I read Starcrossed when I was in high school and devoured the series as all the books were released and I couldn't stand Daphne but now as a mother and after reading Scions I get it, I totally get it; not the way she treated Helen though, I'll never forgive her! Throughout Starcrossed we kept getting a glimpse into Daphne and Ajax's forbidden love but I was so immersed in the plot (since Josephine is a phenomenal writer) I didn't really care lol but when I saw this I had to get a copy! It's a very easy read, it has a plot and we get insight into the Scion world. I really hope this book takes off because I would love it to be picked up as a TV series! I think it would be amazing!!

Scions follows Ajax and Daphne who are scions from different lineages that are meant to hate each other as a curse from the Fates but a freak accident brings them closer to each other. This doesn't sit well with the families since only bad things can happen when bloodlines intermingle and defy the Fates. (view spoiler) I love books connected to Greek mythology so true to the first installment we get mythology mingled in organically throughout the novel. I think this book can be read before or after reading the other books set with the Delos clan since Josephine really does have an amazing writing style!

I loved this. Unashamedly. I read the Starcrossed trilogy when it first published, and thoroughly enjoyed it, though as a kind of guilty pleasure. When I realised that Josephine Angelini had written a prequel about Helen's mother, I was delighted, and instantly wanted it.
This is set in the early 90s in New York, and tells the story of an earlier generation of star-crossed lovers as Daphne and Ajax try to deal with the love-hate relationship that comes of being Scions inexorably drawn to each other.
Cameo appearances from characters in the original trilogy were delightful to deal with the whole way through, and there's an interesting layer of darkness to this story that wasn't as clear in Helen's - seems like Daphne's way of dealing with being a Scion involves a lot more death than Helen's experience in the Starcrossed trilogy. Going back another generation, we see the grandparents of our original trilogy Scions and the generational conflict that's intertwined between the houses. We don't see much of the other two houses, but there's another sequel coming which will bring together this prequel and the later timeline. I actually can't wait.

Also, the cover for this is gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and am now off to read the original trilogy in preparation for the fifth book!

I received a digital ARC of 'Scions' by Josephine Angelini from NetGalley and Sungrazer Publishing. I initially requested this book because a student asked if I knew anything about the upcoming book, and if I had read any of her other books - I hadn't... so the 'prequel' seemed like a good place to start.

I initially looked through Goodreads at the descriptions of the books, and based on that the premise they seemed interesting - book on Mythology are always one that students enjoy. The series seemed to be highly reviewed, but this book was an struggle for me to get through. The characters were not ones I did not immediately fall in love with, and the writing style felt very simplistic, and content seemed repetitive. I can see how this is a book that would appeal to a younger audience, but it's not a book I would recommend to high school or upper level students.

2/5

Daphne’s face is cursed. She is the heir to the Scion House of Zeus and must wear the legendary face of Helen of Troy. She tries to hide… she doesn’t want to go around starting wars between mortals or the Scion families. But when her face shows up in street art mural, she knows she’ll have to track down the artist, Ajax, and see how he knows her. Surely nothing bad will come of it? Let’s find out.

Read if you like: Classic YA, Greek mythology, retellings, paranormal romance, star-crossed lovers, enemies to lovers, make your own fate, prequels, a little steam in your slow burn romance.

The Scions, demigod families of Olympus, are locked in an unending conflict that began with the war of Troy. Daphne is the current bearer of The Face. Her one true fate is to rekindle the war of her descendants and reawaken the gods. But when she meets another Scion from a rival family, Ajax, it appears that the Fates have another thread woven into the tapestries of their lives. Can they survive their families and follow their own path away from destruction?

This book was a lot of fun. I have a feeling if I would have read the Starcrossed series before picking up this book for fun then I would have possibly rated it 5 stars. Maybe it’s just my own neurosis from knowing there were more books, but I could tell that this was leading up to something that would not be resolved quickly or easily. Also, I was expecting a much more depressing ending. So that was a positive surprise. I mean, bad things happen, it’s a book, but overall, pleasantly surprised.

So, what do you get? A really great throwback YA PNR. And not just because its set in the 1990s. (So on brand, rn.) 😊 The MC teens are teenagery yet totally OP with their special demigod status. And they actually know what they’re doing, so, there’s not that annoying learning curve… “oh I have powers, oh em gee! What now?!?” There’s a lot of great tension and background information within the Scion Houses and you feel the connection to the Greek myths while having space to be its own thing. The romance is so classic YA. Its so good. And yes, you get a happy-ish ending. My only problem… I now need to add 3 more books to my ridiculously long TBR. So yeah, thanks Josephine Angelini! 😉 It’s not like I’ll ever be close to finished anyway…

Thank you to NetGalley, Sungrazer Publishing, and Josephine Angelini for a copy of this book for my honest review.

Preliminary 5 star review as I am 2anting to read her other books in the series first. Even though this is a prequel I prefer to read the other way around as usually the prequel is more impactful when I do.

Thankyou for netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC of Scions, by Josephine Angelini.

