A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Publisher: Random House Childrens Books
Publish Date: March 2005
ISBN: 0385732317
Page #: 432pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Series: The Gemma Doyle Series
A Great and Terrible Beauty (2005)
Rebel Angels (2006)
A Sweet Far Thing (2007)

Subjects: Boarding School, Death, Friendship, Ghosts, Gothic, Magic, Romance, Victorian.

Annotation:

It is the 19th century and Gemma Doyle has just witnessed her mother being killed by a strange shadowy creature-though Gemma was not there, this was seen through one of the many visions she has.

Summary:

Gemma Doyle is a sixteen-year-old British girl living in India with her mother and father. That is until the death of her mother, in which Gemma had a vision of. After losing her mother, she is sent to boarding school called Spence Academy in London. She quickly makes a friend in her roommate Ann and falls into the bad graces of the school's most powerful clique. To makes matters more intense Gemma notices a man she once met in India following her. When she starts getting strange visions, she is warned by the mysterious man to ignore them. Gemma does for a while, until her curiosity gets the best of her. Gemma is desperate to find out what this all means and who killed her mother.

Megan says:

Fantasy and historical fiction rolled into one, A Great and Terrible Beauty contains ghosts, mystery, suspense and magic all set in a 19th century all girls boarding school. Though it has all the fantastic elements ultimately it paints a beautiful picture about what life in the 1800's is like for young women and the choices they make along with the struggle to be more than what is expected. All of the characters are complex and intriguing. The supernatural twist to the story keeps you moving along at a steady pace. All in all, Ms. Bray takes you on a mystical quest that is both passionate and terror filled. Teens who love Gothic intrigue along with magical Realms will fall in love with this series.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Libba Bray Website
Libba Bray Live Journal
The Gemma Doyle Trilogy
A Great and Terrible Beauty Trailer

Envy by Anna Godberesen

Envy by Anna Godberesen

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publish Date: January 2009
ISBN: 0061345725
Page #: 416pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: The Luxe Series
The Luxe (2008)
Rumors (2008)
Envy (2009)

Subjects: Family, Friendship, High Society, Love, Manhattan, New York City, Romance, Sisters, Socialites

Annotation:

You haven't seen scandal and secrets until you've glimpsed Manhattan, early 1900's. The sisters, Elizabeth and Diana are back home, all appears good accept they are not as happy and carefree as it would appear. They are filled with tragedy, blackmail, secrets and lies that must never be revealed.

Summary:

The third book of the The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen continues the heart pounding events beginning just a couple of months after the disastrous conclusion Rumors left off. Both sister’s, Elizabeth and Diana, are back home and like usual, appear to have all their hearts desires. But things are not as they appear as Elizabeth Holland is still mourning her husband Will, whom was killed by police officers who were supposedly “protecting” her. She is now forced back into the life of parties, money and marriage. Though her marriage to Will was a secret it is fear that it might get out, for soon Elizabeth is carrying his child and she only has two choices to keep her and Will a secret. Meanwhile Penelope has captured Henry and blackmailed him to marry her. This has Diana pondering the reason why he would do so. She is determined to win him back, if she can escape the traps of Penelope. This story continues the drama and romance, and leaves you with a cliff hanger for the next book.

Megan says:

The third installment to The Luxe series was much needed and much appreciated. Envy continues the scandalous adventures of Penelope, Diana, Elizabeth, Carolina, Henry, and the rest of New York society. I find the entire series to be delightfully addicting. Teens who fancy historical fiction and Gossip Girl will love this!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

The Luxe Official Website
The Luxe Characters, Elizabeth and Diana

The Illustrated Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Dame Darcy (Illustrator)

The Illustrated Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Dame (Illustrator)

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publish Date: September 2006
ISBN: 0142005142
Page #: 560pp
Reading Level: Adult
Classification: Graphic Novel
Genre: Classic/Historical Fiction

Subjects: 19th Century, Boarding School, British, Gothic, Romance, Secrets, Oppression, Orphans, Victorian

Annotation:

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is re-told through neo-Victorian ink illustrations by Dame Darcy.

Summary:

Dame Darcy brings the Gothic elements of Jane Eyre to life in her lavishly detailed illustrations. The story of Jane Eyre is about a poor and plain-orphaned girl who lives in a household with her hateful aunt. Jane grows up miserable and emotionally starved, and lonely. She jumps at the chance to attend boarding school and gain an education. With the help of a solid education, she goes to seek employment as a governess and becomes enchanted with her employer, Mr. Rochester. Jane and Mr. Rochester share a romantic relationship until a horrible secret tears them apart, forcing Jane back into poverty and isolation.

Megan says:

Dame Darcy's stunning artwork sets the tone brilliantly for Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, which is one of my favorite classic novels. Readers who have already read Jane Eyre will appreciate the the illustrated version as will first time readers. Though this graphic novel was not intended for young adults, I think they will love seeing this classic novel told visually as well as literally. I wish I would have had this when I was in high school.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dame Darcy
Dame Darcy Blog
Jane Eyre 2006 Television Mini-Series Trailer
Jane Eyre IMDB 2006 Television Mini-Series

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Publisher: Random House Childrens Books
Publish Date: December 2007
ISBN: 0385730306
Page #: 832pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Series: The Gemma Doyle Trilogy
A Great and Terrible Beauty (2005)
Rebel Angels (2006)

Subjects: Boarding School, Friendship, Magic, Victorian.

Annotation:

Seventeen-year-old Gemma Doyle and her friends Ann and Felicity are back in the final installment of the Gemma Doyle trilogy.

Summary:

The final volume of the Gemma Doyle trilogy has Gemma coming into her own as her experiences and developments of what she has discovered have bond the magic to herself, while forging unlikely new alliances. Through all of this, she wants to break through the norms of the corseted constraints placed on women. Libba Bray poses these issues without surrendering the gothic undertones of the previous volumes and we find Gemma deciding once and for all what role she is meant for.

Megan says:

The Gemma Dolye Trilogy is one of my favorite book series I read last year! The fianl installment, The Sweet Far Thing made the Top Ten YALSA 2008 list! The story concludes all the lose ends in the previous two novels and presents some real life issues that teens today may relate to. I really enjoyed the magic realms combined with 19th century London society. Many people who read the entire series did not like the way it ended, I on the other hand, did. Not all fairy tales end the way we want as there is something even more beautiful when they don't, or perhaps more thought provocking afterward. All in all I highly recommend this book and the entire series as it is a wonderful look into a magical world!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Libba Bray
Libba Bray Live-Journal
The Sweet Far Thing YouTube
The Gemma Doyle Trilogy