This book had me interested from the first page. A beautiful romantic story about new love, old love, moving on, and revenge. It is very much a character-driven and so the pacing feels a little slow. Silvia Moreno-Garcia can write fiction like no other. Having read a SMG fantasy book, a thriller book, a horror book, and now a romance, I can confidently say that SMG is one of my favourite authors.

SMG creates a beautiful world in which some people have "The Talent", a telekinetic ability that serves as a backdrop to the romance. More romance than fantasy, fans of historical romances are sure to love The Beautiful Ones as it encompasses the usual known and well-loved tropes of that genre.

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a slow paced story set in a not quite unbelievable world where woman are expected to be fine bred ladies and men are true gentlemen, but they may occasionally have telekinetic powers that are never quite hidden. This is a love story, but it’s also a story of growing up and becoming comfortable with who you are. Really enjoyed this one!

Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her with her cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her neighbors call her and the her powers gets some attention. This was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

**Review to be posted on my blog on 4/12/21**

I Liked:
*This is the first novel I’ve read from this author, though I have Mexican Gothic on my TBR list and I fell in love with this story as it just pulled me in and didn’t let go. I don’t know what I really expected from it, but I found the writing so engaging, and beautiful.

*I became a reader through romance novels so this was everything I want in a romance. I really was swept away and could not put the book down. There is passion, jealousy, betrayal, romance and love. I felt like my heart was being squeezed by the end of the story but in a good way.

*I liked how this was an alternate historical fiction story, even though the places resembled high society in England some time in the early 1900’s perhaps, whatever time period where motorcars were being introduced. The characters attended balls, a season of parties, socializing and summer in the countryside. A fun twist is that Nina and Hector both could do telekinesis. In this world of The Beautiful Ones, it’s an extraordinary skill but looked down upon in high society. It makes Nina stand out in unpleasant ways, whereas Hector thrives with the skill being a performer. The two feel less alone when together.

*Nina isn’t beautiful like her cousin’s wife Valerie, but she comes from a well known family. Unfortunately she’s too different, she talks when she’s not supposed to and it’s usually about inappropriate things like bugs, plus she can do telekinesis. She’s never made friends easily because she is different but I like how it didn’t stop her from being who she is and enjoying life. And thank goodness for her supportive family who loves her just as she is.

*I love how Nina and Hector’s love grow. Their love is not quite a slow burn because Hector has been burning for Valerie, Nina’s cousin-in-law. I liked how the story explored burning passion and love versus something that forms into friendship and grows steadily into love.

Random Notes:
*Valerie ~ she is hateful but her character was done so well. So well that I hated her. Here was this woman who had the love she always wanted but he was poor. As a woman she had to marry well and she did, breaking the heart of her first love in the process. When he comes back to her, she revels in his obsession with her, they are both obsessed with one another, but whereas Hector believes it’s love, for Valerie, it’s possession. Nina is the innocent miss but Valerie is the hard, calculated woman and I was fascinated with her downward spiral.

Final Thoughts:
The Beautiful Ones swept me off my romantic feet. I was hoping Nina would get some satisfaction over Hector and Valerie’s games and she does come out triumphant. This story is emotional, tragic, hopeful and everything I want in a romance. I am a new fan of this author and look forward to reading more books from her.

"He might promise her the moon and the stars, and not care for a moment that he couldn't pluck them from heaven."

I came across The Beautiful Ones after reading and loving Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The author herself noted to readers to expect a book “very far from Mexican Gothic.” This book takes place in a different era, the early 20th century, and is about socialites in the fictional Mexican city of Loisail, but it still has the same air of the otherworldliness that Mexican Gothic had.

The Beautiful Ones is filled with gauzy dresses, tall ballrooms, and delicate jewelry; oh and telekinesis. The three main characters are Nina, Hector, and Valerie and all of them have their faults. Nina is young and ill suited to the city life and the grand balls that accompany it. Her telekinetic abilities made her an outsider back home, and in the city gossip is even harder to contain. Hector has perfected his telekinetic powers and works as a performer while he carries a flame for his old love Valerie, while courting Nina. Valerie is Nina’s cousin and a strong woman in her own right; but was forced to marry for money and status.

The book follows these three characters as they move about in a strict society that dictates both what they can say and what they can do. The story is primarily a love story intertwined with Nina’s coming of age. The Beautiful Ones is character driven, while filled with decadent scenery that transported me right to the streets of Loisail. Moreno-Garcia does not disappoint in creating a love story with a unique twist in a gorgeous world that I wish I could visit.

Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and each book I read by her shows me the depth and breadth of her writing skills. Moreno-Garcia always manages to weave enchanting stories with complicated and realistic characters, no matter the setting. The Beautiful Ones does just this; while this wasn't my favorite book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I think is perfect for fans of Jane Austen, The Great Gatsby, or the movie The Prestige. A character driven, romantic story with a dash of enchantment, The Beautiful Ones will break your heart and stitch it back together.

