Review: Starcrossed

Author: Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 487
Series: Starcrossed #1
Source: Purchased
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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.

My Favorite Lines:

“How do you know all this about me?" Helen sputtered. Claire sighed."After I pushed you off the roof..." she began."After you WHAT?" Lucas yelled.” 

“So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard your choice turns out to be, at least you can find comfort in knowing you're avoiding something even worse.” 

“He's not going around telling everyone you're monkey-butt crazy, so at least you brutalized a seriously sweet guy.” 

“You've got the killer instincts of a houseplant” 

Why I Loved It:  Ah.  To describe the wonder that was the book called Starcrossed.  I should have known from the title that the story would not be all happy romance and starry nights.  Really, part of the reason that this book was so fabulous was because of how true it was to the Greek mythology upon which the storyline was based.  They call them Greek tragedies for a reason.  There were not many happy endings among the writings of the Greeks.  So I guess I should just admire that note of authenticity, and not whine about how my emotional *I'm such a girl* self wanted the story to end.

Overall, this book and series has become one of my favorites.  Helen has always been different.  She is taller than everyone else *especially her just over 5" best friend* and prettier than everyone else and stronger than everyone else.  It's a big of a challenge I suppose.  When the Delos family moves into town, Helen's world changes.  Suddenly she is discovering that she is fact a demigod.  She didn't see that coming *but really it had to be a relief, right?* and life is suddenly very difficult.  You see, every time she sees one of these family members, she gets really angry.  And even though Lucas is a hunk, she really wants to kill him.  And she does try to.  Luckily that didn't work out for her, and as a reader you are sweeped away into this whole big world full of gods and demigods and the rich heritage that is Greek mythology.  

Ms. Angelini's writing style is simple and has a welcome flow that creates this natural *and heavenly* pacing.  I had a hard time putting down the book once I got into the story.  The one downside to the book is that the beginning is a little slow.  It takes some time to get into.  And Helen can be a little frustrating at first.  It seems as though she is throwing away living a life just so she doesn't stand out.  But looking back that may have been a crucial part of the storytelling.  And it gets better.  Much better.

Ok, so the Greek mythology got my attention, but the beautifully written relationship that develops between Helen and Lucas hooked it.  I wanted more.  Much, much more.  Let me just say that Daphne, Helen's mother, is the first character I have wanted to slap in awhile. But alas, she was a necessary character.

The story was heartbreakingly beautiful, full of twists and turns that come faster and faster as you near the end.  You won't want to put it down.

Who Should Read It:  This is one of my everyone needs it recommendations.  But especially those girls that loved Percy Jackson.  Because this to me was Percy Jackson written especially for the girls.  *Not saying only girls should read it.*