Beautiful Darkness Book Discussion: Week 11

Posted 11 January, 2011 by Danny in / 20 Comments

Welcome to the Beautiful Darkness Book Discussion!! Over the next two weeks we will be discussing Beautiful Darkness a few chapters at a time with posts and discussion questions by a variety of guest posters. Posts and discussion questions will go up on Tuesdays and recaps of the discussion question answers will go up on Sundays. For the complete schedule of chapters and dates click here.

Also, as we are the Bookworms and are physically incapable of not hosting a give-away for any major event on this blog, there’s a give-away going on in conjunction with the discussion! WOOT!! Find out all about that here as well.

And now a warning….while we will keep each week’s post spoiler free for those who have only read up to and including the chapters being discussed that week, if you haven’t read the book at all you will find spoilers about the sections of the book being discussed. SO…if you haven’t read the book at all…STOP. GET THE BOOK. READ IT. RETURN. Easy, peasy, extra cheesy, right, Cutie? And in conjunction with that, we do ask that all of you participating in the discussion please keep your responses spoiler free. We know this can be hard but please have a heart for those who are enjoying the read-along aspect of the discussion and do your best. We in turn will do our best to monitor the comments.

And finally….on with this week’s discussion written by Cutie!!!!

Did I, cutie, pick this set of chapters so that I’d be posting on 1-11-11, because I got overwhelmingly giddy at the prospect of blogging today? Maybe.


Fun facts:

  1. I drank a lot of iced tea whilst reading this novel. (Unsweetened, go figure.)
  2. I made (and ate) a lemon meringue pie during the reading of this novel
    That’s it right there. —–>
  3. I suddenly want fried chicken with some homemade mac & cheese, please. Mhmmm… nom nom nom.
  4. I must learn how to make cheesy grits, but being Italian, would I be cheating on polenta by doing so?
  5. Realization: I am obsessed with shoving things down my face hole. Awkward.

Some more useless (and overly complicated) information: I am reading each of these chapters for the first time. After finishing a section I’z gonna type out my fresh thoughts. Rambling and randomness are highly likely.

Ramble, ramble, ramble. Let’s get this party started, shall we?

6.20: Dark Fire
Knock ’em Dead, Kid

I didn’t move.
“What do we- what do I do?”
“Fight.”
Anyone else ready for a rumble? I sure am! And chapter 6.20 (Part 6) gives us a taste of action in the form of three… No, wait. Let’s count them again, four little ladies: Amma, Arelia, Twyla, and Gramma. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Some highlights if you will:
1. Ethan, Liv, Link, Ridley, and Leah (good old PMOTSW or “praying mantis of the supernatural world”) jump right out of the proverbial frying pan and straight into the fire.
2. Leah takes some names and kicks some serious undead arse.
3. Ethan tries to get his friends to turn back and earns what I’d like to dub “The Scooby Crew Speech of Loyalty,” which always goes a little something like this: Dearest Aquaman, You can’t do this without us, you dumb ass. So quit all this whining and be grateful you’ve got such awesome friends. Thanks much. Your Stupidly Loyal Sidekicks.
4. We finally catch up with Lena, who is under some sort of trance and being carried around like a sack of potatoes by John Breed (what the heck is up with his name, eh?) who is now more zombie than uber cool scary dude. Meanwhile, Sarafine is working her mojo in an effort to summon the Dark Fire by lying on an altar (altar = bad news always). All the while, Vexes (Dementors maybe?) swirl and twirl around adding spook and gloom to the party with a side of Larkin and the Blood Pack (Nice subtle name there, boys.). You got all that?
5. We come face to face with the infamous Abraham, evil of all evils, who makes everyone else look like Santa Claus.

But the best part is when the Cavalry shows up toting chicken bones and graveyard dirt ready for a little offside assistance. And we learn, once again, that Amma doesn’t just make a mean Sweet Potato Pie, but that Vexes and other spooks better beware, because when Amma’s little man is in trouble she is a mighty force that you best not be messin’ with.

We were no longer silently watching, waiting for an opportunity to make our move.
The eyes of every Incubus and Dark Caster in the cave were on us,
canines bared and yellow eyes blazing.
We had joined the party, whether we like it or not.
Dum. Dum. DUM.

6.20: Seventeen Moons
What’s Your Name Little Girl?

I looked at her, and I knew what she was.
The girl I loved.
The girl I would always love.

