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mmontoya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
Renee Ahdieh's writing style is beautiful. Not just in the words she chooses, but also in the way her writing flows and creates a Romantic atmosphere. She's also one of the few authors who can write a strong and stubborn female protagonist without making her annoying. So I was really bummed when I didn't quite connect with her last series. But with this book, we're back in business.
Set in 1872, the story is about Celine Rousseau. After a horrible incident, Celine is forced to flee France, leaving behind a promising future, and her father, to live in a convent in New Orleans. But she's determined to make a future here. She's sworn to be the best version—by which she means the socially accepted version—of herself. But thanks to her vivid personality and the presence of a killer in the city, Celine finds herself a part of something much more dangerous than she'd bargained for. Not to mention, involved with people who may not be entirely human.
Sebastien Saint Germain is someone who most people seem to fear or admire or hate. And there's no debating the power he, and his group of friends, seem to hold in the city. Celine is intrigued by this gentleman but also dislikes him because of how they first met. Not to mention the suspicions of his involvement in the murders and the secrets he keeps.
Their relationship is one of insults, banter, meaningful stares, and sparkling mutual attraction. Their personalities complement each others' wonderfully. And there's so much chemistry to be found that if it weren't for the bazillion other things complicating matters, they'd come together naturally and wouldn't even need a book to tell their story. So I'm kinda glad for the complications because I love these two.
One part of the story is about the romance. The other part focuses on the plot with the antagonist. We even get a bunch of short chapters from their point-of-view, since the book is in third-person. Mostly we get Celine's narrative. Celine, who knows nothing of the supernatural.
The reason I mention that is because there's not much concrete world-building to be found. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I think the author prioritized the characters over the world-building. So what we know of the world is via little, vague glimpses that hint at a lot more to be found. Personally, I think it's quite clever since, this way, when we learn more in the sequel, it'll be akin to filling in the blanks, and less like an info-dump.
The only issue I had with the novel was that some scenes could be a tad over-the-top. As if, in an attempt to create a dramatic air, the author took it a little too far—used a few more sentences than necessary—and the scene became overdramatic. Nothing serious enough to worry about, though. And nothing that should deter one from reading the book. Something I highly recommend doing.
I can't wait for the sequel.
Renee Ahdieh's writing style is beautiful. Not just in the words she chooses, but also in the way her writing flows and creates a Romantic atmosphere. She's also one of the few authors who can write a strong and stubborn female protagonist without making her annoying. So I was really bummed when I didn't quite connect with her last series. But with this book, we're back in business.
Set in 1872, the story is about Celine Rousseau. After a horrible incident, Celine is forced to flee France, leaving behind a promising future, and her father, to live in a convent in New Orleans. But she's determined to make a future here. She's sworn to be the best version—by which she means the socially accepted version—of herself. But thanks to her vivid personality and the presence of a killer in the city, Celine finds herself a part of something much more dangerous than she'd bargained for. Not to mention, involved with people who may not be entirely human.
Sebastien Saint Germain is someone who most people seem to fear or admire or hate. And there's no debating the power he, and his group of friends, seem to hold in the city. Celine is intrigued by this gentleman but also dislikes him because of how they first met. Not to mention the suspicions of his involvement in the murders and the secrets he keeps.
Their relationship is one of insults, banter, meaningful stares, and sparkling mutual attraction. Their personalities complement each others' wonderfully. And there's so much chemistry to be found that if it weren't for the bazillion other things complicating matters, they'd come together naturally and wouldn't even need a book to tell their story. So I'm kinda glad for the complications because I love these two.
One part of the story is about the romance. The other part focuses on the plot with the antagonist. We even get a bunch of short chapters from their point-of-view, since the book is in third-person. Mostly we get Celine's narrative. Celine, who knows nothing of the supernatural.
The reason I mention that is because there's not much concrete world-building to be found. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I think the author prioritized the characters over the world-building. So what we know of the world is via little, vague glimpses that hint at a lot more to be found. Personally, I think it's quite clever since, this way, when we learn more in the sequel, it'll be akin to filling in the blanks, and less like an info-dump.
The only issue I had with the novel was that some scenes could be a tad over-the-top. As if, in an attempt to create a dramatic air, the author took it a little too far—used a few more sentences than necessary—and the scene became overdramatic. Nothing serious enough to worry about, though. And nothing that should deter one from reading the book. Something I highly recommend doing.
