Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis

Abstract

Reviewed by: Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis Natalie Berglind Davis, Dana L. Roman and Jewel. Inkyard, 2021 [320p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781335070623 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781488076534 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad Gr. 7-10 Sixteen-year-old Jerzie Jhames is passed up for the Black female lead in Roman and Jewel, a diverse, hip-hopera redo of Romeo and Juliet, for recognizable celebrity Cinny, leaving Jerzie as an understudy. When Jerzie steps in for a scene during practice and outperforms Cinny, the leaked video goes viral and Jerzie acquires internet fame overnight. At the same time, things are getting steamy between Jerzie and nineteen-year-old Zeppelin Reid, the mysterious male lead, but Cinny will manipulate them into staying apart if she can. The book is a nod to the Shakespeare rather than a retelling, and readers won't get to see much of the actual play—Davis makes sophisticated, modern references to the original work, including Jerzie's opening "what's in a name?" speech to her Instagram Live, love at first sight, a [End Page 209] romantic balcony scene, and dramatic irony through miscommunications. Unfortunately, the social media plot is naïvely handled, and the Shakespearean element is awkwardly transposed into the contemporary story. Still, Jerzie is an undeniably likable and driven protagonist, and theater kids will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at Broadway and Jerzie's many references to her favorite musicals (and her hilariously using Patti LuPone as a nom de plume). Readers who can suspend their disbelief may merely attribute the over-the-top qualities to Broadway flair. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois