Synopsis: It's 1895, and after the death of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's being followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls - and their foray into the spiritual world - lead to?

Review: From beginning to end Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty is an exciting and intriguing tale. Gemma has always wanted to move to London like her brother but her mother is worried about her taking this step. When her mother dies in mysterious circumstances, Gemma finally gets her chance and is sent to Spence Girl’s School in England. But her mind is uneasy- she had a vision of her mother’s death for which a great guilt weighs on her shoulders, and she realises that she is being followed by a boy desperate to prevent her from utilising the powers that she is discovering she possesses.

Bray portrays Gemma’s varied emotions vividly as she encounters many hardships. This strong willed young girl has to work hard to fit in at Spence and becomes involved with a close knit group of girls who are drawn into the spiritual world. As Gemma continues to use her powers she gets drawn into even further danger. Beyond the main story Bray presents Gemma growing up in a Victorian Society. She explores the oppressive society, where young women are educated so that they will become desirable wives for rich men. The girls long for a happy life where they can express their own sexual feelings, however even the beautiful Pippa is pushed by her family to marry someone she doesn’t love.

A Great and Terrible Beauty is a truly enjoyable read. It is suitable for mature young adults and will appeal especially girls. This is a highly engaging and interesting novel, and I look forward to reading the other two books in this trilogy.

2006-11-06