A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

[Morrigoon]

While this novel will probably not go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest works of the English language, it is at least a terribly interesting potboiler of a chick-lit suspense novel.

Set at a rich girls' boarding school in turn-of-the-century England (mostly), the storyline is rife with the unbearable cruelty of young women fighting for their place in the world at a time when being with the "in crowd" was almost a survival instinct, due to the impact it could have on a young woman's life. But the girls all have their secrets, and the protagonist's one is a doozy. She is a link between this world and "the realms" where the line between the living and the dead, the tangible and the dream are blurred. And, naturally, there's a super dangerous villain spirit, more secrets getting uncovered, human sacrifice and a fire. Oh, and lots of complaining about corsets. Just sayin'.

I picked this book up at Target for like $8. Whoops, $6.71 to be precise (just looked).

So, exciting page-turner, low price. Now read it and tell me what you thought :)

[Ponine]

I think I got that book last summer or spring sometime. I thought it was terribly engrossing, and I was very interested in the 'period' aspects of it.

It wasnt until I finsihed it that I realizied I was reading young adult fiction. I then handed it to my 12 year old niece as she left for Lake Shasta and said "Here, reading material".

She was totally put off by the cover art, but got home and said, "You didnt tell me it was a witchcraft book!!!"

I'm not sure that was how I'd describe it, but hey, she thought it was interesting.
I'm with you Morri. If you see the book, and like to read, give it a go. Intersting plot, with enough differences to keep you guessing.

[Morrigoon]

That proves a point though, doesn't it? Literature for young people does not mean "sh*t lit"... it should be just as well-written, just as engrossing, as adult fiction. In fact, it should be, as this book was, imperceivably different from any other fiction, other than the grade level of the vocabulary.

[Ponine]

But did you know that there's a sequel???
I have it... I can be done with it and send it to Camp Swank if you're attending.

[AllyOops!]

Are there any books at Target about women's prisons & the shenanigans that ensue? Or, books written by Paris Hilton that give you tips on how to be your own personal heiress on a piss poor budget? Those strike my fancy.

I'm just playin'. :D The last book I bought at Target was The Catcher In The Rye & The Lovely Bones. They have a great, affordable selection.

Morri, this book sounds awesome! I'm already dying to know the "secrets" that the girls have. I may just have to go and pick it up! :)

[libraryvixen]

The book has been lauded in the YA library circles. I just went to a seminar on Teen Lit and... have not read any. Though, it is part of my new job and I plan on reading as much Teen Lit as possible to get into it!

The cover has always been intreguing to me. It's very lovely.

[SacTown Chronic]

The last book I bought at Target was The Book of Bright Ideas as a little surprise for Cat. Maybe I'll pick this one up for her.

[Ponine]

In response to Morrigoons post in the Camp Swank thread:

The new book is Rebel Angels.
I picked mine up at Costco for $9.99 in hardback.

There is also a third book coming out in December. The Sweet Far Thing is due Dec 26th , 2007

I guess i will now ask my niece if she wants to read it. :)