A review by madisone
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Though this book was written in 2003 (a sometimes rough period for Y. A. books featuring a female protagonist), it was quite enjoyable in 2022. The best way to describe this book is a gothic fantasy that takes place in the Victorian era. It was a slow pace at the beginning, but as you get more into the intricacies of the plot, it gets much quicker. The characters were complex and intriguing because of their flaws and opinions. This book covers topics such as the restrictions put upon women (especially in the Victorian era), female relationships, and forgiveness with just a touch of a mystery. While I would have liked to see more into different characters family life, I realize this is only the first in a series. Would recommend this book, but there are a few trigger warnings you should look up.
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