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    A Great and Terrible Beauty
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    A Great and Terrible Beauty
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    A Great and Terrible Beauty
    Ebook383 pages6 hours

    A Great and Terrible Beauty

    By Libba Bray

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    From the author of The Diviners series comes the first installment of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy – a dark and eerie supernatural period drama.

    It's 1895, and after the death of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in British India to Spence Academy, a proper boarding school in England.

    Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception at Spence is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's being followed by a mysterious young Indian man who has been sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls – and their foray into the spiritual world – lead to?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster UK
    Release dateJul 1, 2009
    ISBN9781847387165
    Unavailable
    A Great and Terrible Beauty
    Author

    Libba Bray

    Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels, both of which have appeared on ALA's Best Books for Young Adults list.

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    Reviews for A Great and Terrible Beauty

    4/5

    3,187 ratings220 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This one was enjoyable - Teenage girls at a boarding school in the Victorian era. Magic and heartache and all that good stuff. Her friends are kind of awful, but it worked. It was a bit over the top, but I like that. The next on will be on hold for me soon, I hope.
    • 3/5
      Fantasy is definitely not my favorite genre. I blame this entirely on my own lack of ability when it comes to picturing impossible scenarios and imaginary creatures. Still, I enjoyed this book. I liked the four main characters and the boarding school setting. I don't know if I'll continue on with the series or not; I feel like there's definitely more to Ms. Moore's story than we know, and I assume that'll be explored more in the second and third books, which makes me tempted to continue on.
    • 2/5
      The immaturity of the characters wanted me to quit reading many times, but I was reading this for a book group.
      Gemma was raised in India with her parents. She's a teen and desperately wants what she wants when she wants it. And one of the things she wants is to go to London. An argument happens that separates her from her mother and she doesn't get a chance to rectify their argument, because her mother dies. During the even of her mother's tragic end, Gemma had a vision of it while it took place.
      In London at a school for girls, Gemma finds out the truth of her mother.
      Overall, the book is a good read for teen girls. There's a little bit of mystery in it, a little bit of romance. But I'd not recommend this book to any of my adult friends.
    • 5/5
      A coming of age novel that focuses on female relationships, this story is a fascinating account of one young woman's struggle for acceptance without sacrificing her values amidst the strict social mores of the Victorian age. The main character is contemporary in her thoughts which makes this title very appealing to those who prefer material in a modern setting. There is a great deal of suspense as well as romance along with a theme of sorcery which makes A Great and Terrible Beauty a title that will appeal to a larger audience. Grades 8 - 12.
    • 5/5
      The best way to introduce this series! the best historical fiction with a twist of horror!
    • 3/5
      An interestingly creepy book marred by stereotypical, sometimes downright inaccurate, portrayals of India and non-white characters.Bray does an excellent job of capturing the shifting alliances among adolescent girls, the way that friendships form and reform under the pressures that these girls are subjected to. The main female characters cover the different ways that women are trapped in this society -- those that are beautiful or rich are merely marriage material, while those that are lower-class and unlovely are at the bottom of the totem pole, only able to aspire to work as a governess.Unfortunately, in her quest to write a feminist book, Bray makes the common mistake of sacrificing characters of color along the way. Gemma's Indian caretaker/nemesis hides in a group of "Gypsies", because one brown-skinned man is interchangeable with any other. The society that this Indian boy belongs to is tasked with preventing women from exercising the magical powers they possess. It's disappointingly two-dimensional and does no justice to the Indian characters in their own right.I will read the other books in the trilogy with the hope that Bray manages to improve on these weaknesses.
    • 4/5
      This was an interesting read. Libba Bray has a magical way of weaving words. I felt tuned in with the era it was written and really enjoyed her writing. It was spot on.Gemma, the heroine of the story was a complete brat in the beginning and I did see some growth by the end of the book, but the friendship and trust between Gemma and her friends didn't feel legitimate to me. They were interesting girls, but I found myself feeling Gemma was a little dumb for being friends with such mean spirited girls. Felicity in particular showed her true colours numerous times throughout the book, yet Gemma seemed not to mind.I think what I loved the most in this book was the moments between Gemma and Kartik. They were definitely swoon worthy! I think that storyline and the general underlying creepiness of the story were the only things that swayed my emotions. In parts where I would normally cry or get upset I didn't really feel anything. I read long into the night and every little creak in our place had me feeling jumpy, so the creep factor was definitely there.Overall, it was an interesting read. It wasn't amazing, but it was good. I mostly want to keep reading just to see what happens between Gemma and Kartik...
    • 2/5
      I wanted to like it more... I guess I'm just not into witchcraft/spirit world books.
    • 4/5
      A Great and Terrible Beauty features a young female protagonist sent to an English boarding school when her mother is killed in the streets of India. It can be considered a work of historical fiction with elements of magic, vampires and romance. Gemma Doyle has provided an suspenseful tale that will intrigue both youth and adults. This book is the first of a series and I can't wait to get started on the rest.
