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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Book Review: Starcrossed

Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 31, 2011
Pages: 487
Read it in: 5 days
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Helen Hamilton has spent her entire 16 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 thoughout 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 forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together-- and tearing them apart.

LC's Take:

Starcrossed was only the second book I've read in the mythology genre, but let me tell you, it captured me right away! I'm finding that I really love reading these mythology-based stories-- they're just so much fun and really entertaining to read, and even though I'm definitely not a mythology-buff, the different plot-lines and cast of colorful characters pull me right into the story. Starcrossed was everything that I'd look for in a mythological story-- it was fun, entertaining, mysterious, suspenseful, and able to keep me turning the pages with an awesome plot-line!

Helen Hamilton has always known that she's different-- and she's spent her entire life trying to hide it. Not exactly one of the popular girls in school, Helen is just happy being able to disappear into the crowd. That is, until the Delos family moves to her hometown in Nantucket. From the first time Helen lays eyes on Lucas Delos, she feels inexplicably drawn to him-- and a pure hatred drives her to kill him no matter what.

Doesn't really sound like your typical YA love story, does it!?

So that plot twist definitely grabbed me within the first few chapters. I had no idea how Helen and Lucas were ever going to end up falling in love when they start out wanting to kill each other! But as the intricate story unravels, things begin to make much more sense, as Helen and Lucas' Greek demigod pasts begin to catch up with them.

I definitely liked Helen as a character, because she had strength and resilience. She wasn't too whiny or ditzy or unable to live without a guy. Also, I thought that Helen took things pretty well, considering that she has to find out that she's descended from the gods and there's a bunch of crazy demigod descendants out to kill her-- I'm not so sure I'd have been so cool with that!

For the most part, I liked the romance between Helen and Lucas. I don't want to give anything away, but basically the entire story centers around fate-- probably the biggest theme in Greek mythology. The scenes between Lucas and Helen made for great reading, especially as Lucas trains Helen, teaches her to fly and use her demigod powers. But at the same time, both of them could be super-annoying at times, acting really immature, pouting, being mad at each other for no good reason other than that they keep misunderstanding each other-- I seriously just wanted to slap some sense into both at them at certain points of the story. Towards the end though, I think we can see some major development in both of their characters, and I'm so psyched to see what happens in the next book!

The only other thing that got to be a *bit* overwhelming with reading Starcrossed was that there were SO many characters to keep track of! I mean it wasn't impossible or anything, but at points I was just like, jeez I should be writing all these names down! But otherwise, the story was awesome and left me wanting more.

So if you're a fan of mythology in YA, I would definitely recommend this book! Or even if you haven't read too many mythology-based stories yet, this one would be a great pick. Dreamless comes out May 29th and I can't wait to continue this story!

~Cover Talk~

The cover to Starcrossed is so gorgeous! I just love the picture of Helen in her flowy-purple dress standing on the stormy shore of Nantucket-- it really does look very haunting, and drew me to this book in the first place. I just wish that it didn't cut off the profile of her face-- I know, it's supposed to create some mystery since we can't see exactly what Helen's infamously beautiful face looks like, but still!

LC's Rating:
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Overall I really enjoyed reading this one-- it was totally fun and entertaining. I think the only thing that got to be a little difficult was keeping track of the HUGE number of characters!! 

17 comments:

  1. I'm really glad you liked this book but I must admit I think the complete opposite...I didn't like it at all. But, I did read your review and I respect that. And I agree with you the cover is gorgeous!

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  2. I loved Starcrossed! I'm really into mythology-based books as well. Aimée Carter's books are favorites of mine too.

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  3. I can't believe I haven't read this book yet! I love mythology, I love romance, and the cover is so pretty! Great review!

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  4. I loved this book a lot! It had me thinking about it for days after! Have you seen the UK cover for this book? If you have, what do you think of it?

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  5. I really enjoyed this book too! Most Greek mythology stories are about Hades and Persephone and I like that Starcrossed is about Helen and Paris. It's definitely one of my favorite mythology re-tellings right now. Great review :)

    Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Books

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  6. I bought this recently cause it was an absolute steel on kindle, haven't got round to it yet but looking forward to it!

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  7. I ccompletely agree with everything you said about Starcrossed! I also love this cover, but i also love the Uk cover as well.
    Great review!
    =D

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  8. Oh I SO agree with you guys about the UK cover-- that is HOTT!! :D

    Love it! :)

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  9. Beautiful Cover! I love mythology! especially since reading percy jackson. It does sound like a typical story but I definately want to read it now!
    Fun review!
    Old follower.

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  10. This book looks like it would be really good. I think the Greek mythology is what intrigues me the most. The cover looks so mystical. Thanks for sharing.

    Chelsey @ Charming Chelsey's

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  11. Great review! It does sound different and I love mythology as well since I read the Percy Jackson series. It can make very awesome books. I'm glad this one is one of the good ones I'll have to add it to my list :)

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  12. I LOVE mythology and I loved STARCrOSSED--glad you liked it to :)

    I'm really excited for DREAMLESS, even though the cover isn't as pretty

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  13. Glad you liked it, this was one of my favorite reads of the year! I also can't wait for Dreamless to be out, May that's so close!!!

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  14. I have to read it :D
    Thank u for the review !

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  16. Great review, as usual. I would totally have loved to read this book, but I am not a fan of the starcrossed romances from past lives and such. There are way too many books with that theme.

    - O.ops I Read That Book!

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  17. I can't believe this is only the 2nd mythology book you've read! ack. I have to admit I'm partial to the genre.

    I honestly had mixed feelings on this one. Not one of my all time favorite takes on the Helen of Troy story, but original. I still want to read Dreamless.

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