Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and and Margaret Stohl


Genre:                 Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

Year:                    2009

Pages:                  563

Publisher           Little, Brown

Followed by:       Beautiful Darkness

Part of:                Caster Chronicles (Book #1)



Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
(Goodreads) 




“There's not one word that describes all the people in my family. Is there one word that describes everyone in yours?""Yeah. Lunatics.”

“Just let me give you a ride home. You shouldn't be out here.""No, thanks. I'll wait for the next guy who almost runs me down.”

“No, I'm too busy trying to deflect your Power of Stupidity. But I don't think I'm strong enough.”

“I'm a freak, you're a freak. Your house makes rooms disappear, my house makes people disappear. Your shut-in uncle is nuts and my shut-in dad is a lunatic, so i don't know what you think makes us so different.”










Everywhere I look I see very good reviews of this book. I'm amazed how many people fell in love with it. It makes me feel like I missed something, because it seems I am the only person in the whole world who just doesn't follow the hype. 

Maybe it's the fact that I haven't read all that many YA books in my life, maybe compared to other YA stories out there, this one really stands out? I can't really pinpoint what it is exactly that makes me not like this book. The storyline is good. The writing is solid and skillful, it definitely has a huge potential, and yet when I think about the time when I was reading it, even now I feel tired and unsatisfied. 

I really, REALLY disliked the lead character - Ethan. I wished he was more manly, wished for him not to think and act like a whiny child. As a lead character and narrator of the story, he lacked charisma and his voice was just weak, I found myself comparing him to Todd from Chaos Walking Trilogy  and regretting that he was nothing like that.

The female lead character, Lena, was not any better. I didn't like her passiveness. If someone tells you that in a year or two you're going to turn dark, would you just accept the fact and not even try to do anything to change it, to save yourself? That's just pure ridiculous. 

Ahh man, I really hate writing bad reviews, so maybe I should stop now. There are awfully many rants and complains that are just waiting to be poured out here. The story had a big potential, but I think it was mostly wasted. If I were to list the things that I liked about the book, it would be mostly the side-kick characters (especially Melchizedek, Link and Ridley. Oh, and Boo!) and occasional witty jokes scattered throughout more than 500 pages.

To sum it all up - considering that 99% people out there really love this book, there's a big chance you will like it too. So don't be discouraged by my review, if it was on your TBR list already, I say you still give it a chance. 
I, however, won't be reading the next part of the series.


91 comments:

Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic said...

Doesn't sound like I would like it either. Thanks for the honest review.

Unknown said...

I'm making my way through this book right now. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't been blown away by this book. Like you said the writing is ok, the characters are a little lacking. My main issue is that it seems to drag along. Really it could have been a couple of hundred pages shorter and I probably would have enjoyed it more.

Lindsay said...

It's hard to write a review on a book you didn't like. I just had to do that recently. Regardless...I'm one of the 99% on this series lol. To each her own =)

Anonymous said...

I haven't read this yet and I'm not 100% sure I'm going to. From your review it sounds like I might not like it, which I think might be the case and the reason I keep putting it off.

Anonymous said...

I've been iffy about this book ever since I first heard about it. A lot of people love it but there's nothing I find appealing about it. I think I'm ganna skip it.

Unknown said...

I think it's not so good but it's not bad either. You may want to read the second book though. I think it's better than the first one.

Anonymous said...

I've heard a lot of good things about this book too. This is one of my wishlist in goodreads but now I'm not sure if I will buy the book or not. Maybe will not include this to my priority list.

jayjay said...

I have high praised for this book but then hearing negatives thoughts or at least reading people who doesn't really like this book makes me think twice. I really liked it, I think Ethan wouldve been a great boyfriend lol

Jennifer said...

Interesting review. This has been a book I've wanted to read. I do read a lot of YA books. So i'm curious how my opinion would differ from yours.

It's okay not to like a book. There are lots of people who like this series. But not everyone can like every thing.

Soon Hana said...

I enjoyed reading this book but I can understand your dissatisfaction. I guess I didn't have any expectation for this book when I started so the characters didn't really bother me.

Unknown said...

Great review! I read this book and really enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next book to come out :)

Badass Bookie said...

I have this novel sitting on my shelf, I read half of it but then had to put in down to finish my review books for the month, never got the chance to go back to it :/ I couldn't quite get into it either :/ I have the second books as well so ehhhhh

Jolene and Family said...

There is a lot of hype over these books. I liked the first one, but thought the second one was a little better. Thanks for your honest review

Nikita said...

I read about this book at goodreads and it came out in translation in my country this month so I am going read this. It sounds interesting and I think I will enjoy it. :)

Nikita
bookworm.nikita@gmail.com

chidori said...

