Beautiful Creatures By Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl Reviewed By Amy
Hardcover: 563 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (December 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316042676
ISBN-13: 978-0316042673
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
The Story
Beautiful Creatures
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
From TheBeautifulCreatures.com
Did you always plan to start the book with Ethan's story? Why?
Kami: We knew before we started that we wanted to write from a boy's point of view. Margie and I both have brothers—-six, between us-—so it wasn't a stretch. It's an interesting experience to fall in love with the guy telling the story rather than the guy the story is about.
Margie: We do kind of love Ethan, so we wanted there to be more to him than just the boy from boy meets girl.
Kami: He's the guy who stands by you at all costs and accepts you for who you are, even if you aren't quite sure who that is.
Amazon Exclusive Interview with Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Authors of Beautiful Creatures
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
My Review
I absolutely loved this book. While reading, I would imagine myself sitting in a rocking chair on the wrap around porch of my plantation home, eating fried green tomatoes while drinking sweet tea. I was so wrapped around the storyline about Ethan and Lena that I literally felt like I was standing there watching them as they walked hand in hand, or driving to school in Uncle Macon's hearse. I felt like a fly on the wall or "Boo" Uncle Macon's dog who witnessed pretty much everything. It was so brilliantly written that I imagined everything from the way a painting looked hung on the wall. Or a vase sitting in the middle of the baby grand piano with flowers dripping over the edge. The way the food that "kitchen" made was presented for all to enjoy. Everywhere I looked I saw anything and everything that Kami and Margaret were writing about. I would even dream about the characters. I can't begin to tell you how obsessed I was with them. And that's just it; all the characters just came alive while reading. Each and every one had such a great role to play.
I think Ethan might be one of my favorite fictional characters ~ As I take a deep breath and long dreamy sigh. Ethan and Lena's relationship was so amazing. I would like to think that my husband and I have a love like theirs. It was strong. Electric. Intoxicating. Addictive. Nothing too gushy or cheesy about it. I haven't even started on the fantasy, magical world of Casters. I couldn't wait to see what happens from day to day in Gatlin County. Every Caster had different powers. Each was very cool and well thought out. The Southern Gothic storyline kept this book going at a steady pace. I never felt bored. I never felt like I wanted it to be done already, like I have many times in the past with long books.
Beautiful Creatures is a fantasy filled love story that draws you in slowly and takes a hold of your heart all the way to the very last page. Do not hesitate to pick this book up as soon as you can. Let me just say we could all use a little of the intrigue, fantasy and romance that this book delivers so well.
The Sequel BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS
in stores October 26, 2010!!!!!!
*A word to the parents there is some kissing, some violence and some minor language in this book. For more content information check here. Parental Book Reviews
Oh great! Now you've made me want to read this one too!! When am I going to have time for all this?? Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite books this year (and possibly ever); I loved it too! I'm still amazed by how well they crafted Ethan and that it never seemed (to me) like women were writing him.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be adding this to my daughter's and my booklist. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI will have to give it 6!lol.i still think it was the best i've read in 2010!
ReplyDelete@Darlyn I think I've only given all six chess pieces to Harry Potter. I agree with you, However HP is perfect in every way.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to read about an "old school" love story in the YA Paranormal branch. Everything else seems to involve some love triangle, and I can't say I'm a fan of this new fad. =S
Thanks for the review!
Ive read Beautiful Creatures and loved it, I was surprised at how quickly I got through the book. Im holding out now till I can get my copy of Beautiful Darkness :)
ReplyDeletepaulazone@live.com
www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com
hey! Awesome review - very informative, with just the right amount of information for folks like me who haven't read it yet! I'm just waiting till closer to when BD is released :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've heard lots of lukewarm stuff about BC, but I'm glad you loved it. I hope the characters come as alive to me as they did for you.
ReplyDeletecc932005 at hotmail dot com
Now I definitely have to add this book to my TBR list. It sounds amazing! Thanks for the great review. You've got me sold.
ReplyDeletejessicasue90@gmail.com
Put it on Paper
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the Second Hand Saturday challenge asks us to revisit this review. I've recently read Fallen by Lauren Kate and Beautiful Creatures seems so much like it. Not that that's a turn-off for me . . .
One of my current fascinations is what I call the "neo-Gothic" novel. I'd really like to read Beautiful Creatures to check out how its authors make the same conventions work and what twists they put into it.
So thanks again, Reading Teen team! =)
Awesome review! I absolutely loved BC and I loved BD even more!!
ReplyDeleteI actually have this book sitting on my shelf at home! I read half of it but haven't finished it yet. By the sound of your review it's sounding pretty good I think I might pick it up next! Great Review!
ReplyDeletecallmeghostgirl@yahoo.com.au
I keep stumbling across this book (series), and for some crazy reason I still haven't add it to my wishlist. This is it. I'm adding it. Right. Now.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review. I'm a sucker for non-cheesy yet intoxicating love stories and people with strange powers.
*runs to her wishlist*
The review and description have definitely added this one to my Must Read list. It'll be interesting to see the story unfold from a male perspective, almost every YA book I've read has been from a female POV.
ReplyDeleteKate1485 at hotmail.com
OMG, I have been hearing about this book and everyone says it is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis review was so wonderful, it really makes me want this book RIGHT NOW!! lol
I want a love like that, darnit :P
Kelly/ yvantis@hotmail.com
I wanted to read this book now for a while but now reading your review I really want to read it. It has moved up in my reading list now :)
ReplyDeletesweet_heart_52_9@yahoo.com
Great review! I loved BC that much, too :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that Beautiful Creatures is one of my favorite books this year. Even though there are a lot of characters, you don't feel like you need to keep notes to keep track of who's who!
ReplyDeleteMichele
rlawrence110@yahoo.com
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this book, sounds awesome!
I didn't know this was from a male POV! Now I have to read it, you don't see this every day! Also, I've only heard good things about this book so I'll have to pick it up.
ReplyDeletek_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Love the story, love the review, love the book trailer!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that a boy was the narrator!!
I really want to read this book!!
+1 for my "wish list"
Thanks for the amazing review!!
aluisanorte@uol.com.br
Fantastic review for an intriguing sounding book Thanks
ReplyDeleteandy341139@hotmail.com
Such an interesting book!!! I can't wait to read it!!!
ReplyDeletevicky.vak8(at)gmail.com
I have been going back and forth about this book for a few weeks. I have heard great things about it and some not so great things. I've been on the fence but now I can't wait to go out and get this book. Great review.
ReplyDeleteapk1princess@live.com
I still need to read this! But now I can go in with high hopes. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIn secondary school my literature teacher always told me that it is bad for a girl to write stories from a boy's point of view. I never really understood why. But somehow she managed to make me believe that it is a bad thing to do. Now, reading all kind of books I know that she was not right and I really like when the narrator is a boy! So I am adding this book into my to-read list :)
ReplyDeleteIt's weird, recently I've been feeling like ALL the books written for YA these days are about naive teeny bopper girls falling for dark, wordly, "teenage" men. I thought "why are no books about dudes falling for chicks?" So I'm really interested in this one, especially after that review, when I was initially on the fence about reading it. I'm not usually into southern settings. However, Casters sound cool, and I really need a new paranormal romance!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started this series yet myself, but you've definitely made it sound pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to read things other than paranormal lately because for a while that's all I was reading, but I may just have to delve back into it for this one ;) lol
Awesome review, thanks for sharing :)
Great review!
ReplyDeletewould love to read these series !! weirdly i heard about them from you only. your review is tempting me to read it now :P
ReplyDeleteLovely review. I have looked into the series, but unlike the hunger games (where i'll admit i was wrong) i have no desire to read it. I read the first few chapters of the first book and it did nothing for me.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
jedisakora@msn.com
I don't read paranormal but I've heard really great things about this book and your review is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI only hear great things about this book, but still haven't managed to read it.
ReplyDeleteI should do it soon!!
I've heard loads of good things about this book... I really need to read it!
ReplyDeleteThis one is next on my to read list, and I was wondering how much I'd like it. This review was great, and has made me really excited to start it!
ReplyDeleteHow have I not heard of this book before? I can't wait to give it a read!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I have heard so many good things about this book. I really want to read both of them.
ReplyDeleteSue B
Hi, I haven't ha a chance to get to this one yet. It sounds great though. Great review.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! I'm not usually for books that from the point of view of a guy because I can't relate to the main character but I bought this one and I am really looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the review and the book trailer:)
ReplyDeleteOh Gosh, your review made me want to read this book so badly! I bet it's such a good one and its sequel might be just as good as the first :D
ReplyDeleteI just need money and time to get the book LOL
I also really enjoyed this one! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't started to read this book yet, but after this amazing review, I think I'm gonna jump some books in my TBR pile and pick Beautiful Creatures right now!
ReplyDeletejudittten at gmail dot com
Thanks for the great review! I really love this book. One of the best.
ReplyDeleteGreat review but boy's point of view is not something I like (Harry Potter is an exception!).
ReplyDeletemilagp1@yahoo.com.br
great review, this book sounds amazing. Ok, so I'm a 29 yr. old stay at home mom of 3 and up until a few months ago, I steered clear of YA. Just didn't think it had anything that would appeal to me. I actually won a YA book and it opened my eyes. I can't wait to read this book
ReplyDeleteAwesome review.
ReplyDeletewildpeetree7@hotmail.com
its neat that it's told from the male perspective - that's hard to find!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Creatures and its sequel are already on my book wishlist:)
spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
I have been listening to this audiobook and I am really enjoying it! great review! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love Ethan too!
ReplyDeletelesly7ch(at)yahoo(Dot)com
Now there's another book I have to read. I hope they have an audiobook. Love the review and can't wait to read about Ethan and Lena.
ReplyDelete