“My life was a hurricane, and I was the eye of it. All I could do was stand still and watch.”
— Helen reflects on the chaos and danger surrounding her, feeling powerless to stop it.
Archivist's Choice
Dreamless
Josephine Angelini (2012)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
480 min
Key Themes
See below
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A weary Helen, tasked with ending an ancient cycle of revenge in the Underworld, must battle mythical Furies, a ruthless foe, and the painful struggle to forget her true love, Lucas, as a new hero challenges her heart and sanity.
Synopsis
Helen Hamilton, a Scion who can go into the Underworld, must stop the cycle of revenge in her family. At night, she navigates Hades, trying to bring peace to the dead. This drains her physically and mentally. During the day, she fights fatigue and the pain of being separated from Lucas Delos, the boy she loves but cannot be with because of their linked destinies and the threat of war.
As Helen nears collapse, Orion, a new Scion, arrives. He has a unique link to the Underworld and starts helping Helen, protecting her from dangers and offering companionship. Their bond grows, creating a love triangle as Helen deals with her feelings for Lucas and her growing affection for Orion. Meanwhile, an enemy plots against them, and the Furies' desire for blood increases, threatening chaos in both the mortal and immortal worlds. Helen must find the truth of the threat and make difficult choices, leading to a final fight in the Underworld that demands sacrifice and has lasting effects.
Reading time
480 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Variable
Mood
Mythic, Romantic, Suspenseful, Dark
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy Greek mythology retellings, young adult fantasy with a strong romantic element, and complex love triangles.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike love triangles, find slow-burn romance frustrating, or prefer simpler, less intricate plotlines.
Plot Summary
The Weight of the Underworld
Helen Hamilton lives a double life on Nantucket, still affected by the events of 'Starcrossed.' Every night, she goes into the Underworld, a duty given to her as the only Scion who can. She must calm the Furies and stop the cycle of revenge among the ancient houses. This leaves her constantly tired and barely functional during the day. She misses Lucas Delos deeply, as he was forced to forget her and move to California for her safety. Helen's grades are dropping, her social life is gone, and she feels completely alone, unable to tell anyone about her nightly ordeal. The constant stress is eroding her mind, making her wonder how long she can fight this solitary battle against ancient curses.
Orion's Arrival
Just as Helen feels she can't go on, a new Scion arrives on Nantucket: Orion. He is charming, brave, and understands Helen's struggles. Orion quickly becomes a part of Helen's life, attending her school and offering constant comfort. He reveals that he, too, can enter the Underworld, a rare ability, and offers to help Helen with her nightly duties. His arrival gives Helen much-needed relief and company. He protects her from some of the Underworld's dangers and listens to her. However, his sudden appearance and his knowledge of Helen's unique abilities raise some questions among her friends and family, though Helen is too grateful for the help to question it deeply.
A Shared Burden
With Orion helping her, Helen's nightly trips into the Underworld become easier. They face the Furies and the tormented spirits together, sharing the huge burden Helen had carried alone. Orion proves to be a capable and fearless ally, understanding the Underworld's complexities and helping Helen navigate its dangerous places. Their shared experiences build a strong bond between them, and Helen finds herself relying more and more on his strength and company. While she still misses Lucas, Orion's presence fills a void and gives her hope that she might finally manage her responsibilities and perhaps even find some semblance of a normal life.
Memories of Lucas
Against the Fates' wishes, Lucas Delos returns to Nantucket. He has been bothered by a feeling of unease and that something important is missing, despite his memory wipe. His family, especially Hector, worries about him. Seeing Helen again, Lucas has flashes of forgotten memories, pieces of their past that start to come together. This return throws Helen into emotional chaos. She is overjoyed to see him, but she also knows his presence puts them both in danger and could ruin the delicate balance she is trying to maintain with Orion. The love triangle begins to form, creating tension and conflicting loyalties.
Orion's Growing Influence
As Lucas's memories slowly return, Orion's affection for Helen becomes clearer. He continues to protect her in the Underworld and comfort her daily. Helen, torn between her lasting love for Lucas and her growing appreciation and affection for Orion, finds herself in a harder position. Orion is kind, understanding, and always there for her, offering a present comfort that Lucas, with his fragmented memories, cannot fully provide. The emotional intensity of their shared experiences in Hades further strengthens their bond, making Helen question her heart and her obligations.
The Threat of the Furies
The Furies, ancient goddesses of vengeance, are becoming more agitated. The cycle of revenge among the Scion houses, especially the rivalry between the Delos and Castor lines, continues to fuel their power. Helen's nightly efforts in the Underworld, even with Orion's help, are barely containing them. Their calls for blood grow louder and more urgent, threatening chaos in both the mortal and immortal worlds. This growing threat puts immense pressure on Helen and Orion to find a lasting solution, forcing them to confront the root causes of the ancient feuds before the Furies' wrath becomes unstoppable and catastrophic.
