Map of Mercutio by Kate Heartfield

Submitted: 8th June 2026

Map of Mercutio by Kate Heartfield

Where are we going?

Well, straight off to Verona but NOT for a retelling/reimaging of Romeo and Juliet.

Mercutio was Romeo’s friend and confidante – but this book looks at his life, his home and what he did before and during the friendship with Romeo. Who was Mercutio in fact? This will tell you something all together more complex than you might have imagined….

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The setting:

Verona

This story takes place in many places and not all of this world – even before we get to Verona. What kind of life did Mercutio lead before meeting Romeo and Juliet?

Review

First of all – wow. The level of detail and imagination that went into this novel is quite outstanding. In a nutshell, Mercutio knew Dante Alighieri (yes that one) and a particular experience changes them both for ever. Mercutio now sees people who are not there, and they are both pulled in to another world, one of Faerie.

I don’t even know how to describe it other than – just read it as it will take you places you have never been before. You might see Verona on the map here but that’s just the ending……

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