When I first started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, I admit I had mixed feelings. It felt a little too predictable, a little too juvenile. I didn’t like how whiny and inconsiderate Gemma was; I didn’t like how stereotypical and clique-like the boarding school characters were. I felt at the beginning that I could pretty much guess what was going to happen. I was, however wrong! Libba Bray really surprised me with her creativity and unexpected turns.
The basic gist of the story is this: Through a tragic series of events, sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle has discovered she possesses mysterious powers, namely visions of the future. It is on the cusp of all this that she is sent to England to get an education at a boarding school for girls. After having spent her whole life in India, she finds herself in a whole new world of social rules and requirements. On top of all that, she still has her uncontrollable powers to deal with, as well as the presence of a mysterious young man who keeps telling her she must not use them. Left at a loss by her family’s tragedy, she spends her time trying to unveil the many unanswered questions that go with it.
The most intriguing part of the story to me was the magical realm that Gemma is able to access. I liked the idea that the realm was actually where everyone’s dreams happened or came from, and that everyone could travel there in dreams, they just couldn’t be aware of it or in control like Gemma.
I was also happily surprised by the relationship between Gemma, Ann, Felicity and Pippa. At first, the latter three honestly seemed like pretty two-dimensional characters to me. I thought I could guess how they were going to react, or what they were going to do in situations. But again I was surprised. Each of these characters has something about them that makes them more than what you get at face value – a lot like real life. They all have painful secrets and insecurities. It really made the story relatable.
I also really enjoyed the theme of independence and power that Bray gave to her characters – especially considering how things really were for young girls in the Victorian era. That considered, my only real complaint is some of the things the girls do in the story, real girls in the Victorian era never would’ve gotten away with. (However, perhaps the fact that I’m also reading Tess of the d’Urbervilles right now had an affect on my judgment on this issue, haha.) Although it might’ve been historically inaccurate, points can be given to once again making the girls relatable to a female audience.
Overall my only complaint would probably be that I really wanted to see some more romance between Kartik and Gemma! Bray has a great way of enticing me with just enough Gemma/Kartik scenes to drive me crazy. And now I guess I’ll have to go read Rebel Angels as soon as I can get my hands on it. ( )

After the first two CDs, I was ready to quit, but I didn't have anything else to listen to, so I kept going. It does get better as it goes along, but it never really sank its teeth into me. Overall, I'd say it was decent, but not great, in all aspects, including the audio book narrator.

I never really understood what it meant to bring the magic of the Realms into the real world. I was truly surprised by a couple of twists, but I also didn't totally get how they worked. And Gemma's lust for Kartik made me uncomfortable (and I read lots of romance novels). It just felt kind of icky in the context of a teen fantasy because it was pretty graphic.

I don't think I'll continue reading this series. And I feel bad about that time I recommended this to a girl who was bummed about the really long wait for the [b:Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267255754s/2767052.jpg|2792775] at the library. I gave her this and Graceling, having read neither, but under the impression that they were both good. We'll see about Graceling next! ( )

I really really wanted to like this book. It was recommended on a thread of good YA and I do love good YA.

However, this is not good YA.

The writing was stilted (others have remarked on the anachronistic tone but that was maybe intentional so I'll just say I agree it felt out of place).

It was incredibly colonial and racist (and unlike the misogyny it never seemed to try to address the racism and colonialism of the time period).

It *did* try to address the misogyny but failed in my opinion (it seemed very un self aware about misogyny in its descriptions of Anne in particular, but there were other bits that made me pause).

The self harm angle could have been interesting if it had been handled at all well (according to the book people cut when they don't like their lives but when they have something joyful to do they stop immediately).

Non of the characters had, well, character. There was the protagonist, who, um, didn't like her mum but missed her terribly, I guess that was her thing? And then Felicity who was kinda smart, liked power, and had parents who didn't have time for her. And Pippa who was pretty and whose parents were poor and so wanted to marry her off (and couldn't find anyone rich who was even vaguely the same age as her...). And then Anne, the fat and ugly scholarship orphan. It maybe says a lot about the writing that I feel like I know more about these girls' parents and their motivations than I do the girls themselves.

