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janagaton's review
4.0
I finished this at 1AM & I'm way too lazy to share coherent thoughts, so I'll just say I was a little disappointed in this, but I heard the sequel is better, and I liked the reveal about the second perspective but didnt care about the reveal of the killer. The writing is exquisite, and I enjoyed all the French used throughout the book!
cmitchell2781's review
5.0
Loved this
This was a beautiful book. I loved the setting of New Orleans, its such a classic vampire background. Celine was an incredibly strong female lead, but I would have liked to see a little more development where she opened up to Pippa or Odette instead of just Bastien. The story was well paced with just enough snippets of information to keep me enthralled so I wouldn't put the book down. I wish we had been given a little more into the background of these characters, but I also know there's a sequel, so Im hoping that will give me more insight. Over all an excellent book that I'm really glad I decided to give a chance.
This was a beautiful book. I loved the setting of New Orleans, its such a classic vampire background. Celine was an incredibly strong female lead, but I would have liked to see a little more development where she opened up to Pippa or Odette instead of just Bastien. The story was well paced with just enough snippets of information to keep me enthralled so I wouldn't put the book down. I wish we had been given a little more into the background of these characters, but I also know there's a sequel, so Im hoping that will give me more insight. Over all an excellent book that I'm really glad I decided to give a chance.
gatsbae's review
3.0
“And the infinite captivates us because it allows us to believe all things are possible. That true love can last beyond time.”
This is a book that haunted me the minute it came out. The pretty, albeit cheesy sounding title, the pop of red on the black cover, the flowing rose petals… my interest was immediately piqued. Yet I ignored it for the longest time because I didn’t want to regress back into my vampire-loving phase. Oh, and the mixed reviews too, until one day I saw it in the bookstore and finally cracked.
The Beautiful follows Celine, a young girl who flees from Paris after committing something so gruesome it leaves her fearing for her life and for her sanity. She’s taken in by a convent of nuns in New Orleans but doesn’t fit in (b/c of course she doesn’t). Right when she’s about to resign herself to the fate of a typical woman in the 1870s, she's thrust into the dark world of New Orleans’ vampiric society— and into the arms of its revered prince, Sebastian Saint Germain. Though that isn’t all— behind the scenes, young women are being gruesomely murdered by an unknown killer that Celine can’t help but think is connected to the vampiric world, or worse, to Sebastian, himself.
For the most part, I was a fan of Celine as a protagonist. She definitely fits into that “not like other girls” category that YA authors love to exploit the heck out of, but I think it really works here. Celine has an affinity for ‘darkness’ and is impassioned by the rushes of adrenaline that the dark side brings to her, but spends most of the book fighting against these urges because society says that she has to. It’s the first time I’ve seen an MC fighting against her inner darkness, so I found it pretty unique. At least, to the point that I could forgive some of her poor decision-making and whining.
The other characters were pretty cool too— Sebastian is delicious in every possible way and a good love interest for Celine (which is rare in any YA vampire story, let’s be real here), and the other side characters like Odette and Pippa were fun to read about. Plus, we love POC and LGBT representation.
But the same can’t be said for the plot itself. While the murder mystery was executed in a cool way that really keeps you wondering till the very end, the rest of the book was pretty...meh. For a romance book about vampires, there’s not a whole lot of vampire action until the last third or so, not to mention a disturbing lack of romance. When romantic scenes finally did happen between our two leads, they were fantastic, but those scenes were so far and few in-between that it was hard for me to believe the book when it went on and on about how much these two loved each other in the final chapters. Sure, they have great chemistry and budding feelings, but true love?
But the main complaint I have is about the non-existent world-building. The descriptions of New Orleans were great, but there were absolutely no explanations about the vampiric world to be found. Apparently, the sequel goes more in-depth, but you shouldn’t have to wait just to understand what the heck these creatures are. Yeah, they’re vampires, but they’re vampires who talk about faeries and wars and secret worlds that literally do not make any sense.
TL;DR, The Beautiful is a book full of wasted potential that everyone expected way more from. While the characters are pretty damn great, the overall plot leaves so much to be desired. I’ll read the sequel, but I don’t expect a whole lot from it. I should’ve gone with my gut and not wasted my time with such a meh-worthy book.
