Starcrossed audiobook

--->WHAT THE HOLY GRENADE WAS THAT?!

Starcrossed is not your typical girl meets boy they fall in love and defeat the bad guy together. No, it’s much much MORE. I absolutely adored this book! I was left thinking about it long after I finished this enthralling story that entwines Greek mythology and modern day times so flawlessly and with such vivid accuracy I almost question if Ms. Angelini had witnessed the Gods-and all that that entails-herself. Helen has lived her entire life on Nantucket Island, she’s always known she was different so she tries very hard to ‘fly under the radar’. This means never drawing attention to her unusual strength, speed or intelligence. Then the dreams come-acrid dry desert dreams that are so realistic she’s actually parched when she wakes; when the dreams become even more realistic, Helen realizes that whatever is happening is real and out of her control. It’s only when the very large Delos family moves in to Nantucket’s largest most expensive home that Helen realizes why she’s different. The entire Delos family is a mystery to Helen; at first she hates the very sound of their name, it’s only when she sees Lucas Delos the first time and tries to kill him that she begins to come to terms with who or what she is. Danger now seems to lurk around every corner, if not from Helen herself then from others who want to capture or kill her. With the help of the Delos family, especially that of the gorgeous Lucas, Helen comes to terms with what she’s capable of. For the first time, Helen is comfortable with who she is and who she loves. She knows true happiness for awhile, despite the danger lurking but with the arrival of a family member that has been missing from Helen’s life for years, the danger increases and Helen’s left with chaotic feelings that tear her apart. Will Helen make the right choices to protect those she loves or will she choose a different path altogether? This is such a complex story but to thoroughly review it would be to spoil it for the reader. What I can say is that I feel certain that this book will appeal to audiences of all ages and many genres. The brilliant weaving of Greek mythology with current times was dazzling-it was what I like to call -A One Sit Read- which is the highest of honors given by this reviewer.

