My rating:

add to my books

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)

by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author)

4.01 · rating details · 25,793 ratings · 1,910 reviews

Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s vis...more

Paperback, 548 pages

Published December 18th 2007 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (first published August 23rd 2005)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Books That Should Be Made Into Movies

64th out of 6,175 books — 17,351 voters

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Best Young Adult Books

145th out of 4,986 books — 21,988 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 35,571)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 22, 2008

Maddie Dix rated it

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZ...more

like 54 likes

· see review

Feb 13, 2009

(G)Emma rated it

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like 9 likes

· see review

Mar 16, 2009

Beth F. rated it

Shelves: young-adult, victorian, fantasy, 2009, tnbbc-spring-2009

So I emailed a friend today and explained that the only way I could think of to describe this series was to imagine tossing Mean Girls & The Craft (both of the cheesy teen movie persuasion) into a blender with the whole Harry Potter English boarding school concept just to see what comes out. And what results is an addicting, fast-paced story that is difficult to put down.

I’m actually a bit shocked by how engrossing this story has become. Libba Bray wields literary red herrings qu...more

like 8 likes

· see review

Jul 22, 2008

Jenny rated it

I love this book. I love the entire series. I found them first in seventh grade, but the third one hadn't come out yet. I was scanning my middle school library's shelves, when I noticed an interesting cover near one of my favorite book series. I read the back and I thought the plot was interesting. So I decided to give it a chance and read it. I thought they were great. I mean, I really didn't consider them as some of my favorite books. Eventually, I went on with my life and sort of forgot about...more

like 8 likes

· see review

Jan 27, 2011

Lowed rated it

Shelves: books-read-2011

I'm surprised she did not see it coming! If you have read my review of the first book, you'd see at how I might be inconsistent with it. With a really good prose [this time], this is an excellent follow up of the first book.

It's good seeing the development of the characters, although I still think they are a hateful bunch. But it was still nice enough to make me want to read the last book in the series.!

like 4 likes

· see review

Jun 29, 2010

Stray rated it

Recommends it for: who read the 1st

Shelves: zzz-2010, in-english, aareviewed

Book Name: Rebel Angels
Author/s: Libba Bray
Language English
Original Title:Rebel Angels
Publisher, year: Simon and Schuster, 2007
Page total:548
Date Read: june 27-28
Genre/s: YA, fantasy, paranormal, historical fiction
First line of Book:"Herein lies the faithful and true account of my last sixty days, by Kartik, brother of Amar, loyal son of the Rakshana, and of the strange visitation I received that has left me wary on this cold English night."...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Sep 02, 2008

Summer rated it

OMG. Okay. I have to get The Sweet Far Thing. Like. now. Blast... it's only in hardcover... I don't know what to do. My brain isn't working.

So far I love this series way too much to be healthy. You know you've got me hooked when I start going all delusional and forget that there is this thing called reality, and that I shouldn't be sitting in bed with my eyes closed trying to picture a door of light.

But more than just the fantastical element... I really enjoyed how much ...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Jan 31, 2008

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, read-in-2008

In this is sequel to Libba Bray's excellent YA fantasy novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Gemma, Felicity and Anne venture to London over the Christmas holidays. Gemma finds a new love interest among the peerage and Felicity and Anne undertake a daring deception about Anne's social status. Amid the social whirl they continue to venture into the magical land of the realms, seeking to escape the strictures of their lives. But Circe's agents are closing in, hunting Gemma and a way to claim the mag...moreIn this is sequel to Libba Bray's excellent YA fantasy novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Gemma, Felicity and Anne venture to London over the Christmas holidays. Gemma finds a new love interest among the peerage and Felicity and Anne undertake a daring deception about Anne's social status. Amid the social whirl they continue to venture into the magical land of the realms, seeking to escape the strictures of their lives. But Circe's agents are closing in, hunting Gemma and a way to claim the magic of the realms for the dark spirits. The Rakshana are desperate to claim the same power and equally as ruthless. Hunted and harried on all sides, Gemma must discover Circe's true identity, find her own path and bind the magic of the realms before all is lost.

As with the first book in this series, Rebel Angels is characterized by vivid descriptions, a rousing cast of characters and a plot that twists tighter and tighter with plenty of action. I was hooked from the first word and rushed through the story, anxious as each new scene unfolded. Bray has a knack for creating strong, believable characters that fit well within the confines of their world and time. It is easy to sympathize with a character on one page and want to yell at them on the next.

The descriptions are full and beautiful, bringing Gemma's world and the realms to life. This was such a satisfying book with lots of nice twists and suprises. I relished every word and was sad when the story was over. I was left craving more. Luckily I've got the third book qued up and ready to go :D

I listened to the audio version of this book and it was wonderfully narrated by Josephine Bailey. There was only one small issue: in one of the later chapters Josephine breaks character and corrects her reading on a bit of dialogue - making a note to herself. Somehow the audio editors missed that. The copy I listened to was from my local library and likely and early edition. It's possible that fault was edited out in later audio editions.(less)

like 4 likes

· see review

May 27, 2008

Shannon rated it

Shelves: fantasy, ya, 2007

I think the story is getting even more interesting, and also a bit sad. It didn't take me long to read it either! Truly, these are such fun books, and the world behind the door of light is getting more and more interesting. In this sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty, set two months after, a new, mysterious teacher has arrived at Spence, three ghostly girls are trying to give Gemma a message, and Kartik tells Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic that she let loose when she broke t...moreI think the story is getting even more interesting, and also a bit sad. It didn't take me long to read it either! Truly, these are such fun books, and the world behind the door of light is getting more and more interesting. In this sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty, set two months after, a new, mysterious teacher has arrived at Spence, three ghostly girls are trying to give Gemma a message, and Kartik tells Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic that she let loose when she broke the runes. But it is also Christmas, and Gemma is spending the holiday in London with her family. Felicity has invited Ann to spend it with her family, enabling them to take trips back to the Realms to look for the Temple.

Gemma has a new interest to distract her: Simon Middleton, son of a Viscount, a handsome young man who has taken quite a shine to her but whose methods - getting her drunk on absenthe - leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, not all Gemma's judgements of character are crappy. I am sad about Miss Moore, though. I liked her. I also like the continuing touches of historical positioning: the men digging up the streets in London to lay cables for electricity and get rid of the old gaslamps; the snide remark about Felicity having to marry an American because she's too head-strong and vulgar for a good British man; and the Underground as it once was, before it too turned electric.

The usual places of gothic horror - the boarding school and the insane asylum - are clean and cheery in this story. Darker things lurk closer to home, in Gemma's father's opium-addiction, in the mysterious Rakshana that Kartik is a part of, in Felicity's horrible secret. The hideous creatures hunting for them in the Realms are dangerous and terrifying, but so is the opium-den, the treacherous Rakshana who want to make Gemma bind the magic of the Temple to them and then kill her, and an unlocked door to a child's bedroom.

The third and final book is not out until Christmas, I hear, but worth waiting for.(less)

like 3 likes

· see review

Jul 01, 2009

Julie rated it

After reading the first book it was good enough to keep reading the other books although I didn't love it. I really liked the second book, but after the whole series was finished I was rather disappointed. I thought the story was compelling, but if you're looking for a book appropriate for you teenage girls I didn't think this was it. There are far too many points of view that conflicted with my beliefs. I really wanted to like these books, but after the insertion on homosexuality (hinted at i...more

like 4 likes

· see review

Oct 15, 2008

Emma rated it

Recommends it for: anyone who liked the first book

Shelves: favorite-books, action, romance, historical-fiction

********Don't read this review if you haven't read the book!!!!!**********

This book's way better than the second, because she gets away from Spence, and there is more action. I like the fact that Simon's there (Kartik has some competition!), and that he's still going to be there in the next one. I don't think much happened with Ann, but nothing much CAN happen to Ann. Well, now that I think about it she does pretend to be Russian royalty, and has to go home in May, so I guess ...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Nov 22, 2008

Emily rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction-victorian, mysteryhistoricalfiction19th-centur, scififantasy

The series still offers the kind of fluff stress-relief I need right now. The novel is very readable: the pages fly by and you can read it in a couple of bedside sittings.

It's greatest strength is still there: the young women retain their complex, realistic relationship as they struggle to figure out if a balance is possible between what is expected of them and the opportunity to find out what they want out of life.

The downside? Three "twists" that aren't twists...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Dec 03, 2009

Tatiana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, ya, ala-ya-2006, series-dropped-lost-steam, historical

I enjoyed "Rebel Angels" just as much as I did its predecessor - "A Great and Terrible Beauty."

In this book Bray continues exploring constraints of Victorian society, and their suffocating effects on young women's lives. This time we go beyond the borders of the finishing school - Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are in London for their Christmas holidays. We accompany them to opera, ball, and various social events. To add to already dark Gothic atmosphere of the story, ...moreI enjoyed "Rebel Angels" just as much as I did its predecessor - "A Great and Terrible Beauty."

In this book Bray continues exploring constraints of Victorian society, and their suffocating effects on young women's lives. This time we go beyond the borders of the finishing school - Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are in London for their Christmas holidays. We accompany them to opera, ball, and various social events. To add to already dark Gothic atmosphere of the story, we visit an insane asylum and an opium den - both creepy and exciting adventures. There is also a greater emphasis on romance element - Gemma has a new suitor of high stature and wealth, but, of course, things are complicated by Kartik's presence. Another great quality of Bray's storytelling is her ability to introduce modern dark themes into the old-fashioned setting. I am not sure if Victorian girls were really that well aware of matters of drugs, sex, and child molesting, but these elements are weaved into the story very skillfully.

In spite of the many enjoyable elements of book, there were some that are quite bothersome. For one, the friendship between the girls seems not to be a friendship at all. Rather, it's a sick, very often destructive relationship, in which Felicity always gets what she wants, Ann sides with the strongest in any argument, and Gemma acts against her better judgment under pressure from her so-called friends. Another thing, while the world of Realms is very imaginative, it's getting more and more complex, with numerous new supernatural players, whose motivations are very often hard to follow. And finally, I am yet to understand the appeal of both Realms and magic. Gemma powers don't really help her in any way in real life, as for magic in the Realms, girls still do not go beyond making themselves pretty and conjuring gems out of leaves.

Hopefully, these aspects of the story will be explored better in the final chapter of this quite enchanting trilogy.

Reading challenge: #14 - 2 of 4(less)

like 2 likes

· see review

Aug 10, 2008

Susan rated it

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, paranormal, read-in-2008, gothic-fiction, coming-of-age, family-relationships, friendship, young-adult, library-books, historical-fantasy, do-you-believe-in-magic, library-books-i-wish-i-owned, young-women

Rebel Angels is the second book in Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy. After reading the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty, I wasn't all that excited to finish the series. I just felt that the book promised something that it couldn't entirely deliver. I'm really glad I gave the series a second chance though, because Rebel Angels was really terrific!

In this sequel, Gemma continues to pursue her destiny as the one who can bring order back to the realms. This book takes place over t...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Dec 14, 2008

Erin rated it

Shelves: im-ya-and-thats-okay

Rebel Angels is the second book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. I finished the first, Great and Terrible Beauty, earlier this month and was not intending to read this one so soon. I read a few other books then found myself wondering what was going to happen to "the Order." Ashley was also reading them and told me how they all get better. It was true. This one was so much more exciting than the first.

I love how it is a girls Fantasy that is based in the late 1800s. It combines s...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Nov 24, 2007

Elizabeth rated it

Shelves: 2007, in-by-of-england, in-by-of-the-americas, vamps-and-other-mythical-beasts, victorians-and-wannabes, to-review, fantasy-sci-fi

There is a never-ending fascination with women in Victorian England, particularly among fantasy writers. I'm not sure why as I am not overly intrigued by it myself. When I first saw these books in the bookstore (the first in the series is A Great and Terrible Beauty), I thought, "Oh no, not another story of 'magic' in a Victorian boarding school." (You know, it may be Edwardian-era. I don't remember exactly). But I started reading it anyway, in the bookstore, and the writing was good e...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Jan 02, 2008

Laura rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone who liked A Great and Terrible Beauty

Shelves: 2007-08

548 pages (counts as two books)
My opinions on this book changed with almost every chapter. When I first started, I was somewhat disappointed. What I liked so much about the first book in the series, A Great and Terrible Beauty, was how realistic the dialogue and narration was for the time period. I felt like the voice of the main character, Gemma, was believable for the 1800s. It seemed to me that Gemma lost some of her credibility in the second book. She had more of a modern "...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Oct 02, 2008

Lisa rated it

As good or better than the first book. This one is getting a reread from me because it's still twisting around in my brain. Geez, all the MacBeth imagery! Libba Bray should give writers' seminars on how to drop elements from classic literature pieces into your own works; she is a master. Fair is foul and foul is fair, indeed! Those three girls in white......hmmm, witches, witches. And I knew there would be more examination of religion! So good to THINK about things instead of just blindly f...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Jul 29, 2007

Kate E.A. rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: teenage girls.

