Published: May 31st, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 496
Source: ARC from author
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge 2011, 100+ Reading Challenge, 350 Page Books Challenge
Other: First book in the series - Starcrossed. The second book, Dreamless, is scheduled to be published in 2012.
Buy the book: Bookdepository
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.
In this exciting debut, we meet Helen Hamilton who is desperate to not stick out in the crowd. She always wanted to blend in, but instead, she was called a freak and felt like one. She starts having nightmares, which causes her to wake up with muddy, dirty and bloody feet while she wasn't even out of bed. And then the Delos family moves onto the island, and everything changes. The Furies, or the Fates, have a path in mind for Helen and the Delos family that was predicted ages ago. That path forces Helen and Lucas Delos together, and at the same time tries to tear them apart. While Helen struggles with who she is, there are threats outside the island, more than willing to help Helen get rid of her newfound powers - and her life.
Let me start by saying Oh my gods! I was SO excited to get this book and did a lot of happy dancing when I got it in. I read it with fascination and I can't say anything else than that I loved this book. It's based off Greek mythology, which I love, and Josephine Angelini has found a way to incorporate this in everyday life.
I had a little difficulty in the first couple of pages of the book when we first meet Helen and her best friend Claire, in which the characters are first introduced. Thankfully, after that handful of pages, I was sucked right in. Helen is stubborn, but a likable character and easy to follow around. I am very fond of Claire, who is tougher than she appears because of her length, who proves to be a great friend.
I didn't like Hector at first, but he started to win a little piece of my heart with every chapter. The twins, Lucas and Ariadne, were sweet and loving siblings. I really respected them throughout the story. Then there was Cassandra, who I hated at first. But she grew on me and I now understand why she is the way she is - or at least, a part of it. And then there's Lucas. I found him to be a great love interest and a very loyal friend. He's proud and defensive over Helen, but not to the extreme.
The story is packed with twists and turns that fit perfectly towards the plot. I loved all the references to the Greek mythology that Angelini incorporated and I found myself sad when the book ended. I want to know what happens next!
My overall rating:
Five stars - because I'm desperate to read the second book in the series. Is it 2012 yet?
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