Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

Released: 1 March 2021

Published by: Allen and Unwin

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Source: Publisher

Pages: 396

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

QBD | Booktopia | Goodreads

What if Juliet Capulet met someone who made her doubt true love? What if Wuthering Heights was a message to a time traveller? A cosmic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet and homage to two literary classics in a compelling novel about fate, love and time travel from an award-winning author. YEAR: 2083. LOCATION: LONDON. MISSION: WAKE ROMEO. It's the end of the world. Literally. Time travel is possible, but only forwards. And only a handful of families choose to remain in the 'now', living off the scraps that were left behind. Among these are eighteen-year-old Juliet and the love of her life, Romeo. But things are far from rosy for Jules. Romeo is in a coma and she's estranged from her friends and family, dealing with the very real fallout of their wild romance. Then a handsome time traveller, Ellis, arrives with an important mission that makes Jules question everything she knows about life and love. Can Jules wake Romeo and rewrite her future? A highly original mashup that delights as it disorients ... and asks what would have happened if two great literary love stories were somehow intertwined. 

Six years ago I read an amazing book by a debut Aussie Author - In the Skin of a Monster. This year Kathryn Barker is back with another equally captivating read, and wow did it deliver. I'm calling it - Waking Romeo is the most unique book I'm going to read this year! Full of mind-bending twists, super clever links to classic literature and a message on love and life that is both delicately and fiercely told, all I can say is...read it. You won't be disappointed.

Author Interview with Kathryn Barker

Firstly, congratulations on another stunning release. In the Skin of a Monster has still stuck with me 6 years after reading it and Waking Romeo is just as captivating! How did the idea for this new book come about and what were your biggest motivators to release a second book?

Thanks so much for your kind words - I’m trilled that In the Skin of a Monster and Waking Romeo resonated with you! As for where the idea for Waking Romeo came from… I suppose it was from contemplating love stories and the romantic ideal. I read both Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights when I was in high school, and (as a hopeless romantic) I was captivated by the love stories. But when I got older, I realised that the examples they set weren’t exactly healthy - especially when it came to the women. I wanted to deconstruct those two classics and imagine a story where the girl had more agency. 

As for my biggest motivators to release a second book… the simple truth is, I love writing. I also find that it helps me understand my truths, the world and my own experiences. 

Was there a particular person or influence in your life at the time of writing Waking Romeo which made a special contribution to your writing process for the book in any way?

Waking Romeo was written at a time when I was reconfiguring what love meant to me, and who I was as my own person. That experience clearly reflected in the book...so perhaps the 'significant influence' was my own personal growth and revolution.

As a time travel novel, there are so many different plot points and significant moments which you've woven so cleverly together - what was it like writing a book with such an interconnected storyline that makes use of bending timelines?

It was a challenge! Getting the plot right was enormously tricky, especially since I didn’t want it to detract from the characterisation. Having said that the Universe is full of beautiful coincidences, and so often connections would just land in my lap. When that happened, it reinforced the feeling that I was on the right track, which was wonderful.

The characters in this book were so vividly portrayed, and I especially enjoyed how the classic literary references had influence in a way I've never seen before. What were some of the most challenging/enjoyable aspects of mixing genres in this way?

Thank you so much! I suppose the biggest challenge was finding the right balance between respecting the source text/ characterisation, while giving myself permission to explore something new without feeling constrained. The most enjoyable aspect was definitely getting to dip into Shakespeare and Bronte! Getting to incorporate some of their incredible words/ worlds/ characters into my story was such a gift. 

Without giving too much away, is there a particular quote or moment from the book which means a lot to you personally?

The final page of the book is my favourite, because it encapsulates both Jules' truth and my own.

For young and older readers alike picking up Waking Romeo, is there a particular message to think about you hope they can gain from it? For me, it was definitely the focus on living each moment fully and appreciating the present, while also gaining insights on how to build on a better future.

Yes - investing in the ’now’ (rather than focusing on the past or on the future) is a big one for me too, as is caring for our environment. However, I think one of the core themes that underpins Waking Romeo is the idea of challenging romantic ideals and our concept of what love is. I hope to give readers the space to consider the ‘epic romances’ in stories like Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights and think about how that stacks up against more modern ideals. 

Is there anything you can share with us on what you're currently working on/doing outside of writing?

With Waking Romeo, I really enjoyed delving into classic works of literature and then finding an angle for a modern retelling. I’m working on a new story which explores that territory again…  but the threads haven’t woven themselves together enough yet for me to explain it coherently! 

As for what I’m doing outside of writing… I’m planning a camping trip, because I want to sleep under the stars!

