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svreads's review against another edition
5.0
There wasn't anything about this book that I didn't like. Granted, I'm probably a bit biased because I'm a huge fan of the movie, but I still think it's a great story with great characters.
I loved every single one of the characters, even the ones I loved to hate. Each one was developed well and relatable in a good way. Ethan and Lena's relationship is also my favorite fictional relationship of all time. Ethan is a genuinely good guy, and the two were more worried about protecting each other than procreating like rabbits. Maybe some teenagers would rather read about raunchy late night sex sessions, but that's not really my thing. And I appreciated a story in which a guy could be likable and respectable. Especially one that is set in the South.
As someone who grew up in the South, in Mississippi no less, I can appreciate the descriptions of Gatlin and its residents, and I can also attest to the fact that they are dead on. I wish I could live in Gatlin just so I could love to hate living there. Maybe you'd have to be a Southerner at heart to understand.
I also loved the references to some of my favorite authors and books. T. S. Eliot is one of my favorite poets, and I think the authors did a really nice job of tying his work into the story in a really subtle and yet important and unexpected way. If you haven't read Eliot or some of the books mentioned, you won't be lost. They are just a nice addition and something that I think should be done more often in YA books.
All in all I loved this book. And that is not to be taken lightly because I am very picky about my ratings. A book can be very well written and have nice characters and a plot but if I didn't absolutely love it and want to read it over and over again, chances are it won't get five stars. I would recommend this to YA fans and adult fiction fans alike.
I loved every single one of the characters, even the ones I loved to hate. Each one was developed well and relatable in a good way. Ethan and Lena's relationship is also my favorite fictional relationship of all time. Ethan is a genuinely good guy, and the two were more worried about protecting each other than procreating like rabbits. Maybe some teenagers would rather read about raunchy late night sex sessions, but that's not really my thing. And I appreciated a story in which a guy could be likable and respectable. Especially one that is set in the South.
As someone who grew up in the South, in Mississippi no less, I can appreciate the descriptions of Gatlin and its residents, and I can also attest to the fact that they are dead on. I wish I could live in Gatlin just so I could love to hate living there. Maybe you'd have to be a Southerner at heart to understand.
I also loved the references to some of my favorite authors and books. T. S. Eliot is one of my favorite poets, and I think the authors did a really nice job of tying his work into the story in a really subtle and yet important and unexpected way. If you haven't read Eliot or some of the books mentioned, you won't be lost. They are just a nice addition and something that I think should be done more often in YA books.
All in all I loved this book. And that is not to be taken lightly because I am very picky about my ratings. A book can be very well written and have nice characters and a plot but if I didn't absolutely love it and want to read it over and over again, chances are it won't get five stars. I would recommend this to YA fans and adult fiction fans alike.
tcgarback's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Personal Score: A
Critical Score: B
This is sort of an obligatory A because of how nostalgic this book is for me. Almost painfully nostalgic, because the series so viscerally brings me back to the 8th-10th grade period of my life, and I’m easily swallowed up by reminiscing. (I think) I read book one in 8th grade, maybe re-read it in 9th, read the second book in 9th, the third in 10th, and I had always meant to get around to the fourth book. It's taken so long that I now have to re-read the first three books to remind myself of the details. But I'm also re-reading them for the value of enjoying them in their own right, not just as stepping stones to the fourth book.
Much of my nostalgia comes from the movie. I first saw its trailer in theatres, which is also when I first heard the song "Seven Devils." That moment launched my many years-running infatuation for Florence + the Machine. When the movie eventually came out, I adored it. They sort of chopped the book to bits, but honestly, a lot of the changes are understandable and maybe for the better. It's such a shame the movie didn't bring in enough profit for them to greenlight an adaptation of Beautiful Darkness.
So back to the source material. It's long, and I like that. It was an opportunity to slow down and soak up a story over a week. I love how it starts with the school year and goes through the holidays. I love the characters a ton. I love the mystery and lore. I love the small town setting, especially since it's critical of white culture in the south rather than blindly in love with it—and handles its meager two ostensibly BIPOC characters acceptably. I strongly feel for Ethan's longing to escape. It all makes me feel like such a teen again.
The pacing is really wonky, though. Maybe not in the way it sounds. Basically, they stuffed way too much time in here as a result of setting Lena's birthday so far from the start of the book. Sometimes one or two weeks will pass between chapters, which we know because they’re date-marked, and we’re supposed to believe that nothing of any importance happened and that things like the state of their relationship or town gossip or information about Lena's Claiming has not progressed much, when in reality even a couple days would have made a world of difference.
Plus, you can generally see the two authors stepping on each other's toes. Plot holes, forgotten plot details, stylistic non sequiturs and otherwise wonky lines and inconsistencies, and a general sense that they're not taking the plot logic too seriously. It makes sense that the first draft was a fun dare they weren’t planning on publishing, because the story lacks foresight, and I can tell this went through editorial hell by how convoluted some things get in attempts at connecting all the dots and tying up loose ends. Honestly, Beautiful Creatures needed *more* edits before going to print.
But the writing isn't all wrong. Tonally, it's appealingly mature for YA. That, plus the rich setting and eclectic cast, makes the narrative spellbinding overall and its faults forgiveable.
So the book works more than it doesn't. It's alluringly slow-building and detailed, with drawn out scenes and subtle humor (alongside plenty of the nerdier humor that plagues YA).
The ending is contrived and confusing and takes a while to click, but it's ultimately exciting and surprising. The movie ending might be neater, but the book's version has it's own chaotic vibe going for it.
This book is messier than I'd prefer to remember, but I still love it. The movie isn't available to me for free right now, so I guess I won't be rewatching it soon, but I am happily continuing the book series. For now, I'm under a fair enough spell.
Personal Score: A
Critical Score: B
This is sort of an obligatory A because of how nostalgic this book is for me. Almost painfully nostalgic, because the series so viscerally brings me back to the 8th-10th grade period of my life, and I’m easily swallowed up by reminiscing. (I think) I read book one in 8th grade, maybe re-read it in 9th, read the second book in 9th, the third in 10th, and I had always meant to get around to the fourth book. It's taken so long that I now have to re-read the first three books to remind myself of the details. But I'm also re-reading them for the value of enjoying them in their own right, not just as stepping stones to the fourth book.
Much of my nostalgia comes from the movie. I first saw its trailer in theatres, which is also when I first heard the song "Seven Devils." That moment launched my many years-running infatuation for Florence + the Machine. When the movie eventually came out, I adored it. They sort of chopped the book to bits, but honestly, a lot of the changes are understandable and maybe for the better. It's such a shame the movie didn't bring in enough profit for them to greenlight an adaptation of Beautiful Darkness.
So back to the source material. It's long, and I like that. It was an opportunity to slow down and soak up a story over a week. I love how it starts with the school year and goes through the holidays. I love the characters a ton. I love the mystery and lore. I love the small town setting, especially since it's critical of white culture in the south rather than blindly in love with it—and handles its meager two ostensibly BIPOC characters acceptably. I strongly feel for Ethan's longing to escape. It all makes me feel like such a teen again.
The pacing is really wonky, though. Maybe not in the way it sounds. Basically, they stuffed way too much time in here as a result of setting Lena's birthday so far from the start of the book. Sometimes one or two weeks will pass between chapters, which we know because they’re date-marked, and we’re supposed to believe that nothing of any importance happened and that things like the state of their relationship or town gossip or information about Lena's Claiming has not progressed much, when in reality even a couple days would have made a world of difference.
Plus, you can generally see the two authors stepping on each other's toes. Plot holes, forgotten plot details, stylistic non sequiturs and otherwise wonky lines and inconsistencies, and a general sense that they're not taking the plot logic too seriously. It makes sense that the first draft was a fun dare they weren’t planning on publishing, because the story lacks foresight, and I can tell this went through editorial hell by how convoluted some things get in attempts at connecting all the dots and tying up loose ends. Honestly, Beautiful Creatures needed *more* edits before going to print.
But the writing isn't all wrong. Tonally, it's appealingly mature for YA. That, plus the rich setting and eclectic cast, makes the narrative spellbinding overall and its faults forgiveable.
So the book works more than it doesn't. It's alluringly slow-building and detailed, with drawn out scenes and subtle humor (alongside plenty of the nerdier humor that plagues YA).
The ending is contrived and confusing and takes a while to click, but it's ultimately exciting and surprising. The movie ending might be neater, but the book's version has it's own chaotic vibe going for it.
This book is messier than I'd prefer to remember, but I still love it. The movie isn't available to me for free right now, so I guess I won't be rewatching it soon, but I am happily continuing the book series. For now, I'm under a fair enough spell.
broganne_per's review against another edition
4.0
This book has me even more blown away than when I first read it nine years ago upon release of the beautiful creatures film. The writing is beautiful throughout and you really feel as though you are in Ethan’s head throughout the whole book.
