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A Great and Terrible Beauty (Readers Circle) :: 0385732317
Description
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| 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. Gemma, 16, 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 wi! th 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. (Ages 12 up) –Patty Campbell Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
When I first picked up this book at my local library, I did not know what to expect. All I know was that I was intrigued by the title and the cover art. I am so glad that I made the choice to read this. This book can appeal to a wide audience - it has intrigue, mystery, and everything in between. I did not even know that this could be found in the teen section - Ms. Bray just captivates you with the story. I definitely reccomend this book!
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Author: Guest
I loved this book mainly for one reason: I am a lazy person with a book in my hands, and as it says on the back, it's a perfect book to read under the bedcovers on a rainy day!
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Author: Guest
The only time this book was fully engaging was when Gemma was crossing the lines of acceptable sexuality in thought or action. Then the narrative felt seductive--dangerous and forbidden. But that's like putting chocolate coating on a mangy, dog-eared house shoe. I could have cared less about the heroine on either side of those episodes. Titillation just is not good enough.
So the book pushes boundaries.
Let's not celebrate that.
Celebrate that when it comes *with* solid writing, characters you embrace and new worlds or ideas to explore.
Fair warning. There's not any of that here.
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Author: Guest
A motherless girl is sent home to a boarding school in Victorian England, and finds friends/enemies, sometimes in the same people.
Then she finds access to another, threatening world, where her mother is waiting for her. There she has power, but is it good or bad when the worlds overlap?
A sexy stranger represents a society that believes females using both worlds is too dangerous. Will he succeed in stopping Gemma and her friends, by persuasion or force?
Fantasy/horror set in a girls' Victorian boarding school, with romantic interest and mystery. What more could you want!
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Author: Guest
This book was full of intrigue, laughter, and tears. This book is about a girl who, after her mother dies, has to live at boarding school to become a lady. Yet, that becomes a little hard to do after she discovers she has strong powers and a young man who poses as a gypsy is following her night and day and wants her to get rid of her powers. But, once she uncovers the world she can travel too she doesn't want to give them up as much as they scare her and what a burden they are. And as attracted she becomes to the mysterious young man.
This book was well written with many plot points. The author added humour and fun, but it didn't mix in with the upsetting parts as I noticed some books do
I liked this book mostly because it showed what determination and acceptence can give. But, my favorite message was that of trust and forgivness. I can't wait to read the second book.
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