Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures, Book 1

By: Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 17 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book in the instant New York Times best-selling gothic fantasy series; a modern paranormal romance set against the gothic backdrop of an isolated southern town.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met.

When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Kami Garcia (P)2009 Hachette

great job

this was a long book but very detailed on the story line. I really enjoyed it. It put me in the crowd like I was there with them.

Million Times better than the movie!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it's so intriguing.

What did you like best about this story?

it was so very smooth and down to earth yet packed with many twists and turns.

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

His voice was so dimensional and it wasn't completely annoying for a heavy southern drawl.

Any additional comments?

I am glad I started listening to this book before I seen it coming on tv. If I would have watched the movie I would have never got the book. The movie was flat and the southern drawl was taken far to harshly. I have listened to the second book plus dark dreams as well and have now started on beautiful chaos. so exciting!

Narrator

Will seek out other opportunities to listen to narrator, Kevin T. Collins. Enjoyed the ability to switch voice between characters.

better than your wildest dreams

I saw the previews to the movie and thought I had had to have the book. Oh my gosh. It blew my mind.

Beautiful story I

I saw the movie and I felt that there was something missing. so I wanted to see what I missed. omgoodness. I am in love with this book. the narrator is so perfect for this story. can't wait to read the series

Great Story line, Great Characters, A must read!!

Where does Beautiful Creatures rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks up there with the best of them. It puts me in the mind of a reversed Twilight and Harry Potter mix.

What other book might you compare Beautiful Creatures to and why?

A reversed Twilight/Harry Potter mix. Read these great books and find out why I say this.

Have you listened to any of Kevin T. Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, not till this series. He does a great job!! He sounds like the guy that did the Percy Jackson series, till they changed the guy, I was soooo mad!!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a few parts. I love Amma, she is the coolest Voodoo lady/momma house keeper ever! If I told you anymore it would spoil the book for other people.

Any additional comments?

Read these books, you will not regret it. I started the series on a Monday, by the next Monday I listened to all four books I was so addicted. I actually stopped the last book 45 mins before it ended and started it over just to make it last longer. I sure hope the movies make it big and they do a good job with it. So far the actors don't look right but no one will know till they see the movie.

Even Better Than the Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Beautiful Creatures to be better than the print version?

Yes. The songs and sounds really enhance the listening experience, especially since it is such an integral part of the story.

What did you like best about this story?

It seemed like a fresh storyline. Not really witches, vampires or other popular horror/romance books. The characters aren't whiny as a lot in this genre.

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

I thought he did a great job with the voices and giving them all their unique accents/speaking patterns.

Any additional comments?

Great series. Good for teens and adults.

It was entertaining at the least.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed listening to this book. I am no critic of all that is literary but I did enjoy listening at the very least.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More with Ridley & Uncle Macon's love lives.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I thought the narration was outstanding.

A good Teen novel

What did you love best about Beautiful Creatures?

This book is a good teen read, I enjoyed the characters. I think that there wasn't a lot of story development but was still enjoyable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beautiful Creatures?

When the main characters Lena and Ethan first saw each other.

Have you listened to any of Kevin T. Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first time I heard his performance, and I enjoyed his narratives.

Excellent Story & Narration

If you could sum up Beautiful Creatures in three words, what would they be?

A creative and interesting story. Supernatural romance stories are becoming more common place, but this has more substance than it's contemporaries.

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

I love his voice, and they way he voices all characters, even the female ones.