I liked the first book quite a bit (OK, so kill me out of sheer disgust). I felt that the author had a certain originality in her writing style - Angelini wasn't trying to be someone else or aspiring to be another more renowned author. The author just wrote in her very own style - no pretenses, no imitation, no fear. At least she didn't try to use flowery language to gussy up her story. I felt that it was very brave for the author to be completely herself in her debut, and certainly the book did stand out quintessentially. It was the honesty that got me.

Unfortunately, what I found so charming in Starcrossed was ubiquitous but gone in Dreamless. The author's own voice? Yep, still there. The charm? Hollowly absent.

Finally, I can see Helen for what she really is. And yes, she is always the damsel in distress, despite her freaking-awesome powers. But really, it is no wonder. Helen has the rarest lightning abilities, super strength, the speed of light, a necklace which makes her physically impervious to weapons, the ability to fly, the privilege of being the only scion to descend to the underworld at will without having to die (most regrettably), and last but not least, a Ms Universe face that does funny things to her enemies to make them want to protect her instead of kill her. Hmm.

So why dies Helen need saving all the time? Easy - because she doesn't have the most ultimate superpower of all: a brain.

Oh, and she is constantly distracted from her task of saving the scions by - what else - boys.

Boys boys boys boys boys boys boys boys ...! (The central theme of the book.)

The first book was about the forbidden love story between the actual Paris and Helen of Troy. I really do appreciate the author's unique point of view to put these historically seen as selfish couple in another perspective: what if Paris and Helen were really fated to be together and were merely following their hearts, that they could somehow beat all the odds stacked against them and make it through together? Aww... That kinda makes you want to believe in true love, right? But funny, I really don't remember there being a third person in the romance of the Odyssey. I distinctly remember only Helen and a Paris, but since when did London come in?! As in, Helen only had one soulmate, not two. That kinda casts doubt on the romance of the first story, doesn't it?

I can't help but constantly compare Dreamless to its predecessor, Starcrossed. Although I think this may be a bit unfair, on second thought I don't think I would have enjoyed Dreamless as a standalone either. I wouldn't recommend this book to even fans of Starcrossed, let alone other innocent and ignorant readers who are in search of a good book.