Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Review : Starcrossed

Publisher: HarperTeen
Date Released: May 31, 2011
Pages: 496
Source: NetGalley


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.

Summary Taken from Goodreads
Yani's Review:
Based on Greek mythology -which can I just say feels like the new "in" thing now- this is a Romeo and Juliette esque type story really captured my attention. I started it one morning and didn't put it down till I was done with it later that night. I felt a strong connection to awkward, yet beautiful Helen and her best friend. And I was really intrigued by Helen's dreams and the family feud. I think of all the Greek mythology stories, this one is the most original (or at least I am more unaware about The furies and their mythology).

 Some compare this book to Twilight. Like Twilight, there is a strong family connection and I can definitely see where people are getting the comparisons. But for some reason the similarities didn't bother me. Unlike in Die for Me, I really enjoyed this story, despite its Twilight comparisons. I loved the family and the lore. This book to me was the total package.

I enjoyed how the romance built as well. It was insta-hate, before it turned to love, which was refreshing. Though I promised myself I would no longer let insta-love affect a book's opinion (for more of that see here question 4), it still was a nice change from the usual
My Review in a Tweet: 
a Greek mythology like no other, you will devour this tale of Star-Crossed lovers! I look forward to learning more of the lore.

Ratings:
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5


Similar Titles:
Abandon - based on Greek mythology
Falling Under - a darker story based on Greek mythology
Goddess Test - based on Greek mythology
Half-Blood - based on Greek mythology
Twilight - sorry I can't help but compare

Other Reviews:
Buy the book here!

7 comments:

Jacinda @ Reading Housewives said...

Great review Yani! I wish you would have loved Die For Me more! I know this is a review for Starcrossed, but I had to say that!

mrs_laura_koehler said...

Great review girl. Really want to read this book.

Dirtybrit said...

Oh the insta-hate got me too Yani. Actually I was like WTF Helen you just attacked a greek god. She had to win my favor back ..but in the end she did. I enjoyed the book, but I think I needed to be more up to date on my Greek myths, some of it was a bit confusing to me and I have unanswered questions that I hope will be answered in the next book!

Stephanie (the night reader) said...

I haven't been too sure about Starcrossed, because I've only read bad reviews of it. I do love Greek mythology though. I'll most likely read it just because of the mythology. Great review!

Farrah said...

I wish I liked this book more than I did. But I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

Smash Attack said...

I put this one down about 50% through and haven't picked it up again. I love Greek Mythology too...*sigh*

Cyndi @ Dog-Eared & Bookmarked said...

I didn't see the Twilight comparison until after I read it and someone pointed it out to me. Obviously, it didn't bother me. Like Jacinda, I wish you would've enjoyed Die For Me better!!!

The romance in Starcrossed bothered me a bit, I hope for more with book two. :)

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