owlishly_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bibliophile_booklover's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY GOODNESS NEED THE NEXT BOOK TIRED OF LUCAS AND HELEN THINKING THAT THEY R COUSINS :(
jbsmunky's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series. Only mildly disappointed it didn't tell more secrets about who Helen's really fathre was but I guess that is what will make me come back for book #3!!
neenor's review against another edition
5.0
Can I just say that I am in love with Orion? Why does Angelini make so many hot characters? It just makes my expectations of men ridiculously high. I didn't think that anything could beat Starcrossed, considering that most sequels don't live up to the original novel. But oh my demigod, Dreamless was amazing! I was hooked from the start. I think this is possibly one of the best releases this year.
For starts, the beginning of this novel is so smooth it may as well be just another part of the Starcrossed book - but it still gently reminds the reader of what happened previously, in case they have forgotten, which was nice but not annoyingly repetitive. I already thought the plot was strong, but after finishing this, I never realised how huge it was going to be. I never saw most of it coming, which I thought was great because it's always a surprise - but when I did guess, the suspense was so thick that I couldn't put it down, since I wanted to know whether my guess was right or not. And usually it wasn't - but the real plot was so much better!
I also loved the new characters Angelini created. As I pointed out earlier, Orion is amazing; he's the kind of character you wish was real, so that he could be your best friend or your boyfriend. He is kind and sensative, and pretty much the opposite of the Delos boys, which was quite nice. All the pre-existing characters lived up to their already-created personality, which again made the novel a smooth continuation. I found that the bad guys were definitely frightening and believable, and the gods were just like I'd imagine any god to be like. The only thing that disappointed me, character-wise, was Hector. I really liked him in Starcrossed, and after what happened to him I was in tears. And I know that his separation from his family was hard for him, and it would change a man, but he was just too...nice? Throughout Starcossed, him and Helen was constantly at each others throats, and from what I recall he wasn't close to any of the girls, not really. But suddenly in Dreamless, as soon as Helen, Claire and Kate saw him, they leapt into his arms - literally. For one thing, I didn't realize he even knew Kate, and I just feel like I was missing something. I know him and Helen are cousins, but that doesn't instantly make you best of friends - Hector and Creon weren't for sure. It just felt like he was completely different - but he was the only one. (oh, and I nearly forgot: The Furies! Angelini's characterisation of them was so good! I loved the twist; you think they're these horrible witches, but really they're just frightened children. I've never seen that done before, so I thought that was brilliant.)
Overall, I loved this book, and I want to know when the next instalment is coming out! Whenever it is, I don't think I can wait that long. The cliffhanger on the end of this thing is torturous, so watch out for an emotional ride. I didn't think the Starcrossed series was going to get better, but Angelini blew me away. If you're interested in Greek mythology and you're a boy, go and find the Percy Jackson series. But if you're a girl? Starcrossed is the way to go!
For starts, the beginning of this novel is so smooth it may as well be just another part of the Starcrossed book - but it still gently reminds the reader of what happened previously, in case they have forgotten, which was nice but not annoyingly repetitive. I already thought the plot was strong, but after finishing this, I never realised how huge it was going to be. I never saw most of it coming, which I thought was great because it's always a surprise - but when I did guess, the suspense was so thick that I couldn't put it down, since I wanted to know whether my guess was right or not. And usually it wasn't - but the real plot was so much better!
I also loved the new characters Angelini created. As I pointed out earlier, Orion is amazing; he's the kind of character you wish was real, so that he could be your best friend or your boyfriend. He is kind and sensative, and pretty much the opposite of the Delos boys, which was quite nice. All the pre-existing characters lived up to their already-created personality, which again made the novel a smooth continuation. I found that the bad guys were definitely frightening and believable, and the gods were just like I'd imagine any god to be like. The only thing that disappointed me, character-wise, was Hector. I really liked him in Starcrossed, and after what happened to him I was in tears. And I know that his separation from his family was hard for him, and it would change a man, but he was just too...nice? Throughout Starcossed, him and Helen was constantly at each others throats, and from what I recall he wasn't close to any of the girls, not really. But suddenly in Dreamless, as soon as Helen, Claire and Kate saw him, they leapt into his arms - literally. For one thing, I didn't realize he even knew Kate, and I just feel like I was missing something. I know him and Helen are cousins, but that doesn't instantly make you best of friends - Hector and Creon weren't for sure. It just felt like he was completely different - but he was the only one. (oh, and I nearly forgot: The Furies! Angelini's characterisation of them was so good! I loved the twist; you think they're these horrible witches, but really they're just frightened children. I've never seen that done before, so I thought that was brilliant.)
Overall, I loved this book, and I want to know when the next instalment is coming out! Whenever it is, I don't think I can wait that long. The cliffhanger on the end of this thing is torturous, so watch out for an emotional ride. I didn't think the Starcrossed series was going to get better, but Angelini blew me away. If you're interested in Greek mythology and you're a boy, go and find the Percy Jackson series. But if you're a girl? Starcrossed is the way to go!
justineduhart's review against another edition
3.0
2,75/5
The first 300 were slow and repetitive and the books ends on a rush. I will read the last book because I want to know whether Lucas & Helen end up together, but I didn't really enjoy this second installment apart from a few aspects.
