"A Great and Terrible Beauty" is a young adult fantasy novel by Libba Bray, set in the late 19th century. The story follows Gemma Doyle, a teenage girl who discovers she has magical powers after the mysterious death of her mother. She is sent to a boarding school in England, where she uncovers secrets about her family's past and the existence of a magical realm called the Realms. As Gemma navigates the challenges of friendship and betrayal, she forms a bond with a group of girls at the school. Together, they explore the Realms, but their adventures come with dangerous consequences, leading to a struggle between power and responsibility.