annesbookishtravels's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
The Starcrossed Trilogy was one of my favourite series when I was a teenager, which is why I was excited about the news that more books will be released. I must admit I don’t remember a lot about the plot of the trilogy, other than it’s Greek Mythology with star-crossed lovers, family feuds, and mysteries to be solved – and that I loved it a lot, which made me request Scions because of nostalgia. It is a prequel to the Starcrossed trilogy, but you don’t need to have read it before going into Scions. It will, of course, add to the experience if you do. I liked the book, and the story it was telling, though it was repetitive at times, and the writing felt a bit “young” – but I’m also ten years older now.
Scions is set in New York City, in 1993 (be aware of 90s misogyny!). The main characters, Daphne and Ajax, played a role in the trilogy, and this is their origin story. Getting to know teenage Daphne and Ajax was interesting, both beautiful and bittersweet; to see how history repeats itself over and over: the four Houses (ancestors: Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, Aphrodite) are enemies, and if they meet, the Furies will make them fight and kill each other. The Furies and also the Fates are basically using them to achieve their own goals, all relating back to the Greek Gods, and Helen and Paris from Greek Mythology. Daphne’s House is thought to be extinct, which is why she has to stay hidden from the other Houses to make sure this stays that way. This seems easy in a huge city like New York, where every House has their own part of the city to call their own, but her appearance, more specifically her face (she has the Face of Helen of Troy), attracts the attention of every man wherever she goes. This causes a lot of problems, especially at home with her father, and in a high school full of teenage boys. Daphne’s struggles were well written, and I’m horrified by what she had to go through day in, day out due to her having the Face. The little easter eggs were also nice, and I’m now looking forward even more to reading Timeless once it’s released.
The Starcrossed Trilogy was one of my favourite series when I was a teenager, which is why I was excited about the news that more books will be released. I must admit I don’t remember a lot about the plot of the trilogy, other than it’s Greek Mythology with star-crossed lovers, family feuds, and mysteries to be solved – and that I loved it a lot, which made me request Scions because of nostalgia. It is a prequel to the Starcrossed trilogy, but you don’t need to have read it before going into Scions. It will, of course, add to the experience if you do. I liked the book, and the story it was telling, though it was repetitive at times, and the writing felt a bit “young” – but I’m also ten years older now.
Scions is set in New York City, in 1993 (be aware of 90s misogyny!). The main characters, Daphne and Ajax, played a role in the trilogy, and this is their origin story. Getting to know teenage Daphne and Ajax was interesting, both beautiful and bittersweet; to see how history repeats itself over and over: the four Houses (ancestors: Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, Aphrodite) are enemies, and if they meet, the Furies will make them fight and kill each other. The Furies and also the Fates are basically using them to achieve their own goals, all relating back to the Greek Gods, and Helen and Paris from Greek Mythology. Daphne’s House is thought to be extinct, which is why she has to stay hidden from the other Houses to make sure this stays that way. This seems easy in a huge city like New York, where every House has their own part of the city to call their own, but her appearance, more specifically her face (she has the Face of Helen of Troy), attracts the attention of every man wherever she goes. This causes a lot of problems, especially at home with her father, and in a high school full of teenage boys. Daphne’s struggles were well written, and I’m horrified by what she had to go through day in, day out due to her having the Face. The little easter eggs were also nice, and I’m now looking forward even more to reading Timeless once it’s released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia
jesslaurenbooks's review
lack of trigger warnings!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
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