5 Stars: Incredible
Series: Caster Chronicles #3
Hardback: 518 Pages
Publication: October 18, 2011 by Little, Brown & Company
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.
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl continue to amaze and confound me with the Caster Chronicles. Things haven’t been right in Gatlin since, well, book one, and I still don’t know how conflict will be resolved and even then, there will be a happy ending at all. Book Three is the most riveting book yet in the Caster Chronicles. Garcia and Stohl had me devouring this book late at night, and I confess that I’ll be rereading this book just to make sure I didn’t miss anything in my haste to finish it.
As the title indicates, chaos reigns. This is a big book filled with many subplots, plot twists, and deep meanings just waiting to surface. Our friends from the past two books have grown into their roles beautifully. Time, tragedy, and history have molded them. They understand their positions and the threats that they must face. Ethan’s voice has matured so much, and the characters’ emotions and relationships with one another are definitely the strongest points to the story (in addition to the tension-ridden plot).
I want so badly for Ethan and the others to find a way to save the world and his doomed relationship with Lena, but I just don’t know the answers. Garcia and Stohl are certainly keeping them well hidden from us. All I can do is follow along and hope that they will give the ending that the characters deserve in a manner that doesn’t disappoint. (And I have faith that they will do whatever necessary to end the series in such a manner… even if there really is no happy ending after all.)
As the synopsis indicates and I have hinted, the ending isn’t going to be optimal, not at all. It is going to have your heart crying, and your book-loving soul anticipating the fourth installment. The Caster Chronicles is definitely a series that will continue to attract the more mature readers who want to see more depth to a plot.
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A copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Portugal says
I have loved this series since the very beginning. In Beautiful Creatures I got to read about forbidden romance, magic, and the Southern lifestyle. That book is all of my favorite things rolled into one intoxicating story. Then Beautiful Darkness took it up a notch, leading me deeper into the depths of the Caster Tunnels. Now Beautiful Chaos takes the world I love and blows it to pieces–but I still love it.
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have created spectacular realms and beautiful worlds. However, I think the place I admire most is regular old human Gatlin. It is stuck in time, almost untouched by the world around it. Gatlin is a town the lives in the past, as exemplified by the members of the Daughters of the Revolution ruling the land and the annual mandatory Battle of Honey Hill reenactment. However, for all the gossipy, crazed antics, the people of Gatlin are kind of like one big family. They drive you crazy, but you love them anyway.
Crystal says
I hope there'll be a happy ending!! 😀
Anonymous says
I have been waiting for this book to come into the library for me. I am like freaking out about it. The first two books were amazing and if the third one is anything like it, I'll bring a light in my room and stay up late to finish it.
Who knows, maybe there will be a happy ending after all!!!!
Theresa says
I just got my my mom to hand over this book to me- she was holding it prisoner. I can't wait to dive into it. If it is anything like the last two books I'm sure I will be up all night. Thanks for your review I'm even more anxious now if that is even possible.
Natalie Aguirre says
I so want to read this. I love the series. Thanks for the great review. I'll steel myself for the end in case it's not happy.