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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
This was good enough to finish, but I didn't love it. It's just ok. The concept is interesting and most of the characters are good, but Helen seriously annoys me. She just does. I don't know if I can explain it, but I can try.
She's just so miserable. All the time. She's dealing with a lot of crap here, I get it, but still. There is no fun here. She and Lucas go all Mortal Instruments, thinking they're related but still in wuv when we freaking know they aren't. Related that is. Though I don't think I ever got why they were in wuv either.
In the midst of all this angst we meet Orion. Who's strong and pretty sexy and nice, but super creepy with his "third hand" stuff. Enter stupid love triangle with clear outcome. Again. Kill me.
The ending was good. The allusions to Greek myth is still good. Any character that's not a main one is good and interesting, with some actual depth and nuanced relationships, unlike their major counterparts. It's not the worst thing I've ever read, but I'm not that into it like I was Starcrossed. I'm not recommending it to you unless you liked Tiger's Curse or Twilight or Hush Hush. The weepy, underdeveloped romance stuff. Then go for it and have fun: you'll like it, a lot of people seem to.
She's just so miserable. All the time. She's dealing with a lot of crap here, I get it, but still. There is no fun here. She and Lucas go all Mortal Instruments, thinking they're related but still in wuv when we freaking know they aren't. Related that is. Though I don't think I ever got why they were in wuv either.
In the midst of all this angst we meet Orion. Who's strong and pretty sexy and nice, but super creepy with his "third hand" stuff. Enter stupid love triangle with clear outcome. Again. Kill me.
The ending was good. The allusions to Greek myth is still good. Any character that's not a main one is good and interesting, with some actual depth and nuanced relationships, unlike their major counterparts. It's not the worst thing I've ever read, but I'm not that into it like I was Starcrossed. I'm not recommending it to you unless you liked Tiger's Curse or Twilight or Hush Hush. The weepy, underdeveloped romance stuff. Then go for it and have fun: you'll like it, a lot of people seem to.
Helen discovers she is a decedent from the Greek Gods in this ho-hum young adult contemporary romance.
I remember reading and enjoying this series when it released many, many moons ago. My husband asked for a book recommendation when we started dating, and I recommended this series. It’s a miracle he didn’t laugh in my face. For some reason, it came across my desk recently so I decided to give it a re-read. What I remember and what I read are not one and the same.
The series is based off Greek mythology, specifically influenced by Homer’s Iliad. It had the makings to be intriguing and unique, but somewhere in book two it grew tedious. The one-on-one of each character corresponding to a Greek myth was unnecessary. The gods and goddess do eventually show their faces, which is always fun and entertaining.
The most time and attention is given to the trinity of Helen, Lucas, and Orion. Helen’s journey from shy wallflower to powerful Goddess is fun, although Lucas’ journey is the most surprising. Orion was my favorite The secondary characters were all over the place. Either I disliked them, such as Jason and Clair, or I disliked how they were treated, like Matt and Ariadne.
tl;dr While an interesting retelling of the Iliad, I found myself disliking the supporting characters and overall arc of the story.
I remember reading and enjoying this series when it released many, many moons ago. My husband asked for a book recommendation when we started dating, and I recommended this series. It’s a miracle he didn’t laugh in my face. For some reason, it came across my desk recently so I decided to give it a re-read. What I remember and what I read are not one and the same.
The series is based off Greek mythology, specifically influenced by Homer’s Iliad. It had the makings to be intriguing and unique, but somewhere in book two it grew tedious. The one-on-one of each character corresponding to a Greek myth was unnecessary. The gods and goddess do eventually show their faces, which is always fun and entertaining.
The most time and attention is given to the trinity of Helen, Lucas, and Orion. Helen’s journey from shy wallflower to powerful Goddess is fun, although Lucas’ journey is the most surprising. Orion was my favorite
Spoiler
– too bad he never had a shot with Helen.Spoiler
Matt’s arc was a particular sour pill to swallow. I hated how he betrays Helen, and then is killed sparring with Hector. Just *screams in eternity*tl;dr While an interesting retelling of the Iliad, I found myself disliking the supporting characters and overall arc of the story.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Cousin"
Like I know that they don't know what we know BUT THAT MAKES IT SO BAD. Liked the storyline hate the romance.
A great mix of mythology, action, and romance. It makes me want to go reread the Iliad to get a refresher course on the traditional myth that this series is based on. Can't wait for book 3!!!
