Addicted to YA discussion

What did you think of it?

I have read this book three times and I really like it. I wasn't as big of a fan of the sequels, but this first book I thought was well-written. I like that the setting was in the South instead of New York City (which seems to be a popular setting for these types of books).

I read this a year or so back and I remember loving it! I really liked that its set in the South because I'm from the South. And I remember thinking it wasn't like any other book I was reading at the time. Think I'm going to re-read or skim through since its part of the series reading and I definitely want to read the other books in this series.

Not a particular fan of Lena... I love the beauty it seems to have between the setting and several of the other characters.

I just got this from the library and I'm looking forward to reading it. I've seen the movie preview.

this book was just perfect in a lot of different ways!!! The setting in the south is pretty cool thought i wish that lena was'nt that shy i mean she's really only had like 3 friends... but i really liked this book!!!

I really liked this book and continued to enjoy the rest of the series, although I did find Beautiful Chaos a little creepy, 'Fear of the unknow' I think it was! The film looks a bit weird though and I don't really like the actors.

Bought it in a sale and heard it's going to be a movie that everyone's anticipating so that just made me grab it off my shelf lol

I loved this book. It was a harder to get into at first but I am glad I finished it because it is one of my favorite series.

I have to admit I was a fan of this book. There are so many YA paranormal romance books out there that are all about a weak female and a hot guy with supernatural powers, but I liked how this one was a powerful female and an ordinary guy. Also loved how the book was from Ethan's perspective. It was nice that they were more of a partnership than someone always rescuing the other.

I agree with Chandi. Ethan' s pov worked really well. just finished reading now.

So I kind of expected to hate it, or at least roll my eyes quite a few times as I do with a lot of YA paranormal romance. Turns out I really liked it. They shook up a lot of the paranormal cliches, plus it helped that Ethan's POV comes with a sense of humor. I'm pretty excited for the movie now.

Probably going to be the only one with this opinion, but I didn't care for beautiful creatures. It was interesting and I liked Ethan's point of view, but Lena was in a constant depression, which made Ethan depressed. I kept waiting for the book to lighten up. Maybe because there wasn't a lot of comic relief, but I really don't know. Fav part was when he gives Lena her birthday gift...Anyway that's just my take

It was nice to have a male POV ... and Railey is my fav, I know she's evil and all that but ... well, she made me laugh.

I found it hard to read at the beginning, but when I got to a little before the half of the book, things got interesting enough for me... One of the main reason I kept reading was because this Ethan's Pov is different, starting with the ordinary mortal boy part. But really there most be something not so ordinary about him since all that connection he has with Lena. I HATE that Macon died though. It wasn't bad, but it didn't make an impact on me, at least not big enough to develop a love for the series, that said I'm still curious enough to read the sequel. So for me it was good enough.

I'm a little worried about the fact that this book is in Ethan's point of view. As a female I just can't say whether his thoughts would resonate with other guys, and I noticed that most of the reviews are from women.

I feel I must defend the portrayal of the small minded south portrayed in this book. I know there are places where history is important to the town and people feel proud of the reenactments and their family's part in the civil war, but I feel Gatlin was just on the edge of ridiculous. Also the town's "witch hunt" against Lena went slightly overboard as well.

Does anyone else feel that Lena's character is depressing? Surely there must have been some other way to have Lena's situation appear significant without the whole depressed teen thing. I suppose you could argue that as a Naturalist she should be more moody, but if the story had been entirely in her voice, I would have put it down without finishing the book.

But overall, a very imaginative story. The part that is essentially a love story is good. Some of the characters added to the story are very interesting. I really liked Ridley, Amma, and Link.

I don't think I'll pick up the next book.

Rachel wrote: "I'm a little worried about the fact that this book is in Ethan's point of view. As a femail I just can't say wheather his thoughts would resonate with other guys, and I noticed that most of the rev..."

I agree with you. This is my favorite series right now (I have lots of favorites). If this book was in Lena's perspective I think it would've beern interesting but I don't know if I would have been able to finish reading it. The series does get better, and so do the characters. I'm currently reading the 4th book. Lena did kind of annoy me in the first book, but she's also a strong character. The storyline is really good too. Though Beautifukl Darkness was prob my least favorite out of the series it's still really good in my opinion. My favorite characters are Ridley, Link, Amma, Ethan, and Macon.