Last month this was published in Czech republic and I was amazed... yeas, not because of story or so, but translation to your language was simply genious .)). I also looked into english copy of book and I have to say, that is not nearly as good as ours. It´s interesting, ´cause mostly I love book in their original language, but this time it was just because of translation, why I fell so in love with this book .)

Christie (Neliss) said...

Omg, I guess I can't make my opinion without reading this.:DD I read good and bad reviews... Which team will I join?:D
I think I'll not like Ethan - I don't like boys acting like girls.
Anyway, good and short review.:)
Btw - srry for my english.

Z. Taco said...

I've heard a lot of positive reviews about this book, but it's always interesting to see various opinions. I think I'm going to have to read it for myself now!

Anonymous said...

good review

Victorique de Blois said...

My friend say that book make her bored. But people have various opinion and I like that you gave an honest opinion.

Fashion Addict said...

I wanna read this series SO BAD!! I think its time to take a trip to Target again...
LOL. XD :)

♥Cathy

Chey said...

I really need to get this as soon as I can. I've been recommended this book so many times, but it also looks as though you have too. I'm sorry you didn't care for it. I'll just have to get a copy and see. If I don't like it, I can always give it away.

Unknown said...

I love honest reviews.
I've never been fond of blindly following trends so I like when there's something different, or a different opinion. :)
I would still read this book.

thanks for the review :)

Angel Snyder said...

Now I'm scared! :( This has been on my TBR list forever, and I've been dying to get to it! Hopefully I'll like it, but who knows? You win some, you lose some! Great review!
http://909reviews.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

WOW! We're so alike! I really didn't like this book either! It's so dull and boring! and the Main Character?! What the heck is that!? True it had potential. It could have been a great read but it wasn't. So I totally agree with you're review! I even thought sometimes that Ethan was a girl by the way he thinks! I mean is there really a boy out there that doesn't have sensual thoughts toward a female? I mean you know.. the lust. But I guess that's just it.

Mary said...

I totally agree with you about this book--so much potential, but ultimately it's wasted. This is why authors need editors and professional readers BEFORE the book is published (imho, of course).

Book Flame said...

Love the honest opinion ,I never really fell for the hype around this book but eventually one day I plan on picking it up and reading it.

Sarah said...

Now, I'm feeling really iffy about getting this book. *pushes it farther down on the TBR pile*

Ivana said...

I dont think you are the only one who didnt like this book. I read a lot of negative reviews about it and thats why I am probably not going to read it. The plotline sounds interesting but Im not going to waste my time on it if it really isnt worth it. I dont like whiny characters, I prefer strong ones that can stand up for themselves. Thank you for the great review.

Gabbie said...

I've been seeing this book everywhere and I wasn't even sure if I should add it to my TBR pile. I still might give it a go regardless that you wern't a fan because like you said, alot of people loved it. I'm still iffy but maybe sometime in the future.. when my TBR pile dies down (not likely to be anytime soon)

Unknown said...

I was never really interested in reading this book but I know a lot of people who had read it and loved it so I thought I might give it a go, after reading your review though I don't think I will. Thank you for a truthful review!

Aneta said...

Well, i completely agree with your review about Beautiful Creatures... i have it at home for one whole year and i finished it just now! thats incredibly long time for me, really :D
the plot was good but this book just didnt do it to me, it wasnt a page-turner and i didnt care about the main caracters-thats kind of sad... so yeas, two stars from me, too!

Victorique de Blois said...

This book habe a potential to be a must have book but if you read it, it takes a long time to continue reading it again. Makes me bored.

Janine said...

I started reding this once but then I had to give it back to the library so I never finished it. I really liked what I read though :)

Unknown said...

Was it really that bad? I haven't read it though, but I've heard so much good... But what I like is that you tell your point of view...

Ashley Ziemer said...

Like you, my interest was sparked by all the positive reviews for this book. I enjoy some young adult and have been contemplating reading this book because SOOOOOOO many people loved it. But I never picked it up because the description didn't sway me enough. Thanks for your review. It solidified my choice of not reading it, at least for now. :)

Joanna said...

I have just recently fell in love with the YA genre, and like you, have heard great things about this book. I haven't had the opportunity to read it though. However, I have heard multiple people say the sequel, Beautiful Darkness, was so bad they could not finish. So, its not at the top of my TBR pile any time soon.

Jana said...

"I'm amazed how many people fell in love with it. It makes me feel like I missed something"

I totally agree with you! I don´t get it too. I really really didn´t like this book! I hate Ethan. When I read it first I thought that he was a girl! Because he didn´t behave as a boy... and Lena also wasn´t good character. So I read it and I asked myself when I´ll be at the end. When I reached it I was happy that I´m done with book. I know that I´ll never read it again!

Jennifer said...

