The Beautiful Ones

A Novel

By: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

From the New York Times best-selling author of Mexican Gothic comes a sweeping romance with a dash of magic.

They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis- neighbors call her the Witch of Oldhouse - and the haphazard manifestations of her powers make her the subject of malicious gossip.

When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives to town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has traveled the world performing his talents for admiring audiences. He sees Nina not as a witch, but ripe with potential to master her power under his tutelage. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent blossoms, as does her love for him.

But great romances are for fairytales, and Hector is hiding a truth from Nina - and himself - that threatens to end their courtship before it truly begins.

The Beautiful Ones is a charming tale of love and betrayal, and the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

©2017 Silvia Moreno-Garcia (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Straddling several genres with elegant intelligence, The Beautiful Ones is both an easy read and a fulfilling one.” (Locus)

"Truly one of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time. This sweeping tale of love lost and found is told with old-world elegance and grace with just the right touch of magic." (M.J. Rose, New York Times best-selling author)

“Moreno-Garcia fills her fantastic novel of manners with sumptuous language and plausible romantic complications in a setting that appears to be based on 19th-century France and is lightly garnished with minor magic.... Readers who enjoyed Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist Histories magical Regency series will be particularly enthralled by the genuine emotions evoked in the course of the unsustainable love triangle.” (Publishers Weekly)

Thought I would like it more than I did

This book pales in comparison to Mexican Gothic, in my opinion. It may just be my taste as I see so many raving reviews but I honestly found boring and hard to get through - the middle especially. I love this author and I will continue to read her books. She has a gift for creating worlds and this book was consistent in that but I was just not a huge fan of the overall tale.

Wonderful

I really did love the one! It take a lot for me to say that, the narration and story line was really great

excellent plot and well read loved it!

This romance book was very captivating. I enjoyed the bit of added magic to the plot.

Part 2 was better

I definitely enjoyed part 2 of this book more than part 1. But I don’t think I’ve ever despised a character as much as I DESPISED Valerie. Overall, I thought this book was good but not great.

very Enjoyable

I loved this story, the characters, the defiance of the leading Lady. Brings back memories. Love conquers all.

Only in books…

This was wonderful to listen to, I found myself needing to stop listening because I didn’t want it yo finish.

if Jane Austen wrote a magical realism novel

This book is deliciously slow burning. The character development is exquisite, and I enjoyed every minute.

The story

I loved this story- captivating, emotional, historical with a little element of magic. I also enjoyed the minimal cursing and clean storyline.

hang in there..

I hated one character so much that a dreaded reading parts with her in it.. other that it was a good book

Good listen

Narrator is amazing, pronunciation is great. The story captivated me at times, but I fell out of binge throughout. The special powers are not at impactful as I'd hope, though the ending wove them in beautifully.