Rating: 4 out of 5
Summary
Ethan Wate can’t wait to get out of Gatlin, South Carolina, where his family has lived for many generations. Nothing new ever happens in Gatlin, and everyone knows everyone else’s business…until the mysterious and beautiful Lena Duchannes arrives in town. Immediately, people dislike Lena, and rumors fly: she’s the niece of the town recluse, Macon Ravenwood, and strange things seem to happen wherever she goes.
However, Ethan feels a powerful connection to Lena, for she has appeared in his dreams for months, as a girl he never manages to save. No matter how much the town shuns him for trying to get to know her, and no matter how much she resists him, Ethan is determined to get to know Lena and to find out what his dream means…secrets, dangers, and all.
Review
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES seems poised to be the next big thing in YA literature. It’s got all the right elements: eclectic characters, villains, magic, and true love. It’s almost 600 pages long, but you’ll be unable to put it down, even during the slower and more confusing moments.
The story of Ethan and Lena is primarily a romance, one that will appeal to YA romance buffs who appreciate Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight and Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver. This means that at times their romance can feel a little unbelievable in its intensity and all-encompassing-ness. However, that the story is told from Ethan’s point of view makes it wonderfully sweet, a romance to swoon over. Ethan is an accessible protagonist whose complex feelings of alienation, desire for hometown escape, and doomed love for an unaccepted girl makes him heartachingly real and desirable in readers’ eyes. Ethan Wate will make all bad YA boys ashamed of their rebelliousness, and that’s saying something.
I very much enjoyed the way in which the paranormal element was treated in BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. I had no idea that that was what BC was going to be about, and so in the interest of not spoiling your reading experience, I’m just going to say that. I loved its slow but satisfying buildup.
One might mistakenly expect that a 600-page YA book would be tedious and slow-moving, but BEAUTIFUL CREATURES just might prove that long YA books are the best kind. The story moves along at a delicious and deliberate pace, slowly building atmosphere and making you beg to have your growing list of questions answered. Occasionally some scenes and conversations between characters may seem a bit too drawn out or unnecessary, but overall the book is as easy to devour as a cool glass of iced tea on a hot summer day.
Overall, you won’t regret reading BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, no matter what kind of reader you are. From the paranormal aspect, to the romance, to the rich Southern atmosphere, this book will be sure to draw you in. Don’t miss out on the book that is worthy of all the hype it’s getting!
Similar Authors
Stephenie Meyer (Twilight)
Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver)
Writing: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover discussion: 3 out of 5 - Mysterious and romantic... just like the story itself!
Little, Brown / Dec. 2009 (but available now!) / Hardcover / $17.99
Thank you, Margie, Kami, and Little, Brown for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
I like this review alot, I just moved BC to the top of my tbr pile bc I'm so excited about it. And I agree I like the longer books too.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this someday, I've heard spectacular things about it!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I didn't realise this would told from Ethan's perspective. That is seriously cool. I also didn't realise it was so long. Even better!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. This sounds like something that has to go on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteOhh, sounds very intriguing and intense. I was orginally a little worried about the page-count, but you just made me want to read it even more! Thanks for the great review. :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good; it's a nice reversal having it told from a guy's point of view. I'm a bit sick of paranormal romance at the moment, but I want to read this anyways!
Awesome review! I'm reading this right now and loving it, especially it being told from Ethan's pov.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Steph, really looking forward to this book! I trust your judgement.
ReplyDeleteSee I've tried not to read too much about this book or all the reviews because I didn't want to be spoiled. I didn't even know it was from Ethan's POV! :D Can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm happy to know the book has a good flow, and it is easy to get through quite quickly. Definitely adding it to my TBR list!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I really can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThis one is SOOO on my Christmas wish list !
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an amazing book! I love it when good books are long too :) Glad to read another great review of it!
ReplyDeleteI've read a few good reviews for this book.I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on BC!
ReplyDeleteA big book that still manages to keep your attention? I'm definitely excited!
ReplyDeleteSounds great :)
ReplyDeleteI love the South! This book is sitting in my tbr pile, patiently waiting to be read. I'm really excited to read it :) I love 'Ethan Wate will make all bad YA boys ashamed of their rebelliousness."
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read this book! I absolutely love the cover.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover it looks so dark and beautiful I guess that why it perfect for the book.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great. I have a feeling I'll end up staying up way past my bedtime reading it. lol.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this at Barnes and Noble and have to pretty much tear myself away from it. I want to read it so badly! And I love big books! 600+ pages is a positive thing for me lol!
ReplyDeleteNatalie @ Mindful Musings
This is pushing it's way to the top of the pile. Only one book ahead of it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This is definitely going in my TBR pile :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This is currently at the top of my wish list. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete-Lisa
alifeboundbybooks(at)hotmail(dot).com
Really, I think there's something to be said a about slow buildup. I used to think that meant boring, but recently I've discovered that it can also mean mysterious, suspenseful, and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize it was so long. it's been a really long time since I last read a long YA book.
Great review!
Everything I hear about this book sounds good. I can't wait to read it. I love that it is from a male point of view.
ReplyDeleteJjjjeeeeaaaalllllloooouuuuusssss.
ReplyDeleteI want this book so bad, it looks amazing times infinity. :)
Yet another book to add to the to buy list. I really need to rekindle my love of the library.
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about this book so can't wait till I read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I loved this book. It didn't seem that long while I was reading either.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteevery review I've read about this book has been so vague on the paranormal aspect, and the cover doesn't help at all >T
ReplyDeleteregardless, if a 600 page book can still get the flattering reviews I've seen else where than it's probably very very worth it. I hope I get to read this soon~
Ahhhh I want to read this! >:(
ReplyDeleteEvery single review I've read for it is great and gives it a fantastic rating. I MUST read soon!
Good review. I like how you addmit that it can be slow at times, and that the romance can be unbelievable. One of the best reviews I've seen for this book so far. Keep posting reviews they are fun to read. I can't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This book seems like it's good, I've heard many good things about it that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, I got this book already just need to read it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great review!! I want to read this book so bad it sounds so good and now I want to read it even more!!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read this for a while and it's so good to know that the book isn't that slow and hard to get through. I just love the sound of it and I'm glad you enjoyed it =)
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read this for a while and it's so good to know that the book isn't that slow and hard to get through. I just love the sound of it and I'm glad you enjoyed it =)
ReplyDeleteI really like your review! :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it.
-Briana
I enjoyed your review, but have not read a lot of YA. I will probably check it out closer next time I'm in the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you really enjoyed this book as well. It's definitely got me all pumped up to read it now! :)
ReplyDeletecarmenalexistsang [at] gmail [dot] com
So glad to hear you liked this one! I've heard good things and look forward to reading it. Sounds very interesting! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally ok with you. Beautiful Creatures is a fabulous book. I read it in french but I could'nt resist to the wonderful american cover.
ReplyDeleteSo, is in my list of unreading books (P.A.L. in french).
I can't wait for the next part, so I already pre-order B. Darkness.
Nice blog by the way, it's my first visit but not the last, I put in into my favorites.
Please, be nice with my bad english.
Jenny
I've been a bit wary of paranormal romance since getting burned by FALLEN, but I may just have to check this one out! I've heard lots of recommendations for it, and after your review I think I can see a lot of elements I'm really going to like.
ReplyDeleteThanks!