Today is release day for a bunch of hot YA novels, so I’m pretty sure that a lot of readers will be making their way to the bookstores or might actually have some pre-orders making their way into their mailbox as we speak. One of the books that is seeing the light of day today is Romeo & Juliet & Vampires, which was adapted from the Shakespearean play into a novel by Claudia Gabel. I’ve already had the chance to read this fun monster mashup, and you’ll get to read my thoughts about it tomorrow. Today, however, I thought that I’d give you the chance to be won over by (or at least give your opinion of) the book trailer created to help promote it.
Whoever made this trailer, used a very simple text and photo-based design. Personally, I thought that some of the selected images were really attractive and in keeping with the novel, but at the same time, using simple images without any movement seems a little dull given that the majority of book trailers use either special effects to show movement in still photos or actual video content. On another note, it uses simple text superimposed on the screen (and occasionally over top of the images). In order to match up with the 1492 setting, the creator selected a very old school style font in red, which definitely worked when it was in front of a plain, black background. I found it difficult to read the text when a image was behind it, which might compromise it’s promotional value.
Still, I think that you should definitely check out this trailer. Why? You might have a different opinion about the production values of the Romeo&Juliet&Vampires book trailer, and it might even get you to want to pick it up. Moreover, I think that the author, publisher, and the creator of the trailer can really benefit from your opinion on this trailer. Who knows? It might help them to create the next trailer for the next book that comes out. So, let me know what you think!
UPDATE: I just got an email from the Claudia Gabel, and given some of the questions that came up from my readers, she wanted you all to know that she made the trailer herself using iMovie. She didn’t have a big budget, but felt that it was better to put something out there, then nothing at all. Oh, and by the way, I think it’s cool that her boyfriend made the music for the video. Can’t help but appreciate collaboration like we see here. 
Melissa has always been a voracious reader of fiction and has an M.A. in English Literature to prove it. Like many other adults, she got caught up in the young adult crossover fiction phenomenon. Now, one of her great joys comes from sharing her love of YA lit on this popular review site. Come with expectations of intellect, magic, and honest reviews, and you won’t be disappointed.
