/Libba Brayshelf | The Sweet Far Thing

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.

The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence’s burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

Much, much too long for the actual amount of plot it had. I know I like big books, but not when they’re filled with everything that’s already been exhausted in the previous two books. What character development there is is much too superficial, and Bray’s real talent lies in building up a plot device. Unfortunately, more often than not, that comes up to nothing - in fact, as a whole, this book does not seem to have been thought through very well. Not to mention the amount of “fantasy” is enough to cause a toothache. Yes, of the happy-bunny variety. So save your time, save your money. I guess third time’s the letdown.