, there's a big chunk of the book where Romeo and Valentine aren't together (). This definitely worked, story-wise! However, it made it even harder for me to fully *believe* in their love, because they'd literally known each other for 3 days, and didn't even spend that much time together in those days...
With all of that said, I want to reiterate: I did find their moments together very sweet! I reeeeally enjoyed their first conversation at the masquerade, I liked that they verbalized their feelings and asked each other if they were okay with what they were doing, they had cute banter... I loved Mercutio and Benvolio's reactions to Romeo and Valentine's relationship! The friendships in this book were SO nice!!! And I really liked the ending! 🥹
The author's note was also very sweet. I don't know much about "Romeo and Juliet", but it's clear that the author really cares about the original story, and he did a lot of research to make sure this book is as historically accurate as possible, which I really appreciate. I can also tell that he cares a lot about queer stories in general, and I'm very happy he chose to write
(review written on 29/08/2023)
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romeo and juliet but make it gay??? 😍🏳️🌈😍🏳️🌈😍🏳️🌈
wait... romeo and juliet both die at the end..... 😰😰😰
(25/08/2022)
3,5 * – This book was really nice!
I got into the story right away. Caleb Roehrig's writing managed to immediately grab my attention. I really liked learning about Romeo, and seeing his friendship with Benvolio and Mercutio (their banter is SO funny!!!!!!!!!!!). I read the 1st half of the book in 1 day – I was sooooo excited to see the story unfoald, and the romance develop! The anticipation was just.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍
I have to say that the 2nd half lost me a bit, and that is for one reason in particular: the insta-love . 🫥🫥🫥 Listen: I *hate* insta-love. HOWEVER!!!! The insta-love in this book didn't immediately bother me, surprisingly!!! I actually REALLY liked Romeo and Valentine's first meeting! I think that a closeted gay guy (in a time where being gay was unthinkable) subtly flirting with another dude at a masquerade party and having a cute moment while their identities were concealed was suuuuper nice! I liked seeing Romeo acting out of character and being bold, because, in that moment, he felt like he could. So I actually didn't mind the instant attraction between Romeo and Valentine!
The problem is that......... the relationship never developed enough, in my opinion. 🫠 While I do think that their romance and their moments together were all suuuuuper cute, I just couldn't get over the fact that they'd been talking only for 2 days (sure, they knew each other from childhood, but let's be real: that doesn't count; they hadn't spoken in YEARS! they were basically strangers). The fact that Romeo was feeling ~sparks~ when he touched Valentine's hand and he wanted to kiss him after *1 short conversation*, the fact that they talked about grand feelings and knowing each other so deeply even though it had only been 2 days, Romeo reminding us that 24 hours prior he had a years long crush on Mercutio (which, yes, just went away after 1 or 2 conversations with Valentine), them talking about being together forever when they met YESTERDAY, saying they love each other after less than 1 week........ It was all too much for me, and I could never forget the fact that it had only been a couple of days.
Additionally, there's a big chunk of the book where Romeo and Valentine aren't together (). This definitely worked, story-wise! However, it made it even harder for me to fully *believe* in their love, because they'd literally known each other for 3 days, and didn't even spend that much time together in those days...
With all of that said, I want to reiterate: I did find their moments together very sweet! I reeeeally enjoyed their first conversation at the masquerade, I liked that they verbalized their feelings and asked each other if they were okay with what they were doing, they had cute banter... I loved Mercutio and Benvolio's reactions to Romeo and Valentine's relationship! The friendships in this book were SO nice!!! And I really liked the ending! 🥹
The author's note was also very sweet. I don't know much about "Romeo and Juliet", but it's clear that the author really cares about the original story, and he did a lot of research to make sure this book is as historically accurate as possible, which I really appreciate. I can also tell that he cares a lot about queer stories in general, and I'm very happy he chose to write
(review written on 29/08/2023)
---------
romeo and juliet but make it gay??? 😍🏳️🌈😍🏳️🌈😍🏳️🌈
wait... romeo and juliet both die at the end..... 😰😰😰
(25/08/2022)
September 27, 2024
4.0 Stars✨
After finishing this book, I honestly feel like every classic needs a gay retelling! Roehrig took Romeo and Juliet and made it fresh, fun, and so, so sweet. Seriously, who knew you could remix such a tragic love story into something both familiar and exciting?
I’ll admit the second half lost me a little. Why? Insta-love. I know, I know... it’s Romeo and Juliet, so I get it, but their relationship just didn’t develop enough for me. That being said, it didn’t bother me too much because the way Romeo and Valentine met was so realistic and sweet that I was willing to roll with it. I just wish we could’ve seen more growth between them.
This book is both silly and melodramatic as hell 😂. But despite all that, it’s also incredibly sweet and such a fun twist on the original. It doesn’t feel like just a gay rewrite either—Roehrig brings in both familiar and unfamiliar characters, mixing things up in ways that really work for the story. I loved seeing how these characters played off each other.
This was me the entire time:
0-50% - 🥰😄🤩
50%-75% - 🤔😅 (I started feeling the insta-love setting in. It was a bit of a “Wait, that escalated quickly” moment)
75%-100% - 😍😌👏😭😭
Roehrig did a fantastic job balancing romance and drama, and while the insta-love didn’t totally win me over, the charm of the story absolutely did. If you’re a fan of retellings and love seeing new spins on old classics, you’ll have fun with this one. I can't tell you guys how it ended and If I got what I needed but it is safe to say o was definitely satisfied. 🫣
_______________
Reading Update:
I’m 100 pages into this book, and I am LOVING it!! I just hope it doesn’t end tragically. I know it’s foolish to think that, considering it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but please please give these gays a happy ending!!!
After finishing this book, I honestly feel like every classic needs a gay retelling! Roehrig took Romeo and Juliet and made it fresh, fun, and so, so sweet. Seriously, who knew you could remix such a tragic love story into something both familiar and exciting?
I’ll admit the second half lost me a little. Why? Insta-love. I know, I know... it’s Romeo and Juliet, so I get it, but their relationship just didn’t develop enough for me. That being said, it didn’t bother me too much because the way Romeo and Valentine met was so realistic and sweet that I was willing to roll with it. I just wish we could’ve seen more growth between them.
