Since I took so long to complete the 4 reviews for the rest of my February books, I ended up filling some of my reading with somewhat lighthearted fair. After Wool, I couldn’t delve quickly into something very complex (just too many thoughts). So, I read Libba Bray’s second book in the Gemma Doyle series, Rebel Angels.  That statement may, in fact, be a bit misleading since the world of Gemma Doyle is actually a bit complex, if not the deepest.  What I really love is that Bray has some of the loveliest blending of history and fantasy I have ever come across.

The basic premise for the series is as follows:  Gemma Doyle is a 16 year old girl living in India with her family in 1895.  After her mother’s mysterious death, the family returns to England and Gemma is shipped off to Spence, a girl’s boarding school.  Once there, she must deal with strange visions, a mysterious boy following her, and of course the social society of teenage girls.  Magic and tense friendships send her on a strange journey to understand who she is and the legacy her mother left her.

I cannot praise Bray enough as an author, and I’ve really just dipped my toes into her works.  However, since the Gemma Doyle series is her first full series, some of it is a bit rough around the edges. I loved book #1, A Great and Terrible Beauty, with it’s very well researched Victorian setting, ties to India, and mythical, mysterious, magical Realms.  Plus, I LOVE it when I can’t quite see all the twists coming (keep me guessing guys, it’s way more entertaining that way).

Rebel Angels, book #2, picks up where book #1 ends with only a short gap of time, and unfortunately it seemed stretched a bit thin at parts (specifically where the magic is involved).  Regretfully, I also saw the twist coming from approximately page 10.  I was actually angry when my suppositions ended up being the supposed “twist.” Sometimes, it’s okay, because the author has kept me guessing even if I see the twist, or “think” I see it.  That didn’t happen here.

Despite that, I still recommend Rebel Angels.  I’ll be starting Book #3 sometime in the near future, so I can see if she strengthens anything there. I know part of the problem with the series is because it is her first.  Diviners is just plain amazing, so it’s nice to see her depth and style develop.

On a side note, if you’re bored, go read Libba Bray’s bio on her website. It just makes me happy…