Incoming review to be posted at https://www.instagram.com/bookedwithemma/

Moreno-Garcia crafts a love triangle romance reminiscent of classics like ANNA KARENINA, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE and THE GREAT GATSBY, with her unique mark of sci-fi/fantasy.
Her main character Nina has the page-turning charm of MEXICAN GOTHIC'S heroine Noemi, although more of the innocence of her cousin.

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the enjoyable e-ARC!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can confidently say that I think Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of the best writers ever. Her style and ability to craft a narrative is unmatched in my opinion. After reading and loving Gods of Jade and Shadow, I have slowly been making my way through the rest of her books. When I saw this one was up on NetGalley, I could not pass up the chance.

The Beautiful Ones was originally published in 2017, but it is getting a reissue in paperback this year. I remember struggling to track down the original hardcover of this book and Certain Dark Things because they were out of print, so I am very excited that readers are getting another chance to pick up a copy!

If you know of this author because you read and enjoyed Mexican Gothic, you should know that this story is very different. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does not stick with one certain genre or style. Every book I have read by her has been completely unique and different than the last. The Beautiful Ones is no exception to this. It is a novel of manners with a hint of fantasy. The story itself follows Antonina Beaulieu as she travels to Loisail to stay with her cousin Gaétan and his wife Valérie for the Grand Season. She meets the Beautiful Ones, or notable socialites, and is expected to make friends and find a suitor. Nina does not really fit in as a “proper lady” like she is expected to, especially since she struggles to control her telekinesis. However, she is drawn to a telekinetic performer named Hector Auvray who helps her learn more about controlling her abilities. Nina falls head over heels for him in the process, but Hector is hiding a big secret that could hurt Nina and ruin their relationship.

There is a lot of drama and romance to the point where it feels like a classic Jane Austen novel in some ways. I loved this because it is something I have not seen done by the author before. I really appreciate how she cannot be defined by one style and excellently pulls off whatever she chooses.

One thing I think this author is known for her is impeccable writing. It is so beautiful and atmospheric. I really enjoy how it works to pull you into the narrative more. I have seen others say that the writing is slower, and I would agree to an extent. It feels like a slow build and burn compared to other books. It is not slow as in boring, but it is just the style that is consistent between her books. I know it is not for everyone, but I absolutely adore it!

The story itself was so entertaining, but I appreciate how it comments on other important concepts like societal and familial expectations. Through the main characters, we see how people deal with pressure and conformity. This can be really difficult to manage when you are also figuring out what you want for yourself. Making the right decisions for yourself can be hard when you always have to worry about what others will think. Beyond that, I enjoyed the conversation this book had about love, heartbreak, and moving on.

I thought the characters and character development were really solid in this book. It was interesting to see how they played off one another and dealt with different expectations. I really liked Hector and Nina, so I was rooting for them the whole time. I like that the author allowed them to grow not only for the sake of their romantic feelings but as individuals as well. I also really liked how Nina and Valérie show the different ways people manage societal exceptions. Nina stays true to herself and does not quite agree with most things that are expected of her. On the other hand, Valérie deeply cares about these things. She has had to make tough choices for herself and her family, but it makes her seem cold and selfish. Both characters work to show what it means to resist or go along with outside pressures.

I have said it before and I will continue to say it, Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an auto-buy author for me. She has never let me down, and that is something I do not understand. I am beginning to think she has some kind of magical powers because every time I read one of her books I give it five stars. Her writing is just that good. I really do think The Beautiful Ones is something that a lot of readers will love, and I cannot recommend it enough!

*Content warnings: arranged marriage, gun violence*

Thank you to the publisher, Tor/Forge, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book before its release on April 27, 2021.

Book Review for The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

Hector Auvray is a psychokinetic performer who is madly in love with his teenage crush Valérie. Despite her marriage, Hector will stop at nothing to be near her again including courting her neice Nina. I have to admit the first third of the book is hard to get through. Valérie is not a likeable character but the interplay between all the people is engaging (pun intended) and interesting. This story has a slow "Night Circus" feel to it. It builds and builds until before you know it, you're enjoying yourself.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia often straddles genres with her writing. This book is no exception. Here she delicately weaves Historical Fiction, fantasy and YA romance flawlessly. I absolutely loved reading this beautifully written book. Thank you so much Macmillan-Tor/Forge for allowing me to review it. It releases April 27th, if you like YA romance go ahead and add this fantastic book to your tbr.

