Starcrossed Week - Goddess by Josephine Angelini

Title: Goddess (Starcrossed #3)

Author: Josephine Angelini

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Source: ARC from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Chapters

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.

When it comes to my most anticipated books of 2013, Goddess was easily at the top of that list. After everything that happened in the first two books, I couldn't wait to see how Josephine Angelini would bring everything together in this final instalment. I'll admit that I was a little afraid, but I shouldn't have been because, with Goddess, Josephine Angelini wrote a stunning finale. 

Now that the four houses have been accidentally united, there is nothing left to hold the gods on Olympus. So with gods on the loose, free to do as they please in the human world, Helen and the other Scions need to find a way to stop them. But the last time this happened, the gods were imprisoned only after a devastating war. But that's the least of Helen's problems. Between the Oracle's prophecies about the Tyrant, her confused feelings about Lucas and Orion and the rising tensions between everyone, there is a lot to deal with. Everyone will have some difficult decisions to make. With war looming on the horizon, everyone is ready to prepare for the worse.

There are so many things I can and want to say about Goddess. So I will apologize in advance if this turns into me simply gushing about everything I loved about this story. But here's the thing, I know just how much the first two books affected me so I was very much afraid of what Goddess would do to my poor heart. And this was a perfectly legitimate fear. Throughout the book, there were many moments where I wasn't sure I would be able to take much more. Every time another piece of the puzzle fell into place, I became increasingly afraid of what it would mean for the big picture. But that didn't stop me from loving this story. Because there wasn't a singly moment where I wasn't loving it. This story is so layered and complex. There is so much happening, but at the same time it's all connected. Just seeing how everything fit together, those little moments from previous books that all of a sudden took on a whole new meaning, was amazing. Even just thinking about how each of the characters had their Greek or Trojan equivalent must have required a lot of planning on Josephine Angelini's part. And that's another thing, even though I knew it, Goddess reinforced what an amazing writer Josephine Angelini is. Because Goddess is an absolutely stunning finale to this series I love. And it was the kind of conclusion that didn't leave me wanting. Everything ended the way it should have. Though there were some disappointments along the way, I don't think this story could have ended any other way. And the way it ended was just what I wanted.

Let me now say that Helen is a total badass. I've known all along that Helen was a strong and that she wouldn't let very much get in her way. But in Goddess, Helen more than rises up to the occasion. My the end of the book, she had my complete respect and admiration. The way she handles everything that is thrown her way, I don't know how she comes out of it all standing. Because anyone else would be curled up in a ball, crying in a corner somewhere…or at least I would be. So this book just made me love Helen even more. And the title of the book being Goddess is fully appropriate. Like I've already said, there is so much going on with all the characters in this story. Everyone of them is so complex. And I loved seeing the parallels between the different players in the Trojan War. And admittedly that parallel allowed me to predict some parts of the story which at times made me a little angry. But as much as there was some heartbreak involved, everything that happened to the characters happened for a reason. I might be repeating myself, but I couldn't really have asked for a more fitting ending for the story and for these characters. Sure, it might not have been happy for everyone, but it was the only possible outcome.

Over the course of three books, I have come to love this story and I couldn't have asked for a better ending. With Goddess, Josephine Angelini confirmed that she is a fantastic writer because this was an absolutely stunning finale. I will say this again, but if you haven't yet read this series, I strongly recommend it because I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Starcrossed Week - Why I Love this Trilogy

Every so often you will pick this book for whatever reason. It could be that it has a pretty cover, the synopsis sounds interesting, you've heard other people talk about it. Whatever the motivating factor, you end up grabbing the book off the shelf and start reading. And the more you read, the more you find yourself liking the story, eventually getting to the point where you love the story. And if you're me, that might happen with a fair amount of books. But then, there is that one book that just seem to rise about the others. It's not really something I can explain, but once in a while there is that one book or that series that just seems to capture your attention in a way that no other book has. And over the last two years, Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed trilogy did just that for me.

