The first book in the critically acclaimed New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Gemma Doyle trilogy, the exhilarating and haunting saga from the author of The Diviners series and Going Bovine. It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to? “A delicious, elegant gothic.”—PW, Starred “Shivery with both passion and terror.”—Kirkus Reviews "Compulsively readable." --VOYA A New York Times Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Bestseller A Book Sense Bestseller BBYA (ALA/YALSA Best Book for Young Adults) Iowa High School Book Award Garden State Teen Book Award Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award
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"After listening to Beauty Queens last year, I already knew that I liked Libba Bray's writing. Whereas that book was satirical, this book was way more serious. I somehow managed to miss the fact that there was a supernatural element to this story, but Bray's writing is so good that I didn't mind it. What I liked most about the book was Bray's skill in depicting female friendships realistically and without caricature or stereotypes. I would recommend this book to any girl age 11 and up (I just don't think the book would appeal to that many boys). The Victorian setting and the mysterious plot combine to create a really compelling read."
— Rita_book (4 out of 5 stars)
" Technically I did not finish this novel because I got bored with it and the mp3 audiobook returned itself to the library. But I got very close to the end and so feel confident about giving it a "meh" rating. None of the characters were sympathetic (quite the opposite); I hated the bossy, stalker love interest, and the fantasy elements were dull. I think the Victorian setting was the best part, but even I (no history expert) could spot a lot of the anachronisms. "
— Melanie, 2/8/2014" It was good enough. Not amazing. Made me want to read the sequel. My problem is with the main character. She just confuses me with her motivation. As a reader I never know if she is making the right choice or not. "
— therices1, 1/30/2014" It was a great book, and I recommend it to everyone that I meet!! I got a little lost in the writing sometimes though, you know, I got confused with it. I think that was Libba's only down fall with this book!!! "
— Emma, 1/28/2014" My favorite series. The books are lengthy but the incorporation of modern day youth (teenage) problems in historical context (which become more evident as the story evolves) is what makes this series awesome. "
— Libby, 1/26/2014" Intense! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. "
— Jeanne, 1/3/2014" Very interesting book. It reminded me alot of the movie the craft lol "
— Melanie, 12/25/2013" Not the best, but certainly not the worst. I'll read the next one. "
— Erin, 12/19/2013" This book was pretty well written, but it had a lot of sexual references that I didn't appreciate and it's really dark. I wasn't that into I, so I quit a little more than halfway through. "
— Doris, 12/17/2013" A gothic novel that was enthralling. Dark and eerie and full of spine-tingling, hair raising sequences. A great late-teen read with its mean girls, romance, suspense and spirited heroine. "
— Heidi, 10/27/2013" It was very different. Not what I had expected. The book convey a more dark and mystical feel to it than what I had wanted. The girls' temptation to try to be different and change faith, can be very dangerous. I still liked the book but it wouldn't be a book that I would read again. "
— Mel, 9/29/2013" It was just OK...not sure I'll continue with the series... "
— Amie, 9/26/2013" Used to be one of my favourite series', and I think though the first book is good the second and third are much better "
— Taja, 8/10/2013" I really enjoyed this series -- it has some scenes that are a little mature (including a sex scene) for teens, at least younger girls, but I loved the strong matriarchal theme. It's very female-affirming. An exciting story line. "
— Lydia, 6/21/2013" Entertaining but definately a book aimed for teenage girls. I was a little surprised by the sexuality portrayed in it, there weren't many of these scenes but they seemed unnecessary and pointless to the overall story. "
— Katherine, 5/18/2013" Gave up on this. Too slow! "
— Jennifer, 3/1/2013" The book was alright the series didn't really pick up until the third book which was sadly the last in the series. But overall it was an okay book, not something I would typically recommend. "
— Kaelyn, 12/29/2012" A light read, decent character development, it's ok. I wish they stayed in India longer. "
— Candi, 11/27/2012" A little bit creepy at some points but it was really good and I am glad I read it in the end. I definitely recommend it to whoever wants to read it! "
— MarinaISD, 1/25/2012" Gave up half-way through. I don't know if it was me or the book, but if it's taken me over 21 days and the ebook expires - that's not encouraging. "
— Sara, 10/4/2011" Amazing one of my favorite books! "
— Bianca, 5/28/2011" It was pretty good but wasn't very special "
— Racahel, 5/18/2011" so far so good as they liek to say! really cool and its making me get all excited for the end! about (insert correct number of pages here) through! <br/>and, dedicated to one of my dear friends...it's uber loltastic! "
— missymoocow, 5/18/2011" it was really intense and just a relly good book all around very well written that is if you are a 15 year old girl "
— Zeynab, 5/17/2011" When I read this book, I could not put it down. It was absolutely amazing the way Libba discribed each place and person. This book made me absolutely speechless, so I wish I had more to say. But my breathe has been taken away. I offer good praises to the author and everyone who reads it. "
— Emily, 5/16/2011" This was one of the best books that i have ever read!! on a scale of 1-10, i would give this book a 10!!! "
— Vicki, 5/15/2011" A painfully slow read, undeserving of all the recognition it has received. "
— Mercedes, 5/15/2011" This was recommended to me by a book friend. I liked it, much more than I thought I would based on other friends' reviews. This is exactly the type of book I LOVED to read when I was 14. This just might be better written :) "
— Kmac214, 5/15/2011" I mean... I didn't love it, and it had a really slow start, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. It got better. Now I'm going to read the sequels and hope they move along a bit faster. "
— Violet, 5/14/2011Libba Bray is the author of the bestselling Gemma Doyle Trilogy and the Diviners series, among others, and the author of Beauty Queens, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Going Bovine, which won the Michael L. Printz Award.
Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.