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Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)

by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author)

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 42,475 ratings · 2,289 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

ebook, 592 pages

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

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Mar 22, 2008 Maddie Dix rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

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Feb 28, 2013 Moira Russell rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved the GR reviewer's crack that this series was like a mashup of The Craft + Mean Girls in Harry Potter. My take on it just as I was settling into the second book was "Picnic at Hanging Rock on acid." In this one, the Magickal Rules are still just about as bad as the Magickal Geography, there are several entirely unbelievable visits to Bedlam, an OPIUM DEN, a suitor offering absinthe at a ball....you get the idea. But the adolescent female characters are all well-drawn and I love how their...more

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Feb 13, 2009 (G)Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

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

10 likes · like · see review

Mar 16, 2009 Beth F. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 quite masterf...more

18 likes · like · see review

Jul 22, 2008 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

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Jan 27, 2011 Lowed rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.!

5 likes · like · see review

Jun 29, 2010 Stray rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: who read the 1st

Shelves: zzz-2010, in-english, reviewed

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."
Review: This is a relatively good sequel to A GREAT AND...more

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Sep 02, 2008 Summer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 we learned about th...more

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Jan 31, 2008 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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...more 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 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)

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May 27, 2008 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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...more 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 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)

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Jul 01, 2009 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 in...more

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Oct 15, 2008 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition 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 that's enough. I li...more

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Nov 22, 2008 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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. Slight spoilers follow.

The one i...more

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Dec 03, 2009 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars · 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, we visit an insane asylum and an...more 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, 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)

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Jan 29, 2013 Jamie Hughes rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Better than the first one for certain though she spends an inordinate amount of time having Gemma ponder things that maddeningly simple answers. However, many of the vague and hazy areas I complained about in the first book were fleshed out in more detail here, so brava on that score.

Due to the change of scene(from Spence Academy to the bustling metropolis of London), the plot is much more action driven and interesting. Also, Gemma actually becomes a fairly strong character who has a little mor...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Safae rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 100, english

if i had thought that a great and terrible beauty was a wonderful book ..this one was much better..during the book we fall again through Gemma's world, the writer taking us years ago to the 1896, when we can enjoy the beauty, elegance, and charm of that era as much as being confronted with the lies lying just beneath the surface of such a terrible society.
I enjoyed reading about the different customs , the cruelty of that world, and the terrible outcomes of such a small things that we take for g...more

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Aug 10, 2008 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 the winter br...more

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Dec 14, 2008 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 so many different thing...more

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Jan 02, 2008 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars · 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 "teenagery" tone (...more

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Oct 02, 2008 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 follow...more

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Jul 29, 2007 Kate E.A. rated it 4 of 5 stars · 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 Pippa. Gemma as...more

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Apr 17, 2008 Kirsten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 was more...more

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May 08, 2011 Debora rated it 5 of 5 stars · 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

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Oct 11, 2010 Erica - Bonner Springs Library rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

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Dec 23, 2008 Kellista rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

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Nov 26, 2008 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Feb 21, 2013 Beauty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favourite-books, favorites, will-always-remember

Yet again a great sequel to the first book, Libba Bray leaves her audience amazed by the complexity of her plot, the intensity of her characters and magnificence of the realms. Each and every character just fits nicely into the story, all having a significant role to play in what seems to be fate. Not something every author can achieve. The depth that Libba Bray can take her readers is just astonishing because if you think you can pick up this book, read it, and walk away unchanged, you're compl...more

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Nov 20, 2012 marcosbooks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lang-german, read-2011, favorite-covers, favourites, favourites-2011, genre-historical-fiction, genre-ya, 5-truly-bewitched, series, book-reports

Meine Meinung ...
Gemma Doyle und ihre Freundinnen, die nicht nur die Spence Academy sondern diesmal auch das wunderschöne London unsicher machen, müssen abermals ins Magische Reich um dort den Frieden wiederherstellen zu können und um das Reich und ihre Bewohner vor Circe schützen zu können. Diese ist nämlich auch hinter Gemma her, damit sie ins Magische Reich eindringen kann und die Magie an sich selbst binden kann. Somit würde sie das Magische Reich ins Chaos stürzen und ihre finsteren Kreatur...more Meine Meinung ...
Gemma Doyle und ihre Freundinnen, die nicht nur die Spence Academy sondern diesmal auch das wunderschöne London unsicher machen, müssen abermals ins Magische Reich um dort den Frieden wiederherstellen zu können und um das Reich und ihre Bewohner vor Circe schützen zu können. Diese ist nämlich auch hinter Gemma her, damit sie ins Magische Reich eindringen kann und die Magie an sich selbst binden kann. Somit würde sie das Magische Reich ins Chaos stürzen und ihre finsteren Kreaturen in der Winterwelt würden vor nichts mehr zurückschrecken. Nun liegt es an Gemma, Felicity, Ann und Pippa den "Tempel" zu finden um dort die Magie binden zu können. Somit kann sich keiner mehr der Magie großartig innerhalb und keineswegs außerhalb des Magischen Reichs bedienen. Aber wo soll der Tempel sein? Und was für Gefahren lauern auf dem Weg dorthin? Wem kann Gemma eigentlich vertrauen? Was hat Kartik, der zu den Rakschana gehört, eigentlich genau vor? Und welche Verbindung besteht zwischen Nell Hawkins, Miss McChenmine und dem Magischen Reich? Um dies herauszubekommen, müsst ihr natürlich selbst den Roman lesen, ich will ja nicht alles verraten ;)

