tiny pink books

Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009

Cameron Smith is your underachiever teen.  He floats through life passively, putting in the bare minimum at school, in his family, work, and even in his friendships.  When he is diagnosed with mad cow disease, it’s like he’s going to die without ever having lived.  The disease eats away at his brain, causing visions and general madness…or is it madness?  Through a series of cryptic clues and possibly insane visions, Cameron is sent on a quest to find a mysterious Dr. X to save not only himself, but the entire world.  Bringing a new friend, Gonzo, along for the ride, Cameron is forced to really engage on an adventure that is part madness, part love story, and part spring break road trip.  But will he find a cure for his disease?  Can he save the universe?  Is this really happening or is it all just the breakdown of his mad cow infused brain?

I don’t really know what to make of Going Bovine.  It is appropriate that the main character has a deteriorating brain…because the story is messy and mad in its own way.  There are gems within it, for sure, but I can’t say, with any confidence, that they have been pulled together into a great work.  The humor, for example, is spot on.  Libba Bray is one funny lady and the world is a better place for it!  The friendship between Gonzo and Cameron and their road trip antics is hilarious in that buddies who rag on each other a la John Green’s characters kind of way.

Despite some downright delightful moments in Going Bovine, however, it was hard to get through.  The good part is, this is a teenage, stoner version of magical realism.  The unexplained happens and the entire story is unique and interesting for what it is.  Maybe it was just covering too much or maybe the mad cow journey lasted just a bit too long, but the whole story felt like it was falling apart by the end.  In a way, it was appropriate because Cameron’s brain is also falling apart by the end…but it just wasn’t that fun to read anymore.  I wanted to like this book, I really did.  I love that Bray has departed from the historical fiction setting of the Gemma Doyle books and there are some wonderful moments in Going Bovine, but I just grew tired of this book in its 496 pages.  Maybe, after writing under the more rigid constrains of the historical and fantasy worlds of Ms Doyle, Bray just had to break free and go hog wild, but Going Bovine was just a little too messy to be coherent at times.  It didn’t help that the epic journey had a bit of a letdown conclusion as well.

I would recommend this to John Green fans who want more of that buddy picture humor and don’t mind a meandering plot.  Likewise, fans of magical realism and epic road trips might be inclined to enjoy.  I would not recommend this to reluctant readers or readers who need a neatly packed plot with a clean resolution.  I’m also not sure if fans of Bray’s previous work will cross over, though those who were savvy enough to pick up on the subtle, but delicious humor, of the Gemma Doyle books may find something within Going Bovine as well.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2007.

The final book of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, The Sweet Far Thing delivers a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion.  Nearing the end of their time at the Spence Academy for Young Ladies, Gemma Doyle and her friends, Felicity and Anne, are faced with the harsh realities of their futures.  Meanwhile, the Realms are awash with conflict as Gemma holds all of the magic and must decide how to share it within the tribes there.  In this final book, Gemma’s two roles, as a strong sorceress of the Realms and as a powerless English school girl, collide and reach an exciting conclusion.
I enjoyed this whole series much more than I expected to.  I love that way Bray uses the historical setting to create a unique and feminist theme.  As Gemma and her friends struggle against the corseted boundaries that society holds them in, the only power they seem to have is that of magic.  I could go on, but basically, this trilogy was a very good blend of genres (both historical fiction and fantasy) with really well written characters.  As someone who is not particularly inclined to either genre, I am amazed at how enjoyable I found this series.  Recommended to readers, especially teen girls, who want action, realistic characters, and a bit of magic.  Also, though long, the audio versions of all of the Gemma Doyle books were excellent!

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Random House, 2006
Continuing the Gemma Doyle saga, Rebel Angels delves further into the fantasy elements that were established in the enjoyable A Great and Terrible Beauty.  16-year-old Gemma Doyle is still at Spence Academy, learning how to be a fine young lady in her world of manners and corsets.  Taking place mostly over the Christmas holiday in London, Gemma and her two friends Felicity and Ann, find themselves destined to bind the magic in the mysterious and magical Realms.  Of course, there are hoards of magical creatures and secret societies looking for a piece of the magic, not to mention the evil and powerful Circe, who will stop at nothing to gain power.  Of course, there is also the drama of being a young lady in a rigid society of rules, traditions, of family problems, and of potential courtship with a handsome young gentleman.    Part fantasy and part historical fiction, Rebel Angels is an excellent chapter to this fun and addictive trilogy.

I’m normally highly resistant to historical fiction, but this series has really entertained me thus far.  While I liked A Great and Terrible Beauty overall, I found Rebel Angels to be more interesting and exciting, probably due to the fact that the story has darkened considerably.  Yes, it’s predictable and you can see the plot twists coming a mile ahead, but it’s fun and the combination of fantasy, historical fiction, and snarky girl drama is entertaining.  I think Rebel Angels will be well enjoyed by fans of the first book.  It’s a compelling page turner with a good dose of fantasy that mixes well with the historical setting and characters.

I listened to the audio version and higly recommend it!

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Delacourte Books for Young Readers, 2003.

Set in 1895, 16 year old Gemma Doyle’s life changes forever with the sudden and mysterious loss of her mother.  She is sent from India, where she grew up with her parents, to the prestigious and imposing Spence Academy in English.  While she struggles to find her place among the other girls and deals with the grief surrounding her mother’s death, Gemma also faces a more unusual problem.  Finding herself in possession of new, powerful abilities and a connection to a dark secret society, Gemma must struggle to understand her new power and place in the world.

I’m not much of a fan of historical fiction, so I opened A Great and Terrible Beauty with a lot of reservations.  What I found though was a novel that was compelling to read, with just enough historical detail to add to the story without being overwhelming.  The story itself, though a little predictable, is a fun read.  The contrast of the powers that Gemma has in the supernatural world with the lack of power she has as a woman in 1800’s England works well.  Even though I wouldn’t say that I was in love with this book, the pages kept turning and I found myself unable to put it down.

I’d recommend this one to readers seeking a girl + supernatural world/power story.  Fans of Twilight, The Summoning, and such will be pleased as this is a solid contribution to the genre.