The Righteous: The Beautiful, Book 3
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Righteous is the third installment in best-selling author Renée Ahdieh's The Beautiful quartet, set in 1872 New Orleans. The action picks up about three weeks after the events of The Damned and focuses more on Bastien's and Celine's best friends Arjun Desai and Pippa Montrose, who end up entangled in an even larger supernatural plot in the Otherworld of the fae, where half-human Arjun's mother is a warrior guard (and from where vampires have been banished). As in the previous two books, there's paranormal violence (references to torture, burning creatures alive, mass murder) and some deaths as well as occasional strong language ("f--k," "s--t," "bitch"). Supernatural beings drink in the Otherworld, to excess if they feel like it. Two different couples kiss and have fade-to-black love scenes. This series is best for fans of paranormal romances like those of Anne Rice (whom the author has said inspired her), Richelle Mead, and Andrea Cremer.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
THE RIGHTEOUS takes place a few weeks after the momentous events of The Damned, which ended with surprising twists that left Odette near dead and Bastien following Celine into the Otherworld to avoid capture by French authorities. Bastien's confidant and Court of Lions private attorney Arjun Desai, who is a half-human, half-fae "ethereal," volunteers to return to the Otherworld in order to find a healer powerful enough to save Odette's life. Celine's best friend, Pippa Montrose, who's supposed to marry a well-connected New Orleans scion in just a few days, unknowingly follows Arjun into the Otherworld to look for Celine. While in the Otherworld, where "half-bloods" like Arjun are treated with suspicion (ethereals can lie unlike their fully fae brethren) and contempt, Pippa is spotted and "claimed" as a plaything until Arjun steps in and announces she's his fiancee. Because the rite of marriage is considered sacred (and forever) by the fae, Arjun and Pippa try to postpone their supposed nuptials to buy themselves time to locate Celine and Bastien, find a healer, and make it back to New Orleans for Pippa's "real" wedding.
Is It Any Good?
The third installment in Renée Ahdieh's 19th century New Orleans-set vampire romance switches gears (and locations) to follow a secondary couple's intense romance in the fae world. While some readers might be disappointed that this novel doesn't include as many Celine and Bastien chapters as the previous books, the story of Arjun and Pippa's fast-tracked relationship (they've been into each other since they first met in Book 1) in the fraught and frightening Otherworld is a page-turning affair. The simmering (if complicated) attraction between Arjun and Pippa is well-developed and explored, as are their backstories. They both have secrets, and as they gradually share their true selves with each other, it's lovely to see them share their emotional burdens with someone else. Arjun and Pippa are steadfast and thoughtful foils to the fiery act first, think later style of their best friends.
Bastien and Celine are in a weird place in the Otherworld. While Celine is a long-lost princess, Bastien has no real footing there. He's tolerated but doesn't belong. As Pippa and Arjun begin to open up to each other, Bastien and Celine almost go backward -- keeping secrets and staying awkwardly quiet, even as their love for each other stays true. Back in New Oreans, Eloise Henri, is a welcome (and quite humorous) addition to the proceedings. It's clear readers will see more of the witchy parfumerie owner's daughter. In addition to Eloise, other supporting characters also appear and have occasional chapters from their perspectives. There are a lot of twists in the final act, so even when readers think they've pieced together what's going on, Ahdieh throws in another surprise. Fans will once again have to wait a year to find out what's ultimately going to happen to the characters they hold dear, but it's sure to be epic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the enduring popularity of paranormal romances like The Righteous. Why are they so popular? How does this one compare with others in the genre?
Which characters do you consider role models in the book? What character strengths do they display? Why are courage, empathy, and teamwork important? How are they depicted in the story?
How does the author portray characters from diverse backgrounds? Arjun and Pippa both lived in England but had different experiences. Why should diverse representations in literature matter to readers?
Celine and Bastien are treated almost as secondary characters in this installment. What did you think of the shift of focus to Arjun and Pippa? What do you think will happen in the final book? What storylines does the author have to wrap up?
Book Details
- Author: Renee Ahdieh
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: December 7, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 456
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: December 21, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Beautiful, Book 1
Steamy, atmospheric paranormal romance set in New Orleans.
-
The Damned: The Beautiful, Book 2
More angst and romance in series' twisty middle installment.
-
The Wrath & the Dawn, Book 1
Hint of magic in absorbing 1,001 Nights-themed love story.
For kids who love fantasy
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate