The Beautiful Ones ♩ Silvia Moreno-Garcia | Review

[b:The Beautiful Ones|55311334|The Beautiful Ones|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611470492l/55311334._SY75_.jpg|54122902] is my first book of [a:Silvia Moreno-Garcia|4088550|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597118464p2/4088550.jpg], and I was left delighted afterwards. In all honesty, I don’t believe Silvia Moreno-Garcia is capable of producing a subpar book. I have read multiple other reviews of other books she already published. And lucky for me, I already have three more of her books here patiently waiting.



The Beautiful Ones ♩ Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Opinion

The story of The Beautiful Ones revolves around two telekinetic characters named Hector Auvrey and Nina Beaulieu. Although Nina has spent her entire life in the country, her cousin, GaĂ©tan Beaulieu and his wife, ValĂ©rie Beaulieu, bring her to the city, so she can mingle with the socialites also known as The Beautiful Ones. Hector, who also happens to be the wife’s betrayed boyfriend, uses Nina’s quest to learn more about her abilities as a chance to rekindle his relationship with ValĂ©rie.

I’m not sure how to express how much I adored this book. In a fascinating unique style, it combines different genre — and it made me fall in love with this mix of historical fantasy romance. Silvia Moreno-Garcia also does a fantastic job of bringing this universe to life. The setting is very intriguing, and I nearly felt as though I was right there with the characters. Which are flawless, as well as her world building.

»The world remained and there was something remarkably comforting about this thought, since heartbreak often invoked images of cataclysms that would devour every speck of ground beneath one’s feet.«

― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones, p. 134

There was also the romance between Nina and Hector, and I could feel all those emotions. The age difference did bother me a little, because it was hard to tell Hector’s age. The author never revealed that about him. Therefore, I just hoped both were just a decade apart. Besides that, I adored them to pieces. With all the drama and the second chances, and Hector ultimately learning to live in the here and now and to leave the past behind, it just hit all the perfect notes for me. Even now, pondering that I want to reread should say a lot about this book.

"You are beautiful, ValĂ©rie. I don’t think you’ll ever cease to be beautiful, and you’ll continue to drive men crazy with your beauty. But there is no goodness in you, just poison, and a desire to wound", he said without malice, as if he were explaining a difficult arithmetic operation.

― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones, p. 219

ValĂ©rie’s lack of depth as a villain is probably the only thing I have to criticize. Not that I cared much for this character, but there were occasions when a tiny feeling of pity rose up inside of me for her. But every next move or word of her extinguished this little flame over and over again. Honestly, it’s a very odd situation I hardly find myself in while reading a book. But ValĂ©rie’s character gave me mixed emotions of feeling sadly sympathetic with her, but also hating her to the core. There was simply no kindness from her in the midst of everything, which is what I was hoping for. Nevertheless, her character didn’t ruin the book for me. But on the contrary, it gave the whole plot and pace the right spice, which made me cheer for Nina and Hector even more and to see ValĂ©rie go down and swallow her own poison.

Conclusion

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Beautiful Ones is basically a passionate, fast-paced romance with the magic of telekinesis peppered throughout. It just works, and I’m not sure how. Just don’t ask. But believe me, when I say: Silvia Moreno-Garcia is that gifted as a writer.



This review was first published at The Art of Reading. ( )

I was drawn to this because I thought it was a fantasy read but I ended up feeling like this story could have been told just as well without the small fantasy element’s inclusion. I found myself loving this even though it’s not my usual read and not what I anticipated when I chose it!

A beautiful (non-spicy) romance story perfect for February! ♄ ( )

There’s intrigue and romance aplenty in Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s fantasy set in a world inspired by late 1800s France. It’s Austenesque in its focus on manners, with a dash of Wuthering Heights level drama, and a pinch of fantasy. It’s an addictive recipe sure to keep you reading.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

A Love Story in a Beautiful, Imaginary World

This a beautifully written book which takes place in the imaginary place...Loisal, which is so vivid you long to visit there. It is "historical fiction" in that although the location is imaginary, the customs and technology seem to be from Europe (France?) in the early 20th century.
The characters are all interesting and well developed, as is the plot. I couldn't put it down! ( )

It's not unreadable, but the characters are not likable and the magic seems like an element tacked on after the fact. The plot feels generic and, overall, it feels like a YA romance, which is not a genre I usually enjoy. I picked it up after reading and loving Gods of Jade and Shadow. I didn't recall at the time that I had DNF'd it three years ago. Now I know why. ( )