Juliet by Ann Fortier

Summary from Goodreads

Of all the great love stories ever told, hers is perhaps the most famous. To me, she is the key to my family's fate. To you, she is Juliet.

When Julie Jacobs leaves for Italy per the instructions of her late aunt's will, she never imagines that she'll be thrust into a centuries-old feud, not to mention one of the most legendary romances of all time. However, as she uncovers the story of her ancestor, Giulietta, whose love for a man named Romeo proved ill-fated, Julie finds herself increasingly under threat, and can't help but feel that the past and present are very much connected. Juliet is a gripping historical novel of great passion and scope from a remarkable debut author. 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8586842-juliet

My Review

Who would have thought Romeo and Juliet could be more exciting than it is. Honestly speaking, I have never read Romeo and Juliet fully. Just watched some movies, summary and reviews. But this book really got me intrigued. A Romeo and Juliet version with a twist. I find myself enjoying the story more than the original Romeo and Juliet. Who wouldn't?! An epic love story added the touch of mystery, curses, magic, history, treasure hunting and reincarnation. Totally my cup of tea! This book won't let me rest a bit from thinking what's really happening. Everywhere, there's a mystery and every scenes are twists that keeps surprising me. To say I'm enjoying the story is an understatement.

The writing style is formal, yet simple and easy to understand. It's very detailed leaving me little space for imagination. It works for me since the setting is in Siena which is really foreign to me. But while reading, it doesn't feel like it. It's like I'm really there seeing the scene in Giullietta Tolomei's eyes. I also love the characters. It's not about good guys vs bad guys. Though there are really the bad guys, the story is focused on the battle between names. That is, Tolomei vs. Santini. 

The characters are intriguing. First of all, There's Juliet, so how come I cannot see Romeo?? ah ah... That's something you need to find out :p On the other hand, Giullietta's character is so contradicting. She seems good, she hates Janice for her words and tactfulness, but there are times that she's worse than Janice. It's just she's not saying her thoughts out loud.

What I enjoyed the most is the alternating story between the past and the present. Between the original Romeo and Giullietta to the present Romeo and Giullietta. The story is heartbreaking and at the same time fulfilling! And when past and present collides??? Wow! Really! This story is really cool! I never thought I'll enjoy Romeo and Juliet story like I did here.