If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, then you’re going to love this book.
“The Beautiful Ones” takes place in the fictional city of Loisail, inspired by late 19th century France. Our main character is Nina Beaulieu, from a wealthy family who is now being introduced into high society. She previously lived in the countryside before coming to Loisail, and has a telekinetic ability to move objects and things around that she struggles to control. In comes Hector Auvray, a famous performer who also has telekinetic ability. Nina becomes infatuated with Hector upon meeting him at a party, but is clueless to the fact that Hector has a past with Nina’s cousin, Valerie Beaulieu, who ultimately ended things with Hector for a more prestigious man. The dynamic between the three becomes the central plot of the story, combining both fantasy and romance elements to create an engaging read.
Throughout the book, the author is able to weave a beautiful story with an amazing portrayal of society’s constraints and the strict roles assigned to women. As you continue through the story, you can see Nina’s transition from a young girl to a confident woman who isn’t scared to not fit in.
The dynamics between each character, like the love triangle between Nina, Hector and Valerie made the story so much more real. Hector’s lingering infatuation with Valerie, and his growing love for Nina is showcased perfectly, and makes his character so much more dynamic. In contrast, Valerie’s cunning and calculated nature is shown more and more as the story goes on, and showcases her true nature to readers contrasting with how she is first introduced to readers. This differs from Nina’s genuine and naive demeanor, but she eventually grows more into herself and her confidence as the book progresses.
While the romance is an central part of the story, the author does a great job at combining it with fantasy and dramatic elements. The writing is beautiful, although the story is slower paced in the beginning to establish the world and each character, which may not be appealing to some readers. However, if you enjoy a slower paced read that is character-driven, then you’re going to love this book.
Overall, “The Beautiful Ones” is a perfectly crafted story that is able to successfully show the struggle between the things you want in life and what society expects of you. The author does a great job at illustrating this, and I can’t begin to recommend this book more!