I can't wait for the sequel.
sholt21's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the story but it wasn’t as vampirey as i thought it would be until the end. Maybe there will be more in the next book
ebaker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
yodamom's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook-First: (2.4 stars) The narrator was horrible. My dislike in this book may all steam from the narration. The big evil and the vampires she gave them this weird drunk teenageer woble slow drawl it was so offputting. The evils all had the same voice, male and female, and the bad guy never shuts up yes that drunken teenager with endless inner dialog so I got an earful.
Now let's talk about my pet peeve in books, inner dialog marathons. This big bad never shut up, it felt like it drawled on for days, he loved to dwell in his own drama. Pet Peeve #2 Drama Queens, I think you get who I'm talking about.
The story moves about in a pretty predictable way, you can see the "love" interests from the beginning. I liked the supporting characters much more than the main ones.Celine was too puffed up ready to prove what an independant badass she was too often, she made stupid choices. She makes deals that are stupid. I wanted to slap her more than once to use her head. I wouldn't read more in this series if I wasn't interested in the future of one character that had a bad ending and one love interest that just isn't right ! I've already got book 2 anyway so off I go.
Now let's talk about my pet peeve in books, inner dialog marathons. This big bad never shut up, it felt like it drawled on for days, he loved to dwell in his own drama. Pet Peeve #2 Drama Queens, I think you get who I'm talking about.
The story moves about in a pretty predictable way, you can see the "love" interests from the beginning. I liked the supporting characters much more than the main ones.Celine was too puffed up ready to prove what an independant badass she was too often, she made stupid choices. She makes deals that are stupid. I wanted to slap her more than once to use her head. I wouldn't read more in this series if I wasn't interested in the future of one character that had a bad ending and one love interest that just isn't right ! I've already got book 2 anyway so off I go.
shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
The Beautiful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have longed to read a book like this, filled with mystery and darkness. The French too just did it for me and fitted so well in the story. I adored the writing, absolutely beautiful as well.
Though for me this book was a bit too slow at times, I got rather bored than interested in the plot. However, it was an overall pleasant read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have longed to read a book like this, filled with mystery and darkness. The French too just did it for me and fitted so well in the story. I adored the writing, absolutely beautiful as well.
Though for me this book was a bit too slow at times, I got rather bored than interested in the plot. However, it was an overall pleasant read!
hopedihop's review against another edition
1.0
Dieses Buch verdient den Tag "Fantasy" eigentlich nicht. Die Teile in denen die Welt beschrieben werden sind zwar wunderbar und lassen eine sehr coole Welt erahnen, aber sie spielen eher eine Nebenrolle - eine sehr kleine. Für das Buch, dass Vampire zurückbringt, geht es erstaunlich wenig um ebendiese.
Was ist also die Hauptstory? Ja richtig - eine Liebesgeschichte. Ganz klassisch mit Liebesdreieck.
Dann spielt die Geschichte im 19. Jahrhundert, hat man bei meiner Beschreibung bisher nicht gemerkt? Ja, ist für die Geschichte auch absolut irrelevant. Es spielt nur in der Zeit, damit die Autorin Worte wie Mieder, Korsett und Fishbone sagen kann.
Spart euch einfach die Zeit dieses Buch zu lesen.
Was ist also die Hauptstory? Ja richtig - eine Liebesgeschichte. Ganz klassisch mit Liebesdreieck.
Spoiler
Auch wenn es nicht wirklich eins gibt, denn Celine hat sich von Anfang an für den Badboy entschieden. Und hier folgt die Geschichte dem altbekannten Muster: Sie ist wunderschön und schlau, und "not like the other girls" weil sie sagt was sie denkt. Er ist reich, etwas arrogant und jagt allen Angst ein - außer ihr. Warum sie einander lieben? An den Gesprächen wird es nicht liegen. Viele Worte wechseln sie nicht und viel Erzählen sie sich nicht.Dann spielt die Geschichte im 19. Jahrhundert, hat man bei meiner Beschreibung bisher nicht gemerkt? Ja, ist für die Geschichte auch absolut irrelevant. Es spielt nur in der Zeit, damit die Autorin Worte wie Mieder, Korsett und Fishbone sagen kann.
Spart euch einfach die Zeit dieses Buch zu lesen.
jules510's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0