Dreamless (Starcrossed, #2)

by Josephine Angelini

With help from her new friend Orion, seventeen-year-old Helen Hamilton descends into the Underworld in search of a way to break the Furies' blood curse and prevent the start of another Trojan War.

With help from her new friend Orion, 17-year-old Helen Hamilton descends into the Underworld in search of a way to break the Furies' blood curse and prevent the start of another Trojan War. The plot contains mild profanity and sexual references. Book #2

• ISBN10: 0062012010
• ISBN13: 9780062012012
• Publish Date: 29 May 2012
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leigha]

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 – too bad he never had a shot with Helen. 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. 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.

[Chelsea]

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.

Compared to the unexpected amazing book that was Starcrossed, Dreamless was a disappointment. It brought in new things and old-Starcrossed things that I began to hate (Thanks a lot Dreamless), but it also made me fall even more in love with some of the old-Starcrossed things.

Dreamless had a serious problem! It starts of really well, has absolutely nothing gripping in the middle and towards the end, there is plenty of amazing slap-bang, in-your-face moments. Dreamless didn't really hold my attention. I was able to put this book down for hours without feeling guilty and this book didn't invade my mind every half second the way that great books do when I feel guilty for letting life get in the way.

I could deal with the main character, Helen in Starcrossed, but in Dreamless, there was something about her that I couldn't shake off. Maybe it's the fact that:
a) She's the Mary Sue stereotype
b) She's more self sacrificing than a normal person is
c) She jumps into dangerous situations without thinking about the consequences.
d) All of the above!
What made me more annoyed was that Helen was super strong and and had amazing super powers, but she didn't really know when and how to use them to her advantage.

I had a third problem (I have plenty of problems) with the romance. The romance between Lucas and Helen wasn't a relationship that I shipped with my heart and soul, but it was a relationship that I did want to see more of. When they found out that were cousins, I felt really sad for them and I wanted Daphne to tell them the truth or for them to at least find out the truth.(Thankfully Angelini made us, the readers, know that Lucas and Helen were not really cousins so that we could ship their relationship without feeling guilty). What pissed me off was the love triangle that was created in Dreamless. So this new character, Orion, is introduced and he becomes the third part of the love triangle with Lucas and Helen. I have no problem with love triangles that are done right. However, this love triangle was one of those where you know exactly who the main character is going to pick. When this happens, the love triangle becomes an annoyance and is seen as a dramatic idea that was needed to make the book more interesting and move the plot forward, but in actual fact, is entirely unnecessary.

In Starcrossed, I loved the Greek Mythology aspect that this story had. It focused on The Trojan War and Helen of Troy and I found this aspect to be so original and refreshing. In this book, it took everything that I knew or felt about Greek Mythology and threw it out of the metaphoric window. Ares becomes a coward (which sucked because he's the God of War), Hades became the compassionate good guy (which was different, but in a good way). All this was okay, I could deal with it, until my brain started to compare this book with the Percy Jackson series and when my brain does that, I know that I'd rather re-read Percy Jackson, than read a book that doesn't hold a spark (a pun that seemed fitting) to it. I'm blaming this issue on my brain! My brain sucks!

Aside from the fact that all characters in Dreamless were perfect, beautiful people (which I am going to let slide because most of the characters are demi-gods), I did enjoy most of the characters and grew to love them even more. Here's a few that I'm going to randomly mention just because I can: Lucas's family created a lot of different dynamics. Hector is the coolest guy ever! Helen and her strong relationship was her father, Jerry, was still present. I have no idea what Daphne's motives are. Someone PLEASE tell me! Claire was an amazing best friend and I almost forgot about her psycho-ness in Starcrossed... ALMOST...

Even although this book was a disappointment. I can't wait for Goddess so that I can read about the slap-bang, action, bloodbath that was hinted at at the end of Dreamless!

[Katie King]

**1 star**

There's a lot that could be said about Dreamless.

The mythology was butchered to the point where it's unrecognizable. Greek mythology? More like the drama llama decided to drop in and fuck with everyone's life. Oh, and you know, some people are randomly named after Greek gods. One Greek god that does actually exist is Ares, of whom the real Ares would be embarrassed by.

