Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 208 Pages (September 7, 2009)
From: Purchased from Amazon
Synopsis: 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.
Review: 4 Stars - Crazy Beautiful is a story told in alternation chapters between Lucius and Aurora who in each of their own ways are damaged from their past. Two teens drawn to each other on their first day at a new school. As this is a new telling of a Beauty and the Beast story we learn early on in the book that Lucius lost both of his hands in an explosion of his own doing. He chooses to have hooks because he wouldn't grow out of them as quickly and he also in some ways wanted to punish himself for what he had done. The reason for his loosing his hands was briefly touched on and I would have loved to hear more about what actually happened.
Lucius and Aurora are teenagers who are looking for friendship, love, understanding and a place in the world. I enjoyed how refreshing Aurora was in the fact that she didn't just go with the flow and become a follower as most of the other minor characters did when it came to Lucius. I enjoyed her as a heroin for Lucius and felt that they fit together perfectly.
This story was a quick read with a little of everything... even some funny moments that I caught myself laughing out loud. When I first heard about this book, I couldn't wait to read it. Needless to say the title was fitting, the writing well done, characters likable... nothing within the pages from beginning to end let me down except for the fact that I would have liked just a bit more of the story. To all who have yet to find this book - enjoy it when you do.
YEP! another must read! Thanks 4 the review! It makes me want it more hehe
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really like it. I just wish it would have been a couple chapters longer. Would have been perfect then!
ReplyDeleteI saw this book online, and I believed it to be ever so amazing. While in the local bookstore, I saw it there and just had to buy it. When I first saw it, I didn't know it would be a knock-off of Beauty and the Beast. I found the book quite silly and cheesey, but in a good way. The book is not bad, if you'd like something quick and easy to read, then this is the book for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Victoria!
ReplyDeleteI've got this one on my TBR list and wishlist! Looks good. Great review.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really great read. Enjoy when your able to get your hands on it! :o)
ReplyDeletethis book is my new favorite book. i recommend it to any teenager that enjoys a lot of romance, but yet a lot of drama. this is the best book out, hands down (:
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