By Libba Bray
(Blurb: A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.
Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.)
This was my first Libba Bray encounter and I was drawn in from the very first page. She writes in an attempt to draw the reader into the story, and she succeeds, without a doubt! Gemma Doyle is far from perfect, and that's what's so enchanting about her. She isn't trying to be perfect or be anyone but herself. She struggles though unimaginable hardships and loss, but finds some unlikely friends who, we've yet to find out, either hold her up while she's drowning or who drag her down into the unthinkable turmoil of the magical world they've uncovered. Libba Bray is an absolute genius at writing interesting, though certainly imperfect characters that are so unpredictable that you feel you never know them fully. This is definitely a mystery novel, as we're left in constant wonder at the security of Gemma's relationships and what on earth is going to happen! This is only the first in Gemma Doyle trilogy and so we've only scratched the surface of Gemma's life and adventures. This novel is full of shocking discoveries and enchanting settings and will surely keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the page. Go ahead and read it! Iy's a fascinating, supernatural story that is unlike any I have every read. 9/10 :)
