Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, #2) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Apr 03, 2010 Megan (magan bagan) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

These ladies did it again, another fabulous book for the Caster Chronicles that I just absolutely loved. Kami and Margi have such fluid writing, you'd think that these books were written by one person instead of two, which I think only adds to the stories.

Beautiful Darkness picks up a couple of months after Beautiful Creatures ended, taking us right to the funeral of Macon Ravenwood. From that moment I knew that this book was going to be difficult to get through. We all know how difficult it is These ladies did it again, another fabulous book for the Caster Chronicles that I just absolutely loved. Kami and Margi have such fluid writing, you'd think that these books were written by one person instead of two, which I think only adds to the stories.

Beautiful Darkness picks up a couple of months after Beautiful Creatures ended, taking us right to the funeral of Macon Ravenwood. From that moment I knew that this book was going to be difficult to get through. We all know how difficult it is to move on from the death of a loved one, and the struggle that Lena goes through is wonderfully portrayed. She was desperately trying to find her own way, struggling with her love for Ethan and the powers she can barely control.

Ethan was doing everything he could to hold them together, to keep their relationship from falling apart. In the midst of all that, new characters were introduced and Ethan found himself being pulled further and further into the Caster world. With Ridley, Lena's Dark Caster cousin, and her friend John spending more time with Lena, Ethan goes to Marianne and her research assitant, Liv, to do what he can to help Lena. He's seeing visions of Macon's past, and learning just how many secrets Gatlin has.

Unlike the first book, we get a better look into the Caster world and just how entrenched it is around Gatlin and the rest of the world. And Ethan finds out just how much of a connection he has to that world. With Caster tunnels, Caster pets, crazy aunts, and Southern traditions, the beautiful world that Kami and Margi created comes to life in a new and exciting way in this second installment.

And just like from the first book, I loved that it's told from Ethan's perspective. I'm always a fan of reading something from a male perspective, there's something fascinating about it. Add to the fact that we're also getting to see this world from a mortal's point of view on top of that and it makes it even better. I just think that was a smart move on both of their parts to do that.

Just as they proved in Beautiful Creatures, not everything is as it seems in Gatlin County. There are even more questions left to be answered now and more to look forward to. So I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the next two books in the Caster Chronicles, thank you Kami and Margi for sharing this books with us and putting so much time and effort into them. ...more

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May 19, 2010 Len rated it it was amazing

original post here

The follow-up to Beautiful Creatures, the story starts off after the events that happened in Lena's 16th Birthday. Clearly distraught from her loss, Ethan tries as much to be her anchor. But he finds it rather difficult when she doesn't talk straight with him and then all of a sudden realizes that there is more that Lena is not telling him.

New characters are ushered here which makes the story even more intriguing. More secrets are unveiled, darkness beneath Gaitlin that Ethan n ...more

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Jun 01, 2010 Cindy rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs

My only complaint about this series is that it takes me forever to read one of the books. I don't necessarily think that's even a complaint toward the books but a complaint at myself for not being able to read them faster. I am always dying to see what happens next but because I want to fully understand what is going on, I tend to read these books slower than the average book. Okay, now that I've gotten that out, here are my thoughts on Beautiful Darkness:

Things have been strained between Lena ...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Elizabeth *Swords for Fighting* rated it it was amazing

I was super excited to read Beautiful Darkness. I have been waiting to read this book ever since I finished Beautiful Creatures, and it did not disappoint. From the moment I opened Beautiful Darkness and started reading, I was immersed in Ethan's world. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are absolutely amazing to have written this book. Their writing is absolutely intoxicating. I loved how Kami and Margaret set the scene for this book. The very first page brought back all of the love I had for Beaut I was super excited to read Beautiful Darkness. I have been waiting to read this book ever since I finished Beautiful Creatures, and it did not disappoint. From the moment I opened Beautiful Darkness and started reading, I was immersed in Ethan's world. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are absolutely amazing to have written this book. Their writing is absolutely intoxicating. I loved how Kami and Margaret set the scene for this book. The very first page brought back all of the love I had for Beautiful Creatures. I love their writing because it feels like I am right there in Gaitlin with Ethan, and I was excited to discover what happens.

I enjoy being in Ethan's head because most books I read are from a girl's point of view. It is nice to hear what the guy thinks once in a while, and Ethan definitely has a lot going on in his life. He discovers something new about himself, and he puts it to good use. I felt bad for Ethan in this book because Lena, his girlfriend and the love of his life, pushes him away throughout the book. For most of the book, he could not reach Lena like he used to.

There were many times throughout reading that Lena really annoyed me. I hated how much she was acting like a completely different person. I did not like how she treated Ethan especially when she ran off with another guy. She just seemed to ignore him and was letting herself drift away from him. She may have been doing it to protect him, but I still did not like it. I am not saying I hate Lena because I don't. I actually do like her most of the time. She was just in a difficult place in this book. She believes she killed her Uncle Macon, so she becomes emotionally broken causing her to push Ethan away even though he wants to help her.

I was surprised to see how much of a role Ethan's mother played in the story. It was interesting to see that she can still influence his life even though she is dead. I was also surprised to see Ridley practically changing sides. In Beautiful Creatures, she was all about making Ethan's life miserable, but now she actually ends up helping Ethan save Lena. A new character also joins Ethan's group of friends. Her name is Liv, and she is a Keeper-in-training. I enjoyed her personality and humor, so I hope she is in future books.

Beautiful Darkness is a must read (but read Beautiful Creatures first if you have not already). I liked it better than the first book if that is at all possible. It was addicting from the beginning to the end. I loved the mystery of the story and how unpredictable it was. It had me guessing and making up all kinds of crazy theories! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Caster Chronicles. ...more

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Nov 09, 2010 Michele(mluker) Luker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Incredible!!
Adventurous!!
Nail Biting!!

The story of Lena and Ethan heats up with mind boggling revelations and excitement!! Lena, thinking that she is turning Dark, leaves to find a place where she can be herself. Ethan, never giving up on their love, follows her and tries to save her from herself. Ethan finds "help" where you at least expect, and their adventure begins! Gaitlin will never be the same!! ...more

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Aug 19, 2010 Mindy/fangedmom rated it it was amazing

I love this book. I really truly do. The Caster world needs to let me move in.

I love this book. The end kinda confused me though so I will have to reread. PLEASE tell me there is another one soon. I love this book, I love this world. I want to be a Caster!!!

If you have not read Beautiful Creatures, do so now then read Beautiful Darkness. LOVE THEM!!!!

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