Author: Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 487
Source: KPL
Stars: 3.5/5
How do you defy destiny?MY THOUGHTS:
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.
(summary taken from Goodreads)
For a book that's almost 500 pages in length, Starcrossed is a book I devoured in one siting! The story of Helen of Troy was one of the few Greek myths that I haven't read before, but reading this book made me want to go back and study it right away.
The first thing that drew me in was the sort of insta-hate relationship between Helen and Lucas — where they literally want to kill each other — which I thought was so original! Josephine Angelini crafted a sizzling, fun, and very sweet romance with these two, and along with the fast-paced plot and cool Greek mythology, it made a compelling combination.
One of my favourite things about Starcrossed had to be the secondary characters. Every single member of the Delos family had their own distinct personalities and abilities as demigods, and I was constantly grinning at the witty banter that passed between them.
But as much as I adore selfless characters, the way Helen let herself get beat up and took it with a smile made me want to shake some sense into her. She was witty and fun and had some really hilarious one-liners, but the third person narrative and the way she reacted to things made it really hard to connect with her. It was also sometimes hard to tell who was thinking what because the perspectives switched constantly mid-chapter.
Overall, even with those little things, Starcrossed was a blast to read and it'll have you hooked on the story from beginning to end! You should definitely give it a shot whether you like Greek mythology or not. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the sequel! :)
BUY or BORROW?: If you love a good starcrossed romance with an original take on demigods and Greek myths, then this is the perfect book to add to your collection!
-Mimi
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Sometimes third-person narrative does make it kind of hard to connect with the character, right? Some great books like Graceling doesn't have problem with third-person narrative though! Hum, but I still have tendency to stay away from books in third-person narrative LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour review is simply awesome, Mimi! I got the arc of this book long time ago from Netgalley and liked it. I can't wait to read more awesome reviews from you! <3
Oh . . . I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Sighs. One of the best books I've ever read. Glad you enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what happens in book 2! Heard it's a killer! Anyway great review!
ReplyDeleteIs this book 1? I think it was book 2 in a series for some reason. It sounds really good anyways. I love when the whole cast of characters is present and has a reason to be! Wonderful review Mimilicious! :D
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
Great review Mimi! I absolutely LOVED this book and can't wait for the sequel to come out. I enjoyed the secondary characters more than Helen and Lucas, especially Hector, I hope there will be more of him! Thank you for sharing! <3
ReplyDeleteI LOVED THIS BOOK! I agree with you on the length, even though it was quite long, it didn't drag or make me feel every single one of those almost 500 pages. I loved the insta-hate with Helen and Lucas as well, it was fun and different:) Helen definitely had her flaws, but I just adored this story overall and can't wait for book 2! Wonderful review as always Mimi!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review, Mimi! It's funny how we love insta-hate but not insta-love. ;) I really enjoyed this one too so I'm happy you liked it! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book now. :D
ReplyDeleteI didn"t know what to do with this book but it sounds like a nice read. It has been released in France, so maybe I'll try it in French. Great review, it's always so interesting to have mythology in a book
ReplyDelete*le sigh* I'm always in the mood for starcrossed romances! How could I not be? And really Helen of Troy?! Could there be a more fascinating woman? I'd probably want to do the same as you and run out and read more about her after finishing this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. I'll add it to the TBR. ;)
Hmmm, the only demi-god story I've read is Percy Jackson. So I'm interested in knowing more about this one. I remember studying Helen of Troy loooong ago so I have no recollection of how the story actually went. I'm actually loving the sound of this book, sounds unique. I'd love to see how they tie in the greek mythology with modern times. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteI read this in one sitting too! My favorite read of this year so far and you're right - the instant hate relationship was rather original. Can't wait until Dreamless is out!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had this one sitting on my shelf for close to a year now, but I just haven' thad the same to read it yet! Plus I had someone tell me how much they hated it, but I really want to read it and see for myself. I'm glad to see that you pointed out the things you liked and disliked about it; the hate relationship kinda reminds of Katy and Daemon in Obsidian!
ReplyDeleteBrenna from Esther's Ever After
I've seen this book around a lot but (for shame!) I haven't really paid much attention to it, since I always have so much else going on, trying to get to books I actually own and such. I had no idea this was a twist on the Helen of Troy myth. I know a bit about that, but not the whole thing. The way you describe this one makes me want to read it and see if I feel the same as you do, Mimi. Helen sounds like a really fun, awesome character. And... I have a HUGE weakness for the name Lucas. Hmm. *goes off to see how much it is for Nook*
ReplyDeleteMolli | Once Upon a Prologue
While I did have some issues with this story (also with you in the not fully being able to connect with Helen) I really loved the mythology Josephine crafted!! So intriguing and I'm definitely interested to see where she takes the story next. Love reading any book with twists on the original greek mythology? Fantastic review, Mimi!!
