Today is the release day of Starcrossed, and I have the wonderful author, Josephine Angelini, here today to tell us a little about her debut novel.
She has also offered up a beautiful signed copy for one lucky reader!
1. Starcrossed explores ancestry, myths, powers, and more. Can you tell us how you first began forming this story?
I started with the idea of taking Homer's characters and (loosely) retelling the story of the Iliad in a modern-day setting. But unlike Homer's characters, I always knew that mine would know what was in
store for them if they made the same choices as their famous predecessors. After all, they've all read The Iliad so they knew what's coming. The next thing I decided was that when my characters tried to choose differently, they would get the Oedipus work-over the old"you meet your fate on the road you take to escape it" chestnut. Once I got those two general themes set in my head, I realized I had enough material to write at least three books.
2. What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?
Fantasy, sci-fi, romance. I read everything from Jane Austin to Douglas Adams, Herman Melville to Marion Zimmer Bradley. I read whatever was on the bookshelves at home, anything with a cool cover. And if one of my sisters said I was too much of a baby to understand something, I read it whether I liked it or not!
3. I read that you have a lot of sisters. What was it like to have so many women who could give you feedback on your book? Did you often turn to them for advice?
Here's the thing about having 6 big sisters. You get advice whether you ask for it or not. Lucky for me, my sisters are insanely intelligent and insightful women (if a bit outspoken) and they usually have something brilliant to say about pretty much anything. But, strangely, they don't give me feedback on my books. I think the
reason for this is that my big sisters and my lone big brother all love me (the baby of the family) with such blind devotion and pride that they gush whenever they talk about my book. Gushing isn't feedback. I do, however, know exactly what 2 thirds of my family thinks about putting kale in chicken soup, and exactly how much is acceptable to each. Like I said. I get a lot of advice.
4. If you had to describe Helen and Lucas in one word, what would it be?
Starcrossed. I'm serious. That really sums them up!
5. If you could have one special power, what would you pick?
I usually say flying, but right now I'm leaning toward pre-cognition.
I really can't wait for May 31st!
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen (May 31st, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Series: Starcrossed, book #1
How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood.. and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.
Prize:
- 1 winner will receive a SIGNED copy of Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.
Rules:
- You must be at least 13 to enter.
- Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
- Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
- Contest is US Only and ends June 21st.
- Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
- The form must be filled out to enter.
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