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Title: The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy)
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Manufacturer: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
List Price: $17.99
Our Price: $10.57
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| Customer Reviews: |
| The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Loved it but I want a different ending!!! | This is such an epic, moving story I feel it wholeheartedly deserves five stars. But like many other reviewers here, I also really really really wanted a happier ending!
---WARNING SPOILERS---
I respect Libba Bray for not shying away from an ending that she felt kept the theme of her story intact. However, while self-discovery, idependence and self-ideation are strong themes in this series, I would argue that Gemma's self-discovery didn't have to lead to her being alone in another country.
All three books, and this final installment in particular, are heavy on feminism. I support that ideology but strongly disagree that feminism is exclusive of love, romance, marriage and motherhood. While the author never states this, the choices of her characters reflect it. All three girls - Gemma, Felicity, and Ann - end up alone pursuing school/careers (or just interests in Felicity's case since she has plenty of money). Did it need to be like this in order to prove a point that women don't need men in order to be complete? I think we all need other people in order to be complete and we absolutely need love. Not just friendship love, but romantic love. It's a deep drive in all of us and it was disappointing to see Gemma and Kartik pulled apart in the end. Yeah I know they can still communicate through dreams, but it's not the same. Couldn't Gemma have had an adventurous life WITH Kartik? Couldn't she have had everything she wanted with him by her side? I don't buy that they couldn't be together because she was English and he was Indian. People have been having *forbidden* romances since the beginning of time.
While the ending may have been poignant and bittersweet, I think the story could have been just as powerful with a more emotionally satisfying conclusion. Opening yourself to true love takes far more courage and strength of character than living alone and getting a job.
As for Felicity's sexual orientation - some people felt that it was unexpected and completely out of the blue. I have to disagree on that point. I thought there were signs from the beginning of the series, even in some of the first scenes with her in AGTB. And overall the subject fit in well with the theme of self-discovery, adding complexity to Felicity and Pippa's characters while creating greater depth to Felicity's friendship with Gemma. I'm glad to see this subject being explored more in popular lit.
Of all the YA series I've read, this one is the best. I think Libba Bray is a fantastic writer with an incredible imagination and I'm just sorry to see the series end. I'd be happy if it went on forever (preferably with Gemma and Kartik in India with their kids visiting the realms whenever they want!!) but I guess all good things must come to an end. I look forward to reading Libba Bray's future novels and just hope she gives us a happier ending next time around. Please Ms. Bray, if you create another Kartik, don't kill him off or turn him into vegetation!!! It just makes us sad! | | The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers A poorly written ending | | The last two books in this trilogy were so disappointing. For someone who had such a promising first book and introduction to a trilogy, I was surprised to find that none of the books seemed to be planned out. It's as if she wrote the books with no decided conclusion in mind. I really hated how it was evident to the reader that it seemed like there was no outline to the trilogy. Also, the journeys into the realms were ridiculously repetitive. I didn't really have a problem with the ending. It had a strong message and it's truthful. however, I did feel that the message was too aggressive and overwhelmed the fictional and literary elements of the storyline. Overall, I thought it was a poorly written book, and basically, a poorly written trilogy -with exceptions to the first book. | | The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers An Incredibly Disappointing End For Gemma Doyle | | I can't believe that after thousands of pages, and three years, the Great and Terrible Beauty Series ends this way. There are some things you trust the author to deliver. Not so here. While the language and imagery is nothing short of poetic, the last five chapters are so steeped in self importance and social commentary that the focus of the story wavers. Also, there is an incredibly sordid end for Miss McCleethy which... necessary? Makes Lord of the Flies look like a cake walk -- and these are little girls. Finally, in case this is news to the author, the vast audience of readers are girls. We want Kartrik and Gemma together. Ann gets what she wants. Even Fee gets what she wants in Victorian England (yeah right) but Kartrik and Gemma...? I feel betrayed. | | The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Didn't really expect that... | This finale I thought was going to be spectacular. Yet in the beginning it was very repetitive and I felt no one or anything was progressing forward until about page 500 or so. It frustrated me that so many new people were coming into play and more situations/events were arising and it seemed the book was coming to and end.
I didn't like the ending. I loved the action parts when it did speed up. Once it did get started it was amazing...and then the ending. I just didn't really like anything about it. I was so confused at what Libba Bray was trying to get at with the whole tree at the end...I may have to re-read it a couple times to 'get it'(which is rare for me to do and I don't think should be nessacary). We definately needed more Kartik...I'll end my review at that. | | The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Bittersweet - But Beautiful... | 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!
| | The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Product Description | IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a
laudanum 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. |
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