Javier Cross
Fancy Kyoko
Javier Cross
Fancy Kyoko
Sequels:
Rebel Angels
The Sweet Far Thing
Has anyone else read these books? I've never met anyone else who has read the series, and it's probably my favorite ever so it sucks that I couldn't discuss when I first finished... If you have, what did you think of the end of the series, or the series in general? If not, I recommend you go read them right now :3
If anyone in here finished the trilogy, they'd be worthwhile debaters if/when they can arrive, actually, Kyoko.
Where do you want to start on the series?
Must we start with how much bad was in the Victorian Era that the trilogy has shown us, and the few good parts of it worth clinging towards?
Or must we begin in regards to the Order that Gemma's mom may have had connections with?
Ahh! I really loved the portrayal of the 1890's, actually. Not that I'm the biggest expert, but I feel that Bray's descriptions were always top notch. Though, really, I'm sure she tidied it up from what it was
really like. I love that she always kept that silver lining, though, just to give the reader enough hope to carry on with her story. The biggest contrasting image that I really loved had to be the intense difference between Spence Academy and their 'safe' haven in the realms.
Everything about the mystery surrounding her mother and the connection she had with the Academy and the Order and Circe was just so masterfully written! I kept feeling like I had everything figured out, and then she'd change everything on me and I'd be guessing again!
The
only thing I
didn't like about the series was the ending, but perhaps that was mostly just because it was the end haha
smile
So whatever reasonable alterations were done in terms of overall portrayal, is done mainly to display a modicum of scraps of honest hope, amist a plethora of subtly nightmarish incidents, mystical or otherwise, humane or inhumane, etc or etc, pretty much, right?
If I mention that I enjoyed that they showed a portrait of Zeus's/Jupiter's Aunt Aphy/Venus in Rebel Angels, would you believe me even when I can't recall the exact Chapter for which it happened? (I feel there was a modicum of poignance with that portrait's appearance, if Monmouth himself mentioned anything!)
Indeed, where to begin on Gemma's mum and how she had to hide her true name and identity(highlight spoiler in white to avert public viewing) before meeting Gemma's dad and all that jazz that followed that lead up to her suicide, for that matter?
I mostly have questions about Gemma's mum's group I would like answered, such as regards to how they existed before, among other things, and what would become of them now, if they're still alive in the future or otherwise.
Geesh, really broke out the thesaurus for that one, eh?
razz Well, I do feel that any alterations she made she must have felt were entirely necessary based upon the tone and nature of her novel; in all truth it really was a very dark story, while she effectively kept up with lighthearted humor to diffuse tension where necessary. London at any time during the 1800's (though perhaps not so much in the later years? I would have to brush up my history on that one) was not what you might call the friendliest or the cleanest of places. I wish I could ask Mrs. Bray herself what her intent was, but my own understanding leads me to believe that if she
had given London a more honest portrayal, she may have overloaded her readership with the depressing atmosphere. If we look for the same in the realms, however, it seems like the more pleasant London was shown as, the more nightmarish and corrupt the realms became, despite it's initial mythical and pleasant aura. So then, perhaps "nice" London was done so that the contrast could be that much more intense when the time came. I believe that the more semi-friendly, fairly bright atmosphere that she placed London in, at least through Gemma's eyes, throughout the majority of the novel was entirely intentional.
Unfortunately it
has been a while since I've read through the entire series, so I'm not entirely sure what portrait you're speaking of, though I'm sure of its existence despite your slightly foggy memory, if you recall it. It wouldn't surprise me at all if there was any such thing, in any case.
I would really love it if Bray published a series of prequels of some sort, really. A thorough description of her mothers situation with the Order and everything that surrounds it, I feel, was only glazed over. If Bray had the desire to, I think they would only enhance the series rather than hinder it in any way. I can always hope, I suppose ^^
200
200
100
