Thursday, November 24, 2011

The One That Is Two

Published: October 18th, 2011
Beautiful Chaos
By: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316123525


Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?
For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.
Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Review

   Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes have been through Hell and back over the last two years.  But they made it through the other side and things should be getting better now, right?  Wrong, very wrong.  Everything is just now starting to hit the fan.  Biblical-type plagues are hitting Gatlin and making things hard on the townspeople, Abraham Ravenwood and Sarafine are still on the loose and Ethan is having dreams about being pushed from the water tower.  Plus, a voice keeps following him through his days with the words, "I'm waiting."  Nothing tastes right to Ethan anymore and he's losing bits of his memories.  Ridley, although no longer a Siren or a Caster, is somehow making things happen magically - it turns out she has freed John Breed from the Arclight and has him trapped, forcing him to allow her to channel his powers.  Amma is making a devil's bargain in New Orleans and refuses to tell Ethan why she's doing it.  Link is now a quarter incubus, with things changing physically and emotionally for him lightning fast.  Lena's house is out of whack and all the Caster's powers are misfiring.  Plus, Marian and Liv are about to be put on trial for interfering in the Caster's destinies.  This books was a bumpy ride to say the least.  But I am very happy to report that it was 99% less angst than the last one!  Although things are going crazy, Ethan and Lena are at their strongest and together for the whole of it.  All of the supporting characters flesh out the book wonderfully, with Link, Amma, The Sisters and John Breed providing most of the side story that matters.  I definitely liked this book more than the second one in the series.  It flowed better and had less slump in the plot and character writing.  It feels like the series is once more on an upswing which relieves me.  There was a MAJORLY EPIC cliffhanger!!!  I cannot wait to read the next book and I'm going to be dying during what will probably be a yearlong wait!  Highly recommended to fans of the series and I would actually recommend starting the series to those who were previously wary.

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*

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