** spoiler alert ** *This ebook was provided to me at no cost by the publisher*Gah! I just finished this book and I don’t know if I want to scream or cry! I was so frustrated by the ending and revelations of this book. I don’t remember being this upset since the famous Clary-and-Jace-are-siblings revelation of The Mortal Instruments series. And just knowing the truth and what it all means just makes me madder. I was devastated by what we learned and was told---there’s no other way to describe it and I wanted to cry out in frustration. This book was incredible! Really, truly. It’s very rare to find a book that manages to draw such a range of emotions from me. Josephine Angelini has created something amazing right here. I went through excitement, happiness, frustration, happiness again, shock, surprise, sadness and finally devastation.....devastation at how this book ended. I thought it was brilliant how she took the idea of demigods and Greek Myth and gave it a twist and direction that I’ve never seen before! There is nothing out there like this!The storyline was marvellous. I was drawn in from the very first page by the characters and the idea and I just didn’t want to stop reading. The idea of the modern day tragedy is alluring and appealing. You know it’s going to lead to heartbreak, and yet you keep reading regardless--I love that!This book had a great cast of characters, Helen and Lucas obviously, but Hector, Jason, Arianne, Cassandra, Claire were all big draws for me. I love nothing more than when there’s a great family dynamic within a book and this one sure had that! I admit I had my issues with Helen at the very beginning of this book. Although I thought she was a cool gal there was just something about he that didn’t sit right with me. BUT as the story went on, I came to really love her. There’s no denying she had her issues though. She had no idea who she was and she wanted to kill Lucas, which is a big no, no in my eyes, because....let’s face it, he’s Lucas (insert dreamy sigh here). I thought it was really nice to see how she approached everything and I never felt like she accepted things too easily, like I sometimes do in books. I think there’s a lot in her though that could be subject to some growth in the next couple of books and I honestly look forward to seeing it. As for Mr. Lucas Delos....what can I say about him besides, “squeee”. Loved the guy! First I have to say that he reminded me of a certain vampire we all know *cough* Edward Cullen *cough* but not in a way that occasionally annoys me like in other books. I think he was similar in the way that they had the same personality traits and all, but Lucas had his own individual personality too. Lucas knew who is was and what he couldn’t do. Sure he fought it and sure....he lost the fight with himself, but he still saw the consequences and was willing to fight for Helen---gotta love a man like that! He was wicked, with a sense of humour too and a serious side that just captivated me. I thought the romance between Helen and Lucas was beautiful. For once it wasn’t one of those love-at-first-sight tales you always see. It was more hate-at-first-sight or kill-him-at-first-sight! Their relationship grew with time and wasn’t in your face from the very beginning. It changed gradually and altered as they got to know each other and as they were drawn together. There was a chemistry and a spark between them and I can’t wait to see how their relationship continues over the course of the series. Especially after the revelation that we shall never speak of..... *sob*I must say I adore Hector! For all his faults he’s one of my faves in this series and he’s got a special place in my heart. I love his mischievousness and his sometimes meanness (so what? He rocks anyway) and I hate what happened to him—he does not deserve what he’s going through. Claire and Jason cracked me up too. Seriously, like you can’t tell straight away what all their bickering means and where it’s heading--so cute! Can’t wait to see more of them, they’re gonna be firecrackers those two, I can totally see it. DAPHNE!!!! Grrrr! Sooo not liking that woman. After what she’s done and continues to do, I’d like nothing more than to beat her senseless (I know! Where does this violence come from inside me, I have no idea?”) and I’m wondering just what she’s gonna do next. She wants to play nice and all that, but I don’t trust her at all. And if Helen doesn’t well, then I don’t see how anyone can. Lots of surprises towards the end of this book. This chapter of the story seems like it’s been summed up, what with Creon killed and everything out in the open (kinda). I am, and will continue to root for Helen and Lucas all the way through. It’s just not fair that they found each other and can’t be together. Seems like everywhere you turn nowadays in the book world are a pair of star crossed lovers, but there hasn’t been a couple like this for a while. Josephine Angelini debut novel is beautiful, capturing and incredible. It’s a story you start and don’t want to stop. I have no issues what-so-ever with this books, except that technically it’s not even out yet and I’m DYING for the sequel already. I cannot wait until Dreamless and I recommend this book with my heart and soul!

Greek Mythology! YAY! Starcrossed is completely addicting.... I read these 400 some pages in one afternoon, because I simply could not stop.I don't know it if was because I found the story so addicting or if it was because I was enchanted by the cast of characters. Either way Starcrossed was an unforgettable read. Helen is a normal teenager, well as normal as a teenage demigod is. I like that Helen knew she was different, but didn't exactly know what that meant. This wasn't a story where the character is completely surprised that they are a little different, yet at the same time Helen still discovers what exactly she is and what exactly it mean to be her. I loved solving that mystery with her.I thought I had the story figured out, but I didn't. The first meeting between Lucas and Helen didn't go how I had anticipated at all, and I delighted in the story even more for that very reason! Angelini definitely threw some curve balls in there.... if you don't get your 'wow' face on at least once, there is something wrong with you! No really.... you will be sporting that 'wow' face! I think I may have even spouted "oh no she didn't!" at least one or two times. Angelini killed me in a few spots... she really did!After that ending, and the history that we learn about in the story, I am dying to read the next book. Starcrossed is a unique, fast-paced, fun book that fans of YA and Greek Mythology will be infatuated with!

