Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Garcia, Kami and Margaret Stohl Beautiful Creatures, 563 p. Little, Brown, 2009. $17.99. Language: PG (13 swears, 0 “f”). Gatlin, SC is an ache of never-ending sameness for Ethan Wate, 16 – until the first day of school and the appearance of Lena Duschannes. The niece of the town’s infamous recluse, Lucy is not welcomed with open arms, except by Ethan, who is willing to defy the entire town in order to be with Lucy. Family secrets, friend secrets and town secrets will be revealed before sunset on Lucy’s 16^th birthday. This supernatural romance, though it is much more than a romance, should be a hot seller on your shelves. Garcia and Stohl managed to write a tightly paced thriller, keeping it dark and foreboding, without relying on cheap swears to up the popularity quotient. Yeah! LOVED IT! MS, HS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher