Rate: 4 out of 5 This book is called Beautiful Creatures and it is by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. This is a very dark mysterious book about a relationship between a young caster named Lena Duchannes and a normal boy named Ethan Wate. This story takes place in the small Southern city of Gatlin. Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone you’ve ever seen, she’s struggling to control her powers and also has to face the curse that has haunted her family for generations. And everything changes after she meets Ethan Wate, an average boy in the city of Gatlin. The only problem is that casters and mortals can’t be together without the caster killing the mortal, so will their love conquer it all? Read this book to find out. I personally thought this book was great but at times it could be boring or confusing. This book will probably be a young teen/ teen’s pick. Considering it’s more of a supernatural/ romance book. The book really made you actually feel like you were there with Ethan and Lena through their journeys. And the end was the BEST part of the book overall. It just left you there wanting to read more and wanting to read the next book. The characters were very creative also, they each had a different personality and characteristic that made them special. I personally didn’t really like Ethan but he had a great personality and was a true gentleman. My favourite character would have to be Ridley, Lena’s cousin. She was so devious and such a trouble-maker. It was intriguing to read about her and it just hooked you right in. Some parts of the book I really didn’t understand and I had to reread some of the lines to understand the situation. Beautiful Creatures also became a movie and I did watch the movie and I didn’t really like it. The characters didn’t look like ANYTHING the author described them to be in the book and the scenes were way out of line. Especially the ending, it didn’t even make sense at all and the ending was my FAVOURITE part if the book and they completely changed it. But that was just my opinion on the movie and let me tell you, the book is a lot better. So you should totally read the book. Overall, the book was great and just kept you on your feet most of the time and wanting more. This is one of my favourite books so you should read this book sometime. I guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed. - Tiffany

The reason I created this challenge was because I had a hard time reading this series. It was odd because I found it intriguing, liked what I was reading, but I would always get to a point and just stop. I'd heard many recommendations so I knew I'd like it, I just needed that extra push to get me there. And once I finally read it, I was glad I did. Yes, I had a few issues with it, but it had a ton of potential and I enjoyed it overall. That opening couple pages gets me every time. I get goosebumps reading it. It was extremely intriguing and I was so ready to dive right into the book after that. And the next seventy pages didn't disappoint. They were mysterious and ominous and had me desperate to know what was going on in this town and with these two young lovers. There was lots of creativity in this story, both in concept and in certain events. I loved the scene with the pottery wheel, the dreams Ethan was having, and that enchanting song I could practically hear echoing in my head. And the whole concept of Dark and Light and Casters was just awesome. I was so excited about it, and I think it was really well done. Another thing I really enjoyed about Beautiful Creatures is the setting. I haven't read too many books set in the deep south and it really added to the atmosphere of the book. Gothic and foreboding, the town of Gatlin had me on edge. Ethan I had mixed feelings about. At first, I really adored him. He was so curious and determined. I couldn't help but admire that about him. But, eventually his voice became monotonous. He kept repeating himself over and over and nothing really changed. I became bored with it, and it wasn't until the end that I actually started enjoying his narration again. But, I really did enjoy his relationship with Lena. Although, at points, I was a bit bored with it, overall they were a very good couple and they brought out the better in each other. I really did like Lena, although her stubbornness made me want to shake her sometimes. I liked her personality, her style (I need to get me one of those charm necklaces) and her passion. But, for me, the stand out character was really Ridley. I loved her. Like, I wish she was in every scene because she was such a complex, trouble-maker! She had me on my toes, and it was fantastic. I really hope there's more Ridley in the next books cause she rocks. Now, I will say, I found the writing slightly lackluster. It was a bit overdone and some of the sentences I found myself having to re-read because they were oddly phrased. I also found that the breaking and pacing of the story was sometimes a little jumpy and confusing. It really needed to be tightened up and a little bit more editing could have gone a long way. I enjoy long books but there has to be a purpose to them. If not, it can detract from a story and I think that happened with this one. The idea was great, and the characters had potential, but the story dragged on. I kept saying "Wow, I'm not finished yet?" because I had been reading for so long and had gotten no where. I'm hoping that will be changed in the next three books! So, Beautiful Creatures has an aweome idea but the book itself didn't entirely live up to it. I have faith it will in the next few books though, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this interesting plot line goes! - Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

This is one of the worst books I have ever read in my entire life. The plot was cliche and the characters were one dimensional. It was painful getting through this, but I hate leaving books unfinished, and thought perhaps it could be redeemed as it progressed. It seems as if the author took the plot of twilight and tweaked the characters personalities a bit so they couldn't be sued for plagiarism.

This book was a page turner. I couldnt put it down. I love the love between the characters and that the authors kept adding information and pieces to the puzzle that just made you want to learn more. The only issue with the book is that is was written from a males perspective and I would say might not be the most accurate peerspection on the male brian. It was written by females. Sometimes ethan would act the way we wish all our male counter parts would instead of how they actually behave in reality. another reason why you probably fall head over heels with him. i am curious why they didnt write it from lenas point of view...

I feel awful giving a book a bad review, and I really tried reading this, on 4 different occasions I picked up Beautiful Creatures and every time I could barely get to 200 + pages before putting it down. I wish I could put my finger on the exact problem with this book but I can't. The story is written from a male's point of view (Ethan) and I think that might be one of the issues I had with the book. I tried very hard to picture the characters in my head but I just couldn't, which never really happens to me. Lack of description, the story is nothing new and nothing special either. I am sad to admit it was just boring. Perhaps later on it gets interesting, but I have only read about 200 pages. I will definitely pick it up again at a later time and try to read it again. I have read some great review on the series so maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a supernatural forbiden love story?

This was truly one amazing book! Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down!!!

Richly imaginative and refreshing original after the recent vampire craze, yet similar in the lushly dark world hidden within the ordinary. Garcia and Stohl invite you to the South where family trees are more important than grades, tradition is everything, cooking is something not to be taken lightly, and the living are less likely to keep a secret than to sit down for dinner with the dead. The characters are fabulously believable, the love story is captivating, and the setting is so real you can almost smell the mingling aroma of the swamp and home made gritts. I couldnt put it down!

loved everything about it the town the characters the story behind each one im anxious for beautiful darkness will be a deffinate buy the day it comes out

Ethan Wate begins to have dreams and visions he cannot explain. Lena Duchannes moves to Gatlin and things in the sleepy town where “nothing ever happens” begin to change, especially for Ethan. It does not take long for Ethan and Lena to find each other, but just when things are starting to go well she begins to pull away and a web of secrets unravels. His dreams begin to make sense and magical things begin to happen. When he finds out Lena has a family curse, he is determined to help her overcome it. To anyone who has wandered through a YA section in a bookstore lately, one cannot help but notice the glut of supernatural based books (with vampires taking a strong lead … gone are the days of Sweet Valley High?) This book definitely falls into the genre, although in a somehow kinder and gentler way. I understand there is a sequel, BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS to be released in October of this year.

"beautiful creatures" is one of the best books i've ever read!!! i could never put it down! it's a book that just about anyone can enjoy. with love, action, and a misteriouse girl, this book is defenietly the right one for you!