Review: Starcrossed

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Published: 2011 by HarperTeen
Obtained: Library

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.

First Sentence:”’But if you bought me a car now, it would be yours when I go away to school in two years.’”

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Starcrossed was like the better version of Twilight (or really any paranormal romance). While Twilight left my favor quickly, after a spurt of fandom, due to the horrible writing and completely aggravating characters (and the vampires), Starcrossed will not be so quick to die by the hands of critical readers.

First the writing is quite lovely. There were no glaring mistakes (like Twilight!), the plot was well-crafted, and the mythology behind the whole story was believable and intricate. She had a great premise in my opinion (I’ll read anything related to Greek mythology), and she created a great mythology-based adventure. It’s funny, but when I read something like the Percy Jackson books, I get used to demigods being a certain way, having certain attributes. Then I read other books dealing with the same stuff, and I have to get used to the new set-up. It’s strange.

Ms. Josephine knows how to create relatable and likeable characters. I loved all of Lucas’ family, Helen’s dad, and the kids at school. Even the “bad guys” were complex and interesting.

I’m sorry I can’t help but compare this to Twilight. Both share similar elements. For example: the first meeting of the two almost results in death, they “just can’t” be together, she spends a lot of time with his family, his sister can read the future (to a certain extent), her dad is a single parent and clueless to his daughter’s second life, and the family spends time watching the girls house for intruders with entails the guy to have to sleep so close to the girl (le gasp). Why is this “protect the girl’s family from the unknown bad guys by hanging outside her house at night” thing becoming so prominent? At the same time as it makes sense to the plot, I feel like it’s some cheap romance trick to get the guy in close perimeters to the girl at night.

I realize that I’m probably taking my angst for Twilight-like novels out on Starcrossed (which is the first truly similar one I’ve read. I know there are a lot more ones like Twilight out there, I’m just avoiding them). But I couldn’t help noticing the similarities. It really is a great book, worth reading. I will be reading the sequel when it comes out.

----------------------SLIGHT SPOILER SECTION FOLLOWING:
Oh hey! I’m getting really sick of first books in series ending in “oh goodness we’re in love but I just found out from the EVIL PERSON that we’re related” when it’s so obviously a lie (at least I find it obvious). Also, they have proof that it’s not true, they just aren’t thinking!! It’s probably just some way to make the first book end more devastatingly.
------------------------------------------END OF THE SLIGHTLY SPOILING PLOT SECTION!!!!

The end result of this review is that I liked Starcrossed. I really did. But I felt the way I felt watching the first few episodes of Legend of the Seeker. WHY DOES THIS REMIND ME SO MUCH OF SOMETHING ELSE?!?!? (It reminds me of Eragon, by the way) Now, I realize that with most books the second author isn’t copying, but similarities are obvious enough that when you’ve read/seen one, it’s annoying to read/see the other.

So basically, if you haven’t read Twilight (good for you!), you’ll totally love this book. If you have read Twilight you’ll see all the similarities, but appreciate the better talent/story.

Rating:

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Content Warning: Honestly, I don’t remember much. There was probably some language and I know there was kissing.