2007, Simon and Schuster (original 2005, Delacorte)
250 pages, Paperback
Library copy
YA, paranormal, fantasy, historical
Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 1/5
Paperclips: 2/5 - reference to adult relations, also child abuse
Tissues: 3/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
I'm reading this and the third novel in the trilogy to a deadline, unless I can renew my library books. I'd had it on reserve for a while, and oh boy it's as good as the last one! A Great and Terrible Beauty - click on the link to read the review.
It's the end of term at Spence Academy, which means Gemma is heading off to London. Unfortunately, the magic and mayhem follows her. She doesn't want it to, but she's unable to stop the visions of three young girls who haunt her. Who are they? What are they trying to tell her? Pippa also appears to her, only not the sweet Pippa she remembers.
If that wasn't enough trouble on her plate, a new teacher, replacing Miss More has arrived at Spence Academy before the end of term. She creeps Gemma out, and Gemma wants to know why she has crossed off the names of previous schools on a list, kept in a bag in her room. Is she evil? Gemma's investigation drags Felicity and Ann back to the realms, where they meet Pippa who appears less vicious than in Gemma's visions. Gemma can't bring herself to trust Pippa, which causes friction between the girls.
The Rakshana are still on Gemma's case, with Kartik gaining a job in her household to keep an eye on her. Does he have other motives for being there? It's useful to have someone to rely on when her father gains a new addiction. As if all that wasn't enough, Gemma has to deal with the lies spun around Ann, making out she's someone far grander than she is, and Felicity's terrible home secret involving her father.
As you can see, tension definitely mounts in this second installment. As both a reader and a writer, I appreciated how Gemma and her friends disagreed about certain issues, kept the peace for a while then fell out. It provided a high level of conflict for Gemma, showing that life really can get worse when you least expect it. Seeing more of the darker side of the realms was fun too - the number of monsters under my bed are growing.
The huge plot twist near the finale has me wanting to re-read this trilogy already, and that's without reading the third one. Aside from the good vs evil, major themes are addressed here. Child abuse, never an easy subject, is dealt with delicately. Details on the acts are implied, having me reaching for the tissues. Not a book for younger readers. Also addressed are how lies can grow out of control, and how people aren't always who they seem - I forget to mention that Gemma gets courted in this book, by a young man who seems ideal for her.
Her next book, out September 22nd, Going Bovine can be found on Libba's website, here.
Liked this? Try Gone, by Mychael Grant
ISBN 9781416901112
2 comments:
Sounds like an interesting series - love reading your reviews!
It's introduced me to a whole new genre of books (never a bad thing).
Thank you! Glad you enjoy them. It's fun writing them.
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