Bookaholics book club: margaret stohl

5 May 2014

Beautiful redemption - Review (Repost with Dangerous creatures info)

Beautiful redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The caster chronicles book four.

Available now.

www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?

Is death the end . . . or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin.

But he never dreamt that finding love with Lena Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice.

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - as she vows to do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives.

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and their spellbinding love story in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?

My review

(Warning: may contain spoilers from the previous three books.)

Having been with this series from the beginning I was sad to see it end but excited at the same time, especially after what happened at the end of Beautiful chaos, I couldn't imagine how they would bring back Ethan and have everything work out by the end of the book.

I'll admit, I didn't love the middle two books as much as I did the first so I wasn't sure what I'd be getting with Beautiful redemption, turns out what I got was something epic! I really enjoyed every gripping moment following Ethan's journey to trying to get his life back and even a brief few chapters from Lena's perspective as she tries her best to help him.

Beautiful redemption was an unpredictable adventure that kept me hooked until the end, I think it ended - both the book and series - perfectly, despite some sad events, they felt necessary to the story and everything was in order, so to speak.

However, I wish I'd gotten around to reading Dream dark before I picked this up because there are a lot of references that I assume are to it throughout Beautiful redemption that made me feel like I'd missed something, so I would suggest reading Dream dark first.

Ethan still remains my favourite ever male lead, the things he'll go through for the girl he loves is impressive, to say the least, and he's a perfect southern gentleman, so polite and caring, he's how I'd like my son to turn out when he grows up.

The Caster chronicles has been a fantastic series and I can't wait to see what the authors come up with next, either together or separately.

My thoughts on the cover

I really like the birds eye view of the spiral staircase on this cover, its an interesting image and I like the way the green has been used and how the whole series matches together nicely.

Favourite quotes

'I love you, Ethan. I won't forget you. I'll never forget you, and I'll never stop loving you.'

'She slid into my arms, falling into sobs that beat against my chest. I don't know which one of us was crying harder. I'm not even sure we remembered to kiss. What we had went so much deeper than a kiss.'

If, like me, you're already a fan of this series, then check this out!

Dangerous creatures

The first in the spin-off series is available to preorder and will be released on May 20th 2014.

A new series returns to the world of Beautiful Creatures. Some loves are cursed...others are dangerous.

Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay.

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthors of Beautiful Creatures, are back and casting another magical spell. Their signature mixture of mystery, suspense, and romance, along with a dash of fun and danger, will pull fans in and leave them begging for more.

Find the authors

28 Apr 2014

Beautiful chaos - Review (Repost with Dangerous creatures info)

Beautiful chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Caster chronicles book three
Available now.
www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?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.

My review:

If you haven't read the first two books then there be spoilers ahoy!

I'll start by saying I really loved the first book in this series 'Beautiful creatures' and, aside from the first 100 pages, I loved the second book 'Beautiful darkness' so I feel bad admitting I felt slightly disappointed with this third instalment, but I can't figure out why to be honest, I think maybe it's because now that we're up the third book I expected it to pick up the pace a little, perhaps have a little more action, this one just felt very 'same' to the others, the story is still fresh, it's more the formula of the book that felt the same. I did enjoy the book and I liked the story but I wasn't excited by it, I found that I could put it down and go to sleep at bed time, something I couldn't do with the first two.
I still love Ethan though, I've read a few books with male leads now and he's still my favourite, and I don't mean because he's hot, he's way to young for me lol but he's a natural southern gentleman and he's just so caring and good to Lena, they're also one of my favourite lit couples.
I also really loved Link is this one, I've always enjoyed his friendship with Ethan but he's really starting to come out as his own character now and he's also really funny.
So, to conclude, whilst I wasn't glued to this one I did enjoy it and the ending was killer! I'm excited for the next book in The Caster chronicles and hopeful that the pace will pick up.

My thoughts on the cover
What I do like about these covers are that they aren't another girl-on-the-cover set, they're different but at the same time they're a little boring, I do like the yellow and the great font which is actually raised and shiny silver so it really stands out from the crowd.

