A Great and Terrible Beatuy by Libba Bray

This book is one of my all time favorite books. I have read it, and it's sequels several times. It's that book that I revert to when I want to fall in love with reading again.
The book is about a girl named Gemma Doyle who finds she has visions, and then learns she can enter these realms where magic dwells. Of course, there are people fighting against her, and wanting to get the magic for themselves. There is also a tall dark and hadsom man who Gemma finds herself attracted to. Of course their love is forbidden, not only by the society in which they live, but also by the magic society. She's a London school girl and he is a gypsy.
The book is intense, but enjoyable. It is a light read, I finished the first and second while my family was camping for a weekend.
This book is so good, I have a hard time putting it down, no matter how many times I read it. The characters are engaging, the setting is awesome. The writing is clean, but there are some darker aspects to the book.
It is definitely catagorized as a YA fiction book, but I feel it's a great read for anyone looking for some magic and romance all wrapped up into one.
I think one of my favorite things about this book, is how the characters are written. I've grown to love certain characters, but also detest others. Gemma is a great heroine, and her flaws are relateable. She's a teenage girl who is trying deparately trying to fit in. She's lost someone very close to her, and then begins to discover this unknown world of magic, that is both dangerous and exciting.
Then there's Felicity.
I remember hating Felicity when I first read these books. BUT I find that the more I read the books, I grow a little more understanding of her as well. She is detestable at the beginning, but even Gemma grows to love her.
Ann, and Pippa are also thrown into the mix.
Then There is Kartik. Oh boy do I love Kartik. I think I love the romance between Kartik and Gemma becuase it feels real....well as real as fictional romance can be. Neither one of them falls for each other, right at first. If anything, Gemma is scared of him, but as they discover more abour magic and the realms together, and Kartik comes to her rescue (swoon)...they begin to recognize positive traits in eachother. Of course Gemma fantasizes about Kartik, but what girl wouldn't swoon and daydream about a hot hunk of man?
Along with the characters, the story line is engaging and easy to follow.
I easily give this book at 10/10. It has been my favorite, and will probably continue to be one of my favorites. I really can't think of a bad thing to say about this book, or it's sequels, except that they are too short.