    • 5/5
      At first the books is a bit slow. Gemma is a young girl in Victorian India. In here desire to become more independent she lashes out at restrains put on her. Tragedy ensues as her mother is killed at a marketplace. Gemma now has to go to an England she never knew and finds friends (?) and a fantasy world. Is it as good as it appears?I enjoyed the direction that Gemma and her friends take as the explore the occult fantasy world then enter.
    • 2/5
      I'm not sure if this is a teen book or not. Some confusing parts. I chose the book because I liked the cover and the description of the story (set in early 1900s). Will not recommend it to adults. There might be the odd teen who would enjoy this book. I will see...
    • 3/5
      I would give this 3.5 if I could. I feel like the whole book was leading up to something big...maybe the next book?
    • 1/5
      Know any adolescents in need of a push over the edge of despair? This terribly dark novel could do the trick. Even in the face of the the 19th century societal limits on women's lives, suely the author could have found something likeable about at least one of her characters! None of them seem worthy of her love. Their lives of hopelessness, powerlessness, misunderstanding, thier inability to befriend, their lack of spirit or strength - sorry, I'm off into that bright doorway to escape into some world where there is a shred of hope. What's for me to like when the writer seems not to like her own characters? Not worth the read.
    • 5/5
      To be honest, I’m not always on board with “Ye Olde” stories, especially ones that take place in the Victorian era. But I loved this. It’s everything the synopsis promises and more. At first you’re wandering along thinking this is going to be a simple magical adventure story with catty girls, but by the end it sinks into your head, leaving you with more to think about once you’re finished reading. If you’re into feisty, sarcastic, brave, intelligent, redheaded heroines, Gemma’s your girl. She’s the kind of sixteen-year-old I wish I could have been friends when I was in high school; we could have mocked the popular crowd together in the back of the class, throwing parchment zeppelins at them or … whatever. Unfortunately, she does fine without me. The way she stands up to Felicity and Pippa (the “cool kids” at the British all-girls Victorian boarding school – yes, that’s a thing!), never backing down from what she believes in, yet does it in a completely believable teenaged way, made me adore her. She never took crap from anybody, always active, never passive. The story completely relies on her as a narrator for the story to progress, and does it ever get interesting because of it. Her three friends – Anne, Felicity and Pippa – are lovable in a completely unlovable way as well. All three have their faults shaping who they are, and it’s fascinating to watch unfold. The relationship dynamic between the four of them is so spot on for girls that age it’s amazing – they’re petty and selfish, but at the same time they grow into friends through their shared experienced and broken dreams, watching each other’s backs and having the time of their lives with forbidden magical powers. Um, yes please? Nothing pleases me more than healthy female relationships in YA books, which there aren’t enough of. Despite the stuffy time era, the girls are relatable to any group of teenage girls by their interactions – Libba Bray does this wonderfully.So, obviously I think the characters were awesome, but so was the plot. Like I said, you think it’s simple, but a mystery starts up, and things are revealed about Gemma, her family, and the academy you don’t see coming, becoming a more complicated mess until you can’t tear your eyes away from the book. The stakes became higher and higher, and I couldn’t help but feel for these characters. The more complicated it gets, the darker it gets, revealing a sad yet realistic portrayal of what women had to go through in the 1890s. It’s in this that makes it more than just fun fluff – Bray actually has something to say. So, to sum up: Secret realms, Victorian boarding school, witty banter, family intrigue, strong message – GO GEDDIT!
    • 2/5
      It is what it is - a YA book that is geared more toward the tweens than the teens. I wasn't impressed by the writing, the lack of originality, or the premise. I did find it interesting enough to finish it, though, so it gets two stars. I will not be reading the sequel.
    • 3/5
      This is a decent book that was nicely written. However, though the author chooses to place this book in the early 1900's England, her main characters internal dialog, and sometimes external dialog, make the reader picture them in jeans and sweatshirts, not the period clothing the author is describing. That being said, after 150 pages or so, I was able to overlook that and really fall into the story and the characters. It isn't a fantastic book, but it's an entertaining read and, apparently, the first in a trilogy, which I plan on reading as well.
    • 5/5
      When Gemma's mother dies of mysterious circumstances that Gemma foresees in a vision, Gemma is packed off to a London boarding school for girls where she hopes to become the sort of girl who will be able to get a good husband. There, she quickly gains entry into an elite circle of new friends - Felicity, a power hungry Admiral's daughter; Pippa, a stunning beauty about to be married off to a much older man; and the unlikely Ann, an orphan whose best hope in Victorian England is to gain a place as governess to a wealthy family. Among her new friends, with the help of secret diary discovered in another vision, she learns that she has the power to transport herself and her friends into magical realms. As the powerlessness their gender dictates for them is revealed, the allure of the magical realms where they get to choose and their best hopes are realized grows. As the four bring magic back to their own world, danger lurks, and only Gemma has the power to stop it. Despite its historical setting complete with its implications for the girls, A Great and Terrible Beauty's characters face similar situations to today's teenage girls. For Gemma, as for many teenagers, there is always that dangerous line between being herself and changing herself to fit in with her peers. Her friends' activities are at once attractive and repulsive to her, but Gemma is by no means perfect. She is spunky, opinionated, and outspoken. She is blunt and tactless when