This is a book that haunted me the minute it came out. The pretty, albeit cheesy sounding title, the pop of red on the black cover, the flowing rose petals… my interest was immediately piqued. Yet I ignored it for the longest time because I didn’t want to regress back into my vampire-loving phase. Oh, and the mixed reviews too, until one day I saw it in the bookstore and finally cracked.
The Beautiful follows Celine, a young girl who flees from Paris after committing something so gruesome it leaves her fearing for her life and for her sanity. She’s taken in by a convent of nuns in New Orleans but doesn’t fit in (b/c of course she doesn’t). Right when she’s about to resign herself to the fate of a typical woman in the 1870s, she's thrust into the dark world of New Orleans’ vampiric society— and into the arms of its revered prince, Sebastian Saint Germain. Though that isn’t all— behind the scenes, young women are being gruesomely murdered by an unknown killer that Celine can’t help but think is connected to the vampiric world, or worse, to Sebastian, himself.
For the most part, I was a fan of Celine as a protagonist. She definitely fits into that “not like other girls” category that YA authors love to exploit the heck out of, but I think it really works here. Celine has an affinity for ‘darkness’ and is impassioned by the rushes of adrenaline that the dark side brings to her, but spends most of the book fighting against these urges because society says that she has to. It’s the first time I’ve seen an MC fighting against her inner darkness, so I found it pretty unique. At least, to the point that I could forgive some of her poor decision-making and whining.
The other characters were pretty cool too— Sebastian is delicious in every possible way and a good love interest for Celine (which is rare in any YA vampire story, let’s be real here), and the other side characters like Odette and Pippa were fun to read about. Plus, we love POC and LGBT representation.
But the same can’t be said for the plot itself. While the murder mystery was executed in a cool way that really keeps you wondering till the very end, the rest of the book was pretty...meh. For a romance book about vampires, there’s not a whole lot of vampire action until the last third or so, not to mention a disturbing lack of romance. When romantic scenes finally did happen between our two leads, they were fantastic, but those scenes were so far and few in-between that it was hard for me to believe the book when it went on and on about how much these two loved each other in the final chapters. Sure, they have great chemistry and budding feelings, but true love?
Spoiler
True “I-would-sacrifice-everything-to-save-you-including-my-life-or-memories-of-you” kind of love? I don’t think so.But the main complaint I have is about the non-existent world-building. The descriptions of New Orleans were great, but there were absolutely no explanations about the vampiric world to be found. Apparently, the sequel goes more in-depth, but you shouldn’t have to wait just to understand what the heck these creatures are. Yeah, they’re vampires, but they’re vampires who talk about faeries and wars and secret worlds that literally do not make any sense.
TL;DR, The Beautiful is a book full of wasted potential that everyone expected way more from. While the characters are pretty damn great, the overall plot leaves so much to be desired. I’ll read the sequel, but I don’t expect a whole lot from it. I should’ve gone with my gut and not wasted my time with such a meh-worthy book.
the_reading_vampire's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not really interested in ever going to America. However, there is one place in America I'd would consider going: New Orleans. Something about that place speaks to me. Books bring the city to life and for some reason I feel a connection. Maybe it's the constant dance with Dead. Maybe it's because music is the city's soul. Maybe it's because if there's one place in the world where I might find the supernatural it might be New Orleans.
The beginning of this book was amazing. I loved the tension, how there were a lot of secrets, a lot of hidden identities and a lot of questions unanswered. I also absolutely loved the chapters from the Monster's point of view spread out through the story. In a way I was constantly guessing who it could be. I think I've pointed my finger at quite a few people and yet in the end I had not caught up with the right name.
However, at some point the story became a little slow. I noticed that my mind started drifting away, that it was harder to focus on what I was reading, that it was easier to put the book down. It felt like I had quite a few answers already and it felt like I would have to wait for the finale for the rest of the answers anyway. The initial excitement had died down a little and it took a while before the finale of the book really started.
The finale of the book was totally worth it though. The moment the end started I was sucked in again and kept on reading one more chapter and one more chapter. I also quite liked the ending. In a way the current story arc has completed and yet it's quite clear that the bigger game has only just begun. So, despite the slower middle I'm already excited to pick up the second book in the series and to see what's gonna happen next.
The beginning of this book was amazing. I loved the tension, how there were a lot of secrets, a lot of hidden identities and a lot of questions unanswered. I also absolutely loved the chapters from the Monster's point of view spread out through the story. In a way I was constantly guessing who it could be. I think I've pointed my finger at quite a few people and yet in the end I had not caught up with the right name.