The "romance" in this book was comprised of one angsty forbidden lover competing with a suitor as deep as a puddle. On one hand, we have the I-love-you-but-you're-my-cousin-not-really-but-we-think-so-because-math-is-hard "badass" Lucas who alternates between hating Helen with EVERY FIBER OF HIS BEING and being obsessed with her and laying in bed together even though they think they're cousins. On the other hand is the witty, handsome, "different" Orion, who is the ONLY ONE who can help Helen when she descends. Love!!!1!!1

The plot was probably one of the worst I've read in a long time. If you think ignoring basic storytelling guidelines like MAKING SENSE is exciting, pick up Dreamless. Seriously, EVERYTHING was just randomly thrown in with NO regard for laying a foundation or even having justification for your choices. Spend 200 pages setting up some weird insomnia subplot? Resolve it in 1 page by figuring out Helen was doing it to herself unconsciously! Some crazy-strong ant soldier that has never been defeated trying to kill you? Don't worry, Helen has it under control with a few zaps!

Helen was an annoying speshul snowflake. Of course she's the only one that has ever been able to descend into the Underworld. Of course she can defeat Automadon. Of course she can defeat a god. Of course Helen is amazing and perfect and beautiful and powerful and lucky and unique. She's also pretty immature and bratty.

Here's the plot breakdown: Helen descends into the Underworld, wanders around for 10 pages and then dies and wakes up. She fights with everyone and makes some bratty comments about her absent mother. Repeat.

I had a lot of questions at the end of this. Why is Ares doing this again? What was the point of Helen not dreaming? Why is it entirely up to Helen to fix the blood debt? Why were the Fates even part of the plot? Why was Automadon part of the plot? What function did the love triangle have? Why did I read this book?

[reveriesociety_]

Meh. This could've been a very good book if the characters would've been more strong. The plot seemed to drag on because Helen was annoying, Lucas was flat and predictable, and well, Orion too. I hope Goddess will be a bit more etertaining.

My favorite part was the solving of the Furies thing, though (not telling how because spoilers, duh :P)

[ladygrey]

In some ways I really enjoyed Dreamless. It's exciting and a lot happens and I do like these characters a lot. But, on first reading, it's missing the spark that made Starcrossed so irresistible.

And that spark is Helen and Lucas. [spoilers removed] That being said, Helen and Lucas being separated did create a great opportunity to get to know Orion who is a fabulously complicated and compelling character.

I particularly enjoyed the way she handled the plot. Some pieces of the climax were apparent but there were a lot of intricacies and Josephine Angelini used Greek mythology to great affect, really deepening her existing mythology without complicating it. In some ways her strengths in plotting and keeping the story going offset the lack of Helen/Lucas spark that not even Orion, as delicious as he is, could compensate for. Almost. I may not love Dreamless as much as Starcrossed but I'm eagerly awaiting [book:Goddess].

OH, BUT! I was kind of disappointed because I read an interview with Angelini last year and I'm pretty sure she said Hector would be breaking some hearts in this book which I was totally looking for and did not get. Orion tried valiantly to make up for this oversight but it's just not the same.

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

Hades and Persephone has always been a personal favorite of mine, as far as classic Greek mythology goes. It's such an interesting myth with fascinating possibilities and what if's that I've always turned over in my mind, which is why I have really come to enjoy Josephine Angelini's portrayal of the Greek gods and goddesses. She adds a whole new dimension of dynamic and originality to them and the world she has crafted so wonderfully. The way that she's had Helen deal with the furies so far, has been handled so flawlessly and amazingly well. Her characters have experienced wonderful character growth and have been developed exceptionally well, making them likable and easy for readers to connect with.

Orion, I'd have to say, was my personal favorite added to the cast. His personal tragic history and intriguing powers havd a way of making me extremely protective of him. I loved how he possessed wonderful humor and bravery, as he protected Helen from the very dangers of the Underworld. I could definitely understand how Helen could feel an inkling of something stirring - for him. Their connection was both interesting and pleasing to witness. There was a level of trust and care that could have potentially been turning into something else there between the two of them and it was quite enjoyable to read.

The romance added wonderful dynamic to the book and was beautifully written. There are so many possibilities that could happen by taking the story this route and I'm very pleased to see that Josephine Angelini hasn't disappointed me yet, with it. Although, watching Lucas and Helen having such a tough time trying to stay away from each other sort of pulled at my heart and made it ache just a bit. It's heartbreaking to witness especially after Lucas tried to make Helen hate him in such an unappealing and unflattering way. I'll admit, that even I was a bit annoyed by that part.

One of the most interesting things I found about Dreamless and the story that Josephine Angelini is wonderfully crafting, is that she implemented sleep deprivation as the cause of what's killing Helen. She has to travel to the Underworld to deal with the furies and trust the help of Orion to navigate her through the dangers that await her there. She's not physically sleeping, which means that she's not sleeping at all and that is detrimental to her health and is taking its toll on her. Despite a couple of minor drawbacks here or there, I found that the story being told was timeless, beautiful, and filled with gritty action packed danger. It's perfect for fans of Meg Cabot's Abandoned or Melanie Dugan's Dead Beautiful.