A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1)

Reader reviewed by abscae

This book was surprising. I never thought I'd like an old era book ever, and yet I find myself reading the book in barely three hours.

I am a true romantic so the thing that pleased me best was the romance, yet the entire concept of the book thrilled me, and the plot was full of excitement. Just the twists and turns discovered, especially nearing the end of the book was amazing.

Reader reviewed by Kalie

Libba Bray created a masterpiece of fantasy that still allows the reader to indulge in the scandal and mystery that we all love. Gemma has a sense of humor and not-so-gracefulness that makes the reader fall in love with her. The villian of the book is not entirely clear until the end of the book, but the plot twists only make the book more captivating. I loved the book and am looking forward to the next books in the series.

Reader reviewed by kaitlin

This book explore the life of Gemma who has recently lost her mom due to circe, the antagonist in this story. She goes to Spence, a girls school in England. There she makes a couple unlikely friends, and together they make a sort of coven that uses gemmas supernatural powers to go into the other realms. Along with all of that, Kartik, a member of the orders enemy clan constantly buts heads with Gemma. I really enjoyed reading this book, especially because it was set in early england, and i love historical fiction books.

Reader reviewed by Rosie

This amazing novel by Libba Bray is the story of a girl living in England in the time of corsettes, ladies boarding schools, and new fashons. But behind it's extravagant exterior lies a world of high society and secret betrayls. Enter Gemma Doyle, who just moved in with her english grandmother after having spent her life in India. Guild-ridden by her mother's death and struggling to stay afloat at Spence acadamy, the last thing she needs it these strange visions she's been having. But could they be the key to her mother's death??

An amazing book that I highly recomend. Pick this one up today!

Reader reviewed by ibelieveinbeauty

Set in India and then in London, this story follows 16 year old Gemma Doyle from the day of her mother's death. Having witnessed her mother's murder in a strange vision Gemma's life is turned upside-down, not helped by the fact that she has been sent to SPence, an academy for young ladies near London. Here she befriends Ann , a quiet, plain girl, Felicity, charming and power-hungry, and Pippa, beautiful and destined to be married off young.
With them and their teacher Miss Moore, and the help of an old diary, Gemma discovers her mother,s secrets and what they mean for her.Thje handsome Indian boy Kartik who follows her to England tries to prevent her from uncovering the past but ends up with Gemma falling for him.

This novel, Libba Bray's first, is going to become a classic for teenage girls. Fast-paced and well-thought out it will give enjoyment time and again.
The sequel 'Rebel Angels' and the third book in the trilogy, not yet published will mark Miss Bray as an author not to be underestimated.

Reader reviewed by Anna J. Shommor

A Great and Terrible Beauty is a great book. It has wonderful imagination. Many fiction books are based on myth but this one and its' sequel (Angel Rebels) have one of the best stories that I have heard of. The books are good cliff hangers but not too much that you are dissapointed. It was, though, a good thing she added the sequel or it would make A Great and Terrible Beauty seem incomplete.

Reader reviewed by Katie

This was an excellent book! The ending was somewhat confusing, but overall, this was the best book I've read in a long time.

I advise anyone, and everyone reads it. (and no, I'm not getting paid for this)

I really liked the descriptions and suspense.(and a touch of romance doesn't hurt either)

Reader reviewed by Bria

Some might say this is a slow book, but i think it is great. This a great addition to sci-fi books. It has everything a reader good want. I think this a great new additon to fantasy books, and really has me wanting more. Ok, i'll be honest the best part of this book is the drug use (opium), and the romance. It also great because it talks about a specific time period. And the indian talk was cool.

Reader reviewed by eve

This book is incredibly engrossing but is not without its flaws. There are some great twists that you can't expect. Unfortunately the characters are somewhat annoying and unlikeable. Sometimes even the reader feels dislike toward the main character Gemma.

Even so I recommend this book simply because it's a book you can keep reading and it's entertaining.

Reader reviewed by erica

A Great and Terrible Beauty could have been a great novel, but it's not. I like Libba Bray's style of writing... except that the reader isn't really given a character they can like and cheer for. The heroine, Gemma Doyle is self-centered and shallow, as are most of the the others characters. I personally think it's annoying that the book spends so much time making fun of the social norms and expectations of the Victorian Age while doing almost nothing to rise above it. The plot borrows so much from other novels and movies like The Secret Garden (even down to the ivory elephant and the self-absorbed young girl), Dead Poet's, and The Craft (one that has the power, but is secretive; one that desperately hungers for power; one that wishes she was pretty; and one that is just kinda there and annoying). Nothing in it is original, endearing, artistic, or interesting. I kept expecting the surprises in the book to be better than they were, and I was ultimately disappointed at the simplicity of the magic and plot. The author has talent, but this book does little to show it