Die Geschichte von Rebel Angels fand ich genau wie den ersten Teil der Reihe "A Great and Terrible Beauty" auch sehr gelungen. Ich fand es keineswegs zu langatmig oder langweilig. Es gab genügend Spannung, genügend Eindrücke, Geheimnisse, Erkentnisse und neue Figuren. Lediglich schade fand ich, dass Circe doch relativ kurz vorkam (ich war ja geschockt welche Person Circe nun wirklich ist! Hätte ich nie gedacht), was sehr schade war, da ich ihren Charakter doch sehr interessant finde und der deutsche Titel zumal "Circes Rückkehr" heißt. Ich denke wenn Circe noch öfter vorgekommen wäre, dann wäre das Ende auch nicht "so" abrupt gekommen. Den Kampf zwischen Gemma und Sarah (Circe) hatte ich mir doch irgendwie langatmiger und etwas spannender vorgestellt. Aber nun gut, schlecht war es trotzdem nicht. Wen ich gut fand, waren z.B. die neuen und alten Figuren, sowie die Klatschmohnkrieger. Kartik und Ann Bradshaw haben mir in diesem Band auch mehr zugesagt als wie im vorigen. Die Geschichte war also an sich sehr gut, für mich persönlich wäre die Story "perfekt" gewesen wenn das Ende mit Circe nicht so "abgehackt" geendet hätte. War für mich aber trotzdem kein Grund das Buch deswegen schlechter zu bewerten :) Soviel zu der Story von Rebel Angels.

Die Figuren die Libba Bray erfunden hat sind wirklich einzigartig! In Rebel Angels entfalten und entwickeln sich die Charaktere mehr und bekommen durch die Story eine gewisse Tiefe. Gemma Doyle war mir wie auch im ersten Band sehr sympathisch und authentisch, Felicity Worthington ist auch noch immer so wie wir sie kennen, hinterhältig und arrogant, aber dennoch habe ich sie ins Herz geschlossen. Ann Bradshaw hat mir im ersten Band "A Great and Terrible Beauty" nicht sehr gefallen, in diesem Teil hat sie aber aufjedenfall aufgeholt! Sie ist mir richtig ans Herz gewachsen auch wenn sie sich selbst nicht hübsch findet und kein wirkliches Selbstvertrauen hat. Jedoch entwickelt sie sich im Verlauf der Geschichte und ohne Ann wäre das "Trio" einfach nicht das was es ist. Pippa die im Magischen Reich nun haust hat mir dafür nicht sonderlich zugesagt, als wie im ersten Band. Ihre Art kam mir zu aufgesetzt vor und gegen Ende des Buches erfährt man auch warum das so ist (die Winterwelt lässt grüßen). Kartik hat mir auch viel viel besser gefallen als wie in Band 1, die Figur hat mehr tiefe bekommen und man hat mehr über seine Person erfahren was durchaus positiv ist! Die Besatzung von Spence war gut, Mrs. Nightwing mag ich nach wie vor, die neue Lehrerin Misses McChennmine fand ich von Anfang an nicht sehr sympathisch und das hat sich gegen Ende des Buches auch nicht verändert. Circe kam mir in diesem Band irgendwie zu wenig vor, ich mag ihre Person an sich und wie sie handelt aber Sarah Ress-Toome alias Miss Hester Asa Moore kam leider doch zu kurz. Ich hoffe im letzten Band spielt sie nochmal eine große Rolle. Die anderen alten und neuen Figuren wie Simon Middleton, Lady Denby, Tom, Nell Hawkins, der Vater von Gemma, die Großmutter von Gemma, die Rakschana sowie die Familie von Felicity waren alle durchaus interessant und wurden realistisch dargestellt. Die einen mag ich mehr die anderen weniger, aber ich könnte von keiner Figur sagen das ich sie absolut nicht riechen kann. Und das verdient schon ein großes Lob an Libba Bray! Ich denke mal viel mehr ist zu den Figuren auch nicht zu sagen, authentisch, sympathisch, geheimnissvoll, realistisch, was will man mehr?