Honestly I was pretty astounded when I picked this up from the library and saw how fat it is. Almost 500 pages? That is a lot! Happily though Angelini's writing is incredibly absorbing and I absolutely flew through the book.
Thanks to a refresher from Jen Ryland, I opened this book prepared especially with a reminder about a big spoiler from Starcrossed. I had completely forgotten and it does play an important part in the plot.
The prologue had me very confused though as it starts with Zach's perspective. I did not remember Zach and thus was confused that he was there. Who was this guy? Why did he matter to the story? But soon the book does return to Helen, a character I did remember.
This change in focus is both good and bad, in my opinion. Good because Helen was the main character in Starcrossed and it is right for her to continue to be the focus. She is also the Descender who descends to the Underworld every night trying to find the Furies so she can break the curse that has dogged the Scions for generations.
However it was bad because she kept angsting over Lucas who pissed me off in this book (sidenote: I kept picturing him as Kellan Lutz, probably because of those Time Warner Cable commercials. This is not a compliment for the character of Lucas). There was so much angst over their forbidden lovey-dovey feelings (and we get to see it from both of them-*yay* (sarcasm)). Meanwhile Helen meets a new super-hot guy in the Underworld named Orion. Although I sense the futility of it, I am completely Team Orion.
There was also a lot of angst among the secondary characters about mortal/Scion relationships. Helen's two best mortal friends Claire and Matt are frustrated by their love interests Jason and Ariadne-none of them handle this situation very well. I liked that there was an explanation for all of this young love: since most Scions don't live very long, they like to get started on their love life right away.
Other highlights include getting to meet some of the Twelve: Hades and Ares (Persephone and Eris also pop up). This gives me hope that we'll get to meet the rest in the concluding book as more of the overarching plot of the book is revealed and we seem to be propelled toward war. Like most of the recent Greek retellings I've read, Hades is presented as a more sympathetic character and I loved his brief appearances.
Overall: A compulsively readable book that is sure to please fans of the first book.
Cover: I don't really like the colors-I preferred the more blue/purple palette of the first book's cover.
Thanks to a refresher from Jen Ryland, I opened this book prepared especially with a reminder about a big spoiler from Starcrossed. I had completely forgotten and it does play an important part in the plot.
The prologue had me very confused though as it starts with Zach's perspective. I did not remember Zach and thus was confused that he was there. Who was this guy? Why did he matter to the story? But soon the book does return to Helen, a character I did remember.
This change in focus is both good and bad, in my opinion. Good because Helen was the main character in Starcrossed and it is right for her to continue to be the focus. She is also the Descender who descends to the Underworld every night trying to find the Furies so she can break the curse that has dogged the Scions for generations.
However it was bad because she kept angsting over Lucas who pissed me off in this book (sidenote: I kept picturing him as Kellan Lutz, probably because of those Time Warner Cable commercials. This is not a compliment for the character of Lucas). There was so much angst over their forbidden lovey-dovey feelings (and we get to see it from both of them-*yay* (sarcasm)). Meanwhile Helen meets a new super-hot guy in the Underworld named Orion. Although I sense the futility of it, I am completely Team Orion.
There was also a lot of angst among the secondary characters about mortal/Scion relationships. Helen's two best mortal friends Claire and Matt are frustrated by their love interests Jason and Ariadne-none of them handle this situation very well. I liked that there was an explanation for all of this young love: since most Scions don't live very long, they like to get started on their love life right away.
Other highlights include getting to meet some of the Twelve: Hades and Ares (Persephone and Eris also pop up). This gives me hope that we'll get to meet the rest in the concluding book as more of the overarching plot of the book is revealed and we seem to be propelled toward war. Like most of the recent Greek retellings I've read, Hades is presented as a more sympathetic character and I loved his brief appearances.
Overall: A compulsively readable book that is sure to please fans of the first book.
Cover: I don't really like the colors-I preferred the more blue/purple palette of the first book's cover.
I was young and bored and so i read this whole series. as a fan of percy jackson and greek mythology, of strong female characters and new and compelling ideas. These books insulted me.
5/14/24: I pick up on more allusions every time I read this book. I appreciate the meticulous plot planning that goes into this series. Normally Book 2s feel so much like filler, but not this one. This was full of action, adventure, romance, deceit, and dramatic irony.
2012:
Great book. Couldn't put it down. As for the next book... CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! More to come once I'm done being super frustrated and can logically process my thoughts.
2012:
Great book. Couldn't put it down. As for the next book... CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! More to come once I'm done being super frustrated and can logically process my thoughts.