The Beautiful (The Beautiful Quartet)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the heart of 1872 New Orleans, a seventeen-year-old girl finds herself seeking refuge in a city dealing with a supernatural serial killer.
“Decadent, slow-moving horror that feels like a dream slipping to nightmare.”—Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves
“Nail-biting, swoony, satisfying, and tense all at the same time. And of course . . . VAMPIRES.”—Sabaa Tahir, New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.
When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien’s own lair—the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks—Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.
“Decadent, slow-moving horror that feels like a dream slipping to nightmare.”—Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves
“Nail-biting, swoony, satisfying, and tense all at the same time. And of course . . . VAMPIRES.”—Sabaa Tahir, New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.
When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien’s own lair—the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks—Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.
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Community Reviews
You know when you’re promised a glamorous vampire murder mystery in 1872 New Orleans, and you think, “This is going to be epic”? Well, not quite.
So, let’s start with our girl, Celine. She flees Paris because she’s done with her past life and ends up in New Orleans with a convent full of other girls, which is… not exactly what you’d expect. But instead of indulging in beignets and jazz, she winds up caught in some sort of sultry vampire soap opera. Enter Sébastien Saint Germain, aka Discount Vampire Lestat, who’s got that brooding, “I’m dangerous but you’ll fall for me anyway” vibe going on. Of course, she’s into him, despite bodies piling up like it’s a new hobby in town.
Now, I’m all for some good vampire drama, but Celine’s “Oh no, is Sébastien the murderer?” act got old fast. Like, honey, he’s got ‘I’m a walking red flag’ written all over him, but you’re just...charmed, I guess? And while we’re at it, the whole "Let me swoon over a guy who could be a literal killer" trope needs to be retired.
For a book that involves murders, vampires, and dark secrets, the plot felt like it was moving through molasses. Sure, we get a lot of lush descriptions of New Orleans, but after a while, even the city’s mystique couldn’t save this meandering storyline. I mean, it took so long to get to the real supernatural twist that by the time it happened, I was like, "Finally! Now let’s get to the good part!" Spoiler alert: The good part is a cliffhanger for the sequel.
Speaking of twists, Celine’s "horrible secret" was hyped up like it was going to blow my mind, but when it’s revealed, I was more like, “Oh, that’s it? That's the thing?” If we’re going to call something horrible, at least give me something worth gasping over.
The one thing that The Beautiful nailed, though, was the atmosphere. It made me want to pack my bags and head to New Orleans—sans the vampires and murders, obviously. But that alone couldn’t keep me hooked.
Overall, if you're looking for a slow-burn paranormal romance with a side of melodrama, this might be your cup of tea. For me, it was a pretty dress with no party. Better luck with the sequel? We’ll see.
So, let’s start with our girl, Celine. She flees Paris because she’s done with her past life and ends up in New Orleans with a convent full of other girls, which is… not exactly what you’d expect. But instead of indulging in beignets and jazz, she winds up caught in some sort of sultry vampire soap opera. Enter Sébastien Saint Germain, aka Discount Vampire Lestat, who’s got that brooding, “I’m dangerous but you’ll fall for me anyway” vibe going on. Of course, she’s into him, despite bodies piling up like it’s a new hobby in town.
Now, I’m all for some good vampire drama, but Celine’s “Oh no, is Sébastien the murderer?” act got old fast. Like, honey, he’s got ‘I’m a walking red flag’ written all over him, but you’re just...charmed, I guess? And while we’re at it, the whole "Let me swoon over a guy who could be a literal killer" trope needs to be retired.
For a book that involves murders, vampires, and dark secrets, the plot felt like it was moving through molasses. Sure, we get a lot of lush descriptions of New Orleans, but after a while, even the city’s mystique couldn’t save this meandering storyline. I mean, it took so long to get to the real supernatural twist that by the time it happened, I was like, "Finally! Now let’s get to the good part!" Spoiler alert: The good part is a cliffhanger for the sequel.
Speaking of twists, Celine’s "horrible secret" was hyped up like it was going to blow my mind, but when it’s revealed, I was more like, “Oh, that’s it? That's the thing?” If we’re going to call something horrible, at least give me something worth gasping over.
The one thing that The Beautiful nailed, though, was the atmosphere. It made me want to pack my bags and head to New Orleans—sans the vampires and murders, obviously. But that alone couldn’t keep me hooked.
Overall, if you're looking for a slow-burn paranormal romance with a side of melodrama, this might be your cup of tea. For me, it was a pretty dress with no party. Better luck with the sequel? We’ll see.
On one hand, I loved the historical New Orleans setting and the Anne Rice vibe to the book. However, I feel like this is just a better structured version of Twilight.
I picked this book up at B and N with a gift card I got for Christmas as soon as I saw the words “New Orleans” and “undead.” I recently finished The Originals tv series and was craving more NOLA magic.
Sadly, it doesn’t get to the grit of vampires until the end and the romance between Bastien and Celine is cliche as they have only met two or three days and already are madly in love with each other.
I did like how Celine was pretty badass and independent in her own way but that’s about it.
Also, why mention Bastien has a pet snake if it’s only in one or two scenes?
Overall, I say 2.5 stars out of 5.
Sadly, it doesn’t get to the grit of vampires until the end and the romance between Bastien and Celine is cliche as they have only met two or three days and already are madly in love with each other.
I did like how Celine was pretty badass and independent in her own way but that’s about it.
Also, why mention Bastien has a pet snake if it’s only in one or two scenes?
Overall, I say 2.5 stars out of 5.
А вот и претендент на награду «Главное книжное разочарование года».
Конец 19 века, Селин Руссо бежит из Парижа в Новый Орлеан (не буду спойлерить почему, но в принципе можно догадаться максимум с трех раз). В Новом Орлеане её ждут, во-первых, диаболический красавец Себастьен (no kidding, чувака сравнивают с демоном по три раза на страницу), а во-вторых, жуткий убийца. Местами нам даже намекают, что это может быть одно и то же лицо!
Анонсам книги сопутствовали выкрики типа «вампиры наконец-то возвращаются», но, увы, оказалось, что войти заново в вампирскую реку – не фунт изюму.
Ровным счетом ничего не добавляет Рене Ахдие к великому городскому Мифу о Вампирах (не то чтобы идея покрыть вампиров стразиками какая-то гениальная, но Стефани Майер хотя бы попыталась).
Сюжета в книге практически нет – всё, что там произошло, можно описать в нескольких предложениях, а текстовую массу книги наполняют описания обстановки и рассуждения героев (и то, и другое очень скучное). Встречаются главы, написанные от первого лица злодея – экстремально пафосные и ненатуральные, а-ля «под покровом ночи я наблюдаю за своей прекрасной зеленоглазой жертвой и улыбаюсь». Вампирского бэкграунда в книге нет совсем, ни origin story, ни объяснения общественного устройства, да и сам термин «вампир» как-то очень вскользь упоминается, видимо, всё оставлено на будущие книги.
Зато есть тонны воды и стилистических клише, а также жуткий франглиш – половина героев постоянно мешает французские слова в английскую речь. На таком же убогом пиджине я разговариваю, когда бываю во Франции – начинаю предложение на французском, потом забываю слово и заканчиваю на английском, и нет, это не «колорит», это стыдобища. И кстати, сколько уже можно давать героям фамилию Сен-Жермен, дабы подчеркнуть их таинственность?
Короче, зачехляем ожидания, друзья. Vampires are not back yet.
Конец 19 века, Селин Руссо бежит из Парижа в Новый Орлеан (не буду спойлерить почему, но в принципе можно догадаться максимум с трех раз). В Новом Орлеане её ждут, во-первых, диаболический красавец Себастьен (no kidding, чувака сравнивают с демоном по три раза на страницу), а во-вторых, жуткий убийца. Местами нам даже намекают, что это может быть одно и то же лицо!
Анонсам книги сопутствовали выкрики типа «вампиры наконец-то возвращаются», но, увы, оказалось, что войти заново в вампирскую реку – не фунт изюму.
Ровным счетом ничего не добавляет Рене Ахдие к великому городскому Мифу о Вампирах (не то чтобы идея покрыть вампиров стразиками какая-то гениальная, но Стефани Майер хотя бы попыталась).
Сюжета в книге практически нет – всё, что там произошло, можно описать в нескольких предложениях, а текстовую массу книги наполняют описания обстановки и рассуждения героев (и то, и другое очень скучное). Встречаются главы, написанные от первого лица злодея – экстремально пафосные и ненатуральные, а-ля «под покровом ночи я наблюдаю за своей прекрасной зеленоглазой жертвой и улыбаюсь». Вампирского бэкграунда в книге нет совсем, ни origin story, ни объяснения общественного устройства, да и сам термин «вампир» как-то очень вскользь упоминается, видимо, всё оставлено на будущие книги.
Зато есть тонны воды и стилистических клише, а также жуткий франглиш – половина героев постоянно мешает французские слова в английскую речь. На таком же убогом пиджине я разговариваю, когда бываю во Франции – начинаю предложение на французском, потом забываю слово и заканчиваю на английском, и нет, это не «колорит», это стыдобища. И кстати, сколько уже можно давать героям фамилию Сен-Жермен, дабы подчеркнуть их таинственность?
Короче, зачехляем ожидания, друзья. Vampires are not back yet.
This book was ok. It was a very slow read, and while the mystery aspect of it was interesting, really kept you guessing. It was still kind of boring. Parts got exciting, and just when you though it was going to get fun or interesting it didn't.
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