This was a wonderful, well paced, slightly paranormal romance. It’s so well written that I could feel myself being pulled into and through the story as all the problems and schemes kept the couple apart.
The beautiful ones in the title refers to the nobles and high society, old names, old wealth and all the gossip, intrigue and constraints that follow from that especially when it comes to women’s behaviour.
The main characters in the story are the beautiful Valerie (old family name, no money), who once loved Hector, a performer (in this world some people have “talents”, his is telekinesis and he puts on shows like a magician). Pushed by her family Valerie married Gaetan (name and wealth), Hector ten years later has become successful and decides to court Gaetan’s young cousin Nina to spite Valerie. Nina also has a telekinetic ability but it’s poorly controlled, so accidents happen when she’s angry. That’s the setup and I really enjoyed it particularly as Valerie became more unhinged once it was obvious Nina loved Hector .
I liked this more than Mexican Gothic! An excellent read

I've previously read two other books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and all differ so much from the other. The Beautiful Ones is an interesting character driven romance with a flair for the theatrical.

On the surface The Beautiful Ones is a love triangle between three people. Hector returns to Losail where he meets young Nina. He is entertained by her but when he learns she is family to his first and only love from 10 years ago, he feels a desperate need to inject himself into their lives. You can only imagine how that is going to turn out.

But on a deeper end this is more a character study of three different characters in this triangle. What moves them, how they interupt things, what makes them do what they do. Who are they in their core and how does that match with the bond they have with the other. And the shifts those reflections bring. Nina is such a likeable young girl who just dreams of a love. You can't help but like her. Hector is jaded and at the start I wanted to smack him. But as we get to know him and his story I warmed up to him considerably. And Valerie who I intitially understood but became such a vengeful spirit.

And yes this is a bit of theatrical and melodramatic story but it fits very well with the period of Belle Opoque. The time of the grand season, grand balls and the grand gestures. If the story had been more subdued, it would not have sparkled out such a captivating story that in the end falls into place.

Antonina Beaulieu is not like other girls. She prefers beetles to jewellery and has a habit of accidentally moving things with her mind when her emotions run high. Her aunt, Valerie, tasked with introducing her into high society, despairs. If only Nina would marry someone rich and noble quickly so that she could be somebody else’s problem, but Nina wants a romantic whirlwind love and her doting uncle is more than happy to indulge her whims.

Telekinetic performer Hector Auvray has spent the last ten years making a name for himself, and a fortune, in a desperate attempt to win back Valerie Beaulieu. They were engaged once, in their rash youth, but he left to make the money they would need for their life together and she did not wait as she said she would. Instead she married a wealthy man who would not disgrace her prideful family name. Now Hecor is back and the charming Antonina provides an alluring path back to Valerie’s side. But will Nina and Hector’s friendship serve its purpose or will it be a dangerous distraction that risks ruining them all?

The setting of this book is very cleverly done. There are just enough hints of Regency Britain to give the reader a feel for the type of society that the characters live in, but with a fantasy edge that bends the rules and gives the scenery a unique angle. The idea of telekinetic magic being a crude talent meant only for the lower classes and rich men who are not open to criticism, even though it is clearly a genetic trait that could not be avoided, fit perfectly into the strong patriarchal and hierarchal setting. Hector serves as a fascinating rare bridge across this divide, his fame and money making him a novelty, although it is clear that his friendship with nobleman Etienne invites him into higher circles than he could have achieved on his own.

It is this contradiction in Hector’s character, even more than his tumultuous heart, which makes his character so likeable. Even when he is using Antonina as a gateway to Valerie he is careful to treat her with genuine kindness and is the only person that does not judge her for her rough around the edges manners or for using her telekinetic talents. It is easy to see why Nina forms a connection with him so easily. As for his own feelings, Nina is portrayed as a very real person who does not hide behind the manners and rules of high society. I think that she provides a breath of fresh air for Hector, and indeed for all who enter her life. She makes the world alive in a way that stuffy ballrooms and cocktail parties cannot. In contrast Valerie is portrayed as a very bitter woman who has been let down by the world around her and, in turn, would love nothing more than to watch others burn.

