Starcrossed

I've been on a contemporary reading spree for the past few days and this was definitely just the book to get me back into my typical element, which I'd say is paranormal or fantasy romance. I've also realized after looking at my Good Reads read list that I've been loving nearly everything I've read lately. This was no exception though. I LOVED IT!

I can't say I've ever been a big mythology lover. I have a light interest, but the most my interest really goes is that I own Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis and I really loved watching Hercules and Xena growing up. In fact, I loved Xena so much that my best friend and I used to "sword fight" with pieces of plywood while doing the Xena battle cry. And once I really hurt her. And I think she brings up that story way more than she should. I'M SORRY, AMY, THAT WAS LIKE 14 YEARS AGO, GET OVER IT! I also know quite a bit about the Furies, who I found terrifying in this book. Mostly because my really strange and embarrassing Mother threatens to send them on anyone who pisses her off. Oh, Mama...


Anyway, this book makes me want to run out to the library and immerse myself in mythological studies. And fly, get a demi-god for a boy toy, move to Nantucket and eat really good food.

Helen is a character I love. She's a good combination of extremely strong, vulnerable, funny and loving. She isn't afraid to put her heart out on the line and doesn't beat around the bush about her feelings. And I love how much she loves and cares for her Father. Sometimes I found her being petty, but she doesn't ignore it and keep on going, she tries to change for the better good.

I love when books I read throw drama at me that I didn't see coming at all. It packs way more of a punch! And there were quite a few punches in this! One in particular was completely heart wrenching and unexpected. And the romance! Oh boy... this book had one of the sexiest scenes I've ever read and I actually flipped back and re-read over it at least three times before moving on and they didn't even kiss on the lips, you guys.

Overall: I completely recommend this book! It has starcrossed lovers who don't even need to kiss to be sexy, an intriguing and intricate plot with lots of surprises, a kick ass heroine, a beautiful setting and you should really just run out and buy this or check it out from the library ASAP!

I love Greek mythology and this became a must read for me. I have to say I was impressed from the start with this book. Josephine does an amazing job at writing interesting characters that you become attached to instantly.

Helen has always known she was unlike anyone she has never known. Feeling as an outcast at school in her small New England town, Helen's goal tends to be to just blend in, never draw too much attention to herself.

When a new family moves to town, Helen thinks nothing of it until she finally catches a glance of one of the new boys. From that moment on Helen's life will never be the same. Helen embarks on a journey to find out who she really is, and how fate really is intertwined into her own destiny.

Josephine Angelini creates a world of mystery and magic as she writes Helen's story. Her characters are strong and wise and the bonds between the characters shine through brilliantly. The story hooks you early and keeps you hooked throughout. Josephine weaves mystery and action throughout the story beautifully. This is a book you don't want to miss.

This story was a winner from the beginning for me mainly because the dialogue was believable, the characters were likable, the action was ongoing, it was not predictable, and the premise of the story was interesting.

Surprisingly, though I loved Helen, her best friend really dug a place into my heart. Helen's relationship with Claire and with fher ather was the clencher for me with this book. It allows the reader to "feel" the character at a level a lot of authors don't achieve. Relationships in a book and the dialogue between characters is so important and shouldn't seem forced. It never seemed to feel forced in this book.

I don't want to create any spoilers so I will just say that I also loved Lucas and his relationship with his family. And is it wrong to say that I really heart Hector even though he isn't the object of Helen's affections?

The book was an overall winner. As a previous reviewer mentioned, Helen does come off a little petty at times but never enough to take away from the story. I look forward to the next book.

I highly recommend.

Helen is just a teenage girl wading through life trying to avoid being noticed, even though she is anything but normal! Helen seems to have incredible strength and speed and knows that she isn't like other girls. If I were to stop the review right there, you would think that this was like any other young adult "paranormal" book and quit there, thinking it is too cliche or overdone, but I would disagree! This book is fantastic, and the "side" characters are sometimes more amazing than Helen! I absolutely adore Claire, Helen's awesome "sidekick."

