Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay review

"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

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.

From Goodreads

After spending years suspended in the mist Juliet finds herself in another new body, but only long enough to discover the soulmates she must protect. As an agent for the Ambassadors of Light she fights against the Mercenaries in a light/dark-good/evil kind of showdown over love. Unfortunately the reason she is in this predicament (and the person she must fight during each of her incarnations) is none other than her sworn beloved Romeo.

This time though things are different. The Ambassadors & Mercenaries aren't guiding their agents & their magic seems to be failing them. Also, there is this guy who Juliet can't seem to stay away from, despite his obvious role as the soulmate she is sworn to protect. Can love truly conquer all?

This was a phenomenal paranormal read. Stacey Jay did an incredible job breathing life into a well-known cautionary love tale. A very unique twist gives us a new perspective on a story that everyone thought they knew. Now we get to find a new meaning to the phrase "til death do us part."

The magic surrounding Romeo & Juliet isn't all that special as their personal powers are limited to reanimation of a corpse (Romeo) & superhuman strength & healing (both), but it lends enough magic to the story to make it seem ethereal. The humans in the story are typical teenagers that one might encounter in any high school. There was limited alcohol use as one of the characters is the heiress to a winery fortune, so there is some minor imbibing, but nothing over the top.

My favorite part was watching the interactions/altercations between Romeo & Juliet. He is so nefarious & unrelenting in his quest to win her over, but at the same time he is still bound by his drive for power & greed. Juliet is just as sweet as pie, but she's got a formidable backbone when needed. Unfortunately I found her a little more dim-witted that I like in my female characters, but I think that is mostly due to her good nature & belief in the good in others.

All in all this was a joyride from beginning to end. While things had the tendency to feel like they were getting too complicated, I never lost sight of the storyline or characterization. I really felt like I was in the story living alongside the characters. While this book is not necessarily meant for fans of Shakespeare's tragic tale, I think they might appreciate the spin Stacey put on the story.