Quick Reaction: I should make it clear that there are many different ways to judge a book, and I'm judging Dreamless in relativity to Greek myths. Some pet peeves we see abundantly in today's literature are common and incredibly vital to Greek plots, and I must say that in both that aspect and Angelini's soothing narrative, this book certainly deserves 5 stars.

I thought I would hate Orion, but he actually turned out okay. Though Helen annoyed me a bit at some parts, she never crossed the line that made me hate her like Kill Me Softly because at least she was sacrificing for others, instead of being a selfish b-witch.

Anywho, this book was just fantastic. It's gripping and quite addictive and, honestly, filled with tension that Greek fans are sure to fall head-over-heels in love with.

Actual, full review: This review has been scheduled to post on my blog on 5/15/2012. Here it is, specially early for Goodreads followers and friends! :D (Note: due to copy-and-paste, formatting and links have been lost.)

Josephine Angelini has the uncanny ability to tread uncharted waters and come back with loads of gold in her hands. In other words: what was an aggravating tale of insatiable love, a tale that spanned centuries with infamy and worship--the epic of Helen and Paris, has been transformed completely by Josephine Angelini into an addicting series gleaming with beauty.


It has been established, hopefully, that I am as big of a Greek mythology fanatic as they come, and I am not the first to say that this book is not for everyone. It's entertaining and fascinating, of course, but the true core of this novel lies within its ability to reincarnate lost characters into ones radiating with compassion and believability. For fellow geeks of Greek mythology, and others who yearn for a world fastened with gods and weaved with power, Dreamless captures and re-captures the fulfillment of that wish numerous times.

This book is obsessive and gorgeous. I just couldn't stop reading it; it was as if I myself was stuck within the lines smothered between words, trying to claw my way out of Helen and Lucas's mesmerizing world yet failing to do so without much care at all. It's Josie's prose, I think, that makes this book such a gripping one: she tells you everything you want to know, but the characters don't know it, and you're just sitting there waiting for them to just freakin' wake up already and see. But it's not the type of frustration that results from annoyance: it's a frustration comprised of your own desires as well as the characters; a concoction that truly glues the reader to the page, I believe.

Before I wrap up this review, let's talk about Orion. Ah, yes, Orion: the boy I hated from the moment I read the summary--how could I not, when Helen and Lucas's love was so fragile and so, therefore, also beautiful? But within pages of meeting him, I couldn't help but understand Helen's attraction to Orion as well, for Orion is a charismatic boy who tries so hard to help everyone else; he's altruistically brave, but he's not stupid, and he's understanding as well. So I must say that, even if you believe in Helen and Lucas's love ferociously and fiercely, please don't let it deter you from opening your eyes to try and understand. It's difficult, but I believe that there are roads you never would've seen once you let Josie carry you away in her words.

Greek mythology has constructed a vital and irreplaceable contribution to our very society and government, no matter where in the world you are; Josephine Angelini is a storyteller mastering the YA mythological world, and wherever we travel with her next, I know the ride will be as at ease and thrilling as one could dare to dream.

P.S. Check out my review of the first book in the trilogy, Starcrossed!