I genuinely don't have anything good to say about the book except that I did end up staying late to finish it so by the end it clearly did make me want to finish. That's why it gets 2 stars rather than 1 (I've changed my mind about that a few times already though...). ( )

Gave up after a few chapters. I was hoping for a work of cozy faux-Victorian literature, but the voice and protagonist felt anachronistic and did not grab me. Probably a better fit for someone looking for a paranormal adventure.

I would actually recommend listening to the audio book of this title. The reader is the best I've ever heard. Plus, the story is haunting and beautiful. A great YA mystery. ( )

4/4.5 stars. I'm not usually one for YA fiction but Libba Bray is very good at writing it. Very interesting take on the power (and illusion) of beauty. Poignant juxtaposition of female puberty/coming of age alongside the development of literal magical ability. Yay for strong, smart female characters! All in all, quite good. Don't know why, in the world of YA chick lit, books like Twilight (gag) garner so much attention while ones like this don't. ( )

Compelling first entry in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. Gemma is sassy and sarcastic. The ending wraps up nicely while still leaving room to wonder what will happen next. ( )

Gemma saw it before it happened; her mother’s death. Guilt swells inside of Gemma as she moves from India to England. Here she attends a boarding school to become a refined woman eligible for marriage. However, the mysteries of India continue to follow her. The answers she is looking for might be closer than you think.

Libba Bray wrote an immersive fantasy that transports the reader to magical realms. The foreshadowing is delightful without ruining the mystery. Sadly, the character relationships fall short so it is hard for the reader to understand how this friendship circle works. The juxtaposition between Victorian England, Colonial India, and the fairy world makes for an engrossing read. ( )

3.5/5 ( )

A great and terrible beauty is set way back in the 1800s, gemma is sent to a school for girls called spence after her mother is killed.

Soon into the story she makes three friends bitchy and easily led. The three make a group called the order after discovering an old diary with magic going ons within it.

Overall this book shows how vindictive and horrible girls are to each other, it also tells of how inferior girls were back then, the term girls should be seen and not heard fits well to this book.
Much enjoyed and will probably get the second one. ( )

Después de la muerte de su madre en extrañas circunstancias, Gemma empieza una nueva vida en Inglaterra, estudiando en la Academia Spence, un prestigioso internado para señoritas. Allí se verá inmersa en misteriosas situaciones, y casi sin quererlo, formará parte de La Orden, una antigua hermandad de mujeres con poderes mágicos, como el de cruzar una puerta hacia los reinos donde viven los espíritus de los muertos y seres maravillosos.

Honestly I'm completely baffled by this book. I didn't really like it. It felt dry and boring. But I could not for the life of me put it down. Something compelled me to keep on reading and I'm fkd if I know what it was. ( )

I have loved A Great and Terrible Beauty for over a decade now, which seems crazy and makes me feel so old. But as one of the first young adult fantasy books to hit the market and stick as a popular favorite, I’m so happy that I’ve been recommending this book series to all of my friends for half my life.

Gemma Doyle, protagonist of the trilogy by the same name, set the bar for all young adult, and adult fantasy books, I’ve read since the fateful day back in 2003 that I first picked up Gemma’s story. She’s full of spunk and self-determination and she’s completely normal. I absolutely love to read about characters who doubt themselves in all things and Gemma has plenty to question about herself, her actions, and her motivations. Gemma’s story begins with the death of her mother and Gemma’s introduction into the shadowy world of the mysterious Order and her discovery of the Realms, a magical, but troubled land, that was once the playing ground of not only the Order, but other magical creatures and beings as well.

As Gemma starts to learn about her (and her mother’s) connection to the Order and the Realms, she must also deal with life at a prestigious Victorian finishing school, and the bullies and privileged girls she meets there. It doesn’t take long, however, for Gemma to make some decent friends and she quickly discovers that appearances are oftentimes deceiving and it is worth getting to know people better before passing judgment on them. There are so many incredible lessons to learn from Gemma and her journey and Libba Bray’s story telling is absolutely exquisite. I can’t wait to reread Rebel Angels so I can finally finish the series with The Sweet Far Thing! ( )

For such a thick book it had very little actual plot, and after managing to slog through the entire thing, I had no incentive to read the next two books (which are apparently even thicker!). The pacing is far too slow, and being the first of a trilogy, I understand that this is the author's chance to introduce her world and characters, but nothing really interesting happens except for the occasional appearance of a Indian boy who seems to exist for the sole purpose of creating a sense of mystery in the narrative, and is never really explained. Even the characters are just as flat and uninteresting, and annoying at some parts. I have a really hard time believing that any of the main characters actually, genuinely liked each other. ( )

Even though this is a book best for teens I found myself enthralled with the story of Gemma. After her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, Gemma is sent to an finishing school in London. Everyone is saying her mother died of cholera because the truth is far more scandalous for the Victorian era. Despite taking place in Victorian England, Gemma's boarding school could be in western Maine in the 21st century. The cattiness of school girls is as timeless as it is universal. In short, there will always be a crew, a posse, a clique, or gang. Some group of individuals designed to alienate and torture others. The names of these groups will change, but for the outsider the unfathomable desire to belong to one of them will never change. The act of self-mutilation in an effort to feel "something" is timeless, as well. Cutting in an effort to feel something is also represented in the story. The title of the book comes from the great and terrible beauty of power. There is an unspoken responsibility when bestowed with power. Gemma has the power to visit another realm; one filled with beautiful visions and terrible evils. ( )

Slow beginning but picked up nicely. I'll probably continue on with this series. ( )

I have come to the conclusion that I love Libba Bray. I think I would love her even if her books sucked. Because if you watch any interview with her, or read her blog, you will come to realize that she is crazy in a very best way. The thing is though, she's awesome, and so are her books. I read Going Bovine first and loved it. She has a quirky style and a great sense of humor, but is also very deep. I knew that these books (the Gemma trilogy) were set in Victorian England. I am not usually a fan of teen period novels. They generally go like this, "i'm a princess, but i want freedom, i have to be a proper lady, that boy is so handsome." An the rest of the novel goes on to describe the boys face, and eyes, and how sweet he is, but really he is a sexist prick. So I wasn't all that excited, and I really really, didn't want to be let down by Libba.

I was not!

This is much more a fantasy in a way. Its more about Gemma finding herself, and friendship than boy problems. Although realistically they are there. Mostly with her friend Pippia who is getting married off to a 50 year old perv. I really can't say anything bad about Libba's books. She is a fantastic author and knows how to tell a story with great humor, wit and charm. ( )

I liked this book a lot. It was so refreshing to me to see a book that focused so much more heavily on female friendship than on the romance aspects because it is so rare to see that in teen books. There were a few parts where I thought this story got a little repetitive, especially towards the end, but that didn't take away from my love of this book that much. I did enjoy the plot and I am excited to see what happens in the next book but what really drew me into this story was the characters. At the beginning, I thought it was weird how quickly people that disliked each other became friends but I grew to love and care about each of the characters and I can't wait to see where the story goes in later books. I have to say right now the ending of this book seemed very definitive to me and I can't see very clearly where this will go next, but the fact that I'm still very excited to read the next book shows me that this was a good ending to the book. I truly loved the setting of this book and seeing the world through the eyes of girls living in a very different time, where girls had to be very prim and proper and obedient, was very interesting and really painted clear picture of what it may have been like to live as a girl back then, minus the magical elements. Of loved seeing all the personalities of the four main girls shine through and also the personalities of the secondary characters as well. You could see which girls were more excepting of their lot in life and which wished for a little more. There are a few characters I am still intrigued about, such as Ms. Moore and Mrs. Nightwing. I also didn't feel like the stories of the two other girls from the past Sarah and Mary were completely wrapped up, especially with Sarah so I'll be interested to see if the other books explain more about those people. I also loved the way magic was used in this book and the way it was blended into the world so I'm looking forward to learning more about how all the magic works. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and hopefully getting some answers to all the questions I still have at the end of this book. ( )

i just couldn't get into this book. it was slow. and the main character was unlikable and thick headed. i am a HUGE fan of the author and other works...just not this one. ( )

I listened to the audiobook of this, and I have to say that this has been the best narration in an audiobook that I have listened to so far. I really enjoyed the story too, but the narrator did such an excellent job of bringing the story to life with all of her voices. It was a perfectly creepy book to listen to while walking kids around trick or treating. ( )

Shall I tell you a story? A new and terrible one? A ghost story? Are you ready? Shall I begin? Once upon a time there were four girls. One was pretty. One was clever. One charming, and one...one was mysterious. But they were all damaged, you see. Something not right about the lot of them.

That was not at all what I expected. Granted, I didn't expect much. I've had this book on my to read list for years and decided to finally try it without looking at anything but the cover. Instead, we got a slow building paranormal boarding school / historic urban fantasy set in around the turn of the 20th century with a portal fantasy turned surprisingly dark.

I really did enjoy the boarding school theme to the story. It's a way to actually have young adult characters without having to deal all the times with with parents and, for better or for worse, has a very 'British' vibe to me. The magical realms that eventually show up really do feel truly magical and fantastic. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of science or well defined rules to this magic, but sometimes that's okay.

On the other hand, it's got a whole heap of questionable parts, with how it treats Indian and Romani culture, hints at sexual awakening I've gotten entirely too old to approve of, and the main characters are... teenage girls really. They're okay, but I don't know how they manage to interact with one another for more than a few minutes. It feels like an odd combination of dated and modern, without the justifications of either.

Unfortunately, the main plot doesn't seem to move along. It's the first of a trilogy and it shows. In the end, I enjoyed the book more than I expected to and I'll give the sequels a chance. We'll see how it goes from here.

In every end, there is also a beginning.

( )

My first pick for 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt#5: A dark academia book.
I remember I first read it in the summer of 2015, but I got distracted and read Game of Thrones instead (also unfinished..oops!).

First part was full of mystery it made me want to know more about her history. Well, I didn't expect the life in a boarding school is the same for almost every book I read. (Why are people fond of accusing others of theft just because the latter belong to the lower, uh, class?)
Ok, moving on to.....the romance, ugh..I'm not a sucker for romance and I don't know if they're *"kilig" or not.
Hey, why do they have to be naked somewhere outside? It's 1800 or 1900; it's probably cold outside. And don't forget how very conservative most people were.
They annoying part is when they get drunk and lose themselves, giggling.
Maybe I have to read it again? Nope. I'll move on to other books. I have thousands of unread ones. Reading book one of Gemma Doyle series is enoough.

*kilig=romantic thrill. There's no English equivalent. ( )

I really enjoyed this book and was torn whether to give it 4 or 5 stars. I was kept awake much longer than expected some night because I felt the need to continue reading on.

Gemma was a very dynamic character who was also very easy to relate to. I was taken back into my high school years when reading the book and reading about the relationships between all of the girls (haha, it made me glad I wasn't in high school anymore).

At times it almost seemed like the writing wasn't true to the decade it was supposed to be centered it. At times it felt more related to this century (but that might have been the idea of Modernism starting to take place and the idea of how much power women should have). ( )

Welcome to Spence Academy, where young ladies get refined and shit...among other things. "Other things" being "opening portals to magical worlds" and "fighting evil sorceresses". ( )

Compelling first entry in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. Gemma is sassy and sarcastic. The ending wraps up nicely while still leaving room to wonder what will happen next. ( )