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A Great and Terrible Beauty

A bright young teenage girl that leads a very normal life is shocked when suddenly, her mom is murdered, and she meets a mysterious boy named Kartik. She is taken from her birth home in India and moved to Spence Academy, an english school for girls. Here Gemma meets many girls, but three particular. Felicity, Ann, and Pippa. Together these three girls discover a magical world called the realms. Well, I won't spoil it, but A Great and Terrible Beauty is now my favorite book, and I fell in love with it from the very start.

One of my best friends, Laney, actually has been bugging me to read this for at least a year now. Finally, I had run out of excuses to avoid it. I'm not one for romance or history books, and by the book cover and title, well, if you read it, you won't get what you had expected, I promise. In the first two chapters or so, Gemma Doyle's mom was murdered because she had been a part of a secret ancient order. Also, Gemma meets a new mysterious character that no one could help falling in love with.... Kartik.

Kartik himself could have his own series. He is a complex, mysterious character that you never want to leave. Your heart leaps when he comes, and cries when he leaves. He's an indian boy who lost his brother trying to protect Gemma. His beliefs and characteristics are always changing, and you'll never know what he'll do next. He is lovable, and mysterious, and truly, I REALLY wish there was more of him!

You know, I haven't been writing long reviews lately, but I have so much to say on this book that i just cant type fast enough...

Felicity, Ann and Pippa... oh what to say. These three are, well... lets start with Felicity. Felicity is truly admirable. She is brave, she has compassion and believes what she wants. No one can persuade her if she is serious. Not only that, but the way Libba made her progress throughout the story is very complex and...addicting. You learn SO much about her through the series, well... you just have to read the book.

Ann is an obvious follower, rather than a leader. She never makes decisions for herself until she becomes more comfortable with herself. Throughout the books, she strengthens in many qualities, but she also changes very often. Sometimes, she will constantly rely on others, and confide in anyone she can. Others, she can be sneaky and mysterious. It takes a long time to truly understand miss Ann Bradshaw...

Pippa... oh where oh WHERE TO BEGIN?! She is So COMPLICATED! At the beginning, she was my favorite! Towards the end, I was cautious about her, like she couldn't be trusted. After her death, her strange actions and untrustworthy followers really were concerning. Sometimes, I would wonder if it was the same Pippa I knew and loved, because she changed so drastically... So much to tell about Pip, but I won't spoil it for you.

Like I've said and repeated, these books are my favorite. They are addicting and enticing. They have depth, and the writing style and order is FANTASTIC. Libba Bray may be the best author I've ever read, and truly knows how to tell a story.

Have you read the book? Rate it!

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