Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Book Summery (Via 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.

Book Review:
Again, I am such a sucker for Southern paranormal romance books. Perhaps it's because I've only lived in the Midwest? I love the intrigue and the history of the South. This book captures it beautifully. I initially thought I would get tired of reading these books. I mean they are HUGE and really, how can an entire series revolve around a relationship? Well, I am so glad I am wrong! I love this series even more with every single book. I am extremely anxious to read the next book in the series.

Favorite Quote:

“The mortal world is in a state of Beautiful Chaos and destruction, which will ultimately lead to an exquisite end.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I am such a sucker for this series. Not only are the stories amazing, but check out those covers! Even my mother, who does not like black at all, commented when she saw those covers on a recent visit. They are just gorgeous...Gothic and classic. What's not to love?!

Rating:

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Book Summery:

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. -goodreads.com

Book Trailer:



Book Review:
I knew as I turned the last page of Garcia and Stohl's debut book, Beautiful Creatures (read my review here), that I had stumbled onto something rather unique, mysterious and original. In their second installment, Beautiful Darkness, Garcia and Stohl delve even deeper into the world of castors, demons, and true love. The genesis of the story continues, but is fleshed out more, secrets are revealed and discoveries are made. I honestly don't know how Garcia and Stohl work together, collaboratively writing a book, but however they do it, the outcome is beyond amazing. I love the introduction of some of the new characters, mainly Liv. I do hope to see more of her in upcoming books. I also enjoyed learning more of the history of the town as well as some select key characters. I must say, what I enjoyed most about Beautiful Darkness were the underground Caster tunnels. That took some expert world building on behalf of the authors. The tunnels could have been a character all on their own! I would like to caution readers that Lena is very different in this book, almost unrecognizable at some points. I really didn't connect with her until near the end. However, do not let that deter you away from reading this book! It is packed with engaging characters, curious secrets, and a journey you wont soon forget! I highly recommend Beautiful Darkness to readers who are looking for to venture into a dark magical realm, where anything is possible.

Favorite Quote:

" 'What are you Lucille?'

The cat looked me in the eye and cocked her head to the side.

'Ethan?' Liv was watching me. 'Are you alright?'

'Yeah.' I shot Lucille a meaningful look. She ignored me, sniffing the tip of her tail gracefully.

'You realize she's a cat.' Live was still staring at me curiously.

'I know.'

'Just checking.' " (p. 398)

Cover Art Commentary:
Just. Gorgeous. I really loved the cover of Beautiful Creatures. However, I was completely blown away by the cover of Beautiful Darkness. I love the color scheme. Very dark and mysterious, which is rather appropriate for the content between the covers!

Overall Rating:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

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. -Goodreads.com

Review:
I just turned the last page a few minutes ago and I have got to say...wow. This story is absolutely breathtaking. I wasn't quite sure what expect when I began reading Beautiful Creatures. Sure, I had read several reviews, but overall, I walked away with a mixed consensus. Regardless, I was determined to see what all the fuss was about myself. I won this copy from the ever lovely Donna. :) After finishing up a few other books on my tbr list, I immediately plunged into Beautiful Creatures and was instantly captivated. Garcia and Stohl are amazing storytellers. The characters are multidimensional and their stories are inter-weaved nicely. There are several underlying themes to this book...magic, secrets, family, and the list goes on... However, the overall theme is love, and it holds a strong first place. I simply can not do this story justice, but I will tell you, it almost immediately became one of my favorite books of all time.

Cover Art Commentary:
Absolutely gorgeous! First of all, I love the colors. Most of all, I love the mystique. Strictly based on the cover, you know it's going to have an overall dark theme, but you aren't quite sure what to expect. I love it. Very fitting. :)

Overall Rating: