Hello Readers,
Thank you, NetGalley for giving me access me to an eBook copy of One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake for free in exchange for an honest review. The eBook I received from NetGalley didn’t have a cover image, so I am using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review)
Slight confession dear Reader, I prefer Romeo and Juliet retellings as the original play is stupid. As someone who has had the “pleasure” of studying this play more than once I will just say Romeo and Juliet is written as comedy if you compare it to Shakespeare's comedies you'll see. The mountain I will die on Readers. Also, the romanisation of Rome and Juliet is another thing that needs to go into the bin. Friendly reminder Romeo was 16, while Juliet was 13. That being said Olivie's retelling made me forget the distain I have for the original tale and almost convinced me that the original wasn’t that bad.
To say One for My Enemy is just another Romeo and Juliet retelling would be doing the book a huge disservice. Not only was it Shakespearean it had the delightful bonus of Russian/Slavic folktales with the inclusion of the Baba Yaga.
I liked the Shakespearean aspect, Two households both alike in dignity oops sorry wrong book. Two rival witch families vie for power in New York City Sasha and Lev must fight for their love. I loved how this captivating story about power, loyalty, family ties, and sacrifice unveiled before my eyes. This book has everything from magical drugs, death that may or may not last, star-crossed lovers, and wonderfully vicious women like what’s not to like. I know numerous books have used similar fantasy element to this story, but I really love magic set within the real world.
This was the first book I've read by Olivie, and I can’t wait to start Master of Death. Any author who makes me almost reread Romeo and Juliet deserves the credit and is a commendation to their writing. Olivie’s writing is just incredibly beautiful not only does the dialogue flow and seem realistic; she has created a believable secret of witches in a modern world. This book contains so many twists and turns it was unpredictable, I was miles off from where I thought the book would end, I was past Pluto. The depth of characterisation that Olivie has given each of her characters makes you question your own morals as you have the internal debate on who to root for.
L x
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