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A review by justsojess
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
5.0
This is the second time I have read this book, and I loved it even more the second time around. I love the time period that it is set in. The Victorian Era is one of my favorites.
Libba Bray's writing is really beautiful. It is first person narrative so you get a great insight of Gemma's mind, which I found to be key to making this story work. All the descriptions, from how haunting the school is, to how perfect the realms are, to how terrifying the Winterlands and its creatures are, are awesome.
Gemma and her friends Felicity, Pippa, and Ann all come off as selfish, self-centered, greedy, and conceited at times. But if you really pay attention to their characters and their lives, it really does make sense they would act like that. They are all just trying to beat what their culture has "pre-destined" them to become. They all thought that they had no control over their future, but now they find themselves with this awesome power that could change everything for them. This story is dark, romantic, mysterious, magical, tragic, hope filled and fun. I really hope you consider reading it.
Libba Bray's writing is really beautiful. It is first person narrative so you get a great insight of Gemma's mind, which I found to be key to making this story work. All the descriptions, from how haunting the school is, to how perfect the realms are, to how terrifying the Winterlands and its creatures are, are awesome.
Gemma and her friends Felicity, Pippa, and Ann all come off as selfish, self-centered, greedy, and conceited at times. But if you really pay attention to their characters and their lives, it really does make sense they would act like that. They are all just trying to beat what their culture has "pre-destined" them to become. They all thought that they had no control over their future, but now they find themselves with this awesome power that could change everything for them. This story is dark, romantic, mysterious, magical, tragic, hope filled and fun. I really hope you consider reading it.