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: Thrills, excitment and a tear or two
Summary: 5 Stars
*POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Unlike some other reviewers, I did not find the ending of this series to be "hideous". It was provocative and thought provoking and It was true to the tone of the series. This is a gothic tale of a girl who holds a great and fearsome magic. Her mother had to take her own life to avoid being ravaged by the darkness, there were sacrifices of little girls along the way...there were many macabre happenings throughout this series that made it the thrilling read that it was!!!
This last book had dark and gruesome moments most certainly. It had that bit of exquisite agony and sacrifice that must often be made in tales of heroism and darkness. I was most pleased that the author allowed us a glimpse into the intense friendship between Felicity and Pippa...it had its own brand of pain and agony brought on by the Victorian era that praised strict moral code ladylike pursuits at all costs. It was Gemma's connection to her girlfriends that spoke most poignantly to me. They were complex and full of the kind of trust and loyalty and deep love that girls forge with one another.
This was a brilliant ending to a fascinating and expertly woven tale of friendship, longing, fortitude in a time that did not look kindly upon any of those things. Very GIRL POWER!!!
Well done Ms. Bray! WELL DONE!!!!
Book Review: Great Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
(daughter of user)
I found the third and final installment of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy to far surpass the other two novels. I liked the others, but this was great! (SPOILER ALERT)However, I found the ending to be slightly sad. I hadn't grown to like Kartik until mid-way through this book, so when he was given to the tree, I was actually quite upset. It was also sad that Pippa let all that power go to her head and turn her into someone who would make deals with Winterland creatures. I felt so bad for little Wendy when Mr. Darcy was "missing". I did think that it was a good ending though, the three girls pretty much got what they had wanted(Gemma's freedom, Ann's stage career, Fee's inheritance, as well as closure in regards to Pip), and Gorgon could run free again, as well as the forest folk and the Untouchables working together in the end...I'm glad that Tom knows about Gemma's powers now, it makes him nicer, and I'm happy to read about him that way. I was also happy to read that Simon Middleton got his happy ending too. His father and mother may have been awful, but I liked him quite a bit. It was kind of random that Gemma decided to go to New York all of a sudden, I guess that's the only way she thinks she can break the mold. Over all, a great book, and an ending that gives closure. I loved it.
Book Review: Bittersweet - But Beautiful...
Summary: 5 Stars
The grand finale in this amazing trilogy!
Beautifully written with an awesome climax involving a clash between the darker creatures of The Realms and the inhabitants of Spence Academy for Young Ladies; `The Sweet Far Thing' is probably the best in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy.
An emotional ride; `The Sweet Far Thing' inspires both joy and aching sadness.
There's more than one surprise wrapped up in this intoxicating story. It's truthful and at times, heartbreaking. For this very reason some people may feel unsatisfied with the book - but I found it simply incredible (after I recovered from the shock that the series was over!)
This series is a journey of four young women searching for their place in the world and the magic inside themselves. They suffer the same hopes, dreams, fears and insecurities as the modern teen.
Filled with mystery, romance and all that delicious school girl naughtiness, this is a book not to miss.
A tale that touches the heart, it fails in only one aspect - it leaves you longing for more!
Note: If you haven't read the first two books in this series ('A Great and Terrible Beauty' and 'Rebel Angels') then do so RIGHT NOW! Don't read 'The Sweet Far Thing' first!
Book Review: Both bittersweet and impressive
Summary: 5 Stars
This third and final installment in the story of Gemma Doyle certainly surpasses all expectations as a riveting conclusion to this bestselling epic fantasy. Though a seemingly unwieldy tome of over 800 pages, Bray's uniquely elaborate and animated narrative makes up for its weight. Her ability to maintain a substantial plot of the protaganist's struggles, twist the many sub-plots of her friends' and family's troubles around it and tie up "loose ends" in the Victorian teenager's sometimes sarcastic yet always passionate voice create a novel well worth the hours of reading and mild wrist strain. Her references to historical figures (especially the Yeats poem) add color to the web she weaves as she leads up to the dramatic climax of the book. Finally leaving its simultaneously sorrowful and hopeful cries with us at page 819, a bittersweet feeling hinted at through continual references to the War of the Roses echoes sweetly as a bell in the hearts of all who have come to know and love her characters. Readers can only hope that this talented auther will return with more of her characteristic romantic and suspenseful coming-of-age adventures to pacify those of us who could do with more.Book Review: A satisfying finish
Summary: 5 Stars
The conclusion to the Gemma Doyle series is a satisfying finish to an above-par trilogy. Libba Bray's style is, as always, deep and poignant, though it can get a little convoluted (I counted about 9 adjectives and 5 adverbs in one sentence alone).
On to the plot. The book started off pretty slow, but soon it felt too many things were happening at once. I felt the whole plotline with Wilhemina Wyatt was terribly rushed, and even the end of the book didn't resolve it that well. However, I give TSFT 5 stars because of the superb ending. No spoilers: It was well-suited to the overall tone of the trilogy. Other reviewers call it depressing, and it's definitely not a happy Disney ending. But given the darkness and the violence of all three books, a "and they all lived happily ever after" would have ruined the whole series. The ending was hopeful, realistic, and touching. I also like how the subplots concerning Thomas, Gemma's father, and Ann were wrapped up. Felicity's revelation was stunning, but it just made the whole scenario with Pippa more convincing. A beautiful ending that made me want to cry.