Book Review: Caster Chronicles (Steph)

Caster Chronicles series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Books in this Series: Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, Beautiful Chaos, Beautiful Redemption

      

 3 out of 5 thumbs up

Ethan Wate lived in Gatlin, Georgia his whole predictable life when he is changed forever after the arrival of Lena Duchannes, an outsider, who moves into her shut-in uncle’s giant, mysterious house.  As Ethan befriends Lena and unravels the mysteries of her family, he learns that Lena is no ordinary teenage girl and that she will have to make a choice that could change their world as they know it.

One thing I actually really liked about these books, was that they are told from the boy’s point of view, rather than the girl’s, which is sort of a refreshing change. However, the book was not only written by a woman, but by two women, so I’m not sure the “feelings” Ethan nanners on and on about are entirely from a teenage boy’s perspective.  Or maybe he’s just a really sensitive guy. Who knows. 

I also hold little sympathy for teenagers who have to make “choices” in which the correct decision is obviously apparent.  Since that is basically what this story revolves around, I couldn’t really get behind Lena and her decision making. I couldn’t figure out why she didn’t just get it over with already, and consequently resulted in the first book being a bit of a lackluster read.  The good news is that the books get a little bit better as they continue.  The bad news is that a Beautiful Creatures has been made to be released in March (I think) 2013.  Sounds like one to Redbox, maybe.