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Rebel Angels (Hardcover)
by Libba Bray
| Category:
Bestsellers, Fiction, Gothic fantacy, Ages 9-12, Children's books |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
An amazing book full of twists and turns, mystical elements and forbidden romance, which keeps you on your toes and wanting more! |
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Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pub. in: August, 2005
ISBN: 0385730292
Pages: 560
Measurements: 8.5 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00279
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- MSL Picks -
The story opens with Gemma and her friends anticipating their Christmas vacation, but they are quickly drawn back into the magical world of the Realms and the Order. Kartik is following Gemma claiming that she needs to bind the magic she set loose in the first book A Great and Terrible Beauty, by finding a temple in the Realms, which are quickly becoming a dangerous place. In the Realms Gemma, Ann and Felicty are reunited with Pippa who seems oddly changed. Everything the girls thought they knew about the Order is challenged and they have no way of knowing who to trust. Meanwhile in the "real" world adolescence goes on. The girls are more secure in their friendship than in the previous books, but the seeds of a power struggle emerge between Gemma and Felicity. The different parts of Gemma's life begin to cross disturbingly when her older brother's patient, and inmate at Bedlam asylum seems to have a knowledge of Gemma's quest in the realms. Gemma has the usual adolescent troubles as well. She's flattered by the attentions of the handsome, wealthy Simon Middleton, while she is strangely drawn to Kartik. Her father's dependence on opium has also be come a cause for concern.
In this sequel to the Victorian fantasy A Great and Terrible Beauty, Gemma continues to pursue her role as the one destined to bind the magic of the Realms and restore it to the Order-a mysterious group who have been overthrown by a rebellion. Gemma, Felicity and Ann, use magical power to transport themselves on visits from their corseted world to the visionary country of the Realms, with its strange beauty and menace. There they search for the lost Temple, the key to Gemma's mission, and comfort Pippa, their friend who has been left behind in the Realms. After these visits they bring back magical power for a short time to use in their own world. Meanwhile, Gemma is torn between her attraction to the exotic Kartik, the messenger from the opposing forces of the Rakshana, and the handsome but clueless Simon, a young man of good family who is courting her. The complicated plot thickens when Gemma discovers a woman in Bedlam madhouse who knows where to find the Temple; Ann shows signs of being enamored of Gemma's loutish brother Tom, and their father's addiction to laudanum lands him in an opium den. A large part of the enjoyment of this unusual fantasy comes from the Victorian milieu and its restrictive rules about the behavior of proper young ladies, as contrasted with the unimaginable possibilities of the Realms, where Gemma has power to confront gorgons and ghosts and the responsibility to save a world.
Bray once again intermingles historical fiction and fantasy while painting vivid characters. Bray does many things well in this compelling and fast-moving sequel. She deals skillfully with her characters, developing them even further: Gemma cannot decipher her complicated feelings for either Simon or Kartik; Felicity grows hungrier for the power Gemma wields in the Realms and must deal with the enigma of her father; Ann struggles with self-doubt and her intense desire to be on the level of her peers at Spence; and Pippa, though disturbingly changed, still feels hurt at being stuck in the Realms. Bray's description and sense of 1895 London is superb, and she conveys both the atmosphere of the surroundings as well as Gemma's reaction to them. Overall, Rebel Angels was an absorbing, beautifully-wrought sequel.
Target readers:
Young Adult
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Libba Bray has worked as a waitress, nanny, burrito roller, publishing plebe, and an advertising copywriter. Her first novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, became a New York Times bestseller. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their son.
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Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma's visions intensify - visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls' great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship. But all is not well in the realms - or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma's willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother's greatest friend - and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.
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Ah, Christmas!
The very mention of the holiday conjures such precious, sentimental memories for most: a tall evergreen tree hung with tinsel and glass; gaily wrapped presents strewn about; a roaring fire and glasses filled with cheer; carolers grouped round the door, their jaunty hats catching the snow as it falls; a nice fat goose resting upon a platter, surrounded by apples. And of course, fig pudding for dessert.
Right. Jolly good. I should like to see that very much.
These images of Christmas cheer are miles away from where I sit now, at the Spence Academy for Young Ladies, forced to construct a drummer boy ornament using only tinfoil, cotton, and a small bit of string, as if performing some diabolical experiment in cadaver regeneration. Mary Shelley's monster could not be half so frightening as this ridiculous thing. The figure will not remind a soul of Christmas happiness. More likely, it will reduce children to tears.
"This is impossible," I grumble. I elicit no pity from any quarter. Even Felicity and Ann, my two dearest friends, which is to say my only friends here, will not come to my aid. Ann is determined to turn wet sugar and small bits of kindling into an exact replica of the Christ child in a manger. She seems to take no notice of anything beyond her own two hands. For her part, Felicity turns her cool gray eyes to me as if to say, Suffer. I am.
No, instead, it is the beastly Cecily Temple who answers me. Dear, dear Cecily, or as I affectionately refer to her in the privacy of my mind, She Who Inflicts Misery Simply by Breathing.
"I cannot fathom what is giving you such trouble, Miss Doyle. Really, it is the simplest thing in the world. Look, I've done four already." She holds out her four perfect tinfoil boys for inspection. There is a round of oohing and aahing over their beautifully shaped arms, the tiny woolen scarves - knit by Cecily's capable hands, but of course - those delicate licorice smiles that make them seem overjoyed to be hanging by the neck from a Christmas tree.
Two weeks until Christmas and my mood blackens by the hour. The tinfoil boy seems to be begging me to shoot him. Compelled by a force larger than myself, I cannot seem to keep from placing the crippled ornament boy on the side table and performing a little show. I move the ugly thing, forcing him to drag his useless leg like Mr. Dickens's treacly Tiny Tim.
"God bless us, every one," I warble in a pathetic, high-pitched voice.
This is greeted by horrified silence. Every eye is averted. Even Felicity, who is not known as the soul of decorum, seems cowed. Behind me, there is the familiar sound of a throat being cleared in grand disapproval. I turn to see Mrs. Nightwing, Spence's frosty headmistress, staring down at me as if I were a leper. Blast.
"Miss Doyle, do you suppose that to be humorous? Making light of the very real pain of London's unfortunates?"
"I - I... why..."
Mrs. Nightwing peers at me over her spectacles. Her graying pouf of hair is like a nimbus warning of the storm to come.
"Perhaps, Miss Doyle, if you were to spend time in service to the poor, wrapping bandages as I once did in my own youth during the Crimean War, you would acquire a healthy and much-needed dose of sympathy."
"Y-yes, Mrs. Nightwing. I don't know how I could have been so unkind," I blabber.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Felicity and Ann hunched over their ornaments as if they were fascinating relics from an archeological dig. I note that their shoulders are trembling, and I realize that they are fighting laughter over my terrible plight. There's friendship for you.
"For this you shall lose ten good conduct marks and I shall expect you to perform an act of charity during the holiday as penance."
"Yes, Mrs. Nightwing."
"You shall write a full account of this charitable act and tell me how it has enriched your character."
"Yes, Mrs. Nightwing."
"And that ornament needs much work."
"Yes, Mrs. Nightwing."
"Have you any questions?"
"Yes, Mrs. Nightwing. I meant, no, Mrs. Nightwing. Thank you."
An act of charity? Over the holiday? Would enduring time with my brother, Thomas, count toward that end? Blast. I've done it now.
"Mrs. Nightwing?" The sheer sound of Cecily's voice could make me froth at the mouth. "I hope these are satisfactory. I do so want to be of service to the unfortunate."
It's possible that I shall lose consciousness from holding back a very loud Ha! at this. Cecily, who never misses an opportunity to tease Ann about her scholarship status, wants nothing to do with the poor. What she does want is to be Mrs. Nightwing's lapdog.
Mrs. Nightwing holds Cecily's perfect ornaments up to the light for inspection. "These are exemplary, Miss Temple. I commend you."
Cecily gives a very smug smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Nightwing."
Ah, Christmas.
