*Review* : Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

Book review of Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Starcrossed
Series : #1 Starcrossed
Released : 3rd June 2011
Publisher: MacMillan
Format : Paperback
Source : MacMillan - Thank you
Finished : 18th May 2011

Overall rating -

Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

See all of the blurb HERE

Being honest, l never really understood properly what Greek Mythology was about and haven’t ever read a book which has a strong Greek Mythology presence in. When l started Starcrossed l was really unsure of what l would think of it but, after finishing the book, it is safe to say it definitely isn’t something l dislike, although sadly not something l love either.
I think the main thing which stopped me from loving the whole Greek Mythology in this book was the confusion. There are so many people who you very quickly need to remember, although Josephine does often remind you how they are related to Lucas or Helen and how they are involved, you still need to take everything in quickly including their names, relationship to the main characters and what powers they have.
It all became confusing, especially when the different ranks of the characters also came into play. Saying that, l bow down to Josephine as she obviously put a lot of thought into each character, how they were involved and the history of the families. l found myself still enjoying this book, through the confusion.

This is a really big book and l am sometimes put off when a book is over 400 pages, the ARC copy which l read was over 500 pages but the pages flew by so quickly! At one point l thought l was on around 100 pages but was actually on page 149, Josephine has a great talent for making a book flow. With a few chapters l felt that they could have been skipped without us missing anything as they weren't necessary to the plot but, saying that, l liked that. I enjoyed the chapters where l could get to know the characters better without the constant action although there was always something, as the reader, you are wanting to find out.

The characters in this book all stand out on their own and it really feels like Josephine has spent time creating these characters and then portraying them to the readers, even the ones which aren’t a main part of the story still have a lot of depth. 

The main characters, Helen and Lucas, are both characters which are likeable for different reasons. Helen is quite a timid person with not a lot of confidence so l liked it when Lucas came into the scene, who is the opposite of Helen in the way he doesn't really care about what people think. I enjoyed seeing how they effected each others in many ways. 

Then there was Lucas’s family who have many different traits that both makes for funny moments but also tense ones. This is something l loved about this book, the family is so normal yet they also aren't with their powers.

Also not to forget Helen's dad which plays a big part in Helen's life and the sort of person she is. I really liked her dad and found him such a sweet man.

Overall this is an admirable debut book which has been turned from a potentially good book to an terrific, engrossing read with interesting characters and relationships alongside a fast paced plot. What more could you want?

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Ratings :

Plot : 4.5/5

Cover : 4.5/5

Page Turner : 5/5

Characters : 5/5

Ending : 5/5

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Part of a series -

#1 - Starcrossed

# 2 - Dreamless

2011 Books Challenges 

Debut Author

350+ Pages

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Buy your copy

Book Depository 

Amazon (UK/USA)