Please note that Defy the Stars is a novel of 66000 words, or approximately 325 printed pages, not 596 pages as listed below.“Defy the Stars is stunningly written and beautifully told. It's a swirl of emotions, depth of beauty and danger. Dark and alluring. Pulling you in and never releasing you….I don’t think I’ve ever cried so hard over a book.”—Magen Corrie, Corrie the Book-Crazed Girl“Defy the Stars stands on its own as one of the most exhilarating, thought-provoking, and fascinating stories portraying the life of a young girl coming into her own and deciphering what it truly is she wants in life.”—Shane Morgan, Itching for Books Reviews & More“I loved the way this book was written - the verse, I mean. It was so... cool, for lack of a better word. I had never read a book like that before and it made everything so much more dramatic and interesting.” –Maria Stanica, Princess of Pages“Reed’s the classic bad boy…[his] character just broke my heart. Fans of Ellen Hopkins and Gayle Forman will most likely enjoy this book!”—Tabitha’s Book BlogJulia Cape: A dedicated classical piano student just trying to get through her last semester of high school while waiting to hear from music conservatories. Reed MacAllister: A slacker more likely to be found by the stoners’ tree than in class.Julia and Reed might have graduated high school without ever speaking to each other…until, during a class discussion of Romeo and Juliet, Julia scoffs at the play’s theme of love at first sight, and Reed responds by arguing that feelings don’t always have to make sense. Julia tries to shake off Reed’s comment and forget about this boy who hangs with the stoner crowd—and who happens to have breathtaking blue eyes—but fate seems to bring the two together again and again. After they share an impulsive, passionate kiss, neither one can deny the chemistry between them. Yet as Julia gets closer to Reed, she also finds herself drawn into his dark world of drugs and violence. Then a horrific tragedy forces Julia’s and Reed’s families even farther apart…and Julia must decide whether she’s willing to give up everything for love.DEFY THE STARS is written in an edgy free-verse style that will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins and Lisa Schroeder; however, the writing is accessible enough to speak to non-verse fans as well. The novel’s combination of steamy romance and raw emotion will appeal to fans of Gayle Forman, Simone Elkeles, Jennifer Echols, and Tammara Webber. With a story, language and form that both pay homage to and subvert Shakespeare’s play, DEFY THE STARS is much more than just another Romeo and Juliet story.This novel contains mature language and themes, including drug use.