The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, Book 3) by Libba Bray
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Book Reviews of The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, Book 3)
Book Review: Heart-wrenching ending to an incredible trilogy
Summary: 5 Stars
As I purchased this book as a Christmas present to myself, I couldn't help but wonder if The Sweet Far Thing would live up to its predecessors, A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels. Thankfully, it did. I spent the last few hours of New Years Eve finishing this 819 page novel, and it was excellent. From the mystery-infused prologue to the, I'll admit, somewhat unexpected ending, Gemma's story was crafted into a tale that made me smile as often as it made me cry. The hair on the back of my neck rose constantly, and Ms. Bray's writing made me feel as if I was sitting beside Gemma the entire time.
***MILD SPOILERS AHEAD***
There have been protests that a certain death was cruel, unfair, and unnecessary. I disagree on all counts. Though it was unbearably sad, it fit. It completed the tone that ran through each page. It was beautifully foreshadowed and written, and it's all I can do not to cry about it now. I'm somewhat appalled, in fact, that people have condemned the book just because of this particular death. I'm sorry, but I thought the books were about Gemma's growth as a young woman, coming to terms with herself and her abilities. I thought the books were about female independence and strength, even in the Victorian era when it was oppressed. I thought the books were about magic and friendship, with some romance thrown in. If the entire series was actually about Gemma's romances and love life, I'm not sure if they would be the incredible stories they are. This particular death takes away nothing from Ms. Bray's previous writing empowering females; in fact, I think it strengthens it.
Also, I have not heard anything about the growing theme of sexuality in this book. If anything, I thought the books would be condemned for this. I'm glad, and I happen to think it was very brave of Ms. Bray to include it when it is so prejudiced against in today's society (and especially the late 1800's).
**SPOILERS END HERE***
All in all, this book was wonderfully written, woven together, and concluded. Even though it is so long, it rarely drags, gliding along at racing speeds as it nears the end. The balance between her chaos and peace, light and dark is so incredibly represented, and the themes are so universal that you feel as if, if not for the corsets, it were taking place in this time and day. Kudos to Ms. Bray and all who helped weave together this masterpiece of literature.
Book Review: I don't care what you guys say...
Summary: 5 Stars
This book ROCKS.
*spoilers*
The reviews I've been reading have disappointed me.
Most people say this series has been awesome and original, but the ending was bad because it wasn't happy. To this, I say: if the ending was happy, it wouldn't be original!
If Kartik ended up with Gemma, that wouldn't be very realistic, now would it? And it's still open to interpretation whether they'll ever be together in the end. Hence the vision-dream on the last page or so.
I do agree that the New York bit was random. But, hey. New beginnings and all. It's not like she would stay in England, and I think India would be too painful for her mentally what with the connotations (her parents, Kartik).
About the whole friends thing... you really have to look at the time period. In the Victorian era, most "friends" were only there for social climbing. May I recommend THE LUXE for people upset with the supposed lack of friendship in this book.
On a similar note, Felicity and Pippa's sexual orientation is so NOT out-of-the-blue. There are clues throughout the whole series. And Felicity's "relationship" with Ithal was clearly a way for her to try and convince herself she was straight. But you can't deny the truth! ha ha
Oh, and a little heads-up to some of the negative reviewers: if you really hated the book, enough to give it only one or two stars, would you really get so worked up about it? Would you care about the characters that much?
But enough with yelling at other reviewers. This book was EXCELLENTLY written. It's one of the best YA books out there. I can't wait to see where Libba Bray goes with future writing. Buy this book. Read it. Enjoy it. Lend it to a friend. :)
Book Review: Amazing amazing amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
This is definitely my favorite of the three books.
A Sweet Far Thing is set several months after Rebel Angels ends, and Gemma Doyle and her friends have returned to Spence to spend the final months before their debuts (or in Ann's case, before she becomes a governess). But much is changing. Gemma has not been able to enter the realms ever since taking all the magic into her, and Spence is finally rebuilding the East Wing. It is through a mysterious door in the East Wing that Gemma and her friends finally reenter the realms and discover their friend Pippa. But not is all well in the realms either; the Winterlands creatures thirst for power. It is up to Gemma to save both the realms and the mortal world before disaster befalls them all.
I actually *like* Gemma's character because she's not always likeable and she is frustrating at times. In a twisted way, I love when main characters are so far from perfect that you want to smack them and tell them how to do better. I never once pitied Gemma, which a different author may have tried to make me do. And I liked the other characters as well, most of whom are well-developed.
I enjoyed the plot twists and was grateful for the length of the book. I raced through it and could barely put it down until I decided that three-thirty was late enough to be staying up and grudgingly put the book down. And I loved the ending. I thought it was practically perfect.
The only thing that bothered me on occasion was the writing; I can't pinpoint an exact reason, but at times it just seemed stiff. But everything else made up for it.
This is a magnficent end to an excellent trilogy.
Book Review: the sweet far thing
Summary: 5 Stars
OMG I finished this book finally it took me FOREVER but i loved it.
i think that the last book in the series was my least favorite out of the 3 but i still think it was absolutly great. Through the whole book i was mostly cursing Gemma for being so stupid and trusting the wrong people with the magic (Circe and Pippa) but in the end i guess Circe turned out to be not as bad as i tought she would be, but Pippa turned out to be even horribler which brings me to 1 of the things that kind of bugged me since Wendy never even died the only thing that Pippa sacrificed to the tree was the bunny and i don't really understand how she got THAT MUCH power from just giving the tree a rabbit! I loved that Kartik and Gemma got together, but i was mad when he died but i understand why he did it and the thing with Felicity and Pippa being together was different because i never would have guessed that thats what would have happened but when Gemma was thinking that she should have known the whole time i was thinking the same thing and when i thought of how they were together in the fist 2 books i think OMG that was so obvious why didn't i think that could happen and i was so mad when Ann decied to go live with her cousins but i was so happy in the end, but i wasn't that happy that Gemma went to America (though it kind of fit with the stutue(sp) of liberty) i think Gemma should have went with her dad maybe or stay in England and go see the play that Ann was in. but overall i thought the book was great!!!!!!!!!
Book Review: Lovely and Heartbreaking, but not without Hope
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a lovely end to a lovely trilogy. Lovely and heartbreaking, but not without hope. Libba did not disappoint me(besides the obvious- coughkartikcough) and she has given us another beautifully written novel. The characters really deepen and become three- dimmensional. We learn things that make us fully understand the characters and their actions more clearly. This novel has so many aspects: mystery, suspense, humor, romance, horror, etc and I, for one, really get into the book and feel the emotions.
It can not be denied that the ending was terribly sad, but I agree that it could not really go any other way. Gemma is beginning to understand herself and become her own person as are Felicity and Ann. I too wish that somehow Kartik could have lived, but oh well. I wont even get started there....Gemma/Kartic scenes are moving and filled with raw emotion, even if there are not many. I love how the peom (The Rose of Battle) tied in with the story.Although there are aspects of the book that are slightly displeasing, I can not bear to give it less than five stars. Lets call it a 4.5 star. I thought it was a bit much for Lord Denby to be in the Rakshana for instance...
This was really a great book and I highly sugest it to everyone! This whole series has been deeply moving and the last installment highly antisipated. Just read it people... :D
*sigh* I cryed for the last say, 30 pages.....