Southern Magic: Better Than Twilight*

In the tiny town of Gatlin, South Carolina, nothing ever changes. At least, not from the perspective of 16-year-old Ethan Wate. He was already making plans to leave after graduation, never to return.

Then Lena Duchannes moves to town. And Ethan's world gets turned on its ear.

He had no idea the girl who'd haunted his dreams really existed.

Not only does she exist, she exposes all Gatlin's secrets for him to see. Magic is real. Also really practiced in this little town. As the struggle between good and evil comes to a head, Ethan and Lena discover their places in the ages-old battle.

Can their fledgling love survive? Love between Casters and Mortals is strictly taboo, forbidden.

But maybe even that restriction can be circumvented. Lena does have a thing for changing the rules.

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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl enchants. This beautifully crafted story drew me in from the very start.

I grew up in the small-town South. How well I remember thinking things never changed. Or so it seemed back then. I know better now, of course. Though I haven't seen quite the changes Ethan saw.

I only wish I had been able to read the book in one sitting. In hindsight, starting it during my lunch break at work may not have been the best idea. But how was I to know it would prove so enthralling? So much so that I was almost late in returning to work.

Good thing I work in a bookstore. The boss lady, and my co-workers, understands such things.

Since I finished reading the book, I have talked the ears off all my co-workers. Just talking about this one book. I think I've convinced them all to read it, even those who don't normally like fantasy.

I can not wait for this book to release! December first seems too far away. I am sure I will walk around the store carrying this book all day that day. Probably the rest of the week as well.

*Disclaimer: My opinion only. Yours may vary. No flames, please.

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Source: I own an ARC of this book, which I requested from the publisher after seeing an advert in Publisher's Weekly (read at work).

Where to Buy: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million