Beautiful Chaos - Book Review

Title ~ Beautiful Chaos
Series ~ Caster Chronicles #3
Author ~ Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Release Date ~ October 18, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

REVIEW

Sometimes a series starts off with an unbelievably amazing book and then the second book is okay and by the third book I am wondering why I liked the series in the first place. That is so not the case with the Caster Chronicles series. Each book impressed me with in its own unique way.

Beautiful Chaos was an extremely slow read for me. Perhaps it was because the plot built very slowly or maybe it was because I wanted to really soak it all in. No matter what the reason, I found myself reading slowly and savoring the elegant writing.

Gatlin is in turmoil because The Order of Things has been shattered. All kinds of natural disasters strike and it does feel like the end is near. Gone is the lush green and welcoming town I had grown to love. This becomes a story of restoring order and saving Gatlin.

The story is told through Ethan’s eyes. After being emotionally separated, Ethan and Lena have grown to depend upon and trust each other. Lena has matured and is no longer whiney and needy. They have learned from what they have been through. Theirs is a relationship that feels right. It feels secure.

After finishing this third book in the series, I feel even more invested in the characters and the town of Gatlin. A rich history has been building and I truly care what happens. I am looking forward to the final chapter, especially after the stunner of an "OMG NOW WHAT?" ending to Beautiful Chaos.