A Great and Terrible Beauty

by Libba Bray
ISBN: 9780385732314

Gemma was raised in India wishing to go back to England. She starts having visions, the first of which is of her mother's death, which comes true. She's sent back to England and enrolled in a girl's academy. She has the visions increasingly more often until she discovers she has powers and can access the realms. After a rough start, she makes a few friends that accompany her to the realms.

This is a young adult/teen book, and at times it was obvious. Overall though, I found it an enjoyable read. It's set in the Victorian Era with a slightly gothic feel. I found the underlying sexual tension believable for the character's ages and status, but I could have happily taken a smaller dose of teenage angst and drama.