REVIEW: The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books
for Young Readers

ISBN: 1524738174

Format: Hardback, E-Book, Audio-Book

Release Date: 8th October 2019


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository




Synopsis:

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.

Review:

**Thanks to PenguinTeen Canada for sending me
an arc in return for my honest review**

This book was everything.

The Beautiful is the newest book from author Renee Ahdieh and one of the first books marking the return of Vampire YA.

Seventeen year old Celine had fled her home in Paris and found refuge in New Orleans. She is taken in by the Ursuline Convent with six other girls and she quickly comes to love the music, food and danger that surround her in her new home. However, a body of one of the girls from the convent is found, Celine quickly discovers that there is a lot more terror and secrets in New Orleans than she first thought.

I loved Celine. She had tried her best to leave her troubling past with her life in Paris. The city of New Orleans feels like her escape but secrets and danger catch up to her. She makes some friends at the convent but struggles to open up to them. After the death of a girl who lived with her in the convent, Celine felt as though she was the problem and that everyone around her was in immediate danger. I loved how independent and determined Celine was. She didn't care much about the danger around her and didn't let anyone speak for her.

The love interest, Sébastien, was a fascinating character. From their first meeting, I was rooting for Celine and Sébastien to fall in love. Their relationship started off rocky, with Celine not being very fond of him. However, their relationship slowly grows and I loved their interactions with one another. Their witty dialogue and nature towards one another was a joy to read.

One thing I loved about this book was that it wasn't immediately obvious it was vampires causing the attacks. Of course, this book has been well talked about and we know vampires are in the book. However, the mysteries behind the vampires and paranormal remind more hidden until towards the end of the book which I loved.

From start to finish I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with the characters and the mysterious surrounding La Cour des Lions. I almost wish I hadn't finished the book so fast since I'll be waiting a while for the sequel.

I can see The Beautiful marking a strong return to Vampire YA and I cannot wait to read the sequel!