Each book of Silvia Moreno-Garcia deals with a different genre which is so interesting to me. The beautiful ones draws inspirations from romantic classics, sprinkled in with some fantasy. Regardless of the style or genre the author pursues, she manages to pull it off brilliantly. As usual, the author's writing is beautiful and atmospheric. The pacing of the book is a bit slow, but it still managed to keep me interested in the story. Characters were fleshed out and well-developed. All in all, a great book that I would recommend to everyone!

I love all of the books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and this was no exception!! I was so grateful for the opportunity to read and review this through Net Galley. This story was captivating and beautifully written and, as usual, she tells such a wonderful story you are left wanting more and thinking about the characters long after you finish the book!

A unique take on an old story. The characters are well developed though generally fall into a recognizable type. The introduction of sci-fi/fantasy elements into what is otherwise a straightforward novel of manners adds a layer of intrigue. About halfway through the ending became quite obvious and I wasn't proven wrong. Ultimately though it was a nice way to get there and did not detract from the overall enjoyment.

Nina has telekinetic abilities, which isn't considered ladylike and she is at odds with her cousin Valerie. After meeting Nina at a party, telekinetic entertainer Hector decides to pursue her to get closer to Valerie, the woman he is truly interested in. He helps Nina master her telekinetic abilities, but his secret for courting her could destroy their relationship when she discovers the truth.

I enjoyed the way the historical feel intertwined with the fantasy elements. This is a character-driven slow burn told from all 3 points of view. The story made me pity Nina for the secret Valerie and Hector were hiding from her. I do wish I would have liked Hector more, but courting Nina to get closer to Valerie caused me to dislike him and Valerie from the start too much. Great story for those who like love triangles and fantasy takes on socialites.

There’s intrigue and romance aplenty in Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s fantasy set in a world inspired by late 1800s France. It’s Austenesque in its focus on manners, with a dash of Wuthering Heights level drama, and a pinch of fantasy. It’s an addictive recipe sure to keep you reading.

2 stars = it was okay

The Beautiful Ones tells the story of three people whose lives are interwoven and paths get crossed when Hector Auvray comes to Loisail, where his former love currently lives. Nina Beaulieu is also currently living in town, and she expresses great interest in Hector's telekinesis ability, as she herself wants to get control of her own. The story unfolds when Nina boldly introduces herself to Hector, and he realizes the opportunity he has when he realizes a door has been opened to the Beaulieu household.

The first thing I must say when I start this review is that I haven't read Mexican Gothic, so I didn't have the expectations that some people did. However, I still had high expectations and, unfortunately, I found that this genre of story is not for me. The story is very slow-paced and I wasn't interested in the characters enough to enjoy the description of their slow-paced days. I nearly DNF'd it but I kept expecting something to happen due to the interesting telekinesis aspect (which it didn't, really). So I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who isn't a fan of slow stories about everyday life, because it will be a difficult read.

Aside from that, I just really didn't feel the love that the characters had for each other at all. Not even the 10-year-wait-and-yearn was convincing to me. It all felt very bland, and even when I read the pretty words towards the end, which would normally attack my heart, I just didn't believe them. I know many people have loved the romance in this book so maybe it's a me-problem, but. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Although this book didn't work for me, I still hope to read and enjoy other works by Silvia Moreno-Garcia :)

This one surprised me!

While I was not a huge fan of Mexican Gothic, I loved Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. This book gave me everything I was looking for in a regency romance after the Bridgerton hype early this year.

And a new cover to fit the gorgeous contents, you can’t go wrong with this novel.

This one's going to surprise fans of MEXICAN GOTHIC.

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES is a lush, romantic fantasy. Everything you love about Moreno-Garcia's writing is here: impeccable prose, well-crafted characters, strong plotting and pacing. But fans coming for the pulpy horror of GOTHIC are going to encounter a much lighter, diaphanous world tinted with magic.

It's a fun ride. Moreno-Garcia is a master storyteller, and it's really fun to see her excel no matter what genre she's writing in. This one's memorable, and it's a must for fans of fantasy-tinged romance.

This is considered a supernatural comedy of errors but I imagine those who enjoy magical realism will enjoy this as well. It is in an imagined world but one that looks like ours of the past, though we don't have a date/era to ground us into the story. It is a slower paced novel that both adults and young adults could enjoy, I think it is considered adult but I would feel comfortable recommending it to those who like YA. I did not enjoy the romance aspect of this story as much as I was hoping to.

I really enjoyed this book. Not quite as much as Mexican Gothic, but the prose and the flow of this story made it a thoroughly lovely read.

For someone who grew up obsessed by magicians, slight-of-hand, and magic tricks, reading Patricia C. Wrede’s “Mairelon the Magician,” and Alexander Lloyd’s “The Rope Trick,” this book was like an homage to some of my childhood favourites, all grown up.

I’d definitely recommend the book, and look forward to future stories by this author!

Choices determined by station or lost station. A broken engagement,a determined suitor, a naive but spirited young woman. Here are the elements that drive this wondrous story. The social season in Loisail is ruled by tradition and the socially prominent. Hector Auvray entertains the wealthy with magic of the “ mind”. He moves objects. A craft he shares with Nina a young woman from a wealthy family who indulges her eccentricity and pins their hopes on her finding a “suitable “ match this season. Her cousin presses his wife to oversee her season in the city. What no one knows is Hector and Valerie know each other and his return spells chaos for Valerie. Hector has returned to be near Valerie and to do that he seeks out the naive Nina , who uses her skills to move objects to engage Hector. The restrictions and mores that dictate decorum are on full display. In courting young Nina something awakens in Hector,and infuriates Valerie. The ending is worthy of Fitzgerald. Happy reading

A lovely work of historical fiction with just enough magic to satisfy this lover of magical realism. The intrigue, the genuine and complex characters, and the larger question of what it means to belong drive this story on in the best way.

If you appreciate period fiction or stories about magic, this book won't disappoint.

Absolutely splendid. The Beautiful Ones has that elegantly-paced weaving of storyline with character centric plot that most classics have. But with a touch of magic. This is my second read from Moreno-Garcia and I can’t help but notice how she tends to entwine magic into her stories with such carefully placed nonchalance.

I will say, this book is a bit fluffier and more romantic in nature than my usual reads. What can I say? I was in a mood.

Our story focuses on three main characters as they each struggle with their feelings for one another and their place within a society of Old Money Socialites, The Beautiful Ones as they are so humbly referred to.

Antonina (Nina) Beaulieu is a young girl making her first rounds in society under the tutelage (read as “oppressing thumb”) of her cousin’s wife, Valérie Beaulieu.

While Nina prefers the quiet recesses of nature and books, Valérie remains completely obsessed with her name and its reputation. She is vain, steely, and harshly composed at all times...an unyielding rock. Because she views Nina as a rambling dolt of a child, she tends to be rather crass with her, often chiding her for what she seems as less than comely behavior amongst other socialites.

Enter Hector Auvray. Though we meet him right away, his connection to the Beaulieu family and his true intentions don’t become entirely apparent to Nina until much later.

What begins as a tired tale of a hopeless love triangle, quickly turns into an emblazoned love square.

As Hector and Nina draw closer to one another and Nina grows in her “talents” under Hector’s wings, events turn volatile and emotions run high.

This book will leave you utterly filled to the brim with frustration at times, but if there’s one thing that can be said about Sylvia Moreno-Garcia, it is that she can truly piece together a breathtaking tale. This slow climb is truly an ascent up a steep mountain and a quick tumult down.

I enjoyed every page, no matter how infuriating at times, and the qualities that caused me to fondly remember classics such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice were simply icing on the cake.

Moreno-Garcia is never scant on the details and I love how character driven her plots are. She seems to understand the nuances of human emotion so purely.

I think it goes without saying, but i will say it nonetheless: this book is nothing like Mexican Gothic. If that is the only work you have read by Moreno-Garcia, the shock of it may be a bit much for you. *fans self*
But I find no fault in an author having widely varied stories to tell. In fact, I prefer it this way. That being said, don’t come here expecting Mexican Gothic vibes.

This is a purely romantic Historical Fiction that takes place in what I believe to be The Gilded Age, or the late 1800s - early 1900s in France.

Anyway, READ IT. Read everything she writes. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

This story takes place in an alternate history and resembles late 1800s France. Our main characters are sweet Nina, the viscous Valerie, and quiet yet cunning Hector. Their story of love and loss is a slow burn. This book was beautifully written. I feel in love with the amazing detailed descriptions of the opulent wardrobes and houses of each of the characters. While this book straddles various genres, I would say this is mostly a romantic gothic. I don't think this story was my cup of tea. For me, it was hard to root for Hector as a romantic hero since he was gaslighting so many of the characters in the beginning. I don't think there was enough done in the second half to redeem his character. The story was also slow and mainly revolves around our three main characters, which was something I was not expecting from this book. I do wish it included more world building or explanation of Nina or Hector's telekinetic abilities. If you are in for a slow burn, dark romance, this is the book for you!

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/