Book Review - Starcrossed

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series:  Starcrossed
Genre: Paranormal YA Fantasy
Publication date: 31 May 2011
Author’s website: http://www.josephineangelini.com/
Source: ARC received from Kelly at Pan MacMillan South Africa

Goodreads blurb:

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.

WARNING:  Review contains spoilers about ending of the book!

My thoughts:

After reading the first two chapters I had definite deja vu.  I had Twilight tinglings.   I was hooked!  Twilight is the book that re-awakened my reading love.  And there isn’t a socially-awkward-girl-meets-beautiful-boy and have a romance-against-the-odds book that I haven’t loved.  I had to read more!

Helen lives with her father and best friend on a little isolated island away from prying eyes – and that is what she needs.  Helen has always been different and tries to hide that fact every minute of her life.  When she arouses even a little attention, she experiences physical pain. She just want to blend into the background.  But it is not to be.  Helen’s peaceful existence is shattered by the arrival of the Delos family.
 
The first time Helen sees Lucas, she has the overwhelming urge to kill him.  Before she has even formed the thought, she launches herself at him from across the hall.  And the feeling is mutual . . . Lucas has to fight himself to keep from hurting Helen.

Lucas is handsome and talented but not afraid to show his venerable side.  He loves his family and will do anything to protect them and their secret.  And soon he is Helen’s protector.
      
Helen and Lucas has to be one of the most enjoyable couples I have read about in a long time.  Their killing lust soon turns into a deep love that even the gods cannot prevent.  But true love is never easy and along the way is a lot of misunderstandings that have to be overcome. 

I thought the author had a wonderful flowing writing style that made this book easy to read.  Now and again, I found all the Greek mythology a bit overwhelming but I understand that it is all part of the story and history of the characters.

Look out for the following spoiler if you have not read the book.

The only negative is that I HATED the ending.  I know it is only the first of the series but I always hate when a book ends with a "cliff hanger" - it feels like I gave my time and got nothing in return.  And looking back, none of the questions were resolved in the end.  That is the only reason that this book did not get 5 stars.  I can’t wait to read the next book, Dreamless to see what happens to Helen and Lucas.

Thank you to Kelly and PAN MACMILLAN South Africa!