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rorikae's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
‘The Beautiful Ones’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a novel of manners with a lightly fantastical edge.
The story circles three characters, Nina a young woman starting her debut year, Hector a magical performer who returns to reclaim lost love, and Valerie, his lost love who is now living in a loveless marriage. The story weaves between their different perspectives as relationships blossom and wither between the three as love, jealousy, and plotting reign.
This story is split into two parts and I found that the first part was incredibly slow while the second part picks up pace. The characters are the center of this story and unfortunately, during the first section, the only character that I cared for was Nina while I couldn’t stand Hector and Valerie. In the second half, Moreno-Garcia makes Hector far more interesting and likable while twisting Valerie further and further. She does a good job of making Valerie’s decisions and feelings understandable while also being despicable. I disliked her while also fully understanding the decisions she was making.
I went into this story thinking that the fantastical elements were going to be more overt but they are definitely a light spice to the romance and plotting that centers the story. If you are looking for those pieces, I think you will likely enjoy it though the beginning is definitely quite slow. The second half picks up and reads like a soap opera between terrible decisions, characters letting their emotions run their decisions, and a few twists and turns.
The story circles three characters, Nina a young woman starting her debut year, Hector a magical performer who returns to reclaim lost love, and Valerie, his lost love who is now living in a loveless marriage. The story weaves between their different perspectives as relationships blossom and wither between the three as love, jealousy, and plotting reign.
This story is split into two parts and I found that the first part was incredibly slow while the second part picks up pace. The characters are the center of this story and unfortunately, during the first section, the only character that I cared for was Nina while I couldn’t stand Hector and Valerie. In the second half, Moreno-Garcia makes Hector far more interesting and likable while twisting Valerie further and further. She does a good job of making Valerie’s decisions and feelings understandable while also being despicable. I disliked her while also fully understanding the decisions she was making.
I went into this story thinking that the fantastical elements were going to be more overt but they are definitely a light spice to the romance and plotting that centers the story. If you are looking for those pieces, I think you will likely enjoy it though the beginning is definitely quite slow. The second half picks up and reads like a soap opera between terrible decisions, characters letting their emotions run their decisions, and a few twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
sarasreadingnook's review against another edition
4.0
Another amazing book by one of my favourite authors!
I enjoyed the drama of it all so much, the story, and loved the second half of the book, especially! There are some amazing elements introduced into the book.
This book was very entertaining and special to read - I highly recommend it if you are looking to read some high quality drama and passion-filled content!
Themes: beauty, materialism, privilege.
I enjoyed the drama of it all so much, the story, and loved the second half of the book, especially! There are some amazing elements introduced into the book.
This book was very entertaining and special to read - I highly recommend it if you are looking to read some high quality drama and passion-filled content!
Themes: beauty, materialism, privilege.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Infidelity
daniellekat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism and Stalking
Minor: Infertility
thestarfly's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A wonderful book if you're a fan of Jane Austen and Fantasy. The plot is quite predictable, but in a comforting and familiar way. The fantasy/telekinetic elements are an interesting angle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, and Confinement
mandkips's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Beautiful Ones is a Bridgerton-esque high society historical drama with romantic entanglements a la The Great Gatsby or The Age of Innocence. Add in some telekinetic powers, and you’ve got a recipe for scandal!
Like most other girls who enjoy reading, I am a sucker for a stubborn, opinionated woman who doesn’t care for social rules and boundaries (Elizabeth Bennet and Jo March, I’m looking at you). Nina Beaulieu is a worthy addition to these ranks. As a former scientist myself, I really love that her passion is for entomology and the natural world (while I also love my history and literature ladies, it’s refreshing to see one that’s interested in science!). Nina’s innocence was sometimes frustrating, but I was never annoyed at her, only the society that put her in those positions.
I’m a big fan of worldbuilding, so I was a bit disappointed not to get more in this book. The setting is ambiguously European, with French sounding names and English culture, but there were mentions of the other countries and continents, but very little detail. While more background wasn’t necessary or relevant to the story, the details that were included distracted me from the main plot with curiosity about various passing details. I also wish there had been more expansion on the magic system. We get a fair amount of detail about Nina and Hector’s abilities, but next to nothing about the other powers that people have. It would be interesting to explore the interaction between power and social class further. I kept wondering if maybe Vivien had powers that she hid for propriety’s sake, that could come out if she got angry or upset enough…alas.
Let’s talk about the love triangle. I don’t care for love triangles, and this was actually more of a love..square? diamond? whatever it’s called when there’s four people involved. While I’ve always preferred love triangles with a clear correct choice (otherwise I just feel bad for whoever gets their heart broken), this one went almost too far in the other direction; two and a half of the point of the love quadrilateral were insufferable (the half is Hector because he could be so infuriatingly dumb sometimes.)
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the general vibe of the ending): Happy, though not entirely satisfying. It felt a bit rushed and didn’t tie up everything as neatly as I would’ve liked.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infertility, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
anniestevens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i literally hate all of the characters except etíenne (if that's even how you spell it) & nina's aunts. and quite literally both parties were in the book very little. the only main character i would say i lowkey like was hector & gaétan. listen, i'm a feminist & i'm all "women supporting women," but i hope valérie fucking burns in hell & i am glad she got what she deserved. literally no ounce of sympathy. none. she literally was satan in human form. like she is what dark energy feeds off of.
but overall, not too bad of a book. it had me hooked at some parts, but the drama & tension especially towards the end had me FUCKED up lol
but overall, not too bad of a book. it had me hooked at some parts, but the drama & tension especially towards the end had me FUCKED up lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide
more romance than fantasygcjay1994's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
caidyn's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Not my favorite by this author, but I still so enjoyed it. I'd been hoping for a creepy read since it is the season. Yet, it's more like a family drama and a period piece full of classism and sexism. An enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship