A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1)

Reader reviewed by Tif

A Great and Terrible Beauty is set in the late 19th century, beginning in colonial India but quickly moving on the main bulk of the story at the Spence Academy in London, England. The plot centres around 16-year-old Gemma, a rebellious girl who is looking to find herself, and three other girls she meets at the prestigious finishing school for young ladies, Felicity, Ann, and Pippa. They discover another world where all things are possible, so different from the controlled and shallow existences set out for them as females in Victorian society. But they find that these new powers are not as benign as they seem, and that there is a mystery they must unravel to lead them to the truth about the world of the Realms and about themselves.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The plot was intriguing and interesting, and kept my reading until late at night and into the morning hours. The plot twists were not really predictable, which it important to me. And the characters were refreshingly balanced and realistic. I didn't really love or hate any of them; they each had flaws and made mistakes. Sometimes I wondered why Gemma bothered with any of them. But the multidimentional quality of the characters was a nice change from other stories, where there are the "good" and "bad" characters, the "nice" vs. the "mean" girls, while life is rarely so black and white. And I think since this is only book 1 of 3, we will see more character development and my views and feelings toward the characters will change.

The language was delicious to read, with wonderful metaphors and beautiful descriptions of the realms. I loved the use of the Lady of Shalott poem. I also liked what I saw as one of the main messages or themes of the book, about wanting the freedom to choose your own path in life, but also wanting to be accepted and loved. Definately something all young women of any time period can relate to.

Reader reviewed by Stella

A Great and Terrible beauty is the story of a sassy young woman in a society where women are expected to be meek and subservient, who is forced to come to terms with the real reason for her mother's death, and face the disasters that she alone can fix.

Like most good books, this story has an underlying love story that does not overshadow the drama and action of the story line. A bit hard to get into, but picks up and turns into a great read!

Reader reviewed by Jessie

This book had me riveted from the begining. I was shocked and thrilled by the twists and turns of this marvelous novel. Emma Doyle and her friends from Spence get into trouble, get out of it and then get into more! This book will have you laughing and weeping.

Reader reviewed by Jessie

This book is so great I cant even describe it in words. It's a story of a girl in a prep school learning to become a lady, after her mother is killed by come sort of monster. A boy who follows her, a magic most corrupt, and an ending most unique. To read this book is to read the very core of perfection in writing!!

Reader reviewed by Susan

An excellent venture into the realm of gothic fantasy. There is a nice mix of old English boarding school drama with a mysterious alternative world excitement. Libba Brey brings her characters to life! No characature here. The protagonist react with real emotions and not always as the reader will expect. While the girls deal with growing up in the victorian age they must also deal with the mystery surrounding the main character. Excellent and suspenseful read!

Reader reviewed by Brenny

This book didn't look or sound too good,but a friend of mine promised me I would love it. I listen to my friends alot,even if they told me I would not die if I jumped off a cliff I'd believe them. I got the book and I had never read a book with so much mystery,adventure,and surprises. with a new mystery popping up around every corner and giving an unbelievable solving to it. I think this might have been my favorite book,but i'm only 10.

Reader reviewed by Amanda D.


At just sixteen years old, Gemma witnesses her mother's murder in India. She is sent to Spence, a boarding school in England. There she becomes friends with Felicity, Ann, and Pippa.

Reader reviewed by Amanda D.


At just sixteen years old, Gemma witnesses her mother's suicide in their home for years-India. By her father and brother she is sent to Spence, a boarding school in England. There she becomes friends with Felicity, Ann, and Pippa. There was a young Indian boy named Kartik that was present when her mother died who knows of her secret. He has followed her there to keep an eye on her and help her figure out what's happening. She learns out her mother's secret and finds she can go to the Realms, a place only members of the Order can go. Something is threatening the Realms and her world. With the help of Kartik, Gemma must found out what it is and fight it.

I absolutely love this book. I love books where the main character is a girl. It has a wonderful plot that keeps the pages turning. Of course, there is also Kartik.

Reader reviewed by *lyssa

What would you do if you knew the way to another realm, another world? One in that you can turn the dew into butterflies and make your greatest wishes come true? Where nothing is impossible?

Gemma has the power to go there, through the door of light she alone can conjure. She's what the Order's waited 20 years for, what Circe hunts for.

Miss Moore tells her there are no good or bad decisions. Only different choices. Now Gemma has a choice--should the Order be reinstated after Sarah Rees-Toome's betrayal, or should the magic be left alone?

Read this tale of friendship, darkness, power, and illusion to find out.

Reader reviewed by two_sided_freek

Many would agree that a novel that is set in the past isn't always great but this book definitely is good. It has adventure, the supernatural, love friendship, basically a little bit for everyone.

What is exceptional about this book is the main character. She's nothing special, not an exotic beauty, or rich. She's normal, has wishes, gets jealous and basically like a lot of us. She's an outsider to the England ways and just wants to belong.

The story starts with Gemma's mother being murdered while Gemma herself watches it in a vision. From there it progresses to Gemma being sent to England where she joins in a school meant to train girls to become the ultimate wife in the Victorian Era. As the story continues we meet the mysteriously handsome Kartik, and all her soon to be friends. This book sucks you in and you can't help but read it. Whenever you put it down, it tempts you to pick it up again and there is no way to satisfy the need to read more until you finish the series.