Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini’s debut novel reimagines classical mythology through the lens of contemporary young adult fiction, transplanting ancient Greek legends onto the windswept shores of Nantucket. The narrative follows Helen Hamilton, a teenager grappling with her family’s mysterious curse and sudden romantic entanglements, only to discover that her existence mirrors the tragic cycle of Helen of Troy and Paris across multiple lifetimes. Angelini weaves together themes of fate, reincarnation, and the tension between personal choice and predetermined destiny, grounding her mythological framework in detailed local history and maritime folklore. The novel distinguishes itself by treating its divine characters not as distant deities but as figures whose ancient rivalries and passions continue to shape mortal lives. By blending romantic tension with mythological scholarship, the work invites readers to reconsider how classical stories echo through modern relationships and family legacies.