Well, here we are ladies and possibly gentlemen. The Claiming. The scene has been set: Nasty beasties and demons lurkin’ about wantin’ to force Lena into choosing the Dark Side. Ethan doing everything he can to save his one and only love (including turning his back on a girl who loves him, who gave up her life’s work for him, and, oh yeah, isn’t all psycho emotional, not to mention, endangering his best friend). And then there is Lena: mysterious, untouchable, emotional, and frankly, extremely self-involved. When faced with the reality of her decision, she ran. Thusly, the biggest question I had going into this chapter was: Would she be able to man up or would she run once more? Here’s a few highlights:

1. Link is attacked by John Breed and Ridley saves him in a very human like manner (do we ever find out what’s up with this creep?).
2. Lena’s eyes are once again split: one green, one gold.
3. Ethan tries to convince Lena that she has the strength to choose. Annnnd he will always love her. *cue Whitney Houston*
4. Ridley tells Lena to choose good over evil even if it means the end of her life.
5. Lena steps up to the bat and swings with the help of Ethan and his mom. Or does she?

What just happened? We know that Larkin (*cheers*) and Twyla (*sniffles*) both died or burned up or whatever happened. So, we can infer that Lena will now have a set of beautiful green eyes… Right? Why do I feel it’s not that straight forward?

Lena had made her choice.
She had Claimed herself.
Even if I wasn’t sure what that meant, she was still with me.
I haven’t lost her.

hmmmm….

6.21: Darkness and Light
Shooting the Moon

“It means you are yourself
-powerful and unique- like the Great Barrier,
a place where there is no Dark or Light, only magic.”
O-Kay-Doe-Kay. So here’s how I see it:

1. Abraham looks like Colonel Sanders. The end.
2. John Breed is part Evo (a Caster who is a metamorph with the ability to mirror human form) and part Incubus. His daddy (creator) is Abraham. He’s disappeared, and it’s assumed he’s run off (you know what they say about assuming, right?). He’ll be back in book three where he’ll probably ride around on his Harley stirring up trouble. Maybe we’ll find out why his name is John Breed? Cause he was bred for a purpose? And why John? Pretty common name. It means “god is gracious.” Hmm…
3. Ridley’s still alive, potentially a good guy, and relieved. Yay for our side! Right?
4. Lena now knows that Macon is alive, and she is grateful. As am I. I *heart* Macon.
5. Lena didn’t choose Light or Dark, but both. Thusly, she “broke the order of things.”

And, oh yeah, she broke the moon. My spider senses and all the doom and gloom looks from the elders are telling me this is a bad bad thing.

“And what happened to the moon?” Lena looked at Gramma,
but it was Amma who spoke up…
“You split it, child.
Melchizedek’s right, the Order a Things is broken.
Can’t say what’ll happen now.”

Anyone shocked Lena didn’t pick Light? Yeah… I didn’t think so.

6.22: The Way Back Home
Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.
– Robert Frost

But I’m not Light, Ethan.
I’m something else. I’m…
complicated.

Aren’t we all? So, what happened in chapter 6.22:

1. Lena and Ethan get their snuggle on complete with electricity and heart palpitations. Sighs were heard ’round the world.
2. Ethan shares with Lena that his mother has forgiven her and gives Lena her necklace and his mother’s rings back. Ya know, the ones she tossed like yesterday’s trash.
3. Ethan gives Lena Lucille’s tags. Why? I’m not sure, but he does.
4. Lena knows her “real” name, but is choosing to claim Lena. It’s a good thing she’s being so forthright and non-mysterious and all.
5. All’s well, that ends well…. Or is it?

Too much is being pushed under the covers. Liv. John Breed. Lena having run away and embracing the dark side. Oh yeah, and there’s that darn broken moon. Maybe, I’m just a jerk. Maybe, I’m missing the point. Maybe, I’m expecting too much from Lena. But honestly… I can’t seem to forgive her right now. I can’t forget the maggots crawling out of those pies or how mean she was to Ethan. Or the fact that she was willing to kill half of her family just to punish herself (the good half mind you with lil Ryan, anyone remember her?). Don’t get me started on the bump and grind moment with John Breed. And frankly, I’m thinking there are better, sweeter fish in the sea for our sweet meat, Ethan. I just might be cheering for Team Impossible this time around, my friends. I know… I know.

