Beautiful Creatures

This book started out really well. The characters were interesting, the plot was cool and fun. It was a satisfying read, for a while there. It ended up loosing its charm toward the end. The characters became a bit too moody, and the plot became a bit convoluted. In the end, I wondered why it had to keep making turns upon turns. There is no reason that the plot needed to be that convoluted. I liked the characters, but really, the plot got in its own way.

I didn't hate this as I was half-expecting. There are a great many things that annoy me about it, but most of them can be summed up with the (disheartening) realization that I'm just too old for teen romance. I had steeled myself for an experience like Twilight, and that did this book a disservice. This isn't an insidious pop culture tragedy of a height and magnitude so great that it can only be described as "A Hot Mess". This is just a supernatural teen romance - and believe me, in this context the "just" is a good thing. I'd consider letting a child of mine read this, and I may even read the sequels.

Just remember, kids: spit in Fate's eye and tell Destiny to go screw itself.

I had to read this before the movie premiered (it's my thing, I like to have my own picture in my head for a story before a movie imposes someone else's picture). It's very formulaic. Star-crossed teen lovers with a paranormal twist which is now it's own genre these days. Refreshingly, the story is told from the male protagonists POV which gives 'Beautiful Creatures' a small leg-up on other books in it's niche. All in all, this was a fun read that would appeal to both Twilight & Sookie Stackhouse fans. Picking up the next book soon, & looking forward to the film release.

Difficult. It's not that I hate this book. I also like it a little. Just not that much. ;)

It's a pity that I can't share the euphoria which goes around the Litblogs. The atmosphere in the story was depressing. Okay, it's not an easy life that Lena und Ethan have but still I think it could be less tragic at some times.
I never felt that connected to the characters. Neither Ethan nor Lena. They were just.. there. At no time I felt with them.

But to conclude with something positive: I love the cover! It fits perfectly to the plot and the story!

Not sure if I'll read the second part.