Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-LogstedPublisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pub. Date: September 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
208pp
In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.
Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away. In fact, they don’t make any difference at all to her.
But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.
Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.
Crazy Beautiful is a delightfully re-imagined twist on a modern day fairy tale…
The characters in Crazy Beautiful are quite enjoyable. We have Aurora, the “Beauty” who everyone is instantly drawn to. She’s such a nice girl and overlooks the drama that comes with every day high school rumors and gossip. She’s also fair and believes in second chances. Then we have Lucius, the “Beast” who everyone distances themselves from due to his hooks for hands. He’s the outsider trying to make-up for his past mistakes while trying to fit into a new school.
I enjoyed that this book was written from Aurora and Lucius’s alternating viewpoint which provided insight to how each character felt about being at a new school and ultimately how their feelings for one another progressed as the story went along. Lauren did a great job in having readers connect with the characters through their views on high school popularity and family.
Crazy Beautiful was a quick and enjoyable read with only 187pgs and by the end of the book, I only wished there was more. I would have loved to see more of Aurora and Lucius outside of the school setting. I look forward to reading more of Lauren’s work.
I enjoyed that this book was written from Aurora and Lucius’s alternating viewpoint which provided insight to how each character felt about being at a new school and ultimately how their feelings for one another progressed as the story went along. Lauren did a great job in having readers connect with the characters through their views on high school popularity and family.
Crazy Beautiful was a quick and enjoyable read with only 187pgs and by the end of the book, I only wished there was more. I would have loved to see more of Aurora and Lucius outside of the school setting. I look forward to reading more of Lauren’s work.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 Stars
I can't wait to read this book! My friend bought it and when I visit her, I plan on kidnapping the book ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Tina, I have this book in my reading pile :)
ReplyDeleteI read this and wished it could have been a bit longer. It would have been nice to see more of Aurora and Lucius. Great review!
ReplyDeleteCant wait to read this! :)
ReplyDeleteThe characters sound so interesting. Definitely picking this up soon.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this one like, WHOA. Gorgeous cover and interesting premise. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book.Great review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. I love the cover and the story sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteToo bad it's so short. I love Beauty and Beast retellings, so I'll have to keep an eye out for this one.
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview-- it's really less than 200 pages? Well, that's a bit of a let down, but otherwise the story sounds amazing. I can't wait to read it! :D
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
I'm so excited about the plot of this book. I've been hearing mixed reviews, but it sounds so good in theory!
ReplyDeleteI like when the book is written with alternating points of view, it gives you a chance to get to know more characters. Great review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the kind of book I'd like to read!
ReplyDeletewandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
i abs love books with two perspectives :D
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't realize this book was so short! I could finish that in one sitting, with no bathroom breaks. I really want to read this book, it sounds very good, plus I love fairy tale retellings and B&tB is my favorite. Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteI love when the story is told from alternating POV! Specially if there's a male POV in it!! I cant wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteHoly shit....only 187 pages?! I could read that in 2 hours. I didn't realize it was so freaking short!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving alternate POVs in YA books. Seems to be a trend now a days, but I enjoy it. :)
Sounds really good! I love reading about retellings of Beauty and the Beast! It was one of my favorite disney movies as a kid-and still to this day!
ReplyDeletethis looks great. it seems really unique.
ReplyDeleteI so want to read this book, and want to even more so after reading your review!
ReplyDeleteLove the bad boy angle. I'm sure I'd love this!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing book! Unique & interesting story!
ReplyDeleteI like books that can transition between multiple viewpoints in a fluid way. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about this book. I hadn't realized it was told from alternating view points. I like that. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteReading a book with alternating narrators will be interesting...I love the idea of this book.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDelete-Rylie
bcanyon at hotmail dot com
Sounds really good. I like the interchanging point of views in books. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so interesting. I am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI want more of the book also.
ReplyDeleteWasn't sure about this book but after reading your review will add it to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteSusanB
I was disappointed to see this book was so short but it sounds really good. I can't wait to read it. :D
ReplyDelete~Briana
I'm looking forward to reading this one. It looks like it leaves everybody wanting more and could have been longer though.
ReplyDeleteDeidre