A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1) in Libba Bray Lovers!

Feb 20, 2013 Ray rated it it was amazing

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

This is an amazing book that takes the reader back to the Victorian time period alongside the main character, Gemma Doyle. You'll be swept away by the magic of the realms and the journey that Gemma has to go through with her friends. Also dealing with the fact that her steps are being haunted by the mysterious stranger, Kartick. The suspense in the novel is almost unbearable, and the plot twists just come at you one after another until you can't dare place the book down till you've reached the c ...more

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Apr 24, 2011 Madi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a great book the only thing I did not like was sometimes the way the author out things but overall it was a great read and kept me reading it and I would couldn't put the book down except for school soccer v ball softball(oh you get the point I am a busy person with lots of things to do and lot of places to go in my short life!)But I think it should be read and I am not surprised it hasn't been made into a movie.
Probaley because it has so much detail and she explains things so much and m ...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Krista rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: libba-bray, favorites

**The following review was written in 2011 when I first joined Goodreads, and I first read this series starting in 2008. The review date updated to 2022 after a re-read. The only thing I would add to this review is that I was struck during this over-decade-later reread by all the negatively charged, fat-phobic descriptions of Mademoiselle LeFarge (“lafarge” in French meaning “large” comes across in poor taste as opposed to humor). Upon her introduction sweeping into the room as “all 200 pounds o **The following review was written in 2011 when I first joined Goodreads, and I first read this series starting in 2008. The review date updated to 2022 after a re-read. The only thing I would add to this review is that I was struck during this over-decade-later reread by all the negatively charged, fat-phobic descriptions of Mademoiselle LeFarge (“lafarge” in French meaning “large” comes across in poor taste as opposed to humor). Upon her introduction sweeping into the room as “all 200 pounds of her” (pg. 78), I was taken aback. As a woman of more than 200 lbs myself today, I was surprised to be offended by a book I have held in such high regard throughout adolescence and early adulthood. Each interaction or moment with her in the book mentions her “girth” or considerable weight, which was quite a painful disappointment to read this time around.**

I think that the whole world ought to know of the poetic, lyric, and insightful genius that is the writings of Libba Bray. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy was the first literary work that I read by Libba Bray (although, admittedly, the first time I read it was in seventh grade) and it remains on my top bookshelf as one of my all time favorite reads. Libba Bray's impressive combination and usage of setting, especially time period (Victorian age, very well presented and represented!), character personality and development, and understanding of the inner-workings of human emotion come together seamlessly to fashion an unforgettable novel.
Now that I have completed my schmoozing, I shall proceed to my next topic:
*In order to avoid spoilers, I will not go into great detail, as this book deserves to be experienced on its own.*
A Great and Terrible Beauty truly is a spellbinding book. From the first chapter, the witty, sarcasm-prone, and lovable heroin, Gemma Doyle, is quite candidly established (as the book is written from a first-person perspective). The plot picks up right away, with suspense and secrets to spare as Gemma finds herself at Spence Academy after an unfortunate tragedy involving cholera... perhaps. Gemma must discover and assemble the puzzles of not only her future, but also her mother's past; all while her destiny presses itself upon her in the form of visions, lies, and powerful magic. Mysteries lurk in every corner, but with every answer, there comes only more questions.
The precise manor in which Libba Bray executes her talents of humor, story telling, and imagination really help the story to come alive, and live on in your mind long after you turn the last page of A Great and Terribly Beauty.
Recommendation/Conclusion:
-I would most likely recommend this book to the young adult/teen age group, due to Gemma and her peers' own ages, along with the effective way in which Libba Bray tackles themes such as self-identity and suicide/death. Many of these issues are so applicable and relate-able because of their confusing, yet prominent stance in the realities of any time period. I do believe that any age beyond this particular age group would still benefit from the lessons and the honestly good read this book is, however.
-Many factors about AGTB inspired my immense passion for the novel, from the writing style to the 1800s setting. If you are looking for a refreshing, if not perfect, change in the mainstream of YA novels, this book is indeed a great pick. Thank you! ...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Christy rated it really liked it

I didn't like this book the first time I read it. A few years later, I found it sitting on a dusty shelf in a used bookstore in New Orleans and thought I'd give it a second chance.
My first impression of Gemma Doyle was how utterly obnoxious she seemed. The story begins with her throwing a tantrum in the middle of a crowded market in Bombay, India. Even once she gets her way, and attends a finishing school in London (the entire reason for her previous tantrum), she can't seem to be happy.
Then we I didn't like this book the first time I read it. A few years later, I found it sitting on a dusty shelf in a used bookstore in New Orleans and thought I'd give it a second chance.
My first impression of Gemma Doyle was how utterly obnoxious she seemed. The story begins with her throwing a tantrum in the middle of a crowded market in Bombay, India. Even once she gets her way, and attends a finishing school in London (the entire reason for her previous tantrum), she can't seem to be happy.
Then we meet the group of girls who become Gemma's "friends." They're obnoxious, petty and shallow. The only one that has any depth is Ann, who suffers from severe depression. Outside the school is Kartik; the rugged and handsome Indian boy who keeps warning Gemma to not enter the realms. At first, Kartik is not a likable character. He's horrible to Gemma and only talks to her when he wants to tell her what to do. Later, we find out he has some interests that gives him more depth (and he easily became my favorite character by the end of the trilogy.)
As for the plot of the book, I wasn't too fond of the magical element. The realms were pristine and perfect; the language often flowery. There wasn't much depth to the magical part of the book and it could have easily been written as historical fiction without the fantasy. (I probably would have liked it even more.)
However, it seems the magical element is about the only things that keeps this group of girls together. (As pointed out by other readers, there bond wasn't that strong.) But, let's be honest here...how strong are teenage friendships, really? We might all have one or two friends we share a close bond with that absolutely nothing can break, but that's rare and usually only happens in the movies...or books. We also need to take the time period into account. This is an era where women were considered commodities and most were not encouraged to be outgoing, women with a lot to contribute to society. They were encouraged to stand by their husbands. A friendship from the girls described in this book would most likely not have been strong. They were brought together by secrets and without them, would never have considered friendships with one another. (Other than Felicity and Pippa-their friendship I believe was quite strong.)
All in all, I enjoyed the book. There are things that could have been better, but for a YA novel about teenage girls dabbling in magic during the Victorian era, it was a nice getaway. ...more

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