You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
This second installment in the Gemma Doyle trilogy was miles better than the first, and I almost find it hard to believe the same person wrote them both. The writing was much better and the plot was more complete and actually exciting. I surprisingly felt myself getting into it and turning page after page without even thinking about hitting my head against the wall... I'm not going to say too much in this review because I'm about to start reading the final installment right now and so I'll be able to make a more full review for The Sweet Far Thing.
It seemed like Gemma grew up a good amount in this one. I liked how there was a sort of love triangle forming between Kartik and Simon Middleton. And I hate to be a downer here, but she shouldn't have denied Simon. In her day and age, it would be a scandal to be caught with an Indian boy and it was a more rational decision to choose Simon, especially since she had some feelings for him and he was charming and witty and seemed to be smitten with her. She never even says she loves Kartik so I don't see how this is a a hard decision and then she makes the wrong one...
Gemma's friends refused to do much changing though. Ann still cuts her wrists and constantly feels sorry for herself; she has definitely become more annoying throughout the series,. Felicity is still full of herself and is too pompous at time. Both of these girls are opposites and Gemma is somewhere in the middle, and I guess it bothers me because they are such in unlikely trio that there's no way they should be friends. And Pippa... well I guess Pippa did change a lot. And Gemma is rightfully afraid of what Pippa will become if she stays in the realms for much longer.
I feel like this book really set the standards high for the final book in the trilogy, and I hope it doesn't disappoint too much... but from what I've heard it will.
It seemed like Gemma grew up a good amount in this one. I liked how there was a sort of love triangle forming between Kartik and Simon Middleton. And I hate to be a downer here, but she shouldn't have denied Simon. In her day and age, it would be a scandal to be caught with an Indian boy and it was a more rational decision to choose Simon, especially since she had some feelings for him and he was charming and witty and seemed to be smitten with her. She never even says she loves Kartik so I don't see how this is a a hard decision and then she makes the wrong one...
Gemma's friends refused to do much changing though. Ann still cuts her wrists and constantly feels sorry for herself; she has definitely become more annoying throughout the series,. Felicity is still full of herself and is too pompous at time. Both of these girls are opposites and Gemma is somewhere in the middle, and I guess it bothers me because they are such in unlikely trio that there's no way they should be friends. And Pippa... well I guess Pippa did change a lot. And Gemma is rightfully afraid of what Pippa will become if she stays in the realms for much longer.
I feel like this book really set the standards high for the final book in the trilogy, and I hope it doesn't disappoint too much... but from what I've heard it will.
2019: It has taken me embarrassingly long to read this series.
To be fair, I don't love it but the writing and plot are lovely. I can't exactly put my finger on what my issue is...I think I might need to think on it a bit more.
I don't love the girls relationship. For what they have been through it's still deeply catty and petty at times. These characters are stronger than that and it frustrates me.
To be fair, I don't love it but the writing and plot are lovely. I can't exactly put my finger on what my issue is...I think I might need to think on it a bit more.
I don't love the girls relationship. For what they have been through it's still deeply catty and petty at times. These characters are stronger than that and it frustrates me.
This book read more like a Harry Potter book to me than the first book in the series did, so I looked up the publication date. This book came out in 2005, and the same year as Half-Blood Prince, and while I'm not saying that the books are identical (they are most certainly not) they do share quite a bit of narrative connective tissue. Part of that might just have been literary trends that were in vogue at the time of publication, part of that might be that there are only so many places to go when your expository circumstances are somewhat similar.
What I will give Libba Bray credit for is the shift in setting from book one to book two. Instead of just saying "off to another year at Hogwarts/Spence," she made a real effort to show us these characters in a new situations while also highlighting the social aspects of the world/society they inhabit.
I felt that the world-building for "the realms" could have been a bit more reigned in/manageable considering that our time is spent mostly in the "real world" unlike stories like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz where we spend most of our time down the rabbit hole. However, I will say that:
1. that expansiveness didn't overwhelm the narrative too much, and
2. I don't know yet if the expansiveness of the world-building is required for something the author hopes to accomplish in the third installment.
Overall, I'm a bit less excited for the third (and currently, last) installment after this book than I was after part one, but it was still a solid installment in the trilogy.
What I will give Libba Bray credit for is the shift in setting from book one to book two. Instead of just saying "off to another year at Hogwarts/Spence," she made a real effort to show us these characters in a new situations while also highlighting the social aspects of the world/society they inhabit.
I felt that the world-building for "the realms" could have been a bit more reigned in/manageable considering that our time is spent mostly in the "real world" unlike stories like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz where we spend most of our time down the rabbit hole. However, I will say that:
1. that expansiveness didn't overwhelm the narrative too much, and
2. I don't know yet if the expansiveness of the world-building is required for something the author hopes to accomplish in the third installment.
Overall, I'm a bit less excited for the third (and currently, last) installment after this book than I was after part one, but it was still a solid installment in the trilogy.
This is a fun YA low fantasy set in Victorian England. Some of the characters are a little annoying at times but overall it’s a great book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very vague recollections. I can remember as I read being confused by all the rules of the Realms, but I loved Gemma and couldn't desert her...
This is an enjoyable read. The paranormal aspect well done. There were points that frustrated me, but it was still better than the first book.
For such a large book, not much happens. I would have liked a bit more character development, particularly on Gemma's part. It seems that the author has so many opportunities to access some new development, but holds back; namely, on the romance side of things. In this book we get a significantly bigger outlook of Kartik's life, although even at that it is peanut sized. I want to know more about him, rather than having to listen to his constant warnings, that I know Gemma isn't going to obey anyway. I just want more interaction and depth.
What saves this book, I feel, is the relationship between the friends. It isn't flawless, but it is certainly refreshing. It is nice to see a bit of girl power in these books. Hmm... I don't think 'girl power' is the best word for it. Like the last book they still unnecessarily endanger themselves. They are told not to leave the path- what did they do? Exactly that. Sometimes it was so obvious in the dialog, how could anyone not know what they were up to- beats me. There were some extremely questionable dialogues.
It seems that the author had handled the paranormal parts with more care than, the mundane aspects. I find this happens quite often in these type of books. The writing is eloquently done and it feels like I am in that time period. However I don't think the writing style or the setting, fully matched up the characters. It felt as if the author put her idea of teenage girls of today and transported them into 1895. This is the problem I have with this series- I find it hard to believe it at times.
However, strangely enough, it may also be the reason I like it. You see, it adds a great amounts of fun to the read which is difficult to find it anywhere else.
For such a large book, not much happens. I would have liked a bit more character development, particularly on Gemma's part. It seems that the author has so many opportunities to access some new development, but holds back; namely, on the romance side of things. In this book we get a significantly bigger outlook of Kartik's life, although even at that it is peanut sized. I want to know more about him, rather than having to listen to his constant warnings, that I know Gemma isn't going to obey anyway. I just want more interaction and depth.
What saves this book, I feel, is the relationship between the friends. It isn't flawless, but it is certainly refreshing. It is nice to see a bit of girl power in these books. Hmm... I don't think 'girl power' is the best word for it. Like the last book they still unnecessarily endanger themselves. They are told not to leave the path- what did they do? Exactly that. Sometimes it was so obvious in the dialog, how could anyone not know what they were up to- beats me. There were some extremely questionable dialogues.
It seems that the author had handled the paranormal parts with more care than, the mundane aspects. I find this happens quite often in these type of books. The writing is eloquently done and it feels like I am in that time period. However I don't think the writing style or the setting, fully matched up the characters. It felt as if the author put her idea of teenage girls of today and transported them into 1895. This is the problem I have with this series- I find it hard to believe it at times.
However, strangely enough, it may also be the reason I like it. You see, it adds a great amounts of fun to the read which is difficult to find it anywhere else.