I do think that Lena's character is very depressing and annoying in the first book, but it gets better. The thing that kept me reading was the storyline and Ethan's perspective. I loved that in the book it was from Ethan's perspective because it's the first YA book that has had a male's perspective- that I've read- which was fresh and different and I like it :)

Own the book and need to SERIOUSLY get to reading it. I just can't wait to. I need to though. I also can't wait to see the movie. I hope they don't stray from the book too much. Honestly I think by just the Trailer I think they are going to end up straying a bit...too much? From my opinion. What do you guys think?

I love this book! It's one of my favorites and I could read it over and over again. And yes, I do agree with you Katie. I really don't think the movie is going to live up to the book at all. I think the actors are wrong for the characters and they even cut out an important one from the book, Marian.

Chante, They've cut out Marian?! I can't even begin to imagine how they'll be able to fill the huge gap that will be left on the story

I really liked this book, the characters and the plot were rich. I just couldn't put it down. I loved Ama, Marian and Uncle Macon.... however Lena, didn't really appeal to me, she seemed to whine to much, until the end, when she began to show some personality. I understand that the whole trying to figure out if you will be claimed dark thing played a huge part on that, but it was just so much that it just plain annoyed me.

can't see how they can leave Marian out. also from the trailer the actors don't suit the characters in my head. I did enjoy the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series

I'm reading this book for a challenge and I'm about 20 pages in but I cannot get into it!! :(

I had a hard time getting into the first one. It's a good book just a bit slow at first.

Rachel wrote: "I'm a little worried about the fact that this book is in Ethan's point of view. As a female I just can't say whether his thoughts would resonate with other guys, and I noticed that most of the revi..."

I definitely agree with you on the reenactments and the witch hunt being a bit over the top. I found Lena to be a bit depressing as well. I can't say that this was one of my favorite books having read some pretty amazing ones in the past. I enjoyed the story and the characters but it felt like something was missing. I could have easily put it down indefinitely. It was just missing that draw and had a lot of slow parts. That being said, I do plan to continue with the series and actually look forward to the movie release next month. Let's see if Hollywood stays true to the book!

I had a hard time getting into it. I was half way through the book and still couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Having finished it I like it especially the complexity of the story and the little things that you try to pick up on to figure out the ending. I had a hard time reading it from his point of view. I think that plus the writers style were what held me back from truly enjoying the book.

Deborah wrote: "I had a hard time getting into it. I was half way through the book and still couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Having finished it I like it especially the complexity of the story and the little..."

I think you hit the nail on the head! I feel the same way!

welll... no, I didn't really enjoy this book... it was very flat. I also didn't like the undecided yet whiny tone of the book. The plot was nothing special and Ethan was annoying.

I want to finish reading this book SO badly , I keep pausing it halfway and forgetting all about it. I have tried to read this book almost thrice now. But I've always lost focus halfway and have ended up picking some other book and forgetting all about this one. I am going to give it one last shot though , just so I can watch the movie knowing the story well.

Finally got my box set from Barnes and Nobles! Can't wait to get into it! I'm OBSESSED with the covers!!!

Kate wrote: "So I kind of expected to hate it, or at least roll my eyes quite a few times as I do with a lot of YA paranormal romance. Turns out I really liked it. They shook up a lot of the paranormal cliches,..."

This will be my paranormal romance because the dislike of the same cliches. I'm excited to get into it now! Love a book with humor and a little lovers turmoil.

Mailu wrote: "I found it hard to read at the beginning, but when I got to a little before the half of the book, things got interesting enough for me... One of the main reason I kept reading was because this Etha..."

i kno!!! he was totally my fave character... who, in my opinion, kept the book at 3 * rather than 2.

Just started reading the book last night and at around 102 pages. I was VERY surprised that the Point of View is through Ethan. I thought that I would not like it because it is through his point of Veiw but I actually really enjoyed the fact that it was through his point of view. The book is sort of quick paced in my opinion and that's what I love about it. I really did expect to hate it, but it was really enjoyable. I just can't wait to see the Movie. I am really glad I decided to finally start it!

I loved this book!! I was also surprised it was written in Ethan's point of view, but this is what made the book stand out for me. His view didn't make this a typical witch story. I can't wait to see the movie!

I'm finally reading this - I like it so far! It seems like a really original take on witches/casters, and the male POV makes a nice change.

