Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1)
User reviews
5 reviews with 3 stars
25 reviews
Overall rating
3.9
Plot
4.1(25)
Characters
3.6(12)
Writing Style
4.0(11)
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Magical, romantic, and captivating-- an okay read, but enjoyable enough!
Overall rating
2.7
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A good read overall, in spite of it's length and slow pace.
Good Points
For starters, I’ll admit it: I've never been much of a paranormalish-romance fanatic. I've heard Beautiful Creatures compared to big name titles like Twilight and The Hunger Games (? to why THG is compared to it remains a mystery to me...) In other words, I was a little on the bias side to picking up Beautiful Creatures, because my initial thoughts were I wasn't going to like it. I mean, witches? Magic? C'mon! Not to mention there's a literal infinite amount of para-romance already published, and with books being pushed out like hot potatoes these days I didn't see much reason for it to stand out to me either. But-- because of all the hype surrounding the recent movie adaptation of Beautiful Creatures, I decided to give in... and finally give this book a try.
We are introduced to a young Ethan Wate who's been living in the small southern town of Gatlin all his life. He’s been counting the days when he’s finally able to leave... that is, until he’s haunted in his dreams by a beautiful girl he’s never even met. Then there’s the new girl Lena Duchannes who’s struggling to hide her magical abilities and the curse which never left her family for generations. Weirdly enough, Ethan feels a pull towards Lena and thus, becomes determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
I can tell you that Beautiful Creatures isn’t the next Harry Potter no matter how magically captivating this book can seem at times-- because, for crying out loud, it’s Harry-freakin’-Potter and that’s not just something you can replicate the success of. And some of the more upbeat reviews on this book had me a little worried... largely franchised YA books set the bar so high in the market, and when you have something compared to so highly regarded you let yourself expect so much. And no one-- and I mean no one-- likes a let down.
Beautiful Creatures is a collaborative effort between Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl which, from experience, trying writing collabs can be super tough so I offer them my kudos for that. The thing about writing story collabs is that sometimes it can be hard trying to balance between the tones because, after all, it’s two totally different people with two totally different literary styles. And the way they blended them together in Beautiful Creatures was a bit, say, unbalanced? Not saying it was bad because they’re both individually talented in their own ways of course, but how they even out their writing together was clearly, well... was uneven. Sometimes, I even found myself going “Wait, what the huh?” because I was just little confused at some scenes and had to re-read at some parts, too.
Again, I have to say that Beautiful Creatures is set in a fictional Southern town called Gatlin. I’m not from the South but the ideas and opinions of some of its people are a little outdated, especially considering that Beautiful Creatures is set in this modern day and age. At times, I thought some of the events happening around Gatlin just seem way too old-fashioned to even happen in the 21st century. Could it? I mean, I had gotten this total old South vibe from the book and just felt like a super different portrayal of what it’s like in modern day, and more like the 20th (and more past) century ideals.
And in addition to this, maybe I probably should’ve been expecting it, but YES-- there is a bit of instalove. The romance feels flat-out rushed to me from the start. Okay, don’t get me wrong the romance between the two main leads kept my interest-- and if it probably weren’t for my own curiosity for finding out why the two were so connected, I would’ve put the book down to begin with because for a greater half of the book (and that’s a almost three-hundred paged half) it was slow moving and I became bored. There wasn’t much happening to start, and while it had tender moments, it just wasn’t doing it for me. The action and best scenes probably don’t come to the very end of the book, and if you’re a moderate-paced reader like myself, then that’s reaaally a long time to wait.
Here’s the bottom line: I liked it. Just liked it. I can’t say that I uberly-enjoyed it because some parts I felt as if the plot wasn’t really going anywhere, and this just made it really hard for me to feel as good about it. Okay, yeah, it does have its “awww” moments and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the action too, and the mystery behind all the characters are just that interesting enough to keep me reading. If you’re a reader in a fast lane and just love fast-paced novels, then I can’t say this will be a big hit-- because, as I mentioned before, it kind of begins on the--meeeeh--slowish side. I liked it enough to recommend it at least, but only to those who truly, truly like the genre and if you’re that willing to tread through a nearly 600-paged novel.