However, at some point the story became a little slow. I noticed that my mind started drifting away, that it was harder to focus on what I was reading, that it was easier to put the book down. It felt like I had quite a few answers already and it felt like I would have to wait for the finale for the rest of the answers anyway. The initial excitement had died down a little and it took a while before the finale of the book really started.
The finale of the book was totally worth it though. The moment the end started I was sucked in again and kept on reading one more chapter and one more chapter. I also quite liked the ending. In a way the current story arc has completed and yet it's quite clear that the bigger game has only just begun. So, despite the slower middle I'm already excited to pick up the second book in the series and to see what's gonna happen next.
saritaroth's review
5.0
This book follows the events of Marceline Beatrice "Celine" Rousseau as she travels by ship from France to New Orleans, Louisiana. The year is 1872. When Celine arrives in New Orleans, she and the other girls who were traveling on the ship with her, stay in a convent with the intention of moving out when they find husbands.
Celine meets Sebastien "Bastien" Saint Germain, a sinister and secretive character, who immediately captivates her. They both insist that they must not fall in love with each other, that they would not be good for each other, but, apparently, resistance is futile. Celine is quickly drawn into the dark world of New Orleans society, meeting other people who live and hang out in an establishment called La Cour des Lions (The Court of the Lions). Meanwhile, a creature of the night is stalking and killing those closest to Celine and she begins to fear for her friends' safety as well as her own. For awhile, it is unknown who or what is threatening her and those she loves, but in the end, the reader does find out.
The story of Celine and the star-crossed love between her and Bastien kept me riveted to the very end. I loved every minute of it, and I was so enthralled by the story that, when I finished this book, I immediately began the next one. The book is one of only two books, a duology. The second book is entitled, The Damned, and where The Beautiful mostly seemed to be written from Celine's perspective, although you do get some access to the other characters' thoughts, especially Bastien, the second book so far seems to be written from the other peoples' perspectives, those associated with La Cour des Lions. Bastien is more at the forefront of the second book as he is forced to find a way to live with the decisions that his father (Nicodemus Saint Germain) made at the end of the first book. I will not delve into it any further as I do not want to spoil anything for those of you interested in reading it. Just know that I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good book centered around the sinister lives of vampires, werewolves, and members of the fey.
Celine meets Sebastien "Bastien" Saint Germain, a sinister and secretive character, who immediately captivates her. They both insist that they must not fall in love with each other, that they would not be good for each other, but, apparently, resistance is futile. Celine is quickly drawn into the dark world of New Orleans society, meeting other people who live and hang out in an establishment called La Cour des Lions (The Court of the Lions). Meanwhile, a creature of the night is stalking and killing those closest to Celine and she begins to fear for her friends' safety as well as her own. For awhile, it is unknown who or what is threatening her and those she loves, but in the end, the reader does find out.
The story of Celine and the star-crossed love between her and Bastien kept me riveted to the very end. I loved every minute of it, and I was so enthralled by the story that, when I finished this book, I immediately began the next one. The book is one of only two books, a duology. The second book is entitled, The Damned, and where The Beautiful mostly seemed to be written from Celine's perspective, although you do get some access to the other characters' thoughts, especially Bastien, the second book so far seems to be written from the other peoples' perspectives, those associated with La Cour des Lions. Bastien is more at the forefront of the second book as he is forced to find a way to live with the decisions that his father (Nicodemus Saint Germain) made at the end of the first book. I will not delve into it any further as I do not want to spoil anything for those of you interested in reading it. Just know that I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good book centered around the sinister lives of vampires, werewolves, and members of the fey.
dani_reviews's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sbush0512's review
3.0
Normally Vampire books are not my thing, but The Beautiful might change my mind. I will say it took me awhile to get to to this book but once I hit the last 150ish pages I could not put it down. I love how vampires are only mention a handful of time. The reader knows they’re there long before Celine though, she does have her suspicions of The Court being not humane. Something about this lack of calling them vampires makes The Court even more chilling. This book is such a well written beginning book the the series. The end leaves you with absolutely no answers and dying to read the next book in the series. The only reason I am giving it 3 stars and nothing higher is because it took so long for me to get into. I am so glad I held out and I have a feeling the second in the series will me a much higher rating for me.