perfect manners are expected of her. She knows what's right but she does what's wrong. In other words, she is a very real character and one who is easy to sympathize with. Bray's writing is richly atmospheric, effortlessly evoking the many settings of her story. From a busy Indian marketplace to a slightly spooky girl's boarding school in London to incredible magical realms, Bray's beautifully rendered places play almost as important a role in her story as the girls themselves. Her rich descriptions make this novel a particularly engaging page-turner. Most significant of all is Bray's skillful handling of the problems inherent in being a young woman in Victorian times and her use of these issues to further our understanding of the particular grip the magical realms have on Gemma, Felicity, Pippa, and Ann. Girls are sent to Spence not to learn for the sake of knowledge but to store up the lessons that will make them good and cultured wives for some wealthy gentleman of their parents' choosing. Bray's characters are strong-willed young women who desire husbands and beauty and fluent French but also want to have their opinions heard, to be able to have the power to influence the courses of their lives, to accomplish things that women aren't even allowed to attempt. This understandable desire for choice and for power plays beautifully into the girls' growing obsessions with the magical realms that will open for Gemma alone. My heart's a stone, sinking fast. We make polite conversation. Grandmama tells us of her garden and her visiting and all about who is not speaking to whom these days. Tom prattles on about his studies while Ann hangs on his every word as if he were a god. Father is lost to himself. No one asks how I am or what I am doing. They could not care less. We're all looking glasses, we girls, existing only to reflect their images back to them as they'd like to be seen. Hollow vessels of girls to be rinsed of our own ambitions, wants, and opinions, just waiting to be filled with the cool, tepid water of gracious compliance.A Great and Terrible Beauty is a delicious, spooky page-turner that doesn't shy away from serious themes. One of my favorite reads of the year.
    • 4/5
      Wonderful mix of Victorian mystery and a Gothic atmosphere. I was little wary about picking these books up for the first time, but the moment Gemma stepped into Spence and quickly became her own person, I was hooked. The set-up about the Order and the Realms takes a little too long to be introduced into the plot, and the major conflict of the book happened a little fast, as if this and “”Rebel Angels” were going to be one big volume. It really does read like a prologue, but it kept me entertained and curious to find out what happened next.
    • 5/5
      I could not put this book down. It is a historical fantasy set in a Victorian girl's boarding school. The fantasy world is compelling and unique. I was stunned by certain twists of the plot and at one point I actually gasped out loud! The main characters are believable in the Victorian setting and are ones the reader becomes emotionally involved with. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      A popular YA book about the supernatural powers of a young girl, Gemma, 100 years ago. VERY ODD! But also very intriguing. Intriguing enough that I kept reading and am super excited for the third book in the series that comes out in Dec 07. This book is about Gemma moving to England to live at a boarding school and her discovery of her powers. I enjoyed it and suggest it for you to read--but be prepared for oddness.
    • 4/5
      A quite solid book, this is my favorite so far in the currently popular 'teens encounter a magical world' trend (most of the others, such as Tithe, Wicked Lovely, and Wondrous Strange, involve faeries.). The setting is glorious, and there are moments when the book manages to evoke the Gothic glory of books like Jane Eyre. The remote girls' boarding school is the right amount of mysterious, creepy, and absolutely normal, and the characters who inhabit it serve the plot well. That said, there are some things I wish had been better done - Bray's Victorians tend to sound like 21st century girls in corsets and petticoats. I try not to let this bother me overmuch, as I think it makes the core group of girls more relateable to current teen readers, but a more gifted author could have kept the Victorian mindset and still managed that task, particularly given the plot device of a world where these girls, for the first time, experience what it is to have power, and to be allowed to desire. Bray tries to intertwine these facts with the girls' growing restlessness and chafing against expectations they have been faced with all their lives, but it falls short. One reason it does so is that the magic of Bray's realms is not quite magical. The scenes where the girls work toward opening the door are alive with wit and character and excitement - but once they actually achieve their goal, the realms fall quite flat, and in fact, the second half of the book starts to slide downward. This is a book that reads solidly and manages to almost do something really interesting with women and power and desire and pressure in the Victorian era. I really do wish it had managed it, but as it is, I'll take what I can get.
    • 4/5
      "A Great and Terrible Beauty" was such an original book. It takes place during the Victorian era, and even though the supernatural aspect of it was not the most prominent, the story didn't suffer for it. It was interesting to watch the friendships Gemma devolped in the story, and the main characters were so real, they felt like someone you could know and relate too. While the story itself was sometimes confusing, especially during super natural aspects, it was still amazing and a book that stayed in my mind well after I turned the last page.
    • 4/5
      Very interesting book. Gemma is a great heroine for girls, though her interest in Kartik is questionable to me. I haven't read much historical fiction, but this one is enough to keep me interested. I am intrigued enough to read the second book and hope it won't be disappointing. I do wish that female-female relationships didn't all have to be portrayed the same way in young people's fiction (girls are never friends with other girls unless they personally gain from it). I suppose it's an unfortunate reflection of much of reality. Will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
    • 5/5
      Turns out I lied - I just reread this. I didn't enjoy it as much as previously but it was still a lot of fun.

      ***
      God I LOVED this but I would never read it again because I have a strong suspicion I wouldn't like it nearly so much. High drama, big magicks, awesome girls, and scary evil. Recommended for the 10-15 crowd.
    • 5/5
      These young Victorian schoolgirls are artfully crafted as is the world of magic entered through their boarding school turning both books into books to reread again and again. With the cuts and snubs of the Victorian upper-class and rigid expectations for young women, the series will appeal to lovers of Jane Austen and the Jane Austen mysteries as well as older female readers of the Harry Potter books. Similar in flavor to Theodosia and the Serpent of Chaos.
    • 5/5
      I didn't know how Libba Bray would top this first novel but I was blown away by the second in this sequel.
    • 4/5
        Gemma Doyle is your average teenage girl. Her family lives in India, and when she turns of-age, Gemma is sent to boarding school in England. Gemma finds this to be an exciting time for her- new friends, new environment, nothing could be better. But soon after she arrives in England, she finds that her mother has been murdered. Along with the tragic news about her mother, Miss Doyle finds a diary filled with a story about another past student attending Spence Academy, where it describes a horrible fire that had happened once. Soon after finding the diary, Gemma becomes involved with magic and realizes she can contact her mother through this power. After seeing her mother, Gemma allows her friends to go to this realm and meet her mother, but when they visit they are encountered by an evil being. So, as the story progresses Gemma finds a way to conquer this evil and balance is restored between the real world and her realms, all the while being able to say a proper goodbye to her mother. This book was an amazing read! It combines history but is also a fun and exciting fiction book as well. The author, Libba Pray, does an amazing job describing her characters- Felicity, Pippa, Mrs.Moore, etc. If I could rate this book I would rate it four out of five stars.
    • 4/5
      I'm not usually a scifi/fantasy fan, but I really liked this book.
    • 4/5
      Interesting but in some ways unsatisfying. Rooted firmly in the real life of victorian girls. After her mother's death Gemma is sent to a victorian boarding school. Prone to visions that come true, Gemma finds it hard to fit in. With warnings to avoid her powers she is being followed by a young man. She starts to use her power but it seems to be trying to take her life over, and there's a darkness there that's trying to overwhelm her.I was left wanting more out of this book, the conclusion seemed a bit simplistic to me and in the realm of imagination surely it's nearly impossible to destroy everything without almost destroying your own life. Still it would satisfy older female teen readers who are looking for a step up from Harry Potter. Finding that it's the first in a sequence of three novels improves the ending somewhat.
    • 3/5
      I can see why this book earned such acclaim. It's a fast young adult read that blends teenage angst with a gothic, creepy Victorian boarding school setting. Add into that dark magic, murder, sexual awakenings, and there's a whole lot going on. I did find major plot elements to be fairly predictable but there were some nice twists along the way, including the surprising friendship between four girls who start as vicious enemies.