* “A huge work of massive ambition.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.
The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A #1 Book Sense Bestseller A New York Times Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Bestseller A USA Today Bestseller A 2008 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
This book was better than i imagined. I didn't set my expectations high because i have read some bad endings, but i am glad to say that this wasn't one of those times. If you've read A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angel, you have to read the last book in the trilogy, the twist that it takes will surprise you (it did to me, i did not see that ending coming). it's not everyday that u read a book and a day after you're still thinking about it. To me this was one of those books. You'll feel like your part of the book. You'll be right there with Gemma and Kartik. Anyway i had to read it, i really wanted to know why it was called A Sweet Far Thing. Libba Bray is a great writer hopefully we'll see more books by her in stores. I was going to write a review of the book but i didn't see the point seeing as there's one here anyways.
But if you're reading reviews to see if you should get the book, my answer is yes, get it, It'll take you to a world where magic rules and if you are not carefull it'll take you over....
writes,
I do admit Bray's previous duo left me high hopes for this book, and most were met, or at least decently appeased.
As it has been said before, the storyline is not perfect, but it certainly isn't damnable. I won't condemn it for such minor flaws; however, I will declare my utmost disappointment in some situations towards the end. For the sake of spoiling, I won't state them and ruin the plot, but any fan will know exactly what I am speaking of as they finish.
Either way, Miss Bray is an exceptional author and I would gladly advise this series to all of my friends. I just wish the books didn't leave me yearning for something more.
I know it's a bit long, but it's well worth the read!
writes,
The book in itself had a slower pace then the first two but I think that added to the suspense. You keep wanting to get through all of these balls, parties and dresses and get to the meat of the story but then we would've missed Gemma lack of control over the magic.
The ending nearly made me cry. A big part of me wanted to see Kartik and Gemma ride away happily into the sunset, but then the ending wouldn't have been as powerful. Kartik and Gemma's relationship through the trilogy was constantly push and shove. And then finally they get together but it comes to a heartbreaking end. Especially at the very end when she's talking about how she sees him in her dreams. But I think any other ending wouldn't have done. It was so wonderful and sad at the same time.
I would recommend these books to anyone. I'm only giving it four stars because I think Libba Bray could've delved a little deeper into other matters and maybe just trimmed a little bit of other parts. I really would've liked to know more about Eugenia Spence.
