Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Author: Josephine Angenlini
Title: Starcrossed
Publisher: HarperTeen
May 31, 2011

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Synopsis:

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.

This new take on Greek Mythology has definitely been an eye opener. I struggled with Greek Mythology in both high school and college. The stories just seemed way to foreign to me. Starcrossed gives a modern twist to Greek Mythology that captivated me from beginning to end.

Starcrossed is a beautifully told story about fate and destiny. Helen's character is a typical teenage girl who finds herself playing a role in a modern "Helen of Troy" whose actions are guided by "The Furies." In the beginning I was surprised by the strong reactions that took place between the characters. Helen had a repulsive response to the Delos Family, in the beginning, for reasons unbeknownst to her. She will have to figure out what each of the events mean to her and those who surround her.

The question I kept asking myself while reading this magnificent story was...Do we really have control over our lives or is everything left to fate and destiny? I have always believed that we are free to make the choices that define our lives, but I am not sure how true this is. What do you think.

I loved this book because there was plenty of action to keep me interested and Helen's emotions became my emotions. I am definitely looking forward to the sequels to Starcrossed.

Josephine does an incredible job writing this phenomenal adaptation of modern Greek Mythology. It is an addicting and contemporary tale!