A Great and Terrible Beauty (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy)
 

A Great and Terrible Beauty (Readers Circle)

by Libba Bray

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.
Gemma, 16, has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother?s death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent... (read more)

Top tags: young adultfantasyhistorical fictionmagicfiction (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

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2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
Jessica
  • Rated 5 stars

A fun read, it start's out with Gemma Doyle witnessing her mother's death, while in India. Following this Gemma is taken to boarding school in England and learns more about herself, her mother, and their abilities. An enjoyable read that will have you getting the sequel! It is set in a historical setting with fantasy woven into the story line. Groups called the Order and the Rakshana exist and are involed with a place called the Realms that Gemma is able to get to using her abilities. I...

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Community:
  • Rated 4.095445 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
 

Newest Comments

  • Destiny A

    destiny a said:

    I like this book it really interesting and very fun. When she finds out that that she has powers.

    posted 2 weeks ago
  • Destiny A

    destiny a said:

    Why do you love this book? give me reasons.

    posted 3 weeks ago ( | view 2 replies )
  • Selena (Selery) T

    selena (selery) t said:

    OMG I love this series! Libba Bray is phenomenal.. I cannot compare Twilight to The Doyle trilogy because Twilight is just so different...

    Any how, the series is a must read and Bray is able to write so beautifully and phenomenally it is amazing.She is of great skill and maybe one day she will be as popular as Meyer is now.

    posted Monday, July 7 2008
  • candycana

    candycana said:

    I met Libba Bray a couple of years ago. You wouldn't believe her energy! She's funny and brilliant. I haven't bought her third book yet, but it's definitely on my wish list. As a teen I always enjoyed that time period, the clothes, the mannerisms, all of it. But like many of you have mentioned, I liked the independence of the women. And adding the risk, suspense, and excitement of entering the other realm was brilliant. I've heard that movie rights were sold. I hope so. What a beautiful movie it would be. Ohhh...the clothes!!!!!!

    posted Sunday, July 6 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
  • Sasha M

    sasha m said:

    I just finished reading the 2nd book and will hopefully get the 3rd book tonight. I like this series because it's not like anything I've read before. Sure, the magic and the fantasy and all that other stuff are in Harry Potter or Twilight, but what's different about this is the period. I've never read a fantasy book from the Regency period. And yes, it's not the best literary piece, but it's targeted mainly at young adults so I take it for what it is.

    posted Sunday, July 6 2008
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