Starcrossed (novel)
Encyclopedia
Starcrossed is a young-adult fantasy
novel by American author Josephine Angelini. The story follows a girl named Helen Hamilton, who is gradually revealed to be a modern-day Helen of Troy. After discovering her heritage, Helen learns that a union with the boy she loves may trigger a new Trojan War. Starcrossed is the first installment of a planned trilogy. The novel received praise from critics and fantasy authors amidst its release.
. It is also discovered that a union between Lucas and Helen may initiate a new Trojan War
. Amidst these revelations, Helen and Lucas seek a way to pursue their love without endangering those around them.
's relationship. "I went into this [thinking], 'Why the heck hasn't anyone done The Iliad
with teenagers?' It's so easy to translate into the modern day, and then I thought about it, 'Because [Helen and Paris are] loathsome,' so I thought that I’m going to have to have a really good reason for people choosing love that is going to start a war. How can I make that into something that translates into our modern sensibilities?"
Angelini's agent, Mollie Glick, pitched Starcrossed as "a Percy Jackson for teenage girls." The book was acquired by HarperCollins
in early 2010, with foreign deals following at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. The novel was eventually given release dates of April 5, 2011 in Spain, May 15, 2011 in Germany, and May 31, 2011 in the United States. Prior to the novel's release, Angelini revealed that the first sequel of a planned trilogy would be entitled Dreamless.
reported on the Starcrossed series in March 2010, announcing that HarperCollins had made a "major pre-Bologna [Book Fair] acquisition". Coverage from Entertainment Weekly
followed. In early 2011, Angelini announced that Demi Goddesses, a German musical group, would produce an English-language song inspired by the novel called "Where Do I Belong?", as well as an accompanying music video
. Advance reader copies of Starcrossed were released for review by Book It Forward Tours.
stated, "The riveting plot twists and turns as the myth’s destiny translates into present-day terrors, dreams, and hopelessness, and its execution is seamless." Starcrossed has also received feedback from numerous fantasy authors. In an advance review, Lauren Kate
gave particular praise to the romantic elements, and called the overall story "a gorgeous, haunting saga that completely swept me away." Kiersten White described the novel as "a dizzying tale of action, drama, and romance with just the right twist of humor and tragedy." Sophie Jordan lauded the novel as, "One of the most cinematic books I've ever read. Dramatic and intense! I can't tell you how many times I gasped while reading this book. Starcrossed plays out like a movie in your head."
While discussing Helen, Sonja Bolle of the Los Angeles Times
stated, "Hers is a road I'm eager to travel; the second book in this series, Dreamless, is slated for May 2012—not soon enough, as far as I'm concerned." Kara Warner of MTV
.com called the story "an empowering tale full of intrigue, mythology and self discovery".
.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel by American author Josephine Angelini. The story follows a girl named Helen Hamilton, who is gradually revealed to be a modern-day Helen of Troy. After discovering her heritage, Helen learns that a union with the boy she loves may trigger a new Trojan War. Starcrossed is the first installment of a planned trilogy. The novel received praise from critics and fantasy authors amidst its release.
Overview
Starcrossed follows a shy Nantucket teenager named Helen Hamilton. After having a series of mysterious dreams, along with hallucinations of three weeping women, Helen finds herself drawn to a boy named Lucas. It is eventually revealed that Helen is a modern-day Helen of Troy, and that the women she sees are actually the FuriesErinyes
In Greek mythology the Erinyes from Greek ἐρίνειν " pursue, persecute"--sometimes referred to as "infernal goddesses" -- were female chthonic deities of vengeance. A formulaic oath in the Iliad invokes them as "those who beneath the earth punish whosoever has sworn a false oath"...
. It is also discovered that a union between Lucas and Helen may initiate a new Trojan War
Trojan War
In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including the Iliad...
. Amidst these revelations, Helen and Lucas seek a way to pursue their love without endangering those around them.
Background
Author Josephine Angelini has stated that her reading experiences as a teenager were what largely inspired her to write YA. "I write for teens because I became passionate about stories when I was one". A longtime mythology fan, she eventually grew fascinated with the idea of a modern-day version of Helen and ParisParis (mythology)
Paris , the son of Priam, king of Troy, appears in a number of Greek legends. Probably the best-known was his elopement with Helen, queen of Sparta, this being one of the immediate causes of the Trojan War...
's relationship. "I went into this [thinking], 'Why the heck hasn't anyone done The Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
with teenagers?' It's so easy to translate into the modern day, and then I thought about it, 'Because [Helen and Paris are] loathsome,' so I thought that I’m going to have to have a really good reason for people choosing love that is going to start a war. How can I make that into something that translates into our modern sensibilities?"
Angelini's agent, Mollie Glick, pitched Starcrossed as "a Percy Jackson for teenage girls." The book was acquired by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
in early 2010, with foreign deals following at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. The novel was eventually given release dates of April 5, 2011 in Spain, May 15, 2011 in Germany, and May 31, 2011 in the United States. Prior to the novel's release, Angelini revealed that the first sequel of a planned trilogy would be entitled Dreamless.
Publicity
Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
reported on the Starcrossed series in March 2010, announcing that HarperCollins had made a "major pre-Bologna [Book Fair] acquisition". Coverage from Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
followed. In early 2011, Angelini announced that Demi Goddesses, a German musical group, would produce an English-language song inspired by the novel called "Where Do I Belong?", as well as an accompanying music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. Advance reader copies of Starcrossed were released for review by Book It Forward Tours.
Reception
An early review from BooklistBooklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
stated, "The riveting plot twists and turns as the myth’s destiny translates into present-day terrors, dreams, and hopelessness, and its execution is seamless." Starcrossed has also received feedback from numerous fantasy authors. In an advance review, Lauren Kate
Lauren Kate
Lauren Kate is an internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and include The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove and Fallen, which reached #3 on The New York Times Best Seller List for children's chapter books on January 8, 2010...
gave particular praise to the romantic elements, and called the overall story "a gorgeous, haunting saga that completely swept me away." Kiersten White described the novel as "a dizzying tale of action, drama, and romance with just the right twist of humor and tragedy." Sophie Jordan lauded the novel as, "One of the most cinematic books I've ever read. Dramatic and intense! I can't tell you how many times I gasped while reading this book. Starcrossed plays out like a movie in your head."
While discussing Helen, Sonja Bolle of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
stated, "Hers is a road I'm eager to travel; the second book in this series, Dreamless, is slated for May 2012—not soon enough, as far as I'm concerned." Kara Warner of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.com called the story "an empowering tale full of intrigue, mythology and self discovery".
Film adaptation
In 2010, Publishers Weekly reported that a possible film adaptation of Starcrossed was being handled by Rachel Miller of Tom Sawyer EntertainmentTom Sawyer Entertainment
Tom Sawyer Entertainment is a film production and management company founded by Rachel Miller and Jesse Hara. It was formed in 2006 and produced happythankyoumoreplease, the US Audience Award winner at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival....
.