by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Published Little Brown, 2009
Pages: 563
Ethan Wate has been planning his escape for the small Southern town of Gatlin for as long as he can remember. But when the beautiful girl that has been haunting his dreams becomes the new girl in town, he knows something strange is happening. He decides to do whatever it takes to figure out why he and Lena Duchannes seem to be drawn together.
I wasn't sure what to think about this book, but I heard nothing but good things so I decided to give it a try. Also, it didn't hurt that the movie is coming out very soon. (TODAY!) I am so glad that I did! This story has a unique twist to the idea of forbidden love between a mortal and a caster.
Setting the story in a small town in South Carolina where change is not well received was a brilliant decision on the part of the authors. I thought it worked really well in isolating Lena from the rest of the group not only because of who she is but also because the town has decided that new isn't good. This element of the story felt very real and infuriating.
The combination of lore and Southern history kept me fascinated and engaged. I loved that the Civil War was part of the history of this story. It's interesting how that aspect of history can be so convoluted in different parts of the country and adding it into this story was a great touch.
The characters Lena and Ethan are just adorable and their relationship is realistic and challenging. I like that Ethan doesn't have a problem with who Lena is and that he decides to stick up for her when an entire town, his home town, is against her no matter the consequences. It's powerful.
This story is not only a wonderful romance, but it's also has fundamental moral dilemmas that left me frustrated and amazed by the characters actions. Kami Garci and Margaret Stohl have something going on! I look forward to reading the rest of this series; I can't wait to see what happens to Ethan and Lena next.
Stars: 4/5
Praise:
"Gorgeously crafted, atmospheric, and original. I devoured it."
--Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely
"A hauntingly delicious dark fantasy."
--Cassandria Clare, New York Times bestselling author of City of Bones
"[Readers] will be swept by the haunting and detailed atmosphere, the conventions and strictures of Southern Life, and a compelling and dimensional mythology."
--Publishers Weekly
This is an Eclectic Reader 2013 Challenge book!
Ethan Wate has been planning his escape for the small Southern town of Gatlin for as long as he can remember. But when the beautiful girl that has been haunting his dreams becomes the new girl in town, he knows something strange is happening. He decides to do whatever it takes to figure out why he and Lena Duchannes seem to be drawn together.
I wasn't sure what to think about this book, but I heard nothing but good things so I decided to give it a try. Also, it didn't hurt that the movie is coming out very soon. (TODAY!) I am so glad that I did! This story has a unique twist to the idea of forbidden love between a mortal and a caster.
Setting the story in a small town in South Carolina where change is not well received was a brilliant decision on the part of the authors. I thought it worked really well in isolating Lena from the rest of the group not only because of who she is but also because the town has decided that new isn't good. This element of the story felt very real and infuriating.
The combination of lore and Southern history kept me fascinated and engaged. I loved that the Civil War was part of the history of this story. It's interesting how that aspect of history can be so convoluted in different parts of the country and adding it into this story was a great touch.
The characters Lena and Ethan are just adorable and their relationship is realistic and challenging. I like that Ethan doesn't have a problem with who Lena is and that he decides to stick up for her when an entire town, his home town, is against her no matter the consequences. It's powerful.
This story is not only a wonderful romance, but it's also has fundamental moral dilemmas that left me frustrated and amazed by the characters actions. Kami Garci and Margaret Stohl have something going on! I look forward to reading the rest of this series; I can't wait to see what happens to Ethan and Lena next.
Stars: 4/5
Praise:
"Gorgeously crafted, atmospheric, and original. I devoured it."
--Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely
"A hauntingly delicious dark fantasy."
--Cassandria Clare, New York Times bestselling author of City of Bones
"[Readers] will be swept by the haunting and detailed atmosphere, the conventions and strictures of Southern Life, and a compelling and dimensional mythology."
--Publishers Weekly
This is an Eclectic Reader 2013 Challenge book!
i think i am the only person who didn't like this book. actually i did like it, until the end. worst ending ever!
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