A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1) in Around the Year in 52 Books

May 16, 2010 Sierra Dobbie rated it liked it

2.5 stars

I had really high expectations going into this book. I have heard amazing things about it, and not so amazing things about it. But, as per usual, I cancelled out the bad reviews and only focused on the raving ones. I wish I were one of those people who could not stop raving over this book.

I found a lot of the characters really annoying in this novel. I really liked Gemma, which the story was told in her point of view. I disliked a lot of the friends she met at Spence, such as Felicity a ...more

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Aug 30, 2015 Zoë rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-thriller, donated, cozy-books, series, fantasy, victorian-setting, series-i-wont-continue, young-adult, read-in-2015

When I first started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, I admit I had mixed feelings. It felt a little too predictable, a little too juvenile. I didn’t like how whiny and inconsiderate Gemma was; I didn’t like how stereotypical and clique-like the boarding school characters were. I felt at the beginning that I could pretty much guess what was going to happen. I was, however wrong! Libba Bray really surprised me with her creativity and unexpected turns.
The basic gist of the story is this: Thro When I first started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, I admit I had mixed feelings. It felt a little too predictable, a little too juvenile. I didn’t like how whiny and inconsiderate Gemma was; I didn’t like how stereotypical and clique-like the boarding school characters were. I felt at the beginning that I could pretty much guess what was going to happen. I was, however wrong! Libba Bray really surprised me with her creativity and unexpected turns.
The basic gist of the story is this: Through a tragic series of events, sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle has discovered she possesses mysterious powers, namely visions of the future. It is on the cusp of all this that she is sent to England to get an education at a boarding school for girls. After having spent her whole life in India, she finds herself in a whole new world of social rules and requirements. On top of all that, she still has her uncontrollable powers to deal with, as well as the presence of a mysterious young man who keeps telling her she must not use them. Left at a loss by her family’s tragedy, she spends her time trying to unveil the many unanswered questions that go with it.
The most intriguing part of the story to me was the magical realm that Gemma is able to access. I liked the idea that the realm was actually where everyone’s dreams happened or came from, and that everyone could travel there in dreams, they just couldn’t be aware of it or in control like Gemma.
I was also happily surprised by the relationship between Gemma, Ann, Felicity and Pippa. At first, the latter three honestly seemed like pretty two-dimensional characters to me. I thought I could guess how they were going to react, or what they were going to do in situations. But again I was surprised. Each of these characters has something about them that makes them more than what you get at face value – a lot like real life. They all have painful secrets and insecurities. It really made the story relatable.
I also really enjoyed the theme of independence and power that Bray gave to her characters – especially considering how things really were for young girls in the Victorian era. That considered, my only real complaint is some of the things the girls do in the story, real girls in the Victorian era never would’ve gotten away with. (However, perhaps the fact that I’m also reading Tess of the d’Urbervilles right now had an affect on my judgment on this issue, haha.) Although it might’ve been historically inaccurate, points can be given to once again making the girls relatable to a female audience.
Overall my only complaint would probably be that I really wanted to see some more romance between Kartik and Gemma! Bray has a great way of enticing me with just enough Gemma/Kartik scenes to drive me crazy. And now I guess I’ll have to go read Rebel Angels as soon as I can get my hands on it. ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Amy Hayes rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, amy-s-bbc-2017, amy-s-aty-in-52-books-2017

I didn't care for this book, although the audio version make it a lot less painful to read. I did t care for the alternate worlds and dark magic. I did like the characters, but I will not be continuing on with the series as I don't care to find out what happens next. ...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Wendy marked it as abandoned

Shelves: ya-mg

I got this from the library, but within the first pages the heroine was already on my nerves, and I could perceive an inherent shallowness to the whole affair that turned me off. So I returned it to the library, and won't bother trying it again. ...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Harini rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, fantasy, historical-fiction, ya

3.5 Stars
Libba Bray's writing is a treat. She blends humor, drama and mystery perfectly. The book's premise itself is very intriguing and that's what made me pick the book up. The book dint disappoint. It is a good read but not flawless. ...more

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