Book Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

In case you had a lazy weekend like me, here’s what you missed the past few days:

On to the review…

Title & Author: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Genre: YA- Mythology

Release Date: May 31, 2011

Series: Book 1 in a planned series

Publisher: HarperTeen

How I Got the Book: e-ARC

Description:

“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.”

Pleasantly Surprised

To be completely honest, my expectations of Starcrossed weren’t too high. I had read a few reviews that didn’t list many positives about the writing or the plot of the book. While I agree with a few things that the critics had to say, I thought Starcrossed was a very entertaining read.

From start to finish, I enjoyed reading about Helen, the Delos clan and the deep mythology surrounding them both. I think Angelini has a great descriptive writing style, which paints scenes and characters vividly.

For example:

Noel whirled and bullied her way around her work space. Everyone was talking and laughing and arguing at the same time, and although Helen couldn’t understand a word, somehow they all seemed to be understanding each other. It was a Delos symphony, and Noel was the meastro.

As an outsider, Helen could see Noel for what she was- the center of the family, the beating heart that fed all the muscle she was tripping over while she was trying to cook. She was the personification of a warm frire and an open door…

I really enjoyed this style of writing and thought Angelini deftly wove a tale of betrayal, love and family honor. Some reviewers were put off by the third-person omniscient point of view, saying that it was almost too much information about each of the characters thoughts and actions.

I can definitely understand their point, but when I really love a story and what’s going on- it doesn’t bother me. I’m a give-me-all-the-details type of person, so I love finding out all of the juicy tidbits. If you don’t like that style, Starcrossed may be a bit off-putting.

Also, I really liked the themes included in this book. It added some depth and meaning to the story. My faves were:

Fate vs choice/free will
Choosing what your family wants vs choosing what you want
Being different vs blending in
Repeating others’ mistakes vs breaking a pattern

Not a Twilight Knock-Off

On the down side, Starcrossed did remind me of a certain popular vampire series…

Similarities

Differences

Helen is completely obsessed with Lucas- in a way that borders on unhealthy (like Bella and Edward)

The Delos family reminds me a lot of the Cullens- mega gorgeous and strong but each with unique supernatural powers

Helen and Lucas are fighting against the natural order of things to be together

Helen’s lacks confidence and self-esteem like Bella

The mythology included in the book adds so much interest to the story- plus demigod powers are flippin awesome (and trump being a vampire any day…)

Helen isn’t powerless (in more ways than one) and shows potential to stop being…well, spineless

The romance is smoldering without the annoying overprotectiveness mixed in (cough, cough Edward)

The writing is very skilled. Not that Twilight wasn’t a good story, but the writing in that series was just ok.

Overall

I think the hype surrounding Starcrossed may have put off some reviewers. A lot of praise was generated pretty quickly, and some readers were left feeling a little flat.

If you’re looking a quick read full of forbidden (albeit high school) romance and fascinating mythology, Starcrossed is for you! If you’re looking for a book with a bit more substance and story line beyond “starcrossed” lovers or if you didn’t care for the Twilight series, then I would suggest reading a different book.

For me, the mixture of action, suspense and the world of demigods was a great combo. The pages turned quickly, and I finished the book feeling satisfied.

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http://ems-reviews-books.blogspot.com/ Ems

You know, I think the whole Starcrosse/Twilight similarity thing did it in for me. I just kept thinking Edward/Bella over and over, and I HATE Twilight. Like with a passion unequaled by anything else. If I loved Twilight, I could see really liking this. There’s a huge amount of potential in the story…I just hope that future books are better (for me at least, because I know that loads of people loved this).
Valerie

I liked this book a lot. One of the best ones I’ve read this summer. Nice review.

StuckInBooks.com
http://www.handsandhome.ca Bonnie @ Hands and Home

I am also a “give me all the details” kind of reader so I think that I would really enjoy this book. It has been on my TBR list for ages but some of the negative reviews have made me put off reading it!
Truly Bookish

Excellent review. I love this book and you hit on all the right points!
NC
Truly Bookish
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/top-ten-books-whose-titles-or-covers-made-me-buy-it/ Top Ten Books Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] 1Starcrossed— This cover is gorgeous! Although…every once and awhile I would like to see someone’s face on a YA cover. [...]
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/books-im-thankful-i-read-this-year/ Books I’m Thankful I Read This Year | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini [...]
Anonymous

I just picked this book up today from my library…was very surprised to see it sitting there on the shelf, so I hurried up and took it. I am currently reading 2 other books first, (pride and prejudice and zombies and then the 3rd book in the fallen series Passion) So once I am done with those, I will open it up and give it a look. I read this review and have been waiting to read it
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/interview-with-josephine-angelini-author-of-dreamless/ Interview with Josephine Angelini, Author of Dreamless | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] note: I read Angelini’s debut novel Starcrossed last year, and I loved it! I even created a music playlist for it too. I read Dreamless, the sequel [...]
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/book-review-dreamless-by-josephine-angelini/ Book Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] is the anticipated sequel to last year’s Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. Find out more about YA, mythology and Dreamless deets in my interview with [...]

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