How do you create a review for something that made your feel with everything page turned? I have been a huge fan of Morena-Garcia from the first. This book cemented that fact. I CONSUMED every page and when finished I was sad because it was over and the world was gone.

This book was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021 and I’m stunned. The Beautiful Ones was perfectly crafted. It is a page-turning dazzling fantasy romance that will stay in your mind forever. Silvia's writing style is unique. Her prose is amazing, making the book just beautiful. I can’t wait for my copy to arrive so I can reread this book and really appreciate it and to mark the million quotes I liked.
Full review to come on my YouTube channel.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of my favorite writers and this book is the reason why. She has such an amazing way of writing you cannot help but be roped into the story. Her characters and plot are beautiful and this dive into sci-fy was perfect.

Moreno-Garcia has done it again! This book is just as enchanting as Mexican Gothic - with none of the hype. I have been recommending this book to all of my patrons.

When my request was approved for this advanced copy, I was excited but also apprehensive. The author stated this was nothing like her other popular books, so I was afraid it would be a miss for me. Mexican Gothic is such a good book and I enjoyed it so much I was worried that this book may not be my style or would fall short. I'm happy to say that a good writer can write about anything and it be great and enjoyable read!!

This book gives me classic literature vibes, like Pride & Prejudice, and I was immediately consumed by this world she created. It also proves I'd read a grocery list if Moreno-Garcia wrote it. I loved the character Nina, despised the villain Valeria and enjoyed the story the author created.

***Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book!

This was a wonderful historical fiction romance with some magical elements, and I loved the mixture! With the feeling of an Austen novel, a bit of Bronte, and the zing that makes something a Moreno-Garcia novel, this was such an amazing mixture of genres. It all worked together to create a wonderful story that I couldn't put down!

I love a good sweeping dramatic romance and this book does not disappoint, especially when you add in a touch of magic in the form of telekinesis! Nina has long been persecuted for her abilities of telekinesis so when she meets Hector, who is revered for the same power she falls in love, with him, with how the world sees him, and maybe with who she sees herself as with him. But like all great love stories this one does not have a happy ending when betrayal and lies rear their ugly heads! This is a very different book from the others of hers that I have read but I loved it just as much!

I received this book from NetGalley. I requested it because I love how the author writes. I like how she doesn’t write for one genre. This one is a magic realism/romance. One allusionist meets another, and there is a love triangle and jealousy involved.

This is 100% a me problem and not in anyway the book's fault, but I just couldn't bring myself to be interested enough to read it.

I tried sitting down and forcing myself to read it a number of times, and while the setting, the writing, and the characters are all great and have a lot of potential, I just can't bring myself to care for it. I'm at roughly the 40% mark when I write this and despite numerous attempts to read more of this story, I can't seem to be able to enjoy it the way it's supposed to be.

Objectively speaking, this is a splendid book and maybe if I'd picked it some other time, I'd have fallen in love with it. But as it stands, I'm having a very hard time reading it, and so, I've decided to DNF it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Tor-Forge for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

Originally published in 2017, this is the love story of Hector and Nina. Except that their courtship may be over before it begins as Hector desires a reunion with Valerie, the wife of Nina's cousin, as she was the focus of his youthful desire.

This one was a slow burn storyline but it picked up in the second half. I didn't love it as much as Mexican Gothic which became my absolute favourite but I was satisfied with how it all ended.


Publication Date 27/04/21
Goodreads review 08/06/21

“The Beautiful Ones” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

**Free copy received from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“A creature made of earth and water cannot hope for divinity.”

Story: 17.5%
Silvia Moreno-Garcia tells a charming story about love, betrayal, and individualism centered around the lives of Loisail’s most notable socialites, “The Beautiful Ones,” and two outsiders just trying to fit in. Hector Auvray, a wealthy bachelor and this season’s most celebrated telekinetic performer, has returned to his country of birth in search of the woman he loves, Valérie Beaulieu. Despite her marriage, Hector has spent the past ten years pining, working to elevate himself in society to win her back. But before he can arrange their reunion, Nina Beaulieu, Valérie’s cousin by marriage, walks into Hector’s life, presenting him with new possibilities. A shameful scheme unfolds as Hector uses Nina to get close to Valérie, whose forced indifference only spurs him on. However, when Nina falls in love with Hector and is heartbroken by the truth, her absence from his life will make him question his heart’s genuine desire.

While the first part of this story had me on edge, constantly worried for Nina and despising Hector and Valérie, the second part had me hook, line, and sinker. As Hector and Nina found their way back to each other true love and affection begins to grow. However, Valérie turns into the ultimate villain concocting a scheme of her own to keep them apart. In the end, love will out, and this story gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.

