Review: Dreamless

Author: Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 487
Source: Library
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Summary: Can true love be forgotten?

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

My Favorite Lines:

“...try to remember that dreams do come true, but they don't come easily.”

“How am I supposed to forget you?” Helen asked, laughing weakly at such a silly suggestion. “You’re too big a part of me. I’d have to forget who I am to forget you.” 

Why I Loved It:  Dreamless drove me just as crazy as Starcrossed.  That is a good thing.  Most of the time.  At times, I was pretty much could only be described as...

I mean, seriously, what happened here???   So for those who read Starcrossed and still have not dived into the sequel, here's what you need to know.  The book's intro is a lot more fast paced than the last book.  However, Helen spends a massive amount of time in the Underworld.  Which can be a bit depressing.  At times, I had a hard time reading the book.  Granted I still think that Ms. Angelini's writing is just as incredible.  But I was resisting with intensity a love triangle.  And that's what shows up in this book folks.  A stinkin' love triangle.  Just for the record, I am totally Team Lucas, and I really think that I will be an angry girl if at the end of Goddess the story ends in something other than Lucas and Helen having a shot at happy ever after.

Ok so moving on.  I did enjoy this sequel.  I thought the writing was good, I loved the further exploration into mythology, and I loved how the characters were more developed.  One more time, not thrilled about the introduction of Orion as a prospective love interest.  Helen struggles a lot with her mission to bring an end to The Furies, and that struggle may be more than she can handle.  

In the end, I wasn't expecting where the author was taking me.  Well not completely anyways.  Once again the book left off in such a way that I will have to read the next one.  JUNE GET HERE NOW!  Those who loved Starcrossed, you must continue the journey. 

     

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jilly at Breaking The Spine.   It features each blogger's most anticipated books.  This week, my pick is Goddess by Josephine Angelini.  

Summary:  After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Dreamless left me seriously rattled.  Beyond rattled.  All I wanted was for a happy ending, but it seemed it wouldn't happen.  I have to read this one because this series is one of my absolute favorites.  The problem is if Helen and Lucas don't end up together, I am going to be one angry fan.  I know that's sad, but it's how I feel anyways.  

Expected Publication: May 28 by HarperTeen

What are you waiting for this fabulous Wednesday?

Also there are only a couple of days left for my Valentine's Giveaway *which is a pretty awesome one* so if you want to check that out go here.

  

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.*