This book is both silly and melodramatic as hell 😂. But despite all that, it’s also incredibly sweet and such a fun twist on the original. It doesn’t feel like just a gay rewrite either—Roehrig brings in both familiar and unfamiliar characters, mixing things up in ways that really work for the story. I loved seeing how these characters played off each other.
This was me the entire time:
0-50% - 🥰😄🤩
50%-75% - 🤔😅 (I started feeling the insta-love setting in. It was a bit of a “Wait, that escalated quickly” moment)
75%-100% - 😍😌👏😭😭
Roehrig did a fantastic job balancing romance and drama, and while the insta-love didn’t totally win me over, the charm of the story absolutely did. If you’re a fan of retellings and love seeing new spins on old classics, you’ll have fun with this one. I can't tell you guys how it ended and If I got what I needed but it is safe to say o was definitely satisfied. 🫣
_______________
Reading Update:
I’m 100 pages into this book, and I am LOVING it!! I just hope it doesn’t end tragically. I know it’s foolish to think that, considering it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but please please give these gays a happy ending!!!
August 3, 2024
R&J but make it 🌈 GAY 🌈
For 80% of this book:
Realising the ending is coming, and we all know what happened to R&J......
Me praying the re-telling means the cute gays will get their HEA instead of... well... you know... sewer slide. :|
THIS RE-TELLING SLAPS SO HARD.
THE NARRATOR WAS..... OOOFT CHEFS KISS, PERFECT FOR EVERY CHARACTER.
THE WRITING FLOWERY, FLUFFY, ROMANTIC AND BEAUTIFUL.
JULIET WAS A FUCKING BAD ASS CHARACTER. SHE'S WITTY AND SMART, AND JUST WANTS TO BE HAPPY AND NOT JUST SOMEONE'S WIFE.
ROMEO/VAL WERE SO CUTE.
THE FLIRTING AT 40% AND THE GARDEN SCENES HAD ME FEEEEEEEEEEERAL. 🐀🐀🐀🐀
THE COUSINS/BROTHERS WERE AMAZING.
I am in awe, I thought it was beautiful and made even more magical by the narrator.
For 80% of this book:
Realising the ending is coming, and we all know what happened to R&J......
Me praying the re-telling means the cute gays will get their HEA instead of... well... you know... sewer slide. :|
THIS RE-TELLING SLAPS SO HARD.
THE NARRATOR WAS..... OOOFT CHEFS KISS, PERFECT FOR EVERY CHARACTER.
THE WRITING FLOWERY, FLUFFY, ROMANTIC AND BEAUTIFUL.
JULIET WAS A FUCKING BAD ASS CHARACTER. SHE'S WITTY AND SMART, AND JUST WANTS TO BE HAPPY AND NOT JUST SOMEONE'S WIFE.
ROMEO/VAL WERE SO CUTE.
THE FLIRTING AT 40% AND THE GARDEN SCENES HAD ME FEEEEEEEEEEERAL. 🐀🐀🐀🐀
THE COUSINS/BROTHERS WERE AMAZING.
I am in awe, I thought it was beautiful and made even more magical by the narrator.
November 18, 2022
A stunning cover. Rich and descriptive prose. A romance to die for (or not …). What do we want more in a retelling?
Of course, I know Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and their tragic ending. But I’m so happy that there are more and more YA retellings that are different. Chloe Wong’s A Violent Delight is an excellent example, and Teach the Torches to Burn is another.
I didn’t know what to expect from this story. I love to read retellings, but I have to admit that I only started to long for this book when I saw that glorious cover by Julie Dillon. From that moment, the yearning kept growing. So when I found the approval for an ARC in my email, I almost screamed out loud.
First of all, Julie Dillon’s art, Caleb Roehrig’s writing, and one of the most important romances in fictional history suit each other wonderfully. The cover and the writing are lush and vivid and irresistibly romantic.
Caleb stays close to the original story, which means that the romance is insta love, and the events happen in a short period. The sentences and wording are a bit more old-fashioned and dense than usual, but all of this (including the insta love) suits a retelling of Romeo and Juliet really well. The blooming and passionate love between Romeo and Valentine made my heart beat faster, and I rooted for the friendship between Juliet and Romeo. And I treasured Christianity in this story, with Friar Laurence as the highlight. He should be an example for current Christian leaders.
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Of course, I know Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and their tragic ending. But I’m so happy that there are more and more YA retellings that are different. Chloe Wong’s A Violent Delight is an excellent example, and Teach the Torches to Burn is another.
I didn’t know what to expect from this story. I love to read retellings, but I have to admit that I only started to long for this book when I saw that glorious cover by Julie Dillon. From that moment, the yearning kept growing. So when I found the approval for an ARC in my email, I almost screamed out loud.
First of all, Julie Dillon’s art, Caleb Roehrig’s writing, and one of the most important romances in fictional history suit each other wonderfully. The cover and the writing are lush and vivid and irresistibly romantic.
Caleb stays close to the original story, which means that the romance is insta love, and the events happen in a short period. The sentences and wording are a bit more old-fashioned and dense than usual, but all of this (including the insta love) suits a retelling of Romeo and Juliet really well. The blooming and passionate love between Romeo and Valentine made my heart beat faster, and I rooted for the friendship between Juliet and Romeo. And I treasured Christianity in this story, with Friar Laurence as the highlight. He should be an example for current Christian leaders.
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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November 5, 2022As someone who was once cast in a doomed high school production of Romeo and Juliet, writing this was therapeutic
July 2, 2024
Another book completed in the YA remixed classics! I've been meaning to get to this one as it is a retelling of my favorite Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet. Although it didn't always deliver, it was solid and more cheerful reimagining.
Teach the Torches to Burn is a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet with the romance focusing on Romeo and Valentine instead of the original story. While the Capulets and Montagues are still feuding in this story, it takes a closer look at identity, self-discovery, and feminism.
What Worked: I LOVED both Romeo and Juliet in this. The background regarding those characters in the original is quite dicey (even though I love the play), but in this we see a Romeo that is struggling to understand his attraction to other men, and a Juliet that is determined to fight her way out of an arranged marriage. Not only did these two characters bode well on their own, but they were a force to be reckoned with when they were on page together. This more vocal, confident Juliet is something that will resonate with teen readers of this generation as opposed to the Juliet that we encounter in the original play. Roehrig did a wonderful job taking the framework of the play and creating something that was modern, relatable, and enjoyable for a newer generation. This is the story that I wish I would have been exposed to as an 8th grader. The budding romance between Romeo and Valentine was also enjoyable even if it happened quick (this stayed true to the original work).
