Dreamless by Josephine Angelini Review

Title: Dreamless
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: May 29, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Mythology
Pages: 487
Source: Publisher

Helen needs to get through hell in two ways: by night they reflected the underworld, even worse torments her day that Lucas and they may possibly love. In the underworld, Helen meets Orion. The more time they spend together, the closer they come to. Then something totally unexpected happens, the forces calculated for holding and Lucas Orion: The four houses are combined and Scion, a new Trojan war seems inevitable!

Helen’s destiny cannot be fought. The ancient prophecy that states she can and must free the Scions from blood debts owed to the Furies now rests solely on her shoulders, and her task is arduous, her journey long and the road is rough. She is the Descender, and every night she must cross into the Underworld to find and defeat the Furies’ quest for vengeance, which makes the Scions kill one another. Night after night, she follows her duties alone until she meets another Scion – one she’s never met before – who might just have to save her from dire circumstances. But Descending takes its toll, and Helen’s losing her faith, losing her sight on what’s real and she might just be losing her mind. Can Helen fulfill the ancient prophecy before it’s too late?

I didn’t review book one on my blog simply because I couldn’t put into words how much I loved it. So, naturally, my adoration of the writing style and fluid plot led me to be concerned (at best) for the fate of Dreamless. I shouldn’t have worried though. Veteran author, Josephine Angelini, continues in her proven vein of master-storytelling, crafting a story so rich and vivid that, at times, you might just feel as though you’re in Helen’s shoes. With a soft and steady gait, the plot overtakes you in its alluring web, trapping you in the midst of the characters’ fights for their lives and an epic battle that feels more real than surreal. The words leap from the pages, breathing new life into a tired genre and prove that sophomore installations can meet and surpass their predecessors.

The characters truly soar in Dreamless, allowing the readers to reach new heights of the story by giving us truly unlimited access to their psyches. We get to see what makes Helen tick in this installment, more than ever before, and her quiet subtleties in both her actions and inactions are incredibly telling. We watch as Lucas evolves slowly, as well, and we meet Orion, as well as other new characters, who twist the plot to their personalities, making the storyline evolve throughout. There are touches of romance in Dreamless, but it’s not the end-all, be-all of the book. Rather, they serve to bolster the plot and move it along, changing and manipulating the story as it goes. However, the true strength of the novel lies within the action of the novel. The storytelling is superb, and the pace is flawless throughout. The continuous twists and turns are emphasized with careful detail, description and melodious words. The settings are phenomenal, and more than once I wished I could visit these lands that Helen journeyed to.

I’m a tough critic, but I really loved Dreamless. I thought it was a fantastic sequel, and I’m extremely excited for the next installment. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and mythology.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.