This series keeps getting better!
Lena broke the universe at her claiming in BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS, and in BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, the consequences are taking over. Locusts, heat, fires, earthquakes and storms are affecting everyone in Gatlin, but the Casters are also suffering, as their abilities are misfiring. Ethan is having a new nightmare, and is slowly losing bits of himself as he can't even remember his phone number. The balance must be restored, and everyone, including Amma, is searching for a solution, but what will they have to sacrifice to restore order? Can they figure it out before the 18th moon?
Readers are treated to an engaging and suspenseful installment in a series that stays fresh and exciting, and keeps me coming back for more.
Typically, the third book in any YA series is the kiss of death that sends me sulking back to the adult section of my bookstore, but there are a few exceptions and BEAUTIFUL CHAOS is one of them. Instead of becoming frustrated and disappointed, this installment was infused with energy and conflict. One of the things I insist upon with any series, is that each book can stand on its own, instead of taking one large conflict and stretching it across several books. Kami and Margaret manage to have new challenges, new conflicts, and new characters introduced in each book, while our favorite characters continue to evolve.
I devoured BEAUTIFUL CHAOS during my Week of YA (the week between Christmas and New Years) and it was a highlight of the week.
One of the things that sets this series apart from other YA series, is it is told from Ethan's point of view. Since I listened to the audio of Beautiful Creatures (Book 1), I can't help but hear Kevin T. Collins's voice in my head as I read, and it's wonderful!
Some parents ask me about the *ahem* physical aspect of Lena and Ethan's relationship. It's always nice to say, there are no worries here. Don't get me wrong, there is attraction, and heat, but I also like that Ethan can't touch Lena or kiss her for too long without his skin literally burning - keeps this relationship PG-13. As a parent, I can appreciate this convenient little flaw.
If you're looking for a great YA supernatural series, pick up BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. If a series passes my 3rd book test, it's got to be terrific!
Book Extras:
Beautiful Creatures series
webpage, Facebook,
YouTube
Kami Garcia
webpage,
Facebook,
Twitter
Margaret Stohl
webpage,
Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr,
Goodreads
About the Book:
Hardcover: 528 pages
Young Adult: Ages 13+
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (October 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316123528
ISBN-13: 978-0316123525
About the Authors: (from series website)
Kami Garcia is a teacher and reading specialist with an MA in education, and leads book groups for children and teenagers.
Margaret Stohl has an MA in English and studied creative writing under poet George MacBeth at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. They both live in Los Angeles, California, with their families. Beautiful Creatures is their debut novel.
Future News:
- The Beautiful Creatures series will be made into a movie by Warner Brothers (nice!). No official casting info has been released yet.
- Kami Garcia will release her first solo project with Little,Brown, a series called The Legion. The first book, UNBREAKABLE, hits stores in fall 2013.
- Margaret Stohl is also coming out with her first solo project, a YA Sci-Fi series, The Icons Series, also to be published by Little,Brown. The first installment hits bookstores in the Spring of 2013.
Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Darkness
Dream Dark (short story, eBook format only)
Beautiful Chaos
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6 comments:
I am glad that the series continues to impress and that you enjoyed this installment. I do want to read these, and have grown more and more curious about them as I have been reading the reviews. I like the fact that the story is narrated by a male protagonist, and also that it's not too risque. Thanks for the excellent and enthusiastic review on this one. I will be picking up the first book soon!
I'm glad that you liked the third book. I haven't started the series yet, but I'm really curious about it. Great review!
I have the first two books in this series and heard the authors speak at SIBA. I'm glad to see the series remains strong.
Ok... this is a little similar to your Ashes comment! I've checked Beautiful Creatures out of the library on two different occasions, and both times I kept it until it was overdue without even reading the first page. I don't know why I can't get started! I'm going to go back and try to find your review of BC :)
I love your positive view on the book, but I must say that I was disappointed with the ending. I actually started crying... it was too much to handle. I was so attached to Ethan... and it just didn't feel right. I felt like it was an easy way out for the authors.
But then again, I can't imagine how hard it must have been for them to write something like that!
Overall... I just couldn't handle it. Amazing series, but very very disheartening finish.
There is no doubt this was an engrossing read. There was action, new twists on the world-building, a lot of character development, more dire prophecies and some tragedy. Even a few surprises. The character development was especially well done and took the book to another level. The evolution of Macon is very interesting, and we get a little more information on the Keepers. However, after finishing the third book of a projected five book series, I was left with even more questions, very few answers and another life or death cliffhanger. I like this series, but have also become frustrated.
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