It is the chemistry between these three characters that makes this book such a page turner. Their pasts, present, and future possibilities entwine in a soap opera worthy saga that has all the romance and danger that the naïve Antonina originally thought she wanted.

I received a NetGalley copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so glad I got to read this early, the pages flew by and I’ll be gifting it to more than one friend in the future - and that’s all down to the prose style I think. It’s a romance with a few twists and turns but believable characters and consequences laid out beautifully. Period romance with an almost Great Gatsby society flavour (although it may be earlier! The Beautiful Ones do remind me of the careless people and old money) in a world where telekinesis exists but doesn’t dominate a story that is told well and enjoyably (with a heroine you wouldn’t hate meeting or inviting to dinner).

In all honesty, I don’t think it’s possible for Silvia Moreno Garcia to write a bad book. I’ve read four of hers now, and each and every one of them has been brilliant. What gets me most is the way she’s consistently brilliant across genres, and nowhere is that clearer to me (so far at least) then The Beautiful Ones.

The book follows Hector and Nina, two individuals who have the power of telekinesis. Nina has lived in the country for her entire life, but is brought into the city, to join among the socialites, by her cousin and his wife. Hector just so happens to be the jilted lover of said wife, and he takes the opportunity of Nina’s desire to know more about her powers to get close to Valerie again.

I don’t quite know how to put into words just how much I loved this book. It’s like, historical-esque fantasy romance and basically the confluence of everything I love. And Silvia Moreno Garcia so skillfully brings this world to life. Like with all her other books, the setting is atmospheric and you might almost believe that you’re there with the characters. I think that’s what I love most about her books — no matter what genre she’s writing, the worldbuilding is going to be immaculate.

On top of that here, you had Nina and Hector and their romance. Okay, so the age gap got me a little, so I decided to pretend it didn’t exist. Other than that, I loved them so much. It just hit every right note for me, with the angst and the second chances, and Hector finally learning to live in the present and not the past. Just thinking about all of it makes me want to reread (which is basically the best sign).

If I had to be picky about anything, it’s that Valerie is a bit two-dimensional as a villain, I suppose? Not that I minded, per se, but at times I wanted to feel a bit of sympathy for her, and just couldn’t. I know, it’s a weird position to find myself in, but that’s how it was. I wanted her to maybe show a tiny crack of kindness among everything, and there just wasn’t. That being said, this really is just a picky thing. It didn’t change how much I loved the book.

So, if you’re wondering whether to try one of Silvia Moreno Garcia’s books, let this be a sign that yes, yes, you need to.

I have previously read Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic (I gave that a 4 star rating) and Gods of Jade and Shadow (5 stars, really loved it, beautifully written & I highly recommend). When I saw The Beautiful Ones I knew that I wanted to read it, so I decided to request it, and I was fortunate enough to be accepted for an e-ARC!

The Beautiful Ones is a multiple-perspective novel, following the entangled lives of Antonia (Nina), Hector and Valerie. Nina heads to Loisail for the Grand Season, where she attempts to make her debut in to the notable societies . . . but it is an utter disaster.

I'm not quite sure what I expected going in to this novel other than to like it, which I did. Moreno-Garcia is a master of genre. Each of her novels - at least of the ones I have read - have felt distinctly different in tone, but all hold that magnetic, descriptive writing of hers. These are not genres I particularly set out to read (I am for of a fantasy or contemporary romance person) so it means even more to me that they have been able to hold my attention and have me enjoy them. I did find this a little slow, but I do not think that is reflective wholly of the writing style as much as it is my personal preferences for pace and genre (seeing as each genre can have it's own set of 'rules').

What Moreno-Garcia delivered to me was a delightful mix of complicated, nuanced characters. I even sat back to myself at one point and thought wow, this would be great to write a literature essay on. There is so much to analyse and explore & there is so much to examine re literary techniques.

Also Moreno-Garcia prompted a lot of feeling from me . . . mostly anger! How I detest Valerie! What a horrible - yet interesting - character she is. I was constantly screaming at her for how vindictive and jealous she was, yet her character ARC and her juxtaposition to Nina was brilliant.

Hector made me want to yell. I really enjoyed his character growth, from his obsession with Valerie and how he grew to see the truth of what she was and what he had done.

I loved Nina and wanted to yell at everyone to leave her alone. She was very naive & innocent, and went on a great journey herself. Again, her storyline was a contrast to Valerie, and it was interesting to watch that play out & see Nina finally make decisions for herself.

I really enjoyed the fantastical element of having a talent, I thought it was really interesting and I loved the scenes where Hector was helping Nina learn how to control her talent. I think there was a perfect balance of the more supernatural element and the 'normal' that it made it feel naturalistic and authentic to the characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I did sometimes struggle with the setting, I think there could have been a bit more description, rather than the heavy reliance on describing the social expectations to set the scene, and I think the book could have moved a bit quicker in some places.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus/Jo Fletcher Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book that I have read from Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I really enjoyed it! It is reminiscent of Jane Austen with it being a historical romance which was great to read.

I loved the characters and I really especially Nina and Hector. The arc between these two was beautiful and kept me glued to the pages.

I loved the detail the Moreno-Garcia went into and felt like I was there with Nina and Hector. I cant wait to go and read more of her books!

This was a highly enjoyable read, my first book by this author and it will definitely not be the last.

This is ahistorical romance set in an imaginary world inspired by the Belle Epoque, with a touch of magic. I found it to be richly drawn and engaging. The plot was intriguing with some twists and turns that I didn't expect. The romance itself is a slow burn, some ambiguity in the starts, a love triangle of sorts that got we worried that it will not be my kind book but I am very happy with the way this triangle unfolded and the direction the romance took.
I loved being Nina's head, a young woman, somewhat naive, somewhat shy and nerdy. We see her trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life as most young people do. There mistakes made, wrong turns taken which to lessons learned. The process of her getting her agency, making her own choices was fascinating to observe.

Hector was an interesting hero in his own and even more so in his romantic relationships. It's a journey of figuring out himself as well. Initial he was certain who he was and what he wanted only to gradually discover things are not quite like that. I appreciate that he didn't fall head over heels in love with the heroine the first time he saw her. It was slow process, some initial irritation, dismissal even, only to grow really close to her and get to appreciate what she brings into his life.

Friendship and support, total acceptance of the other as they are, these are the foundations of their romance and I loved seeing it.

I also appreciate how the multidimensional the main villain was, she not a cardboard evil mastermind, but a real full-blooded person with their own dreams and fears and anger and hate. Yes, she is cruel and ruthless but we see her motivations, we see how she got the be the way she was and I liked that a lot.

I also loved the meta aspect of how reading romances has shaped Nina's expectations of men and love. It gave some levity to the story and created these heart-warming moments of fun and sweetness.

An important aspect of the story is the topic of forgiveness, asking for it and granting. It's a cure all, it's complex, it requires continuous efforts on both sides.

The story also gives some commentary on family relations, how different they can be - 100% supporting and caring (even if misguided sometimes) or totally destructive and suffocating.

Overall, I found this to be a charming romance, compelling and deftly written.

I will read anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes and I adore her strong, independent and multi-layered female characters.
This book is very bridgertonesque without the steam but with some magical elements instead.
The dynamic between our main characters is interesting and everyones motif in the story makes sense.
Not my all-time favorite book of hers, but a page turner nonetheless.

Pick this up if you enjoy victorian era romance-fiction with a pinch of magic.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. I didn't expect to at all, since the writing style is unexpected and at first turned me off, but the story kept dragging me back in.

The story itself is simple - the upper class, former lovers, rejection, new love, jealousy, destruction. It reminds me of something by Henry James or Edith Wharton, full of drama and passion and also restrained. At the same time, the writing style is reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway. It is clipped and to the point and dry, even emotionless. Yet still the story burns with passion and jealousy. I don't understand how Silvia Moreno-Garcica wrought such magic, but I loved every moment I spent reading it.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for providing an e-arc for review.

This is the type of book that will appeal to younger readers. It does come across as one of Moreno-Garcia's earlier works (the prose feels very green). The Plain Jane main character is also a tad clichéd.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jo Fletcher Books and Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest review.

‘The Beautiful Ones’ is an intriguing read set in a fantasy post-industrial, fin de siécle France. It is very different in many ways to Mexican Gothic which is the first book that I read by Moreno-Garcia. ‘The Beautiful Ones‘ is a historical romance closer in tone to ‘Gods of Jade and Shadow’. Moreno-Garcia creates a slow-paced but beautifully written novel full of complex characters and relationships. The story focuses on a sort of love triangle between the three main characters, Valérie, her husband’s cousin, Nina, and the entertainer Hector Auvray. This is a story about betrayal, lies and deceit, greed and obsession which the author weaves into a fascinating examination of one of the age-old ideas about beauty. Is beauty only skin-deep?

Not only is there a strong focus on romance within this novel, but there are a number of strong themes which weave into the story of the protagonists, giving a commentary on not only the fantastical society in which this novel is set, as well as our own society and its history. The idea of women as possessions and the prize of men is very evident in this novel, as Valérie struggles with a lack of power throughout, turning her into a hateful, vicious person not only towards her former lover Hector, but also to her own family and flesh and blood. Societal expectations are explored beautifully by the author also, the idea that a woman cannot hold power, in terms of both autonomy and financial security and in the case of Nina, tangible power in the shape of psychokinetic abilities. The subjugation of the female characters is a fascinating element in this novel. The contrasts between rich and poor, city and rural life are facets which resonate with us in the ‘real’ world, again beautifully handled by Moreno-Garcia and developed through the opinions and actions of the characters within the book.

The author’s ability to construct and to develop narrative is exquisite. Moreno-Garcia’s versatility in terms of the plots and characters she creates in each of her novels is compelling. In a similar manner to Mexican Gothic, we can visualise the costumes, settings and the decadence of the world the characters live in due to the rich detail included by the author.

Intriguing characters, a fantastical world of decadence, supernatural powers and the exploration of whether beauty on the outside really equates to inner beauty, this novel will leave you with a few ideas to ponder about.

I always enjoy Silvia Moreno-Garcia's ideas, how the unusual premises of her books mean they straddle genres. This is another such example, paring a late 19th/early 20th century type setting with paranormal powers.
Having said that, I enjoyed this story less than GoJaS and Mexican Gothic, but I think that was purely because the fantasy element was much lighter than in her other works, and I feel that fantasy is where her writing and storytelling shines. (I also did not request this book, but as I was offered the chance to review it I decided I would.)
The language style used in this novel felt authentic for the setting, apart from one or two phrases I felt slipped through the editing net, but overall it flowed well and was a breezy read.
I can appreciate that if I had enjoyed the balance of reality versus fantasy a little more, I would have had a better reading experience, but for me personally, I would have preferred more of the paranormal aspect incorporated into the story. The use of it towards the end was predictable but satisfying, and I think just a few more instances of it sprinkled throughout would have made a big difference. I can understand that the intention wasn't to give the telekinesis the spotlight, and to subtly build up to it being useful in a certain scenario, but I was hoping for it to be used a little more.
Nothing stood out in a negative way in this book, I just don't think it was the right balance for me personally. It's not a book that's trying to be anything other than what it is, which I respect, but I will definitely recommend it for people who enjoy drama/soap opera/romance with a twist, rather than fantasy fans.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me an Earc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve long been a fan of historical fantasy books, but finding this historical magical realism book was honestly delightful.

Set against the back drop of Antonina, Nina’s first two Grand Seasons. We follow our plucky, young protagonist as she struggles to fit into a society that dismisses her for her country upbringing, oh and her telekinetic powers.

Nina soon falls in love with the famous magician Hector Auvray. But Hector is still hung up on Nina’s cousin Valérie. And is only courting Nina to get close to Valérie once again.

Filled with magic, one of the most villainous characters I’ve read in a long time, and the crushing wait of society. The Beautiful Ones is the perfect thing to pick up to fill that Bridgerton hole.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful writing. A wonderful exploration of the influence of gender, true beauty, regret and viciousness, and the enduring magic of love. Each character is well fleshed out and purposeful, and you can't help but truly see where each one is coming from. I adore Hector and Nina, and their slow, stumbling journey toward one another. I also especially love Valérie, who is one of the most delicious love-to-hate-her villains I've ever read about!

'The Beautiful Ones’ is very much a novel of manners – one sprinkled with fantasy elements, but far heavier on the romance. Like all of Moreno-Garcia’s books it’s beautifully written, but there’s an element of detachment from the characters that prevents it being a fully immersive experience.

Antonina Beaulieu, known as Nina, has travelled to the city for the season – and the opportunity to join the city’s elite, The Beautiful Ones, thanks to her well-connected cousin and his scheming wife Valerie. However, her debut has not gone to plan. A country girl at heart, she lacks the decorum expected by high society – not to mention, she keeps losing control of her telepathy, a flaw which has earned her the nickname The Witch of Oldhouse. Enter the famed telekinetic entertainer Hector Auvray. Nina is dazzled by his skill, and Hector intrigued by her innate ability. However, its not only Nina’s telekinesis that draws him to her – and as Nina falls in deeper, Hector’s secrets threaten to tear them apart forever.

Nina is undoubtedly the highlight of the book. Forthright and naive, Nina is entirely out of place in a society run on unspoken rules and appearances, but she’s determined to have a good time anyway. A keen naturalist, Nina cares more about beetles than she does about securing an appropriate husband, and while she frustrates everyone around her she’s a delight to read about. While she might seem innocent and childlike, Nina is also an intelligent woman, and she picks up on more than those around her believe. Really, Nina is too good for any of the other characters, but in this sort of novel you always know how it’s going to end.

Hector Auvray initially comes across as very unlikeable, but as the story unfolds, he starts to evoke more sympathy. Hector is a performer, very different to the high class Beautiful Ones, and he’s worked hard to get to his station in society. However, he’s also become so adept at hiding behind a mask to fit in that he’s forgotten who he is without it. Hector makes a lot of mistakes, and Nina deserves better, but he isn’t a bad man.

Valerie, on the other hand, is on the dark side of morally grey. Consummately selfish, she’s been forced into a situation that she hates and regrets with every fibre of her being – and she reacts by tearing down everyone around her. Valerie’s situation, simultaneously the height of privilege and a tottering precipice, is a reminder of how difficult society used to be for women – even the wealthy ones.

The plot is predictable, following the well-trodden tracks of regency-type romances since the days of Austen. That doesn’t make the twists any less powerful when they inevitably come, Moreno-Garcia’s writing beautifully evoking tension and feeling. However, she also chooses to write her characters in a very Austen style, maintaining a degree of propriety and distance from them. This will likely appeal to stalwart fans of the regency romance genre, but personally I prefer to feel closer to characters, and this posed a barrier to becoming fully invested in the story.

The fantasy elements are well-woven, fitting the story without playing a large role in it. However, their absence wouldn’t greatly affect the plot or feel. This is definitely a romance novel that happens to feature fantasy rather than anything else.

Overall, ‘The Beautiful Ones’ is a well-written novel of manners that will appeal to fans of classic romance, Bridgerton, and fantasy-lite. For Moreno-Garcia’s fans, it’s very different to her previous work, but still a worthwhile read.

I am always reluctant to read a story in which a fantastical element seems a little incongruous to the general plot. In essence, this is a romance novel set in a Pride and Prejudice-esque society but with a slight twist that includes telekinesis. It is this factor that I was a little apprehensive about going in. Straight away, you are thrown into a society of balls and riches which screams Austen and I loved those elements of this book. The society is similar to that of old romance novels with scandal and secrecy at the centre; reputation is everything. You also have a hierarchal system here of the elite which are made up of the Beautiful whereas the people who work and have talents are inferior. I enjoyed the commentary here that people can be beautiful and talented, with Nina representing both parties in this way. However, I would have liked to have seen more down here as Nina was treated as very special and unique in this way and more could have been done to highlight how commonplace this could be. That being said, the hierarchy of society is well developed and I loved how Moreno-Garcia managed to explore the pressures of people to fit their brand of society, even if their heart is elsewhere.

That leads us nicely on to discuss the characters within this book. It is worth noting that this is undoubtedly a character driven novel with alternative point of views from Vivian, Hector and Nina - all told through the third person. If you're looking for a book with a very loud plot then this may not be for you as it is not the focus of the book at all, even the romance itself is quite quiet and I wasn't sure where it was going to go for a good portion of the book which is unusual for this genre. Vivian and Hector both begin this book as horrible characters to be honest with very poor intentions and I was skeptical to how Moreno-Garcia was going to turn it around and make me happy with any ending, no matter who they ended up with. Because of that, the characters become much more complex. Vivian is your somewhat typical woman who has been forced into a certain role in society and now lives in bitter regret. She is strong and places her beauty and position in society above all else. Throughout, you develop a clearer understanding of her character and why she acts the way that she does. It was interesting to see how this played out on the page and watch this woman unravel. Similarly, you have Hector who is also struggling with the place he was borne into but in this case the lower class. One of the major talents of this writer is how you change your opinions on characters without even realising it is happening and suddenly, you're convinced. It happened and I didn't even realise until I made it to the end. In some ways Nina might seem you typical going-against-the-family character but, I admired her strength and her willingness to be her own person and not be afraid of who she is.

It is impossible to go any further in this review without commenting on Silvia Moreno Garcia's writing style. Phenomenal. I have heard that she had an amazing style but, I was still blown away by this. To say it is such a quiet plot, I still found myself engaged and wanting to continue reading thanks to the writing. It was lyrical and beautiful without straying too far into whimsical and becoming unrealistic. I just think it matched the setting perfectly giving it this old-fashioned feel but with a modern twist. It is just so fluid and flows so unbelievably well that you get swept away by it and before you know it, you've reached the end.

The fantasy elements surprisingly, didn't bother me at all. They are subtle but used well throughout the plot. They don't take over and turn this into an overly fantastical setting but simple coincide with the world which I think is the perfect way to include them. You could take the telekinesis away and this would still be an excellent romance novel but, it just adds that extra layer to the world building and the disparity between the characters. I thought the ending was great. It was melodramatic and reminded me a lot of Bridgerton. It was crazy but in a good way. I don't have much to complain about with this book at all.

Having been a fan of Silvia's other works I was expecting the same atmosphere, but I found the opening chapters to be a struggle to get through with this. I blame my own expectations, not the author--but chatter about things I wasn't interested in seemed to set the tone for the rest of the novel.
Silvia remains one of my favourite authors, I just think this wasn't one that resonated with me as strong.

“We say many things when we are young. Eventually, we grow wiser.” #TheBeautifulOnes #SilviaMorenoGarcia #JoFletcherBooks #QuercusBooks

Genre: #Romance

Rating: 3,75 (rounded up)

This book is very different from the other two books ( #MexicanGothic and #GodsOfJadeAndShadow ) that I’ve read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Those, who are already familiar with this author, know that her books have rather dark, authentically Mexican atmosphere. This book has nothing from all that. It’s pure romance book, with similar problems like world known “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. Main character really reminded me of Jane by the way.

Story is taking us back to Belle Epoque, beautiful dresses, aristocrat parties, social judgments, drama. I undeniably loved all the descriptions of places, dresses, jewelry, architecture. Author has managed to create true feeling of that epoque. Main character Antonina is a young lady, with a special ability of moving objects without touching them. She is viewed as a disaster to the Modern society of the Beautiful Ones. She doesn't follow the canons of behavior and always is the topic for discussion. An outcast of some sort.

She meets a travelling artist Hector, who is telekinetic too... They have so much in common, but Hectors visit to the city is not an accident, he is here to find someone. Is it worth looking for the people from the past? What is Antoninas role in this search?

It’s a bitter-sweet love story, with intrigues, duels, gossips, betrayals and friendship. It’s had to remain yourself in society that demands so much of you. Where each step is looked at, where your life is planned for you.

There were some things I didn’t really get in this book though. Whole telekinesis felt rather pointless, didn’t seem much to happen with it. I wanted to know more about the Beautiful ones, but all that is explained they are simply the people of the higher status and class.

Overall, it’s a great book for the romantic lovers. And it’s worth reading just because of the atmosphere that it gives. :)

This review will go live at the link below on 27 April:

Hi and welcome to my review of The Beautiful Ones!

I was sent a NetGalley widget for The Beautiful Ones and frankly, I had to think about accepting it. I loved Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic last year, so my gut instinct was to click first and ask questions later, but I’m learning to fight such bookish gut instincts, to do some groundwork first, to prevent myself from getting burned. And I found the author saying that if you only know her from Mexican Gothic, beware because The Beautiful Ones is a completely different story, a whole other genre. In the end my curiosity still got the better of me, and I decided to take the plunge. My rating gave it away: I’m really happy that I clicked on that widget!

From the very first line, The Beautiful Ones had me hook, line and sinker. I loved Nina, the female protagonist. The Beautiful Ones is a novel of manners first and foremost, and Nina is the lady who’s just a tad unladylike and not at all dainty enough. The one who speaks her mind instead of smiling politely and batting her eyelashes at gentlemen. The one who questions what might be the sense of taking a carriage to a park to walk in said park, instead of just walking to the park in the first place.

Nina is staying with her cousin and his wife Valérie, her introduction to Loisail’s high society, the so-called Beautiful Ones. When she meets Henry she’s immediately attracted to him but he is actually still smitten with Valérie, with whom he shares a past Nina knows nothing about. What ensues is a beautiful story about love and revenge, innocence and bitterness, that winds its way to highly suspenseful finale.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call The Beautiful Ones fantasy, not at all, but it does have a fantasy element in the form of the telekinesis both Nina and Hector are skilled at, the former having been called a witch because of it, the latter having made a profession out of it. One might think a novel of manners and fantasy hardly fit together, but somehow in this here novel they come together wonderfully without ever clashing in the slightest. The Beautiful Ones offers the comfort of a classic story while simultaneously presenting its reader with something brand new.

The Beautiful Ones is a character-driven slow-burner. I was rapidly sucked into the story and although this is not a genre I frequent, I never felt bored and I never found my mind wandering. The Beautiful Ones grabbed my attention and kept it throughout, and I’m sure that was thanks to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s excellent writing and even more thanks to the characters: Nina, whom I was rooting for from the start, and Valérie whom I hated with a vengeance. It’s been quite a while since I hated a character as much as I hated her, on numerous occasions I could have happily strangled her with her own bloody pearls!

I had an absolutely fantastic time with The Beautiful Ones and I would readily recommend it to readers who enjoy novels of manners and/or romance with a bit of magic.

The Beautiful Ones is out today in all formats!

Huge thanks to Ella Patel and Jo Fletcher Books for the widget! All opinions are still my own.