Rated YA-MA discussion

Beautiful Creatures series.




Dangerous Creatures series spin-off

Liked the first book okay and wasn't that crazy about the second. I've never really taken to Ethan or Lena for some reason, but am a big fan of Ridley and Link. I do look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

Book 1 was sort of like Fallen to me. It was ok but thats all. Now book 2.....I could not stand. I'm sorry but it was just horrible to me.
I would definetly need to hear amazing things about the rest of the series for me to even give a chance at thinking about reading them.
I hate Ethan and Lena. Once again, sorry, no disrespect is meant.

Book 2 was definitely rough for me too. Sometimes I continue with a series if I'm invested in a character, and that's the only reason I'll be continuing. I really do like Ridley and Link and want to know if they can overcome their opposite situations to make something work.

The writing style of the books is not for everyone. There are a couple of people I know who name these as some of their favorites because they like the writing style. I'm not sure how to describe it. There is an almost song-like quality in parts, but it's not a book that can be described as lyrical. The tone is almost melancholy in parts. The mood is often dark, but not scary if that makes sense.

Makes total sense to me.

So I just now noticed the third book comes out this month.

I guess it's a fitting Halloween book if nothing else...

The word for the perils that afflict the couple in this series is contrived. I dig the world and the ideas, but too much time is spent on the whole dramatic 'we instantly love each other' plot that when the second book came around all the author could do is contrive something to separate the love birds to create drama.

Come to think of it this could be a comment on the second book in the Twilight novels too...

I'm still going to read the third because I enjoy the world enough to be curious about what happens. But I'm not sure the author will have my attention after this one.

I am over 1/2 way through the first book, and I am really enjoying it. I personally love the writing style, and think the Male POV Is cool... Does seem that many people hate the second though.

I enjoyed the first 3 in the series, with the second being my least favorite. I will definitely be buying the 4th book when it comes out. I actually really liked the first book...it's been a while since I've read them but I really enjoyed the world, the southern gothic thing really appeals to me.

I just finished book one and LOVED it. I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed it considering the beginning of the book was just "ehh" to me. The end was amazing and really peaked my imagination visually. I am excited for book two and for the movie which I noticed is in theaters this month! The trailer looks fun; I can't wait!

I liked the first book, got 4 chapters into the second, threw it against a wall and walked away.

Im really excited for the movie though, has some good actors in it :)

Yeah, book 2 was a huge disappointment. I'd heard books 3 and 4 were quite the improvement though...so it's on my (laugh at me all you want, Carina) someday list.

Stacia (the hype killer) wrote: "Yeah, book 2 was a huge disappointment. I'd heard books 3 and 4 were quite the improvement though...so it's on my (laugh at me all you want, Carina) someday list."

Yea I couldnt get into it as soon as I found out (view spoiler)[ That she would be counting down to her 17th birthday...does she do that every book? (hide spoiler)] gah repetitive doesn't sit well with me.

Maybe Ill try again, my roommate has them...I did rather like the first one

"(laugh at me all you want, Carina)"

Meeee? I would never laugh...*snikkers*...at you or your future plans....*giggles*...to try and read all these books.


....LMAO!

I recently finished the first book and absolutely loved it. I really liked the male pov. Maybe it's just me but most of the books I read do not have that. And I can sympathize with the aggravations of a small town, and also with the discovery that they town is more than you thought it was. Of course I did not find out mine was full of casters, but as your grow up sometimes you realize what you missed.
I just ordered the 2nd and I can't wait to read it!

I am still this way for series that I've invested more than a couple of books in, but I'm getting better about dumping series if I don't like book 1.

I haven't gotten the motivation to keep reading either, so you're not alone. Next month might be a motivation for me to keep going, since it will be the group read.

i just started this book a few days ago and read 413 pages in one day its seems ok so far but i really hope the second one isnt as bad as some other people keep mentioning

I think it's all in what you make of it. I've talked to some people who love it, and some who hate it. Unfortunately, I'm in the latter category. It had a lot of potential, but Lena's attitude kind of ruined it for me. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I finished it. =/

Meghann (reading impulsively) wrote: "I think it's all in what you make of it. I've talked to some people who love it, and some who hate it. Unfortunately, I'm in the latter category. It had a lot of potential, but Lena's attitude kind..."

I agree with you 100%, but hopefully I am not in the latter part of your category also. I guess I will find out as I progress through the pages.

The group read for April is now open.

If you need to talk about any major plot points (minor story details don't need to be tagged), please use this code to put your text inside of a spoiler tag and make a note of whereabouts in the book you're talking about so people know if they've read far enough to be able to click on the tag :

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i loved the whole series. these characters really spoke to me but it could have been a reflection of my personal life, at the time, why i loved it so much.

I'm on page 90 of the first book

Welcome to the group, Steph. What are your thoughts so far? Are you liking it? Not liking it?

Abby, I've had that happen to me before with books, where it just fits where I'm at for the present time.

At first it was ok, but, somehow, as i progressed reading it, it became less and less attractive. I am curious about the movie, though. Nevertheless, I will try and read the rest of the books, just to say clear in the end if I like it or not.

I'm really glad this is the book this month! I have been wanting to read it but having trouble finding time. This will be motivation :)

Got this as a bundle deal on Kindle- all four books. I'd been wanting to read it for a long time, but wasn't sure I wanted to commit to a whole series when there's so much other stuff out there! I'm still only in the very beginning but am liking it so far.

I got sucked into this book. I couldn't put it down evening knowing I have a cold and was going to be the only one taking care of my two children, two and six months. I was up until 2am reading it. I loved the fact that this novel doesn't just spell out the whole supernatural world for you in the first 100 pages. As the reader I felt like I just had to know more and I felt like the story never really dragged. The only thing I didn't like is that there were a lot of unanswered questions in the end. I feel like the story would have been so much better if there were just a few more clues given as to what is going on and what will happen next with Lena and with Ethan. Also if Ethan actually has any powers or what will come from their relationship.

What characters are you guys liking or disliking? Is there a certain character you're drawn to?

What about the setting itself?

Great thoughts, Nicole. :)
Alice Mia, I understand. I will probably watch the movie at some point myself.

I actually reread this back in January, and I can remember what drew me in the first place, but unfortunately caused me to drop my rating to 3 stars.

For one thing, Ethan read like a girl. And Lena had a really terrible attitude. All gloom and doom, which I can understand from her perspective but it really only seemed to get worse as the series went on. Something that I did like however, was what it was the girl who finally had supernatural powers and not the other way around like it usually is.

I keep meaning to go on with the series but it's been so long since I've read the other books. :(

This is one of those series where I find myself enjoying the secondary characters more than the mains. I've only read the first book (the second is sitting on my desk gathering dust, er, waiting to be read...) but I would read a whole series about Amma or Link. They were by far the most interesting imo

I have to agree with Rachel that I love Link and Amma's characters (view spoiler)[ and I really liked Macon and was bummed that he died in the end. (hide spoiler)]. I have really enjoyed the secondary characters and I am a little disappointed in how negative Lena is throughout the book. I don't mind that Ethan is written like a girl, I do sometimes wish that I knew what everyone else was thinking.

I'd already said it earlier but Link and Ridley were the characters who kept me reading. I never took to Ethan or Lena.

If Lena seems negative in book 1, wait til you read book 2.

I have started reading book two and yeah I understand. I hope things get better as the series goes along. I have a hard time walking away from series/trilogies until I get to the end. Especially when they end like book one did.

I started book two and I love Ridley she's awesome and link is comical I want to find out why Ethan is special

This is the book that I read during Hurricane Sandy. There wasn't much to do then but read. Thank God we never lost power. But there was no cable. And with the gas shortage, no one wanted to drive. I just remember it being a slow read. I wanted to have it read before the movie came out. That's probably the only reason why I finished it. I have yet to continue the series, and have no desire to. I did get my mom to read the 1st 2 books and she seemed to have liked it more than me.

Way too slow for me. I always try to find something great about any book I read, but the best part was when it ended. I won't watch the movie. I know many people like it...I enjoyed the concept...but not the characters or the writing. Sorry all.

No need to apologize. A few of us aren't big on the series.

I'll probably still watch the movie at some point though, out of curiosity.

Steph, yay for another person who gets why I like Ridley and Link.

Nicole, I'd heard books 3 and 4 are better but I haven't been motivated to read them yet.

Zenaida, that must have sucked having to be stuck like that!

It was interesting for me to re-read this. I remember liking it more the first time. Now I'm seeing others feel the same way.

Stacia (and her imaginary friend) wrote: "No need to apologize. A few of us aren't big on the series.

I'll probably still watch the movie at some point though, out of curiosity.

Steph, yay for another person who gets why I like Ridley a..."

I loved the first one... was pretty iffy on the second one and I have three and four sitting on my shelf I just keep putting it off for some reason. It's been a while since I read book 2 and it was one of those books that I remember being really irritated with but I can't remember many details about.

I love Ridley! She was probably the only part of the movie that I actually liked too.

SO I read the second book and I started the third, but they are just so long. It is hard to really get into them. I just wish that they weren't so slow, it takes forever for any real progress to be made. I do like Link he is about my favorite character.

You'll have to let me know what you think of the third. That's where I'm stuck at.

I actually started reading this back in February and when it got chosen for this month I decided to wait. I was about a third of the way in. I did finish earlier this month and haven't had a chance to share my thoughts.

I found the book long and boring. I did not hate it. I was never interested in it. I was intrigued by the claiming aspect and I was interested in Ridley and Link. Ethan and Lena bored me. I don't think I'll read the rest of the series.

I'm a fast reader so I don't have an issue with the length but when it is a longer book it has to draw me in and it did not.

Nicole wrote: "SO I read the second book and I started the third, but they are just so long. It is hard to really get into them. I just wish that they weren't so slow, it takes forever for any real progress to ..."

So I have finished book three and let me just say it is a really long conduit to book four. I am supremely glad that book four is significantly shorter than the first three and I can finally find out what the ultimate end for these books are. I am telling you right now though that I am a re-reader and I will likely not re-read this series ever. It is so drawn out and the characters are so unbelievable in how little they change. I don't know that I would actually finish this series if I hadn't already bought all the books and hate not knowing how things end.

Oh no. Gah, I've been putting off finishing the series but it's bugging me that I only need to read the last two (I even read 2.5). The motivation though...

Natalie, I understand that feeling about longer books. In order for a book to be long, it needs to be epic in my opinion.

I FINALLY got this from the library! I was 18th on the wait list for 6 copies! I'm already reading something now, so I'll start it tomorrow night or Wednesday. Better late than never!

There's a part of me that hopes I hate it, so I don't have to add another series to my long list of series to finish. Plus all of the books have a wait list.

That's quite a wait.

Moving this back to the PNR/UF folder.

Wow I had no idea there were so many in the series. I read book 1 it was ok; I quite liked Ethan (though he has a girl's 'voice'), Lena was more than annoying. I'd watch it on DVD, but have no intention of reading books 2+. The main problem for me was that it really read like a Twilight revamp:
Boy with powers -> girl with powers
Northern Rural setting -> southern rural setting
Alternative supernatural family - tick
high school setting - tick
misunderstood protagonist - tick
true love at first sight - oh dear tick
with a bit of Buffy library work thrown in for good measure.
There was nothing to convince me it was worth trying out book 2 and the comments above seem to confirm that.

I didn't see the Twilight similarities so much (although I have with many other books) but I (and many of us) agree with you that it was hard to tell that Ethan was a guy. In fact, I assumed it was a girl narrator when I first started reading book 1 for quite some time.

Yeh, I could kind of live with that as I quite liked 'the voice' but there was a lot of procrastination especially in the second half. I couldn't believe it when Ethan met Lena and said we've only days to go stop moping, and she just said 'mehh' ! and then carried on going 'meh' for several pages!

Ok I've read Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness so far... and I absolutely love them. I put them on my favorites shelf.. which very few YA novels have gotten to. I absolutely adored the history aspect of the books, the family trees, the southern setting, everything. I have full reviews for both on my youtube channel!

For me they are not slow at all.. but I'm used to reading million page Joyce Carol Oates novels.. haha. I found it really easy to get pulled into the world.
I'm sad that all you guys didn't like it so much!! :P