Starcrossed (2) - Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
And now to part two of the Starcrossed Trilogy Dreamless (in German Göttlich - Verloren, in French Starcrossed). I read it in German, where it contained 504 pages. Originally 2012.
Helen's life hasn't been easy lately. Every night - no matter whether she wants it or not - she travels to the world of the dead. And is tortured. If she won't begin to dream very soon, she will die. But her quest, rescuing the Delos-family, is more important to her then anything else. But suddenly, she isn't alone in hell any more. But can she trust this mysterious boy who was send by her mother? The Delos' clan warns her to not fall for him, but does she have a choice with a relationship between Lucas and her being impossible? Additionally, the minor gods begin to haunt the little island and the leader of the house of Theben is said to know of her existence...
I really liked that book. It is very realistic, even though the basic idea of this book seems very... well, unrealistic. The characters are interesting, the way they interact and change fascinating. One of my favourites are how Lucas goes a little nuts from time to time. And how Claire wants to take care of Helen, how Cass grows more and more cold through her burden and how Matt's role gets more and more important.
I like Orest. He's nice and gentle, really caring… a steady person, which is good for Helen. She needs someone she can rely on.
Even through she still can rely on Lucas, but she can’t permit herself to be with him: there’s literally the world at stake. I like how both of them struggle with it, how Lucas’ rage gets the better of him and how he hates himself. How Helen is his only way to really be himself again. And how they plan… the mattress J
But I like how Orest and Helen grow close, as well. I like his relationship (his changing relationship) to the Delos’ clan. Especially him and Cassandra… well.
The ending was… interesting. I’m so sorry for Helen, how everything she did was, in the end, for nothing. She should have learned how to defend herself without her powers. But hey, you can’t always prepare for everything. And I guess she’d have lost either way.
The Greek Gods themselves are… a force to reckon with. Morpheus is creepy – but he’s fascinating as well.
I like how Helen’s powers help her, how her experiences in Hell literally make her stronger. It’s remarkably close to real life- You walk through hell. Either you stay stuck and break apart, or you break and still go on – until you come out, stronger than ever before. Either way, you’ll look differently at everything else.
The thing with the river of forgetting was very well done, by the way. I like the idea, how they manage to cure the Skions, the gods and themselves.
I also like the minor gods, like Morpheus. Even though, to be in such a situation like that must be really disturbing.
Anything else?
I hate Daphne. She absolutely deserved to die unhappily ever after. She knowingly broke her daughter’s heart, for nothing! And Lucas!
Sure, Papa Delos tried to stop them as well, but he did it to protect them, because he didn’t know better. It’s still not okay, people should be able to make their own decisions, especially about love. But it’s understandable.
Daphne, on the other hand? She only did what was best for herself, for her thirst for revenge. That’s not okay, seriously.
In brief:
I give this book a star for characters, the plot, ideas and style.
Prequel:
Sequel: