The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

Book one in The Beautiful series

Publisher : G.P Putnam’s son Books

Publication date : October 8th, 2019

Source : Arc

Rating : 5 hearts

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien’s guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.

Review

I love Renee Ahdieh, her books are simply great, each time I have been transported by the stories she tells. No matter where Renée takes us with her books, it’s always a pleasure, whether it’s in the East, Asia or even New Orleans. It takes us through time by telling us exciting stories.

The Beautiful was set in New Orleans in 1872, during the time of the vampires. The place is well chosen, mysticism is very present and so is the darkness of the place.

Celine is a young French woman who has fled Paris to start a new life in New Orleans, she is a bit rebellious and will live among the sisters. She will discover the secrets of her new city and even be at the heart of the plot. She will also make new friends and enemies.

I admire Celine very much, she has a strong character, she is independent and she loves life. She never hesitates to say what she thinks even if it leads to dangerous situations. Her meeting with Sébastien Saint Germain changed her life.

I enjoyed the plot around La Cour des Lions, I also really enjoyed the romance. Michael Grimaldi is an interesting character but I don’t know yet if I like him or not.

Renée is a talented author and I had the pleasure of meeting her in London at the YALC and frankly it was a pleasure.

Quick word: A plot with vampires in New Orleans, what more could you ask for!

Chronique

J’adore Renée Ahdieh, ses livres sont tout simplement géniaux, à chaque fois j’ai été transportée par les histoires qu’elle raconte. Peut importe l’endroit où Renée nous emmène avec ses livres c’est toujours un plaisir, que ce soit en Orient, en Asie où même à la Nouvelle-Orléans. Elle nous fait traverser les époques en nous racontant des histoires passionnantes.

The Beautiful se passe donc à la Nouvelle Orléans en 1872, à l’époque des vampires. Le lieu est bien choisi, le mysticisme est très présent et la noirceur du lieu aussi.

Celine est une jeune française qui a fui Paris pour commencer une nouvelle vie à La Nouvelle Orléans, elle est un peu rebelle et va vivre parmi les sœurs. Elle va découvrir les secrets de sa nouvelle ville et même être au cœur de l’intrigue. Elle se fera aussi de nouveaux amis ainsi que des ennemis.

J’admire beaucoup Celine, elle a un caractère fort, elle est indépendante et elle aime la vie. Elle n’hésite jamais à dire ce qu’elle pense même si cela l’entraine des situations dangereuses. Sa rencontre avec Sébastien Saint Germain va changer sa vie.

J’ai apprécié l’intrigue autour de La cour des Lions, j’ai aussi beaucoup aimé la romance. Michael Grimaldi est un personnage intéressant mais je ne sais pas encore si je l’apprécie ou pas.

Renée est une auteure talentueuse et j’ai eu le plaisir de la rencontrer à Londres au YALC et franchement c’était un plaisir.

En bref : Une intrigue avec des vampires à La Nouvelle Orléans, que demander de plus !

Links

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42265183-the-beautiful?from_search=true

Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Ren%C3%A9e-Ahdieh/dp/1524738174/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+beautiful+renee&qid=1565781725&s=gateway&sr=8-1