Review Detail

Reader reviewed by ALA

On her 16th birthday, Gemma Doyle's mother is hunted down and killed by a dark creature. Gemma's world spirals out of control as she is sent to Spence, a boarding school for young ladies. She is still haunted by images of the creature, and of a young girl. After a rocky start, Gemma begins to make friends. Soon she has a small circle of girls, and they decide upon visiting some primitive caves on the school grounds to form an order, a recreation of a group of powerful women long ago. Only then does Gemma discover that she has the power to enter the realms; a magical place where anything is possible and dark battles light. Gemma can bring her friends with her-and together they share many happy days, that is, until Gemma discovers a terrile secret. Will it be too late to save the realms, her friends, and herself?

I found this book very exciting and mysterious, and the late 1800s Victorian setting only added to that. I loved it, and its companion Rebel Angels, and I hope that more follow the first two.