Writing Style: 17%
There is a sense of the hauntingly beautiful woven into the writing of this story. The way Moreno-Garcia describes Hector’s love for Valérie as “vicious,” wanting to die without her carries the air of classic gothic romances like “Wuthering Heights.” There’s a dark and twisted nature to Valérie that bleeds into her surroundings. Yet, purity and light filter through in Nina, and her innocence cast The Beautiful Ones in their true and corrupt glow. Further, Moreno-Garcia does a commendable job of relating her characters to their environment, making them feel integrated, allowing them to blend or stand out as needed.

Characters: 19%
It follows that as the seasons change, so do the characters, growing or weathering as they adjust to new circumstances. With the Grand Season opening, Nina finds herself in the spring of her life but is apprehensive about her abilities and her possible suitors. Despite this, she is warm and open, a bit eccentric and incorrigible, but hungry for life. Nina posies a stark contrast to Hector and Valérie. Hector returns to France trapped in a dream of his and Valérie’s love, existing in a perpetual storm of emotions hidden behind a stoic facade. He comes to find that Valérie has encased herself in iron for protection, perpetuating the perfect image of The Beautiful Ones. Temperature and emotions peak as Valérie tries to forget the passion of her first and only summer with Hector. The characters go through a physical and emotional winter when Nina’s heart is shattered, and Hector comes to realize that the perfect love he’d build in his heart is ugly and grim. As they come back to spring, open love blooms between Nina and Hector as their characters grow together and Valérie’s eroded soul lashes out desperately.

Supporting Elements: 14%
“The Beautiful Ones” dabbles in historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, giving the reader an eclectic experience. Unfortunately, the fantasy aspect was lacking a bit in its foundation, with little support for the telekinetic abilities Hector and Nina exhibit. The only explanation given for the “talents,” those who possessed strange skills, is that science was beginning to unravel their mysteries. While historical fiction lines the story’s background, the romance takes the forefront and plays strongly throughout. Likewise, the nature of outer and inner beauty is prevalent in the characters and storyline. Hector and Nina’s talent seems symbolic of their individualism and sets them apart from The Beautiful Ones. Despite their best efforts to conform to society’s expectations, love and self-acceptance allow them to display their true beauty.

Expectations:17%
This book was a bit of a cover read for me. The stunning design drew me in and led me to request a digital copy. Thankfully, I have no regrets. Although the strange talents caught me off guard at first, I enjoyed this novel. I despised how Hector and Valérie deceive Nina, but I was pleased that the truth eventually came out and Hector and Nina could reconcile. Hector’s character transformation and vulnerability as he falls in love with Nina melted my heart. Additionally, I appreciated the ending even more with Valérie getting her just rewards.


Total Rating: 84.5% / 100%

the beautiful ones was my first silvia moreno-garcia novel, but it definitely won’t be my last. it feels like a period drama in the best way possible: full of drama, scandal, and romance. the writing is so lyrical—almost delicate—and the combination of telekinesis and high society was unexpectedly delightful.

nina is a young telekinetic sent to live with her cousin and his wife for the grand season. poorly suited to the high society life of loisail’s elite, the “beautiful ones,” she bonds quickly with fellow outsider and telekinetic hector. hector is a self-made performer returning to loisail after ten years, still obsessed with the woman who broke his heart a decade ago. at first he sees nina as a means to an end, while she, unaware of his past, falls for him. when his secret comes to light, he is finally forced to confront the consequences of his actions and the hypocrisies of the rigid society he fought to belong to.

i love how character-driven this novel is: the main characters are each their own worst enemy at times. even at their most frustrating, they’re all fascinating characters acting within the confines of a society that demands conformity.

one aspect i didn’t understand was the decision to set the novel in a fantasy world only to do relatively little world building. i think this could just as easily have been historical fantasy—then i wouldn’t have spent chunks of the novel wondering about the geography and politics of this fantasy world.

Overall, I felt kinda meh about this book. Not necessarily bad, but not particularly memorable either. Giving it 2.5/5 Stars.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia further proves her versatility with this novel, her signature lush prose and multi-faceted characters shining through. With every novel of hers that I read, I'm awed by her talent of weaving intricate stories and crafting characters. Although the pacing of The Beautiful Ones felt somewhat slow to me, the character arcs were what really captivated me. Each of the major players in the story are realistically flawed and richly layered. Even Valérie, the antagonist of the novel, drew my empathy because of the weight of the familial pressures and duty she carried.

I loved the development of Nina's friendship with and budding love for Hector. Even without the romance, this was of my favorite relationships and overall aspects of the book. I especially enjoyed Hector's character development from realizing that he was in love with an idealized version of Valérie and perhaps projecting his aspirations into that relationship. Many of the obstacles faced by the characters in book are internal ones, where they end up creating a barrier for themselves in some way. I also loved the growth of Nina's character, and the fact that she maintained so much of individuality and independence despite all the outside influence and disapproval. Moreno-Garcia is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers after Gods of Jade and Shadow, Mexican Gothic, and now The Beautiful Ones. I look forward to reading all her future works! Huge thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for granting me this ARC.

The Beautiful Ones is out of my comfort zone, but after reading Mexican Gothic, I knew I would read anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia published.

Antonina Beaulieu is nineteen years old, and is joining her cousin Gaétan and his wife Valérie in the city for her first Grand Season among the Beautiful Ones. Valérie, a jaded woman who cares about status more than love, is in charge of giving Nina the knowledge she needs to attract a man and soon be married.

The Beautiful Ones is an extremely slow burn. I had trouble with the first 3/4 of the book, because, while it was written beautifully, not much actually happened. As someone who cares very little for status, money, or my family name, it was hard for me to put myself in the story and care. I did relate well to Nina, who just wants to live her life.

There’s a subplot about Nina and the love interest, Hector Auvray, and their psychokinetic powers. This was advertised as part of the fantasy/magical realism part of the story, and I feel it was barely sprinkled in. For being part of the synopsis, I was expecting so much more.

Overall, I give this book three stars. I’m not disappointed, I knew what I was getting into, but I do wish there was more of the fantasy element. It was beautifully written, and I do still plan to read everything she’s written.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and the author for this advanced review copy!

I finally finished up this beautiful novel from one of my new favorite writers! The Beautiful Ones showcases the extreme talent of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing. By telling the story of socialites Hector, Nina, and Valerie, we are dazzled into a world of mind games through manners and telekinetic powers. This book felt to me like a Jane Austen Novel meets the kookiness of the Addams Family purely in whimsy.

The romance plot line is a very soft, gentle slow burn and for me as a reader, I enjoyed the games between breaking secret engagements, pretend dating, and finding love all over again. I think the ending is well worth the wait but the pacing almost made me uninterested by the time I reached the conclusion to Hector, Valerie, and Nina's ends.

I think if you have only read Mexican Gothic, you should be aware that this novel is very different but for a light, fluffy read this book is perfect!!!

Part historical romance and part light magical realism, Moreno-Garcia’s newest story follows Antonina and the highly prestigious socialites of Losail set during the Grand Season. Antonina has come to stay with her cousin in hopes of finding a husband during her first Grand Season when she sets her eyes on a performer who is able to perform telekinesis just as she can. A perfect match! Except for one thing...and neither Nina’s new love interest nor her cousin-in-law want to allow her to discover the truth.

I liked this more than Mexican Gothic if I am being honest, and that may have a lot to do with the romance and intrigue as well as the historical setting since I am just coming off of the Bridgerton hype. Sadly, even though I found this entertaining when I was reading it, I never particularly looked forward to picking up the story and I am already starting to forget bits and pieces, so there isn’t anything monumentally memorable about the plot for me.

Several years ago, I fell in love with Pride and Prejudice. Most recently, I fell in love with Bridgerton. This weekend, I had the pleasure of falling for The Beautiful Ones. Gorgeous gowns, lavish parties, dramatic romance and a quirky heroine that I’d just love to befriend; all three of these stories fit the bill and I quite confidently recommend The Beautiful Ones to anyone who enjoys these other two.

This is the second book from Silvia Moreno-Garcia that I have the pleasure of reading, and while I truly enjoyed Mexican Gothic, this one was my favourite. It’s a dramatic tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat with a whirlwind of betrayal and manipulative actions that would have kept Lady Whistledown quite occupied (okay, enough Bridgerton references for one post!) This is a romance novel (dare I call it a love triangle if it’s much more complex than that?) at its core and there’s plenty of angst and pining, and it’s just a good old-fashioned, slow-burn love story.

The strength of this book is definitely the characters, however. It’s more character-driven than plot-driven like Mexican Gothic was, but I adored it. The three point of views (Nina’s, Hector’s and Valérie’s) were excellent; all characters were very well developed and I loved all three for wildly different reasons. I loved Nina’s youthful energy and Hector’s internal struggles, but Valérie was just such a gorgeous antagonist that I think she was my favourite.

I am hoping more and more to see Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books on the big screen, someday. I would most definitely see this one as a popular film; although reading this novel already treated me to a film in my own mind, sort of - thanks to the beautifully written prose.

I’d like to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#thebeautifulones
#netgalley

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a gorgeous novel! The cover is gorgeous and I loved the story!

While fantasy and romance aren't typically my normal genres, I wanted to read The Beautiful Ones after loving Moreno-Garcia's last book. This wasn't enough to change my opinion on the genre, but I think readers of the genres will really love this one! Very charming and enjoyable.