Beautiful+Creatures+-+Courtesy+of+Little,+Brown


 * Beautiful Creatures - Courtesy of Little, Brown **

Paranormal romances are all the rage right now, whether they're written for teens or adults. There's something to be said for that forbidden love.
Shakespeare did it right with //Romeo & Juliet,// and in the past decade authors have been expanding on his vision. Instead of opposing families, we see opposing species—one human and one paranormal being—fighting to be together. In //Beautiful Creatures// by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, there is no shortage of irresistible, addictive and forbidden love. **// Beautiful Creatures // Summary ** Living in the small town of Gatlin offers no excitement for sixteen-year-old Ethan. Every day he drives passed the same three stoplights, to go to the same school, where he’ll see the same kids he has seen since he was born. Gatlin is as good as a cage. The only change he has ever faced in his life was last year when his mother passed away. His father retreated into his study, burying himself in his novel and relinquishing all his fatherly duties. With both parents virtually gone, Ethan began relying on Amma, his nanny/housekeeper who immediately took over the parental duties.

Lately Ethan has been experiencing vivid dreams about a girl he doesn’t even know, a girl that he’s completely in love with. But how do you love someone you don’t even know? Then a mysterious new student shows up at Gatlin’s only high school, the niece of Old Man Ravenwood—the town’s looneybin. When his niece Lena arrives, the whole town begins to judge her. If she’s a Ravenwood, then she must be crazy too. Kids bully her at school, and even many of the adults want her kicked out of school. The rigid citizen’s of Gatlin won’t put up with anything or anyone who is different. Except for Ethan. It’s her. The girl in his dreams. After a chance encounter on a stormy night, Ethan doesn’t want to leave Lena’s side. She’s different than everyone else at Gatlin. And he likes that. But Lena tries desperately to push him away. A family secret is keeping her at arm’s length, and she’s afraid that if Ethan finds out, he’ll be frightened, or worse. Lena is faced with a big decision. Should she tell Ethan her secret? Or face her sixteenth birthday—the day she has feared her entire life—all alone?

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