The Sweet Far Thing

The Sweet Far Thing is the final installment in Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, set in Victorian London and a mystical realm of magic. The story continues to follow Gemma Doyle at Spence Academy as she navigates both her supernatural powers and the strict social expectations placed upon young women of her era. The narrative centers on Gemma's struggle to control the magic of the Realms while preparing for her debut in London society. She must balance her responsibilities to the mysterious Order, protect her friends, and determine the truth behind strange occurrences at Spence Academy's reconstructed East Wing. Two opposing forces - the Order and the Rakshana - compete for power over the Realms, forcing Gemma to make crucial decisions about her allegiances and future. Her relationships with her friends Felicity, Ann, and Pippa face mounting pressure as each young woman pursues her own path. The novel explores themes of female power and autonomy against the backdrop of Victorian social constraints, while questioning the nature of good and evil, loyalty, and the price of freedom.

Readers call it a complex conclusion to the Gemma Doyle trilogy, with darker themes and deeper character development than the previous books. Readers praised: - The intricate Victorian-era world building - Strong female friendships and relationships - Character growth, especially for side characters - Political and social commentary - Realistic romantic elements Common criticisms: - Length (819 pages felt too long for many) - Slower middle section - Some plot threads left unresolved - Controversial ending that disappointed many fans Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (78,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Multiple readers noted the book "took emotional risks" other YA novels avoid. One frequent comment from negative reviews was "needed better editing to cut 200 pages." Several positive reviews specifically praised how the characters "felt like real teenage girls despite the fantasy setting."

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray First book in the same series follows protagonist Gemma Doyle as she discovers her magical powers at a Victorian boarding school while uncovering dark secrets.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon A young woman in an alternate Victorian London joins a secret society of clairvoyants who battle supernatural forces from another realm.

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling A modern-day Salem witch must protect her coven and confront dark magic while navigating her first romance.

The Diviners by Libba Bray In 1920s New York, a group of teenagers with supernatural abilities investigate occult murders and face an ancient evil.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood Three witch sisters in an alternate Victorian society must hide their powers from a brotherhood that hunts their kind.

✧ The book's Victorian setting coincides with the real-life "spiritualism craze" of the 1800s, when séances and claims of communication with spirits became a cultural phenomenon among upper-class British society ✧ Libba Bray wrote much of the Gemma Doyle trilogy while battling Lyme disease, which she contracted in 1999 and later used her experience to inform the protagonist's struggles ✧ The Spence Academy setting was inspired by the author's research into Victorian-era finishing schools, where young women were taught "accomplishments" like painting, music, and proper etiquette ✧ The novel's exploration of female friendship was influenced by the historical concept of "romantic friendship" - intense emotional bonds between women that were socially acceptable in Victorian times ✧ The magical system in the book draws from various mythological traditions, including Celtic folklore and Hindu mysticism, reflecting the Victorian era's fascination with Eastern spirituality and occult practices