THE 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.THE REVIEW:DAMN YOU JOSEPHINE ANGELINI HOW COULD YOU LEAVE IT LIKE THAT ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE HOW AM I EVEN SUPPOSED TO SLEEP TONIGHT YOU ARE EEEEEVIIIILLL...!*Pant, Pant*Okay, it's fine. I'm calm now.Suffice it to say, then, that STARCROSSED ends on a fairly huge cliffhanger. And anyone who knows me knows that I *do not* like cliffhangers. At all. I usually deduct a star from my rating of books that end this way, because it ruins my enjoyment to be left hanging like that. I also usually preface reviews of such books by saying: 'Don't pick this book up until the series/trilogy is complete'. But I can't do that in this case, because STARCROSSED is just. That. Good.STARCROSSED, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:A beautifully thought out and cohesive mythic structure for the story to play out within? Check.A whole host of complex and wonderfully changeable characters who evolve and surprise the reader constantly throughout the story? Check.A well-paced plot which never quite twisted in the way I was expecting and which forced me to read the book literally in one sitting because I had to know What Happened Next? Check.Pared down, competent writing with some really lovely descriptive touches and a minimum of repetitiveness? Check.A strong, real, wonderful heroine who seemed like an actual person instead of a reader/author insert? Check.A hero who I could actually fall in love with instead of wanting to whack around the head with a two-by-four? CHECK!I think I've pretty much summed it up there, but let me delve a little bit deeper on some of my favourite points. First of all Helen, our protagonist in this story, is ridiculously beautiful. Yes, yes - yawn. And when I say that Helen doesn't really notice or care about her own beauty, you'll roll your eyes. But it's not like that. You see, Helen values other things about people than the way they look. She's been brought up by a rumpled, seemingly average, loving father who has taught her to look a little deeper than the average teenager. Helen doesn't walk around (as certain heroines do) bemoaning how ugly/normal/average she is despite the fact that everyone treats her like a hottie. She just DOESN'T CARE. And this fact does not win her any fans amongst her schoolmates, none of whom can quite believe that she doesn't know how gorgeous she is. But Helen has a great best friend and a wonderful support system within her family (her father and his co-worker Kate) and, frankly, too much attention gives her stomach cramps anyway, so she just shrugs it off. She's aware that she's a little stronger and faster than the people around her, but she wants to get on with her normal, human life, so she pushes that away too.When she first meets the gorgeous new boy in town (Lucas) and his gorgeous family, is she instantly smitten by how beautiful they are, and fancying herself in love? No way. Helen couldn't really care less about how people look. And she's got way more important stuff to worry about, like the nightmares and the fact that she's getting violent impulses towards Lucas and keeps wanting to strangle him. It's only after Lucas proves to Helen that he's worthy of her interest that she begins to develop feelings for him. Any guy who can sweetly reassure a girl and make her laugh after she has accidentally crushed his ribcage is A-O-flipping-Kay with Helen (and with me too).Helen gradually gains confidence throughout the book, tranforming from a shy, painfully diffident girl to one who can stand her ground and walk tall no matter what. Some of the book's most moving passages show her finally coming to accept and glory in how fast she can run, how hard she can push, and her various other talents (which, by the way? ARE AWESOME). At no point does she look in a mirror and realise 'Oh, I'm pretty!' She becomes more confident because she realises that she owns her own strength and power. How feminist is THAT? I love it!And because Helen is a strong character with her own opinions and viewpoint, her relationship with the too-hot-to-be-real Lucas is convincing and truly romantic. She's woman enough to stand up to him and not be overwhelmed by everything he can do. Even though he spends a lot of time teaching Helen and educating her about her powers, he never patronises her - or at least, when he shows signs of it, she slaps him down. Their affinity and deepening love for each other is wonderful.A quick shout-out must go to the secondary cast here. I love it when I feel as if each and every person in a story is nuanced and interesting enough to probably carry a book of her own, and STARCROSSED pulls that off and more. I adored how the author tricked me into believing I could tell which people were friends and which enemies, and then flipped it all on me. Hector is a great example of this. At the beginning of the story I was seriously hoping Helen would wrench his head off. By the end I was weeping quietly over his tragedy. Ah, Hector. *Sigh*A word of warning. For some reason I found the first chapter, maybe the first chapter and a half of STARCROSSED really hard to get into. I felt as if a little too much backstory was being pushed at me all at once. You may or may not experience this - but if so, push through it and I guarantee you will not be sorry.In closing - STARCROSSED is the book that has renewed my faith in the overcrowded paranormal genre. It's a heart-wrenchingly romantic action adventure story with strong characters and a breathless plot. The next book, DREAMLESS, cannot come too soon.

