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mandieroz's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not always fond of love stories or vampires for that matter and still found this book very enjoyable. I really brought it because of the beautiful cover and enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait to read the second in the series and see what happens next
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
2.0
I hate to say it but I was bored. The final twist was somewhat interesting but I don't know if it's enough to continue the series.
cassidyserhienko's review against another edition
4.0
God bless you Renee Ahdieh. I mean really, a new novel about VAMPIRES in NEW ORLEANS, and a love interest of QUESTIONABLE MORALITY who wears a QUIRKY HAT?! That’s basically everything good in the world all rolled into one book. Vampire books have become so overrated that they’re underrated. I said what I said. So calling all authors, YA or otherwise, more hot vampires please. And is there a better setting for a vampire, mystery, murder novel then New Orleans? I think tf not. Sébastien is hot, Celine is a straight up disaster and I live for it.
I will say, The Beautiful probably isn’t as lush as Ahdieh’s other novels - it’s hard to beat The Wrath and the Dawn after all. But I honestly feel that this gives the sequel a better chance of competing with the first book. Both of the relationships in the other duology’s fell a little flat in their sequels. After so much development and angst in the first books, the romances just didn’t hold up. But in The Beautiful there isn’t actually that much time spent on Sébastien and Celine as a couple. Sure they spend a lot of time noticing how beautiful (get it?) the other is, but they don’t really do anything about it. The sequel has been set up to really build them up together, as well as the actual vampire mythology. All is not revealed until the very end of the book, and so the sequel has more to explore than just the answer to a real jerk of a cliffhanger.
And also, Celine’s whole “dark secret” wasn’t all that dark. Pretty sure if you told you’re besties who are WOMEN who have clearly all been screwed over by some assholes that you killed your would-be rapist in self defence, they’d get it. Like sure, flee Paris and don’t go blabbing about it far and wide, but do you really think Pippa or Odette would ditch you because you defended yourself against some rich predator and you’re not sorry for it? Have a little faith lady.
I loved the few chapters we got from Sébastien’s perspective and I hope that that’s something that’s included more in the sequel. I also enjoyed the cast of side characters, who I think were more developed than in Ahdieh’s other books. This was probably my least favourite of Ahdieh’s books, which is disappointing because vampires, and also New Orleans, but I still think it’s worth a read. The magic is not as intricate, but the mystery is still compelling and no one can deny that she’s a master of writing badass heroines. So thanks Renee, because here’s me, once again left impatiently waiting for more romance and more vampires.
For more reviews check out our instagram @theperusingsociety and our website www.theperusingsociety.weebly.com
I will say, The Beautiful probably isn’t as lush as Ahdieh’s other novels - it’s hard to beat The Wrath and the Dawn after all. But I honestly feel that this gives the sequel a better chance of competing with the first book. Both of the relationships in the other duology’s fell a little flat in their sequels. After so much development and angst in the first books, the romances just didn’t hold up. But in The Beautiful there isn’t actually that much time spent on Sébastien and Celine as a couple. Sure they spend a lot of time noticing how beautiful (get it?) the other is, but they don’t really do anything about it. The sequel has been set up to really build them up together, as well as the actual vampire mythology. All is not revealed until the very end of the book, and so the sequel has more to explore than just the answer to a real jerk of a cliffhanger.
And also, Celine’s whole “dark secret” wasn’t all that dark. Pretty sure if you told you’re besties who are WOMEN who have clearly all been screwed over by some assholes that you killed your would-be rapist in self defence, they’d get it. Like sure, flee Paris and don’t go blabbing about it far and wide, but do you really think Pippa or Odette would ditch you because you defended yourself against some rich predator and you’re not sorry for it? Have a little faith lady.
I loved the few chapters we got from Sébastien’s perspective and I hope that that’s something that’s included more in the sequel. I also enjoyed the cast of side characters, who I think were more developed than in Ahdieh’s other books. This was probably my least favourite of Ahdieh’s books, which is disappointing because vampires, and also New Orleans, but I still think it’s worth a read. The magic is not as intricate, but the mystery is still compelling and no one can deny that she’s a master of writing badass heroines. So thanks Renee, because here’s me, once again left impatiently waiting for more romance and more vampires.