 

About the author

Kathryn Barker was born in Canberra, started primary school in Tokyo and finished high school in the woods outside Olympia, Washington State. In the years that followed she went to university, became a lawyer, completed her masters in film production and worked in television. She currently lives in Sydney with her family. Kathryn's first novel, In the Skin of a Monster, was published to high acclaim and won the Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel, was short-listed for two Davitt Awards and was a CBCA Notable Book. Waking Romeo is her second novel.

Waiting on Wednesday: Unearthed

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where the participants tell their readers about an upcoming release they are waiting to read. This week I've picked Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.

In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race... 

Described as 'Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones - in space', I've definitely got my eyes on this one. Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have already proved with their previous words, especially the Starbound trilogy, that they can produce some brilliant storylines - I'm hoping this new venture will be just as good!

Releasing 1st December 2017 from Allen and Unwin

#LoveOzYABloggers - Sci-fi

Sci-fi

The YA sci-fi novels by Australian authors represent some of the best I've ever read. They present characters who are pushed to their very limits - at the end of the tether holding them to earth, as well as into the dark reaches of the universe beyond. 

Disruption Duology by Jessica Shirvington

In a future where technology has evolved to the point where big businesses drive how people live their lives, and 'M-Bands' are all the rage, Jessica Shirvington's high-octane duology doesn't miss a beat. Maggie the protagonist is the perfect combination of snarky and whip-smart, and her personal quest to find out what happened to her father and bring down the bad guys is full of edge-of-your-seat action. Read Disruption and as soon as you finish the last page you'll *need* to get right onto the next book Corruption - it's that good.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

ALL THE HYPE is probably one of the best ways to describe this book, and I'm sure it's going to feature on many lists for this week's prompt...but why shouldn't it? It is mind-blowingly amazing after all. Unconventional, heart-stopping and oh-so-addictive...if you haven't read this yet, finish reading this sentence and then get yourself a copy!

Genesis by Lara Morgan

There will always be a special place on my all-time favourites shelf for The Rosie Black Chronicles by Lara Morgan. The first book in the trilogy, Genesis, was published back in 2010, but even with all the shiny new releases in the genre since then ,it has stood the test of time as a memorable and truly gripping saga. From the very first page the thrill begins, and the momentum never wavers. 

#LoveOzYABloggers is hosted by #LoveOzYA, a community led organisation dedicated to promoting Australian young adult literature. Keep up to date with all new Aussie YA releases with their monthly newsletter, or find out what’s happening with News and Events, or submit your own!

Review: A Million Worlds With You (Firebird #3) by Claudia Gray

A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray

Released: 1st November 2016

Published by: HarperCollins 

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Source: Publisher

Pages: 419

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite’s hands in the final installment of the Firebird trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parent’s invention, to cross through alternate dimensions, Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud. Now she has learned that the evil Triad Corporation plans to destroy hundreds of universes, using their ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite who is wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.

Even though her boyfriend Paul has always been at Marguerite’s side, the Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man, and he may never be the same again. Marguerite alone must stop Triad and prevent the destruction of the multiverse. It’s a battle of the Marguerites . . . and only one can win.

In the epic conclusion to the sweeping series that kicked off with A Thousand Pieces of You, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed.

Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

*This review may contain spoilers for the previous books in the series*

Each new quantum reality splits off when someone makes a decision. Every single world we've visited isn't just random - it's the result of countless choices, all of them combining to make a new reality. 

This highly anticipated conclusion to Claudia Gray's exhilarating Firebird series not only continues to explore the multiverse, but further inspect the characters themselves. With the stakes higher than ever as Wyatt Conley threatens to assert his dominance over multiple dimensions, and Wicked wreaking havoc wherever she travels, Marguerite is faced with more difficult decisions than ever before.

If our destiny is nothing more than a prediction of a collision, an intersection between two paths, then we don't have a destiny at all.

What first drew me to this series was the different settings, as with each new world Gray transported us to, there were new challenges for the characters to face. In A Million Worlds With You, each of the universes mentioned in the first two novels are once again acknowledged, along with a few new additions. What I did appreciate in this finale however, was the main focal point on Marguerite, Paul and Theo as they are confronted with their other selves on a deeper level. It's the dynamic trio against Triad, a mammoth task considering the cunning Conley and even more devious Wicked - one of the 'other' Marguerites, have other plans in store which could change their lives entirely. The Firebird devices themselves and the 'science' behind them were once again pivotal to the plot - especially when the situation demanded a decision which could mean the difference between life and death. The storyline was definitely taken up a notch in terms of suspense, with an epic showdown never far behind. It's a matter of good and evil, grappling with the moral question of whether it is acceptable to sacrifice a life when there is the possibility of saving many.

