Strange book and way too long. The first 100 pages and the last 100 pages were good but you could lose the 300 plus in between. The 1920's setting is very interesting and I think Libba Bray captures it well. I didn't like any of the character other than maybe Jericho. Plot was dragged out. Ending was good though and makes me curous where this serious is heading.
This is the first book in the Diviners series by Bray. I have read all of Brays previous books and really enjoyed them. I am unsure how many books are planned for this series, but the 2nd one is scheduled for a 2014 release. I enjoyed this book just as much, if not more, than Brays A Great and Terrible Beauty series. This book is masterfully written and was just an absolute pleasure to read.
Evie ONeill has been shipped off from her hometown to New York City to stay with her uncle because of some secrets she revealed that hurt the reputation of one of the powerful families in Ohio. Evie is so excited to be in New York even if her Uncle does run the strange museum known affectionately as The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies. Then strange occult murders start happening and Evies uncle gets called in to consult. Evie gets drawn in as she starts to use her own special powers to help her uncle with the case.
I loved the setting for this book, the whole thing is set in the 1920s flapper era. Bray obviously did her homework here. The slang she uses throughout as well as the descriptions of surroundings, fashions, and events make this world and era come alive in a way that is sparkling and fascinating.
The story is mainly told from Evies POV, but we also hear from a number of other character POVs. We hear from Theta (a chorus girl), Mabel (Evies best friend), Malcolm (a man with his own mysterious powers), and Sam (a pickpocket of sorts that Evie has a run in with early in the story). We also hear from the murder victims as they meet their demise.
Evie was a super fun heroine. She is brash and just a little too much for those around, shes adventurous and loyal. She definitely has her flaws; she can be a bit too self-absorbed and a bit too in-your-face. These flaws just serve to make her more interesting and engaging.
The characters surrounding Evie have backgrounds that are just as complex and interesting as Evies. There are a number of characters in here with supernatural or paranormal powers. The maelstrom of these interesting characters starts to come together as the story progresses.
The book touches on a number of controversial issues as well (at least controversial for that time). There is discussion about inter-racial relationships and quite a bit of discussion about same sex relationships as well. None of this is the feature of the story but all of it goes on in the background, making the story more complex and even more engaging.
More than anything this book is a supernatural mystery. Basically Evie and team have to solve this series of grisly occult murders before one of them ends up as a victim. There are parts of this book that are extremely creepy where you feel like screaming at the characters No! No! Dont go down into the creepy basement cellar. At points it was bad enough that I was torn between hiding behind a blanket so I didnt have to see what was going to happen and reading it as fast as possible so I could finally know what was going to happen!
The story ties up very nicely, although there are still things left undone for future books. I am intrigued to see how all of these interesting characters with supernatural powers come together in future installments.
Overall an absolutely fantastic novel. The setting is realistic and absolutely comes alive; I loved reading about the roaring 20s. The plot is mysterious and creepy with strong supernatural elements. The characters are quirky, mysterious, and super fun to read about. Highly recommended to those who love a good mystery with supernatural elements. I really, really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.
Evie ONeill has been shipped off from her hometown to New York City to stay with her uncle because of some secrets she revealed that hurt the reputation of one of the powerful families in Ohio. Evie is so excited to be in New York even if her Uncle does run the strange museum known affectionately as The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies. Then strange occult murders start happening and Evies uncle gets called in to consult. Evie gets drawn in as she starts to use her own special powers to help her uncle with the case.
I loved the setting for this book, the whole thing is set in the 1920s flapper era. Bray obviously did her homework here. The slang she uses throughout as well as the descriptions of surroundings, fashions, and events make this world and era come alive in a way that is sparkling and fascinating.
The story is mainly told from Evies POV, but we also hear from a number of other character POVs. We hear from Theta (a chorus girl), Mabel (Evies best friend), Malcolm (a man with his own mysterious powers), and Sam (a pickpocket of sorts that Evie has a run in with early in the story). We also hear from the murder victims as they meet their demise.
Evie was a super fun heroine. She is brash and just a little too much for those around, shes adventurous and loyal. She definitely has her flaws; she can be a bit too self-absorbed and a bit too in-your-face. These flaws just serve to make her more interesting and engaging.
The characters surrounding Evie have backgrounds that are just as complex and interesting as Evies. There are a number of characters in here with supernatural or paranormal powers. The maelstrom of these interesting characters starts to come together as the story progresses.
The book touches on a number of controversial issues as well (at least controversial for that time). There is discussion about inter-racial relationships and quite a bit of discussion about same sex relationships as well. None of this is the feature of the story but all of it goes on in the background, making the story more complex and even more engaging.
More than anything this book is a supernatural mystery. Basically Evie and team have to solve this series of grisly occult murders before one of them ends up as a victim. There are parts of this book that are extremely creepy where you feel like screaming at the characters No! No! Dont go down into the creepy basement cellar. At points it was bad enough that I was torn between hiding behind a blanket so I didnt have to see what was going to happen and reading it as fast as possible so I could finally know what was going to happen!
The story ties up very nicely, although there are still things left undone for future books. I am intrigued to see how all of these interesting characters with supernatural powers come together in future installments.