I have always had a fascination with Greek history and mythology. For as long as I remember, it's a subject that has always fascinated me and often results in me picking up any book even remotely related to this topic. So that's why I first picked up Starcrossed when it came out two years ago. Well, that and the cover was stunning. And though I bought the book right when it came out, I waited until a few months later to actually start reading it. And once I did, I couldn't seem to do anything else. Josephine Angelini managed to take me out of my world and into the one she has created for this story. And there wasn't one minute while I was reading that I wasn't fully captivated by everything that was happening in Starcrossed. 

But now here's the thing. I often find that the second book in series just aren't quite as good as the first one and so as much as I was looking forward to Dreamless, I was still also a little apprehensive because I didn't want it to disappoint me. But I really shouldn't have worried. If anything, Dreamless made me love this series even more. And by the time I was finished, I couldn't believe I would have to wait a year to find out who everything would all come together. After having now read, Goddess, I can say that this series has become so much more than I thought it would be when I picked up that first book two years ago and that alone is reason enough for me to love this series as much as I do.

The thing about the story Josephine Angelini wrote is that there are so many dimensions and layers to it, to the point that everything is perfectly laid out. Things you see in the first book that you don't really make much of later come back and all of a sudden are the missing puzzle piece to make everything fit together. Goddess, the third and final book, made me realize just how much thinking and planning must have gone into writing this story the way it was. There were so many pieces to fit together, and by the end, they fit perfectly in a way that made sense and left me with very little questions. And that, more than anything is why I simply adore the Starcrossed trilogy. Over the course of three books, there is so much happening, but there is a reason for it all. And the way it all plays out, will simply amaze you and make you realize what a fantastic writer Josephine Angelini is. 

So this is my (long) explanation of why this series deserves attention. This is the kind of story that will keep you engaged, with characters you can't help be get attached to. You don't even need to know about mythology or even have a particular liking of it to be able to enjoy this story. All you have to do to enjoy and maybe fall in love with this story is be looking to read a complex, layered and captivating story. 

Starcrossed Week

If you have been following me on Twitter, you will know that I have a special event happening over the course of the next week here on the blog. Starting tomorrow and lasting until the end of the week, everything will be about the Starcrossed trilogy and its author, Josephine Angelini. So be sure check back every day this week for special posts, guest posts and a massive giveaway at the end of it all. Want a preview of what that giveaway includes? Check out one of the pictures that I've posted in the last week. 

Enjoy!

Summer Reading - 2013 Edition (3)

Among my friends, I'm known as the book person. As a result, whenever someone is looking for a book recommendation they come to me. This time of the year, this happens a lot since summer is fast approaching and a lot of my friends are typically seasonal readers--as in they read when they have time to do so and that time is often summer. Like I did last year, I thought I would post these recommendations--by genre--here on the blog as well. Up this week, some fantasy and science fiction recommendations.

- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, then you've probably heard all about how amazing The 5th Wave is. And I'm here to tell you that it is even better than everyone has been saying it is. Basically, the story takes place after aliens have wiped off most of Earth's population, and the world as we know it is gone. Even if you aren't into aliens, you will like these books. These books are not the kind of aliens you imagine. And the story is awesome and filled with action. Seriously, read this book.

- Breathe by Sarah Crossan - Picture a world where everyone lives in a dome where oxygen is controlled and rationed because there is no longer enough oxygen in the planet's atmosphere. Now add three teenagers being stuck outside the dome, with dwindling supplies of oxygen, trying to make it to a Resistance stronghold. Sarah Crossan's Breathe felt incredibly realistic while I was reading it and for that reason it makes a great dystopian. If you are looking for a book that will make you think about what could happen in our planet's not-too-distant future, than I strongly recommend Breathe.

- Possession trilogy by Elana Johnson - Here's the thing about Elana Johnson's Possession trilogy, I wasn't entirely convinced after reading the first book, Possession. But then I read the second book, Surrender, and I was sold. There is just so much happening in these books and a certain level of complexity that makes you really think while you are reading. Bonus side: the final book, Abandon is going to be out in just over two weeks so you won't even have to wait too long to find out how it all ends.

- Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth - If you haven't been living under a rock you should have heard about Veronica Roth and Divergent at this point. Between the movie being made and the final book, Allegiant, coming out in September, this trilogy is practically everywhere. But this trilogy totally deserves this attention because it is that good. Divergent is a fast-paced and action-packed dystopian story. This is the kind of book you will pick up and not want to put down again until you have read it all. So if a page-turner is what you're looking for, then Divergent is the way to go.