Starcrossed is an amazing read! I have read quite a few Greek mythology books, and this is one of the best. I absolutely LOVED the different surprises that arise along the way. Also, the “starcrossed” lovers is something that draws you in. You just can’t stay away!!! The ending has left me in anticipation, and I can’t wait for the sequel, Dreamless!!!!!

I read a lot of “paranormal” young adult novels, and this one is one of my favorites. I don’t feel that it’s too cliché, too predictable, or too boring. It has just the right amount of romance, angst, comedy, and action to keep you wanting more! Pick it up, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Everything about this book, I LOVED from the characters to the story line EVERYTHING! I couldn't put this book down for a second! Everyone should read this book! Why? 1) It's freaking amazing 2) It's so freaking amazing you have to count it twice (lol) 3) Helen & Lucas... enough said! :)

This is a GREAT book! My favourite this year for sure. I couldnt put the book down, stayed up all night just to finish it in one sitting. Angelini has made this modern twist to greek mythology a wonder and Im sure Dreamless will be just as good! The love story between helen Hamilton and Lucas Delos is crazy, how they want to kill each other when they first meet, but how they are still inseperable through the novel.

I couldn’t put this book down, I finished the hole book in one day. It had twist, romance, lovely strong characters, fighting and suspense.
I loved this book, I read it when it first came out and am waiting anxiously for the second (dreamless) to be released.

This is a relatively long book and part of a series, but there was always something going on so the length was appropriate. I didn't want it to end! There is a lot of action and I felt the author did a wonderful job of explaining and creating the setting.

There is much to learn about mythology, so if that subject interests you in the least bit, then you will love this novel.

Helen's reaction to Lucas in the beginning was explosive and suspenseful and just incredible. The interactions between the characters were very realistically portrayed and even when something paranormal was going on, the writing effectively made me fall for it.

ISBN: 9780330529730
Publisher: Macmillan
Pages: 514

Destiny brought them together. The gods will keep them apart.

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is--now it's getting harder. She's having nightmares of a desperate desert journey, visions of three women weeping tears of blood. And why is she possessed by the sudden, unstoppable urge to kill the handsome new boy in school, Lucas Delos?

A love written in the stars . . .

A feud started in ancient Greece . . .

A curse not even the gods can break.

I really enjoyed reading Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini! I loved the Greek Mythology, especially the “Houses” and the Furies! My favourite characters were Helen and Cassandra. Despite Helen’s mysterious, (and possibly dangerous) heritage Cassandra welcomes her into the Delos family as she knows what it is to be hunted and feared. As due to Cassandra’s status as an Oracle, her power to see the future as well as, communicate with (and sometimes for) the Fates is highly desirable as a weapon against other Scions. I really like the cover of Starcrossed as throughout the book it is inkeeping with the story whilst also having multiple messages or meanings.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

This original review can be found @ https://booksnacksblog.wordpress.com/

So starting with my analysis of Helen:
Helen’s the undermining-herself kind of person, and really it didn’t bug me too much, although I’m sure it will for other people. I did wish she would see herself in higher standard, but I kind of understand her reasons, in a weird, inexplicable way. I had some issues with her at the beginning of the book, but as I continued reading she kind of started to grow on me, however she still had her unfavorable moments at times. I was able to overlook that though, because she wasn’t an annoying character or anything, and overall she made for an enjoyable read, so really, there’s not huge complaint I have against her. There are some characteristics that could come to be more developed, so I’m looking forward to seeing that in the next books

Lucas Delos I also really enjoyed, and although he kind of reminds me of Edward Cullen from Twilight at some moments, he’s his own person and I liked the moments between him and Helen in the second half of the story. :) As for the other characters, they were a nice addition, and I especially liked the big Delos family, for reasons unknown. They added little things that added positively to the overall reading experience, in my opinion. One of the characters I came to enjoy later on in the story was a guy named Hector. He was a jerk at first to Helen and I was completely annoyed and angry with him, but later on I actually really liked him. :)

Overall, the characters were pretty good.

Next part: plot. The plot was really what called to me before and even after reading this book. I’m always a sucker for any kind of mythology, not to mention Greek mythology (*cough* Percy Jackson *cough*