What Didn't Work: While I enjoyed the writing as a whole, I would say that there were certain moments when it became quite dense and wasn't as enjoyable.
Overall, this was a solid retelling! I've been enjoying all of the titles that I've picked up in this series and I'm happy that I was able to add another to my growing list of recommendations for those who want more modern twists on classics.
Teach the Torches to Burn is a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet with the romance focusing on Romeo and Valentine instead of the original story. While the Capulets and Montagues are still feuding in this story, it takes a closer look at identity, self-discovery, and feminism.
What Worked: I LOVED both Romeo and Juliet in this. The background regarding those characters in the original is quite dicey (even though I love the play), but in this we see a Romeo that is struggling to understand his attraction to other men, and a Juliet that is determined to fight her way out of an arranged marriage. Not only did these two characters bode well on their own, but they were a force to be reckoned with when they were on page together. This more vocal, confident Juliet is something that will resonate with teen readers of this generation as opposed to the Juliet that we encounter in the original play. Roehrig did a wonderful job taking the framework of the play and creating something that was modern, relatable, and enjoyable for a newer generation. This is the story that I wish I would have been exposed to as an 8th grader. The budding romance between Romeo and Valentine was also enjoyable even if it happened quick (this stayed true to the original work).
What Didn't Work: While I enjoyed the writing as a whole, I would say that there were certain moments when it became quite dense and wasn't as enjoyable.
Overall, this was a solid retelling! I've been enjoying all of the titles that I've picked up in this series and I'm happy that I was able to add another to my growing list of recommendations for those who want more modern twists on classics.
August 20, 2023
I would like to thank Edelweiss, Feiwel & Friends, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The way I’ve listened to EVERY SINGLE VERSION OF Somewhere from West Side Story since I finished this book is unreal.
right so, i must have seen every rendition of romeo and juliet and read it probably a thousand times, and i thought this immersive and endearing iteration was brilliant.
I loved Caleb Roehrig's gorgeous prose painted in between the moments of palpable enmity that threatened the lives (and the very forbidden love) of this retelling's pair of star crossed lovers, romeo and valentine. In this version of the famous tragedy, R&V's secret love is taboo for much different reasons, and i think the way Caleb's retelling utilizes the original moving pieces, providing another perspective on what's deemed a subversive love affair, made me have even greater empathy for shakespeare's doomed lovers. I know! That's fucking wild, but there it is! I'm in the process of gorging on every tale of R&J i can find aaaaaand there's a lot so yk see y'all when i resurface from my binge of the OG heartshredder!
Anyway, back to 4TB! Everyone knows i'm an unabashed fan of sweet, adoring, butterflies in the tummy romances and this book gave me that in spades. I felt like I damn near fell in love ffs, so that in itself deserves 5 stars lol! I thought romeo and valentine were so precious, and i found myself holding my breath at times in anticipation of how this retelling unfolded. It was structured brilliantly, and while i could read 17329 pages more of this book out of sheer pleasure, as it stands i found the pacing to be dynamic, and the tension visceral enough to keep me in CR's thrall from beginning to end. It bears mentioning that i had started this gem in audiobook, but i ended up devouring the subsequent 80% in literary form and i found it outstanding! Right now I'm equal parts mewling heart throbbing achy adolescent pining aaaaaaaand grief stricken due to the established horrific foresight into inevitable loss, heartbreak and tragic endings. This is crazy! How dafuq am i supposed to leave my house feeling a million ways from stable?!
In any case, i loved this book! Absolutely 100% adored it! I look forward to getting a physical copy and rereading this book a million times because it's officially a favourite!
aug. 20 - 2023 : audiobook completed - Narrated by Max Meyers
i much prefer the kindle copy, but the audio is a bit of performative fun when you're out and about 🙂
The way I’ve listened to EVERY SINGLE VERSION OF Somewhere from West Side Story since I finished this book is unreal.
right so, i must have seen every rendition of romeo and juliet and read it probably a thousand times, and i thought this immersive and endearing iteration was brilliant.
I loved Caleb Roehrig's gorgeous prose painted in between the moments of palpable enmity that threatened the lives (and the very forbidden love) of this retelling's pair of star crossed lovers, romeo and valentine. In this version of the famous tragedy, R&V's secret love is taboo for much different reasons, and i think the way Caleb's retelling utilizes the original moving pieces, providing another perspective on what's deemed a subversive love affair, made me have even greater empathy for shakespeare's doomed lovers. I know! That's fucking wild, but there it is! I'm in the process of gorging on every tale of R&J i can find aaaaaand there's a lot so yk see y'all when i resurface from my binge of the OG heartshredder!
Anyway, back to 4TB! Everyone knows i'm an unabashed fan of sweet, adoring, butterflies in the tummy romances and this book gave me that in spades. I felt like I damn near fell in love ffs, so that in itself deserves 5 stars lol! I thought romeo and valentine were so precious, and i found myself holding my breath at times in anticipation of how this retelling unfolded. It was structured brilliantly, and while i could read 17329 pages more of this book out of sheer pleasure, as it stands i found the pacing to be dynamic, and the tension visceral enough to keep me in CR's thrall from beginning to end. It bears mentioning that i had started this gem in audiobook, but i ended up devouring the subsequent 80% in literary form and i found it outstanding! Right now I'm equal parts mewling heart throbbing achy adolescent pining aaaaaaaand grief stricken due to the established horrific foresight into inevitable loss, heartbreak and tragic endings. This is crazy! How dafuq am i supposed to leave my house feeling a million ways from stable?!
