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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This is a wonderful sequal to a fantastic first book. Not only are Bray's characters vivid and full of faults, weaknesses, and completely human, they are easy to be mad at and easy to love, all in the space of two or three sentences.
I'm a fantasy/history addict to anyone who knows me even a little bit, and this book definitely satisified that love of mine.
The twists this book contain, after the explanation and the introduction that happened in the first book, surprises that I had forgotten about since reading it the first time. That I loved. It kept me flipping pages and trying to reach the end so I could finally know what happened!
The mystery is also not fully answered in this book, which is good, considering that there's another book that follows afterwards.
However, the characters didn't seem much changed since the first book. I'm not saying I expected a huge jump in noticeable difference, but something would have been nice. Felicity seems her old bossy, better-than-everyone-self, Ann her usual forlorn sheep who still believes that no one loves her, and Gemma is the puppy who doesn't know how to say no to people.
Not that these characters weren't enjoyable within those contexts, but I think they could have grown out of those contexts a little more, which would have let them go on to make better decisions and not fear the consequences as much.
As good a read the second time as it was the first.
I'm a fantasy/history addict to anyone who knows me even a little bit, and this book definitely satisified that love of mine.
The twists this book contain, after the explanation and the introduction that happened in the first book, surprises that I had forgotten about since reading it the first time. That I loved. It kept me flipping pages and trying to reach the end so I could finally know what happened!
The mystery is also not fully answered in this book, which is good, considering that there's another book that follows afterwards.
However, the characters didn't seem much changed since the first book. I'm not saying I expected a huge jump in noticeable difference, but something would have been nice. Felicity seems her old bossy, better-than-everyone-self, Ann her usual forlorn sheep who still believes that no one loves her, and Gemma is the puppy who doesn't know how to say no to people.
Not that these characters weren't enjoyable within those contexts, but I think they could have grown out of those contexts a little more, which would have let them go on to make better decisions and not fear the consequences as much.
As good a read the second time as it was the first.
This was a great follow up to A Great and Terrible Beauty. It was very well written and very engaging. I found myself laughing out loud at parts of it, as well as yelling at the girls, especially Gemma, for being so stupid. I am glad that Miss Moore was back in this story, and I figured out before Gemma did that she, not Miss McCleethy, was Circe. I am very glad that Kartik was back, and I really hope he has a bigger part in the next story. It was so sad about Pippa, picking the wrong side. It will be very hard when the time comes to have to fight against her. I could not put this book down. I read it in one day, and stayed up so that I could do so. It just kept getting better and better and I desperately needed to find out what happened. So glad that Kartik picked Gemma over the Rakashana. I hope they end up together in the next book. Simone was an interesting twist, but I'm glad he's out of the picture. It seemed like he and Emily were written in just to make Kartik and Gemma jealous. Very excited for the final book in the series. I hope everything, including the Gemma-Kartik love issue, gets resolved!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't remember most of what had happened in this book. I genuinely didn't see the twist coming. I think a lot of the storytelling is tighter in this book compared to the previous one, with enough action and intrigue to keep the reader chugging along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Xenophobia, Excrement
casteism, colorism, attempted rape
Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first installment in the series. I do not think the length of the book improved my enjoyment of it at all, I really struggled to get through it at times. The charm and whimsy of the first book has worn off a bit in this one and now the plot, world and characters all seem a little shallow to me and I’m just not as invested, and in the case of the magic, just plain confused. Some aspects of which were glossed over and not fully explained, maybe they will be in the final book.
Although I did at times enjoy being with our characters again, and was on the edge of my seat towards the end this overall just didn’t live up to the first book. I’m afraid with the last being over 800 pages but we’ll see how I fair.
3/5 🌟
Although I did at times enjoy being with our characters again, and was on the edge of my seat towards the end this overall just didn’t live up to the first book. I’m afraid with the last being over 800 pages but we’ll see how I fair.
3/5 🌟
4.5 I really love this series.
The setting is wonderful. The girls leave Spence to have Christmas in London. I loved seeing the 'high society' aspects in this book. Going to parties, balls, the opera etc. I love the Victorian Era and this book is wonderfully researched. The 'real world' plot in this book was so wonderful that I found myself wanting to get back to it while the girls were in the Realms. The ideas of propriety and Gemma's attraction to two different boy. One appropriate the other scandalous. But not in a trite love triangle way. Good stuff.
Gemma is a great character. I love following her adventures. I love how fierce she can be. Also that she stands up for what she wants even when it gets her in trouble. Felicity can be be a 'mean girl' at times, she's arrogant and haughty, looks down on others who aren't at her station. She can make me rather angry at times. In this book something is revealed that explains some of her behavior. It really broke my heart. Anne is such a Debbie Downer at times, but you still love her and want good things for her. But, boy sometimes you just want to tell her to smile or hug her. Really Fe and Ann need some 21st century therapy stat.
There were a couple of plot points that I found to be a little predictable. I knew Pippa was 'wrong' the entire time. I also knew from the last book that the Ms. Moore was Circe. But the characters and charm of this book really make up for all that. I love the feminist aspects of the book. Also that the novel isn't afraid to talk about heavy topics such as racism, drug addiction, sexual assault etc.
I adore this series and can't wait to read that last book.
The setting is wonderful. The girls leave Spence to have Christmas in London. I loved seeing the 'high society' aspects in this book. Going to parties, balls, the opera etc. I love the Victorian Era and this book is wonderfully researched. The 'real world' plot in this book was so wonderful that I found myself wanting to get back to it while the girls were in the Realms. The ideas of propriety and Gemma's attraction to two different boy. One appropriate the other scandalous. But not in a trite love triangle way. Good stuff.
Gemma is a great character. I love following her adventures. I love how fierce she can be. Also that she stands up for what she wants even when it gets her in trouble. Felicity can be be a 'mean girl' at times, she's arrogant and haughty, looks down on others who aren't at her station. She can make me rather angry at times. In this book something is revealed that explains some of her behavior. It really broke my heart. Anne is such a Debbie Downer at times, but you still love her and want good things for her. But, boy sometimes you just want to tell her to smile or hug her. Really Fe and Ann need some 21st century therapy stat.
There were a couple of plot points that I found to be a little predictable. I knew Pippa was 'wrong' the entire time. I also knew from the last book that the Ms. Moore was Circe. But the characters and charm of this book really make up for all that. I love the feminist aspects of the book. Also that the novel isn't afraid to talk about heavy topics such as racism, drug addiction, sexual assault etc.
I adore this series and can't wait to read that last book.
This book picks up a couple months after the first one leaves off. We meet the interesting character of Simon Middleton. There are 548 pages, but don't be daunted, it is a quick read. Gemma grows up quite a bit in this novel, but she's still typical sixteen year old girl, catty to her friends. Some news is revealed about several of the characters.
All in all a worthy read.
All in all a worthy read.
This was such a great book!!!!!!!I like the victorian lifestyle.