A retelling of Romeo and Juliet from a master of dark fantasy.
In the land of Santa Verensa, the great aristocratic Houses thrive on vendetta. Although their feuds are rooted in politics, generations of grievances have made the conflict dangerously petty and bitterly personal-a society where people live and die by the Name they bear.
Romulan Montargo, heir to his family, revels in the feud. Meanwhile, Iuletta Chenti, the only child of Chenti Primo, the family's patriarch, has spent her life sheltered. The Montargos and the Chentis have hated each other for decades, but when Iuletta first sets eyes on Romulan, she knows they are, meant to be together. Determined to win his affection, she casts a charm on him to draw him to her, and the two fall in love.
But, Iuletta is already betrothed to the Belmorio heir, and her temperamental cousin Leopardo hates the Montargos with a murderous passion. If the young lovers are to be together, they must defy their families and defy their fates, reclaiming their chance at a happy ending.
Tanith Lee beautifully reimagines Shakespeare's classic tragedy of star-crossed lovers and bloody revenge with an added fantasy twist. Tanith Lee (1947—2015) was a legend in science fiction and fantasy writing.