A Deadly Plot Unveiled
Castor, Helen's biological father and the story's antagonist, reveals his plan. He has been manipulating events from behind the scenes, seeking ultimate power and control over the Scions and the Underworld. Castor's plan involves using Helen's unique abilities and ancient prophecies to his advantage. He sees Helen as a pawn in his grand scheme for domination, and his actions have driven many of the recent conflicts and dangers. His reveal puts Helen, Lucas, and Orion in direct danger, as they must now confront a powerful and ruthless enemy who has been working against them all along.
A Dangerous Alliance
With Castor's true intentions known, Helen, Lucas, and Orion realize they must set aside their complicated emotions and unite against this common enemy. Despite the lingering tension of the love triangle and Lucas's still-recovering memories, the urgent threat forces them into a reluctant alliance. They combine their unique Scion abilities and knowledge of the ancient world to plan how to counter Castor's powerful influence. This alliance is full of personal challenges, but the stakes are too high for them to fail, as Castor's victory would mean devastation for all Scions and potentially the mortal world.
The Battle in the Underworld
The final fight with Castor happens in the dark and dangerous Underworld. Helen, Lucas, and Orion face Castor and his manipulated forces in a desperate battle. Each uses their unique Scion powers—Helen's ability to manipulate the Underworld, Lucas's strength and fighting skills, and Orion's strategic mind and combat skills. The fight is intense and dangerous, testing their limits and forcing them to make hard choices. The Furies' presence is overwhelming, feeding off the conflict. During the chaos, sacrifices are made, and alliances are tested, leading to moments of both heartbreak and heroism.
Orion's Sacrifice
In a key moment during the battle against Castor, Orion makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect Helen and Lucas. He bravely puts himself in danger, ensuring their survival and giving them a chance to defeat Castor. His selfless act confirms his love for Helen and shows his loyalty. This tragic event deeply affects Helen, leaving her with grief and guilt, even as it allows her and Lucas to win. Orion's sacrifice is a turning point, not only in the battle but also in Helen's emotional journey, making her confront the true cost of her abilities and the love she inspires.
The Aftermath and Lingering Shadows
With Orion's sacrifice, Helen and Lucas defeat Castor, ending his terror and destructive plan. However, the victory is bittersweet. The Underworld is temporarily calm, but the Furies' influence is never truly gone. Helen is left dealing with immense grief over Orion's death and the heavy weight of her responsibilities as a Scion. Lucas's memories are fully restored, but their reunion is shadowed by the loss of their friend and the trauma of recent events. The future remains uncertain, as the ancient cycles of revenge and the delicate balance between the mortal and immortal worlds are still unstable.
Principal Figures
Helen Hamilton
The Protagonist
Helen transforms from an overwhelmed and isolated figure into a more resilient leader, accepting her destiny and making difficult choices, even at great personal cost.
Lucas Delos
The Love Interest / Supporting Protagonist
Lucas regains his lost memories and fights to reclaim his relationship with Helen, proving his enduring love and loyalty.
Orion
The Love Interest / Supporting Protagonist
Orion evolves from a mysterious helper to a tragic hero, making the ultimate sacrifice to protect Helen and Lucas.
Castor
The Antagonist
Castor's manipulative schemes are exposed, leading to his confrontation and eventual defeat.
Hector Delos
The Supporting
Hector continues to support his family and Helen, evolving into a trusted ally in the fight against Castor.
The Furies
The Antagonist / Plot Device
The Furies' power escalates throughout the story, culminating in a major threat that Helen must confront, though they are never fully vanquished.
Ariadne
The Supporting
Ariadne remains a steadfast friend, offering emotional support and a connection to the mortal world for Helen.
Daphne
The Supporting
Daphne continues to provide comfort and healing to Helen, solidifying her role as a supportive family member.
Themes & Insights
The Burden of Destiny
The main theme is Helen's overwhelming destiny as the only Scion who can go into the Underworld. Her life is consumed by this responsibility, leading to extreme fatigue, isolation, and a near breakdown. This burden shows in her falling grades, strained relationships, and constant fight against the Furies. It highlights that great power often comes with an unbearable cost, forcing individuals to give up personal happiness for a larger, ancient purpose. Her struggles in the Underworld and her exhaustion during the day, as detailed in the opening chapters, are direct results of this theme.
““Every night, the Underworld claimed her, and every day, she paid the price.””
Love and Sacrifice
This theme explores the deep sacrifices made for love, both romantic and friendly. Lucas's forced memory wipe in the previous book, and his struggle to get those memories back, is a major part. Orion's selfless act of sacrificing his life to save Helen and Lucas is the most powerful example, showing the highest form of love. Helen, too, constantly sacrifices her well-being and desires for her loved ones and her duty. The love triangle itself shows this, as Helen struggles with her feelings for both men while knowing any choice will come with a cost. The emotional turmoil and Orion's tragic end highlight the painful reality of these sacrifices.
““Some loves are worth forgetting, but others are worth dying for.””
The Cycle of Revenge
The ancient cycle of revenge, especially between the Delos and Castor houses, drives the Furies' power and much of the conflict. Helen's mission in the Underworld is to break this cycle, but it is deeply ingrained and hard to overcome. Castor's villainous plan is rooted in this cycle, as he uses historical animosities for his own gain. The Furies' constant demand for retribution highlights the destructive nature of holding onto past wrongs and the difficulty of forgiveness, affecting generations of Scions. The ongoing conflict between the families, fueled by ancient wrongs, is a constant reminder of this theme.
