The Sweet Far Thing (Libba Bray)

The Sweet Far Thing, by Libba Bray, was just as enthralling and amazing as the first two (A Great and Terrible Beauty as well as Rebel Angels). It was a long book (819 pages) but I loved every minute of it. Once again I can't give you a very good summary if you haven't read the first two because I don't want to give anything away. But I'll say somethings about it...

Some authors have a really good series, but then when they get to the last book, they end it, well, not the best way. Libba Bray did NOT do this!! She had a phenomenal ending to the great trilogy.

I loved the constant controversy of Felicity and Gemma, and their disagreements are hilarious, and if you haven't read the book and just flipped to a random page, you'd think they were mad! ;-) A few characters I really enjoyed were; Wendy, Kartik, and Fowlson (especially Fowlson in the climax). Parts of it were like a mystery, and the History of Secret Societies, by Wilhelmina Wyatt are found to have some possible clues.

Mrs. Nightwing, the current headmistress at Spence Academy, becomes a lot kinder to Gemma, and I loved her during The Sweet Far Thing.

Other than the climax, my favorite scene is when Gemma finds the Tree of All Souls. Libba Bray is such a talented writer, she describes it all so well! I wish I could say more, but then I would reveal the secrets that make this novel so great. Life and death, truth and lies, or good and evil, all of it is mixed together in Libba Bray's third book, A Sweet Far Thing. One of the best book series I've ever read!

Writing: 5

Plot: 5

Characters: 5

Cover: 5

Sneak Peek #2

Sneak peak for my book The Sweet Far Thing, sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels. The Sweet Far Thing, page 509.

"You look like your mother. I'm sure she would have wanted to be here for this," Grandmama says, and the moment is ruined utterly. Whatever was struggling from the marble of me is gone.

You'll not mention my mother again, I think, closing my eyes. Tell me how beautiful I look. Tell me how happy we are. Tell me I shall be someone, and there's nothing but blue-sky days ahead.

When I open my eyes, Grandmama smiles at my reflection. "Dear me, aren't you a vision in that dress?"

"The picture of loveliness," the seamstress chimes in.

There. That's so much better.

I should be done with it soon. It taking me a long time to finish because I haven't had much time to read. It'll be out soon! (even though no one will read the review) :(

~Lily

Rebel Angels (Libba Bray)

Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray, was an amazing sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty!

Gemma, Ann, and Felicity must find the Temple before Circe does, and it proves a great struggle!

Although I usually give summaries of the books, and I would with Rebel Angels, but it would give too much away! So I'll just tell you about some of my favorite characters and scenes.

I loved many of the characters, most especially Simon. He's so... I can't even think of a fitting word. But he is so witty, and the things he says are so funny. (like the sneak peak). I also love the sirens. Not the evil part of them, but they're so interesting. Azreal is awesome, I loved reading with him in the scene. I love Hester Asa Moore so much, she is so helpful and listens to the girls!

Nell Hawkins, though often disturbing, is very... cool. Even though she is mentally ill, she serves very useful to Gemma.

One part of the book I really like is when Gemma finds the Temple and goes through the waterfall. Its so descriptive and amazing to picture in your head.

I wish Simon was in the book more though, but I still loved it! I'm sorry I couldn't write more, but I want you all to read it and be surprised! I'll start reading The Sweet Far Thing (the third one) straight-away!

Story: 5

Characters: 5

Plot: 5

Cover: 5

~Lily

A Great and Terrible Beauty (Libba Bray)

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray, is about four girls that share a spectacular secret.

The book is set in Victorian times, in London. The main character, Gemma attends a boarding school named Spence Academy, after her mothers tragic death from... cholera. (but it was really a murder-don't worry, I didn't give anything away; that's in the first chapter.) The school's aim to turn rambunctious teens into proper ladies to be married off... the sooner the better. Charm, grace, and beauty, thats their motto. 

Gemma is roomed with Ann, a quiet girl who is going to Spence to be made into a governess; she has no money and no family. They are the outcasts, the unwanted, the lower class. The 'ruler of the older girls', Felicity, and her amazingly beautiful accomplice in crime, Pippa, REALLY hate Gemma and Ann. But when Gemma finds out a secret about Felicity that she could easily use against her, they immediately become 'friends'. When the new found foursome find a diary of a former student named Mary Dowd, they began to meet at midnight in a cave to read from it.  

Now I must inform you, Gemma is no ordinary girl. She has visions, she can see things that somewhere in the future come true. She is different.

Mary Dowd, they soon figure out, has powers, too. Along with Sarah Rees-Toome. They, with the help of some unknown group of sorceresses called the Order, can travel to a realm between worlds. Its a place where anything can happen. If you close your eyes and want a butterfly, there's a butterfly. This realm is between our world, and where the dead go for afterlife. The four girls, Gemma, Felicity, Ann, and Pippa, travel to this world through a door of light, created by them all, but mostly Gemma. She is the one with the real power, the one thats taking them to this realm. But when an old family foe is searching for Gemma, she must fight her off, and save the power of the realms and restore the Order. 

As the lies and secrets unravel into truths, Gemma is shocked to find out some awful things. Murders, power-crazed school-girls, and more.

A Great and Terrible Beauty was a '"curl-up-under-the-covers-" book. I enjoyed reading it at EVERY moment. Libba Bray is such a talented author; she conveys ideas so that you are always surprised... but in a good way. A very good way. 

The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was Ann. I really liked her character, which is why I wish she stood up for herself more, fought for what she believed in. She needs more confidence, Libba. 

Other than that I loved the characters! I loved how Felicity was strong and brave. Pippa was a bit conceited, but it made it funny to read. Gemma was so clever, and I really connected to her. She is scared of many things, and very confused. Another character I really loved was Mrs. Hester Moore. She is so creative, especially compared to the other teachers at Spence Academy.

All in all, this is one of my favorite books ever written. If you haven't already, you need to read this!!!

And... I just found out they are making a movie to be released in 2010!

Story: 5

Characters: 5

Plot: 5

Cover: 5