review 1: I noticed this book during a promotion and cracked it open during the holidays. Right away, I was swept into the depths this beautiful, dark story. I stayed up late and woke early to read, devouring it in less than 24 hours.I loved Julia's character, gifted in music and uncertain in life in so many ways. This story was about Julia's coming-of-age and reminded me about the rebellious phases that we all go through as youth. Different from her friends, she wonders if she is missing out on something. That all changes when she meets Reed. Despite Reed being labeled a "stoner," I also found it really easy to sympathize with and like him. There was a spark inside him, he was observant and insightful, and he had an amazing capacity for love. And so did Julia, but she couldn't full... morey express this to Reed until it was too late. Julia and Reed had the real problems that modern teenagers face, drugs being among one of them. Having several people close to me who have had drug-use/abuse as part of their history, I thought that Stephanie explored the storyline involving the drug-use very well and appropriately - and as a "cautionary tale." And although the Romeo and Juliet aspect of the story did have a theme of Fate in it, it was also about the choices that we make that lead to our final circumstances. Stephanie did an incredible job making you feel what Julia feels. Her descriptions were poetic and beautiful but also gritty and real. There were parts that made me laugh and other parts that made it impossible to put down. And the ending made me cry. I was bracing myself for it because of the Romeo and Juliet theme, but the story also ended with a clear and resounding note of hope. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from this author. review 2: There are three things I can't stand in my romance stories:1. Verse.2. Drug use.3. Learning that at least one of the main characters is going to die on page one, totally ruining any chance of a happily ever after.Now guess how many of those three things Defy the Stars contains. Yeah, ALL THREE! But I still couldn't stop reading this book. It was just soooo good.It's not some big long confusing poem that was totally over my head, but beautiful and lyrical. Yet it still contained a plot with emotion and engaging characters and all that wonderful stuff I love in novels, keeping me flipping pages until the end. It was like the best of both worlds.And the drug use wasn't as bad as I worried it would be. It wasn't good, but it put an amazing spin on this modern day Romeo and Juliet story. Actually, I liked this better than the real Romeo and Juliet because it had more scenes where the hero and heroine connected on a deeper, emotional level.If you want a heart-wrenching tear jerker, this is defintely an amazing one to read! less