In any case, i loved this book! Absolutely 100% adored it! I look forward to getting a physical copy and rereading this book a million times because it's officially a favourite!
aug. 20 - 2023 : audiobook completed - Narrated by Max Meyers
i much prefer the kindle copy, but the audio is a bit of performative fun when you're out and about 🙂
August 3, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
If you ever wished for a Romeo and Juliet story that was queer and a bit less tragic, you have come to the right place! Teach the Torches to Burn is a fantastic remix of Romeo and Juliet where Romeo is secretly gay and developing feelings for Mercutio's younger brother. Meanwhile Juliet is asexual and looking for a way out of a forced marriage she doesn't want. This has all the drama, the romance, the tension, and some of the tragedy of the original, but remixed in the best possible way. The writing is lovely and the entire story is told from Romeo's perspective. This retelling managed to hit all of the plot beats you want while delivering a fresh and satisfying spin on a classic. Definitely worth a read and the audio narration is great too! I received an audio review copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
If you ever wished for a Romeo and Juliet story that was queer and a bit less tragic, you have come to the right place! Teach the Torches to Burn is a fantastic remix of Romeo and Juliet where Romeo is secretly gay and developing feelings for Mercutio's younger brother. Meanwhile Juliet is asexual and looking for a way out of a forced marriage she doesn't want. This has all the drama, the romance, the tension, and some of the tragedy of the original, but remixed in the best possible way. The writing is lovely and the entire story is told from Romeo's perspective. This retelling managed to hit all of the plot beats you want while delivering a fresh and satisfying spin on a classic. Definitely worth a read and the audio narration is great too! I received an audio review copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
August 7, 2024
All the starts in the universe for this beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet!
Also, nothing beats the feeling of accidentally buddy reading an amazing book with your bestie and then proceed to list all the moments you loved about the book while giggling like a little girl, and yes I’m talking about the Garden Scene!
Sweet Angel Valentine and sad boy Romeo made this book one I’ll never forget, but I also have to give an honourable mention to badass Juliet, my girl said hold my poodle and I will not conform to society’s standards.
Also, nothing beats the feeling of accidentally buddy reading an amazing book with your bestie and then proceed to list all the moments you loved about the book while giggling like a little girl, and yes I’m talking about the Garden Scene!
Sweet Angel Valentine and sad boy Romeo made this book one I’ll never forget, but I also have to give an honourable mention to badass Juliet, my girl said hold my poodle and I will not conform to society’s standards.
February 4, 2024
for me, this is the true story and the only one to ever exist! thank you.
September 28, 2023
I had such high hopes for this one!
Continuing on my trend of reading retellings, I was eager to dive into this particular one, hoping to discover a fresh and captivating perspective. Unfortunately, it didn't give me the feel I was looking for. The characters lacked development and the romance felt rushed, leaving me unable to truly connect with them or the overall story. However, I did appreciate how the author took a different approach and avoided simply turning Juliet into a male character, as often seen in other queer retellings.
Overall, it was fine, but not my favorite.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Caleb Roehrig, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Continuing on my trend of reading retellings, I was eager to dive into this particular one, hoping to discover a fresh and captivating perspective. Unfortunately, it didn't give me the feel I was looking for. The characters lacked development and the romance felt rushed, leaving me unable to truly connect with them or the overall story. However, I did appreciate how the author took a different approach and avoided simply turning Juliet into a male character, as often seen in other queer retellings.
Overall, it was fine, but not my favorite.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Caleb Roehrig, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
August 31, 2023
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“Pressing his hand over my heart, he whispers, “I choose you, Romeo. I love you, and cannot wait to love you more.”
Leaning in, touching my forehead gently to his, I whisper, “We will teach the torches to burn.”
Aside from being drawn to Teach the Torches to Burn because of it's beautiful cover art, I was also very curious to see what remixed-version of the Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet Caleb Roehrig would present. If you're familiar with the play, there are definitely moments that you will appreciate at how they were captured in a different way - one especially being, that this does, indeed, end with a happy ending.
On fair Verona, we set our scene and the story immediately kicks into gear of the classic tale. As someone who read the original play for 9th grade English class, watched all different formats of the movie, and different interpretations of this classic story in books and stories, it was refreshing to see a different side to it. Juliet - not being the love interest, for one thing, was a clever idea. I liked how Romeo Montague stumbled upon Valentine and how sparks instantly crackled between them - their first meeting definitely was a highlight for me. I also liked how it touched upon the hesitancy of having an intimate relationship with someone of the same sex; that it was strictly frowned upon, but they could not hide or refuse the instant attraction. 🥰🥰
“I want more of this,” I tell him plainly. “Days of it—weeks, months.”
“Only months?”
He is being coy, but I am not. “Years, then. Forever, if you can spare it.”
“No one gets forever.” He says it with sad finality, shifting subtly away. “I know it better than most. Fates can change, just like that.”
That they wanted one and the same thing - and they knew that it was beyond what their families would not allow - it just wasn't considered morally ethical. But, they didn't let that conquer them. We get treated to some delightful banter and romantic declarations and I very much enjoyed the fun take to the iconic balcony scene. 🫠🫠 There were plenty of sweet and swoon-worthy exchanges in the glimmer of the moonlight and deeply heartfelt conversations of their hopes and dreams that had me cheering for them to get the happy ending that their prototypes were not blessed with. 😟
I also appreciated how the other side characters' personalities were captured and how we were spared some significant deathly outcomes - apart from the opposite tragedy, of course. There was a deep love of found family forged between between Romeo and his cousin, Benvolio and Mercutio, and his younger brother, Valentine - that throughout their plights and mishaps - their friendship and love for each other never wavered. 🥹
Juliet, especially, had a heart and mind of her own - very much stronger than her original model. There was a lot of attention and care to how one can feel repressed by society, forced to dictate to conventional norms, and coerced into ideals not to one's liking. 🥺 The pleasant and agreeable fashion in which Romeo and Juliet's friendship developed was done with a very natural and authentic touch. That they were able to bond over their family's mutual enmity, how they both felt stifled despite their comfortable lives, how he committed himself, for the sake of Valentine, to aid in her in any possible, simply so they both could benefit from their family's status. 🤍🤍
“I guess that’s the thing about masks … you wear one long enough, you eventually forget it isn’t your real face.���
But, for as much as I enjoyed the different approach to Juliet's character, I did feel, at times, that her presence was more felt than that of Valentine's and that she had more of a character development than his - him, simply being the dreaded damsel in distress. Even though, she wasn't the actual love interest, Juliet's moments to shine outweighed even Romeo's at times, which somewhat deviated my interest from the love story of Romeo and Valentine. 😔 Also, Valentine's POV would also have been appreciated; it would have been nice to know what he thought of Romeo at certain moments and how he felt, especially when he was the one drinking the poison and lying in wait for a rescue.