We are introduced to a young Ethan Wate who's been living in the small southern town of Gatlin all his life. He’s been counting the days when he’s finally able to leave... that is, until he’s haunted in his dreams by a beautiful girl he’s never even met. Then there’s the new girl Lena Duchannes who’s struggling to hide her magical abilities and the curse which never left her family for generations. Weirdly enough, Ethan feels a pull towards Lena and thus, becomes determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
I can tell you that Beautiful Creatures isn’t the next Harry Potter no matter how magically captivating this book can seem at times-- because, for crying out loud, it’s Harry-freakin’-Potter and that’s not just something you can replicate the success of. And some of the more upbeat reviews on this book had me a little worried... largely franchised YA books set the bar so high in the market, and when you have something compared to so highly regarded you let yourself expect so much. And no one-- and I mean no one-- likes a let down.
Beautiful Creatures is a collaborative effort between Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl which, from experience, trying writing collabs can be super tough so I offer them my kudos for that. The thing about writing story collabs is that sometimes it can be hard trying to balance between the tones because, after all, it’s two totally different people with two totally different literary styles. And the way they blended them together in Beautiful Creatures was a bit, say, unbalanced? Not saying it was bad because they’re both individually talented in their own ways of course, but how they even out their writing together was clearly, well... was uneven. Sometimes, I even found myself going “Wait, what the huh?” because I was just little confused at some scenes and had to re-read at some parts, too.
Again, I have to say that Beautiful Creatures is set in a fictional Southern town called Gatlin. I’m not from the South but the ideas and opinions of some of its people are a little outdated, especially considering that Beautiful Creatures is set in this modern day and age. At times, I thought some of the events happening around Gatlin just seem way too old-fashioned to even happen in the 21st century. Could it? I mean, I had gotten this total old South vibe from the book and just felt like a super different portrayal of what it’s like in modern day, and more like the 20th (and more past) century ideals.
And in addition to this, maybe I probably should’ve been expecting it, but YES-- there is a bit of instalove. The romance feels flat-out rushed to me from the start. Okay, don’t get me wrong the romance between the two main leads kept my interest-- and if it probably weren’t for my own curiosity for finding out why the two were so connected, I would’ve put the book down to begin with because for a greater half of the book (and that’s a almost three-hundred paged half) it was slow moving and I became bored. There wasn’t much happening to start, and while it had tender moments, it just wasn’t doing it for me. The action and best scenes probably don’t come to the very end of the book, and if you’re a moderate-paced reader like myself, then that’s reaaally a long time to wait.
Here’s the bottom line: I liked it. Just liked it. I can’t say that I uberly-enjoyed it because some parts I felt as if the plot wasn’t really going anywhere, and this just made it really hard for me to feel as good about it. Okay, yeah, it does have its “awww” moments and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the action too, and the mystery behind all the characters are just that interesting enough to keep me reading. If you’re a reader in a fast lane and just love fast-paced novels, then I can’t say this will be a big hit-- because, as I mentioned before, it kind of begins on the--meeeeh--slowish side. I liked it enough to recommend it at least, but only to those who truly, truly like the genre and if you’re that willing to tread through a nearly 600-paged novel.
There is definitely potential for this book
Overall rating
3.3
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Beautiful Creatures tells of a tiny town called Gaitlin, where everyone knows everyone and no one likes change. Then Old Man Ravenwood's niece arrives. Her name is Lena.
Ethan has a recurring nightmare about a girl he's never met, who he is trying desperately to save. He has never seen her face, and she falls from his grasp. Again and again and again. When he nearly runs over Lena, standing in the middle of the road, he is sure that this is the girl from his dreams.
But "We don't take kindly to strangers [in Gaitlin]". They are deeply suspicious of Lena and it doesn't help that she is the niece of a man who never come out of his house. She faces lots of troubles at school, and at home too, where she is preparing for the Claiming, which will determine whether she will be Light or Dark.
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention. Lena and all her family are witches (Casters)
This is a very long book, 563 pages, and so in some parts the story drags on a bit.
Ethan doesn't think like a sixteen year old, or a boy, in my point of view. He doesn't sound like a boy. He was very poetic and romantic so I think that lots of females would like it, but it didn't cut it for me.
