Some books I pick up and I'm immediately in the story. They feel maybe not like old friends, but at least like a comfortable place to sit. Beautiful Creatures is definitely like that. Picked it up because I saw a preview for the movie. It's a long book, but a quick read. There are a few moments when you're just waiting for something else to happen, but not enough to be truly annoying. 
 A boy in the South has been having strange dreams that aren't quite dreams. A new girl in town turns out to be the key to what's happening. They are connected in a way neither really understands. His mother's dead. His father rarely leaves his study. His housekeeper's in touch with the Spirits. His best friend has delusions of musical greatness. And now he's got a girlfriend who is a witch -- excuse me, "caster" -- and they're counting down to her sixteenth birthday when she'll be claimed by either the light or the dark. 
 So, a lot of stuff going on, but the part that really throws me out of the story every time is the age of the kids. They're supposed to be sophomores but they have way too much power in the school. Sophomores just aren't that important in the scheme of things. Also, they're acting like the guys are pretty much men. I'm sorry, a sixteen year old boy, no matter how developed, is not a man. Make them seniors, maybe I believe it.