Rating: 
Summary: When does the sequel come out?
Review: While once more disappointed by the romance in the book (it takes a very, /very/ good romance in a novel for me to not get disgusted - in fact, I can't remember a romantic part of any novel that I actually liked because they're all so predictable), the rest of the book I found intriquing, dark, and full of twists and turns...I'm not going to focuse so much on the plot (while indeed it was -very- good) but on the four main characters - Ann, Felicity, Pippa, and of course Gemma. They were so real - real in a way that I have not found in so many other books. They all had their faults, and struggles - they failed, and at points each one was selfish, greedy, and shallow. But in the end... when Pippa is dying at the river and she strokes Gemma's face... tears sprung from my eyes, and I realize that theirs was a true, real, wonderful friendship. Let us first look at their 'faults'. Ann could be swayed and broken down by others' points of view, and sometimes could forsake Gemma for the 'popular' girls - aka Felicity and Pippa. Felicity could be cruel, greedy, and blind to the truth. Pippa sometimes was shallow, blunt, and tactless, whereas Gemma could be pulled along in her friends' directions if they insisted long enough, and she had a short temper (though not as bad as Felicity's) and a rebellious attitude. (Not rebellious in a typical good way - she was unendingly cruel to her mother in the first part of the book, though at the end I was both awed and surprised by her strength when she, so to speak, 'chose' her living friends and world over the dream and lie of her mother's half-existence.) Still, Gemma is not as flawed as the others, and not so real, so I found myself caring for her less and the struggles of her friends - Pippa in particular - more. Yet they faced their struggles together, which brings me to the next point. As Gemma is the protagonist, of course she is the more 'perfect' of the four in her attitude, and of course she wins over the 'male', I expect - how I wished that Pippa and Kurtik (sp?) got together instead - for that would be a delightful turn on the typical tale! Alas, I was disappointed in that, but that's just one aspect of the story, after all. The way that the good glints in all of them, especially in Felicity, made me truly care for these characters, and even when they were at their cruelest (as we all are, sometimes) I loved them and cared for them fiercely still. Despite the magical story in which they are taken away in, and the Victorian time in which they live, they are very, undoubtedly real. They are flawed, arrogant, shallow, and imperfect - and they are beautiful. Their friendship, like so many, has its ups and downs. Notes, whispers, rumors - all of that abides. Despite the time it felt so much like a friendship in these days, I found myself stunned and intriqued. Yet at their very core, of course they care for one another - more than I think Pippa, perhaps, knows even as she dies. Of the characters themselves, I was drawn to them all, and surprisingly least interested in Gemma, for her tale was somewhat predictable. In fact, as soon as she found the journal of Mary, I thought it was supposed to be quite obvious that it was her mother, and so when that came apparent later in the book and it was obvious that we should be stunned, I blinked. Oh well. You can't have too many surprises, I suppose. the true beauty in this book lays in its characters, I think, and not in the plot. The four main characters are so complex that they are heartbreaking. And as soon as I finished the book, took a deep breath, and wondered at the marvel of it, a question popped into my mind - When is the sequel coming out??! I can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I loved this book! I stayed up until 3am because I couldn't put it down, and I have to get up for school at 5:45am! My only complaint is that Barnes and Noble had it in a special display with the caption "true romance" and sure the book has a bit of romance but it in no way is it the principle storyline. Anyway, enough about the frustration that is barnes and noble (me and b&n have a love/hate relationship) The characters seem realistic, the plot has no holes, in short the book is an amazing debut novel! Although I really hope the book has a sequel, according to a self-proclaimed 'expert' debuts rarely have sequels. I hope Libba Bray proves him wrong!
Rating: 
Summary: Not so Great and a little Terrible
Review: I was really excited for this book, after reading many good reviews it seemed like it would be great. I got it from the library only to find it to be a major let down.
I didn't feel connected with the people, and some twists in the book make no sense at all.
Also, the fantasy/magic parts were often too dull to read the whole part. I found myself skimming and skipping pages.
Although not the worst book I've read, it was hardly worth all the excitment.
Rating:
Summary: A book for everyone...
