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knittyreader's review
4.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
It was clear to me that with this second installment of the series, I got more used to the writing style of the author. While the story still was a little chaotic to me at certain times, I had more grip on what happened and the way Shakespeare's play was woven into the present day. I still love this combination!
It was clear to me that with this second installment of the series, I got more used to the writing style of the author. While the story still was a little chaotic to me at certain times, I had more grip on what happened and the way Shakespeare's play was woven into the present day. I still love this combination!
ankysbookbubble's review
4.0
I've never read Shakespeare. I've heard all about Romeo and Juliet but I never really read their story. Those who've been reading my reviews for a while know that I can't stand classics. But what if a classic story is transformed into a much cooler, modern and young adult story? That would definitely interest me. And that is what Cold Fire is.
After The Invisible Moon, the book one in the Shakespeare's Moon Series, that recreated the story of Macbeth, author James Hartley has recreated the one and only Romeo and Juliet in his second book, Cold Fire.
I think Cold Fire was so much better than the first book in the term of context. The happenings were clearer here, and there was far less confusion than I'd faced while reading book one.
Gillian and Romeo's story was beautiful, and I loved the fact that there were multiple storylines at work at the same time.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Fire and I'm excited to see which Shakespeare novel will be the next one to be modernized by James Hartley.
After The Invisible Moon, the book one in the Shakespeare's Moon Series, that recreated the story of Macbeth, author James Hartley has recreated the one and only Romeo and Juliet in his second book, Cold Fire.
I think Cold Fire was so much better than the first book in the term of context. The happenings were clearer here, and there was far less confusion than I'd faced while reading book one.
Gillian and Romeo's story was beautiful, and I loved the fact that there were multiple storylines at work at the same time.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Fire and I'm excited to see which Shakespeare novel will be the next one to be modernized by James Hartley.
kba76's review
3.0
A tricky one to review in some ways. As the second in the series, elements around the school and how people travel through time felt formulaic though the story itself was focused on new characters which stopped it feeling too repetitive.
With our focus on Romeo and Juliet this time I think it’s a tricky story to tell for a modern audience who are much more dismissive of the idea of instalove and rapid marriage. I did find it hard to take the modern love story seriously, but we got a little more detail about the school and it’s background.
I’m curious to see how the target audience react to this, but it wasn’t really as appealing as I’d hoped. Thanks, though, to NetGalley for granting me access to the title.
With our focus on Romeo and Juliet this time I think it’s a tricky story to tell for a modern audience who are much more dismissive of the idea of instalove and rapid marriage. I did find it hard to take the modern love story seriously, but we got a little more detail about the school and it’s background.
I’m curious to see how the target audience react to this, but it wasn’t really as appealing as I’d hoped. Thanks, though, to NetGalley for granting me access to the title.
katie_83's review
5.0
Cold Fire
By James Hartley
5 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog.
When I first read the blurb for this book I was so excited to get started, I love Romeo and Juliet - it was the first Shakespeare play I ever read and I still love it to today. Recently I’ve been reading a lot of re-tellings of fairy tales so I was looking forward to reading this and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I loved everything about it. The author did an amazing job of telling the story with a modern twists, I loved all the mystery involved and there were some great twists and turns.
I loved Gillian and Romeo’s story, it was told so beautifully.
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I truly was captivated by his beautiful writing, it flowed nicely and I absolutely must read the other boos in this series now!
I absolutely recommend this book and it definitely deserves the 5 stars that I give it!
By James Hartley
5 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog.
When I first read the blurb for this book I was so excited to get started, I love Romeo and Juliet - it was the first Shakespeare play I ever read and I still love it to today. Recently I’ve been reading a lot of re-tellings of fairy tales so I was looking forward to reading this and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I loved everything about it. The author did an amazing job of telling the story with a modern twists, I loved all the mystery involved and there were some great twists and turns.
I loved Gillian and Romeo’s story, it was told so beautifully.
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I truly was captivated by his beautiful writing, it flowed nicely and I absolutely must read the other boos in this series now!
I absolutely recommend this book and it definitely deserves the 5 stars that I give it!
kimchi84's review
4.0
I loved The Invisible Hand (Act I) so much so that I really really wanted to read the next instalment. These can be read as a standalone, some of the characters are the same, but you learn nothing of their history in the other books. I quite liked it this way.
In Act II there really are too many character’s to mention. The 2 that stood out the most for me was The Master, he is in the past and the present, so I’m not quite sure what his part is in all of this yet but I’m hoping I shall find out in the next books. There is of course, the man himself, Will Shakespeare. Who starts to teach at the school in the past. He has just wrote Romeo and Juliet and it is based on the star crossed lovers that found themselves with some help. I love the way these books flow between the past and the present, it just works.
Everything was quite fast paced in this book and didn’t dilly dally like some I’ve read in the past. I prefer books, where the authors have just got stuck in and keeps you gripped from beginning to end. Although I know this isn’t the end as there are still so many Shakespeare plays to get through.
I do feel that this series has quite a supernatural feel to it and I really hope it all ties together, obviously I can’t say too much as I really don’t want there to be any spoilers. All I can say is, read them both!!! I’m giving Cold Fire a well deserved 4/5 rating. Keep them coming James!
In Act II there really are too many character’s to mention. The 2 that stood out the most for me was The Master, he is in the past and the present, so I’m not quite sure what his part is in all of this yet but I’m hoping I shall find out in the next books. There is of course, the man himself, Will Shakespeare. Who starts to teach at the school in the past. He has just wrote Romeo and Juliet and it is based on the star crossed lovers that found themselves with some help. I love the way these books flow between the past and the present, it just works.
Everything was quite fast paced in this book and didn’t dilly dally like some I’ve read in the past. I prefer books, where the authors have just got stuck in and keeps you gripped from beginning to end. Although I know this isn’t the end as there are still so many Shakespeare plays to get through.
I do feel that this series has quite a supernatural feel to it and I really hope it all ties together, obviously I can’t say too much as I really don’t want there to be any spoilers. All I can say is, read them both!!! I’m giving Cold Fire a well deserved 4/5 rating. Keep them coming James!
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