ReplyDeleteI MUST MUST MUST read this book! This was such a fantabulous review, Mimi! <333333333 It gave the pros and cons yet still managed to make it sound absolutely irresistible! I first saw this book in the bookstore and passed it up for a different book, but if I'd known it was inspired lightly on the story of Helen of Troy, I would have bought it straight then! I love that myth!!! (:
ReplyDeleteYour reviews ALWAYS make me want to buy books, Mimi-Doll!! ;) Thanks so much for the honest recommendation!
Wow, I didn't realise this was so THICK! 500 pages? You miss so many things online, instead of bookstores, huh? But I LOVE it. I love getting excited about books, ordered them, and finding out they're completely different than I thought when they arrive in my mailbox :D
ReplyDeleteOooh, this one sounds interesting! I mean, clearly you had some issues, but liked it! I love mythology-based stories, so I might give it a go :D
Fabulous review as always! ♥♥♥
I TOTALLY agree with you on the perspective switching and the secondary characters. I felt the same way! I gave Starcrossed a 3/5, so we're just about the same on that level!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty impressed with the author's creative use of mythology, and while I did have a few issues with this book, I'm interested enough to give the sequel a shot. I'm not sure if I'll buy or borrow it yet, but I'm definitely not opposed to reading it!
Great review, Mimi! :)
I really enjoyed this book and while there were things I normally usually hate, it all worked out okay for me in this one. Maybe the awesome of the other stuff made me forget how annoyed I was about the insta love/hate at first. I really enjoyed it though and am glad you enjoyed it as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this, Mimi! I've heard some mixed things about it overall, but it still sounds like something I'd like to check out. And with the second book coming out soon, I really have no excuse now. :D
ReplyDeleteIMAGINARY GIRLS author Nova Ren Suma shares her Favorite Romantic Scene at The Midnight Garden.
I like it when authors write stories inspired by greek mythology. This sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked this Mimi! I have to agree that my favourite characters were definitely the secondary characters! Helen was a litte...i don't know, just not the type of heroine that I like :S And yes, I found it difficult to connect with her too! Haha, I haven't read many Greek myths-related books either! But after the mythology in Starcrossed, I'll DEFINITELY be reading more :D Fantastic review Mimi <333
ReplyDeleteI found this book so addicting as well but ultimately not awesome, similar to your feelings. I just couldn't connect with Helen-I love when we have the same take on a book!
ReplyDeleteI found this one really hard to get through but I was really glad I stuck with it because in the second half of the book, the story picked up and I ended up really enjoying it. There were a lot of Delos members and at first, I kept forgetting how they were all related but by the end, I knew each and every one of them too. Great review, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI just love it when an author pays attention to secondary characters. That, to me, sometimes means even more than a well-built romance.
ReplyDeleteI think I might give this a try after all.
Beautiful review, my darling. You are always so convincing!
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it so much. I can't wait to pick it up! I need to ASAP. It's been sitting on my shelf for months already. o: I know, I know... Bad Bex! At least I have it ready? Awesome Review!
ReplyDeleteHey Mimi! Great review :) Honestly I didn't really love this book and thought is was worth only 3 stars too. I think it was too long. I don't mind long books but I felt as if it was longer than necessary and the plot just kept dragging. However the Greek mythology definitely made it worth while! I can't wait to read the sequel and I just love the cover!!! Hopefully the romance will be a bit better in the sequel...
ReplyDeleteOoh, insta-hate is a new thing! I really enjoy Greek mythology so this book is piquing my interest. Except I can tell I'll probably be turned off by Helen (I agree with you, I adore selfless characters too but sometimes it's TOO much) and the perspective shifts. I get confused easily! I really enjoy reading your review though, as always! You have a way with words, Mimi. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Greek Myth! And need to get this book ASAP! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is so freaking pretty and Helen looks like a goddess!! Another thing that is just something random; Who has ever read a book with the MC named Helen? I know I haven't. Which is crazy the name is super pretty!! Anyways I loved Helen's personality and reluctance to follow what fate has destined for her. Lucas was sweet yet so totally hopeless. He is a romantic at heart and wanted to protect Helen which is admirable, but Helen is strong and fought constantly to be her own person.
ReplyDeleteLike I mentioned before I have never read a novel that was a retelling like Starcrossed that was done so well. Angelini has done Homer justice!! It is so freaking cool to read classics and then have a YA novel build on what you know in a completely different kind of novel.