11 a.m. update: Yesterday evening, part of the KC Country Club Plaza exploded from a gas leak. I’ve received a few emails asking me if I’m okay, and I am. However, I hope everyone involved in the fire is okay, and special thanks to firefighters, police, and first responders (or anyone else who is helping the injured.) Keep KC in your thoughts please.
I first read Beautiful Creatures when I was a freshman in college (December, 2009.) Immediately, I fell in love with the 
beautifully described settings and gothic–both rebellious and haunting–characters. This singular reasoning is why I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out it was being made into a movie. I even wrote Relax & Read: Beautiful Creatures on November 16th, hoping to share the movie news–and the tale–with you all.
Well–I finally saw it, and it was one of the most beautifully (and carefully) done movie adaptations I’ve ever seen. I was amazed by the visuals, the actors, the directors, and the overall storyline they created. (If you’ve read the novel, you know how detailed it is, and I was afraid they’d cut too much. Personally, I don’t think they did. I think they cut things that would’ve taken up too much time to explain on the big screen, and they did their best with the two hours they had…which is a lot. Seriously.) I would recommend reading the novel before seeing the movie, but it’s not necessary to understand the movie.
Check out the movie here.
I do have to admit that I never picked up the next book in the series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. My reasoning is simple: I returned to college, and, because it was my freshman year, I was adjusting, so I didn’t have as much free time (or I wasn’t very good at managing it.) HOWEVER–this movie adaptation reminded me just how wonderful this story is, and I cannot wait to pick up Beautiful Darkness before it is surely adapted as well.
My hope is that you all, whether you’re looking for a great YA novel or movie, consider this one.
Have a great day :]
~SAT
Shannon A. Thompson 
I am yet to read the book, but all I hear are good things. Might just get it now 🙂
My fellow teacher friends have been talking about this book/movie, so I guess that settles it. I’m going to have to get it. Right now I am reading two books (which is taking away from my dissertation): Dragonfly in Amber, the 2nd in the Outlander series (which I’ve already read) and the next Ken Follet book after his epic Pillars of the Earth. Wonderful!
Are you enjoying the current books you’re reading? I’m always looking for a new read–no matter the genre.
~SAT
Shannon, if you haven’t read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, you’ve missed out. You HAVE to read it!
My daughter wants to read this book/see the film – might just let her do so now!
Oh yes! The novel has many great quotes about life and reflection in general. It isn’t only entertainment, but something that can be learned from, despite being fantasy. (I find the best books are like this–entertaining but insightful.) The movie had some as well.
~SAT
Think I might like to see the movie. To much other reading going on right now. Trying to get through The Life of PI.
How do you like The Life of Pi? I’ve heard mixed reviews about the novel and the movie. I found the novel to be fascinating, but, to me, I feared it’d be hard (if not seemingly ridiculous, even if it’s not) when transferred to the screen.
~SAT
I thought the movie was very good, my friend who is a book and movie fanatic said the movie was a must see. After seeing the movie I am quite interested in seeing how the novel is written to represent what the movie showed. I am not to far into the book yet, it sounds funny we thought opposite of each other.
I love it when people have different reactions. It may seem strange, but I thin kit shows how things can reach different types of people.
~SAT
My daughters took me to see it last night and I came in thinking I would get a good two hour nap out of the deal. I was hooked from the first moment on. To me, it was everything that Twilight was shooting for but missed. Wonderfully done.
I think this is a great point to make, because, ever since Twilight, a lot of people are hesitant towards the YA genre (or obsessed) and seeing someone meet in the middle is a great sign for any reaction towards a YA to have, especially when it’s from someone outside the YA range (12-18.)
Thank you for your words,
~SAT
The only reason I’d watch the film is for Jeremy Irons!
He did a very good job. I think one of the best qualities of the novel and the movie is how it’s told from a male’s perspective (who has no power and isn’t necessarily the protagonist) and he played the role well.
~SAT
This looks so much like a Twilight wanna be but then again anything with ‘beautiful people’ will be. I hate to admit it I liked the TLs so maybe this is worth a go. Thnx for review.
You’d be surprised. Just because the title is “Beautiful Creatures” does not mean that this book made everyone “beautiful.” In fact, I don’t believe the novel did at all. Leena was more gothic than the movie allowed her to be, which I thought was a sadder part of the adaptation, but, unlike Twilight, “Beautiful Creatures” is not focused on the romance. Instead, the romance enhances the story. It’s also told from Ethan’s perspective, not Leena’s, and Leena is the powerful one. So there are some big differences I think people (fan of Twilight or not) can truly enjoy.
~SAT
I hope to go see this at the weekend. I haven’t read the book, though.
Like I said, reading the novel isn’t necessary to understand the movie. The only thing I wish they had explained is how Macon (the uncle) is a shifter caster, because it explains things later on, but the storyline on the screen still made sense despite them leaving this fact out.
Let me know how you enjoy it. I’m curious to hear from more perspectives who haven’t read the novel.
~SAT
Will do.
I am planning to see the movie this Friday, but I have read all the books in the series except the new one. I too found the book extremely well written. The evocative imagery, the well developed characters and the setting draw the reader in. I was worried about how well the movie would portray all this, so I am relieved that you felt it was well made. I hope you get a chance to read the rest of the books, they won’t disappoint.
Good to hear! I always like encouragement when I’m on the fence about things. I wish “Beautiful Creatures” would’ve done better over the weekend, but, nevertheless, “Die Hard” seemed to take that role according to the box office.
~SAT
Hey – it looks like a hoot from the trailer. I’ll give it a go. (Life of Pi was an excellent novel and movie – looking for something new? – Salman Rushdie)
a very good friend of mine works at the restaurant where that explosion occurred. she was not there when it occurred but I am not sure if anyone was hurt, have you heard any reports of people being injured in it?
I hope you are enjoying the snow btw, it’s the most snow KC has seen in years!!
15 injured, one dead so far. I’m glad you’re friend is okay.
Yes. The snow is pretty crazy. KU canceled classes today and tomorrow.
~SAT
OMG that’s horrible, I can’t believe that happened!! I talked to my friend briefly just to make sure she was ok, she has 4 small children so if anything ever happened to her her family would be devastated. My heart goes out to those who were injured and lost their lives.
I was actually supposed to be flying into KC tonight to visit family over the weekend but I had to reschedule because the airport shut down. The city is basically shut down actually, nothing is open! stay warm and stay safe and enjoy your time off!
The town is shutdown! It’s pretty crazy. I used to live in Green Bay, so I’m used to snow, but this is A LOT (especially for Kansas.)
All restaurants are closed. We tried to order pizza. Massive fail.
Hope you can come to KC soon! I think the storm is expected to be done and cleared by Friday night.
~SAT
Hahaha you know it’s bad when college kids can’t get a pizza!! I can’t even remember how old I was the last time KC had this much snow but I was probably in grade school!
I will have to wait until March to come back because I already took the vacation days at work. I usually go back for St. Patricks day and stay for about a week. Besides with that much snow, even after the storm is done, the roads will be horrible and many places will still be shut at least through the weekend so I’m better off enjoying my time off just hanging around the apartment trying to get some writing done! I wish you luck with that pizza!!!
Haha thank you! We cooked one we had in the freezer. (Why we wanted to order one when we could cook one is beyond logic except that I am a college student haha)
~SAT