Overall an absolutely fantastic novel. The setting is realistic and absolutely comes alive; I loved reading about the roaring 20s. The plot is mysterious and creepy with strong supernatural elements. The characters are quirky, mysterious, and super fun to read about. Highly recommended to those who love a good mystery with supernatural elements. I really, really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.
I enjoyed this a lot! It's set in the 1920s, about a 17-year-old girl named Evie from a small town in Ohio who goes to live with her uncle in New York City. Her uncle runs a museum of occult-related stuff and is brought in by police to consult on a series of murders with occult symbols found on the bodies. Evie and several other young people in New York turn out to have various powers. Like, Evie can get flashes of others' memories while holding objects that belong to them and a guy named Memphis can heal people and he's been having the same dream as a Ziegfeld girl named Theta. All of these people are starting to get involved in each others' lives while Evie and her Uncle are trying to stop this killer. I love the historical setting and the way it incorporates so many different little communities in New York (like the Harlem Renaissance music scene and Irish street gangs and fancy speakeasies).
This book is a complete and interesting story in itself, but it's also clearly a set up for a larger series that I'm really looking forward to reading. Google tells me the next book is due in April of next year and I can't wait.
This book is a complete and interesting story in itself, but it's also clearly a set up for a larger series that I'm really looking forward to reading. Google tells me the next book is due in April of next year and I can't wait.
All hail Her Royal YA Highness Libba Bray, who can write about anything she wants in any genre or mix of genres and have it be a critical and commercial success. In her new series, which begins with THE DIVINERS, Bray returns to the stomping grounds that had first gotten her fans: a solid ensemble cast of characters with a dollop of very atmospheric paranormal elements.
Evie is a mouthy, flighty, manipulative, and sometimes silly ball of energy. She is, in short, whom part of you always wishes you could be like, and also everything you would never want to have to deal with in another person. Evie may drive you crazy with her impulsiveness and selfishness at times, but it is those characteristics of hers that allow her to be such a one-of-a-kind protagonist. Her lines and actions literally dominate the pages. If ever there was a character who was bigger than the words describing her, it would be Evie. And Im sure she would be happy to hear that about herself.
Evie, however, is not the only star of this book. Her new friends are strong characters in their own right. In THE DIVINERS, Evies friends and acquaintances dont seem to be in the book for the sole purpose of convenient info-dumping or plot-hopping: its not difficult to see them as protagonists of their own storiesTheta, the glamorous Ziegfeld girl with the troubled past; Memphis, the golden boy from Harlem; Mabel, who is just coming out of the shadow of her idealistic, revolutionist parents; Jericho, strong and silent with a secret that could blow apart everyones conception of humanity; and Sam, the pickpocket whose suave exterior hides a grimly driven purpose.
Along those lines, the dash of romance in this book will surprise and, I hope, delight you. Bray does not go the expected route, and neither does the romance impose upon the main plot in any way. Dare I say that this is one YA romantic setup that I actually cant wait to see play out in the sequel?
Speaking of main plot, thoughWell, sometimes its hard to tell what that is. The synopsis sells the premise of a supernatural serial killer, but thats just the surfacefitting, for a 600-page book. The languid, almost irresponsibly lazy pace of the first half of the book nearly killed it for me. Its necessary setup for future books in the series, and I appreciate that because of this thorough setup the future books will not beat a finished plot to death, but boy did it divide this book for me.
Overall, an extremely enjoyable novel, particularly for Libba Bray fans but also for those new to her books.
Evie is a mouthy, flighty, manipulative, and sometimes silly ball of energy. She is, in short, whom part of you always wishes you could be like, and also everything you would never want to have to deal with in another person. Evie may drive you crazy with her impulsiveness and selfishness at times, but it is those characteristics of hers that allow her to be such a one-of-a-kind protagonist. Her lines and actions literally dominate the pages. If ever there was a character who was bigger than the words describing her, it would be Evie. And Im sure she would be happy to hear that about herself.
Evie, however, is not the only star of this book. Her new friends are strong characters in their own right. In THE DIVINERS, Evies friends and acquaintances dont seem to be in the book for the sole purpose of convenient info-dumping or plot-hopping: its not difficult to see them as protagonists of their own storiesTheta, the glamorous Ziegfeld girl with the troubled past; Memphis, the golden boy from Harlem; Mabel, who is just coming out of the shadow of her idealistic, revolutionist parents; Jericho, strong and silent with a secret that could blow apart everyones conception of humanity; and Sam, the pickpocket whose suave exterior hides a grimly driven purpose.
Along those lines, the dash of romance in this book will surprise and, I hope, delight you. Bray does not go the expected route, and neither does the romance impose upon the main plot in any way. Dare I say that this is one YA romantic setup that I actually cant wait to see play out in the sequel?
Speaking of main plot, thoughWell, sometimes its hard to tell what that is. The synopsis sells the premise of a supernatural serial killer, but thats just the surfacefitting, for a 600-page book. The languid, almost irresponsibly lazy pace of the first half of the book nearly killed it for me. Its necessary setup for future books in the series, and I appreciate that because of this thorough setup the future books will not beat a finished plot to death, but boy did it divide this book for me.
Overall, an extremely enjoyable novel, particularly for Libba Bray fans but also for those new to her books.