The first 300 were slow and repetitive and the books ends on a rush. I will read the last book because I want to know whether Lucas & Helen end up together, but I didn't really enjoy this second installment apart from a few aspects.
skayumak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
siobhan27's review against another edition
4.0
I really don't know where to start when trying to explain how I feel about this book. Josephine Angelini took me on such a roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end that I didn't notice myself becoming emotionally attached. From the moment I read Starcrossed, the first novel in the series, I fell in love with Helen and Lucas and there fated loved story. The tension that Josephine created between these two characters was absolutely amazing, and it did not stop in Dreamless. All you could do from the beginning of the book was route for these two characters, hoping that they would find a way to be together. And THEN Josephine hands you a curve ball...a love triangle. Before I go on, let me explain what this book is about. Helen, the reincarnation of Helen of Troy, is a Descendent. She is the only living person able to descend into the Underworld to stop the furies from tearing her family apart. But its taking a tole on her emotions and her health. Soon, she turns to Lucas who seems to be pushing her further and further away, claiming that their attraction is wrong since they discovered that they were cousins. Left to her own will, Helen tries to find the furies on her own, to no avail. Then a mysterious boy shows up to help her named Orion and he makes her rethink her feelings and the direction of her mission.
Now, all I really want to do right now is scream and yell about how much I loved this book. I read it in two sittings, I was enthralled by the description of the Underworld and all of its loop holes and destinations, they were just as I imagined they would be. They were harsh and supernatural and a little bit frightening. Helen grew so much as a character in this novel, she no longer relied solely on Lucas for help, she figured things out on her own and I loved that.
Now, about that love triangle. When I went into this book knowing about the inclusion of another love interest I was a little skeptical. Josephine created a immeasurable bond between Lucas and Helen, and when that bond is threatened by a mysterious boy named Orion, one has to wonder what the author is thinking. But I have to say that I thought this twist brought out a different side of Helen and allowed for her and Lucas' relationship to sustain a few blows before the next book. As readers we have to see that they are not perfect, that their love can be tested, and that it will survive. We will have to wait and see in book three what Josephine has in store for them. But what I do say is that I really liked Orion as a character. He was sarcastic and fun, with a little bit of mystery and intrigue. He was the perfect guy to compete with Lucas, and I cannot wait to see where this triangle goes and how it develops. Please do not make the hasty decision to not pick up the book because of this Triangle, it adds so much more depth to the already amazing story. I loved it.
Now, all I really want to do right now is scream and yell about how much I loved this book. I read it in two sittings, I was enthralled by the description of the Underworld and all of its loop holes and destinations, they were just as I imagined they would be. They were harsh and supernatural and a little bit frightening. Helen grew so much as a character in this novel, she no longer relied solely on Lucas for help, she figured things out on her own and I loved that.
Now, about that love triangle. When I went into this book knowing about the inclusion of another love interest I was a little skeptical. Josephine created a immeasurable bond between Lucas and Helen, and when that bond is threatened by a mysterious boy named Orion, one has to wonder what the author is thinking. But I have to say that I thought this twist brought out a different side of Helen and allowed for her and Lucas' relationship to sustain a few blows before the next book. As readers we have to see that they are not perfect, that their love can be tested, and that it will survive. We will have to wait and see in book three what Josephine has in store for them. But what I do say is that I really liked Orion as a character. He was sarcastic and fun, with a little bit of mystery and intrigue. He was the perfect guy to compete with Lucas, and I cannot wait to see where this triangle goes and how it develops. Please do not make the hasty decision to not pick up the book because of this Triangle, it adds so much more depth to the already amazing story. I loved it.
stephhreads's review against another edition
4.0
I hate love triangles, but at least Dreamless doesn't suffer too much from the usual Second Book Syndrome of excessive set-up and nothing actually happening. And at least it doesn't end on a I-want-to-throttle-the-author cliffhanger. I love my romances, but this is one rare series that I am hooked on for the plot. Romance obviously ties into the plot, and I do want to see what happens with this love triangle, but what I really want to know is what happens with the Scions.
thechaoshour's review
4.0
Quick Thoughts:
1. These books are getting pretty addictive.
2. I'm nervous about how this whole cousins thing is going to play out.
3. There was a lot of boring plot stuff in the start but the ending made up for it.
4. The characters were all stressed and you could tell because I didn't enjoy them as much in this book. I am glad we're seeing some new ones though.
5. We're finally getting a little more history with how Helen is alive. Not enough but were getting there. I still have so many questions.
1. These books are getting pretty addictive.
2. I'm nervous about how this whole cousins thing is going to play out.
3. There was a lot of boring plot stuff in the start but the ending made up for it.
4. The characters were all stressed and you could tell because I didn't enjoy them as much in this book. I am glad we're seeing some new ones though.
5. We're finally getting a little more history with how Helen is alive. Not enough but were getting there. I still have so many questions.