Caleb Roehrig’S TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: A ROMEO AND JULIET REMIX gets starred Booklist review

You know the pair—it's Romeo and Juliet. But not this time: it’s Romeo and Valentine in this engaging reimagining of the Bard’s immortal play. Here’s the story: 17-year-old Romeo Montague’s roguish cousin Benvolio persuades Romeo to crash a masked ball held by the Capulet family, sworn enemies of the Montagues. There, in a secluded courtyard, Romeo meets a young man named Valentine and is instantly smitten. Unfortunately, hot-headed, vicious Tybalt Capulet recognizes Romeo and gives chase. But Romeo and Valentine's romance is launched. Their bliss, however, is brief, for soon Tybalt launches two riots, the second turning deadly when Valentine steps between Tybalt and Romeo and is grievously wounded. In a blind rage, Romeo kills Tybalt and is forced into hiding, while the prince decrees that if Valentine lives, Romeo will be charged with the murder of Tybalt; if Valentine dies, Romeo’s life will be spared but he will be sent into exile. Neither option seems to lend itself to a happy ending, but which will it be? Roehrig has done a splendid job of imaginatively revising Shakespeare’s perhaps most frequently retold text, creating an often-suspenseful story populated by vividly realized characters. Best of all, however, is his beautiful dramatization of Romeo and Valentine’s love for each other.