I've wanted to read this book for a while now. I've also heard good things about it. Sorry you didn't like it. But i think you were right. Most people who reviewed it read a lot of YA (like i do).

Jennifer

Read Between the Lines said...

great review. adding to my TBR pile

hiba008 said...

Lokks like we have similar taste....I couldn't complete this book....didn't feel like it...

Zakiya LadyWings said...

I started this book, but had so much going on that I couldn't finish it. I have to say, I am a little discouraged by your review, but I will definitely still give it a chance. I seem to like anything and everything nowadays so I'm actually anxious to see whether I agree or disagree with your review.

Cărți Alese said...

I want to read this book. THis summer it got published in my country! :D I;m so happy! :D

Cărți Alese said...

I want to read this book. THis summer it got published in my country! :D I;m so happy! :D

Anonymous said...

I loved it on my first read but when I re-read it, it wasn't that great. I agree a lot with your review and I'm not sure why I didn't notice that at first. thanks for the honest review

Lisa said...

Thanks for the review! I bought this series recently so hopefully I'll like it, despite the flaws!

l0raah_ said...

Interesting review, because I love this book, lol. It's one of my favorites, I'm so sorry you didn't like it :$ To each his own :)

Shalena @ Writer Quirk said...

Don't feel bad. I've been in this boat too (though with the Need series). I haven't read this yet but want to, and it is good to get your review because I know now what to watch out for instead of just thinking that it will be perfect based on the other reviews. I can go in with a balanced perspective and be able to really judge for myself. Thanks! ^_^

~Shalena @ Writer Quirk

Idris said...

Thank you for the honest review. I have this book on my bookshelf waiting for me... I haven't read it yet, but I hope I will do it soon. I will see if I like it or I think the same as you.

Seesen said...

I can totally agree with some points you made.. about Ethan being childish and Lena passive and all... But I quite liked the book. The southern atmosphere and all... I guess it really depends on the reader, weather he likes it or not. But it certainly isn´t a bad book :)

Merenwen said...

I read a lot of negative reviews so I think Im not gonna to read it, but I enjoyed your review :)

Lindsay Cummings author said...

i tried reading this one, but it lost me just before i got to the halfway mark. lovely cover though!

Bekka said...

I haven't read this yet, but it's been on my TBR list for a while. I'm sorry you didn't like, but good on you for being honest!

Paper Cut Reviewer said...

OMG! This book has been sitting on my bookshelf forever and honestly this is exactly why. I hear a lot of mixed reviews but what I read in your review made a lot of sense. I will eventually read this book but probably in the near future;)

Thanks for the honest review!
Steph

Melori said...

Thanks for your review, after I read this book I also felt as I am the only one who doesn't like it. I thought that authors wanted this book to be so good that they overdid it. Right now I am just thinking about reading this book again in Czech since there was such a great comment on the translation :).

Amanda said...

Great review, exactly how I felt about this book. And soo many of my goodreads friends loved it! I just don't see it. Plus as a southern gal myself, I was a little offended by the portrayal of the South. I can spell, I don't drop my g's, and I'm not close minded, thank you very much. :)

Anonymous said...

Again, an honest review. I though a lot about buying this or not. Maybe I could still give it a try to see for myself. :D

Alyssa said...

Thanks for posting your honest review!! I had the same feelings for other books that generated many great reviews, but just didn't live up to my expectations :)
- Alyssa of Redhead Heroines

Zakiya LadyWings said...

I started this one, but put it down because I was reading too many and didn't have the time. But I really want to get around to reading it. I've heard so many good and bad reviews. I'm not sure what to believe yet! Thanks for the honest review, though :)

Kristin Aragon said...

It took me a while to get into this book, but after I did, I loved it! I think it is one of those books that you either love or hate.

Kristin Aragon said...

It took me a while to get into this book, but after I did, I loved it! I think it is one of those books that you either love or hate.

Chen Yan Chang said...

It was a long book, so it did take me a while to get into the book. I love the voice and descriptions in the book. I feel like Lena could've been a better character. She kinda annoys me, and she annoys me even more in the sequel. But I'm still going to buy the 3rd book :)

Anonymous said...

Haha, we all need to read a bad book every now and then. And it's great that you were being honest.

Who knows, you might like it once you reread it. The quotes were funny though. C:

landofbooks said...

I'm sad that you didn't like it but there will be books that you don't like.

Krystal Larson said...

I'm glad you said you didn't love it either. My sister got it from the library and wasn't a fan. I read it after, and well...It's not one of my favorites.

aurora M. said...

I can see how some may not like this book but I loved it! Thanks for the review and your honest opinion.... refreshing from all those 5 star reviews that we know are not.

R bo said...

I read this and thought it was okay, I mean I liked it but it's not one of my favorites.... ://

Sky said...

Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about this book for a while and now I know I will not be reading it

Yvonne @ The Shadow Realm said...

