"Some loves are meant to be... Others are cursed."

A diet of fried chicken and biscuits and the civil war reenactment of the Battle of Honey Hill aren't the only things the southern town of Gatlin has to offer; it has curses, casters (witches), and voodoo practitioners. At least, that's Gatlin to the people who are in on the secret.

For Ethan Wate, Gatlin has always been boring and predictable, not magical, so he predicts his sophomore year will play out like every other year. That is until Lena Duchannes, niece of the town recluse Macon Ravenwood, arrives. But, to Ethan, the only thing crazier than Macon Ravenwood's niece showing up is the fact that Lena has been starring in his dreams for months. While Ethan tries to figure out his connection with Lena, he will have to learn all he can about the real Gatlin and the magic it shelters, if he plans to break the curse that haunts Lena and the Ravenwoods. But, as Lena's birthday approaches and time begins to run out, Ethan may have to learn that, magic or no magic, some loves are just meant to be cursed.

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl write a magnificently dark and beautiful story in their first book, Beautiful Creatures, in The Caster Chronicles series. Developing a deep magical history and lore, as well as a southern one, the story will pull readers in. The story is a good blend of academic research, human insight and drama. The characters of Gatlin are the characters of the real world; their personality will ring true and hit home unforgettably. Lena and Ethan's story will keep readers up well into the night, rooting for these characters to make it through together. It looks like this Gothic romance will be around for awhile, and that is something to look forward to.

Check out the authors, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, at www.kamigarciamargaretstohl.com. At the site, readers can listen to the song, Sixteen Moons, that reappears throughout the story. Find out more about The Caster Chronicles at www.somelovesarecursed.com. The second book, Beautiful Darkness, out of a projected five books for The Caster Chronicles, will be released on October 26, 2010. For those readers who fall in love with Beautiful Creatures, Warner Brothers has bought the rights and plans to release the movie in 2011.