Friday, October 7, 2011

Book Review: Starcrossed



Starcrossed

by Josephine Angelini
Series: Starcrossed #1
Release date: 31st May, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 514 (paperback bought by me)
Next book: Dreamless

Summary from Goodreads:

Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

Our story begins with Helen who is very shy... let me intensify that, she is VERY VERY VERY shy. If by any chance people would pay her attention a horrible cramp would start and most likely, she would just panic. So who cares if she is not popular? That protects her from being in the spotlight.

But of course that changed when a new family arrived to Nantucket. The Delos family came from Spain (I love it when my country is part of a book, haha) and, for some reason, even before meeting them Helen couldn't stand hearing news about that family. That is of course until she meets Lucas between classes. Once she sees him her only desire is to kill him. Yep, the poor guy didn't stand a chance because Helen had a few secrets like being super strong and running faster than anyone else. But let's stay with the super strength and the fact that being near any member of the Delos family three old women would appear crying blood and repeating haunting phrases like "blood for blood".

So, what was going on?! Well, Helen discovered that she, like everyone in the Delos Family, was a demigod, a direct descendant from the Greek Gods or Heroes and, more important, they were part of a tragic circle of revenge and murders that started with the Trojan War (and I simply loved the author's idea). But they needed answers like for example: what was Helen's House? What were her other powers? And most important, what were they going to do to stop killing each other?!

Luckily for Helen and Lucas their family bloodlust stopped when they saved each other one night. But sadly they were nothing but puppets in the hands of The Furies and The Fates, and Helen and Lucas were the main characters in their tragedy once again: Helen of Troy and Paris, the lovers that started the Trojan War.

Now, my humble opinion of this book? Josephine's writing is quick, fresh and natural. If I didn't know I wouldn't believe this was her debut novel. And, if by any chance Josephine reads this then thank you for taking your time to read about Greek mythology and actually use that knowledge.

My favorite characters are Cassandra, Lucas' little sister and the chosen one to be the Oracle. I like how strong she is despite the fact that she is so young and understands her destiny and accepts it as best as she can. And then Claire (aka Giggles), who is Helen's best friend, had me from the start. She is funny, petite, strong and courageous; and she also has Helen's back every time.

The ending is heartbreaking and I can't wait to read the next book... to think that it comes out in May of 2012 is so sad. Come on, months, I need you to pass faster!

Alaiel's Rating:


If you really like it, you can find it here:

7 comments:

  1. I read it last month! *__*
    my favourite characters are the same of yours (for the same reasons :P ) XD
    if I'm not mistaken, Josephine's husband is Spanish O_o

    love your Country! would like to visit it!! >.<

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  2. I read it some months ago –it came out in Spain before every other country! unbelievable!–, the reviews were reaaaaaaaaaally good and I expected so much from this book that I found myself disappointed. At first I liked that Helen and Lucas kind of hated each other, but then, everything changes and their relationship becomes boring and typical. On the other hand, it reminded me of Twilight, the Delos family is so much like the Cullens...
    I don't think it's a bad novel, but I didn't really enjoyed it and there are a lot of good ideas on it that are not exploited.

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  3. This sounds like a good book I've never heard of it before. Seems to have well developed characters. Great review!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  4. Great review! Have this on my TBR pile and can't wait to get to it!

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  5. This sounds crazy! I really want to read it now; great review!

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  6. I read that one last month for the BNC and I liked it although I didn't like Helen that much she annoyed me ;)

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  7. Great review.

    I think you nailed every bit of what i felt while reading this book.

    if you have time then do check my review of the book too here

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