““The Furies’ cry for blood was growing louder, an ancient song of vengeance that echoed through the ages.””
Identity and Belonging
Helen's struggle with her identity as a unique Scion and her place in both the mortal and immortal worlds is a recurring theme. She feels isolated due to her abilities and her inability to confide in others. Orion's arrival, as he shares her unique gift, offers her a sense of belonging and understanding she desperately wants. Lucas's memory loss also touches on identity, as he struggles to reclaim who he is without his past with Helen. The conflict between her human desires for a normal life and her divine duties creates an inner struggle, forcing her to reconcile these two parts of herself.
““She was a girl caught between two worlds, belonging fully to neither.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Underworld
The primary setting for Helen's nightly duties and a source of conflict.
The Underworld serves as both a literal setting and a powerful symbolic device. It is where Helen must descend nightly to appease the Furies and is the source of her immense fatigue and isolation. Symbolically, it represents the subconscious, the weight of history, and the inescapable consequences of ancient curses and grudges. Its dark, treacherous nature reflects the internal struggles of the characters and the moral ambiguities they face. The Furies, residing within, personify the unyielding demands of revenge, making the Underworld a constant threat and a relentless adversary.
Memory Wipe
A magical intervention that erases memories, particularly Lucas's.
The memory wipe, imposed on Lucas to protect Helen, is a crucial plot device that drives much of the emotional conflict and the love triangle. It creates a significant barrier between Helen and Lucas, forcing them to rebuild their connection from scratch, while also allowing Orion to enter Helen's life. The slow return of Lucas's memories adds tension and suspense, impacting his character arc and complicating Helen's choices. It highlights the power of fate versus free will and the enduring nature of true love, even when forcibly erased.
The Love Triangle
Helen's romantic dilemma between Lucas and Orion.
The love triangle between Helen, Lucas, and Orion is a central plot device that generates significant emotional tension and character development. It is a direct consequence of Lucas's memory wipe and Orion's subsequent arrival as Helen's protector. This dynamic forces Helen to confront her deepest feelings, her loyalties, and the sacrifices she is willing to make. It deepens the emotional stakes, leading to Orion's tragic sacrifice and highlighting the complexities of love under extraordinary circumstances. The triangle is not merely a romantic conflict but also a test of Helen's character and resilience.
Ancient Prophecies and Curses
Preordained destinies and family feuds that shape the characters' lives.
Ancient prophecies and curses are foundational plot devices that dictate the characters' destinies and the overarching conflict. Helen's unique ability to descend into the Underworld is tied to prophecy, as is the ongoing cycle of revenge between the Scion houses. These prophecies provide a framework for the narrative, foreshadowing events and explaining the motivations behind the Furies' actions and Castor's machinations. They create a sense of inescapable fate, against which the characters struggle, adding a layer of epic scope to their personal battles.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Some things are worth fighting for. Even if you lose.”
— Helen contemplates the sacrifices and risks involved in protecting those she loves and her destiny.
“The gods don't care about our feelings. They care about their games.”
— Helen expresses her frustration with the arbitrary and often cruel interventions of the Olympian gods.
“It's hard to be brave when you're terrified, but that's when it counts the most.”
— Helen facing a daunting challenge, acknowledging her fear but pushing through it.
“Sometimes the only way out is through. No matter how much it hurts.”
— Helen prepares for a painful or difficult ordeal, understanding the necessity of enduring it.
“Love isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be worth it.”
— Helen reflects on the complexities and struggles in her romantic relationships, particularly with Lucas.
“The past isn't just behind us. Sometimes it's right here, waiting to catch up.”
— Helen deals with the repercussions of ancient prophecies and inherited destinies.
“You can't escape who you are, no matter how hard you try.”
— Helen grapples with her identity as a demigod and the responsibilities that come with it.
“Even heroes get scared. It's what they do with that fear that makes them heroes.”
— Helen is reminded that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.
“The world is full of monsters, but not all of them have fangs.”
— Helen learns that some of the greatest dangers come from human betrayal or manipulation.
“Sometimes, the hardest choices are the only ones that matter.”
— Helen faces a difficult decision that will have profound consequences for herself and others.
“Hope is a dangerous thing, but it's also the only thing that keeps us going.”
— Despite overwhelming odds, Helen clings to hope for a better future.
“There are some wounds time can't heal. Only action can.”
— Helen realizes that some injustices or pains require active intervention, not just patience.
“The greatest power isn't in what you can destroy, but in what you can protect.”
— Helen understands the true nature of her strength and her role in the ongoing conflict.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Helen's primary task is to descend into Hades nightly to stop the endless cycle of revenge that curses her family, the Scions. This is challenging because she is the only Scion capable of doing so, leading to extreme fatigue that erodes her sanity and makes her vulnerable to the dangers and spirits within the Underworld.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
