Take a photo of a barcode or cover
christinahj 's review for:
A Great and Terrible Beauty
by Libba Bray
3.5 stars. This book definitely had interesting themes, particularly feminist themes and issues related to choices and consequences. My biggest issue was that I had a hard time connecting with the main four characters including Gemma herself (though I felt closest to her than anyone else). I appreciate that they are all flawed, which is important for any character, but is definitely important for this story, but I often felt there wasn't enough about them to appreciate, period, in order to feel invested in the outcome. For example, I am very compelled by Pippa's frustrating (and understandably heartbreaking) situation, and really felt for her, and there were times when she expressed insight into some of the unfortunate actions she took which helped to develop her character, but the rest of the times she just felt frustrating. In reality I believe the author is trying to depict teens as accurately as possible, and I think she did that, I just wish she would have given them each a little more opportunity to display their good qualities to give us reason to excuse the less than desirable ones. I do wonder if I would feel differently had I read this on paper instead of audiobook, as the narrator's voice definitely gave off a strong, snobbish, stereotypical teenage voice for many of the characters that was just off-putting. I thought the author made interesting choices in the end, attempting to close on realistic, rather than idealistic, notes. I appreciated the choices but did not enjoy them. Had I felt more connected in the beginning, I might have felt more satisfied with her literary choices later on. That said, it is an interesting premise and a worthwhile read.