Review: The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.
In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien’s guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.
REVIEW:
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
A magical, enchanting start to a new series that I am sure is going to turn into one of my all time favorites. I have been dying for a new vampire series but the search stops now because this book was captivating. I loved everything about it. From being shrouded in mystery, to the rich details of New Orleans, to the complex, complicated characters…I want to read it over and over again.
So lets start out with the plot. The story alternates between two sides, good versus evil. I loved the thrill of the hunt and the glimpses of an age old war brewing. The untimely deaths and body count starts to rise along with tensions. There are several different worlds colliding and learning about each and how they are interconnected adds a layer of intricacy to the book that had me eager to turn the page. Honestly, as I close the book I am not only left reeling from the plot twists but I am emotionally aching. My heart hurts…and I can’t imagine waiting for the next book.
The characters are fantastic, Celine is carrying guilt and a heavy heart throughout the story. And over the course of the book, she learns forgiveness but also gets a glimpse at happiness. In contrast, her friend Pippa is actual sunshine and so full of love and compassion that she nicely complimented Celine’s rough edges. Sébastian Saint Germain was all the swoon, seriously, I adored him. He is charm and cocky charisma rolled up into one mouthy, arrogant man. *Be still my heart.*
Celine and Sébastian are too much alike for their own good. They are draw to each other, even when everything around them is against them. And all I can say is that as soon as their first interaction occurred…the ship was sailed. I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP. Renée has that special quality as a write that transported me to 18th century New Orleans and honestly, I don’t even want to leave. I will be sitting here with bated breath waiting for the next book.
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
