The Sweet Far Thing

So I was very quite late on the last Wednesday of term. And it was because I sat in town reading until i had finished my book even though I told very cool Mr. Jones that it was because I slept in after staying up too late reading. Oh, I also went a little crazy and bought my sister $50 worth of books for no reason apart from the fact I love her. I am saving two of them for Christmas. Anyway, Mr. Jones said I had to have a review of the book that i told him was 'very engaging' on his desk by the end of that day. Instead, I went home and like the little nerd girl that I am, wrote the review. And i have to share it somewhere... so here it is.

The Sweet Far Thing

By Libba Bray

Dymocks, $27.95 (hardcover)

Gemma and her friends return in the third instalment of Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle Trilogy. As their days at Spence Academy come to end, Gemma and Felicity prepare to become ladies of society and Ann resigns herself to the role of governess. Gemma still has a long journey of self-discovery ahead – we can only hope that a certain Indian boy will come by soon to give her a helping hand.

In the realms, the forest creatures stir, coveting Gemma’s power. The Winterlands are dangerously quiet; its creatures remain unseen. Pippa, trapped forever, continues to gnaw at Gemma’s conscience, as does a returning teacher of the Order. Advice some from every direction but unsure of the truth, Gemma turns to an enemy, supposedly dead, for answers. The magic has become a burden and the creatures of the realm are restless, anxious for their share. The magic, safely bound to Gemma is freed, threatening to release chaos into the realms and rigid Victorian society.

The story progresses slowly, 800 pages drag and the beautiful Kartik is slow to appear. London society has become tedious, not only to Gemma with her new feminist opinions but also to the readers, as Simon Middleton is seen as infrequently as British sunlight. Gemma, Felicity and Ann have rather modern views for girls of the 19^th century and successfully free themselves from the strictures of society – despite this, they remain rather untouched by the events of the trilogy. A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels make Libba Bray’s series enjoyable but The Sweet Far Thing provides a slow ending and is a far cry from the New York Time bestseller standard of her previous novels.