The story had a good plot, and I think with a bit more tweaking, like cutting it down a bit, or adjusting Ethan's voice, it could have been a five-star for me.
Something to try if you don't mind long books.
Ethan has a recurring nightmare about a girl he's never met, who he is trying desperately to save. He has never seen her face, and she falls from his grasp. Again and again and again. When he nearly runs over Lena, standing in the middle of the road, he is sure that this is the girl from his dreams.
But "We don't take kindly to strangers [in Gaitlin]". They are deeply suspicious of Lena and it doesn't help that she is the niece of a man who never come out of his house. She faces lots of troubles at school, and at home too, where she is preparing for the Claiming, which will determine whether she will be Light or Dark.
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention. Lena and all her family are witches (Casters)
This is a very long book, 563 pages, and so in some parts the story drags on a bit.
Ethan doesn't think like a sixteen year old, or a boy, in my point of view. He doesn't sound like a boy. He was very poetic and romantic so I think that lots of females would like it, but it didn't cut it for me.
The story had a good plot, and I think with a bit more tweaking, like cutting it down a bit, or adjusting Ethan's voice, it could have been a five-star for me.
Something to try if you don't mind long books.
Good Points
- The town of Gaitlin was a nice, quaint setting
- I liked the plot
- Definitely potential here
- I liked the plot
- Definitely potential here
Didn't Do It For Me
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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This book was so hyped, I may have gone into it with too much expectation. I think the bones of a good story are definitely there! But I had a hard time with the narrator. Ethan doesn't think or sound like a boy. I live in a household full of boys, and he just didn't ring true for me. However, he was very poetic and romantic so I'm sure there are many female readers who will respond to him. He just didn't do it for me. I like my boy characters to sound like boys.
I also had a hard time with the constant southern stereotypes (especially when so many of them were a mish-mash of stuff from distinctly different regions all over the south). I found myself rolling my eyes when EVERY southerner was a bigot who went to church, worshiped cheerleading and sports, and had a mile-wide prejudice about outsiders. The authors also mixed voodoo, uptight Baptists, and witchcraft into their small town. It felt like it was trying to be Louisiana, the Appalachian mountains, and rural Alabama all at once. It just didn't work for me.
I did love the backstory and the flashbacks. There's certainly a very compelling story here. And while the pacing, the narrator, and the setting didn't work for me, I'm sure there are many who will love this book and its sequels.
I also had a hard time with the constant southern stereotypes (especially when so many of them were a mish-mash of stuff from distinctly different regions all over the south). I found myself rolling my eyes when EVERY southerner was a bigot who went to church, worshiped cheerleading and sports, and had a mile-wide prejudice about outsiders. The authors also mixed voodoo, uptight Baptists, and witchcraft into their small town. It felt like it was trying to be Louisiana, the Appalachian mountains, and rural Alabama all at once. It just didn't work for me.
I did love the backstory and the flashbacks. There's certainly a very compelling story here. And while the pacing, the narrator, and the setting didn't work for me, I'm sure there are many who will love this book and its sequels.
Confused & Unsure
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Paranormally Romanced
So this book was a litttle weird for me. It was not horrible writing or a horrible story but I found myself feeling very indifferent. At times while reading the book I didn't know what was going on maybe it could have been them overly describing or I don't know what exactly.
It took me about a month to read this book. I found myself leaving the book and not thinking about it much. I'm the type that reads a book in 1-2 days. I honestly didn't care what happened to the characters which is a bad sign when reading a book. I just didn't connect to these characters. I don't really find Ethen too amazing and Lena isn't very interesting.
I didn't really feel like it truly was a male's POV. From the descriptions of Lena she didn't sound attractive. It really wasn't realistic. I found myself just pushing through the book to finish it since I had invested so much time.
Don't get me wrong the story wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as all the hype. I wont read the sequel. I liked the dual lovestory and other things in the story. But the characters weren't believable. I'm upset that I read this book because I really wouldn't read it again.
So this book was a litttle weird for me. It was not horrible writing or a horrible story but I found myself feeling very indifferent. At times while reading the book I didn't know what was going on maybe it could have been them overly describing or I don't know what exactly.
