Publishers Weekly
08/21/2017
Moreno-Garcia (Certain Dark Things) 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, including the telekinetic abilities of unconventional debutante Antonina “Nina” Beaulieu and performer Hector Auvray. Both of them dwell uncomfortably adjacent to the titular beautiful people, society personages with old money and impeccable pedigrees. Hector is intrigued by country mouse Nina’s unfashionable traits of directness, interest in entomology, and romantic naïveté, as well as her scientific approach to studying psychic abilities—but he is even more interested in her cousin by marriage, Valérie Beaulieu, with whom he was involved years before and whom he still passionately idealizes. Brittle, attractive Valérie enjoys Hector’s renewed presence as he pretends to court Nina; her memories of her youthful romance with him contrast with her indifferent, dutiful relationship with her husband. 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. Agent: Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
I seriously loved everything about this from the gorgeous, lush prose, to the tiny intimate moments of heartbreak.” —Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo Award-winning author of the Glamourist Histories series
"Straddling several genres with elegant intelligence, The Beautiful Ones is both an easy read and a fulfilling one.” –Locus
"It’s a slow-burn, stately novel about the magic of what it means to love, and love truly.” –Tor.com
"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 bestselling 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
“This elegant tale of hidden desires and misplaced amour will appeal to fans of historical fantasy.” –Booklist
“The talented author of Certain Dark Things and Signal to Noise returns with a novel that is light on fantasy but overflowing with delicious melodrama … a great fit for fans of the 18th-century French classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” –Library Journal
Library Journal
09/15/2017
Returning to the capital city of Loisail, Hector Auvray uses his telekinesis to wow crowds and gain entry into society. At a lavish party, he meets the young Nina Beaulieu who is immediately smitten and intrigued by his psychic abilities. Although he enjoys Nina's attentions, his heart belongs to Valérie, Nina's aunt by marriage. While Valérie was the one who broke their engagement to marry the wealthy Gaetan Beaulieu, she still doesn't like seeing Hector paying Nina attention. The telekinesis that Hector has mastered and Nina is struggling to control adds a fantastical spin to a story that would otherwise be a great fit for fans of the 18th-century French classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Valérie is an especially compelling character to watch: self-destructive, vengeful, and broken by her own choices and machinations. VERDICT The talented author of Certain Dark Things and Signal to Noise returns with a novel that is light on fantasy but overflowing with delicious melodrama.—MM
School Library Journal
★ 01/01/2018
In a Belle Epoque—inspired setting, the author of Signal to Noise and Certain Dark Things tries her hand at romance with excellent results. Hector Auvray, a world-renowned telekinetic performer, has returned to the posh city of Loisail after years away with one purpose in mind—to see Valérie Beaulieu, his former fiancée, who broke their engagement to marry for money and security instead of the passionate love they shared. He decides to court Antonina Beaulieu, Valérie's husband's young country cousin, who has telekinetic powers of her own and doesn't quite fit in during her first Grand Season. Unaware of the part that she is playing in the bigger plot, the curious and awkward Antonina falls for the mysterious Hector, especially because he accepts her abilities. This novel of manners presents carefully crafted characters with nuanced motivations to rival any Thomas Hardy classic. Moreno-Garcia adeptly captures the ecstatic highs of first love and the bitter disappointments of first heartbreak. Hints of the paranormal and dashes of adventure and feminism are subtly interwoven, making for an unforgettable work. VERDICT A must-have where Jane Austen, Edith Wharton, and romance are popular.—Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal
FEBRUARY 2018 - AudioFile
P.J. Ochlan narrates a deeply romantic love story, set in a stylized, magical Belle Époque. Antonina Beaulieu has come to Loisail to be ushered into society by Valerie Beaulieu, her cousin’s wife. Instead, both women become entangled with telekinetic performer Hector Auvrey. Ochlan proves especially adept at bringing both Nina, a somewhat naïve country girl, and Valerie, a brittle and distant society doyenne, to life. The men fair similarly well: A callow young suitor sounds appropriately brash and reckless, and Nina’s older cousin sounds jovial and somewhat complacent, while Hector Auvrey comes across as intriguing and intelligent. A variety of strong emotions are displayed by the characters, and Ochlan gives them their due. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
AUGUST 2021 - AudioFile
An unforgettable social season is underway in the fictional city of Loisail, and narrator Imani Jade Powers rises to the occasion with a highly imaginative and perfectly executed performance. Powers crafts an original accent for the fictional land that is sharp and sophisticated, with a slight French inflection. Hector, a performer with a gift for telekinesis, has come to Loisail for his ex-fiancée, Valérie, but he is soon taken by Nina, Valérie’s ingenue cousin. Powers gives an absolutely chilling performance as the scorned Valérie, whose voice becomes stoic and resolute in contrast to the higher-pitched, more excitable voice she uses for Nina. Powers’s delicate narration will draw listeners into the drama as fickle hearts give way to deceit, sabotage, and deception. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2018 - AudioFile
P.J. Ochlan narrates a deeply romantic love story, set in a stylized, magical Belle Époque. Antonina Beaulieu has come to Loisail to be ushered into society by Valerie Beaulieu, her cousin’s wife. Instead, both women become entangled with telekinetic performer Hector Auvrey. Ochlan proves especially adept at bringing both Nina, a somewhat naïve country girl, and Valerie, a brittle and distant society doyenne, to life. The men fair similarly well: A callow young suitor sounds appropriately brash and reckless, and Nina’s older cousin sounds jovial and somewhat complacent, while Hector Auvrey comes across as intriguing and intelligent. A variety of strong emotions are displayed by the characters, and Ochlan gives them their due. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