I'll gladly be posting my 5 star review on my Bookstagram 'AprilsBookishLife' and in the 5 star highlight stories, Goodreads, Twitter and after release Amazon. I'll update this review with links as I post the reviews.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a master of genre fiction, and nothing exemplifies that more than The Beautiful Ones. This novel captures all the longing and intricate rituals of a historic romance with the fantastic world-building of a fantasy novel. When she was sent to stay with her cousin for her first season, Nina, a young girl with telekinetic powers, does not expect to enter a dance with the famous telekinetic performer, Hector Auvrey, and her own cousin-in-law, Camille. I read the last half of the book in one sitting because putting it down was nearly unthinkable. Fans of Bridgerton and A Midnight Bargain alike will find themselves drawn to this elegant and enthralling novel.

With the manners of Pride and Prejudice, the intrigue and freshness of Bridgerton, and the deeply devoted characters we have come to know and love from Moreno-Garcia, this book simply begs to be read on a cool spring night, warm beverage in hand. The realities of making one's way as a woman in a society fashioned with a strong code of "honor" that does nothing more than uplift the Madonna ideal of a woman's virtue while dismissing her complexities and the grace afforded young men of the same set, is on full display and watching the two heroines make different choices and deal with the consequences of those decisions is fascinating.

A tale of grace, manners, class, gossip, rebellion, a little bit of magic, and a dash of Jane Austin.

Mexican gothic was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020. So of course I was super excited to get my hands on The Beautiful Ones. Do not expect to this to be anything like Mexican gothic. The Beautiful Ones is a totally different genre.

The book is separated into 2 parts with a different love triangle in each.
I hardly ever read romance/love stories, with the exception of the classics. I love pieces set in the early 1900’s or Victorian age. It never really says the date the story is set in, but is inferred that it is set in this era. I did enjoy the characters in this tale. I loved Nina’s attitude about not caring what the ‘beautiful ones’ thought of her.

To me, the book is more of a young adult romance novel. I usually stay away from these sort of books because they are just not my thing. But The Beautiful Ones is an exception. Sylvia Moreno Garcia is an excellent author and The Beautiful Ones is a very well written story that captured my attention until the end.

Many thanks to Sylvia Moreno Garcia, the publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!!!

This is a fantasy of manners, where the fantasy elements are fairly restrained - the setting is non-existent European-esque, and a couple of the characters have telekinetic abilities (i.e., they are able to move objects with their minds). The main conflict, though, is straightforward relationship drama, in a 19th century style. Hector courts Nina, but only to be closer to her cousin's wife Valerie, who broke their engagement 10 years ago. The exploration of love lost and won, and what love means, is moving and well-done.

I was enchanted by Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing style in Mexican Gothic, so when I heard that she had written "a novel of manners and a romance," I already knew this would be one of my top reads of the year.

Reminiscent of The Great Gatsby and Sense and Sensibility, The Beautiful Ones tells the tale of Nina Beaulieu, spending Loisail's Grand Season under the watchful eye of her cousin's wife, Valérie. Known as the "Witch of Oldhouse" in her small hometown due to her telekinetic abilities, she comes to the city with dreams of a fresh start and of finding the kind of love she's only read about in books. When she meets Hector Auvrey, who has made his living off of his own powers, they agree to a teaching relationship which develops into courtship. However, Nina soon discovers that no one in Loisail is without their secrets, especially those closest to her.

Moreno-Garcia takes her time with The Beautiful Ones, using multiple narrators to weave together a story that smashed my heart and put it back together again. I'm not typically one for a slow burn, but the writing was impeccable, inciting all the proper emotions without fail. Moreno-Garcia does not take the easy route-instead forging a narrative which propels the reader through a storyline that refuses to conform to traditional standards. I recommend this book with all my heart to anyone looking for a beautiful, exciting new tale of lost love, magic, scandal, and feminism.

4/5

When I say I would throw any current read out the window to read an impending release by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I mean it. Antonina Beaulieu is a fish out of water, sent to the city of Loisail to stay with her cousin and his wife as she prepares for her first grand season where she will hopefully find a husband. Unfortunately she's been dropped straight into a world she is both ill prepared and ill fitted for. Drawn to Hector Auvray, a performer who shares in the same telekinetic abilities as herself, she begins to hone her skills and find solace in his company. However, Hector keeps a secret, one that could shake the very foundations of their budding relationship. Her connections may have brought her to Loisail, but old ties are hard to break and could threaten the success of the season, as well as her impending marriage.

There is something exquisite, yet utterly unique about each of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's written works, and The Beautiful Ones is no different. This is a heartfelt and romantic story unlike anything I have read in a very long time. It's a sweeping tale of new beginnings and the long term consequences of the choices we make. This whole book felt like a period drama. It was melodramatic and oh so decadent, using its characters to fuel the raging fire of the central conflict. The focus on these relationships as a way to make a commentary about conformity and the suffocating weight of societies expectations was really interesting. I loved how it progressed to the point where each character had become the roadblock on their journey towards finding happiness. Not that I wanted either of the two main characters to be unhappy, but it was a very realistic portrayal of how sometimes you can become your own worst enemy. One that certainly kept things entertaining and made me want to bang my head against the wall on more than one occasion. This novel is definitely more of a romance with a dash of fantasy intertwined, than strictly fantasy. However, the romance took me by surprise. There's nothing I love more than a complicated relationship and two people who have to overcome something in order to be together. Hector and Nina showcased that perfectly. Although the pacing of this was quite slow, I found I didn't mind as I was once again drawn into the authors incredible prose and talent for storytelling. It's clear I can rely on this author for a wide array of different novels. In creating this, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has shown that she can thrive in truly any genre and I for one cannot wait to see what she does next.

Trigger warnings: guns, violence, arranged marriage

I saw Silvia's warning that this was something completely different than Mexican Gothic so I went into this book unsure of what to expect. I have to say, I really enjoyed it! I welcomed the slower pace for the first quarter of the book because Silvia's prose was just so beautiful and whimsical that I wanted to take my time absorbed in her words. Once the pace quickened, I absolutely devoured the story!

As I began the story, I worried that Nina was falling into the dreaded "not like other girls" trope but as the story continued, I realized that the emphasis on Nina being "different" was quite important to this story where women are expected to be/act a certain way. Nina really grew on me as the story continued and I ended up loving her story arc. As for the main antagonist, they fell a little flat for me. They were completely unlikable and I wished we could have spent more time seeing this person break through their cold façade.

I'd never read a "novel of manners" book and I think this was such a great introduction into this kind of literary work. While the telekinesis was a subtle part of the story, I loved that it was the thing that Hector and Nina could bond through.

I'm a big fan of Moreno-Garcia's writing; I'm not picky about which genre--if she writes it, odds are, I'll read it. So when I saw this beautiful cover, I couldn't wait to get started.

Years ago, telekinetic street performer Hector Auvray fell in love with a girl above his station. He returns to Loisail in hopes of reconnecting, only to meet Nina, the telekinetic cousin of his first love. Torn between holding onto his old love and his fascination with her cousin, Hector strikes up a friendship with Nina, a choice that threatens to tear more than one life apart.

I really enjoyed this book.

Before I jump in, I think it's worth noting that The Beautiful Ones is very different from Mexican Gothic, so some readers might be surprised at the genre shift.

I've been arguing about the merit of genre literature since college, and The Beautiful Ones is a case and point that writing does not have to be lit fic in order to be taken seriously. Here, the narrative voice is perfection. Moreno-Garcia nailed the diction, the atmosphere, the banter. The reading was seamless and effortless and utterly visual. From the minute details to the overarching themes, TBO is a well-built fantasy world reminiscent of the Victorian Era.

At times, I felt like I was reading an Oscar Wilde. Satirical elements of social commentary dominated the prose: Nina, the naive, unpolished country girl who's more interested in beetles than husbands, and Valerie, a beautiful city woman consumed with her need to preserve her reputation and wealth. The country is portrayed as inferior to the city, a marker of Wilde's satire, and overlapping with some Shakespearean elements of comedic reprieve. We get word play, mistaken identities, various love triangles, and plenty of unrequited longing. The opening scene screamed of Romeo and Juliet to me, where Romeo is broken-hearted over Rosaline before meeting Juliet. I loved this so much, the classic nods and structure to some of the greatest canonical authors while feeling authentic to its own story.

The telekinesis was an interesting angle, and if I wished for anything, it was for that to play a bigger part than it did. I kept expecting it to escalate, but overall, Nina's talent felt more like it could stand for any trait that would ostracize her from the rest of society. I understand the symbolic nature of the storytelling, and I think it was a clever character choice, but I would've loved to see a little more Firestarter thrown in there.

Overall, The Beautiful Ones is a smart, witty read with classic themes and a beautiful narrative flow. I'd recommend to fans of period dramas, soft love triangles, and atmospheric love stories.

Thank you to Macmillan Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

I liked this even more than Silvia Moreno Garcia’s other novels. Each tries something very different and this time it was manners and magic in a diverse, charming alt-history/fantasy world.

It worked so well for the style and nature of her writing. Slow, character-driven, rooted in an enjoyable if occasionally (intentionally) melodramatic romance. It’s lush and easy to envision and really quite a mix of Austen and Bronte. Moreno Garcia is such an electric talent to read; hard to predict and easy to enjoy.

I LOVED Mexican Gothic so I had really HIGH hopes but was not able to finish this book, sadly. I'm really sad about it, but I just could not get into it. The characters did not compel me and I didn't find myself curious to see what happened next.