This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of Dream Dark, here.
I find myself, yet again, coming back to a series in which it has been eight years since I last read the book prior... yikes! High school me was very motivated and the iBooks app had me in a chokehold - as well as having a family member who owned a book store. But alas, here I am, finally making my way to finish this series. I have always loved this series, and was heartbroken when only Beautiful Creatures received a movie adaptation and the rest were never made.
Ethan and Lena are such a great couple, and I love that the books are in Ethan's perspective - even though Lena is the female lead, this story is so focused on Ethan and his responses, that his voice really stands out as an outsider to Lena's world and as someone who has become so intertwined into her world. His perspective, especially with everything that happens to him throughout the book, is so vital in understanding the connection between mortals and casters. His friendship with Link and his constant worry about him shows him in a multi-dimensional light that adds layers to his character without pushing his needs to the side.
Lena's involvement in this book takes somewhat of a sideline to Ethan's own development, along with Link and Ridley's constant will-they-won't-they situationship they have going on. I honestly really enjoyed the chapters that focused on Link's life and adjustments as he navigates his friendships and relationships on top of the paranormal musings of the town. Sure, it has been years since I have dived into this series, but the relationships between the characters are so easy to get right back into and understand their dynamics. The plot picks up in this installment, and I found it so natural to just be transported back into the world. The stakes became higher and I loved how we were not just circling around Ethan and Lena's relationship instead of actual plot points.
The pacing felt very natural, and the authors do a great job in keeping the reader engaged in the story without sidelining other plots in order to push a certain narrative. The antagonists of the story do not feel like they cause all of this destruction without actual motives - it was believable, and their involvement in Ethan and Lena's story blended well with their own side plots. I will say, the flashback/backstory portions of this installment started to lose me for a bit, but it was more so because I was hooked into Ethan's development.
If you are a fan of Fallen by Lauren Kate or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, this series is certainly for you. It is so reminiscent of early young adult paranormal romances, and has a great ensemble of characters that keeps the reader entertained and invested in the story. I will certainly be seeing this series through and cannot wait to see how Ethan and Len's story pans out.
You can add Beautiful Chaos on Goodreads now, and follow the authors to stay up to date on releases and publications.
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