With a heavy sigh, I take apart my pathetic ornament and begin again. My eyes burn and blur. I rub them but it does no good. What I need is sleep, but sleep is the very thing I fear. For weeks, I've been haunted by wicked warnings of dreams. I cannot remember much when I awaken, only snatches here and there. A sky roiling with red and gray. A painted flower dripping tears of blood. Strange forests of light. My face, grave and questioning, reflected in water. But the images that stay with me are of her, beautiful and sad.
"Why did you leave me here?" she cries, and I cannot answer. "I want to come back. I want us to be together again." I break away and run, but her cry finds me. "It's your fault, Gemma! You left me here! You left me!"
That is all I remember when I wake each morning before dawn, gasping and covered in perspiration, more tired than when I went to bed. They are only dreams. Then why do they leave me feeling so troubled? |
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| View all 14 comments |
Becca (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
Rebel Angels has to be one of my all-time favorite books. I loved Bray's first novel of the trilogy, had high expectations for her second, and I was not disappointed at all. As someone of Gemma's age, I thoroughly enjoyed the romance, suspense, and conflicts that she encountered and overcame. The story begins back at Spence, around Christmas time. A new, mysterious teacher has arrived, and Gemma, having not returned to the Realms since what happened to Pippa, is curious as to what this teacher is all about. Kartik returns with a message, and Gemma must find the Temple, and bind the magic that she let loose in the last novel. A new love interest appears (other than Kartik), and will keep you wondering what happens next. Finding the Temple becomes a harder mission as the story progresses, and Gemma must make vital decisions deciding the fate of those that are dear to her. This story keeps you on your toes and wanting more! |
Tamela (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
Rebel Angels takes up the story of Gemma and her school friends from A Great and Terrible Beauty as they are getting ready for the Christmas break. After having lost their dear friend Pippa, the girls are anxious yet frightened to re-enter the Realms, the magical place where the source of magic is found. Once they do, they discover that in breaking the ancient runes, Gemma has unleashed the magic into the Realms which has allowed all the creatures there access to it. And this cannot be allowed to happen. Gemma is back as her wry, chaotic, secretive self in this worthy sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. However, we see much more of her home life and family in this book, and it goes a long way to explaining why she acts as she does. Felicity and Ann do not seem overly changed in personality, at least at first. The scenes set in the "real" world give a realistic flavor of life in Victorian England, and the girls struggle against what is proper and what they wish to do. There is a love interest thrown in as well, and Tom's internship as a doctor in a mental hospital affords the girls a chance to interact with the less fortunate in society. This particular aspect of the novel is perhaps the best part; we can feel Gemma's distress and intrigue, especially as she tries to identify where Circe is in time to save the Realms from utter chaos. A minor quibble for me was the introduction of a numerous fantastic creatures in the Realms; some seemed added simply to pad the story and did little to advance the story. But overall the pace of the novel is well-done and the twists and turns make this a page-turner. Bray has done a fine job of expanding both the worlds of Victorian England and her magical Realms, and this one is sure to engage and enchant. Recommended. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I first fell in love with the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty. In this book, you will be taken on Gemma's emotional roller coaster with her love interests, friends, family and even her enemies. Those she thought were trust worthy turn out to be her enemies and visa versa. I truly suggest reading this book. You don't have to read Libba's first book to enjoy this one. But, I suggest it just so you have some background as to how she got to be where she's at in the beginning of this book and to be taken on an adventure all of its own. Both books are great reads. |
Amber Dixon (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
Rebel Angels was a truly fantastic read from beginning to end. It's been a long time since a story has truly captured my full interest, but I honestly found it difficult to put this book down. To be honest, when Bray's first novel A Great and Terrible Beauty came out, I bought it simply because the title sounded intriguing. I was very, very pleased to find out that it was a fantastic story full of suspense and twists that I hadn't read in another book for years. It was almost too much to stand waiting for the sequel "Rebel Angels" to come out. I definitely wasn't disappointed. Though, I'm not the target "younger" reader, being 30, I believe this is such an incredibly captivating story that anyone would find pleasure in reading it. My 54 year old father actually stole it from me and hid it until he was finished reading it! Libba Bray's appeal truly spans the age gap. I'm not a spoiler and I prefer not to write out the plot in reviews, so I'll just say that it was a great sequel to an incredible first novel and I truly can't wait for another installment from Libba Bray. |
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