I absolutely adore the way that the connection between Ethan and Lena was displayed and it was almost as though you could personally feel every heartache that they went through on their journey. The only reason I have not given this book 5 stars is simply because there were a few areas that left me wanting more or felt slightly out of place in the context of the whole story.
All in all I would definitely read this book again and would recommend it to anyone who is into YA novels and the supernatural/magic world that the casting Chronicles definitely takes you into.
I absolutely adore the way that the connection between Ethan and Lena was displayed and it was almost as though you could personally feel every heartache that they went through on their journey. The only reason I have not given this book 5 stars is simply because there were a few areas that left me wanting more or felt slightly out of place in the context of the whole story.
All in all I would definitely read this book again and would recommend it to anyone who is into YA novels and the supernatural/magic world that the casting Chronicles definitely takes you into.
ladyaylesworth's review against another edition
4.0
I think I'm going back to the library to get the next three in the series all at once. I don't want to wait between finishing one and starting the next.
alexisclare's review against another edition
3.25
it takes a lot of work to make soulmates who can hear each other’s thoughts boring but by god these women did it
this book really has no criminal offenses other than being way too long. ethan x lena 4ever
this book really has no criminal offenses other than being way too long. ethan x lena 4ever
hazelnutpie's review against another edition
4.0
it's okay, but the romance is so...draggy. And kind of annoying. But I like the whole paranormal thing though, even if it is kind of a cliche.
allison_reader's review against another edition
2.0
This was a very dissapointing book - but it is a teen novel so I guess I'm expecting too much. I think phenomenons like Harry Potter and Twilight were just written and then put in the Children's books section and most novels written for Children are just that and it's no use trying to find one that will fill any desire for another HP or Twilight. Anyway, This was one of those books where you know exactly what is going to be the ending from the very beginning yet it decides to prolong that inevitable ending by making it into a series. The whole middle is very boring, can't really understand why the authors would choose to first person the book from the should-be main character's boyfriend. It's telling when during the 4 pages that are actually from Lena's perspective, you can't tell the difference in the narrative voice, that they should have just gone that way from the git go. Anyway, not interested in ready the sequel, glad I borrowed it from the library!
jobird's review against another edition
3.0
hmmm I think 3.5 stars
I have mixed emotions about this one. I enjoyed it but I didn't get sucked into as it emotionally as much as I wanted too. I loved the setting and the characters. I am intrigued with where the story is going. At times I wanted it to be from Lena's POV. I think seeing things from her POV would have added more depth to the situations. It was refreshing to hear the story from a male POV. I think it was an entertaining read but not an OMG you have to read it kinda book.
I look forward to seeing the movie. It was actually the movie trailer that made me go and buy the book and read it.
watch the movie trailer here
I have mixed emotions about this one. I enjoyed it but I didn't get sucked into as it emotionally as much as I wanted too. I loved the setting and the characters. I am intrigued with where the story is going. At times I wanted it to be from Lena's POV. I think seeing things from her POV would have added more depth to the situations. It was refreshing to hear the story from a male POV. I think it was an entertaining read but not an OMG you have to read it kinda book.
I look forward to seeing the movie. It was actually the movie trailer that made me go and buy the book and read it.
watch the movie trailer here
mackle13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I had originally though to give this book 2-stars, for some of the ideas behind the story, but considering that my first thought when I finished reading was, "Thank <i>fuck</i> that's over!", I decided to drop it to 1.
I was just. so. bored. I had even started skimming some of the longer passages, just to try and get to the end. And if I hadn't picked this up as part of a Reading Challenge, then I probably would've DNFd somewhere along the way.
Here's the thing - NOTHING HAPPENS.
Or, rather, nothing of any real import?
The whole story is about Lena's impending 16th birthday. See, her family of Casters get "Claimed" on their 16th birthday by either the Dark or the Light. They have no say or control over the choosing. And Lena is one of the most powerful living Casters, a "Natural", and she's dreading going Dark, which she's sure she'll do, for reasons, and so the whole book is just a countdown to her birthday... and then when it finally happens shemanages to somehow avoid the Claiming because... of clouds. I fucking shit you not. They get Claimed on their 16th Moon (which would be within their second birth year, but it means Moon of their 16th birthday, but Lena makes it CLOUDY.
But not so fast, because now the magical melody about 16 moons is changed to 17, so she really just delayed it by a year?