Favourite quotes

The hallway in front of them as an ex-siren and a quarter incubus conquered Jackson High. I wondered what Amma would have to say about that.
Sweet baby in a manger. Heaven help us all. - Ethan

I had always hoped things would change in my town, until they started changing. Now I wanted Gatlin to go back to the boring town I'd known all my life. The way things were when I hated the way things were. Back when I could see things coming, and nothing ever came.
I didn't want to see this - Ethan

If, like me, you're already a fan of this series, then check this out!

Find the authors

23 Apr 2014

Beautiful darkness - Quickie Review

Beautiful darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Caster chronicles book two
Available now
www. penguin.co.uk

What's it about?One night in the rain, Ethan Wate opened his eyes and fell in love with Lena Duchannes. His life would never be the same.
Lena is a Caster and her family is locked in a supernatural civil war: full of darkness and demons. On her sixteenth birthday Lena made a terrifying choice, which now haunts her day and night.
And as her seventeenth birthday approaches Lena and Ethan face even greater danger. A Caster and a Mortal can never truly be together.
Every kiss is a curse.
Ethan's next heartbeat could be his last.
It is their curse now . . .

My review

Having read all four books in this brilliant series I can honestly say that in my opinion Beautiful darkness was the weakest in the quartet for me. Although I did still enjoy it, I found it to be a slower pace and the first 100 pages had a really sombre tone to them. That being said I was still glad I made it through the book, it gets more interesting as Ethan sets out on his quest and discovers more about Lena's world and even things he never knew about his own world and the people he knows. By the time I turned the last pages I was dying to get my hands on book three to see what was next in store for Ethan and Lena and if they'd get a happy ever after. Despite any feelings I may have had about the book being slow, it's still important to the story as a whole and isn't just a bridge book that can be missed.

If, like me, you're already a fan of this series, then check this out!

Find the authors

16 Apr 2014

Beautiful Creatures - Review

Beautiful creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Caster chronicles book one.

Available now.

www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl.

Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head. Green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes.

There is a curse.

On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised. And no one can stop it.

In the end, there is a grave.

Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.

Ethan never even saw it coming.

My review

Beautiful creatures is a gripping novel and an excellent start to a series. The book might be a mighty 576 pages but I was hooked right the way through and found myself being easily pulled into Lena's world along with Ethan. I was captivated by both the light and dark sides of the Caster universe. I first read Beautiful creatures when it was originally released at the end of 2009 and to this day Ethan is still my favourite lead male character ever, and not in a book boyfriend way either, more like a big brother. His dedication and unwavering loyalty to Lena is amazing and he doesn't just love her, he's completely in love with her, they always felt meant to be. He has big dreams for his future, he's smart and well read, I'll always have a soft spot for him.

First time authors Kami and Margaret managed to create an immersive world in their first novel together, full of interesting characters like Link, Macon and Ridley, who all had stories of their own to add. It was a book I really enjoyed and will always be one of my favourite series'.

If, like me, you're already a fan of this series, then check this out!

Find the authors

2 Feb 2013

Beautiful creatures illustrated movie guide - Review

Beautiful crreatures illustracted movie comapnion by Mark Cotta Vaz

Available now

penguin.co.uk

What's it about?

Explore the making of the film Beautiful Creatures in this ultimate visual companion, lavishly illustrated with full-color photos of the cast, locations, and sets. This beautiful paperback edition celebrates the on-screen creation of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's fascinating world, brought to life by screenwriter and director Richard LaGravenese.

With never-before-seen images, exclusive interviews and personal stories, Mark Cotta Vaz takes you behind the scenes with cast and crew, uncovering intimate details of the film-making process.

