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heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
"Beautiful Creatures" is about Ethan Wate, a high school sophomore, who plans to escape his small Southern town as soon as he can. He disagrees with the values that most people in his town have, and things have been difficult since his mother died and his father subsequently became a recluse. Then a strange new girl named Lena arrives. She and her relatives are Casters, beings who have supernatural powers. Ethan finds himself falling hard for Lena, but on her upcoming 16th birthday she will be Claimed for dark or light.
I was confused a lot as I read this book, but I still got into it. I really engaged with the characters, especially some of the ones on the side including Link, Amma, and Marian the Librarian. The romance is a little too "Twilighty" for me--the characters meet, fall in love quickly, and suddenly don't know how they lived without each other. However, this story is told from the guy's perspective, which is interesting, and the characters aren't as whiny or overdramatic as the ones in some other teen romances. I also like how the authors weave a lot of humor into this dark story. What I don't like is the length of the book; a lot feels repetitive and I think a lot could have been cut out. There are 500 pages leading up the climactic battle between good and evil and then the ending is a bit of a letdown, as it seems to be merely setting up the sequel.
I was confused a lot as I read this book, but I still got into it. I really engaged with the characters, especially some of the ones on the side including Link, Amma, and Marian the Librarian. The romance is a little too "Twilighty" for me--the characters meet, fall in love quickly, and suddenly don't know how they lived without each other. However, this story is told from the guy's perspective, which is interesting, and the characters aren't as whiny or overdramatic as the ones in some other teen romances. I also like how the authors weave a lot of humor into this dark story. What I don't like is the length of the book; a lot feels repetitive and I think a lot could have been cut out. There are 500 pages leading up the climactic battle between good and evil and then the ending is a bit of a letdown, as it seems to be merely setting up the sequel.
jsc55's review against another edition
3.0
2.5... long and slightly boring... but i loved the southern feel to it all.
txpamcakers's review against another edition
1.0
I MADE myself finish. There was so much potential, but in my opinion, poorly executed.
slandts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ingo_lembcke's review
4.0
Started February 18th, 2013.
Great start. One disturbing thing for me: whenever there is direct speech, there is only an opening quote, no closing quote and the next sentence can be both direct speech or thoughts of the person speaking - you have to draw the conclusion which is which from context.
While the main characters are both teenagers and in love, sex is only mentioned late in the book, like they never thought of it, but being 15-16 years old that is rather not realistic.
Being 400 pages, and a good, nice twist at the end (which I never saw coming), I think it could have worked better for me with either sex, more action or a 100 pages less, it felt too long. But still worth reading, and for that 4 stars. Hoping they film it lavishly, they could use some great settings and lots of costumes.
I will read the next book(s) when it is decided wether it (they) will be filmed. For now I will read something different.
Great start. One disturbing thing for me: whenever there is direct speech, there is only an opening quote, no closing quote and the next sentence can be both direct speech or thoughts of the person speaking - you have to draw the conclusion which is which from context.
While the main characters are both teenagers and in love, sex is only mentioned late in the book, like they never thought of it, but being 15-16 years old that is rather not realistic.
Being 400 pages, and a good, nice twist at the end (which I never saw coming), I think it could have worked better for me with either sex, more action or a 100 pages less, it felt too long. But still worth reading, and for that 4 stars. Hoping they film it lavishly, they could use some great settings and lots of costumes.
I will read the next book(s) when it is decided wether it (they) will be filmed. For now I will read something different.
phoenix2's review against another edition
3.0
OK, the casteers were awsome. And I found the plot really good, as I like a little bit of gothic and romance. But the caracters weren't very clear between them (Ethan acts some times like a girl!) However, i quit enjoyed it.
elin247's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
I was obsessed with the movie adaptation of this book and the added details in this nivel was great ! I really enjoyed the romance between Ethan and Lena, and how it mirrored the previous relationship 100 years before from their ancestors. A great supernatural story about casters and spirits, going light or dark. I'm excited to continue the series and explore this world further
ggreeley's review against another edition
3.0
**Update**
Based on agreeing with others' reviews that this book was way long and somewhat dull, I'm taking a star.
Between 3 and 4 stars. Held my interest, but not sure it left me wanting enough to dive into the next one.
Based on agreeing with others' reviews that this book was way long and somewhat dull, I'm taking a star.
Between 3 and 4 stars. Held my interest, but not sure it left me wanting enough to dive into the next one.
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Intense, non-stop intrigue and unique world building. It was not written down, which I appreciate.This YA really was very detailed, there is a lot of work here and it shows. The historical background is so vivid, as are the characters. It was difficult to keep up with all the twists and turns. Honestly, there was so much going on it was almost too much at times. it is a dark tale of a family of magical people and the curse that haunts them and a 15 yr old girl. She wants to fit in with her peers but no matter what she is always turned from. Her life is about to change on her 16th birthday, she may lose all she loves. She meets a boy and he balances her somehow, his life changing along with hers. He has demons of his own, his mother is dead , his father acts like he is. All the people of this small southern town seems to be tied to the history of this curse, one way or the other. They have an old hate filling their hearts that carries this story to even a darker place.
I don't know if I want to read the next book. As much as I enjoyed this book I feel kind of battered and bruised after reading it. Maybe after some time ?
I don't know if I want to read the next book. As much as I enjoyed this book I feel kind of battered and bruised after reading it. Maybe after some time ?
klblackwell83's review against another edition
3.0
This is definitely not a book/series for everyone. Personally, I really enjoyed it. A nice jump from all of the teen vampire stories.