Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.
By Josephine Angelini Publication Date: May 28, 2013
After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.
To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.
In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched
As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has
been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying
to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she
struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without
Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes
to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the
Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the
Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered
life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be
forgetting Lucas Delos.
Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and
spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of
revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally
bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that
exceeds all expectations.
If you have been following the blog, you know that Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini was one of my top 10 of 2011. I LOVED Starcrossed. I could not read another book until I read it for a second time. Given this, you can imagine how much I have been anticipating Dreamless. I was thrilled when we got the ARC. So, enough gushing, let's get to the review.
The Bad:
I was hoping we would get further into the story in Dreamless. Don't get me wrong, there is a ton of action in Dreamless, but for such a long book (a whopping 496 pages), I was hoping to get further. I was also really hoping for more Helen and Hector time, because they are definitely the comic relief in the series. Hector is there, but not nearly enough. In fact, most of the Delos family are only peripherally in Dreamless. Their roles were small and mostly they were all angry at Helen, but I am not entirely sure why. I also found Helen's father's obliviousness unbelievable, especially given how close the two were in Starcrossed.
The Good:
Dreamless is lyrical and poetic. Despite the length, I did not want the story to end. I was completely enthralled. So involved that there were a number of times I wanted to yell at Helen "Don't do it, it's a trap you idiot!" - Of course, I didn't because somewhere in the far reaches of my mind I actually realized she is a fictional character and could not hear me...
Setting the stage for the war to come the final installment of the trilogy, Dreamless moves more slowly than Starcrossed, but introduced us to many new characters, including some of the gods. The mythology of this world portrays some of the gods as horrible creatures, which I never thought I would like, but the evil, ugly gods have grown on me (though I am hoping Apollo will still be beautiful if he is ever introduced). The portrayal of Ares was creepy, disturbing and fascinating. I enjoyed Dreamless and cannot wait to read what happens next and hopefully all of my questions will be answered! Oh, and definitely more Hector and Lucas time.
I am reposting this review in a shameless attempt to win Josephine Angelini's Dreamless ARC contest. Starcrossed is one of my favorites of 2011, so I am desperate to read Dreamless! :-)
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.
Starcrossed introduces an entirely new spin on the Greek Gods, mythology and demigods. There is a lot of information and action in this book. Not only does the book set up a new mythology, it also introduces you to Helen and the rather large Delos family. Eventually, Helen comes to be close with the family, as they teach her about demigods and controlling and using her gifts. Obviously, I enjoyed Helen's relationship with Lucas; however, I hope that Dreamless (Book 2 releasing May 2012) focuses more on Helen's relationship with the rest fo the Delos family. I especially enjoyed Helen's friendship with Hector, which provided comic relief during Helen's combat training. Josephine Angelini did a fabulous job of relaying this new mythology and weaving the story.
This book could have easily felt as if you were getting a mythology lecture, but Ms. Angelini artfully sidestepped that pitfall. I was oblivious to the world while reading this book and did not want it to end. So much so that I could not really focus on reading anything else until I read Starcrossed a second time.
All in all, I definitely recommend Starcrossed and give it 4.5 stars (I still cannot stop thinking about it)!
When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.
But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.
(Don't you just love this cover?)
Megan lost her mother in a car accident as a child. Her father has never really recovered from the lost and the two have moved around quite a bit. Now, Megan's Dad has taken a job in a small Irish village and they may just find a home there, but Ireland is a magical place and things are not always what they seem. Megan is stalked by a bird and drawn to the DeRis family, especially Adam, and all these strange things start happening.
Carrier of the Mark is Leigh Fallon's debut novel. The history is a little complicated, but once you figure it out the story is compelling and engrossing. The relationships between Megan and the DeRis family is fun (and reminded me of one of my favorite books of the year, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini). Fallon's descriptions of the Irish scenery are vivid and made me feel as if I were there. I was thoroughly entertained by Carrier of the Mark and I will try to patiently wait for the next installment, but patience is not really my forte. Fans of magic, Ireland and hot boys with accents will love Carrier of the Mark.
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently she’s his girlfriend Piper, his best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids.” What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea—except that everything seems very wrong.
Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?
Leo has a way with tools. His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.
I’ll probably start a riot by saying this but I love Percy Jackson more than…Harry Potter.