My review

This movie companion is the perfect thing to whet your appetite for the movie being released in less than two weeks, if like me, you love the books and cannot wait to see the film, then this is what you need to tide you through. Its full of gorgeous pictures of the cast, crew and sets, has great insights into some of the stunts performed, if you're into that kind of thing and even a lovely little history on how the idea for the book came about. It goes on a great journey from when the authors put pen to paper, how it got picked up to become a movie and all the effort that was put into making it into what promises to be an epic movie. Seriously I can't wait to see it, as soon as I finished the book I wanted to run to the cinema, but of course it hasn't been released yet, so I'll continue sitting on the edge of my seat and petting the pretty pictures until I get to see the film!

Find the author

Goodreads

15 Jan 2013

Introducing #penguinchats

Hi guys, today I want to tell you about something new from Penguin books!

It's called Penguin chats and is a brand new idea from Penguin intended to connect the incredible community of YA bloggers and readers with some of their most exciting YA authors.

A 'Penguin Chat' itself will be a 30 minute Q&A with a Penguin author on Twitter, using #PenguinChats and hosted by @PenguinUKBooks.

Kami and Margaret

The first Penguin chat will be on Sunday 27th January at 8pm GMT and will be with authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!

They are the authors of the fabulous Caster chronicles, the film adaptation of the first book Beautiful creatures will actually be hitting cinemas worldwide next month!

Beautiful creatures

Is falling in the love the beginning . . . or the end? In Ethan Wate’s hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl.

There is a curse.

In the end, there is a grave.

Ethan never even saw it coming.

So, if your a fan of the authors or you're curious about the books, why not stop by the Penguin chat on Twitter on January 27th and ask them all those questions you've been dying to know the answers to!

For more info check out the Penguin blog.

12 Nov 2012

Beautiful redemption - Review

Beautiful redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The caster chronicles book four.

Available now.

www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?

Is death the end . . . or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin.

But he never dreamt that finding love with Lena Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice.

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - as she vows to do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives.

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and their spellbinding love story in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?

Previous books in the series:

Beautiful creatures - book one

Beautiful darkness - book two

Dream dark - book 2.5

Beautiful chaos - book three

My review

(Warning: may contain spoilers from the previous three books.)

The Caster chronicles has been a fantastic series and I can't wait to see what the authors come up with next, either together or separately.

My thoughts on the cover

I really like the birds eye view of the spiral staircase on this cover, its an interesting image and I like the way the green has been used and how the whole series matches together nicely.

Favourite quotes

'I love you, Ethan. I won't forget you. I'll never forget you, and I'll never stop loving you.'

Find the authors

Website for the books and authors

23 Oct 2011

Beautiful chaos review

Beautiful chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Available now

www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?

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.

My review:
4/5

If you haven't read the first two books then there be spoilers ahoy

I'll start by saying I really loved the first book in this series 'Beautiful creatures' and, aside from the first 100 pages, I loved the second book 'Beautiful darkness' so I feel bad admitting I felt slightly disappointed with this third installment, but I can't figure out why to be honest, I think maybe it's because now that we're up the third book I expected it to pick up the pace a little, perhaps have a little more action, this one just felt very 'same' to the others, the story is still fresh, it's more the formula of the book that felt the same. I did enjoy the book and I liked the story but I wasn't excited by it, I found that I could put it down and go to sleep at bed time, something I couldn't do with the first two.
I still love Ethan though, I've read a few books with male leads now and he's still my favourite, and I don't mean because he's hot, he's way to young for me lol but he's a natural southern gentleman and he's just so caring and good to Lena, they're also one of my favourite lit couples.
I also really loved Link is this one, I've always enjoyed his friendship with Ethan but he's really starting to come out as his own character now and he's also really funny.
So, to conclude, whilst I wasn't glued to this one I did enjoy it and the ending was killer! I'm excited for the next book in The Caster chronicles and hopeful that the pace will pick up.

My thoughts on the cover
What I do like about these covers are that they aren't another girl-on-the-cover set, they're different but at the same time they're a little boring, I do like the yellow and the great font which is actually raised and shiny silver so it really stands out from the crowd.

Favourite quotes

The hallway in front of them as an ex-siren and a quarter incubus conquered Jackson High. I wondered what Amma would have to say about that.
Sweet baby in a manger. Heaven help us all. - Ethan