- The Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano - This was on my list of recommendations last year and I still stand behind it a year later. Though I will admit I still have to read the final book, this is a series I have loved so far. Lauren DeStefano's writing is reason enough to read this series. Reading these books will transport you to another world and another place. If nothing else, they will provide you with the perfect escape for a few hours. And on the plus side, the entire trilogy is out so you can read all three books back to back if that's what you want to do.

Like I've said every week, this is not an extensive list by any stretch of the imagination. If you are looking for some more dystopian or post-apocalyptic recommendations, you are free to check out my recommendations from last year. And if this is not the type of book you are looking for, be sure to come back next week for my last batch of summer reading recommendations

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Title: Nantucket Blue

Author: Leila Howland

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Source: ARC from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she'll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn't.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it's the things Cricket hadn't counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

You've probably heard me say this before, but I love any and all contemporary stories and if they are summer themed, there's a strong likelihood I'll love it even more. And Leila Howland's Nantucket Blue was just that. But it was also more than I expected it would be. All I know is that I couldn't stop reading once I started.

Cricket Thompson thought she was going to have the perfect summer. For the first time, she was going to be able to go on a summer adventure like all of her friends. And what better way to do that than to go to Nantucket with her best friend Jules' family. But then something tragic happens and all those plans fall apart. Now Cricket is left behind as Jules leaves for Nantucket with her family, but she is still determined to have the perfect summer. On a whim, Cricket decides to pack up her bags and go to Nantucket, getting a job as a chambermaid at an inn on the island. And though things may not turn out the way Cricket thought they would, her summer is still filled with friendships, adventures and romance…just not with the people she thought.

Since I've already dedicated an entire post to my love of contemporary stories, I'm not going to go into that too much again. But I will say that Leila Howland's Nantucket Blue had everything I love in a contemporary. I mean, who doesn't love a good summer story that takes place at the beach? But Nantucket Blue was also a whole lot more than just a summer beach read. Sure, it has all the elements that are typically present in a beach read, but it was also filled with heartbreak of all kinds. If you follow me on Twitter, you will have seen that by the third chapter I was already trying to hold back tears. Right at the beginning of the story, tragedy strikes and from that point on, things aren't quite as happy as I thought they would be when I started reading. But slowly, everything sort of builds itself back up. Things I thought would happen do, but they don't really happen in the way I thought they would. The friendship aspect was there, just not between the two people I expected. And for the romance, I love the way it came about. Though I could see where things were going, this relationship happened naturally and felt completely real. And I loved that romance, it wasn't too cheesy and it was just what the characters needed in order to start getting better after the tragedy that happened early on. And I'm not going to lie, the romance is an important part of why I just couldn't put this book down. 

Right from the first page, I loved Cricket. There was something about her that I could just connect with. For whatever reason, I could just see a lot of myself in her. Especially her insecurities when it came to what people thought about her and how she viewed herself. That aspect of Cricket's character felt very much real to me and it was an aspect of her personality that I could really connect to. And that's probably the second reason why I couldn't stop reading. There was something about Cricket that just felt so real and I wanted to know if everything would turn out alright for her. But Cricket wasn't the only character that felt real. Though I didn't particularly like some of them, all the other characters in the story felt like real people. Liz just exploded off the page, Jules was that friend that just turned on you without really giving a reason, and Zach was that boy next door who has always been around but suddenly starts to become more. And that brings me to the third reason why I couldn't stop reading Nantucket Blue: Zach. Zach is that boy who's always been around, but you never really thought about him in any other way than as a friend, until you can't seem to think about as just a friend anymore. Like all the other characters, Zach was real to me. And for once, the good guy  was good right from the start and I, like Cricket, fell for him somewhere along the way. 

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland, was exactly what I wanted it to be. But it was also something more. It's hard to put into words exactly what that something more is, but it is what made me love this story as much as I did. My only wish is that I could have spent more time with these characters because, by the end, I had grown all too attached to them.