Dreamless (Starcrossed, #2)

by Josephine Angelini

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!