Review: The Beautiful (The Beautiful #1) by Renée Ahdieh

Book Blurb:

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.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Teen--

Celine wants nothing more but to escape to America and get the opportunity to start fresh, without the demons from her past haunting her. Her plan is simple, to please the nuns that paid for her passage by working hard and find a husband so she can have a simple, happy life. But it seems that something else is in store for Celine, something much more sinister waits for her on the shore of New Orleans.

"I'll never understand the fascination with the infinite. There is an end to everything, to good things as well."

"Chaucer was an ass." Celine glanced at him, a brow quirked with amusement. "And the infinite captivates us because it allows us to believe all things are possible. That true love can last beyond time."

I hate to admit this, but this is the first book I have read by Renee. I have heard great things about both her previous series and they are on my tbr list for sure, but I was really excited to get my hands on The Beautiful. Not only is the cover great, the hype is out of control and vampires (I would have read it for vampires alone, to be honest). I was so excited to start this book, you have no idea. I can happily report that it was everything I wanted it to be, as well as surprising and dark, which I loved.

" A hero was only a hero if he managed to save the damsel in time."

The Beautiful is not your typical vampire story, there is no sparkling going on (unless you count the fantastic over the top costuming), the girl does not want to be whisked away (sure she comes to America to find a husband, but she is not looking for love and romance), in fact she is very practical and determined- and she is capable and skilled. Celine fell into a situation not of her own planning and she steps up and takes ownership and makes a plan to fix everything. She is the ingenue we have been looking for and I fully support her.

"One day, someone should tell you how beautiful you are in the moonlight," Bastien said softly.

Heat pooled in Celine's stomach, licking through her chest, rising into her throat. "Someone should." She swallowed, "But...I don't think it should be you."

"I agree." Again, Bastien did not hesitate.

"Don't fall in love with me," she warned again, her words breathless. "You're not good for me. And I'm not good for you."

"I agree, on all counts."

I really enjoyed The Beautiful, my only problem with the book is that the rest of the series is not out for me to just binge on. The world was detailed and I felt like I was there too, fully immersed in the story. The supernatural was subtle and dark, more like a lost boys vibes then any sort of romance expected- and yes, there is romance, but it is not the main focus and it may never be. I would not change a thing about the story and I only hope there is more curmudgeonly Micheal and loyal Pippa in the sequel.