Starcrossed - Book Review

Title ~ Starcrossed
Series ~ Starcrossed #1
Author ~ Josephine Angelini
Release Date ~ May 31, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ netgalley

GOODREADS SUMMARY

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.

REVIEW

Starcrossed blends forbidden love with family secrets – an uncertain future with a violent past – and Greek myths with teens. It is all perfectly arranged into an unforgettable story with amazing characters.

Helen is an absolutely beautiful teen who lives on Nantucket with her father. She is oblivious to her beauty and her incredible speed and strength. Poor Helen is treated like some sort of freak by the other teens. I can so see this sort of thing happening in real life.

When the Delos family arrives on the island, Helen has an urge to KILL them and she has crazy nightmares. Okay, now that’s weird.  It takes a powerful incident for Helen to see hottie Lucas Delos in a different way. In fact, they start falling for each other. Ah, but these two should not be together or a war will start. For reals – a WAR! That’s some seriously forbidden love.

Helen Hamilton = Helen of Troy     Well, sort of. She is trying NOT to be Helen of Troy, but that’s not easy. The Fates are making it very difficult for Helen to change history….make that the future. The Fates are three old ladies who knit yarn, but they also pull the puppet strings on everyone’s lives. Crazy, yet insanely powerful, little old ladies! 

Starcrossed should come with a big neon “Beware of Cliff” sign because the ending is one giant cliffhanger. How am I supposed to wait until 2012 to read the sequel, Dreamless.  HOW? Josephine Angelini has a winner on her hands.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

Dark and mysterious. It looks like a storm is brewing too. I like the water of Nantucket is in the background and Helen looks just like a goddess. Why did they have to cut off half of her face?