Question Time:
To be frank,
I’m not sure what to ask.
So, I’m gonna go with the obvious.
The moon: It’s broke.
The Order of Things: It’s changed.
The elders: They seem scared.
Lena: She’s powerful, dangerous, and unpredictable.
In the infinitely wise words of NKOTB:
Where do we go from here?
What are your predictions in reference to all this madness
(broken moon, broken Order, Good/Bad Lena)
and what roles will Lena and Ethan play in the coming novels?
Good cop.
Bad cop.
Maybe?
I hope.
*winks*

I’m off to finish this bad boy.
As for you….
Ready. Steady. Discuss!

Thank you so much, cutie, for such a great review of this week’s chapters and an awesome question! Leave your answer in a comment below and remember that each answer to this week’s discussion question is an entry into the Beautiful Darkness Book Discussion contest!

The following two tabs change content below.
Obsessive Reader by Night - Scientist at Day! You can also find me on goodreads. I'd love to get to know you so, don't be shy and say Hello!

Tags: , , ,

Divider

20 Responses to “Beautiful Darkness Book Discussion: Week 11”

  1. I'm kind of confused by what the question is… as for where the novel will go, I don't want to say because I've already read it. But for the rest of the series, I kind of hope Lena stays in a in-between state. I kind of what her to go dark and be all bad-ass, yet at the same time I want her to stay with Ethan. I think what I really want is for Lena to stay how she always has been: light, but dark when she gets mad. Making her go light would be too cookie-cutter YA. I need something different. I also sort of hope that Ethan turns out to be some kind of super powerful caster that no one knew about. Probability of that happening, probably not much… But still, a girl can dream, right?
    My recent post Winner of Elizabeth Eulberg Bookplates

    Reply »

  2. Greta is Erikasbuddy

    I asked my magic 8 ball and it said some shiz niz is gonna break loose. I mean… you're talking about the next book, right?

    So, what I think will happen is Lena is gonna go all Jean Grey on it all and KABOOM!! I think this book was leading up to that. Ethan is gonna be all Cyclops and whine a bit while singing "Please Don't Go Girl" (oh yeah!! I'll NKTOB that up for ya!!) ,….. but then he's gonna go all WOLVERINE and try to get his girl and take her no matter how much she needs an xanex.

    (continued)

    Reply »

  3. Greta is Erikasbuddy

    (continued – Part 2)

    After that… I think that Ridley will become a key player and since she's batter for the baddies and now is batting for the goodies she's gonna sell her soul just to play on Team Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo.

    As for the Caster theory that Britta has… I totally agree. I've been thinking that since Book 1 and I'm pretty sure we're gonna see his powers in Book 3 (even if they try to milk it and make it an evil clifffy so we really don't find out till Book 4… but that's how people make money… you can't give us everything in one sitting)

    I hope we find out more about BOO and the cat. I think they are Casters stuck in animal bodies. I think we'll find out more about them in the upcoming book

    And then… after it's all said and done…. after Ethan wins the girl… and the credits are ready to roll… well, Ethan gets bit by the bad boy bug and we start all over again.

    Ya think?

    Reply »

  4. cutie

    Honestly? I don't even know what I'm asking.
    What I wanted to ask was:
    Can someone please explain what just happened to me?
    I mean, how does a moon break?
    And what does it mean that: the order of things has changed?
    Wouldn't that mean everything would be all wonky crazy?
    Does that mean humans can now give birth to dog and chocolate ice cream now taste like strawberries? I kid. I kid. Sorta.
    I guess I just don't see where this is all going.
    I don't mind a Lena who is both good and bad, but I've always thought she was more dark than light and more emo-bitter than joyful. It would be nice to see more of a balance in her.
    I loved her in Beautiful Creatures but didn't care for her much in Beautiful Darkness.
    I didn't find her darkness all that beautiful. 😉

    Ethan as a Caster would be awesome. But as a Wayward (is that what he's call) I'm not sure he can be. And I love the idea of a Wayward, and I'm interested in this concept playing out. Strength in weakness is always a theme I enjoy.

    Reply »

  5. cutie

    Um… I think I'm officially on overload! Bwahahaha

    Again, Ethan as a Caster is cool beans to me, but I'm enjoying this Wayward twist. It's different form other books I've read and holds so many possibles. And I'm still not clear, but I'm thinking Ethan was Macon's Wayward? Or was he both Lena's and Macon's? And was it for that one moment or for all time?

    Lena's already going Jean Grey on us, my friend. Do ya think she will go even further and turn all the way to the dark side, then pull a Darth Vader on us in book 4. Like will she be full on evil at some point? Wasn't she already in this book? Or was that just a taste?