Meanwhile, there's Ethan, a "not-like-other-girls", but in guy form. (Actually, Lena is very "not-like-other-girls" in girl-form, so we get both of them!
See, the whole town is small minded and specist and Lena is the niece of the town weirdo, so she's bullied and ostracized from day one, but not Ethan. Ethan is in love. Because he's been dreaming about her before he ever met it.
<i>"It's love before first sight."</i>
(That's more or less an actual quote from the actual book.)
Ethan is a Mortal, and Mortals and Casters can't be together - but their love is so strong and powerful, and they get visions from the past of another doomed Mortal/Caster relationship - but this will be different! For reasons!
And then there's a super magic book that we have to find.Which gets found - and solves nothing!
What the actual fuck was the point of any of this book?
So many pages of so much nothing!
Ok, so the magical system was interesting, if a bit ill-defined, which is why I was originally gonna be generous and go the 2-stars, but, no. Just no.
I was just. so. bored. I had even started skimming some of the longer passages, just to try and get to the end. And if I hadn't picked this up as part of a Reading Challenge, then I probably would've DNFd somewhere along the way.
Here's the thing - NOTHING HAPPENS.
Or, rather, nothing of any real import?
The whole story is about Lena's impending 16th birthday. See, her family of Casters get "Claimed" on their 16th birthday by either the Dark or the Light. They have no say or control over the choosing. And Lena is one of the most powerful living Casters, a "Natural", and she's dreading going Dark, which she's sure she'll do, for reasons, and so the whole book is just a countdown to her birthday... and then when it finally happens she
But not so fast, because now the magical melody about 16 moons is changed to 17, so she really just delayed it by a year?
Meanwhile, there's Ethan, a "not-like-other-girls", but in guy form. (Actually, Lena is very "not-like-other-girls" in girl-form, so we get both of them!
See, the whole town is small minded and specist and Lena is the niece of the town weirdo, so she's bullied and ostracized from day one, but not Ethan. Ethan is in love. Because he's been dreaming about her before he ever met it.
<i>"It's love before first sight."</i>
(That's more or less an actual quote from the actual book.)
Ethan is a Mortal, and Mortals and Casters can't be together - but their love is so strong and powerful, and they get visions from the past of another doomed Mortal/Caster relationship - but this will be different! For reasons!
And then there's a super magic book that we have to find.
What the actual fuck was the point of any of this book?
So many pages of so much nothing!
Ok, so the magical system was interesting, if a bit ill-defined, which is why I was originally gonna be generous and go the 2-stars, but, no. Just no.
bouphie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Resume:
Bogen handler om Ethan Wate og Lena. Ethan lever i en kedelig hverdag uden et valg om hans fremtid. Lena lever på samme måde, men alligevel helt anderledes. Hun er hvad man kalder “caster” og har krafter som man slet ikke kan forestille sig. De to forelsker sig, og forsøger sammen at forhindre at Lena bliver “Dark” til hendes 16’års fødselsdag. Det er lettere sagt end gjort, og de går igennem meget sammen for at finde ud af hvordan de skal forhindre det. Lena’s mor kommer pludseligt ind i billedet, selvom Lena altid har troet at hendes forældre var døde.
Bogen slutter med at Lena ved hjælp af hendes krafter og “The book of moons” for forhindret “The claiming” og får reddet Ethan fra hendes mor. Til sidst kommer der en sang på Ethan’s iPod, som hentyder til at Lena nu skal blive “claimed” på hendes 17 års fødselsdag.
Bogen handler om Ethan Wate og Lena. Ethan lever i en kedelig hverdag uden et valg om hans fremtid. Lena lever på samme måde, men alligevel helt anderledes. Hun er hvad man kalder “caster” og har krafter som man slet ikke kan forestille sig. De to forelsker sig, og forsøger sammen at forhindre at Lena bliver “Dark” til hendes 16’års fødselsdag. Det er lettere sagt end gjort, og de går igennem meget sammen for at finde ud af hvordan de skal forhindre det. Lena’s mor kommer pludseligt ind i billedet, selvom Lena altid har troet at hendes forældre var døde.
Bogen slutter med at Lena ved hjælp af hendes krafter og “The book of moons” for forhindret “The claiming” og får reddet Ethan fra hendes mor. Til sidst kommer der en sang på Ethan’s iPod, som hentyder til at Lena nu skal blive “claimed” på hendes 17 års fødselsdag.