These are just my personal complaints, which shouldn't really matter, because it was still very well-written. The dialogue was entertaining, the various different takes on some iconic quotes were enjoyable to catch, and the characters were well-grounded in their personalities. 😊 Even, if it wasn't what I had hoped for, it was a unique and creative approach to a tale as old as time. For, when I take into account what the author mentioned in his author's note and how he hoped to address 'Romeo & Juliet''story in a different light, than he may have certainly succeeded in that way. 👍🏻👍🏻
“Pressing his hand over my heart, he whispers, “I choose you, Romeo. I love you, and cannot wait to love you more.”
Leaning in, touching my forehead gently to his, I whisper, “We will teach the torches to burn.”
Aside from being drawn to Teach the Torches to Burn because of it's beautiful cover art, I was also very curious to see what remixed-version of the Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet Caleb Roehrig would present. If you're familiar with the play, there are definitely moments that you will appreciate at how they were captured in a different way - one especially being, that this does, indeed, end with a happy ending.
On fair Verona, we set our scene and the story immediately kicks into gear of the classic tale. As someone who read the original play for 9th grade English class, watched all different formats of the movie, and different interpretations of this classic story in books and stories, it was refreshing to see a different side to it. Juliet - not being the love interest, for one thing, was a clever idea. I liked how Romeo Montague stumbled upon Valentine and how sparks instantly crackled between them - their first meeting definitely was a highlight for me. I also liked how it touched upon the hesitancy of having an intimate relationship with someone of the same sex; that it was strictly frowned upon, but they could not hide or refuse the instant attraction. 🥰🥰
“I want more of this,” I tell him plainly. “Days of it—weeks, months.”
“Only months?”
He is being coy, but I am not. “Years, then. Forever, if you can spare it.”
“No one gets forever.” He says it with sad finality, shifting subtly away. “I know it better than most. Fates can change, just like that.”
That they wanted one and the same thing - and they knew that it was beyond what their families would not allow - it just wasn't considered morally ethical. But, they didn't let that conquer them. We get treated to some delightful banter and romantic declarations and I very much enjoyed the fun take to the iconic balcony scene. 🫠🫠 There were plenty of sweet and swoon-worthy exchanges in the glimmer of the moonlight and deeply heartfelt conversations of their hopes and dreams that had me cheering for them to get the happy ending that their prototypes were not blessed with. 😟
I also appreciated how the other side characters' personalities were captured and how we were spared some significant deathly outcomes - apart from the opposite tragedy, of course. There was a deep love of found family forged between between Romeo and his cousin, Benvolio and Mercutio, and his younger brother, Valentine - that throughout their plights and mishaps - their friendship and love for each other never wavered. 🥹
Juliet, especially, had a heart and mind of her own - very much stronger than her original model. There was a lot of attention and care to how one can feel repressed by society, forced to dictate to conventional norms, and coerced into ideals not to one's liking. 🥺 The pleasant and agreeable fashion in which Romeo and Juliet's friendship developed was done with a very natural and authentic touch. That they were able to bond over their family's mutual enmity, how they both felt stifled despite their comfortable lives, how he committed himself, for the sake of Valentine, to aid in her in any possible, simply so they both could benefit from their family's status. 🤍🤍
“I guess that’s the thing about masks … you wear one long enough, you eventually forget it isn’t your real face.���
But, for as much as I enjoyed the different approach to Juliet's character, I did feel, at times, that her presence was more felt than that of Valentine's and that she had more of a character development than his - him, simply being the dreaded damsel in distress. Even though, she wasn't the actual love interest, Juliet's moments to shine outweighed even Romeo's at times, which somewhat deviated my interest from the love story of Romeo and Valentine. 😔 Also, Valentine's POV would also have been appreciated; it would have been nice to know what he thought of Romeo at certain moments and how he felt, especially when he was the one drinking the poison and lying in wait for a rescue.
These are just my personal complaints, which shouldn't really matter, because it was still very well-written. The dialogue was entertaining, the various different takes on some iconic quotes were enjoyable to catch, and the characters were well-grounded in their personalities. 😊 Even, if it wasn't what I had hoped for, it was a unique and creative approach to a tale as old as time. For, when I take into account what the author mentioned in his author's note and how he hoped to address 'Romeo & Juliet''story in a different light, than he may have certainly succeeded in that way. 👍🏻👍🏻
January 17, 2024
i mean this so kindly and with so much admiration for this story: one of the gayest books i’ve ever read
January 7, 2024
Oh my gosh! I cannot express how much I loved this book. What a great start to the year. I didn’t know what to expect when going into this, but my hopes were not high. The story of Romeo and Juliet is done very often, and although this was a queer retelling, I still imagined it would be all tragedy. Let’s just say…. I was pleasantly surprised! The gorgeous cover pulled me in, and I am so glad I picked it up. I will be thinking about it for a very long time!
January 29, 2024
Teach the Torches to Burn is the seventh book in the Remixed Classics series which takes the classic tales we grew up with and adds exciting new ideas and diverse casts of characters. While I haven't read every book in this series yet, I've immensely enjoyed all the ones I have read, and Teach the Torches to Burn was no different. This book was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and did a great job of including original source material while allowing it to completely stand on its own if it wanted to.
My absolute favorite part of this story was the writing style. I've read several historical reads or retellings that try to embody the style and voice of classic works while still keeping the language what we have today, but most of the time, it comes across as overly flowery. Not here, though! The way that Roehrig so expertly captured the feeling of fourteenth century Italy, while making the words modern and understandable, is a skill I have to applaud. It would have been easy to overdo the elaborate sentence structure he utilized, which would have fallen into purple prose category (which is not my favorite), but Roehrig managed to convey the perfect balance. This really heightened my enjoyment of the story! I felt so immersed in the setting, which allowed me to connect with the characters and plot even more than I think I would have had the writing style been more simple.
I also love that as a queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's love interest is Valentine, Mercutio's younger brother. This meant that Juliet herself still got to appear in the story as she normally would have, just not as Romeo's love interest. I'm obsessed with the fact that Juliet was portrayed as such a strong woman who's also aroace. The representation was everything! The way she described her feelings for others and how she thinks she feels differently than most people do was just excellent. It would have been easy to just change Juliet's gender and have her be the love interest still, but with the addition of Valentine, we were able to get some extra plot points and relationships that rounded out the story that much more.
Speaking of Valentine and Romeo...those two were everything. Their love for each other was soft and gentle, and all-consuming. Their chemistry was evident the moment they laid eyes on each other, and with everything going against them, it was impossible not to root for their happiness. I don't usually like insta-love, but considering the original Romeo and Juliet story is just as guilty of this, it made sense to happen here. Also, they really were just too sweet, so I couldn't be anything but attached to their relationship.
