The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, #3) in Aussie Readers

Aug 06, 2010 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: bought-by-me, i-own, could-not-finish

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. HATED IT! HATED IT! HATED IT!
I personally hate not finishing a book, but every now and then I’ll make an exception and this was one of those moments.
I COULD NOT BELEIVE THIS BOOK!
After reading the first two, I was really looking forward to this one. Gemma and her friends had discovered so much and learned so much, that I honestly thought this was going to be the best of the three.
Instead? It was a complete and utter disappointment! Seriously....I have no words.
I couldn’t even bring myself to HATED IT! HATED IT! HATED IT!
I personally hate not finishing a book, but every now and then I’ll make an exception and this was one of those moments.
I COULD NOT BELEIVE THIS BOOK!
After reading the first two, I was really looking forward to this one. Gemma and her friends had discovered so much and learned so much, that I honestly thought this was going to be the best of the three.
Instead? It was a complete and utter disappointment! Seriously....I have no words.
I couldn’t even bring myself to read the whole thing. I got about half way through, and after hearing some disturbing things from other readers I found myself flipping to the ending, hoping they were wrong. They weren’t. And that’s where it ended for me. I refused to finish reading it and I doubt I ever will.
Yes. I am upset. Yes. It all comes down to the fact that Kartik dies. Yes, this is my main and basically only fault with the book.....but in my eyes it destroys, and makes everything else that may have make the book great completely worthless. I can’t believe that Libba Bray could do that to her readers. To create the type of romance she did. One filled with difficulties from the beginning, and yet was so beautiful and perfect, and then just rip the two characters apart when it really mattered.

Gemma allowed Kartik to see the imperfections and lies within his world, and he in turn helped her on her quests and showed her that feelings and emotions are sometimes stronger than ethnicity and social standings. They faced so much together and even though in the end he died for her, saving her life and giving her a chance to continue on.....it doesn’t change the fact that he died period, regardless of the reasons.
That the author chose to kill him off and leave me, as the reader feeling empty and like I accomplished nothing is beyond unfair.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way and I DO NOT RECCOMEND this book to ANYONE who likes a happy ending and enjoys seeing the main characters happy and fulfilled at the end!!!
...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2013, all-time-faves, genre-fantasy, genre-historical, young-adult

Holy juicy meatballs batman. Jesus that was a fucking ride. When the second book ended I wasn't too sure whether the third and final was necessary. I was quite happy with the way things had turned out. Nevertheless, I'm glad I decided to give the last instalment a go.

What I love most about this series is when magic shit is going down so I was very eager to get stuck into the nitty gritty. However the first quarter or so of the book moved too slowly for my liking. I found it a little difficult t ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2008 Jen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, sci-fi-and-fantasy, owned, pretty-covers, victoriana

At this point I was still heavily ambivalent towards the main characters, namely Gemma, Felicity and Ann, and after going through this enormous book I feel I remain at status quo, despite the events that occur in this third instalment.

A couple years on, and it looks like the girls' friendships are still on the same page. They're as spiteful and bitchy with each other as ever. There doesn't seem to be any redeeming quality in any of them, despite Bray's attempts at the contrary. Gemma remains stu At this point I was still heavily ambivalent towards the main characters, namely Gemma, Felicity and Ann, and after going through this enormous book I feel I remain at status quo, despite the events that occur in this third instalment.

A couple years on, and it looks like the girls' friendships are still on the same page. They're as spiteful and bitchy with each other as ever. There doesn't seem to be any redeeming quality in any of them, despite Bray's attempts at the contrary. Gemma remains stubborn, impetuous and indecisive; however, given her age and circumstances, one would grant her some concession, but to have to constantly tolerate her temper tantrums, thinly veiled by her inability to control her magic, and not truly see her mature progressively, coming into her own until the last few chapters was painful, at worst, exasperating at best.

One by one all the characters who previously had no clue of Gemma's secret discover her true gifts, or alternatively, certain characters are revealed their true identity and/or their intentions; it becomes a check-list to eliminate all matters of loopholes within the narrative. The ghostly suspense that I felt in the first novels is practically non-existent here, and I'm left feeling weary and bored.

Ann has apparently grown some gall and has defied the odds to pursue her dreams, but it doesn't feel at all like a triumph. Pippa, beauitful Pippa, obviously still has issues about her lot in 'life' and has convinced herself she is as good as a queen in the realms. Pity for her. More tragic though is Felicity's unrequited love for Pippa. It's always been apparent, but in refusing her, Felicity has shown she has the strength to forego her own desires for the sake of good.

My biggest disappointment however has to be the beautiful relationship between Gemma and Kartik cut far too short and sharply at that. Bray has spent three books investing in their blossoming relationship filled with a sweet, familiar comfort, palpable sexual tension and repressed sensuality. It feels like a deep injustice to both Kartik, the character, and the love shared between him and Gemma, which seemed to me the most pure and natural magic of all. This was probably the only reason why I kept going with the series—Kartik is genuinely an intriguing character; if only he'd given more of a chance to show himself. While I understand the motivation for Kartik's sacrifice, it seems to me that it was just a quick and convenient way of closing all gaps in sub-plots and any other traces of red herrings.

Like other reviewers before me, I agree that this series had a brilliant premise, but the end has left us wanting. I am severely mourning the loss of Kartik. This story could have well been condensed to two novels—there was a lot that wasn't needed if Gemma had had the courage to do what is necessary.

Ah, well. Such is life.

2.5/5 ...more

Like · see review

Jan 06, 2009 Tien rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, historical-fiction, fantasy

The last book of this series and again we join Gemma in her discovery of self through her revelation of English socities, relationships, and magic.

I have to admit I find the series just okay however I thoroughly enjoyed the last half of this book. Lots of actions, things were just happening and I just had to read on. I'm glad Gemma found what it is she wants from life and grew to have the courage to go for it. ...more

Like · see review