Dreamless (Starcrossed, #2)

by Josephine Angelini

[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?