It took me about a month to read this book. I found myself leaving the book and not thinking about it much. I'm the type that reads a book in 1-2 days. I honestly didn't care what happened to the characters which is a bad sign when reading a book. I just didn't connect to these characters. I don't really find Ethen too amazing and Lena isn't very interesting.
I didn't really feel like it truly was a male's POV. From the descriptions of Lena she didn't sound attractive. It really wasn't realistic. I found myself just pushing through the book to finish it since I had invested so much time.
Don't get me wrong the story wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as all the hype. I wont read the sequel. I liked the dual lovestory and other things in the story. But the characters weren't believable. I'm upset that I read this book because I really wouldn't read it again.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Beautiful Creatures Review
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by The Bookshelf Sophisticate
Romeo and Juliet appear to have had it easy in comparison to Ethan and Lena in Beautiful Creatures. They not only have their families telling them to steer clear of each other, but they're also dealing with humans vs. casters (a.k.a. witches) in this struggle. Talk about your star crossed lovers tale, but how does this one end you ask? Are they to suffer the same fate as Romeo and Juliet? Or will they find a way to defy the odds stacked against them? I'm not telling of course...read on people! And boy was it ever a struggle! Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl know just how to write the twists and turns, joys and heartaches to keep their readers not knowing what to expect with every turn of the page. They had me hook, line and sinker without a clue as to what the outcome would be until the very end.
Our main characters were set in a small town in the south and one that has very old ways. We're talking extremely conservative here people. But Ethan and Lena weren't alone while trying to beat the clock and squeak out a happy ending for everyone involved. Lena's family was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her uncle Macon (the town recluse) was entertaining and mysterious of course, and he kept my attention throughout. Ethan's close but yet strange relationship with Amma won her a place in my heart - she was scary with her charms and voodoo, but her love for Ethan overpowered my fear of her. But that's not to say you should underestimate Amma, if Macon Ravenwood doesn't square off with her, what chance would I have? With the rest of the Ravenwood/Duchannes family making surprise appearances, along with our lovable librarian friend Marion Ashcroft, this book had a wonderful cast of characters to call it's own.
Although the story was slow in parts for me, I think the action scenes were very much filled with suspense and the right amount of thrills. I'm hoping the second installment in the Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Darkness will have more action and substance now that Beautiful Creatures has laid out all the groundwork for us. We've got the background now and we're ready for more of this world that Garcia and Stohl have created.
Romeo and Juliet appear to have had it easy in comparison to Ethan and Lena in Beautiful Creatures. They not only have their families telling them to steer clear of each other, but they're also dealing with humans vs. casters (a.k.a. witches) in this struggle. Talk about your star crossed lovers tale, but how does this one end you ask? Are they to suffer the same fate as Romeo and Juliet? Or will they find a way to defy the odds stacked against them? I'm not telling of course...read on people! And boy was it ever a struggle! Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl know just how to write the twists and turns, joys and heartaches to keep their readers not knowing what to expect with every turn of the page. They had me hook, line and sinker without a clue as to what the outcome would be until the very end.
Our main characters were set in a small town in the south and one that has very old ways. We're talking extremely conservative here people. But Ethan and Lena weren't alone while trying to beat the clock and squeak out a happy ending for everyone involved. Lena's family was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her uncle Macon (the town recluse) was entertaining and mysterious of course, and he kept my attention throughout. Ethan's close but yet strange relationship with Amma won her a place in my heart - she was scary with her charms and voodoo, but her love for Ethan overpowered my fear of her. But that's not to say you should underestimate Amma, if Macon Ravenwood doesn't square off with her, what chance would I have? With the rest of the Ravenwood/Duchannes family making surprise appearances, along with our lovable librarian friend Marion Ashcroft, this book had a wonderful cast of characters to call it's own.
Although the story was slow in parts for me, I think the action scenes were very much filled with suspense and the right amount of thrills. I'm hoping the second installment in the Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Darkness will have more action and substance now that Beautiful Creatures has laid out all the groundwork for us. We've got the background now and we're ready for more of this world that Garcia and Stohl have created.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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