Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 31st, 2011

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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have to admit that I was a bit nervous when I started this book. I had been looking forward to it's release for quite some time, and when I got the NetGalley, I went to Goodreads to check out what people were saying. It seemed that people either loved it, or hated it. There wasn't much in between. I had high hopes for this and I am happy to report that the nay-sayers on Goodreads are wrong! This book was fabulous!

I have only one complaint about this book, so I will get that over with first... I have to wait a REALLY long time for book #2. There isn't even a release date that I know of. Just 2012. Boo. I need to know what happens next!! Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can get to all of things I loved about this book...

First of all, this book was so well written. It just flowed. Angelini uses such descriptive language, and by doing so, brings you right into the story. You become invested in the plot, the characters, everything about it. Many authors develop characters in a way that (if you're lucky) you develop a connection to the main character(s), while the supporting characters are just kind of there. Angelini develops all of her characters, even the most minor, so that you feel something for everyone in the book. I love that.

Second, the plot was really good. There were some complaints that a good many liberties were taken with the Greek Mythology portion. I can't confirm or deny that since I'm no Greek scholar, but I can say, "Who the hell cares? It's fiction. A story. And it was GREAT!". I found the plot intriguing and I would get sad every time I would have to put the book down to tend to some domestic duty. It really kept you guessing; was not predictable at all. Of course, there are some things that rang "Twilight-esque" or "Mortal Instruments-y", but I'm starting to feel like any Paranormal Romance I read is going to be that way, so that's forgiven. It wasn't a re-telling of those books, like so many other books out there, it just had some elements. I did love that Helen, the protagonist, was not some weak-willed, whiny Bella. I probably would have put it down if she were. And Lucas (the boy), Yum! He was a little bit Edward-ish, but without the lame parts. I predict he will be a book-crush for many, many girls (and women like me). My favorite supporting character was Hector. He ruled, and I will say no more because of that pesky spoiler thing.

I don't want to give this awesome story away, so I will stop here. I promise, that you will enjoy this book (as long as you're not some nitpicky weirdo who expects the mythology part to be textbook). If you liked Percy Jackson, you'll like this. If you like Twilight, you'll adore this (but if you hated Twilight, don't let that stop you from reading this). If you like kick-butt female characters, you'll like this. If you like stories of against-all-odds young love that have a bunch of action too, look no further.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+

Grade Level Recommendation: I don't think there was much objectionable content here. No sex, although the romance is pretty intense. Hector hooks up a good bit, and that's mentioned a few times. There is a party or two, involving underage drinking, although our protagonists don't partake. I would say this book is Middle School and up (grades 6+). Ages 11+