Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: Oct 2010

Publisher: Little, Brown Books

Pages: 512

Copy Provided by: ARC (thank you Laura)

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Review:

What a fabulous read! I was up until 1:30am reading this book so that I could post a review before it was officially released. I definitely recommend reading Beautiful Creatures prior to reading Beautiful Darkness. Even if you have already read BC but it has been awhile, you really do need to re-read it. I found that the first 50 pages I was having trouble remembering everything that had happened. It is not a series that you can just jump into. Kami and Margie have built up the story, setting and characters throughout both books. Beautiful Darkness weaves the story more intricately. Trust me, you won't be disappointed if you re-read BC first.

How these two authors co-write together is beyond me. This story has so much depth on so many levels. The struggle between Lena and Ethan is very real. You see their relationship tested in new ways and you never really know if he should stay or if he should go. I love how the story is from Ethan's point of view. It makes the series much more encouraging for guys to read. I was telling my husband about The Caster Chronicles last night and he might even give it a go. (In the 20+ years I've know him, I've never seen him pick up a book....now THAT'S saying something!)

I love reading supernatural books but this one is so different than your regular werewolf and vampire series. It has elements of magic, culture and history. It is rich with generational mysteries that seem so plausible and real. Reading book 2 of the Caster Chronicles, felt like a crescendo was building in my brain up until Chapter 34...and then I had that "aha" moment of understanding. It is a long journey but oh so worth the wait.

On the authors -

Margaret and Kami started writing Beautiful Creatures on a DARE from Margie's oldest daughter. Imagine a dare turned into a NY Times best selling book. They are currently #5 on the list with Beautiful Creatures. Congratulations ladies!

At first when we met Margaret at the Smart Chicks Kick it Tour, she seemed so shy but as she got warmed up, we realized what a hoot she is. She even came by through the line up to sign our books and take pictures as the rest of the authors were at the table signing. It was very sweet. We were disappointed that we were unable to meet Kami as she was ill for the last part of the tour but she is a loyal Tweeter and I have gotten a few messages from her. If you don't already, you should follow them on Twitter - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. You can also find out more about The Caster Chronicles here.

Tangent...
On a totally different note, Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Raised by Wolves) was at the same signing with Margaret Stohl and I just found this quote so IRONIC as I was reading....

Tangent....

Page 75
(Amma talking about Link)
....She felt bad for Link. "Can't believe that boy has to live in a house with that woman. He'd be better off if he was bein' raised by wolves."

Tangent ends here....

I found a few fan-made trailers on YouTube for Sixteen Moons, the lyrics of the poem were made into a very catchy song by Michele McGonigle. This was my favorite because it seems more professional looking than the others and the sound quality was much better. Be forewarned though, the filming is rather dark and it is a bit hard to see.

P.S.

I am SO SO jealous that Curlypow has the signed ARC. Ms. Garcia and Ms. Stohl, when will you be coming back to Canada so I can get my copy signed??