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Thursday, July 1, 2010

Review: The Sweet Far Thing

The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, Book 3)

The Sweet Far Thing is the third and last book of the Gemma Doyle trilogy.  The other two books in the series are: A Great and Terrible Beauty, and Rebel Angels.
You pretty much have to read the first two books in the series in order to understand this book.
Here is the synopsis from Amazon:
It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds. 
The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

My Review:
I bought the first book of this series on sale at a bookstore upon the recommendation of another blogger.  After reading the first one, I really wanted to find out what happened so I went out and bought the next two in the series, thus breaking my rule of buying no new books this year.  It was so worth it.  This series is impossible to put down.  The Sweet Far Thing is a lot longer than the other two books, coming in at over 800 pages.  I finished it in about 3 days.  That's how good it is.  I don't usually like or read young adult books.
I really liked the character of Gemma.  She lives in the Victorian age in London and is subject to all of the rules of society.  She is different from most of the other girls at Spence.  She likes books and wants to think for herself rather than her life being decided for her.  She also has a vulnerable side to her.
Overall, I liked how the author wrapped up the series.  However, there was one thing at the end that I did not like involving one of the main characters.  I don't want to post any spoilers, but if you read the book you will know what I'm talking about.     I will definitely be reading more of Libba Bray's work.

3 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this series too! Nice review!

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  2. I just added this series to my goodreads wish list and might pick up book 1 if I get to the book store today. Thanks for a great review!

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  3. I'm reading this book right now! Actually, I've been reading it for a while...then life got in the way and I have yet to finish it (terrible! I know!) I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it, though that thing at the end you referred to makes me very nervous! I totally agree about Gemma being different - that's why I love the series so much. A Victorian girl fighting back - what's not to love!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! It's a pleasure to meet you!

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