I've just started the 3rd book in the series so finished this one about 2 weeks ago. I really liked Beautiful Creatures and I thought it was a really nice change to have it written in Ethan's POV. The storyline was really good and the authors kept you wrapped up in the story line right up till the end of the book. Ethan and Lena's relationship is sweet and a little romantic. Lena was kind of a hard sell for me though.... I cant say I would've liked this book if it was in her POV

I couldn't agree more with Bexxy, the fact that the book was written in Ethan's POV made this an amazing story...
Lena didn't grow on me at all, and I doubt I would have finished the book if it was in her POV

Almost 100 pages in and am in love. The setting is so well defined so the characters descriptions are understood right away! Wish I didn't have to work so I could read it all day!

I am just glad it is over and I am moving on to Mortal Instruments. This was way too slow for me. The premise was good, but it was painful reading. I found I was always looking for excuses not to pick it up and keep going....like ironing even seemed more exciting. I am not usually a negative person...so I feel bad, but honesty is the best policy.

I was surprised that I enjoyed this book. it wasn't my favorite read ever but a solid "good" read. I loved that it was written from the male perspective. I am not jumping to read the rest of the series but may pick it up when I need an easy read.

I read this book 2 years ago and it's one of my favorites now. I'm really afraid that they're going to mess up the movie though. I feel like the cast does not match the characters in the book.

I just started reading this book and I'm finding the narrative a tad immature. Not Ethan himself but the way the authors describe things feels...awkward and also, I expected more freaking out regarding Lena's voice, the dreams and all of the magic in general. The fact that he doesn't even question her is odd. Perhaps I haven't gotten to know him that well yet.
I'm excited about the movie though, it looks extremely legitimate and I like how the main characters aren't huge stars and that they still recruited Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, Emmy Rossum, and Viola Davis.

I did think that there were a few faults to the book, but I still loved it. I cannot wait to see the book onscreen, though I think it might come up a little strange, because throughout the book I felt like there were holes or that I was missing something important the farther I got into it. I feel like we never really did figure out everything that we would have wanted to, but that might be because the story was told by Ethan. I loved hearing it from his point of view by the way. I think he added a certain, touch, I guess, to the story. Hope the movie can tell it as good as the book did....

I read this book about two years ago, when I was in the seventh grade, and absolutely loved it. It was a paranormal topic I had never read about before, it was written from the male perspective, it was just so unique. I claimed it and the sequel, Beautiful Darkness, to be my favourite books for quite a while. After recently re-reading it I've decided I do still love it but it's no longer one of my favourites. I don't know what made me change my mind about it but I did... I've still never read the rest of the series but they are on my want to read list so hopefully I'll get around to them sometime soon. I'm still SO excited to see the movie version and I hope they don't ruin it!

I read this book a while ago and really loved it. Beautiful creatures was a book that I enjoyed from beginning to end I loved the song. I also liked that it was in Ethan's pov I loved Link he was so funny.

I started this book two days ago. I have read 50 pages so far and just... Well, I hate that I can tell that the book was written by a chick when a dude is the MC telling it all. And the cover - it's pretty - but that didn't help my thinking Ethan was a girl until his name was said. And even then, I wondered if his parents were just confused. And the "a" instead of "of" - blech. Too many awkward sentences in the first five pages. It does seem to be getting better though. So, maybe I can make it to page 100. Maybe even the last page...

I love this book! I really enjoyed reading it, and that it was Ethan´s point of view is something different.

I just started the book and am on pg 271 and I really like it, but am kinda annoyed about how everything is a secret.

Bronte Ellen wrote: "I really liked this book and continued to enjoy the rest of the series, although I did find Beautiful Chaos a little creepy, 'Fear of the unknow' I think it was! The film looks a bit weird though a..."

Interesting. One of the authors stated that when she was writing the character of Macon, she had Jeremy Irons pictured in her head the whole time. She was ecstatic when she found out he would be playing the role.

I have to admit that I became interested in this book when I saw the preview for the movie (not even knowing it was a book)especially since the movie has such a cast as Emma Thompson,Jeremy Irons & Emmy Rossum! Then I discovered it was the group's book choice for January (very busy during and after holidays). So I read it...and loved it! I'm a big fan now. A bit apprehensive to read the next 3 since this book was so good. A big Thumbs up for me.

Keely wrote: "I read this book about two years ago, when I was in the seventh grade, and absolutely loved it. It was a paranormal topic I had never read about before, it was written from the male perspective, it..."

Me too! Movie makers have such a way of ruining a perfect storyline because they want more special effects.