A review by bookish_spoonie
The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
4.0
2nd Read: 4 stars
I enjoyed this slightly more than the first read. Renee Ahdieh's writing, as always is stunning.
1st Read: 3.5 stars
I adore Renee Ahdieh. Her writing is amazing and her other books are some of my all time favourites. I was really hoping The Beautiful would live up to those expectations and although for the most part it did, a few points fell a little flat for me.
The Beautiful is based in 19th Century New Orleans and features our female lead Celine who has escaped from a dark secret in Paris. The plot is basically a murder mystery involving different magical beings but the main focus was generally on Celine and I wish others got more notice and backstory.
I actually liked Celine, she was funny, upfront, brave and outspoken, especially for the 19th Century. I also liked our lead male Bastien, a hottie shrouded in mystery? Of course he caught Celine's attention! I enjoyed how their interactions developed over the course of the book and how Renee kept us in the dark about Bastien as well.
However, I was promised vampires and for a vampire book there was a distinct lack of vamp action or magical action for that matter. As a fantasy lover I just needed more of that element and less about the posturing of society or the food they were eating (which I usually love in Renee's books).
The story got off to a slow start but the last half was amazing and I was completely gripped.
There were a few scenes that I wasn't sure needed to be there and some aspects that are still a mystery and which I hope are cleared up in book 2.
Finally, the scene was set SO well and the descriptions of the city transported me. New Orleans always hold a mystical quality but being in the 19th Century and with all the different languages interlaced into the dialogue...well it was glorious!
I am looking forward to the next book but desperately hoping for more vampire action!
Please note that this book was gifted in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Hodder!
I enjoyed this slightly more than the first read. Renee Ahdieh's writing, as always is stunning.
1st Read: 3.5 stars
I adore Renee Ahdieh. Her writing is amazing and her other books are some of my all time favourites. I was really hoping The Beautiful would live up to those expectations and although for the most part it did, a few points fell a little flat for me.
The Beautiful is based in 19th Century New Orleans and features our female lead Celine who has escaped from a dark secret in Paris. The plot is basically a murder mystery involving different magical beings but the main focus was generally on Celine and I wish others got more notice and backstory.
I actually liked Celine, she was funny, upfront, brave and outspoken, especially for the 19th Century. I also liked our lead male Bastien, a hottie shrouded in mystery? Of course he caught Celine's attention! I enjoyed how their interactions developed over the course of the book and how Renee kept us in the dark about Bastien as well.
However, I was promised vampires and for a vampire book there was a distinct lack of vamp action or magical action for that matter. As a fantasy lover I just needed more of that element and less about the posturing of society or the food they were eating (which I usually love in Renee's books).
The story got off to a slow start but the last half was amazing and I was completely gripped.
There were a few scenes that I wasn't sure needed to be there and some aspects that are still a mystery and which I hope are cleared up in book 2.
Finally, the scene was set SO well and the descriptions of the city transported me. New Orleans always hold a mystical quality but being in the 19th Century and with all the different languages interlaced into the dialogue...well it was glorious!
I am looking forward to the next book but desperately hoping for more vampire action!
Please note that this book was gifted in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Hodder!