Beautiful Creatures holds a special place in my heart, it’s what got me back to reading other books after I obsessed over Twilight for a .. uhmm.. very long time (let’s leave it like that). I admit I got a little lost on the series, but I loved it still the same. When they announced this spin-off I was again super excited as the two main characters promised for something more edgy and fun!
Darker, sexier and edgier! … and everyone is a little more grown up!
What I loved most about Dangerous Creature is the dark and gritty atmosphere, which is most definitely edgier than what we got from Beautiful Creatures. Not only do we have two main characters who most definitely fall more into the “grey” area, but also the setting helps delivering a different feeling. The kids finally finished school and everyone heads out to college. Link and Ridley – who had a very difficult relationship in the previous series, head together to New York with no real clue what to do there.
If you’d need to label this, it would be most definitely a crossover to New Adult, which will please many fans of the series who also grew up with their beloved characters.
Secrets and Dangers, can Link and Ridley’s Love survive?
The story begins with Link and Ridley being in a very difficult situation and they do not know exactly where they stand. It’s not helping that Ridley apparently has her own reasons to be in New York and .. to bring Link with her. Yet, her real reasons as usual come out too late and nearly break them apart completely.
Ridley owe the mysterious and elusive Nox some depth that might destroy them all and instead of talking she hides everything and tries to figure it out on her own. This of course leaves us with many questions, like what happened to Ridley exactly and how dangerous is this situation they are in exactly and… what role plays Nox in all this?
A little lost…
I must admit, that I was a little lost in the beginning, having not read the last book in the Caster Chronicles, I have no idea if there would be more background or if it’s just the way the story flows. Also, I think I would have liked a little more back story altogether and a few reminders about important things that might have helped getting easier into this new story.
Lots of grey areas and an elusive character I fell hard for!
As I already mentioned, I loved the whole atmosphere and I loved this very dark world Link and Ridley found themselves in. The darker it gets, the more characters can rise about the label of darkness and surprises us with goodness. The characters (apart from Link and Rid) I loved most is Nox – he has such a mysterious aura surrounding him and there are so many secrets attached to him, that I cannot wait to find out more about him. He most definitely surprised me at the very end, where he left me literally cheering for him. I don’t think that he’s there for a Love Triangle, which should make many readers happy!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl is the perfect continuation of the much beloved Caster Chronicles with readers favorites Link and Ridley. It’s much darker, edgier and gritty and sets a whole different thrilling atmosphere. Link and Ridley are just amazing characters to drive this story, but also new characters will easily make their way into the heart of the readers. Even though many spin offs are considered as stand-alone series, I feel like many people would be lost without having read the previous Caster Chronicles.
At the very least I would suggest reading Dangerous Dream – the prequel to this series!
Additional Info
- Find all Caster Chronicles Reviews and posts at the Bewitched Bookworms
- Kami Garcias Solo debut : Unbreakable
- Margarethe Stohls Solo debut: Icons
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Even though I have the second book in the original series on my shelf, I’ve still only read the first. However, I liked the writing team and how they pulled everything together (the movie SUCKED, though. Some things just don’t translate well!). I like that this one is darker and edgier and features Ridley!
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There you go with you and your Bad Boy again!!! I am quite interested in this series. However, I haven’t even read the second book in Beautiful Creatures. I need to catch up. And I didn’t waste my money on the movie. I could tell they messed the book up.
But this sounds great! Especially as New Adult. Because of course they’ve grown up and things are different and it’s okay for them to be more adult. I’m not explaining it right and I can’t think of another series where this would apply. But yay they are out of high school and yay for darker characters.
Great review! I can’t wait to meet Nox.
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Thank you for mentioning the fact that this book would be read better if I had read the Caster Chronicles series. I wasn’t sure myself. I just requested it because it was free for all. Lol. And now I should probably pick up the other books so that I can get to this one. 😛
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Not having a love triangle is definitely a huge plus. Really this series is what pulled you off your Twihard kick? *chuckles*
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I’ve only read the first book in the Caster Chronicles but Ridley’s story has always intrigued me. I was wondering if she would ever get a book and now she has! Thanks for the review!
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I only ever read the first two in the Beautiful Creatures series but I’ve literally been meaning to finish it for forever. I feel like I’d love this series so much more though. Do you think it’s possible for me to just move on to this one? I’ve just heard so many good things about it! I love how you said the themes and atmosphere is a lot darker. 😀
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Damn! I feel like now I need to at least try and find some recaps for the Caster Chronicles and read the prequel to this one before properly delving into this one since I might end up feeling too lost and not appreciating the book as it should be!
Thanks for the great review (and the warnings!).
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This does sound like a great book but I should really read the rest of the first series before diving into this one that way I can follow the storyline easily.
Thanks for the great review!
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Oooo exciting! I really like the Caster Chronicles and can’t wait to start this series. Thanks for the review, I look forward to more Link and Ridley!
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