Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1)

by Josephine Angelini

May 31, 2011:  HarperTeen

e-arc review via netgalley

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"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." (Goodreads)

Review

Helen tried to fit in her small crowd in the island of Nantucket.  Even though probably considered as one of the weird or outcast of her social group, she doesn't mind getting less of the attention of the crowd.  Everything was normal in her life until the day she laid eyes on one of the newcomers in the Island - Lucas Delos.  She just happened to try to kill him in front of the school.  And from then on, Helen knew that her life will never be the same.  Unbeknown to her, this holds true to Lucas.

Think of Twilight in reverse and in Greek style, then you have yourself a spruced up story with Starcrossed.  Helen was difficult character to begin with.  Clinging to the notion of normality, stubborn, and confused.  Well, I guess I can understand feeling confused.  Try having hallucinations of three women weeping blood and getting that blood-curling hate until it urges you to kill a beautiful boy then being confused is an understatement.  But gradually, Helen grown on me and at the same time, the story started to pick up its pace.  Then you have Lucas, who you will know in the story feels the same animosity towards Helen.  As the story progressed, they knew that they were meant for each other, but due to the role they have to play they cannot be together. 

You will also meet the rest of Delos Family who further reminded me of its similarities with the aforementioned book.  But they are more defined, and their personalities shown as the story moves on.  There's also the friends and family of Helen.  I love her best friend, Claire!  She's really adorable and quite the best friend as you will discover in the latter part of the story.  I can't wait to read more of her in the next book.  You will want to know the developments in every character, and I believe we will, in the future book/s. 

Starcrossed is a wonderful and must-read Greek-story retelling that will take you on an interesting twist (or twists?) that will leave you wanting for more.  A tale of a tragic love caught between a vicious cycle of vendetta, and a myth-old struggle between the demigods.