While the first half of the story is more of a slower build up to all that's coming in the second half, the sense of foreboding hanging over the characters made the tension perfect. And once all of the action did pick up, I could no longer put the book down. I had to finish it because I needed to know how it was going to end. Knowing the outcome of the original story had me stressed! There was so much anxiety and uncertainty for the characters in the final part of the book, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
I was a little worried to reach the end, because regardless of whether it would be happy or sad, I wanted to be satisfied with it, and thankfully, I was! Roehrig wrapped it up almost perfectly, and I closed the book feeling like I'd just finished a great adventure.
If you haven't read any of the Remixed Classics yet, you definitely need to! Teach the Torches to Burn is a good place to start, I feel, since Romeo and Juliet is such a well-known and beloved story. If you do read it, let me know what you think of it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My absolute favorite part of this story was the writing style. I've read several historical reads or retellings that try to embody the style and voice of classic works while still keeping the language what we have today, but most of the time, it comes across as overly flowery. Not here, though! The way that Roehrig so expertly captured the feeling of fourteenth century Italy, while making the words modern and understandable, is a skill I have to applaud. It would have been easy to overdo the elaborate sentence structure he utilized, which would have fallen into purple prose category (which is not my favorite), but Roehrig managed to convey the perfect balance. This really heightened my enjoyment of the story! I felt so immersed in the setting, which allowed me to connect with the characters and plot even more than I think I would have had the writing style been more simple.
I also love that as a queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's love interest is Valentine, Mercutio's younger brother. This meant that Juliet herself still got to appear in the story as she normally would have, just not as Romeo's love interest. I'm obsessed with the fact that Juliet was portrayed as such a strong woman who's also aroace. The representation was everything! The way she described her feelings for others and how she thinks she feels differently than most people do was just excellent. It would have been easy to just change Juliet's gender and have her be the love interest still, but with the addition of Valentine, we were able to get some extra plot points and relationships that rounded out the story that much more.
Speaking of Valentine and Romeo...those two were everything. Their love for each other was soft and gentle, and all-consuming. Their chemistry was evident the moment they laid eyes on each other, and with everything going against them, it was impossible not to root for their happiness. I don't usually like insta-love, but considering the original Romeo and Juliet story is just as guilty of this, it made sense to happen here. Also, they really were just too sweet, so I couldn't be anything but attached to their relationship.
While the first half of the story is more of a slower build up to all that's coming in the second half, the sense of foreboding hanging over the characters made the tension perfect. And once all of the action did pick up, I could no longer put the book down. I had to finish it because I needed to know how it was going to end. Knowing the outcome of the original story had me stressed! There was so much anxiety and uncertainty for the characters in the final part of the book, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
I was a little worried to reach the end, because regardless of whether it would be happy or sad, I wanted to be satisfied with it, and thankfully, I was! Roehrig wrapped it up almost perfectly, and I closed the book feeling like I'd just finished a great adventure.
If you haven't read any of the Remixed Classics yet, you definitely need to! Teach the Torches to Burn is a good place to start, I feel, since Romeo and Juliet is such a well-known and beloved story. If you do read it, let me know what you think of it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 7, 2023
It's supposed to be a gay Romeo and Juliet version, but strangely this version of Romeo still spend more time with Juliet than his supposed love interest, Valentine. And they certainly had more chemistry than Romeo and Valentine. Besides, the main couple didn't spend much time with each other through the whole book. They met like three or four times and I was supposed to cheer for them. I was mostly bored while reading :( I'm so sad, because I had such big hopes for this book :(
March 10, 2024
In this compelling revisiting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the author deftly creates a romance for Romeo with another boy, and rescues Juliet through a marriage of convenience. Written for those (like me) who hunger for well-spun plots and happy endings, Teach the Torches to Burn echoes the play but proffers a joyous escape for all, with a little help from Friar Lawrence.
Okay, more than a little.
For those who love the passion of the original but disdain its unfair climax, this rewrite's for you!
Okay, more than a little.
For those who love the passion of the original but disdain its unfair climax, this rewrite's for you!
September 1, 2023
I wasn't sure when I started this book is Valentine was intended to replace Juliet - I'm familiar with the story but not THAT familar - and I was happy to find out that Valentine really is a minor character in the main story, brought to the forefront here as a love interest for Romeo.
Which means, Juliet is in this story too. And she's brilliant - quick witted, smart, sarcastic and is constantly moving Romeo's story along and really showing the side of Verona that has teenage girls trapped in loveless marriages, and her desire to escape her fate.
This is a queer found family story that keeps a very similar storyline to the original Romeo & Juliet, only starting to really divert away from it at the very end. Romeo and Valentine are a perfect paring, and I truly wanted to live in that final chapter.
Which means, Juliet is in this story too. And she's brilliant - quick witted, smart, sarcastic and is constantly moving Romeo's story along and really showing the side of Verona that has teenage girls trapped in loveless marriages, and her desire to escape her fate.
This is a queer found family story that keeps a very similar storyline to the original Romeo & Juliet, only starting to really divert away from it at the very end. Romeo and Valentine are a perfect paring, and I truly wanted to live in that final chapter.
October 4, 2023
I didn’t read the description, just knew this was a queer Romeo & Juliet retelling, so I thought it would be a male version of Juliet. Instead, it turned out to be a clever twist on the story that included Juliet but focused on a romance between Romeo and Mercutio’s brother, Valentine. It was fun seeing the things the author took from the original story and included in different ways in this story. (Though I think it can still be enjoyed even if you have no familiarity with the original.)
The first meeting between Romeo and Valentine was so lovely. I could feel the connection between them. The strange pull and trust and vulnerability Romeo felt. And they only grew closer after that. They lived in a time and place where men and women were supposed to get married, and that was that, so Romeo experienced a lot of confusion and wonder throughout, but Valentine was the perfect person to handle his feelings with care and reciprocation. The description for this book uses the words “tender romance,” and that is very much accurate.
The friendships and the characters themselves were also very sweet. Romeo and Valentine were gentle souls. Benvolio and Mercutio enjoyed teasing each other and charming everyone and hooking up with girls and were not always perfect, but they were loyal and well-meaning and a lot of fun. Juliet was understanding and headstrong, and I loved the connection she and Romeo shared, both able to relate to and understand each other in many ways. Friar Laurence was also understanding and always there to help.