Aw i'm sorry you didn't like this book. I loved it , i thought it was great. Thanks for an honest review though

annejude said...

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has the similar thoughts about this book.

At first, I like the idea, but after reading Beautiful Creatures I was little bit disappointed.

I agree with the things you said about the main characters. Ethan was sometime like a ... girl and child in one.
I didn't like, how Lena gave up easily and do nothing, or didn't even try to change something.

But after all, it wasn't so bad.

Kindlemom said...

I am so glad that I wasn't the only one that had a hard time getting into this book, which is sad because I as really looking forward to it to.

Tiffany Holme said...

Tho I did not have a hard time reading the book there are certain character flaws I agree with. I do like the book but it isn't on the top of my re-read list but it is there.

mk said...

I haven't read the book but a friend of mine has and she liked it. It is on my to-read list so I will see for myself in a little while what the books is all about. Thanks for the review, it's good to see that the book has some flaws and it's not as perfect as everyone says it is!

Unknown said...

I have to say, I agree with you! I have to first 2 books in the series, so I'll grin and bare and read the others in hopes that it'll get better. I ordered these books becuase, just like you, I heard and read only great things about them. But to be honest they didn't stand up to the hype as far as I'm concerned. honestly I sometimes found the characters a bit annoying and if I'd had the chance I think I'd try to slap some sense into both of them! Great review.

The Happy Booker said...

While I loved the "southern gothic-ness" of this book, I wasn't a big fan of the story either. I think you make some very valid points and I completely agree. And I also find it difficult to write a negative review. I always feel terrible about it. lol

Anonymous said...

wow, pretty shocking that you didn't like it, ive also heard many many good reviews about it, i'll be sure to check it out soon and review it too!

The More the Merrier said...

I have mixed views on this book. I didn't think it was completely boring just too long. I liked the story but like you wished it had more to offer from the main characters.

Anonymous said...

Ouuu... I will read this book and I look forward to read this, but now, I don't know... Just two stars :(

iLuvReadingTooMuch said...

I like your honest review :) I have however, read this book and I actually really liked it. But I do agree on some of the points you make here. Oh well...need to see with the next book. Great review!

Munnaza said...

I felt the SAME way about Beautiful Creatures as you did. THere's just something about the book and the characters and the relationships that seem off, unrealistic, and caricatures of actual development. I felt like the pacing was off, the protagonist was way too effeminate to be male, and just... so many things about it didn't live up to the hype. The story itself sounded like it could have been intriguing if written better and with characters with actual depth, but because the book doesn't deliver, it just felt like wasted potential. Thanks for your honest review.

Violette said...

Thank you for the review! This has been on my TBR list for a long time and this is the first non-positive review I've read, so I'm definitely intrigued now to see which side of the fence I fall on.

Kristin said...

Thank you for the review! I am so glad I am not the only one who didn't like this book lol, I couldn't even finish it I just didn't connect with the book at all, I was disappointed because so many people love this series and I just didn't get it.

Kristin

youngadultbookhaven.blogspot.com

Jaime Lester said...

I honestly enjoyed Beautiful Creatures, but for me it takes a heck of a lot to keep me from liking a book. I can see your point about Ethan and Lena, because I felt the same about both of them, but the story itself was truly enjoyable and actually different from the norm in YA. I always enjoy reading different view points on a story and yours was no different. Thanks for being honest in your review regardless of what 99% of others may say. It is what makes your blog a favorite of mine!

Anonymous said...

I've been putting this one off, exactly because of the hype surrounding it. I've found lately that books that come with the amount of hype that this series has generally let me down. I'll read them eventually, but I'm in no hurry.

Unknown said...

I actually just checked this book out from my library to read. I decided to go that route because I've heard mixed reviews. I will have to report back once I read it!

Gaby said...

Everybody says this book in pretty cool and I thought I should read it since the movie was going to come out and everything I mean the summary sounded pretty interesting :)

Samantha Stewart said...

I absolutely love this book and I'm really excited for the movie! But I can understand why some people don't enjoy it as much.

Unknown said...

Aww..I was excited to read this book because I just saw the movie trailer and it was great! Too bad you didn't like it but I'd still give this one a try before the movie comes out.
-Karina @CouchPotatoReader

Arely ZPerez said...

It's nice to hear your honest opinion! There's a reason why people leave reviews, to let people know about the book. Even though you didn't like it, thanks for being honest!

E_V_E said...

I wanted read this, but after your review, I don´t know...
But I want watch movie, so maybe the story to impress on me.

Roberta said...

I totally agree with you! I didn't like it very much..
Great review :)

Diana said...

This is actually one of the books I really loved.. too bad you don't though, but anyway that was an honest review and I do get some of your points. That was an honest review, :)

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