For more reviews check out our instagram @theperusingsociety and our website www.theperusingsociety.weebly.com
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
This book. THIS BOOK. Renée needs to send me her contact information so she can pay for my imminent therapy.
(I kid. Kind of. The ending pretty much destroyed me, but I have to live to read The Damned. SO I'LL BE FINE. Probably?)
The writing in this book was so exquisite. I feel like Renée tends to write towards the time periods and even settings of her book, so the language here was embellished in the most wonderful of ways. Very lush and descriptive, with some quotes - especially in the latter half - that positively wrecked my senses. The narrative voices (yes, there are plural!) were also well-balanced and differentiated enough that I enjoyed reading every chapter and trying to guess who the mystery voice was. (No spoilers, but I didn't see it coming!!!)
I honestly can't think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I loved the return to vampire tales - I got some particular Twilight vibes in certain scenes, but for the most part Renée does a fantastic job of developing her own voice and making her mark on the tradition of vampires in (YA) literature. But what really shines in this series is the chemistry between Celine and Bastien. They're so obviously matched, totally on the same level, that you can't help but ship them. And they can't help it either. It's wonderful and exhilarating. Bastien himself is a work of art - like, seriously, completely wonderful example of the "bad boy" who's good and soft inside. And Celine is a formidable protagonist and a hell of a woman. I'm so excited to see where The Damned takes us next! There's an incredible twist (or two, actually...) at the end, and there's also something Bastien does that I have no doubt will be a huge issue in The Damned.
Renée's writing and her stories always impress me, but this one just might be my favorite. I can hardly believe I'm saying that since I was so in love with The Flame in the Mist, but if this book proves anything to me, it's that whatever Renée writes is both something I'll love and something that just gets better and better with every new work she publishes. And I cannot wait to see The Damned and whatever else she's cooking up next.
(I kid. Kind of. The ending pretty much destroyed me, but I have to live to read The Damned. SO I'LL BE FINE. Probably?)
The writing in this book was so exquisite. I feel like Renée tends to write towards the time periods and even settings of her book, so the language here was embellished in the most wonderful of ways. Very lush and descriptive, with some quotes - especially in the latter half - that positively wrecked my senses. The narrative voices (yes, there are plural!) were also well-balanced and differentiated enough that I enjoyed reading every chapter and trying to guess who the mystery voice was. (No spoilers, but I didn't see it coming!!!)
I honestly can't think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I loved the return to vampire tales - I got some particular Twilight vibes in certain scenes, but for the most part Renée does a fantastic job of developing her own voice and making her mark on the tradition of vampires in (YA) literature. But what really shines in this series is the chemistry between Celine and Bastien. They're so obviously matched, totally on the same level, that you can't help but ship them. And they can't help it either. It's wonderful and exhilarating. Bastien himself is a work of art - like, seriously, completely wonderful example of the "bad boy" who's good and soft inside. And Celine is a formidable protagonist and a hell of a woman. I'm so excited to see where The Damned takes us next! There's an incredible twist (or two, actually...) at the end, and there's also something Bastien does that I have no doubt will be a huge issue in The Damned.
Renée's writing and her stories always impress me, but this one just might be my favorite. I can hardly believe I'm saying that since I was so in love with The Flame in the Mist, but if this book proves anything to me, it's that whatever Renée writes is both something I'll love and something that just gets better and better with every new work she publishes. And I cannot wait to see The Damned and whatever else she's cooking up next.
jaquelyn13lopez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.75
leafyjosie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
nyxsable's review against another edition
2.0
After finishing this book I was put into a reading slump. I was worried all books may be like this, just drawn out and wordsy. I've been taking a long break from reading because of it.
jozilynn's review against another edition
2.0
Ok, my rating might not be totally fair. I listened to this on audio, and though I appreciated all the great accents, I HATED when the female voices got all whiny and I did not like the in between male voice at all and there was too much of it to ignore. I liked the beginning story line but by the end I just wanted it done. Might have to try this on again in book form