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

by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (11)

Becky Yes, but it is a slow delicious build. Much better than Twilight's Edward in my opinion.…moreYes, but it is a slow delicious build. Much better than Twilight's Edward in my opinion.(less)

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Is this a good book?

Karen Kimbrough I wasn't sure at first if I liked it or not. It's not as as full of the supernatural as the books I'm used to, but I kept reading. I was attracted to …moreI wasn't sure at first if I liked it or not. It's not as as full of the supernatural as the books I'm used to, but I kept reading. I was attracted to the themes of coming-of-age, tragedy, and the idea of bullies amid the Victorian era. It was high-fashion to be "into" elegant paranormal, so these young girls delving into something "more" was gothic yet cute(?) to them. They didn't know what they were doing. If you're looking for a scary novel, this really isn't it, but if something more intellectual, more like an old-fashioned 1940's movie is to your liking; you'll like it. I mean it's written so that a teen would understand it, but it's not just full of blood either. It is rather sad most of the time though. Despite that, I did like it.(less)

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Do you think a 15 year old could handle this?

Rebecca In my opinion, yes but it depends on the person. I read this when I was thirteen and didn't have any problems with it.…moreIn my opinion, yes but it depends on the person. I read this when I was thirteen and didn't have any problems with it.(less)

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I'm currently reading this, that is to say; I'm trying to read this book. It's currently a bit juvenile and immature, and I was wondering if it gets better or if I should just drop it..? I can see myself enjoying this book when I myself was a teenager, but as I am now 24, I feel I am perhaps a bit too old. :-/ Is there a point in me continuing reading?

Samantha Yes, yes, and yes! So I completely understand what you mean, in the beginning Gemma seems like a little know-it-all teen, but she grows. After reading…moreYes, yes, and yes! So I completely understand what you mean, in the beginning Gemma seems like a little know-it-all teen, but she grows. After reading all three books I can measure how much she matured, and I think it's all part of her coming of age. Her experiences begin to mold her into a girl who is old for her age, but at the same time she still keeps her quirkiness. I've read the series multiple times, first time being when I was 16, and I am 22 now and still enjoy them all the same.(less)

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How romance-centric is the book?