Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 528

Copy: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Ok, I'm still crying.  I can't believe the ending of this book.  I knew it was coming, but I just didn't believe it.  I loved the book, which is not really a surprise considering how much I enjoyed the other two - I still haven't got around to reading Dream Dark, but I will, eventually. 

Same wonderful characters, lots of twists and turns and surprises. But, if you haven't read the first two, it's not going to make an awful lot of sense to you.  There is some back story included, but certain events and characters just won't make sense, like John Breed, Ridley and Link.  Sorry guys I refuse to put spoilers in here, so what can I tell you.  The writing is beautiful and very descriptive.  The characters grow with each new book,  It's a very serious series, but there are patches of humour throughout that help to reduce the tension a little, and Link is such a dork, you just can't help but smile at his antics.  Ethan - well, I wish I had someone care for me at that age the way Ethan cares for Lena.  Sigh!  My advice? If you haven't already read it, why not!

I do have one question though.  Is there another book, or not?  I will understand if there isn't, reluctantly, but I will understand, but it seems to me that Kami and Marg just can't leave it where it is.  I couldn't find anything to say there was going to be a fourth full length novel, but I also haven't found anything saything 'conclusion', so if you've heard anything - let us know.

Listen Up - Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 2010

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Audio copy from: Library and Overdrive

Narrated by: Kevin T Collins

Summary: Goodreads

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.



I read Beautiful Creatures last year and loved it so much I decided to listen to it afterwards. You can read my review of the audio version of Beautiful Creatures HERE. I loved it, in fact it was just about my favourite book of 2010. So when Beautiful Darkness came out - and you're going to laugh at me here - I didn't want to read it in case it wasn't as good as the first one! Yep, I know, stupid. Anyway, with Christmas and everything else going on, I finally got around to listening to Beautiful Darkness last week - and of course, I loved it just as much as the first one, if not more.

Kevin T Collins returns as the narrator for the audio version and it was so nice to have that continuity. I just love the dark atmosphere on the audio. The wind whistling, doors banging, music playing. Speaking of which, Michelle McGonigle is back with her eerily haunting rendition of 'Sixteen Moons' or in this case 'Seventeen Moons'.

The story of Ethan and Lena continues in ways I wasn't suspecting, with things getting even darker this time around. Ethan has become my ideal of the perfect boyfriend. He is so supportive and protective of Lena it almost made my heart break. I don't want to give away the story, just in case there is anyone out there who hasn't read this one yet, but things are not all hunky dory in Gatlin. Even stranger things are happening than last time, and new people are coming to town. Lena is deeply depressed over the death of her Uncle and Ethan is trying to help her, to no avail.

There were some wonderful twists to the story and I loved them all. Some I expected, and some coming out of left field. Link's character is really fleshed out in this book and his madcap humour was responsible for some light relief (actually he reminds me of my son a bit, so I have a serious soft spot for him).

I am now waiting with seriously bated breath for the next volume of the series, due out in the Fall of this year, and you can be sure I won't take so long to read it this time around. If you are interested in reading Christinabean's review, you can find it HERE. She loved it too! There is also a 4th volume coming in the Fall of 2012. Way to keep up the suspense, girls!

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??