Beautiful Creatures

[MindyLu]

I posted something on this book over at the topic of what we were reading but I thought I should make a separate thread for it.

I was wondering if anyone else here has read the book "Beautiful Creatures" by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl? I am half way through it...it is 500+ pages so I'm slowly making my way through it reading 10 pages at a time...AGHH which is driving me nuts!

I am very pleased and impressed with this book. It is considered "Teen Fiction" and the morning DJs I listen to had the authors on their show because they were doing a book signing in Memphis (I would have went had I not had to work) and I decided to buy it and read it...and so far what I have read is wonderful. It is sort of fantasy because the heroine is a Caster (like a witch but not exactly) and at 16 she will be Claimed...she will either be Light or Dark. She moves to a small town in South Carolina where the people are set in their ways to say the least and she meets Ethan and they fall in love.

I haven't finished so I do not know the outcome but I cannot wait to find out what happens. The story is so beautifully written when I'm reading it is like I'm standing right there...I can see, smell and hear what they are describing and that is why I love books sooo much!!

Also there is supposed to be a sequel to it out later this year so needless to say I'm excited about it!! Also if you guys want to find out more you can go to www.somelovesarecursed.com!!

(Wow this was long but oh well )

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[Eloisa]

Wow -- it sounds great! I will definitely keep an eye out for it. Is it the kind of YA that's only good for girls? My son loves fantasy...
Eloisa

[MindyLu]

Well I wouldn't necessarily say it is just for boys because the DJs that recommended it are two older guys and they raved about it. Now it does deal with love and that is the main premise of it but who knows he might enjoy nonetheless.

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[Courtney Milan]

I just finished this last night! The main character is a guy, but I have to say that he reads like a guy written by girls: VERY emotionally self-aware, totally willing to diss his guy friends (without thinking) for the girl in question.

It was a really, really good book. I think some boys might like it. But I do think this is more of a book for girls than boys.

The other book I read last night was Malice by Chris Wooding, and that is DEFINITELY a book that boys could get into. It's a dark fantasy about a comic book character named "Tall Jake" who can steal children from this world into his comic book. (described on the book cover as a world of "tricks and traps," by which the book means "extremely scary things that eat you alive." The book is mostly text, but it's also interspersed with panels of the comic.

It's non-stop action. And (warning) it is fairly frightening.

Remember those slumber parties where you play "Bloody Mary" and you just scare yourself into a frightened puddle? This is like what happens when Bloody Mary not only comes to life but steals you away from your family.

I highly recommend Malice to boys and girls that like fantasy and love being frightened. (But if your kid is the kind who will stay up all night shivering--beware.) I thought I was just going to start this book last night but literally once I started I would not have put it down for the world.

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Courtney Milan
http://www.courtneymilan.com

[Courtney Milan]

Also, I should add: If you're looking for fantasy books for boys, has your son read THE DEMON'S LEXICON by Sarah Rees Brennan? This book is AWESOME. Awesome awesome awesome.

It's about two brothers who are on the run from a group of magicians. There are swords, guns, and demons.

I highly recommend this book for boys, girls, and adults!

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Courtney Milan
http://www.courtneymilan.com

[DLS]

Ok, but what age boys?
Would any of htese work for a not quite 13 yu? Strong reader, but emotionally, he is truly a pre-teen.

[Courtney Milan]

Hm.

Malice is definitely going to work for a pre-13 year old. In fact, I think the intended age is the 9-13 set. (And, honestly, the cover... you can't tell by pictures online how danged beautiful the cover is, but there's a plastic overlay that gives the book texture, like a topographical map).

The Demon's Lexicon: I think it would also work, but I have to admit there is a lot more emotional complexity to it. If he is into demons/sword fighting, there will be enough there to keep him interested. He may miss some of the subtler aspects of the book, but that will just give it more reread potential in later years.

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Courtney Milan
http://www.courtneymilan.com

[piper]

Another fantasy book for boys would be "Monster Blood Tattoo" which is supposed to be a trilogy but so far only two are out, that would be "foundling" and hmm, can't remember the other.

[DLS]

Thanks!
Its so interesting to watch different kids reading. His big sister by age 12 was reading anything she could get her hands on (I mean that literally--I stripped some books off my shelves when she was 9 after I had to take away Angela's Ashes and decided to let her finish Like Water for Chocolate.)
He reads at pretty much her level but just won't touch anything that adult (except Shakespeare and Terry Pratchett.) So finding him good books to read is always challenging.