    Reply »

  6. Darkfallen

    OK so what will happen next…huh? *scratches chin* My spidey sense in on full red alert for the next book.
    I kinda think that no matter what Lena is always going to be teetering on the fence between light and dark but I have a theory…
    I too have been longing for Ethan to end up being a caster or anything that would allow him to be with Lena. I also think that s pretty much impossible but we all know that a good author can make a liar out of us. (here's hoping for that ;)) I have since drawn a different possiblity……

    Ok so what if Ethan willingly become a Incubus? I mean as an incubus he would be able to completely be with Lena, right? I dunno just saying. And if that happens then you have created more drama for Lena because even if Ethan goes all "Macon Like"and lives off dreams, which I believe he would i mean he is our little sweetheart, ultimately he would be considered dark. Therefore if Lena chooses light Ethan would die and if she chooses Dark then Macon would die now that he is a light caster.
    So where does that leave us???? Oh yeah Lena will be left to choose between the life of her love Ethan and Macon all over again. It's a viscous cycle I tell you!!
    Thats just my twisted predictions!

    Reply »

  7. Darkfallen

    I don't think she was ALL dark in this book but i do think she was close Just an F.Y.I you guys are killing me with all the Star Wars stuff. I am totally lost…lolz
    I know i am almost anti human for admitting this but I could get into those movies lmao

    Reply »

  8. Greta is Erikasbuddy

    remember when the phenoix blew up? Remember when Jean Grey went all freaking evil then little parts of her tried to scream out while her muhahahah side just went all "rip em shred em smash em" on everything?

    I think this book was just a little tiny Baskin Robbins taste on everything. In the next book Lena will have her black spandex villian suit dryed and pressed and will be ready to cause mayham.

    Reply »

  9. Greta is Erikasbuddy

    I can't remember who disappeared in Beautiful Creatures during the fire (I know it was a Ravenwood but can't remember the name — it wasn't Abraham was it? Nah… I don't think so).. but I always thought THAT was who Boo was… because his eyes looked human and he screamed.

    For the longest time I thought Lucille was Amma… then I thought it was Ghost Mama… and then I had a theory that Lucille was a Caster Girl and that's why Link kept assaulting her lolz.

    They're something 🙂

    Reply »

  10. cutie

    That's a very interesting prediction! And if you think about what happens next (in the next chapters that is) you wonder if that's the set up???? hm…..

    It is hard to see what the "fix" in this situation is going to be. I'll be frank, I wasn't as into this book as I was the first, but I'm absolutely hooked on the "over arcing" storyline. I really want to know how Lena and Ethan are going to gain their happily ever after. However, don't you think we are all extremely presumptuous to believe that they will? I mean, I know it would suck, but what if they didn't? You know, I'm not sure I'd mind reading a series that twisted that way. Maybe it's too much Buffy? Or that I'd like the series model to be broken. I'm a little tired of: BK 1 Boy and girl fall madly in love and find out they can't be together. BK 2: Boy and girl are separated but get back together within the last fifty pages. BK 3: All hell breaks loose and hard decisions are faced. BK 4: More hell breaking loose but a happily ever after. Are my ramblings making sense?

    What if Ethan and Lena never could be together? Would that reality ruin the series or make it stronger? Or are we all in it for the happily ever after?

    DUDE I need to stop drink coffee.

    Reply »

  11. cutie

    YES! I am so glad I am not alone in this. Truly, I was pissed at her. I had a hard time not cursing while writing this post. And the fact that Ethan was blaming himself for Lena feeling alone and blah blah blah… well that just pissed me off even more.

    Reply »

  12. Greta is Erikasbuddy

    I would LOVE it if Ethan and Lena couldn't get together. It would be all Mulder and Skully… or Ted and Robin (How I met your mother)… or the Mary Ann and the PRofessor… YOu know they want each other… but they just can't dip their hands into the cookie jar because the world will explode… even though they've tried 😉

    I personally could see a book where Lena gets with Link and Ethan has to bide by the Bro Code.

    Reply »

  13. Okay okay, we are getting a little crazy here. Haha. And I for one would NOT like it if Ethan & Lena couldn't get together. I mean, Twilight made us wait a bazillion pages and I don't know if I could deal with that in the Caster Chronicles. Especially if it NEVER happens…
    My recent post Stylish Blogger Award!

    Reply »

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge