Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Beautiful Creatures + Giveaway!


Ethan lives in the sleepy southern town of Gatlin where nothing ever changes, until Lena shows up at school.  The niece of the town shut-in she is immediately shunned for being different, but Ethan is drawn to her anyway.  What mysteries lie at her uncle's house and what is the connection between Lena and Ethan?  As the weather rages in Gatlin, the two of them must figure out how to save Lena from her fate.
It had been a long dull day at Jackson without Hurricane Lena, and I was starting to wonder how I ever got through eight periods without all the trouble she caused me.  Without all the trouble she made me want to cause myself. p.132 ARC


After suffering from some slow starters, Beautiful Creatures sucked me right in and all I wanted to do was read it.  It was a real page turner.  It was interesting that it was told from the boy's point of view so there is a lot he is not privy too since he is not the one dealing with the magic.  Ethan is such a 16 year old boy and the emotion you get from him isn't how you expect a boy to feel.  But it was funny because he would have these intense emotions and on the outside just act chill, like it was no big deal.  If I was reading from Lena's POV I doubt I would have loved Ethan as much as I do.  Of course, I might have liked Lena more if it was her POV.  But she grew on me and, at the last, I understood more about her.  Oddly enough, it was her cousin that I found the most interesting even though she is just a bit part.  But I wish there had been more explanation about Ethan's abilities.

In ways, this book was the perfect book for me.  Magic, romance, crazy relatives, a dog like creature wolf thing, the creepy South; all of this spells Andrea.  But there was so much book involved that I kept losing details and wondering are they important and, yes they are, no they aren't, WTF, what just happened.  WHY won't anyone answer a damn question?  WHY!!?  Everyone is so cryptic and they are all just running around not answering questions and then it is the big OMG moment at the end and I'm going well, if you had just answered one freaking question then we'd all be in a better place.

Despite that, it was well worth my time and a good read.  It really moves at a great pace and makes you want to find out what happens next. And the emotion is so real.  I got a little teary at the end.  The visuals I got from the prose were great and I could see the entire thing.  I could even hear the soundtrack. It was nice to read a good book that wasn't a series for a change.  I miss standalones and this was definitely a good one.

ETA: I'm using this for the R.I.P. Challenge


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So I'm giving away my (gently read) ARC* copy of Beautiful Creatures.  If you are interested, please leave a comment below with your e-mail or Twitter name if you have one and don't want to give out your e-mail.  Contest open to US and Canada and ends on October 31, 2009.  Winner will be chosen at random.

*an ARC I received from The Tome Traveller's Weblog

54 comments:

  1. Sounds like a very interesting read. Please enter me
    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. I want it! hmsgofita at hotmail dot com

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  3. Oh, oh! Please enter me! :)

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Sounds like a fantastic read, glad you enjoyed it.

    Sassy
    :)

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  5. This doesn't sound like something I'd want. I mean, it sounds interesting, but I've become very wary of this sort of book lately after a few disappointments. Since I'm cutting back on my reading, I should probably not enter the contest or anything. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please enter me!

    jpetroroy (at) gmail (dot) com

    @jpetroroy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've heard a lot of good things about this book and your review just tipped me over the edge. I need to give it a try.

    librariansbook(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dying to read this one! Count me in.

    gypsyrover21ATyahoo.ca

    ReplyDelete
  9. This book sounds so good!

    teentangentsblog(at)live(dot)com

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  10. a good read and a stand alone! wow that's rare! put me in!

    DesLily@aol.com

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  11. Oooh! I love creepy southern novels. They are just perfect for the Halloween season.

    It's so frustrating when questions aren't answered and it's obvious that they are purposefully being withheld!
    Ugh.

    Please enter me! ecaramil at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I soooooo want this one!

    foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me! I really want to read this.

    neverendingshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Would love to read this.

    Zia
    ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd love a chance to read this! Thanks so much =)

    P.S. I think your blog layout is very cute. I love the worm!

    mishtakes AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd love to be entered, thanks!
    rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm game!

    jamiehanna84@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great giveaway! Count me in.

    Megan
    Megala872@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Enter me, please!

    -Rylie
    bcanyon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. sounds like a great read, pls enter me! thanks
    sensitivemuse at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would love to read this!

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. This sounds like a good book! Count me in ;)

    Justine
    justeena_25(at)yahoo(dot)ca

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would absolutely love to be entered! I'm dying to read this!

    :) Erica
    thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am very interested in reading this book. Great giveaway.

    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
    Elie (Ellz Readz)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would LOVE a copy of this book. I've been dying to read it :)

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ooh sounds great!
    Please enter me :)

    pepsivanilla14(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Eee! I'd love to win this.

    frootjoos at gmail (and twitter)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Enter me please!

    @SabriHorande
    crystalreviews[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great review! Please enter me.
    stacybooks at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  30. This book sounds amazing, please enter me =)

    bratdownstairs@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm interested, please enter me. I've been dying to get my hands on a copy of this book.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Please enter me, thanks!
    booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Enter me. :)

    -Brittany (brttmclv@aol.com)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm crossing my fingers! stazimel(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd love to be entered! Thanks!
    grochowskis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'd love it if you'd count me in. Thanks. jessica(at)fan(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'd love to win this,please enter me in the giveaway
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  38. Please enter me. I really want to read this book. =)
    mdondero@sprynet.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Please please please enter me! I'm dying to read this! And your review made me want it even more!

    shutupjessicasreading at gmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  40. I've been dying to get my hands on this one.
    Thanks!

    firstnovelsclub [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would love to enter!!!

    mshersheyskiss408@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I really want to read this book. I've been hearing a lot of good things about it. Thanks for having the contest.

    darkfaerietales@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have been hearing so many good things about this book. I also heard it's massive.

    I'd love to win it :D

    Thanks,
    Nikki

    iheartpinguinos(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. count me in!

    emilove.richardsonATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  45. Please include me.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Awesome contest! I really want to read this one, count me in :)

    Thanks!
    bookreviewsya[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Count me in!

    Thanks.
    readintothisblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sounds great! Please enter me. Thank you!

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am very interested!

    Dey@mts.net

    thankyou!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Sounds awesome. Enter me, please. :)

    skellington28210@yahoo.com
    -Katie

    ReplyDelete
  52. This sounds like an absolutely awesome book! Please enter me.

    Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  53. would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the opportunity.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I would love to read this!

    marielay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Comments are so awesome. Thanks for taking the time. I do reserve the right to remove any comments that are offensive and/or spam.