Starcrossed (1) by Josephine Angelini
And now to one of my favourite Greek Gods series - Starcrossed (in German Göttlich - Verflucht, in French Starcrossed - Amours contrariés)! I read it in German where it contained 494 pages. Originally published in 2011. Age 16 (girls)
All her life, Helen hated attention, all her life she tried everything to hide how different she is. But then, she tries to kill a newcomer in school without any reason at all – if you ignore the blood-crying women only she can see. Helen always knew she was different. What she didn't know was that she's a Scion, a descendant of Greek gods. And that the Delos’ clan, the family she wants to kill, is her only chance of getting answers…
Let me start with a little bit of friendly advice: Do NOT read this when you have something to do, like writing exams. Or eating. Own experience.
The book is fascinating, funny and complex, but it was still easy to follow, even if you don’t know much about Greek mythology or history in general.
The characters are especially likable. Claire is smart, never too shy to answer and remarkably practical, she’s a one-woman-army. Helen can be glad that she has this girl as a friend.
Helen herself seems kind of unremarkable at first, if it wasn’t for her super-powers. Due to her getting sick when she’s in people’s centre of attention, she tries everything to hide. She’s kind of shy and it takes her some time to learn that she doesn’t let herself be bullied around – how strong she actually is, in personality. When you get to know her, you realise that she’s deep and very interesting – I like her humour and the way she sways the Delos’ clan to her side. She has a nice world view.
But I have to admit that Kreon's and Daphne's perspectives are even more fascinating. You see what they see and read their thoughts but you never know how much they know. It’s really unfair, you just get hints, never real information It’s frustrating! Which means it's really well done.
The Delos’ clan itself is wonderful as well.
I love Noel, she’s personified motherhood – and I love how she handles her children and adopted children.
I like her husband as well, how much both of them love each other, how loving they are, period. How they are all about their children, even more than about rules – they didn’t call Lucas like they should.
Even though I wonder. Cassandra’s fate sucked as well, didn’t it?
Cassandra herself… I’m so sorry for her. She’s cursed, truly. And I’m sorry for Lucas, how he has to watch her suffer like this, knowing it only can get worse…
Lucas himself is nice. He’s responsible, funny, stable. Safe. A good guy.
I first heard that the love/hate relationship between Lucas and Helen was bad because you don't really know how she feels, that it would be unromantic. But this isn't true. I think, that the fact that they have to devellop and that it's not love at first sight and o-my-god-how-good-he-looks makes it even more romantic. And besides, what did they expect, since they are forced to kill each other through a magical/divine blood feud? If Helen had romantic feelings back then how would that look like? Oh, he's sooooo gorgeos and strong and good-looking, he's literary KILLING me! But I'm going to use my super-powers because I want to kill him instead! Let's marry in our coffins and get together in the little chapel in hell!
Yes, of course.
The thing that doesn't quite fit is, well... Helen has so many strange abilities. And she didn't notice? All these years she didn't notice that she is invincible, can fly and... all the other shit? Damn, how blind can a person be? Especially because Claire TESTED it on her!
But the last thing I like is the small-town-relationships. They are so very realistic, too, not like in other books I read, where all protagonists have grown up in the same small town and still don't know half of the people living there. It’s way better here.
In brief:
All in all I give these books a star for the characters, one for style, another one for ideas, half a star for the background, half a star for the lovers who want to kill each other. Minus one star for content mistakes.
Sequel: