Title: The Beautiful
Author: Renée Ahdieh
First published October 8, 2019
425 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781524738174 (ISBN10: 1524738174)
Rating: 3.67
Overview
Set in the haunting city of New Orleans in 1872, The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh follows the story of Celine Rousseau, a young dressmaker who finds refuge in the vibrant city after fleeing from Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent, Celine becomes captivated by the city’s music, food, and most of all, danger.
But when one of the girls from the convent is found dead in the lair of La Cour des Lions, a glitzy underworld that Celine has become entangled with, she must fight her attraction to the enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain, and her suspicions of his guilt. As the murders continue to escalate, Celine takes matters into her own hands and uncovers a shocking truth about herself and the age-old feud that has been festering in the dark underworld of New Orleans.
Ahdieh’s spellbinding storytelling will leave readers both enthralled and breathless in this sultry romance and thrilling murder mystery.
About the Author
If you’re a fan of THE WRATH & THE DAWN and its sequel, THE ROSE & THE DAGGER, you can find them at your local bookstore or online. And if you’re eagerly awaiting the release of the author’s next book, FLAME IN THE MIST, mark your calendars for 5.16.17.
For those interested in obtaining Advanced Reader Copies, please reach out to Penguin. For all other requests, check out the author’s website.
Editoral Review
In her latest novel, The Beautiful, Renée Ahdieh transports readers to 19th-century New Orleans, a city ripe with beauty, secrets, and danger. Ahdieh, known for her lush and atmospheric writing, sweeps readers off their feet once again with her vivid descriptions and captivating characters.
Set in 1872, in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction, The Beautiful follows Celine Rousseau, a young woman who fled her life in Paris to start anew in New Orleans. Fascinated by the city’s vibrant and mysterious culture, Celine soon finds herself entangled in a web of supernatural beings, including the enigmatic and alluring Sébastien Saint Germain.
As the bodies of young women begin to turn up in the city, Celine and Sébastien must work together to unravel the truth behind the murders – all while navigating their complicated relationship and the dangerous world of the supernatural. Ahdieh’s masterful writing is on full display in The Beautiful.
Her descriptions of New Orleans come to life on the page, from the colorful Mardi Gras celebrations to the eerie and atmospheric bayous. And while the novel is marketed as a young adult fantasy, Ahdieh’s writing is rich and complex enough to appeal to readers of all ages.
The characters in The Beautiful are equally compelling. Celine is a fierce and independent young woman, determined to live life on her own terms despite the restrictions placed upon her by society.
Sébastien, meanwhile, is brooding and mysterious, with a tragic past that threatens to consume him. Watching their relationship unfold is a captivating and often heart-wrenching experience.
However, The Beautiful is not without its flaws. The pacing of the novel can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling rushed while others drag on.
And while the supernatural elements are intriguing, they can also feel forced and underdeveloped at times. Overall, The Beautiful is an enchanting read that will transport readers to a bygone era, filled with romance, mystery, and danger.
Fans of Ahdieh’s previous works, as well as readers of historical fiction and supernatural fantasy, will find much to love in this novel. The Washington Post gives The Beautiful a solid four out of five stars.
