Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Release Day: May 31st/June 1st, 2011

Publisher: Harperteen/Macmillan

Pages: 496pgs

[though my ARC copy is longer]

The Story

How Do You Defy Destiny?
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Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different 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.

The Review

First off, let me just say a BIG THANK YOU to the Macmillan UK publisher for sending me an ARC copy of Starcrossed! I've been lusting for this book for a while now and I'm very thankful for the Macmillan to provide me one of the best debut novels I've ever read this year! To be honest, words cannot describe this debut novel by Josephine Angelini - it's addictive, filled with wonderful characters, weaved and twisted with Percy-Jackson-like myths, and in the end...it became one hell of a page turner! I've never been so addicted to a book since Vampire Academy and while that still remains my favourite YA series, this beautiful start to a trilogy is closely following behind!

First off, let's talk about the characters. I loved Helen when I first met her, I instantly connected with her til the very end. Sometimes she may have become selfish but that is how girls are at times, and when you're in love...it blinds you. Which then leads me to Lucas. I loved him! Simple as that. He was dedicated to Helen, in control most of the time (hehe), and he truly wanted what was best for her. The only thing that frustrated me about him was the fact that he was keeping things from Helen, and when he got caught out...well he could've saved himself the trouble to explain himself. Other than that, I loved every single character in the book - especially the Delos family, which oddly reminded me of the Cullens from Twilight. Only they were better! Throughout the whole book, I saw similiar Twilight elements, but at the same time I found myself thinking, "Now this is how Twilight should've been written!" I mean, you have a strong-but-sometimes-sensitive heroine - which I love, you have a love interest that would stay by her side no matter what - even when things seemed impossible (which you will see through the course of the book), and then you have an awesome mythology that is unique from most books nowadays which is another bonus.

When it comes to the plot itself, I won't say too much since it'll be spoilery, but I will say that when I read this secretly in my bedroom, it felt like I was hiding a big secret from everyone...a guilty pleasure that I couldn't help but keep to myself. So...when June comes around this year, DEFINITELY pick yourself a copy of this book! I loved everything about this book - I loved the Greek mythology that we explore, all the powers, all the Houses of families mentioned in the book, and most importantly, I loved HELEN & LUCAS! While the last few chapters left me in some depression (cause a lot of things happen that leave you saying NOoooo) and while it did have the same Twilight aspect, it was a refreshing take of a YA paranormal romance and I'm immensely looking forward to the sequel to this amazing debut novel! Way to go, Josephine Angelini! *two thumbs up*

The Rating

5/5 stars

This is the UK cover version, which I love a lot!

My ARC version has no actual cover, but its pure white with gold titles and gold cover backings, with this beautiful golden lightning strike on the front cover like the one featured here. It's beautiful even for an ARC copy! So big THANK YOU's to UK's Pan Macmillan for allowing me to feature this book review on this amazing debut novel! Expect good things from Josephine Angelini!

-- Erin xox.