Review: As a 36 year-old woman, I know I don't fit the market demographics for this book, but after reading it, I think it is a tale for everyone. I opened this book expecting to read one chapter and found myself several hours later, turning the last page and hoping it wouldn't end. Libba Bray has written a captivating tale about love, family, friends, betrayal, redemption, and yes, magic. As Gemma's tale unfolded, I felt as if I was a member of her inner circle of friends, a member of the Order. I can't wait for the story to continue.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: This book is unlike no other. I really dont know another book where you get love, adventure, mystery, exitment, magic, and learn manners all in one.This is one of those books where you read the first page and already the exitment begins. I recomend it to anyone willing to read it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great and Wonderful Book
Review: The best book I've read in while! A Great and Terrible Beauty is a wonderful book that is well written and I think it is more interesting than any of the Harry Potter books. The story is set in 1895 during Victorian England. The story begins in India were Gemma's mother dies after Gemma runs away from her because of a little fight. Two months later she is in England. Gemma keeps on having visions like the one where she saw her mother die. While in England she goes to Spence Academy to learn to be a lady. Once she arrives, she doesn't have a very warm welcome. Most girls at Spence have been since they were very young and have already bonded. Gemma is sixteen and none of the older girls give her a warm welcome except for Ann, the poor, unattrative but smart outsider. After an event Gemma becomes bonded with the leader of the older girls, Felicity. After a teacher tells them about the mysterious group called the Order that was known for praticing magic, Gemma and Felicity decide to restart the Order agian. After a while the group learns of Gemma's magic and they travel to different realms. During this time a mysterious young man is warning her of her magic and visions. Her tells her to stop her magic of Cire, the one who made her mother kill herself, will be after her. The story about friendships( and sometimes the cruelty, betrayal, and honesty between friends), romance, magic, and the way women were repressed and groomed for lives as rich men's wives. The story has a lot of true history about the Vitorian era such as the prejugdice, the way women dressed,and the morals and manners of that time. All of this is put subtly into the story without it seeming like a history lesson. Over all this is a great book that has become a favorite of mine and I will impatiently wait for the sequel!
Rating:
Summary: you want a good read ?well you got one!
Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!A great and terrible beauty is about a girl who lives with her family in india but when she runs away from her mother in the market place after an agrument she gets swept upon things of magic and power. sent to a boarding school in london trying to figure out her mothers sudden death and what her mother left unsaid.this book is a mystery,romance,frienship,and magic and in every twist in the plot the book has hidden meanings through the book, but is left with out accomplishing everything hopefully leaving a hint of a sequal.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: The story of this 16 year old teenager was rich and vibrant. Being the 15 year old girl that I am, I could relate to the situations Gemma faced and I ceaselessly admired Gemmas all to rare strength of female character. This is a great coming of age tale intertwined with the dabblings in magic and fantasy which make the tale all that more alluring. When the story ends it undeniably leaves the reader to ponder the lessons taught and wondering if there will be a sequel. WILL there be a sequel because many things are left unfinished come the end of the novel.
Rating:
Summary: A new classic
Review: While labeled a Young Adult novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty will resonate with women of all ages. Gemma is everywoman -- with all the dreams and conflicts, flaws and exceptional gifts, righteousness and selfishness that weave the fabric of a living, breathing person. Finally, a period novel that doesn't condescend to the reader, or make dutiful "womanly" choices seem somehow noble or predestined. It also doesn't make the mistake of modernizing the characters in a way that would have been socially impossible during the time. When Gemma and her friends try to be more than future wives of rich men, we feel their struggle. And even as 21st Century women, we can relate. This is a book about magic -- to be literal, it is about a magical Order and the powers unlocked by a young, headstrong girl. But it is also about the magic we find (or choose to unleash) in our ordinary, mundane lives. Gemma and her friends represent the choices -- bad, good, well-intentioned and even those with malice -- that we all make. Beyond the themes of this book is the sheer poetry of it. Some passages beg to be read aloud. Bray has a lovely, subtle way with words. She doesn't clutter the story with vocabulary acrobatics -- but she'll knock you over with a spectacular turn of phrase. I was also impressed with the dialogue. It feels authentic without being stilted. I have given this book to all of my friends, and their daughters and nieces! But my husband loved Gemma's story, too. His comment: "It's like Harry Potter only better written and far more quirky and interesting." Gemma is a REAL heroine, not a bodice-ripped caricature. I can't wait to read the next in Gemma's series. More, Ms. Bray, MORE!!!
Rating:
Summary: The present I gave to all my girlfriends this year
Review: If you are a female fourteen and above, you need to meet Gemma. She is a normal sixteen year old girl-- caring and insightful one moment; hormonal and resentful the next. She is transplanted from Bombay to a finishing school in Victorian England. There Gemma is to learn the role of 'the ideal young lady' who naturally will become 'the ideal young wife'. Instead, Gemma embarks on a quest to find her true self and emerges as a whole person-- one who embraces the terrible beauty that is life. She is a strong, loyal female-- a model of which girls today need more.
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