The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, #3) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Apr 15, 2010 Nicole rated it liked it

All in all not as bad as I thought it would be... I think it's because I went in with extremely low expectations so that way I wouldn't be too disappointed. And I can't help myself comparing this and the second book to the first, which was horrible. Bray's writing style grew and became much better. It still bothered me a little and I sometimes felt like she was trying way too hard, but like I said much improved.

**SPOILERS!**
After taking some time to think this one over, I have to say I'm a littl All in all not as bad as I thought it would be... I think it's because I went in with extremely low expectations so that way I wouldn't be too disappointed. And I can't help myself comparing this and the second book to the first, which was horrible. Bray's writing style grew and became much better. It still bothered me a little and I sometimes felt like she was trying way too hard, but like I said much improved.

**SPOILERS!**
After taking some time to think this one over, I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the ending. It seemed like Gemma was completely running away from her responsibilities to the realm. She was obviously needed in the realms back in England, and then she goes on some adventure to "discover herself" in America, specifically NY. it just seemed like more of a copout that anything else.

All in all though it was pretty enjoyable and not as bad as I thought it would be. I thought the parts about her stupid debut were totally unnecessary and sometimes her trips to the realms were completely pointless and just repeated themselves. I did really like the mystery though, and how you really weren't sure how it was all going to end. And I also liked how Felicity finally embraced who she was (although the passionate kiss with Pippa was a little weird) and how Ann finally showed everyone who she really was (that she didn't need a pretty face to have a beautiful voice) instead of trying to hide behind someone else's image or title. The magic in this one was a lot more interesting, especially since the realm magic was bound to Gemma.

I loved Kartik in this one. Although he was frustrating at times (almost to the point where I thought: Make Simon Middleton dump that American girl and marry you! Ha! Take that Kartik!), he saved her in the end. And even though he said he finally found where he belonged (part of the Tree of All Souls when he sacrificed himself), I thought that it shouldn't have ended that way between them, especially since Gemma was just starting to be more open with their "scandalous" relationship. And their connection at the Temple was pure ecstasy! I couldn't get enough of those two and was so sad when they couldn't be together in the end.

I couldn't believe Eugenia Spence was the bad guy!! It was a twist I truly wasn't expecting and I was sad when both Gemma and I had finally come to that conclusion. Gorgon was definitely my favorite character, although I didn't really appreciate her until the end when she kicked everyone's ass.

I surprisngly found myself turning and turning the pages until it was late into the night and I still wanted to read more... It was weird... Anyway I will definitely NOT be reading this series again, but I had to see what all the hype was about with it being a best-selling series and all. So now I know, and I don't completely regret it. ...more

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