As a reading, coming this this book, having not read the Starcrossed trilogy, all the characters and concepts were completely fresh for me. Despite this, the book so so well written, that I had no confusion, and feel it could easily be the novel you being the series on, rather than reading it through publication order.

Daphne, as the protagonist, allows for a lot of mythological parallels to be drawn, and used for inspiration, which Angelini does very well. Having Helens Face, and being stalked in the same was that the original Daphne experiences, gives hints of irony for readers who are family with greek mythology.

In a lot of ways, this narrative reads like Romeo and Juliet, featuring themes of forbidden love, familial rivalries, and the continuous build of drama. I would like to note, that this book is not a retelling of any story or myth, but there is clear inspiration, and symbolism in names, like using Daphne, Ajax, Talus, etc.

After finishing Scions, I am very inclined to read the original trilogy that this comes from, having fallen in love with the characters, and I do wonder what happens to Daphne, post her story and into Helen's.

Daphne is in possession of The Face - the one that launched 1000 ships in Ancient Greece. Embroiled in a battle over 3,000 years old, she finds herself tested and pushed to her limits as she falls for a boy on the other side.

Although Scions is a prequel to the Starcrossed Trilogy, I think it can be read without needing to read them first (although some things definitely mean more if you have!). Just like when I read the original trilogy as a teen, this book sucks you in and weaves a brilliant take on the ancient Greek myths. Definitely a recommended read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for sending me a copy for an honest review.
Firstly, I am really excited to get this ebook on my ereader- for several reasons. Firstly, the Starcrossed series is one of my favourite series. It follows a modern day Helen of Troy. And what I feel this series has done better than the rest of the fantasy series is the main character has human faults and she faces something that we all can relate - what is her purpose here? While Scions follows another main character, the character still shows human faults, which is something I love to see. Genuine and trying to figure who she is today. A solid 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a stunning prequel and was wonderful! Prequels are always so fun.

The dazzling prequel to the Starcrossed series, the #1 international bestselling trilogy. Perfect for fans of great storytelling.

This book was the prequel to her series, which I haven't read, but after reading Scions, I am dying to read the rest of her books. This book combines a few of my favourite things - NEW YORK, 1990's, Greek Mythology and Enemies to Lovers.

This book was amazing with its tropes and everything. I do think that despite being almost perfect, this book was missing something (ANGST). The book was missing the angst that comes with Enemies to Lovers. Maybe if I'd gotten a bit of angst, I would rate it five stars, but yeah, for now, four stars will have to do. The plot-building and the world-building were amazing, and I have to praise the author for them. Most fantasy books take too much time to develop the world, and it just confuses and bores me, but even though this was the first one I read, I was easily able to get the world.

Ajax is the cutest ever MMC. He's an artist, and he literally painted the sky with her face (well came pretty close to it) Daphne is also such a great FMC which I honestly didn't expect her to be in the starting because the first chapter daphne was cringe for me while rest of the book daphne was amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Sungrazer Publishing for an early copy of this book :)
I preface this by saying that I have not read the previous books, so I don’t feel like I can rate this.
The books and the explanations of what’s happening are very rushed, the writing is action focused and almost feels like it’s done in an hurry. The main character is almost immediately drawn by the love interest without any explanation, and everything happens very quickly.
It also kinda of feels like a wattpad story, with literally the first quote being:
‘ I’ve always hated the first day of school. I don’t know for certain that it would be easier if we didn’t move so much,…’
I would not recommend reading this before without having read the entire Starcrossed serie.
x/G

Scions was a light and easy read, that I really enjoyed.
Although I haven't read any of the other books in the series, I found this book extremely enjoyable. The character were relatable and had beautiful relationships with each other. Ajax and Daphne's forbidden love was swoon-worthy, and one of the only forbidden loves that I liked. It has inspired me to take up the rest of the series. I would recommend it for lovers of lore by Alexandra Bracken.

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating : 4.25

Review : NO SPOILERS

I loved returning to Josephine Angelini's world of demigods and houses. Daphne has always been one of the most conflicting and interesting characters in books 1-3 and to read more about her and Ajax was amazing. I did expect certain characters to behave in a certain way and when I got something completely different, I was really surprised and loved the book more. Few of my own idiosyncrasies aside, this book is a must read for all Greek Myth fans and I cannot wait for Timeless next year

I have been recently introduced to the original Starcrossed series by a dear friend and I loved the magical ethereal nature of it. This prequel continues that joy and magic from the first page all the way through.

And finally, here I am, to write my most awaited review EVER! First of all: a huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book. Seriously, I was slowly but steadily going insane as I waited for October to come along! But now, to what really matters: Scions! 


What to say about this work of art? I don't even know where to begin! Josephine Angelini has a gift and that's for sure, it always amazes me how writing seems to be so effortless in the way things always flow so swiftly… I don't even know how to explain it to be honest, but her writing just sucks you in and before you even take notice, you already are halfway through the book, completely immersed in it and not even knowing when that happened. That's just how it is. 


As for Scions, anyone who knows me, knows I've been crazy excited for this release, afterall, I've been obsessed with Starcrossed since 2012, when I first came across it, and although I always praised Goddess for being the perfect ending to a perfect story, I always wondered what could have been, because the book ends with so many plots to yet to be explored, still, I was kinda afraid this could just mess up a perfectly good story which had ended well, but I still trusted Josephine and I'm glad I did. This book fulfilled its purpose of giving us some background knowledge of the Starcrossed universe, while still being one of the best books I ever read and I really do hope to hear more of Ajax and Daphne's story. I know some from reading Starcrossed, but I fell in love so hard for Ajax, that I'm just hoping to see more of him at this point while also curious about Tantalus and what truly happened to him (if you know you know, if you don't, go read Starcrossed!). Either way, Scions is an amazing prequel to an amazing series and a total must read. 

Each character is so captivating and the writing so fluid, that you can't help but enjoy it and be completely eloped by this pair of Starcrossed lovers, truly hoping and cheering for their happy ending. Seriously, to me, this book was everything and then some.

Synopsis:
New York City, 1993. It wasn’t Daphne’s choice to move into the heart of a struggle that has been secretly waging for thirty-three hundred years, but not much in her life has been up to her. Fate has brought Daphne, daughter of Zeus, and Heir to the House of Atreus to where the descendants of the Greek gods can shed blood over her once again.

Men are fated to kill for her.

But New York holds a surprise for Daphne and her cursed face—the same one that once launched a thousand ships. A series of murals painted all over town mysteriously pull at her in ways she can't understand. That’s because the artist is Ajax Delos, Son of Apollo, Scion of the House of Thebes, and Daphne’s mortal enemy.

She found the one worth dying for.

With the Fates manipulating them like pieces on a chessboard, Daphne and Ajax must find a way to break the cycle of destruction set in motion by their ancestors before the walls of Troy, or risk becoming yet another pair of star-crossed lovers doomed to repeat the same fatal mistakes.

I enjoyed stepping back into the world of Star-crossed, it was easy to read and a good refresher to then return back to the original trilogy before reading Timeless.
I do enjoy reading a good Greek mythology retelling, this time it's the Trojan War, Josephine hasn't disappointed with this prequel; I had fun looking up the Greeks who's name appears in this book of family feuds and Star-crossed lovers.
I love the forbidden love/enemies to lovers trope so this book was right up my street, the Daphne wasn't annoying and I like her relationship with Ajax, it was electrifying seeing their relationship develop throughout the book.
The 90s set up also added to the lore of reading this book the throwbacks reminded me of my childhood in that era it was refreshing to read great escapism.
Expect an epic story of feuding God's and Demi-gods, passionate love and unforgettable characters and story.

A prequel to the bestselling star crossed series

New York City, 1993. It wasn't Daphne's choice to move into the heart of a struggle that has been secretly waging for thirty-three hundred years, but not much in her life has been up to her. Fate has brought Daphne, daughter of Zeus, and Heir to the House of Atreus to where the descendants of the Greek gods can shed blood over her once again.
Men are fated to kill for her.
But New York holds a surprise for Daphne and her cursed face--the same one that once launched a thousand ships. A series of murals painted all over town mysteriously pull at her in ways she can't understand. That's because the artist is Ajax Delos, Son of Apollo, Scion of the House of Thebes, and Daphne's mortal enemy.
She found the one worth dying for.
With the Fates manipulating them like pieces on a chessboard, Daphne and Ajax must find a way to break the cycle of destruction set in motion by their ancestors before the walls of Troy, or risk becoming yet another pair of star-crossed lovers doomed to repeat the same fatal mistakes.
Read in one sitting really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sungrazer Publishing
I just reviewed Scions by Josephine Angelini. #Scionsnovel #NetGalley

Reading Scions by Josephine Angelini was such a weird experience because Starcrossed was one of my favorite books when I was a teenager, I read it multiple times & loved it so so much. Fast forward ~10 years I reread Starcrossed in preparation for Scions because I wasn’t sure I remembered everything correctly & I had actually a lot of fun rereading the book. Was it as amazing as I remembered? … well, no. It’s so dramatic and the ending made me mad for a few days because it feels so stupid? But I still enjoyed rereading the book a lot, it’s a really fun story and I was excited to dive into Scions next and read about Daphne and Ajax. And again, was the book amazing? … no. But it was very similar to the Starcrossed series, which is good I think. Lots of drama, lots of romance, family. Past me would have absolutely loved the book. 2022-Me can appreciate that I’m not the target audience anymore & that it wasn’t a bad book, even if not necessarily for me anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this prequel but I’m also a bit confused? And curious about the sequels. I just think except for setting up the plot of the sequels it wasn’t doing much plot wise? We already knew loosely from the Starcrossed series what happened. And I don’t want to say the book was unnecessary but maybe a short story or novella would have worked as well? Because right now I’m not sure what Scions did for the overarching plot but I could be wrong.
However, I’m happy I’ve reread one of my old favorites even though I wouldn’t count it as a favorite anymore but it still has a special place in my heart because I used to love it so much & I liked spending time in this world again.