Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title:Beautiful Creatures
Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Publisher:little, brown, and company
Publish Date: December 1st 2009
Series: Caster chronicles #1
Pages: 563
Read in:7 days
Links: goodreads page

Goodreads Summary

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

My Review

"Mortals. I envy you. You think you can change things. Stop the Universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures."

I adore that line usually I don't keep track of any quotes but that was just great I had to write it down!

This book is told through our male protagonist Ethan Wate, which was refreshing since most YA books are told in a female's perspective. You don't really have a great comprehension of his character since the story mainly revolves around Lena. 

Ethan lives in a boring southern town of Gatlin, where nothing changes and the Civil War is called the war of aggression. Nothing of note happens and there aren't really any secrets but really nothing can be farther from the truth. This town is hopping with secrets. Ethan doesn't come to realize until a new girl, Lena, comes to town. This is when the story really begins.....

This book has mystery,southern culture,magic(a new take I haven't seen before), and a OK  relationship. I do give Kudos to the authors though if I hadn't read that it was by two authors I wouldn't of even noticed.The writing is pretty good and the story is pretty interesting and different. Reading the book is pretty daunting because of it large size(over 500 pages) and has a lot of back story, and at times made me want to take breaks from it because of that. My favorite character was Uncle Macon(Lena's uncle who raised her).

The atmosphere for this book was amazing and I loved the characters and felt strong emotions for all of the both the good and the bad characters. Something not very prominent in YA fiction is family . The parents and family are usually not important and sometimes not mentioned at all kinda like in Charlie Brown when you never see an adult and all the say say is "wah wa wah wa" . Beautiful Creatures had lots of family involvement which I loved.

Did I like the book? Why yes I did in fact I checked out the next two from my library as soon as I got the chance.

My rating 4/5

Just for the parts where it dragged on!

Blessed reading,

~Arya~ 

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julia Kagawa

Book: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Publish Date: April 24th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 485 
Read in: 2 days
Link: Goodreads page

Goodreads Summary

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.




I have never read a book by Julia before though I do remember hearing her name before. I have meet many people who rave about her Iron Fey series ( a series now on my to read list). I started this book a little bit hesitantly I was worried that her book would be trapped in the black hole that many vampire novels have fallen into. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't  a typical vampire novel. The immortal Rules combines the topic of vampires with a Dystopian society.
Zeke is Allie's love interest though their romance is on the back burners the scenes were so cute. I really like the way Zeke acts he isn't the common bad boy you see in YA books recently. In fact he is a good guy who fights for what is right and is also a great fighter.
In all, The Immortal Rules is a great start to this trilogy. I can't wait for the next book to come out in 2013. Best part to me is the fact that Julia promised we get to see more Kanin in the second book I really am super excited to have Kanin back!  


 The world is so dark and kinda frightening. I really couldn't put this book down the story was so perfect with all of its action scenes a twists and turns. I absolutely love the characters(Kanin being my favorite!) The main character Allie is AMAZING! She kicks Ass with her awesome weapon(sorry not telling;) She also opens up as a vampire more than she ever did back when she was a human with only survival on her mind.

This is my first Dystopian novel so I have no reference point on how effective and well written the world is supposed to be. The Fringe and the vampire castle is written so well! I absolutely love it and it is so unique.

5/5 stars

~Arya~

Library Haul 8-17-12

   Hey guys I know I promised to be  more involved on this blog as soon as possible but I was really busy lately with all my classes as well as work but I think I have figured a method to my maddens and more content will be soon! 

Sorry that this post is late and I no longer have these books in my home.

Now on to the book haul!

I usually check out 3 books at a time as well as check out 3 for my sister who is 8 at the same time

 What happened to goodbye? by Sarah Dessen 

 I have been waiting for ever to be bought for my library. I absolutely love Sarah Dessen I have read all of her books and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

This book looked really interesting! The book is suppose to blend Dystopian and vampires really well I never saw a review for this until after a picked it up! Every one I have seen though has been raving.

 Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I picked this book up because of its awesomely written title. I felt that it would be a little Gothic and paranormal. The back recommends if you like Twilight but I don't think it is a vampire novel.

All three of these books I have read and plan to post reviews for them as soon as I can.

Good reading to you,

~Arya~ 

Sorry guys for going AWOL!

Hey Guys I know I went missing for a while but I am back now and ready to bring back my blog with bigger and better content than ever before.
Sadly over the summer I was so busy and in a dead zone that had absolutely no internet,cable, or phone reception at all.
School started for me on August 3rd as well as work. I tried really hard to get everything into place for school,work and everything else I do. Which resulted in me not being able to post anything here until now.
I am currently working on a schedule for blogging as well as working on improvements for this blog so there is no more awkward breaks on this blog.

Good Reading to you all
Arya