Zu meiner Rezension: https://youtu.be/X-gkWJiT1JM

I love when books I read back in elementary school hold up and are still just as good as they were back then. This is one of those books.The fourth book in the series (which is technically a prequel to it) is coming out tomorrow so I decided it was time to reread Starcrossed, especially since the first time I read it, it was in my language and I didn't remember much except bits and pieces. So reading it in English is a different experience for sure.I don't even remember it being so fast paced, but I love that it is. I would've finished it sooner, but unfortunately I lost my dog and wasn't in the mood to read. I'm still not, to be honest, but I wanted to finish this.Hector is still my favourite character 10+ years on, some things never change. And of course I love Helen too, my tall queen. As a tall girl Helen meant a lot to me back then, and still does.Starcrossed is original, full of mythology, lovely characters and the romance is cool too. OBVIOUSLY I shipped Helen and Hector for most of my life, but I can't deny that the romance between her and Lucas is kinda perfect, as far as the soulmates trope (my fav trope) goes.On I go to the next one.

“The Gods know what it is to be eternal, and they love to toy with mortals who use absolutes.” I've read this series when it first came out 10 years ago and I remember like it was yesterday how obsessed I was with it and how hot and bothered I was by some scenes.I've always wanted to re-read all three books to see if the excitement would go down in time, and now that I was in a little slump that trying to get out of by rereading books, it seems like the perfect time to test my theory.It turned out I was right and re-reading this little gem totally worked. I'm not sure I'll have time to re-read the entire trilogy but I'm glad I was able to get back into this world, because it was just as good and entertaining as I remembered. One thing I totally forgot, though, was how cringey and passive some YA book parents were. Of course there's a special mention for those single fathers who we saw digest everything they were told when their daughters were dealing with supernatural stuff and decided to keep it to themselves throwing around the most absurd lies. I'm sorry Charlie and Jerry. Just know I would have never played you guys around if I was lucky enough to call you Dad.Also, authors really loved their (view spoiler)[incest-based plot twists (hide spoiler)] back then, uh?Anyway...Last year I read Angelini's Worldwalker trilogy and I was stunned by it as I'd already read one of her trilogies and loved it, but not as much as I ended up loving that one. Starcrossed shows all the signs of Angelini's unripe writing but she definitely makes up for it with the characterization of her characters, romance for ages and an interesting plot filled with modern turns of some of the most famous Greek myths.It's painfully underrated and I recommend it to all urban fantasy aficionados who also have a thing for anything Greek mythology. ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

I absolutely love modern twists on Greek mythology! I have always loved modern twists on Greek mythology, and this is one of my absolute favourites! I think this is definitely fun and imaginative ways to interpret what happens with demi-god descendants of Trojan War survivors. Plus, the fact that godly blood gets stronger with each generation rather than weaker makes weird sense. The way Helen and Lucas want to kill themselves in the beginning... Well, I usually both like and find that trope irritating, but this time I find it endearing. I read this series more than two times and will definitely come back and re-read it in the future.

Very very good. I was unsure when I started it, having received a proof to read before publication, but a few chapters in and I was hooked! Angelini's use of Greek mythology adds a new spin to the relatively saturated 'Supernatural Romance' Genre that has suddenly exploded in teenage fiction. Helen and Lucas' cursed love story is touching and worth the read.

Ich fand das Buch sehr unterhaltsam. Das ganze Götterthema hat mir sehr gefallen. Zwischendurch hat man natürlich die typischen Jugendbuchklischees und am Anfang war alles so wirr geschrieben. Ich habe nur Bahnhof verstanden 😂 Aber insgesamt war es ganz gut