Prince of Shadows: A Novel of Romeo and Juliet

Gr 9 Up—Caine ("Morganville Vampires" series) here interprets Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio Montague is the eldest nephew of the head of the Montague family. Reasonable and level-headed, he has been assigned the task of keeping his younger cousin Romeo, the frivolously romantic heir, out of trouble. Romeo's attraction to the girls of the Capulet family—the sworn enemies of the Montagues—makes Benvolio's job difficult. But Benvolio also has a own secret life as the Prince of Shadows—a thief who steals from the rich and immoral. The lively environment of the times is painted in a variety of ways: from the use of colors and family crests on clothing and weapons, the clear separation of the social classes, the revenge-obsessed violence that permeates everywhere, and the politics that rule every action and thought. Narrator Kyle McCarley does a great job with the Shakespeare-style language and distinguishing among the characters' voices. This is a great addition for schools that teach Romeo and Juliet.—Julie Paladino, East Chapel Hill High School, NC