Alright, looks like I survived saying the unthinkable.
There is just something about Percy and his friends that I find so endearing. So when I finally found the time to pick up The Lost Hero at the beginning of this year, I was ecstatic and suspicious all at the same time. I was ecstatic because, the world of Camp Half-Blood was back. I was suspicious because Mr. Riordan was starting a new series with new characters. What if I didn’t like them as much as Percy? What if the story was disappointing? What if, what if, what if?
Well I worried needlessly. The Lost Hero manages to stay close enough to the original series to make young fans happy but also holds its own apart from the Percy Jackson books. Jason, Piper and Leo end up being just as lost and loveable as our Percy.
The story begins with Jason waking up on a bus that is taking him and his friends on a field trip. The problem? He doesn’t know who he is, where he is or how he got there. Leo and Piper are at a loss as to why their friend doesn’t remember them. But before they can find a way to regain Jason’s memories, disaster strikes and the three of them find themselves as the newest guests of Camp Half-Blood. As they learn about their parentage and Jason tries to regain his memories, a new prophecy is given:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call
To storm or fire the world must fall
An oath to keep with a final breath
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death
The three of them head off on a quest to not only fulfill the prophecy (or at least part of it) but also to learn more about Jason. And here begins what Riordan does best. Non-stop action. Along the way they meet both old and new friends and enemies. They overcome and/or escape ridiculously dangerous obstacles. It’s a wild ride that leaves you with a doozy of a cliffhanger.
There were three things that I absolutely loved about this book. First, Riordan cleverly alternates between three points of view (Jason, Leo and Piper). And even though each POV is in third person, you are still able to get a clear view into each characters personality. Second, it was super AWESOME to see both Greek and Roman mythology woven together. And third, I loved the age of the characters. Unlike the beginning of Percy, where the kids are 12 years old, Jason and his friends are 16/17 years old. The age difference allows for more action and a slightly more mature narrative.
I honestly could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this book but I don’t want to spoil any part of it for you. So I will just tell you this - buy this or borrow it. One way or another, you MUST read it!
And then when you are done reading it (because I told you to and you should all listen to me, Bel and Shel) go and buy or borrow Book 2, Son of Neptune, which was just released today. Just in case you didn’t figure it out from the title, PERCY IS BACK and the Bibliojunkies could not be more excited!
Now let’s live it up a little and celebrate Greek Week in true book blog fashion. We are GIVING AWAY a hardcover copy ofTHE LOST HERO by Rick Riordan. You can enter up to three times by doing one or more of the following - Leaving a comment on this post, Following us on GFC, or following us on Twitter. Be sure to click on the “I Did This” button in the box below after each entry. This contest is open through 12:01AM CST on 10/9/2011. A winner will be announced on 10/10/2011.
If you haven’t yet done so, check out yesterday’s interview with the FABULOUS Jennifer Estep. She talks about her book, Touch of Frost and also tells us what fictional boy she would most want to date. Let’s just say that her response left me in a tizzy as she (along with Tahereh Mafi) is now direct competition for one of my long time fictional loves! And don't forget to enter to win a copy of Touch of Frost!
And check back tomorrow as we continue our celebration of Greek Week with Shel’s review of Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini!
Josephine Angelini, the author of the fabulous debut Starcrossed is having a contest on her blog for UK residents. You have to send her limericks that somehow tie to Starcrossed (a book about Greek mythology, demigods, etc) and you could win a copy of the UK version of Starcrossed. Check out the contest on her blog here. So, Nat asked her extremely creative husband (hereinafter referred to as "XO") to come up with a Greek Mythology themed limerick. Unfortunately, living in the greater Chicago area, we are not eligible for the contest, but these limericks must be shared. If you enjoy them, please comment and let XO know (you know boys, they need constant praise!) Also, if you have PG limericks you would like to share regarding your favorite books, please post them in the comments - this could be really fun!
Without further ado...
The party was just getting started
by Odysseus so big and brave hearted
twas Circe who came
said his libations were lame
and as a swine dear Odysseus departed
Pan played his lute oh so fine
Better for sleep than Cyclopean Wine
but a tune that he play
to keep the giants at bay
Failed but just the one time
Was Heracules night at the fights
such a show of good handsome might
The Minataur came in
with a cloth and a grin
and with a left hook ole Herc said goodnight
