A sequel to Angelini's bestselling novel Starcrossed, this book explores the life of Helen Hamillton, a Scion with extraordinary power. Descendant of Helen of Troy she is gifted with the face that launched a thousand ships, yet her fate is also cursed.
By night she is forced to wonder hell itself, in hope of preventing an endless cycle of blood for blood inherited through each generation of her family. But a world without sleep is a dangerous place and Helen finds her life rapidly deteriorating along with her sanity.
Meanwhile, Helen and Lucas grow more and more distant, trying to suppress their true feelings for the sake of their new found relationship as cousins. Yet, denying their unforgettable love sends them both to breaking point. Without Lucas by her side, can Helen stop The Furies and moreover what price will she have to pay?
Fast paced and exhilarating, for me, this book was better than the first, whilst excluding some of the previous teen clichés. As the plot thickened, I found myself become intrigued by a spellbinding story that grew in complexity every chapter.
In particular, the development of our protagonist, Helen, from the first book to the second is empowering. From the weak, vulnerable, clueless character, she turns into a heroine, realising her true power and transforming from protected to protector. In addition, the introduction of charming Orion into the equations adds a new dimension to the romance in this novel, forming an epic love triangle. Honestly, I'm not a fan of these teeny romance clichés, after both The Hunger Games and Twilight I feel the love triangle has been slightly overdone. Nevertheless, Angelini makes it work and I think readers will be pleasantly surprised with the ending of this talented tale.
Overall, an amazing sequel that will leave you craving more!
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!