Der Schreibstil von Libba Bray ist meiner Meinung nach einfach nur einzigartig! Ich kann ihren Stil mit keinem anderen Autor vergleichen. Sie beschreibt alles sehr flüssig und genau und dadurch wird die Welt, die sie erschaffen hat, zum Leben erweckt. Da ihr Schreibstil so leicht ist, vergehen die Seiten wie im Fluge und mehrmals konnte ich mich einfach nicht zurückhalten und habe einfach weitergelesen, egal was momentan anstand. Also Daumen hoch für den Schreibstil, und ich hoffe das dieser noch genauso toll sein wird in "The Sweet Far Thing" ;)

Fazit:
Ein wirklich tolles Buch und eine gelungene Fortsetzung in der Gemma Doyle Trilogie. Auch in diesem Band schafft es Libba Bray das Niveau gleich hoch wie auch im ersten Band zu halten. Ihr Schreibstil sowie ihre Figuren und die Geschichte an sich, ist wirklich toll. Jeder der den ersten Band gelesen hat muss unbedingt diesen zweiten lesen. Ich freue mich schon wahnsinnig auf den letzten Teil der Trilogie, der auch schon in meinem Regal steht und darauf wartet gelesen zu werden ;)(less)

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Oct 25, 2012 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“Do you think they missed him terribly when he fell?
Did God cry over his lost angel, I wonder?”
--Libba Bray, Rebel Angels

*Sigh* So I just finished Rebel Angels last night and I cannot stop thinking about it! As I've said before I am an absolute historical geek! I love the descriptions of the dresses, the gloves, the balls, the men in white ties and tails, everything and anything about a different time period I just eat up and the second installment of the Gemma Doyle series does not disappoin...more “Do you think they missed him terribly when he fell?
Did God cry over his lost angel, I wonder?”
--Libba Bray, Rebel Angels

*Sigh* So I just finished Rebel Angels last night and I cannot stop thinking about it! As I've said before I am an absolute historical geek! I love the descriptions of the dresses, the gloves, the balls, the men in white ties and tails, everything and anything about a different time period I just eat up and the second installment of the Gemma Doyle series does not disappoint. The story picks up with a prologue by Kartik meeting with the Rakshana, the secret male society that protects the realms, and they give him a mission: Help Gemma bind the magic to the Rakshaha and...well, you'll have to read to find out the second part of his mission :) After that we meet back up with Gemma, Felicity and Ann who travel from Spence to spend the holiday in London. They return to the realms to try and find the Temple where Gemma can bind the magic. They find Pip, explore other parts of the realms and try to decide whether to trust the new teacher from school Miss McCleathy. They also reacquaint themselves with Miss Moore and try to get her opinion on things. The novel also explores the customs of the age with suitors coming to call on Gemma, Christmas balls, and all the etiquette that goes along with it. I'll take my corset and gown any day now...thanks.

I loved reading this book. Objectively I would say this story is a bit slow moving but to be perfectly honest, it is rare that I truly enjoy the ebb and flow of a book. Usually one is reading to get to the end to see what happens but the story that Bray weaves is one that I am content just to enjoy and go along for the ride. I loved reading about the everyday customs of the girls of this time. Having to have a permission in order to call upon a friend. Needing a chaperone in order to even talk with a boy. Filling out a dance card at a ball. It is all just so different from our customs now I find this all fascinating. I really just loved reading about Gemma's life and what she was doing.

I also really liked how Bray lays an underlying theme of women's rights and objecting the female customs of the times. Gemma follows all the rules and knows what is "proper" but she also very sly and subtle when going against the grain on some things. She recognizes that women do not really have a lot choice in their lives and she encourages Ann especially to fight against the circumstances she was born into. She wants to make her own fate and destiny and choices and I LOVE this about her character. Gemma is growing up and starting to see that she does not necessarily have to follow the status quo. She wants to be able to choose her destiny. Love love love!

Now! On to the magic! Besides the normal stuff the girls were doing the realms sections of the book were amazing. We get to meet multiple new characters and species if you will that exist in the realms. It is such a magical and fantastic place with so many layers and facets that the garden is really just the beginning. The plot continues to twist and turn and keep you guessing throughout the novel. Just when you think you have something figured out Bray throws something else at you and flips the whole story upside down. It is great.

I also could not get over the opening poem from Milton's Paradise Lost. I love every excerpt I have read from this epic poem and to begin with this, have the characters discuss the poem later, and also call the novel Rebel Angels is just amazing. I am also obsessed with angels and talk of the rebellion, reigning in Hell, wanting more than what was offered in Heaven and the intentions/motives of Lucifer is just so interesting to me. I could about it all day! Obviously this is why I chose the quote I did to begin this review :)

Overall, Rebel Angels is fantastic. The continuing story keeps you interested and guessing and wanting more all at the same time. If you haven't read A Great and Terrible Beauty you need to start. (less)

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Sep 10, 2012 Hazel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rebel Angels is the second novel to Libba Bray's infamous Gemma Doyle series. It's almost Christmas and Spence Academy is in a jolly mood except for Gemma, Ann and Felicity. Having lost their friend Pippa, the holiday only brought coldness upon the girls. Ever since Pippa's death, they had not enter the realms, the wonderful paradise that only ended up taking one of theirs. Still, they must find a way to move on and to restore the balance that was undone by the destruction of the runes. The girl...more

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Is this a sequel or companion novel?	13	73	Jun 18, 2012 11:49am
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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 left on the cutting room floor....more

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

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“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?” — 454 people liked it

“Sometimes we seek that which we are not yet ready to find.” — 418 people liked it

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Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)

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