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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
3 ⭐ CW: Death of a parent, Civil War referred to as "War of Northern Aggression", fatphobia, bullying, burning plantation homes with people inside, violence, death of a pet
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl was part of a series my cousin sent me second hand. I enjoyed the premise of this novel, but it definitely could have been better.
We follow Ethan Wate, a local jock in Gatlin, NC, where nothing ever changes, until the niece of owner of Ravenwood Manor moves to town, things change quickly. So we have a love story between a Caster and Mortal. Lena Duchannes doesn't fit the Gatlin mold, and in turn is bullied and tormented. Even the parents get involved in scheming a way to get her kicked out of school.
The magic in this was interesting. I love the concept of the Kitchen in Ravenwood being an entity on its own. It was cool to learn about the different abilities every Caster has. We learn that on the 16th birthday, Casters are claimed as Light or Dark, only Lena's family doesn't get that choice. Ultimately this is a book about choosing and making your own fate. We also get love as strength in the face of evil.
Even I did for the most part enjoy this book, it did have its problems. For example, in a book based in a Southern town that has old plantation homes, and still says the "war between the states", and not once was slavery mentioned. On top of that we have a token person of color who is used as a the magical and wise plot device, and she is described as looking "exotic" (ick). There is also a ton of fatphobia in this book. I know it came out in 2009, but damn, it was unnecessary.
I will probably try the next book to see if it improves enough for me to want to finish the series. If not, I may dnf it.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl was part of a series my cousin sent me second hand. I enjoyed the premise of this novel, but it definitely could have been better.
We follow Ethan Wate, a local jock in Gatlin, NC, where nothing ever changes, until the niece of owner of Ravenwood Manor moves to town, things change quickly. So we have a love story between a Caster and Mortal. Lena Duchannes doesn't fit the Gatlin mold, and in turn is bullied and tormented. Even the parents get involved in scheming a way to get her kicked out of school.
The magic in this was interesting. I love the concept of the Kitchen in Ravenwood being an entity on its own. It was cool to learn about the different abilities every Caster has. We learn that on the 16th birthday, Casters are claimed as Light or Dark, only Lena's family doesn't get that choice. Ultimately this is a book about choosing and making your own fate. We also get love as strength in the face of evil.
Even I did for the most part enjoy this book, it did have its problems. For example, in a book based in a Southern town that has old plantation homes, and still says the "war between the states", and not once was slavery mentioned. On top of that we have a token person of color who is used as a the magical and wise plot device, and she is described as looking "exotic" (ick). There is also a ton of fatphobia in this book. I know it came out in 2009, but damn, it was unnecessary.
I will probably try the next book to see if it improves enough for me to want to finish the series. If not, I may dnf it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Animal death