Thursday, September 1, 2011

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 31st, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 514
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Borrowed
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Rating: 5 Stars

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

To be honest, I did not mean to fall in love with this book. I don't know why, but I guess I was a little sick of Greek mythology, but Josephine turned all my expectations around. I was frustrated with Helen, I was frustrated with Lucas, I feel in love with them, I was confused, I was going out of my mind, and by the end I was ready to run to Josephine's home and demand to see book 2 because it just wasn't right the way she ended leaving me wanting more!

First, I loved how Josephine played with the tragic tale, and made me a little mad at how she didn't get the part that Helen of Troy and Paris actually hated each other and were in an unhappy marriage, but then again I was also unhappy that they took the Trojan horse out of the picture, but you can't have everything.

But I enjoyed that there was action and nothing to slow paced like some books. The romance between Lucas and Helen kept me wondering and questioning and just wanting more and more! And when her mother appeared? I nearly teared my hair off at what this lying snake was doing to poor Helen.

The connections that Josephine made compared to the Greek tragedy, I liked how she was able to manipulate the character's that are so old and so well known that this side of the story might as well be true. It was very believable. I didn't like how possessive Lucas was at times and I just wish that he had told Helen the truth in the beginning but when a girl's trying to kill you there's really no time to think about talking.

My jaw dropped at the end with Hector and I just wanted to jump in the pages and slap them all. I was practically jumping on my feet. I didn't want it to end; I loved the action, I hated what happened to Helen and Lucas. The story was so well rounded and there was just enough loose ends to leave someone wanting more but enough was answered in this book.

And I have to wait until May 2012 for book 2? What kind of sadistic author is Josephine to do this to her readers? Read, read, read. That's all I must say. This tale is dark, twisted, spellbinding, romantic ride to leave you speechless in the end...or two much to say, depending on your feelings.

3 comments:

Sarah said...

The book sounds great :) I dislike waiting for books... especially if it's next year XD.

Marybeth said...

It's a nightmare, but this book is definitely worth the time!

Ελλάδα said...

I just loved how Josephine wove Greek Mythology into her story. I never really studied Greek Mythology, but I remember learning a little about it in history class in high school and also through watching Hurcules and Zina on telly *giggles* I have to admit Hurcules was one of my fav shows when I was younger. Also through the movie Troy with Brad Pitt loved Helen of Troy *winks*

Josephine did an amazing job, this book was so well written the characters are just awesome! This book has so many twists and turns you'll be on the edge of your seat wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. This book is most definitely A Keeper.