The audiobook narrator, Max Meyers, sounded so natural and so wonderfully, beautifully conveyed all the emotion, all of Romeo’s confusion, fear, desperation, wonder, and love. Wonderfully conveyed all the other characters’ emotions too, and made them all sound different enough to tell apart.
Overall, this was a lovely m/m retelling with a romance that was gentle and characters who were sweethearts!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes queer retellings, Romeo & Juliet retellings, first love, gentle romance, and sweet characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
The first meeting between Romeo and Valentine was so lovely. I could feel the connection between them. The strange pull and trust and vulnerability Romeo felt. And they only grew closer after that. They lived in a time and place where men and women were supposed to get married, and that was that, so Romeo experienced a lot of confusion and wonder throughout, but Valentine was the perfect person to handle his feelings with care and reciprocation. The description for this book uses the words “tender romance,” and that is very much accurate.
The friendships and the characters themselves were also very sweet. Romeo and Valentine were gentle souls. Benvolio and Mercutio enjoyed teasing each other and charming everyone and hooking up with girls and were not always perfect, but they were loyal and well-meaning and a lot of fun. Juliet was understanding and headstrong, and I loved the connection she and Romeo shared, both able to relate to and understand each other in many ways. Friar Laurence was also understanding and always there to help.
The audiobook narrator, Max Meyers, sounded so natural and so wonderfully, beautifully conveyed all the emotion, all of Romeo’s confusion, fear, desperation, wonder, and love. Wonderfully conveyed all the other characters’ emotions too, and made them all sound different enough to tell apart.
Overall, this was a lovely m/m retelling with a romance that was gentle and characters who were sweethearts!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes queer retellings, Romeo & Juliet retellings, first love, gentle romance, and sweet characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
August 7, 2024
Incredible!!!
We all know the tragic Shakespeare play.
This captures all the desperate longing, deep desire, frustrating misjustice, emotional depth, social commentary, sexual innuendo and buddy humour of the original.
It would have been simple for it to be re-written with two male leads and be done with it, sticking Julio or some-dude-or-other where Juliet was. This is not what the author did. This truly was a re-imagining, a whole new compelling and intriguing story captured within the world and events of the original tale.
I went into this nervous knowing how it ends. Would it be the same tragedy or would it be re-worked with a HEA…..
Absolutely loved. 5 star story. 5 star audio.
We all know the tragic Shakespeare play.
This captures all the desperate longing, deep desire, frustrating misjustice, emotional depth, social commentary, sexual innuendo and buddy humour of the original.
It would have been simple for it to be re-written with two male leads and be done with it, sticking Julio or some-dude-or-other where Juliet was. This is not what the author did. This truly was a re-imagining, a whole new compelling and intriguing story captured within the world and events of the original tale.
I went into this nervous knowing how it ends. Would it be the same tragedy or would it be re-worked with a HEA…..
Absolutely loved. 5 star story. 5 star audio.
August 27, 2023
This was the perfect book to read on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It's all I could have wanted from a gay Romeo and Juliet retelling. The romance is so incredibly sweet, and I loved that Juliet was a separate fully fleshed out character in her own right aside from the romance - she wasn't replaced. I love this kind of loose retelling - keeping certain elements of the story, and particularly a similar atmosphere, and changing other elements to update them. In this particular case, I especially loved the writing style.
July 28, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was another one of those books that I was so hyped to get my hands on, and I am so delighted I had the chance to get an early preview of it. Teach the Torches to Burn is everything that I hoped it would be and more, taking the tragic story that we're all so familiar with and turning it into something beautiful and queer and hopeful.
Romeo Montague would love nothing more than to live a peaceful life as an artist, left to make his own choices and away from the drama and bustle of Verona. But he is the heir of the family, and as such he is expected to give up such "womanly" pursuits in favor of marrying a woman his parents approve of and continuing on the centuries-old feud with the Capulets. Yet with every woman his cousin and friend introduce him to, he has to acknowledge that he is only attracted to men. It all comes to a head when he sneaks into a Capulet party, falls madly, deeply in love with Valentine (best friend Mercutio's younger brother) and manages to terribly offend Tybalt all in one evening. Suddenly Romeo and Valentine are trying to find time to kindle their tender new romance, while the feud between the Montagues and Capulets spirals out of control.
I was so curious going into this story how the general all of it was going to be handled, admittedly. Valentine being an outsider compared to the original tale left me with my doubts originally, but I was so genuinely delighted by how author Caleb Roehrig brought him into the story (as Mercutio's younger brother returned from a foster-sort of situation in the country) and how it made the entire feud between the two families all the more ridiculous. Valentine is perfect; ride-or-die material, really. Romeo is so so SO precious in this, too. He's humanized from the original tale and given interests and hopes and dreams outside of his romantic explorations, and I felt for him the entire time.
"Sometimes I feel as though I am being crushed alive, but it's happening so slowly, no one believes me when I tell them. Sometimes it feels like the most important parts of me are the ones I can't share with the people who are the most important to me."
I also really want to appreciate the care that was taken to make sure that Juliet was still given her due in the book. It would have been easy to only focus on Romeo and Valentine, but Juliet was still put center stage and allowed to take the lead on so many points. Without her, this story could not be told, and it is acknowledged repeatedly throughout the book that whatever Romeo is going through, it is much worse for Juliet just because of her status as a woman in the world. We love an aro-ace icon.
And then, of course, Benvolio and Mercutio. Best bros and allies.
I could babble about this one forever, but it's really just such a GOOD read and I am so excited for everyone to get their hands on it and to have a copy for my classroom shelves - especially for all of my students who have to read Romeo & Juliet in class.
This was another one of those books that I was so hyped to get my hands on, and I am so delighted I had the chance to get an early preview of it. Teach the Torches to Burn is everything that I hoped it would be and more, taking the tragic story that we're all so familiar with and turning it into something beautiful and queer and hopeful.
