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*Edit* I moved this to General YA Discussion as I may be stretching the "romance" aspect a bit. :)

Can't have a YA Romance thread and not mention these books. I've currently only read the first two, but I love them!

I love the gothic nature, the Victorian boarding school, the "otherworldliness" and the carefree characters, not to mention the magic and the mystery. These are beautifully written, engrossing novels.

What does everyone else think?

I think the first (only one I've read) was beautiful, and it definitely left me wanting more. My only complaint was that too little was explained. I suppose more mut be revealed in the next two, but I felt so "out of the loop" as far as understanding went, during the first.

As a side note:That cover made me want a corset so badly!!!

I never really fully connected with these books, which is a shame...because I really wanted to! I did read through them quickly and they kept my interest. I would recommend trying them since so many people love them!

I liked these. I found the character dynamics interesting. The only thing is I felt that Libba Bray included everything, including the kitchen sink in these books. Everything from abuse to self mutilation to lesbianism was included. I just felt like it was too much.

I really liked these! Libba Bray writes with such self-deprecating humor. And as Jackie pointed out, no topic seems off-limits. I haven't read the third yet, but I plan to soon. I think the biggest things that got me interested in these books (and I'm ashamed to admit it) was the title and the cover of AGATB. *hides face* I'm such a cover-whore!

But I'm really glad I picked them up. :)

The covers are gorgeous!!! I'm with Kandice. I kind of wanted a corset and frilly dress after seeing them.

Hello Everyone! Thanks for inviting me to the group!

I really wouldn't define these books as YA Romance, it's basically a coming of age story. The writing is gorgeous and I easy related to the characters.

Stephanie, I was the same way. :D

Emma, do you think I should move it to another folder?

All depends on what you think. I can disagree but if it's what you think, keep it.

(G)Emma wrote: "All depends on what you think. I can disagree but if it's what you think, keep it. "

I thought of it as YA Romance because of the relationship between Gemma and Kartik, but I don't know if this developes more in the 3rd book, as I haven't read it yet. Maybe I will move it to the General YA folder...

Okay. :)

I just didn't see it as romance. I saw that romance was an aspect.

Yeah, I'd put it in fantasy.

Hm...maybe Fi.

:D! Thank you!

Good question. I'm not entirely sure how paranormal is different from fantasy.

Jackie wrote: "The covers are gorgeous!!! I'm with Kandice. I kind of wanted a corset and frilly dress after seeing them. "

AGREED! They're so pretty, I couldn't decide whether to buy the hardcovers or the paperbacks... So I bought both!

GEmma! So glad to see you here! Gee, and not at all surprised!!

:D

:D:D Hahaha.

Read any other great YA's lately Gemma?

I thought about Fantasy, and I guess they do fit there too... the "otherworldliness" and magic... There's just so much IN these books that they could go anywhere!

This is probably my favorite YA series to date! I cant wait for my 12 yr old to read them. Just a hair too old for her.
I cant remember the details of the third book but someone please tell me how sensual it is. I just dont remember it being any worse than say, Twilight, but my sister disagrees. And I am going to have to reread it if you dont help me. Not that I mind because they are great books. But my daughter is begging to read them.

Laura, I'm currently reading Wicked Lovely, but it's not my favorite. The characters aren't very well done. The writing is good though.

Natalee, it all depends on your daughter's maturity.

Sad! I've really been wanting to read Wicked Lovely...

It's still worth a shot. I'm only half way through anyways.

Natalee wrote: "This is probably my favorite YA series to date! I cant wait for my 12 yr old to read them. Just a hair too old for her.
I cant remember the details of the third book but someone please tell me..."

How about the Judy Blumebooks for 12 year-olds?

like maybe...Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Moved again since the Historical folder was feeling lonely. :)

I like this one as historical, actually...

It's got fantastical elements... large ones... but it's super historical...

When I think of fantasy, I think of The Wheel of Time and the Hobbit. Creepy non-human species... which, now that I think of it, these books totally have. But in my mind, it's still historical... *shrugs*

I love these books because they mix the genres.. there's romance, fantasy and historical backgrounds to it. I just love the trilogy and am dying for more of Bray's writing - which I can only seem to get in anthologies now.

I am such a pain in the rear...I just don't at all think of this as historical since they are fantasy books :P

BUT I don't care where the thread is :) so you can ignore me.

Have you ever read Libba Bray's blog? I haven't in a while, but she's a hoot!

First off, I don't want to appear stupid for yet a third time, but what exactly is paranormal?

I guess I better get on the stick. There are so many of these good sounding books that I have never read. Some more go to my TBR pile.

Paranormal means basically anything outside the realm of normality. Generally it is used to describe things like ghosts or spirits, or the ability to see them, etc.

In this case, I would think it would describe the main characters ability to move from our world to a different one that is full of magic.

It's like scifi and fantasy combined. A book can be paranormal if it has any elements of scifi or fantasy in it... beyond the normal.. *shrugs* I'm sure there's a better definition somewhere.