I've been so shaken by finding my one worst self that I never considered how much it might change our fates by finding someone else's best self. Travel through enough dimensions and maybe you'll find the hero and the villain in everyone. 

The complex romance between Paul and Marguerite is finally given some closure in this book, but what I really loved to see was Marguerite come into her own. All dimensions of her character were addressed, and her attempts to consolidate her different selves and understand who she wanted to be in her own world was a plot point skilfully executed. Gray has successfully built on all her characters in this novel, exposing their flaws and embracing their courage in the face of imminent danger. Even Marguerite's parents played an even greater role which pulled everything together as their own inventions threatened to become weapons of mass destruction. When worldbuilding and character development come together so successfully as they have in this case, it's no wonder that this series has been so popular.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A Million Worlds With You is a fitting end to a series I won't be forgetting anytime soon. This final instalment of a trilogy which I've been invested in from the first page has matched the ingenuity of its predecessors, defied science as we know it, and taken us on a whirlwind of a journey across the universe.

My Top 10 Bookish Recommendations for Christmas 2016

Christmas. The time of the year where avid readers make huge lists of what new titles they hope to find under the tree, and everyone else around them questions whether they REALLY need MORE books. Well:

Alongside the flashbacks of hearing 'All I Want for Christmas is You' on repeat, it's also the busiest period the year for us booksellers. I love being able to give recommendations at work to customers looking for that perfect bookish gift for their loved ones, and also seeing how people coming into the store strike up a conversation with each other on what they've read and enjoyed. In this post I'll be sharing some of my personal top picks and favourites. 

1) For the MG reader who loves a good Australian story which will warm your heart:

The Matilda Saga by Jackie French showcases the best of the Australian spirit, from Federation and beyond.

2) For the teen who wants a realistic contemporary about friendship that's perfect for summer:

Tara Eglington's latest release is a well-written, relevant and bitter-sweet story on the evolution of a friendship and young women finding the confidence that was within them all along.

3) For the teen who wants an addictive YA series with a sci-fi edge and intense twists:

Suspense, romance, action, evil organisations and rebelling against your own special DNA. Rachael Craw's SPARK series captivates with every installment, and always leaves you wanting more. 

4) For the teen who wants an emotional read about the bonds between families, and finding your true self:

Hardcastle deserves high praise for this debut which ebbs and flows with the intricacies of healing and coming up for air after being submerged in the depths of grief.

5) For YA feminist who wants a story about girls who won't back down:

Summer Skin pushes the boundaries regarding a portrayal of the subcultures which may be present in university life, and poses a refreshing storyline that is both emotionally charged and powerful.

6) For the adult feminist who wants a powerful story about survival and seeking retribution

The Natural Way of Things was certainly deserving of the Stella Prize this year. Equally harrowing and gripping, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it. 

7) For the YA readers who want a witty and accurate portrayal of the challenges which come with the final year of high school:

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub is a brilliant novel where five different teens converge - with rather unexpected results. This is a read which is definitely relevant for the young adults of today. 

8) For the YA sci-fi fan who loves action set in space:

The Diabolic certainly doesn't shy away from the action, and is a gritty YA read which plays on the themes of manipulation and loyalty really well. Illuminae (and now Gemina) are told in such a unique way, also with bucket-loads of action to keep you hooked from start to finish. Finally, the Starbound trilogy offers three memorable novels which intertwine with different focal characters. 

9) For the pop-culture/gaming fan who wants a story filled with adventure:

Whether you're a gamer or not, I haven't come across anyone who hasn't loved this book (It definitely surprised me!). In a future where virtual reality is the norm and can be exploited, this story is one that you won't want to put down. 

10) For the bookish thrill-seekers who want to be on the edge of their seats

I've been reading more in the crime/thriller genre this year than ever before, and have come across some great reads with all the shocking situations and 'WOW' moments you could ask for. The Dry is Jane Harper's debut novel, and an impressive one which expertly depicts the impact of rumour and scandal shaking a rural Australian town. Emma Cline's first book is also a hit - beautifully written and yet haunting, a stark depiction of a loss of innocence. Girls on Fire is perhaps the most brazen of the bunch, venturing into territory you didn't think it would dare go, but it sure burns those boundaries down. Finally, Megan Abbott's works never fail to impress me, and You Will Know Me is no exception. Her prose is always on-point and whip-smart, this time unveiling the brooding malevolence in the world of elite gymnastics. 

Over to you! Have you read any of these books? What categories and novels would you suggest to add?