This is the sequel to Libba Bray's debut novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, and I have to say: better than the first. YA in genre, Bray's style is really fresh and easy to read. She combines gothic elements with the supernatural and the Victorian period in a very compelling way and has obviously done some research into the time period -- always a good choice.

The same compelling character from GTB return in Rebel Angels, from the mysterious and handsome Kartik to the lost friend Pipp...more

like 1 like

· see review

Apr 17, 2008

Kirsten rated it

As Gemma Doyle continues her education at Spence Academy for young ladies, she is set to a new task. After setting to magic free in the realms it is up to Gemma to find the temple and bind the magic again. She is told to trust no one, but as this tangled plot unfolds she will find help in the strangest places and learn that some of those she does trust may not be what they seem.
I loved this book. I enjoyed it much more than the first book in the trilogy, A Great and Terrible Beauty. I...more

like 1 like

· see review

May 08, 2011

Debora rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ☀preferiti☀, fisicamente_posseduto

Angeli Ribelli è il secondo di una triologia che ti cattura ad ogni pagina.
Dove non ci sono buoni o cattivi, dove il bianco ed il nero spesso finiscono con il confondersi e mescolarsi senza alcuna apparente logica.
Dove l'amicizia è vera, quella reale di tutti i giorni fatta di luce ed ombre, di pregi e difetti e dove l'amore non è una classica favola dove il principe azzurro arriva cavalcando un bianco destriero.

Libba Bray, nella sua bravura, ci mostra un mondo fatto di balli, carrozze, cavalli...more

· see review

Oct 11, 2010

Erica - Bonner Springs Library rated it

Shelves: ya, 2006

I actually started this book before reading A Great and Terrible Beauty only to find out that this is the sequel. After about 30 pages I had no idea what was going on, so I decided to stop and read the other book first. I'm glad that I read A Great and Terrible Beauty first because I would have been so lost through most of this book. I didn't enjoy this book as much as A Great and Terrible Beauty because it was a bit more fantastical that the first book. I guess I have a hard time reading someth...more

· see review

Dec 23, 2008

Kellista rated it

I just finished this last night and my head is still spinning. I found the first one, A Great and Terrible Beauty interesting but not as riviting as some of my friends. Honestly, there were times I thought about putting it down. I'd just came off of the Twilight series so perhaps this great switch in storylines and setting was hard to adjust to. So when I bought the second one I opened it with a great sigh...hoping it would be a tad more interesting. I was pleased to see by just a few pages in I...more

· see review

Nov 26, 2008

Elizabeth rated it

· see review

Dec 25, 2011

Sid rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

· see review

Dec 22, 2011

Ren Valera rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Rebel Angels is the second installment in Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series. It continues the story of Miss Gemma Doyle, who has recently come to terms with the knowledge that she has the power to enter the realms, a magical place where a group of priestesses called the Order came to reign until two girls, Mary Dowd and Sarah Rees-Toome, upset the balance.

Gemma came into the company of Felicity Worthington, Pippa Cross, and Ann Bradshaw during her stay in the Spence Academy for Young La...moreRebel Angels is the second installment in Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series. It continues the story of Miss Gemma Doyle, who has recently come to terms with the knowledge that she has the power to enter the realms, a magical place where a group of priestesses called the Order came to reign until two girls, Mary Dowd and Sarah Rees-Toome, upset the balance.

Gemma came into the company of Felicity Worthington, Pippa Cross, and Ann Bradshaw during her stay in the Spence Academy for Young Ladies. There also, she came to meet a most agreeable instructor, Miss Hester Moore, that sadly was driven away by their headmistress Mrs. Nightwing, for such an offense as reading from Mary Dowd's mysterious diary of fantasy. She was then replaced by a shady Miss McCleethy.

Sadly, in the second book, we are only greeted with Gemma, Felicity, and Ann, Pippa having been left behind in the realms due to her choice of eating the berries.

The three heroines continue their year at Spence, and they are plagued with more than Gemma's visions and the mysteries that is the realms.

As it was, the second installment of Libba Bray's gripping novel left me wanting for the third and final sequel. Within each page, the author presented me with mysteries that not only involved the fantasy that is the realms, but the puzzles that are the characters themselves.

More is revealed of Felicity's background - the truth about her mother and her father, the Admiral. Also, we see a different light shed on Felicity, the ever so daring, devilishly spiteful young lady. She becomes the shadow of the girl that was presented in A Great and Terrible Beauty. Felicity falters in some chapters of the book, most especially towards little Polly, a cousin come to stay with them. It is revealed that Felicity has fallen victim to such an ill crime that it is no wonder what led about to her quite brash nature.