Thank you, Fiona, Becky, and Kristen. That makes thing more clear.

I'm reading A Great and Terrible Beauty now and so far I think it's great. I really didn't think that I would like it, but I was wrong. I also love the gothic feel to it. I'm definitely going to check out the next two books in the series.

Ooohh... It's amazing how wikipedia knows everything, isn't it? I always thought of it as this:

Paranormal: Takes place on Earth with most things normal, just with twists like people who can see ghosts and stuff
Sci-Fi: Usually has something to do with Earth, or the Space thereabouts--space or time travel or aliens or actual science--that kind of thing
Fantasy: Usually DOESN't take place on Earth, or if it does, there are DRASTIC changes in the "rules" of Earth. Usually involves other species, like fairies, elves, ogres, witches, magical-types, etc.

That's how it goes in MY head, anyway...

Sounds good to me.

I read the first one and some of the second and I really want to continue reading them. I loved it. Maybe I will read them for the G and the R for the Spring Challenge and squeeze the last one in as one of the two YA books...

Good plan Kathryn!

*Possible Spoilers*

I've read AGATB, but I didn't enjoy it very much. While I appreciated the setting and the magical aspect, I just didn't like any of the characters (except for Kartik). It felt way too much like Mean Girls to me, without the satisfying ending where the mean girls get what they deserve! I'm sure that's my problem - I'm a fan of happy endings. In that sense, this book was too unpredictable for me and it made me uncomfortable!

I loved the first two books, and I bought the 3rd the day it came out, but I haven't read it yet. I'm too scared about it ending badly. There are some authors who I trust to write happy endings (Stephenie Meyer, even before Breaking Dawn came out, Meg Cabot, etc.), but Libba Bray? I read her blog the entire time I was waiting for TSFT to come out, and I just don't trust her in that way...

I love unpredictable books. I also don't think it's necessary to end every book (or series) with a happy ending, as long as the ending fits, and is believable for the story.

I know why a lot of people do care, though. When you invest your time and heart in characters, you want things to turn out well for them. I feel that way too, but I love it when authors step outside the boundaries of "Happy Ending Land" and let the story go where it goes.

Becky wrote: "When you invest your time and heart in characters, you want things to turn out well for them. "

That's exactly how I feel, but I completely understand the appeal of unpredictable and realistic books, too. I simply prefer feel-good books!

Jamie wrote: "That's exactly how I feel, but I completely understand the appeal of unpredictable and realistic books, too. I simply prefer feel-good books!"

I understand that. I like being surprised, but there are times, like with the Harry Potter series, that I needed a certain kind of ending.

I admit, I picked these books up for the cover art too! I love awesome covers!!
I really liked these books, but of the 3, AGaTB was my least favorite. She really develops her characters more in the other 2 books, and it loses most of the Mean Girls feel to it. After the first book, it is a lot easier to see the actual friendship, and kinship there, and you really understand the characters more.
Someone did spoil the ending of TSFT for me (shakes an angry fist), which made it really hard to get attached to certain character(s) in the first one. But, by the 2nd, it didn't matter to me, because they were so well written, I couldn't help but feel the connection.

Possible Spoiler about TSFT
The ending is more bittersweet than anything. I cried. I kind of like the way it ended, while hating it at the same time... But, I really liked it.

I just finished A Great and Terrible Beauty and absolutely loved it! It's on my favorites shelf. I just thought the whole thing was so good. I was intrigued enough to keep flipping the pages in record time (for me, anyway) and the characters weren't intolerable at all (well, except in those moments where you are supposed find them intolerable). I also loved Gemma. Sure, she whined a bit, but I thought that she was a flawed, yet strong heroine. And that is an absolute MUST for me in YA novel. The heroine must have me rooting for her, otherwise I spend the whole novel grumbling.

Anyway, now I can't wait to take out the next two books from the series. Hopefully those don't make me cry (yes I cried in AGATB! Don't judge me!).

The first book is a bit Mean Girls, RA and TSFT are much better. I despise happy endings, frankly. Happy endings make me angry. Especially ones where the characters don't have to choose what they want and sacrifice something. *cough*Twilight*cough*

Alisha wrote: "I just finished A Great and Terrible Beauty and absolutely loved it! It's on my favorites shelf. I just thought the whole thing was so good. I was intrigued enough to keep flipping the pages in ..."

I loved Gemma too! I think since she's a 16 year old girl, whinning is to be expected what with puberty, hormones and all.

I teared up during the TSFT. I echo the sentiments that it is very bitter sweet.

FYI, don't hate me, but I love Mean Girls. "On Wednesdays, we wear pink." ahaha

April, I love Mean Girls. :D :D.

I'm glad to hear that the story gets better after AGATB. From what's been said, it looks like the characters develop quite a bit. Regarding Twilight, though : ) , I would say that Bella definitely had to make a choice and sacrifice something!

And what do you think that is? I'm curious.

They do a lot. The series improves as the story goes on.