The Beautiful has to be one of the most talked about books! I was quite intrigued by the book cover and premise that I had to pick it up! It is a dark and sultry romance with murder, mystery and thrills all thrown into the mix! 

At first, it took some time to get into the book and understand the context and setting. We are introduced to Celine, our main protagonist, a very strong-willed woman who keeps her own council and is not afraid to speak up. At first we see her struggling to conform to the rules of the convent where she has been taken in in New Orleans, having fled from Paris. However, she catches the eye of first Odette and then Sèbastien Saint Germain, all part of a group simply known as Le Cour des Lions. Little does she know that she has stepped into a completely different world, shrouded in darkness and surrounded by the dead, quite literally!

A very well written tale, the setting of New Orleans is very well described, especially the streets and nightlife. The characters are intriguing and well developed. At times, I must admit to getting a little annoyed with Celine, but it was not enough to pull me away from the book. As we are introduced to the creatures of the underworld and Celine starts to discover the existence of the paranormal, a series of murders leads to questions of motive and who the real target is. Not to be left out, Celine tries to conduct her own investigation having the feeling that she is indeed a target.

The developing romance between Celine and Sèbastien is both natural and forbidden and is interesting to see develop. The courtship (a suitable word for the time in which the story is set) is not without it's problems and when murder and mayhem are thrown into the mix, we have all the ingredients for an entertaining story! The story is a roller-coaster of a ride as we navigate the sub-plots and various supporting characters who add such flavor to the story!

Though there were some ups and downs with the story, it is definitely worth the read!

I was only able to sample the beginning of the book, but I can tell you that the author pings all the right things about historical new Orleans. And yes, NOLA, is home to an infinite number of vampire tales, but this one appears to be a bit different, as it easily mixes in actual NOLA history, and then adds a plucky heroine who is out to solve a murder mystery, not to experience the after life! It has the makings of a real page turner, and like you, I'll be looking forward to reading the whole book!

*This review is for the SAMPLER of The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh*

I have to say, I'm not the biggest fan of vampire fiction, but this one is intriguing. The blend of New Orleans historical fiction and vampire supernatural drew me in, and I'd definitely be interested in checking out the whole book to see where Celine's story leads.

The parts I got to read were really good and I hope to have the time when it comes out to finish this book.

I have some mixed feelings about this one, although they are mostly positive. The setting is a gorgeous historical, dark, and fantasy-filled New Orleans. It was so decadent and dark and beautifully described. I really enjoyed everything about it. For how little the actual vampirism showed up (more on that in a second), The Beautiful gave off some very creepy, Halloween-y vibes. I also loved the sprinklings of French from Parisian Celine and multilingual Bastien. The mesh of different cultures is definitely part of the appeal of The Beautiful for me. Celine and Bastien are both diverse characters (and there are many more besides them).

However, if you are interested in The Beautiful as a vampire romance, be warned. This book was more of a historical paranormal mystery than anything else. The vampires were not really the focus (at least, not until the end). Honestly, I don’t think the romance was the focus either, although it did become more important as the story progressed. I think there were some interesting fantasy ideas presented, but they weren’t really expounded on. I’m hoping The Damned (which I haven’t yet read) will give more fantasy development while still keeping the creepy mystery vibes.

Even though I didn’t feel the romance was the main point of the story, there was plenty of it included. Honestly, this was my main point of disappointment with The Beautiful. Celine and Bastien don’t even have their first conversation until well into the book, but by the end, they are every obsessed, frantically in love couple ever. At least, I am supposed to believe that based on how it ended (no spoilers). The whole development of their love story was a little unbelievable for me. They clearly have chemistry and their conversations are full of sparks, but they spend most of the book being very hot and cold (especially Bastien). Then they are suddenly crazy about each other at the end? I just didn’t really get it, personally. I appreciated that they had an immediate connection, but their strong emotional bond felt kind of sudden to me.

I was also a little confused about Celine herself. Overall, she is a heroine you can route for. She is definitely brave and she knows her own mind. She is also a character who stands up for herself, except when it comes to certain instances with Bastien and his group. They treated you badly! They are not good people! Why do you still want to be their friend? Because you like Bastien? It felt inconsistent with her character at times, and I think that is the reason I couldn’t fully connect with her. I liked her overall, but the idea of who she is supposed to be is better than who she actually was, if that makes sense.

[DISCLAIMER: This review is for the chapter sampler I was provided with, and does not cover the entirety of the novel.]

I always used to say that vampires are something that belong to 2012-YA, and should stay there. I'm pleased to say, however, that THE BEAUTIFUL seems to be the vampire book that will change my opinion. Renee Ahdieh's writing, as always, is sinfully gorgeous, and I adore how the lush prose and how it complements the New Orlean's setting. The characters seem well fleshed out as well.

This is definitely a book I can see myself buying to read in full.

The Beautiful is an interesting take on Vampire's. I really thought I would love this book, but I myself having a hard time fully getting into this. It was slow to start and didn't seem to have a set out plot, the characters didn't grab my interest. As I am reviewing this based off the sampler I am hoping the full book brings more to the plot.

I always enjoy reading portions of books to be able to discuss them with my library patrons and this one does intrigue me. The historical fiction meets supernatural style is going to appeal to a very specific reader, but I have not doubt that those who are clamoring for more vampire stories are going to really dig this one. I would definitely hand this to my fans of Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

“And I will always be the shadowy creature in darkened alcoves, waiting...

For you, my love. For you”

So, definitely hook, line and sinker for me. It is almost a bit of shame that I have jumped on this one later in the game as the second book has just recently released. From the brief excerpt I can already see myself loving this world Renée Ahdieh is building here. Vampires in New Orleans—not an original concept but it’s an oldie AND a goodie. The prose of the writing is approachable and easy to read; makes for an easy binge.

This book is definitely going to be going on my To Buy and Read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the sampler to review.

For fans of Twilight and vampire tales, you have this new book with girls in a convent in New Orleans during the carnival/Mardi Gras season. A killer is on the loose and we have his point of view. This was only a sampler of the book, but after reading this sampler, I already know how this story will go. Celine is within the sights of the killer vampire and she will have to fall in loe with him or tsmart him in order to stay alive. Twilight fans may love it, but I've had enough of vampire stories.

There are books that take quite some time, maybe a chapter or few, for you to really engage with the story. This book is absolutely NOT one of those. It had my full attention, right from the very first page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group, Penguin Young Reader's Group for providing the Sneak Peek preview of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed the sneak peek and will probably get the full book - I have to admit I haven't read a vampire novel in years, but this one left me intrigued.

The Beautifulis full of lyrical and glitzy prose that plops the reader straight into the atmosphere of 1870's New Orleans. There's a vibrancy and decadence to the city that Ahdieh expertly captures through her prose. Great attention and care was given to describing the settings and the fashion, and allows the reader to really immerse themselves in the time period. It was something that I could really sink my teeth into.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel sample. This is a YA romance set in New Orleans. The sample is kind of a teaser as it is meant to be as we want to see what happens to Celeine and crew.

It's veen a while since I read a good vampire book and this was just what I needed. Just a bit sultry and glitzy, with a great New Orleans setting

I was given a sample of The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh from Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, thank you.

The Beautiful is entrancing and Renée Ahdieh has created a New Orleans reminiscent of the work of Anne Rice and I felt as if I were arriving at the docks of ’The Big Easy’ alongside Celine and her friends. You can practically feel the heat from the flames, and draw in the many sights and smells of this notoriously fascinating city due to the talented descriptions of the author.

I have always loved vampire stories especially those that hold onto the classic styles that are depicted so well by Renée Ahdieh and I known that this series will be finding a place on my bookshelves as I am certain I will love these for some time.

It has everything you could want in a story where you can't stop turning the page and I was extremely sad to find myself with no more pages of the sample to read!

Everything about this book is a plus - if you love a good vampire story that is written so vividly that you can place yourself among the characters?

The Beautiful is for you. Amazing doesn't seem a good enough word to describe it.

VAMPIRES, Yes! Vampires are back in the book world and i couldn't be any more excited about it!

The sampler for the first book in Renee Ahdieh's new vampire series has given me a thirst for more & i cannot wait to get my teeth into the full length book!

If your missing your vampire fix, i have a feeling this is going to be just what you were waiting for...

I really enjoyed this preview for The Beautiful. It has all the makings for a book that I would not want to put down. I have already put it on my books to read list. I can't wait to read the whole thing!

A story in New Orleans, 1872, a girl, mysteries, and also the magic of this city surround you from the first pages with a very entertaining protagonist, seeing from her eyes all the events and joining the dark mystery, and secrets that this keeps history, without a doubt a great story that leaves you wanting to continue with the next book.

Beautifully set, this book brings you into a new setting. New Orleans comes alive in the book, full of mystery, intrigue, cajun fun, and of course vampires. Though vampires are not as big of a part of the book as expected, what they do in the book is pure entertainment.