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harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 Stars
In all I enjoyed this book, but it was nothing like I expected. Going into this book I was imagining a book more along the lines of Hex Hall with there being a boarding school and our main character finds out she has some sort of magical ability, and the story would unfold from there. Well it was kind of like, our main character Gemma does go to a boarding school(more like a finishing school) and she does find out she has a power of sorts but that's the only similarities. This book takes on a more gothic approach, which I actually did enjoy, it gave the book a little something different. What I did t like though was Gemma, I felt half the chooses she made were not good ones, and in the end she became incredibly annoying. I also wish there was a bit of romance, not all hooks need that hint of romance but I kind of feel it would have helped this book a hit more. Plus I wanted a bit more of Kartik in the story anyway. I also would have like maybe some other POV, Kartik being one of them. He was a mysterious character and clearly knew something we didn't. I would have like two sides to the story, to possibly better understand what exactly is going on.
All in all this was a decent book but it was missing something that would have made this ten times better. I'm not sure if I will continue on or not yet.
In all I enjoyed this book, but it was nothing like I expected. Going into this book I was imagining a book more along the lines of Hex Hall with there being a boarding school and our main character finds out she has some sort of magical ability, and the story would unfold from there. Well it was kind of like, our main character Gemma does go to a boarding school(more like a finishing school) and she does find out she has a power of sorts but that's the only similarities. This book takes on a more gothic approach, which I actually did enjoy, it gave the book a little something different. What I did t like though was Gemma, I felt half the chooses she made were not good ones, and in the end she became incredibly annoying. I also wish there was a bit of romance, not all hooks need that hint of romance but I kind of feel it would have helped this book a hit more. Plus I wanted a bit more of Kartik in the story anyway. I also would have like maybe some other POV, Kartik being one of them. He was a mysterious character and clearly knew something we didn't. I would have like two sides to the story, to possibly better understand what exactly is going on.
All in all this was a decent book but it was missing something that would have made this ten times better. I'm not sure if I will continue on or not yet.
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I did not want to put this book down and pouted about it when I had to. I loved the humor, character depth and storyline. I felt that Gemma started off as a spoiled little brat, and really grew and learned about herself. I found her and her friends relatable on various levels. Halfway through the book I had to get the rest of the series. I can't wait to read them! I've been describing it as "The Craft meets the Victorian Era."
For my complete review, as well as my answers to some of the discussion questions check out
http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2018/04/book-review-great-and-terrible-beauty-by-libba-bray.html
For my complete review, as well as my answers to some of the discussion questions check out
http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2018/04/book-review-great-and-terrible-beauty-by-libba-bray.html
sarahrheawerner's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a writer, have you ever read a book with simultaneous joy and despair that this book is EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE YOU ARE CURRENTLY WRITING?
Well, for me, the plot is different (yay), and the audience is different (yay), but that tone... whew. It's beautiful. Libba Bray nailed it perfectly.
This book is an astonishingly beautiful read and proves just how good YA literature can be.
Read it now!
Well, for me, the plot is different (yay), and the audience is different (yay), but that tone... whew. It's beautiful. Libba Bray nailed it perfectly.
This book is an astonishingly beautiful read and proves just how good YA literature can be.
Read it now!
chelseatm's review against another edition
3.0
I like Libba Bray's Diviner series and this was recommended by another author I like. However, this just didn't do it for me.
The language was descriptive and beautiful but I felt there was a lot lacking in the plot. She didn't quite flesh out her protagonist as she did the supporting characters and the pacing of the plot was like a teenager trying to learn how to drive a car for the first time. It was jerking between slow and fast.
I see where this novel could have soared but it jumped didn't reach those heights.
It's not a bad book but I can't recommend it.
The language was descriptive and beautiful but I felt there was a lot lacking in the plot. She didn't quite flesh out her protagonist as she did the supporting characters and the pacing of the plot was like a teenager trying to learn how to drive a car for the first time. It was jerking between slow and fast.
I see where this novel could have soared but it jumped didn't reach those heights.
It's not a bad book but I can't recommend it.
andiemags53's review against another edition
3.0
Good book, but not good enough that I'll read the rest of the series.
anainthemargins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
I found this to be a very fluid book...I read it rather effortlessly, as if the words were perfectly combined together that you just float through the pages. I am not sure how emotionally attached I got to the characters, but the story swept me along and it was a fine ride.
magikspells's review against another edition
2.0
Not a bad book but also not super great. It held my interest. Its sort of soft core paranormal and I wish there had been more about the realms and less about the school.
goodem9199's review against another edition
3.0
Started out really liking this book...historical fiction...audio narrator was amazing...but it kind of lost me when it became quite fantasy-ish.