Beautiful Creatures (novel)
Beautiful Creatures is a 2009 American young adult novel written by authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and the first book in the Caster Chronicles series. The book was published on December 1, 2009 by Little, Brown, and Company. In the UK, Beautiful Creatures is published by Penguin Books. The book was written in 12 weeks, inspired by a dare (a bet with seven kids the authors knew) and was never intended to be published. Characters
Ethan Lawson Wate is the 16-year-old narrator of the novel. He is a high school boy from the fictional town of Gatlin, South Carolina. Though he is not a Caster himself, he somehow has the ability to protect Lena from powerful magic and Dark Casters. He and Lena share a connection called Kelting, which lets them communicate telepathically even if they are miles away. Lena Duchannes is a Caster who appears in Ethan's dreams before she moves to Gatlin. She must be claimed for either Light or Dark on her 16th birthday. Sarafine Duchannes is Lena's mother and the strongest Dark Caster. She tries to convince Lena to become a Dark Caster. Macon Melchizedek Ravenwood is Lena's uncle. He is an incubus who chooses to live off dreams rather than blood. While characters in the book compare him to Boo Radley, he is described by the writers in an interview with Boys with Books, as an "Atticus Finch of badasses." Genevieve Duchannes was the Caster who caused the curse in Lena's family by trying to bring her dead fiancé, Ethan Carter Wate, back to life by using the Book of Moons. She was likely a Natural. Ethan Carter Wate was Genevieve's fiancé who died after he was shot during the great burning of Gatlin. Genevieve tried to bring him back to life by using the Book of Moons, which led to her turning Dark. However, Ethan was revived for only a few moments before he died again. Ridley Duchannes is Lena's cousin and a Dark Caster. She can manipulate people by using a lollipop. Mitchell Wate is Ethan's father, is a reclusive writer who is deep in mourning for his wife. Amarie "Amma" Treadeau is a Seer who is like a grandmother to Ethan. She can communicate with her dead family, which she calls the Greats. She is known throughout Gatlin for her culinary skill. Marian Ashcroft is the librarian of the Mortal and the Caster libraries. She was the best friend of Ethan's late mother, Lila Evers Wate, and has known Ethan since he was born. She greatly rues the fact that she cannot help Ethan when he is in danger because she is a Caster librarian and is bound by Caster rules. Hunting Phineas Ravenwood is a ruthless incubus who is Macon's brother. Unlike Macon, he feeds on blood, which gives him a more youthful appearance. Lila Ever Wate was Ethan's mother and died a year before the story took place. She was the best friend of the librarian Marian Ashcroft and is hinted to have had a previous relationship with Lena's uncle Macon in the past. She is later revisited by Macon when he is dying. Plot
A 16-year-old Ethan Wate lives in Gatlin, South Carolina, with his widowed father. Lena Duchannes is a mysterious girl with magical powers who appears in Ethan's recurring nightmares. Though she initially rebuffs his attempts at interacting with her, they eventually become friends despite harassment from other classmates that almost gets her expelled. Lena's uncle Macon Ravenwood also attempts to keep Ethan and Lena apart to protect them. Every member of Lena's family is a "Caster" with magical powers. On Lena's 16th birthday, she will be "claimed" as either a Light or Dark Caster, but she is terrified of becoming an evil Dark Caster. Meanwhile, Ethan discovers a locket at Greenbrier plantation, that induces visions of Lena's ancestor Genevieve Duchannes and Ethan's ancestor Ethan Carter Wate, who were engaged during the American Civil War. Through the locket, they discover that Genevieve tried to resurrect Ethan Carter Wate using the magical Book of Moons. Genevieve's use of the spell gives the book the ability to determine the Duchannes who will be Light or Dark. Ethan and Lena find the book in Genevieve's grave and study it for ways to prevent Lena from becoming Dark. Furthermore, Lena is continuously spiritually attacked by a Dark Caster, Sarafine, who is actually her mother. The Duchannes cannot prevent the attacks, but Ethan's presence seems to stop them. Lena's 16th birthday is celebrated by Ethan, the Duchannes, and her classmates. Macon forbids Lena from attending the party that is set up by her classmates, but Lena sneaks out anyway and confesses her love to Ethan, who reciprocates. Sarafine reveals herself at the party and is accompanied by incubus Hunting Ravenwood. Sarafine tells Lena that Lena will be able to claim herself for the Dark or Light at midnight. If she chooses to go Dark, all Light Casters in her family will die, but she would be able to have a previously-impossible physical relationship with Ethan. If she chooses to go Light, all Dark Casters in her family will die, including Macon. A fight occurs, which culminates in Sarafine escaping and Hunting nearly killing Macon. After Ethan gathers the other Duchannes for help, Ethan searches for Lena but instead meets Sarafine, who kills him. At midnight, Lena uses her power over nature to block out the moonlight, which prevents her from being claimed. She negotiates with Amma and then recites a spell from the Book of Moons to resurrect Ethan. The spell works but at what cost? Reception
Kirkus Reviews writes that "Ethan's wry narrative voice will resonate with readers of John Green as well as the hordes of supernatural-romance fans looking for the next book to sink their teeth into." Booklist also positively reviewed the book, stating "there's plenty teens will like: romance, magic, hauntings, and the promise of more to come." The School Library Journal praised Beautiful Creatures's "detailed descriptions" and "satisfying conclusion" and noted that it would appeal to fans of True Blood. Publishers Weekly criticized the book's "protracted climax" but wrote that Beautiful Creatures had a "compelling and dimensional mythology." Despite its use of magic, the book is praised for its "authentic" characters and world. Linda Perez of the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy states "Stohl writes clearly and lyrically," "the world they've created... is so believable that readers will find themselves unwittingly believing in magic". According to Ilene Cooper of Booklist "the 600 pages could have been cut to make a tight, better story." On January 3, 2013, a new edition of the novel was published that featured images from the movie on the cover. Accolades
The series was named one of MTV News's "series to watch" in 2010. Adaptations

Film

Alcon Entertainment, with 3 Arts Entertainment and Belle Pictures, produced a 2013 movie version for Warner Bros. thatwas adapted and directed by Richard LaGravenese, starring Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert as Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes and Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson, and Emmy Rossum in supporting roles. The film was released on February 14, 2013. The film received mixed reviews and was a box office bomb. Beautiful Creatures: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vaz, was published in the UK by Penguin Books on 2 January 2013, as a Puffin Paperback. Comic book
Yen Press announced in 2012 it was adapting Beautiful Creatures into manga format with the artist Cassandra Jean. Music
In 2016, Martin Mazanek wrote the symphonic poem Lena that was inspired by the book. Sequels
Beautiful Creatures was signed by Little, Brown, and Company for a four-book series, the Caster Chronicles. It had three sequels:
Beautiful Darkness (2010)
Beautiful Chaos (2011)
Beautiful Redemption (2012)

Bibliography

References

External links

 

2009 American novels
American young adult novels
Little, Brown and Company books
American fantasy novels adapted into films
Paranormal romance novels
Young adult fantasy novels