Romeo Montague would love nothing more than to live a peaceful life as an artist, left to make his own choices and away from the drama and bustle of Verona. But he is the heir of the family, and as such he is expected to give up such "womanly" pursuits in favor of marrying a woman his parents approve of and continuing on the centuries-old feud with the Capulets. Yet with every woman his cousin and friend introduce him to, he has to acknowledge that he is only attracted to men. It all comes to a head when he sneaks into a Capulet party, falls madly, deeply in love with Valentine (best friend Mercutio's younger brother) and manages to terribly offend Tybalt all in one evening. Suddenly Romeo and Valentine are trying to find time to kindle their tender new romance, while the feud between the Montagues and Capulets spirals out of control.
I was so curious going into this story how the general all of it was going to be handled, admittedly. Valentine being an outsider compared to the original tale left me with my doubts originally, but I was so genuinely delighted by how author Caleb Roehrig brought him into the story (as Mercutio's younger brother returned from a foster-sort of situation in the country) and how it made the entire feud between the two families all the more ridiculous. Valentine is perfect; ride-or-die material, really. Romeo is so so SO precious in this, too. He's humanized from the original tale and given interests and hopes and dreams outside of his romantic explorations, and I felt for him the entire time.
"Sometimes I feel as though I am being crushed alive, but it's happening so slowly, no one believes me when I tell them. Sometimes it feels like the most important parts of me are the ones I can't share with the people who are the most important to me."
I also really want to appreciate the care that was taken to make sure that Juliet was still given her due in the book. It would have been easy to only focus on Romeo and Valentine, but Juliet was still put center stage and allowed to take the lead on so many points. Without her, this story could not be told, and it is acknowledged repeatedly throughout the book that whatever Romeo is going through, it is much worse for Juliet just because of her status as a woman in the world. We love an aro-ace icon.
And then, of course, Benvolio and Mercutio. Best bros and allies.
I could babble about this one forever, but it's really just such a GOOD read and I am so excited for everyone to get their hands on it and to have a copy for my classroom shelves - especially for all of my students who have to read Romeo & Juliet in class.
July 9, 2023
⭐️⭐️
𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧-𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙪𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤 & 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙭 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙮.
I haven’t read too many Romo & Juliet retellings, but I was so excited to check this one out!
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. Shakespeare's retellings are so difficult to write, but I had such high hopes for this book - especially with gay characters.
While I loved the diverse characters, I didn’t really care too much for them. There was never a strong enough attachment to them.
While I understand what the author did here, I didn’t really connect with the writing. The way the story was written just didn’t resonate with me, also, I feel like the story itself was way too similar to the original tale. I didn’t feel much of a “retelling”.
I really feel like there was a great concept behind this book, but I don’t think it was executed that well - at least not for me. I always enjoy a good retelling, but unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧-𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙪𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤 & 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙭 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙮.
I haven’t read too many Romo & Juliet retellings, but I was so excited to check this one out!
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. Shakespeare's retellings are so difficult to write, but I had such high hopes for this book - especially with gay characters.
While I loved the diverse characters, I didn’t really care too much for them. There was never a strong enough attachment to them.
While I understand what the author did here, I didn’t really connect with the writing. The way the story was written just didn’t resonate with me, also, I feel like the story itself was way too similar to the original tale. I didn’t feel much of a “retelling”.
I really feel like there was a great concept behind this book, but I don’t think it was executed that well - at least not for me. I always enjoy a good retelling, but unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 22, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for an audio Arc!
Holy moly this book. I took with with me on a road trip and I wished my 10 hour drive was 2 hours longer so I could have finished it in one go.
It's exactly as it says. A super duper queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It's cute and funny and heart breaking and just absolutely amazing in every way. But mainly, there is a HEA or I might not have survived (emotionally speaking).
Some of my favorite aspects of this was two aspec characters (probably both aro/ace) that were very important to the storyline.
Juliet is a side character, but very well developed and a super strong female character. I loved her very much. We love a girl who breaks down gender roles and heteronormativity and the patriarchy.
But basically that's what this book is. Just destroy all the cultural norms and run with it. It was amazing.
Holy moly this book. I took with with me on a road trip and I wished my 10 hour drive was 2 hours longer so I could have finished it in one go.
It's exactly as it says. A super duper queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It's cute and funny and heart breaking and just absolutely amazing in every way. But mainly, there is a HEA or I might not have survived (emotionally speaking).
Some of my favorite aspects of this was two aspec characters (probably both aro/ace) that were very important to the storyline.
Juliet is a side character, but very well developed and a super strong female character. I loved her very much. We love a girl who breaks down gender roles and heteronormativity and the patriarchy.
But basically that's what this book is. Just destroy all the cultural norms and run with it. It was amazing.
December 31, 2023
Listened to this on audiobook, narrated by Max Meyers.
This was wonderful! Masterfully written, with breathtaking imagery, loving treatment of its characters, and plenty of fun banter.
There is such a sense of place and atmosphere in the way Roehrig paints Verona, and he manages to give each character a strong and distinct voice without ever breaking from the speech patterns you'd expect for the setting (quite a feat considering most of the historical fiction I've come across).
Most of all, I adored his version of Juliet. She is in no way sidelined by this queer retelling - quite the contrary, I found her to be one of the most compelling members of the cast (and what a brilliant handling of her subplot with Paris at the end)! This is peak Girls and Gays energy, honestly.
The friar was another fav of mine - loved the aroace rep there - but honestly all of the main cast were wonderful and memorable in their own right.
I will just note that the story is heavy on the angst and drama, which is not usually my cup of tea, but that's fitting after all - this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling we're talking about.
This is a beautiful retelling, worthy of the hype around it.
This was wonderful! Masterfully written, with breathtaking imagery, loving treatment of its characters, and plenty of fun banter.
There is such a sense of place and atmosphere in the way Roehrig paints Verona, and he manages to give each character a strong and distinct voice without ever breaking from the speech patterns you'd expect for the setting (quite a feat considering most of the historical fiction I've come across).
Most of all, I adored his version of Juliet. She is in no way sidelined by this queer retelling - quite the contrary, I found her to be one of the most compelling members of the cast (and what a brilliant handling of her subplot with Paris at the end)! This is peak Girls and Gays energy, honestly.
The friar was another fav of mine - loved the aroace rep there - but honestly all of the main cast were wonderful and memorable in their own right.
I will just note that the story is heavy on the angst and drama, which is not usually my cup of tea, but that's fitting after all - this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling we're talking about.
This is a beautiful retelling, worthy of the hype around it.
September 22, 2023
this was amazing, i loved it so so so much and i want to read it again asap 🥺
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