Rating: Summary: intriguing Victorian coming-of-age Review: I picked this up thinking it was a fantasy, but although it has some fantasy elements, I wound up particularly liking the sharp dialogue and perceptive analysis of the relationships among teenage girls. Through their words and actions, the girls demonstrate that although many things have changed since the Victorian era -- such as what women can and cannot expect from their lives -- many aspects of adolescence (cliques, rebellion, emerging self-understanding) haven't changed a bit. The fantasy part actually struck me as a bit weak, though that may be partly because (not knowing it was the first part of a trilogy) I read the whole book expecting things to be resolved and explained at the end. Instead, the end feels more like a beginning, but I look forward to the next installment.
Rating: Summary: The Witching Hour at Spence Review: This book had me on the edge of my seat. I could not put the book down. The character Gemma was very realistic in all of her confusion. I loved the magic in the story. I thought it was right inside casting illusions with Gemma, Felicity, Pippa, and Ann. I wish this book was a movie because it would be the utimate chick flick.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely wonderful Review: (...)I really loved this book. I'm normally not drawn to fantasy books, but when I saw the cover and read the flap, I had to give it a try!!! I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Some characters should have been mentioned a little more and some areas were a little vague, but the plot was unique and the characters were mostly believeable. The genre is mostly fantasy(though you would expect it to be romance (there is a little) judging by the cover, but the cover/corset actually stands for society's female restraints), wait until the sequel comes out so I can find out if Kartik and Gemma get together and what happenes with the order and boarding school and her friends (read to see what I'm talking about) !! Until then, I reccomend that everyone read this book!!! (...)
Rating: Summary: A fresh breath of air! Review: I read this book in 2 days! its an amazing tale of a girl that is faced with many challenges. whats so great about it is...it keeps you involved. I really enjoyed the mystical feeling of the book. I really think this is a Harry Potter book but for teengirls! its fabulous...if you wanna get out of the funk of reading corky teen romances where everything ends up perfect...read this! you'll love it!
Rating: Summary: A complicated, powerful story evolves Review: A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray was written for young adults but the setting and complexity will also lend to its appreciation by an adult audience as well. Blend a Victorian novel with the story of a 16-year-old feisty girl who faces a Victorian girls' school after a beloved childhood home in India and you have a moving story of finishing school faced not by a shy child, but by a near-woman who will have to face the possibility of her own innate unusual powers. A complicated, powerful story evolves.
Rating: Summary: very good Review: This was a great book!In the beginning i had trouble getting into it, but stick with it! this book was kind'a dark, but good. it has a lot of twists and turns. i was a little confused but i could not stop reading it! I felt bad for gemma, but she was pretty smart. i think anybody would like this book, but mostly for a more mature audience, cause it is kind of dark.
Rating: Summary: This was a good book Review: This bood was pretty good. At some points it was dull and draged on but over all it was a good read. I do hope the auther writes a fallow up because there were some problems left in answered. Like will Gemma find all of the Order and will she hook up with Kartik? But I highly recomend it.
Rating: Summary: wow Review: This book was fantastic, by far the best book I have ever read. Its scandal and suspense are terrific, it keeps you enchanted, almost pulling you into the realms yourself. The protagonist, Gemma is a great character who you will want to root for, the twists of the plot are unpredictable, and it is a book you will not want to put down. A great read for any girl about 14 and up who is looking for a great read!
Rating: Summary: Hard to put down Review: If I hadn't been given this book as a birthday present, I never would have read it. The basic structures, girls at a boarding school dreaming about first kisses and getting mixed up in dangerous magic after dark, was completely unappealing to me, however I had a few minutes of free time and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did, I'm not sure why I liked this book, it's confusing and vague with flat, unbelievable characters and an even less realistic storyline, however I read the entire book in two sittings. If you have a few spare hours, I would reccomend this book to those into fantasy, and the classic english boarding school adventure books.
Rating: Summary: SPENDICULAR Review: I found "A Great and Terrible Beauty" to be one of the best books I've ever read. I would love to read a sequal to find out if Gemma and Kartik get together.Hopefully the author reads these review and writes another book or one like it.
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