Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures is a 2009 American young adult novel written by authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and the first book in the Caster Chronicles series. The book was published on December 1, 2009 by Little, Brown, and Company. In the UK, Beautiful Creatures is published by Penguin Books. The book was written in 12 weeks, inspired by a dare (a bet with seven kids the authors knew) and was never intended to be published. Characters Ethan Lawson Wate is the 16-year-old narrator of the novel. He is a high school boy from the fictional town of Gatlin, South Carolina. Though he is not a Caster himself, he somehow has the ability to protect Lena from powerful magic and Dark Casters. He and Lena share a connection called Kelting, which lets them communicate telepathically even if they are miles away. Lena Duchannes is a Caster who appears in Ethan's dreams before she moves to Gatlin. She must be claimed for either Light or Dark on her 16th birthday. Sarafine Duchannes is Lena's mother and the strongest Dark Caster. She tries to convince Lena to become a Dark Caster. Macon Melchizedek Ravenwood is Lena's uncle. He is an incubus who chooses to live off dreams rather than blood. While characters in the book compare him to Boo Radley, he is described by the writers in an interview with Boys with Books, as an "Atticus Finch of badasses." Genevieve Duchannes was the Caster who caused the curse in Lena's family by trying to bring her dead fiancé, Ethan Carter Wate, back to life by using the Book of Moons. She was likely a Natural. Ethan Carter Wate was Genevieve's fiancé who died after he was shot during the great burning of Gatlin. Genevieve tried to bring him back to life by using the Book of Moons, which led to her turning Dark. However, Ethan was revived for only a few moments before he died again. Ridley Duchannes is Lena's cousin and a Dark Caster. She can manipulate people by using a lollipop. Mitchell Wate is Ethan's father, is a reclusive writer who is deep in mourning for his wife. Amarie "Amma" Treadeau is a Seer who is like a grandmother to Ethan. She can communicate with her dead family, which she calls the Greats. She is known throughout Gatlin for her culinary skill. Marian Ashcroft is the librarian of the Mortal and the Caster libraries. She was the best friend of Ethan's late mother, Lila Evers Wate, and has known Ethan since he was born.