The Sweet Far Thing

There were several points while I read The Sweet Far Thing that I rolled my eyes, grew frustrated, and wondered why I was bothering to read this. Five years ago, someone spoiled the end of the Gemma Doyle trilogy for me, and I more or less lost interest in reading the final book. I have a thing for seeing series through to the end, though, so in spite of my best judgment I took the time to read this rather massive novel. And, in spite of my very best efforts to be annoyed, Libba Bray continues to make me love her anyway. It’s somewhat disconcerting.

The Sweet Far Thing, probably, could stand to lose 200-300 pages. The middle sections grow tedious with the back-and-forth between Gemma and the tribes in the realms. Who gets the magic? Is Gemma lying? How can they trust each other? On and on it goes for 500 pages. Add in a few fairly unrelated adventures such as Gemma’s “rivalry” with an American heiress and Felicity and Ann’s struggles to be themselves. It was, honestly, too much, and it was only Bray’s astounding skill and creativity that kept me reading.

Libba Bray’s prose is really quite amazing. It’s powerful, compelling, completely engaging, and addicting. I’ve never read anything quite like it. I think it says something when an author’s skill with words can effectively mask flaws and give readers the illusion of perfection. I mean, there were times when I almost liked Gemma Doyle in this book, and believe you me that would be a hard task to accomplish.

Another big selling point in this book is world-building, setting, and creativity. In the second book, Rebel Angels, readers finally got to fully experience the magic of the realms, and I knew that in this book Bray was going to have to maintain that experience. Luckily, she did, and she did it quite well. I love the realms. I love the fantasy/paranormal creatures and elements incorporated into this series. I love Bray’s originality in concept and execution of premise. It’s completely amazing.

One thing I do have to say, though, is that while The Sweet Far Thing has a lot of surface appeal, it doesn’t go as deep as I would like. This has been a consistent problem with the series, though I think that in many respects, this book is a huge improvement over A Great and Terrible Beauty. Perhaps it’s because the story is so far outside of any traditional idea of paranormal YA. It outclasses itself.

My biggest problem, and it is also a recurring issue, is the romance. Well, first off, I really think this book would be just as strong without the romance aspect, as is evidenced by the way Bray wrapped things up—i.e. no eternal vows of love. Kartik, as a character, was kept as so much of an enigma that I had to wonder what Gemma saw in him besides his physical appearance. One minute he’s a jerk, the next he’s making jokes, then he’s taking off Gemma’s clothes, then he’s laughing like a little boy. Bray was not at all consistent with who Kartik was or what his role was supposed to be. It definitely felt forced, like Bray felt she had to include a love interest because, duh, YA Rules & Regulations command it to be so. Yeah, maybe Kartik served a purpose at the very end, but his role could just as easily have been taken on by any other character.

But gosh dang, the end was flawless. I am admittedly a complete sucker for endings that are sad, upsetting, depressing. The final 50 pages of The Sweet Far Thing were so beautiful and so balanced between despair and hope, I couldn’t handle myself. Holy cow. Now, I’d been spoiled for this ending already, but nobody can really portray that ending like Libba Bray can. I didn’t want to read this book because of the ending, but really, the only reason to read this book is because of the ending.

Altogether, The Sweet Far Thing was my favorite Gemma Doyle book. Because of this series, this author has a special place on my favorites shelf. With her massively strong prose, her phenomenal creativity, and her heartbreaking conclusion, Libba Bray won me over even when I didn’t want to be won. Hats off to her!

this book was great. i cried at the end and wished it had turned out differently but still a favorite.

Reader reviewed by Chey

Though I loved this book, I feel it drug on for longer than necessary in some parts. I was already connected to the characters through the first two books in this series so I kept reading though it bored me at times. Gemma Doyle learns more about the rhelms and the magic that's bestowed upon her. She and her friends search endlessly for clues and are often wrong. The rhelms are well-written and creative, you'll love reading about Pippa and the winterlands.

The ending, however, felt weak and the last few chapters had me confused and upset with the character's choices.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

Beginning where Rebel Angels left off, we find Gemma Doyle back at Spence Academy with a huge decision to make: How and when should return the magic from the realms? Finding that she enjoys the power,Gemma and her friends Ann and Felicity return to the magical realms in order to gain information and be with their friend, Pippa. Things have changed and Gemma's going to be forced to make alliances she's unsure of, and in neither her magical world nor her reality can she find guidance. In her quest to do what's best, Gemma's led to a mysterious tree in the Winterlands and learns she must recover a long lost dagger if she wants to bring peace back to the realms. At the same time, Gemma has to deal with her relationship, or lack thereof, with Kartik. Their forbidden love for each other might get in the way between Gemma's goal. SWill they finally be able to be together or will this mission take its toll on their relationship. Sacrfices will have to be made but will true love truly overcome evil?

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

All the magic of the realms rests at the fingertips of Gemma Doyle.

Between the strange, scary new visions urging her to take action and the warnings of the forest folk that war will come if she doesnt fulfill her promise to share the magic, Gemma is terrified of the high expectations everyone seems to have. And that doesnt even include those piled on by her own world, courtesy of her family and of the Spence Academy for Young Ladies.

By day, Gemma is being bred into a lady of good standing and reputation. By night, shes desperately trying to understand the world shes expected to govern. Added to the mix is her turbulent relationship with the exotic and forbidden Kartic.

Brays world of wonders is brought to a head in this final sequel in the realms trilogy. The consistency of the authors beautiful writing never falters, nor does the sarcastic wit and humor of her main character.

Gemma is by turns, frustrating in her naivety and amazingly bold in her convictions and actions. Her desire to help friends, Felicity and Ann, gain control of their futures with the use of the magic she holds is admirable. This desire, however, conflicts with Gemmas duty to the realms and the peace of an entire world. The result is a powerful story filled with conflict and no obvious resolution, as Gemma races to find the truth about both worlds and the truth about her own desires.

Readers will be sorry to see the trilogy end but this book will ease those bitter sweet feelings as it ties up story threads and weaves a tale worthy of Libba Bray fans worldwide.

For those who have just discovered the series, be sure to check out A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY and REBEL ANGELS.

Reader reviewed by Rin

I'm sure everyone as read many summaries of all these, so I think it will suffice to say that in this book Gemma and her friends encounter even more terrible, yet wonderful things yet in the Realm as well as in their ordinary lives.

Lbba Bray is a masterful storyteller. In THE SWEET FAR THING Gemma is forced to make many many important choices and, like most imperfect humans, make mistakes and yet she learns from them and tries to fix her mistakes before it is too late.

If you've read the first 2 in this triology, do not miss out on this one. I think it's the best one yet, and the most true to life.

And if you haven't read any of the three, go and pick them up now ;) it's worth it.