A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

I have had this book sitting on my book shelf for about a year. I first bought it because the book cover caught my eye and I have a soft spot for historical novels set in England. Well I finally got around to reading it. Here is the summary with my review following.

Despite having argued long and hard to be allowed to go to London, the Gemma Doyle that arrives on the doorstep of the city's fashionable Spence Academy is not the discontented teenager from Bombay who had her hopes set on the big city. Mourning the tragic death of her mother, she is unable tell anyone the truth. Saddened by her father's retreat into laudanum and her oh-so-proper brother's insistence that she be the prim Victorian miss that she is not, Gemma despairs of fitting in. Her role as an outsider seems assured when beautiful Pippa and sophisticated Felicity lump her with her roommate, Ann, a scholarship student. To top it off, one of the mysterious men present when her mother died seems to be following her. Her bleak prospects change when she is led to the diary of Mary Dowd, a former Spence girl who penetrated the secrets of The Realm that now link Gemma, her mother, Felicity, Ann, and Pippa with a life and death struggle.

I find myself sitting here not quite knowing how to start my review. Having just finished the book it is still fresh in my mind. So I will write my likes and my concerns.

First my likes...

I enjoyed the character of Gemma Doyle. I found her refreshing. The novel is set in the late 1800's when young women were suppose to be perfect english ladies. Gemma is snarky, independent and is not afraid to stick up for others regardless of their station. And like any girl thrown into a new environment she just wants to belong.

I also enjoyed the character of Kartik. The silent protector. Even though he and Gemma have few moments together, I found myself wishing their were more.

I really do love historical novels set in England. It makes me wish I could be there. I could picture in my mind the fog covered grounds of the school. The dreary rainy days. Having to go to school for things such as proper tea service and waltzing. How different things are now!

My concerns...

Right from the start I had a feeling about Felicity and Pippa. After reading the book, I am interested to see how Gemma handles her friendships with them.

The one thing I found the most troublesome with the book was part of its plot. The Order and the part about the other realms I am a little confused about. We don't really get a very good picture about them or the purpose of them going to other realms. But like I said above there are two more books to discover the mystery.

Overall I enjoyed the book. There were some really sad moments. You definately feel for Gemma when it comes to her family and her feeling alone. But there are also times when you get a big smile on your face, either when she is standing up for friends or putting Kartik in his place. And it is never a bad thing to escape to another time and place, especially Victorian England.

Here is a link to learn more about the books...

www.randomhouse.com/teens/gemmadoyle/index.html

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

I picked up this book because of its beautiful jacket cover. I am not ashamed to say that is how I find most of my books. The following is the summary with my review after it.

As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy. Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years — a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.

I was a little unsure of this book when I bought it. Whenever I would go into a book store I would see it, pick it up, read the summary and then put it back down. The other day I went shopping for a specific book but was uable to get it because the store did not have it, but they did have this one. So I finally gave in and purchased it. I am glad I did. I immediately liked the main character Billi. She is strong and independent but still has a vulnderability about her that shows she is only fifteen years old.
There is a good sized cast of characters in this book, not all of them likeable, but each with their own purpose. Of course there is Billi, and her dad, who is very firm and set in his ways when it comes to Billi. Her child hood friend Kay returns from being away for a year, which Billi has mixed feeling about. And of course the fellow Templars, some of wich are instantly loveable where others are not so much. I am making them out to sound like a band of merry men, but beleive me they are not. They are all warriors that I would never want to meet in a dark ally.
The villain in this story is a sly one. He targets every first born child in the city of London. And it is up to Billi and the rest of the Templars to stop him. How? You will have to read to find out.

Here is the link to the authors website. You can find short stories and other cool stuff.
http://www.sarwatchadda.com/

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For my first review I decided to chose a book that I recently finished, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Here is the summary, my review to follow.

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen -- and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was original and the book well written. The characters are what stands out to me. I can picture in my head certain people I went to high school with when I read the characters. I found it easy to get entwined in the characters lives. The progression of the relationships between them felt very natural. I would have to say my favorite character would be Patch. As male antagonists go, he is a good one. I enjoy a character that makes you swoon but also makes you laugh, and a slight edge of danger never hurt either.

Here is a link to watch the book trailor

http://www.simonandschuster.com/multimedia?video=36437630001