4.5 STARS
Ok, so I am officially obsessed with this series. Rebel Angels was the perfect sequel to an already brilliant premiere. This book is less about Spence and more about Gemma and her life with her family and friends outside of school. Plus, there is a new, budding romance whilst she is spending time with her family in London, so what could go wrong for Gemma? Well, a lot! She gets visions of three girls in white and the visions are so terrible that she gets the worst headaches imaginable, and is almost rendered unconscious. Plus, Gemma, Ann, and Felicity love spending time in the realms with their departed fourth member Pippa, but the magic is different now and things are changing. Gemma needs to find Circe before the magic is in her hands.
PROS:
~ Gemma - I am obsessed with Gemma as a character (even if she gets on my nerves). Specifically, whenever she is at Spence I feel like I enjoy her even more.
~Romance - Normally I'm not a fan of love triangles, but it was done well in this book, and although Gemma didn't really know she was in a triangle until the end, I still liked the way it fit.
~Family - Seeing Gemma more personal with her family and learning about the struggles she faces with her addict father, overbearing grandmama, and sexist brother is a nice change of pace from the first book.
~PLOT - WOW!!!! I loved the idea for this novel and the execution, I don't know how I didn't see certain plot twists coming, even though they were painfully obvious, but I do know that Bray's writing captivates me, and I can't help but feel connected to the story and the characters within. She did a brilliant job and definitely did not fall into the awful pit that most authors fall into with the dreadful "middle book syndrome". I was obsessed!
CONS:
~Gemma - She is my biggest pro and biggest con, because she is SO naive sometimes! Like, she does something and I feel like throwing something through the book, all while yelling at her to not be so stupid.
THINGS TO NOTE:
~Bullying is extreme in the beginning with Cecily
~Self harm is still a part of this book, although not as drastically as the last, it is worth mentioning.
~Rape is a topic throughout this novel, no one gets raped, but there is a heavy scene where the characters address it. And there is a scene where it starts to ride the line between consensual and non-consensual, so keep this in mind.
I highly recommend this book to everyone! I am obsessed with the characters, plot, setting, etc. and I cannot wait to pick up the third book!
Ok, so I am officially obsessed with this series. Rebel Angels was the perfect sequel to an already brilliant premiere. This book is less about Spence and more about Gemma and her life with her family and friends outside of school. Plus, there is a new, budding romance whilst she is spending time with her family in London, so what could go wrong for Gemma? Well, a lot! She gets visions of three girls in white and the visions are so terrible that she gets the worst headaches imaginable, and is almost rendered unconscious. Plus, Gemma, Ann, and Felicity love spending time in the realms with their departed fourth member Pippa, but the magic is different now and things are changing. Gemma needs to find Circe before the magic is in her hands.
PROS:
~ Gemma - I am obsessed with Gemma as a character (even if she gets on my nerves). Specifically, whenever she is at Spence I feel like I enjoy her even more.
~Romance - Normally I'm not a fan of love triangles, but it was done well in this book, and although Gemma didn't really know she was in a triangle until the end, I still liked the way it fit.
~Family - Seeing Gemma more personal with her family and learning about the struggles she faces with her addict father, overbearing grandmama, and sexist brother is a nice change of pace from the first book.
~PLOT - WOW!!!! I loved the idea for this novel and the execution, I don't know how I didn't see certain plot twists coming, even though they were painfully obvious, but I do know that Bray's writing captivates me, and I can't help but feel connected to the story and the characters within. She did a brilliant job and definitely did not fall into the awful pit that most authors fall into with the dreadful "middle book syndrome". I was obsessed!
CONS:
~Gemma - She is my biggest pro and biggest con, because she is SO naive sometimes! Like, she does something and I feel like throwing something through the book, all while yelling at her to not be so stupid.
THINGS TO NOTE:
~Bullying is extreme in the beginning with Cecily
~Self harm is still a part of this book, although not as drastically as the last, it is worth mentioning.
~Rape is a topic throughout this novel, no one gets raped, but there is a heavy scene where the characters address it. And there is a scene where it starts to ride the line between consensual and non-consensual, so keep this in mind.
I highly recommend this book to everyone! I am obsessed with the characters, plot, setting, etc. and I cannot wait to pick up the third book!