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A review by rorikae
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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