Title: Rebel Angels
Author: Libba Bray
First published December 26, 2004
548 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780385733410 (ISBN10: 0385733410)
Rating: 3.94
Overview
It’s the holiday season and Gemma Doyle is thrilled to take a break from Spence Academy. While tending to her sick father, she plans to attend fancy balls and spend time with her friends in the city.
But something unusual catches her attention – visions of three girls dressed in white. Gemma knows that only the magical realms can explain these visions.
Soon, she finds herself transported to the enchanted world along with her friends, Felicity and Ann. Their beloved Pippa is also there, completing their circle of friendship.
But things take a dark turn when the mysterious Kartik reappears, warning Gemma of an impending disaster. To avoid it, she must destroy Circe, her mother’s greatest friend, now turned foe.
Gemma is willing to do anything to fulfill her destiny, but finding Circe is a perilous task. Join Gemma and her friends on a magical journey filled with danger, adventure, and betrayal in Rebel Angels by Libba Bray.
About the Author
Have you ever had to write an author bio and felt like a deer caught in headlights? It’s not like someone’s going to demand proof of your birthplace if you say, “I was born in Alabama.” But there’s something about emphasizing the facts of a life that makes me feel uneasy.
It leaves out all the juicy, unconventional details that really make a person interesting. Sure, I could list off my basic facts – I lived in Texas most of my life, I now reside in New York City with my husband and son, I have freckles and a crooked smile, and I’m allergic to penicillin.
But that doesn’t tell you much about who I really am. It doesn’t reveal that I once got a bead stuck up my nose while watching TV as a child and panicked about needing to go to the ER to get it removed.
Or that I performed a punk version of “Que Sera Sera” on stage in the Big Apple. Or that I insisted on being called “Bert” in ninth grade for no apparent reason.
You see what I mean?
The devil is in the details, as they say. So here are ten things you might not know about me:
1. I left Texas at 26 years old with only $600 in my shoe (because muggers won’t check there, right?) and a punchbowl my grandmother gave me.
I used the punchbowl box as an end table for two years.
2. My dad was a Presbyterian minister, and I was what’s known as a P.K. (Preacher’s Kid).
Don’t be scared.
3. The first story I wrote was in sixth grade about a girl whose family was kidnapped by bank robbers.
It included illustrations of bearded criminals smoking, and I called it HELP. My mom still has a copy and threatens me with it when I misbehave.
4. My favorite word is “redemption,” and my least favorite word is “maybe.”
5. My worst habits are overeating, self-doubt, and swearing.
6. The things I like best about myself are my sense of humor, my ability to listen, and my imagination.
7. I have a fake left eye because I lost my real one in a car accident when I was eighteen.
I had to have my entire face reconstructed in thirteen surgeries over six years. But I did have fun pranking a friend by freezing a plastic eye in an ice cube and putting it in his drink.
8. In seventh grade, my friends and I dressed up as KISS for Halloween and walked around the neighborhood.
We were total dorks.
9. I once spent New Year’s Eve wearing a wetsuit because my dress ripped at a party, and that was the only thing available.
10. I got married in Florence, Italy, because my husband and I were broke but in love.
We had to find a stranger on the street to be our witness, but it was incredibly romantic.
So, there you have it – a glimpse into the life of Libba Bray.
Editoral Review
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray: A Captivating Fantasy Adventure
Libba Bray’s Rebel Angels is a thrilling and enchanting fantasy adventure that immerses readers into the dark and mysterious world of Victorian England. As the second book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, this novel builds upon the magic and intrigue of the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty, while adding a new layer of danger and suspense.
The story takes place in the late 1800s and centers around Gemma Doyle, a young girl with the power to enter a mystical realm known as the Realms. Along with her friends, Felicity and Ann, Gemma navigates the forbidden territory of sorcery and battles against evil forces that threaten to overtake her world.
Rebel Angels introduces new characters and plot twists that add depth and complexity to the story, while also exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the struggle for power. What makes Bray’s writing so compelling is her ability to create a vivid and intricate world that captures the imagination.
Her attention to detail and historical accuracy add a sense of realism to the story, while her incorporation of mythology and magical elements add a sense of wonder and excitement. The characters are also well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations that drive the story forward.
Furthermore, Rebel Angels also touches on important issues of the Victorian era, such as women’s suffrage and class inequality. Bray uses these societal problems as a backdrop to highlight the struggles of her characters, making the story feel both relevant and timeless.
While the pacing of the story can be slow at times, the intricate plot and well-drawn characters make up for any moments of stagnation. Perhaps the biggest flaw of the book is that it does not stand well on its own, and readers will need to read the first book to fully appreciate the intricate storyline and the characters personal struggles.
Overall, Rebel Angels is a mesmerizing and captivating read for fans of the fantasy genre. With its enthralling plot, vivid characters, and themes that transcend time and place, this novel is a must-read for anyone interested in magic, mystery, and adventure.
Rating: 4/5. Bray’s ability to create an intricate and immersive world, as well as her masterful character development, make Rebel Angels a must-read for fantasy lovers.
However, its pacing and dependence on the first book in the trilogy may be a drawback for some readers.
