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.
After finishing Boneshaker I wanted something completely different, which resulted in me picking up Crazy Beautiful, a young adult novel that reshapes the tale of Beauty and the Beast. I sat down with it some time in the early evening and finished it before heading to bed. The short novel, barely 193 pages, was a quick read and its story kept the pages quickly turning.
There’s a lot to like about Crazy Beautiful. The main characters, for one. The pacing and the way the chapters alternate points-of-view between Lucius and Aurora, also, but then I find I’m often drawn to that kind of narrative. I like seeing both sides of the same scene, in first person no less. And the romance, which fell more on the sweet side of the line, rather than the dark and delicious.
So, overall, I liked the book. But…There were a few things that bothered me.
Starting with Lucius’ murky motivation for mixing the chemicals that resulted in the explosion that resulted in him losing his arms. The thing is, despite what he reveals to Aurora and though there are a few more hints, we never learn why he did what he did. Not really. Not in any way that would convince me he was a beast. Or that he was indeed “crazy.” There was little depth to his backstory, which bothered me, especially in light of his parents and their breathing-down-the-back-of-his-neck ways. Because there was obviously more to it, but what that more is…we don’t ever fully know.
And then there were a few concepts/ideas that seemed forced and felt a little empty. They were very good ideas, don’t get me wrong, but with such a short page count they couldn’t be used to their best potential. I’m specifically thinking, for those of you who may have read it, about Lucius being a Gallowglass. I thought that idea was fascinating. I would have loved for it to have had a greater impact that felt a bit more natural.
Plus, and, oh, man, this is starting to make me feel bad, but…The ending seemed rushed, the main conflict tied up too quickly and neatly.
Maybe what it comes down to is that I was expecting too much, or asking too much, and it has nothing to do with the story, which was engaging and well-written. The thing is, I fell in love with the cover, back some time ago now, and I really do think it hints at something a little dark, a little dangerous and delicious, and that’s not what Aurora and Lucius’ story is about. Their story is about standing up and continuing on in the face of tragedy, about acceptance, and believing that love is always a possibility. It was a good story, too, despite my nit-picky problems with it.
Personally, I don’t think you are asking too much. It sounds like the complaints you have are ones that made what the story was about weaker than it could have been, if not by much. That’s a legitimate concern on your part and, furthermore, might help the author in writing future novels.
Just because something isn’t the focus of a tale, that doesn’t mean it’s not important to the tale, and I think something like Lucius’ motives are that. Er, well, I think that based on the review you wrote. I should stress that. I haven’t read the book myself. I just… don’t see your comments as being ‘expecting too much’. Expecting the wrong thing, maybe, but that’s not the same and that doesn’t make what you said any less valid a concern.
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the book despite that, though! It sounds like you enjoyed it quite a bit! (Plus, it sounds interesting to boot. ^-^)
Your critiques don’t sound nit-picky at all. I dislike rushed endings and find myself reading many books that start off so well…and then sort of spiral down at the end. But it doesn’t stop me from liking the book. But I totally understand where you’re coming from.
It’s sad to hear the cover doesn’t quite go with the story. I do really enjoy the cover. But I know not to judge books by their cover. I love it when they tie in with each other, but I’ve learned to not expect that all the time, because sometimes…it just doesn’t connect.
I’m still looking forward to picking up a copy. I really enjoyed your review =)
Nice, honest review, Chelle. I appreciate it. Based on your review and a few others I’ve been attempting to adjust my expectations from dark and dangerous to lighter and sweeter. I love your final sentence.
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