Review: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book: Beautiful Darkness
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Edition: Advance Reading Copy
Pages: Approx. 504
Pub. Date: 10/26/2010

Rating: A+

***Tried to keep as spoiler free as possible!***

We last left Ethan, Lena, and the little town of Gatlin right after Lena’s 16th birthday. Or as the Caster world calls it, her claiming.
The choice between Light and Dark was looming over Lena’s head, with consequences on both sides.

Beautiful Darkness starts off days after the Sixteenth Moon.
We are back in Ethan Wate’s head, following him through life in a small town with a Caster girlfriend. But life isn’t back to normal like we all hope.
Lena changed after her claiming. Pushing the one who loves her further and further away.
Ethan wants nothing more than to help Lena and make her happy again. He understands what it is like to lose someone you care so much about.
But the more he tries the more she pulls away. And now Ethan is hearing a new song, Seventeen Moons, and seeing visions that relate to Lena’s dead Uncle Macon. What does all this mean to him? And why is Lena acting like she was claimed and is going dark?

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are absolutely brilliant. I thought it was going to be tough to top Beautiful Creatures, but they did it!
I knew something wasn’t going to go right with Ethan and Lena, just that feeling you get when you pick up a book. But the story line exceeded my expectations by miles!
You read about your favorites from Beautiful Creatures, but you are also introduced to some new, very memorable characters.
I was very excited to see that Link was in it, a lot! I love him and his ‘studly’ ways. And he is extremely studly in this one! I almost like him more than Ethan... almost.
In BD, you will also get more into the Caster world. Wanted to learn more about the Lunae Libri?
Well, just wait until you pick up Beautiful Darkness. And when you do, strap in your seat belts, kids. This read is like riding a wild roller coaster, at night, on Halloween. Trust me, that is a very high praise from me!

I want to talk a little bit about the cover. The cover changed from a Gothic fence to an old set of stone stairs:




















I personally like the fence cover better. It just calls to me more.
Which is your favorite?