Publishers Weekly
★ 11/15/2021
This fast-paced, brilliantly futuristic Romeo and Juliet variation splits and swirls timelines, ecological collapse, and hope into a virtuoso five-act telling. In 2083, two years after Romeo and Jules attempted suicide in crumbling post-collapse London—a ruin once regularly raided by time travelers who can flee forward, but never back—lovesick Jules is left with a nerve-deadened arm and the blame for Romeo’s cerebral catatonia. Via specialized technology, 19-year-old Ellis, a Black 19th-century Englishman whisked to the end of time, offers Jules her heart’s desire—waking Romeo—secretly ensuring with a rare drug that Romeo and Jules’s son is born to invent Ellis’s AI friend and prevent humankind’s fall. But as an ominous enemy stalks them across time, and futures snarl, both Jules and the world might finally have a chance to change for the better. Packed with Shakespearean references both playful and somber, Barker’s (In the Skin of a Monster) eye for beauty, and perspectives on suicide and tragedy’s impacts never feel forced. This breathtaking, meticulously plotted adventure revitalizes a classic into a vital call to hope for the pandemic generation. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sara Burnes, the Gernert Co. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Named to ALA’s Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable List
“This fast-paced, brilliantly futuristic Romeo and Juliet variation splits and swirls timelines, ecological collapse, and hope into a virtuoso five-act telling. This breathtaking, meticulously plotted adventure revitalizes a classic into a vital call to hope for the pandemic generation.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“This dazzling, genre-defying novel offers a sublime mix of dystopian fantasy, time travel, suspense, and romance all in the context of a brilliant, futuristic, cleverly-plotted reimagining of Romeo and Juliet.” —Buffalo News
“Original, ambitious, powerful. Barker’s ability to challenge the boundaries of genre and find light in the darkness is a gift.” —Melina Marchetta, author of Jellicoe Road
“An atmospheric, dystopian YA sci-fi that [we] absolutely devoured . . . a thought-provoking read that is sure to keep readers on their toes.” —YA Books Central
“Waking Romeo is a stunning reimagining of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet—meets Wuthering Heights, meets epic time-travelling extravaganza. Highly recommended for fans of science-fiction and timeless love stories.” —Books + Publishing (Australia)
“This brilliantly clever story brings together myriad dystopian futures, the concepts of fate and existentialism, and a disorienting but engaging tale of love and time—but not in the way you may first think. A fun read for fans of classic literature turned on its head, this is a spectacular genre-twisting tale.” —Claire Atherfold, Readings State Library (Australia)
“Waking Romeo is like nothing you have read before. It spans genres, adding twist upon twist you’ll never see coming. If you love dystopian, science fiction, and/or time travel YA, this one is completely, utterly, 100% for you.” —Kids’ Book Review (Australia)
“The most beautiful, moving, and rigorously plotted time-travel novel I have ever read.” —Justine Larbalestier, author of My Sister Rosa
“A genre-bending masterpiece that effortlessly juggles classic literature, existentialism, time travel, and dystopia—with action and feels. I freaking loved every minute.” —Lili Wilkinson, author of Pink
School Library Journal
04/01/2022
Gr 8 Up—A science fiction retelling of the timeless Shakespeare play. It's 2083 and Jules and Romeo survived their star-crossed love, but not without dire consequences. Also, the world is ending. While Jules and Romeo are Settlers living in London, everyone else is desperately trying to use time travel to escape to a better future. Except, the future never gets better. Ellis knows this because he's a Deadender and lives at the end of time. The Deadenders are the few people who can travel backwards in time and they're trying to save the world. The latest mission, Wake Romeo, sends Ellis to 2083 where he must work with Jules to save the future. Barker creates an interesting concept for a dystopian world that is lost in a drawn out, overly complicated plot that relies on readers knowing Shakespeare's plays and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Likewise, the Shakespearean five-act plot results in awkward pacing that could frustrate readers. Where Barker excels is demonstrating the reality of the Romeo and Juliet love story as Jules must deal with the consequences of her actions and her changing feelings for Romeo as she matures into an adult. Barker also creates a representative cast of characters. Jules is coded white and has a disability. Ellis is Black and other supporting characters are people of color. VERDICT Recommend to readers comfortable with non-linear narratives and familiar with classic literature.—Kaetlyn Phillips
Kirkus Reviews
2021-10-13
Star-crossed lovers get a science-fiction spin in this time-travel tale.
It’s 2083, and having survived her attempted-suicide-by-knife, 18-year-old Juliet “Jules” Capulet is surly and scarred, unromantic but still reckless, while Romeo Montague remains in a coma. She and the other Settlers are squatting in a ruined London while the rest of humanity became Travelers, using pods to escape to the future. Meanwhile, Heathcliff Ellis is a Deadender, plucked from an imminent demise to save humanity and able to jump around in time. Tasked with waking Romeo and, circuitously, ensuring his own future/past, Ellis scrambles to save the reluctant Jules. Certainly not the first time-traveling or dystopian Shakespearean retelling, this melodrama delivers a grungy end-times aesthetic even as it suffers from shaky logic and repetition. Also wearisome is the gimmick that self-avowed Shakespeare-fan Jules is writing Romeo and Julietto add to the classic canon. Barker crams in many quotes from across the Bard’s oeuvre, often without attribution and out of context; while readers who are ardent Shakespeare fans may recognize and appreciate them, for others it renders this futuristic tale unevenly archaic and disjointed. Romeo and Jules are cued as White; Ellis is black.
A redemption story about loving both well and wisely that doesn’t coalesce. (Science fiction. 14-18)
