Book 15

Book 15 was The Sweet Far Thing, by Libba Bray. It the final book in a series of three, that recount the adventure of Gemma Doyle, a Victorian girl raised in India sent to boarding school after her mother dies under mysterious circumstances. 

I really like this series, and the final book wrapped things nicely. The main plot line, restoring the balance of magic between "the Realms" (a darker version of fairyland) and the real world is completed, and completed in a realistic way. By realistic I mean that lives are lost and it's not an instant, perfect battle by any means. Gemma loses her love and protector to the battle, and one of her closest friends turns on her. The loss of Gemma's love intrest was a major blow to me-he was a great character throughout the books. 

I also enjoyed these books for their look at the live of Victorian young women. I thought the portrayl of how few choices and options they had was a nice touch. Gemma and her two friends and companions were shown throughout the books as being "different" and their struggles with coming of age in a restrictive society very realistic drawn. All three girls end up getting their heart's desires, but for none of them it's perfect, fairytale ending.

The Sweet Far Thing

Libba Bray 

1/15/15