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 ...
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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? "From the Hardcover edition."
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?Beauty? doesn't pander to young girls but it isn't heartless, either. In the first pages Gemma is throwing a petulant little fit and fighting with her mother and I thought ?great, another bratty heroine.? I was pleased at how quickly she wanted to make up. There is a lot she doesn?t know, but she?s learning, and her lessons are exciting ? full of dark strangers, visions, and magic. She is not perfect and neither are her friends. Sometimes they aren?t nice and sometimes they make the wrong choices, but Gemma at least seems to have remorse and make changes. I?m rooting for her, but I?m a little wary of her friends.
kiki555
Aug 19, 2008
A masterful mix of adventure, fanatasy, and historical fiction. This was a beautiful, enchanting book that once you start reading you just can't put down. This is a book any young girl would fall in love with and leave you craving more... good thing its a trilogy!!
Velma
Oct 3, 2007
Good not great
Good, but not great. This book is well written with realistic characters and excellent suspense. There are some really golden and memorable thoughts throughout the novel. Beginning is superb. It is worth recommending to a friend especially if they are a teenager.
laithers
Apr 3, 2007
goodie!
this was a great book. i felt like i was actually in 1895!