Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix

Remixed Classics, Book 7

By: Caleb Roehrig

Narrated by: Max Meyers

In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. Queer star-crossed love amid a centuries-old feud takes center stage in this Romeo & Juliet remix that knows sometimes, the best way is to make it gay.

Verona, Italy. Seventeen-year-old aspiring artist Romeo dreams of a quiet life with someone who loves him just as he is. But as the heir to the Montague family, he is expected to give up his "womanly" artistic pursuits and uphold the family honor—particularly in their centuries-old blood feud with a rival family, the Capulets. Worse still, he is also expected to marry a well-bred girl approved by his parents and produce heirs. But the more Romeo is forced to mingle with eligible maidens, the harder it is to keep his deepest secret: He only feels attracted to other boys.

In an attempt to forget his troubles for just one night, Romeo joins his cousin in sneaking into a Capulet party. During a fateful encounter in the garden, he meets the kindest, most beautiful boy he's ever met, and is shocked to learn he's Valentine, the younger brother of one of his closest friends. He is even more shocked to discover that Valentine is just as enamored with Romeo as Romeo is with him.

So begins a tender romance that the boys must hide from their families and friends, each of them longing for a world where they could be together without fear. And as the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets escalates out of control, Romeo and Valentine find themselves in danger of losing each other forever—if not by society's scorn, then by the edge of a blade.

The Remixed Classics Series
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore
My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.

©2022 Caleb Roehrig (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

The Boston Globe Best New Book of Summer 2023
Paste Magazine Most Anticipated LGBTQ YA Book of Summer 2023

"Vivid, poetic prose and snappy banter bring to life this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet as a drama of burgeoning adulthood, queer romance, and found family. ... A lush and romantic escape." —Kirkus Reviews

"An exquisite reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, Teach the Torches to Burn honors the source material while bringing new meaning to Shakespeare's work. Romeo, Valentine, Juliet, and the entirety of Roehrig's cast of characters are true gems, each sparkling with wit, determination, and most of all, love for one another. From thriller to horror to historical remix... is there anything Roehrig can't write?" —Lillie Lainoff, bestselling author of One for All

"From Roehrig I always expect (and cherish) an insight as sharp as it is elegant, but Teach the Torches to Burn offers so much more. Roehrig masterfully rewrites the world's most famous love story into a brilliantly remixed tale that will serve as a blazing beacon of hope for a new generation of impossible loves." —Ryan La Sala, bestselling author of The Honeys and Reverie

Loved it!

I remember being forced to read Romeo and Juliet in my English Lit class in high school and was never a fan. I would yawn and not pay attention. I was more into Shakespeare's other works like Hamlet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar, but I WOULD BE ALL EARS if I had this version in high school.

The story is simple yet passionate, the story draws you in with the performance of the narrator making it very hard to stop listening to, I think I finished this within two days, if I didn't have to work I probably would have finished it in one. I like that there was a completely different aspect to Romeo and Juliet's relationship also, they didn't just switch Juilet for Valentine, Juilet has her own storyline and it was a fantastic one also. This was a great remix retelling.

This is so Jegulus coded

You can’t convince me this wasn’t a Jegulus/R+J crossover fanfic turned into a book.

An Emotional Masterpiece

Max Meyers delivers an outstanding performance in Caleb Roehrig’s Teach the Torches to Burn, capturing every emotional twist and turn of this unforgettable story. It was an absolute roller coaster, and I already miss being in this world. While the main couple stole my heart, Juliet stood out as my favorite—she’s an incredible supporting character who added so much depth to the story. A must-listen!

Great story

I appreciate how this narrative expands upon the universe of Romeo and Juliet, providing additional depth to the storyline. However, I have concerns regarding the conclusion, which parallels the original ending of the play. While I recognize the theme that love can triumph, I believe it would have been more impactful if Juliette's fate were ambiguous, suggesting that she also met her demise. This approach could have effectively alleviated the pressure from their parents, either after the marriage or prior to it.

WELL DONE ALL AROUND!!!

A wonderful listen!! The author’s use of language is as an updated version of Shakespearean vernacular - hinting at the writing of the Bard, but without some of the more cryptic phrases. And the narrator (though “performer” is a much more apt word here) did a marvelous job of finding different voices for all of the characters, male and female alike.
Truly one of the best listens I’ve had this year!