Also, Gemma's dearly beloved teacher, Hester Moore, is found out to be truly Circe. As Miss Doyle was deceived, so was I.

Rebel Angels is a darker, broodier novel of Bray that is sure to be loved by readers of the first novel. Truly, the suspense is not only to be found during Gemma and her friends' trips to the realms, but also around London and its tea parties.

What had such a tantalizingly tempting grip on me in the book was again, it's characterization. Never mind about the realms and its chaos. There is real terror and grief in the Doyle and Worthington household. How Gemma's father had fallen so deeply into depression that he was thrown into the murky pits of the slums to smoke opium. How the Admiral, such honor, has a dark past with Felicity.

It is a novel that tests human nature and morality. It tests trust, what with the treasure box of secrets that each person kept. It tests wit, what with the shocking revelation upon each character that the author lit with such a passionate flame.

There is simply too much to discuss that I feel I cannot put them enough into a good review. I cannot even put it to simple words how taken I was by the plot twists. It took my breath in a stop and spread across the pages to let live the characters once again, so as I may feel pity, anger, and empathy towards them. I believe this novel merits that.(less)

· see review

Dec 06, 2011

Kamaria rated it

Have you read the first one yet-A Great and Terrible Beauty? If you havent, I just cyber smacked your face!! If you have, we would be great friends. Libba Bray has done the impossible and made the second book even greater than the first!!!! In this continuation of the story, Gemma has come to terms with her mothers final death, and Pippa's. Or so she thinks. Gemma thinks shes learned most everything there is to know about the realms, and the magic of the Order. Then she finds out that by her set...more

like 1 like

· see review

Nov 26, 2011

Molly (Surrounded By Words) rated it

Shelves: 2009-books, all-time-favs

"Rebel Angel" is a perfect title for Gemma!! I feel like she's about to pop from over-confinement. Safe to say, I never would have survived in Victorian England.

I'm still not sure I trust Felicity. She's still very power hungry in this book, and her jealousy over the status that Gemma holds is very apparent. We do learn more about her past that helps you understand her attitude. You learn more about each girl, actually, and Gemma explains the connections beautifully. For exam...more"Rebel Angel" is a perfect title for Gemma!! I feel like she's about to pop from over-confinement. Safe to say, I never would have survived in Victorian England.

I'm still not sure I trust Felicity. She's still very power hungry in this book, and her jealousy over the status that Gemma holds is very apparent. We do learn more about her past that helps you understand her attitude. You learn more about each girl, actually, and Gemma explains the connections beautifully. For example, Pippa is always pushing to be heard because no one in her life has ever really taken the time to listen to what she's saying. Felicity fights for control in her life because she despises being weak. Ann was put away at Spence without anyone bothering to discover her true talent. Gemmma come to realize the value and need for each girl in the journey they're on.

There was more than one instance while I was reading when I just sat back and thought, "Libba Bray, you are freaking brilliant." My favorite of those moments was chapter 37. Gemma, Tom, and their Grandmamma are in church for the Christmas service and Libba creates a beautiful illustration of the turmoil Gemma was feeling. I know that I can't describe it adequately so I'm going to quote a bit here. Nothing spoilery, I promise!

"A light-dappled stained-glass window shows an angel delivering the annunciation. At his feet, Mary kneels, trembling as she receives this fearful message from her celestial visitor. Her fave shows the awe and fear of that news, of the gift she has not asked for but will carry nonetheless. And I wonder why there is no passage to sedcribe her terrible doubt.

[Skip ahead a paragraph and a half]

Why is there no panel showing women saying, 'No, I'm sorry, I don't want this gift. You may have it back. I've sheep to look after and bread to bake, and I've no desire to be a holy messenger.'

That is the window I long to see." pages 387-88

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy is that it will show a new generation just how far women have come in society. Even I, who spent significant time in college studying feminist theory and the feminist movement, gained a new respect for women's rights.

Gemma's struggle in this book is to come to terms with the task at hand. She has been laden with a burden that no teenager should have to bear: the fate of an entire world. Every person she comes into contact with, and several million she will never meet, will be affected by the decisions she makes regarding the realms and the power of the Order.

I'm going to close with what might be my favorite passage. It's funny and is totally something I would do.

" 'I am quite able to look after myself,' I say. I turn smartly on my heel and smack directly into the wall, raising a bumb upon my forehead that will probably remain forever." page 229

This just goes to remind us all that in those moments when dignity and grace seem most important, we will surely shoot it all to hell. (less)

· see review

Nov 19, 2011

TG rated it

· review of another edition

I didn't love the first Gemma Doyle book when I read it a year ago. Part of the problem was that it was the book I read after The Hunger Games and honestly, what wouldn't suffer in comparison? But the main issue was my dislike of most of the characters: I can see that, for Gemma's friends, Libba Bray meant to create realistic girls who are flawed, but the particular personality flaws (Felicity is a snob, Pippa is an airhead and Ann is bitter and self-pitying) happen to be ones I can't abide, so ...moreI didn't love the first Gemma Doyle book when I read it a year ago. Part of the problem was that it was the book I read after The Hunger Games and honestly, what wouldn't suffer in comparison? But the main issue was my dislike of most of the characters: I can see that, for Gemma's friends, Libba Bray meant to create realistic girls who are flawed, but the particular personality flaws (Felicity is a snob, Pippa is an airhead and Ann is bitter and self-pitying) happen to be ones I can't abide, so even though these girls were doing cool things, I didn't enjoy spending time with them.

Thankfully, in Rebel Angels, the characters were developed and given layers enough that I was able to warm to them and appreciate their friendship. What happened to Pippa in A Great and Terrible Beauty was the plot thread I was most interested in, so I was glad to see Rebel Angels pick it up, as the girls meet Pippa again when they return to the Realms. It's touching to see how much Pippa and Felicity mean to each other and is one of the things that serve to make Felicity more sympathetic. In fact, Felicity is the character who emerges as the most compelling, after a revelation about her family puts everything about her into a different light.

The main storyline is that Gemma must bind the magic of the Realms after it was set wild and unrestricted by her actions in the last book. But honestly, the plot is not what this book - this series - is worth reading for. What you read for is the opportunity to dive into this world of magic in 19th century England and the themes, of sisterhood and empowerment and young women trying to find autonomy and self-expression in a time period that was incredibly restrictive for them. All these things came together in this book and worked seamlessly with the narrative. Or maybe I was just more receptive this time? Anyway, I really enjoyed how multi-layered the text was and all the different themes it explored.

Because this series is a couple of years old and because of how the internet works, I already know there is some reader dissatisfaction with how the Gemma Doyle trilogy is wrapped up in The Sweet Far Thing. But at this moment, after Rebel Angels, I am happy to declare myself of fan of the series and am looking forward to reading the final tome.(less)

· see review

Oct 28, 2011

Greta Bergmanaite rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

· see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 1185 1186 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Is this a sequel or companion novel?	5	16	Feb 04, 2012 10:59pm
More than what it seems?	2	35	Jun 19, 2011 07:18am
Question on Felicity's Dad	3	44	Jan 14, 2009 08:29pm

combine
Other Editions (29)

More editions...

Genres

Young Adult

969 users

Fantasy

961 users

Historical Fiction

408 users

Romance

140 users

Fantasy > Magic

115 users

Young Adult > Teen

114 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

109 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

70 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

53 users

Mystery

40 users

See top shelves...

Readers Also Enjoyed

About Libba Bray

What is it about writing an author bio that gives me that deer-in-headlights feeling? It's not exactly like I'm going to say "I was born in Alabama…" and somebody's going to jump up and snarl, "Oh yeah? Prove it!" At least I hope not.

I think what gets me feeling itchy is all that emphasis on the facts of a life, while all the juicy, relevant, human oddity stuff gets...more

More about Libba Bray...

Books by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Pin It

Trivia About Rebel Angels

23 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Rebel Angels

“What if evil doesn't really exist? What if evil is something dreamed up by man, and there is nothing to struggle against except out own limitations? The constant battle between our will, our desires, and our choices?” — 322 people liked it

“Sometimes we seek that which we are not yet ready to find.” — 245 people liked it

More quotes…

Groups That Shelved Rebel Angels

Maywood Academy SH Spring...

10 members

last activity 13 hours, 40 min ago

shelf: currently-reading

Romance Readers Reading C...

4393 members

last activity 9 minutes ago

shelf: read

Aussie Readers

1629 members

last activity 31 minutes ago

shelf: read

title link	preview: Rebel Angels
avg rating	preview: Rebel Angels Goodreads rating: 4.01 (25793 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51428.Rebel_Angels?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266459948m/51428.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51428.Rebel_Angels?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Rebel Angels by Libba Bray[/url]

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Readers Also Enjoyed

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website