robinreads_'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dizzyella's review against another edition
5.0
This reintroduced me into reading and audiobooks after not being able to read anything during high school. Characters, setting, atmosphere, writing, plot = stellar. And just so much goddamn fun.
zuzuthereader's review against another edition
4.0
This book was such a vibe but it was on the very of getting a 3. It got a very low 4.
I agree with most of the people that said it was really slow. The entire book kinda felt like the introductory chapters of an actual book (idk if you get what I mean ?) like the entire time I felt like the author wrote the book with the idea of it being the intro to a series (which I mean it is the intro to a series)
Regardless, I really enjoyed the book. It was the perfect amount of spooky. I would get scared, but I was still able to sleep at night. It’s perfect for Halloween.
I would recommend listening to the audio book at night only, just so you don’t ruin the vibes. I kinda regret the moments where I listened to it during the day.
My favorite character was Theta! I wish there was more of her in this book. I think the only reason I’d consider listening to the rest of the series, is to see more of Theta’s character.
Also, the second to last chapter confused to me so much lmao. Like I had to relisten to it 3 times and I kept zoning out and getting confused.
UPDATE: my favorite thing about the book is how well researched and diverse it was!!! And the narrator was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !!!! One of the best narrators I’ve ever listened to!
I agree with most of the people that said it was really slow. The entire book kinda felt like the introductory chapters of an actual book (idk if you get what I mean ?) like the entire time I felt like the author wrote the book with the idea of it being the intro to a series (which I mean it is the intro to a series)
Regardless, I really enjoyed the book. It was the perfect amount of spooky. I would get scared, but I was still able to sleep at night. It’s perfect for Halloween.
I would recommend listening to the audio book at night only, just so you don’t ruin the vibes. I kinda regret the moments where I listened to it during the day.
My favorite character was Theta! I wish there was more of her in this book. I think the only reason I’d consider listening to the rest of the series, is to see more of Theta’s character.
Also, the second to last chapter confused to me so much lmao. Like I had to relisten to it 3 times and I kept zoning out and getting confused.
UPDATE: my favorite thing about the book is how well researched and diverse it was!!! And the narrator was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !!!! One of the best narrators I’ve ever listened to!
bookishcapricorn's review against another edition
3.0
I had to sit on this one for a while, the books I've read recently have been the opposite of cut and dry in regards to rating. But I decided I like it just as much as Pet Sematary, I know, criminal. I've seen complaints that the constant interrupting of perspectives to switch to something else was annoying it kept me reading. The murder mystery kind of, was great, I wish it wasn't so fade to black with a lot of the darker stuff that happens. Although it is a young adult so I can't expect much gore or darkness. Jericho's story was like the thing that kept me on the edge of my seat though, I just wanted to know what was wrong with him. Anyway, I'll read the rest of the series hopefully soon.
lsvicente537's review against another edition
2.0
This was not what I was expecting out of Libba Bray. I have read a lot of her other books, and while I don't like her panache for killing off major characters, I have always loved her books. But not this one! No major characters died right at the end, stabbing me right in the heart, but really nothing happened at the end of the book. They fix the major issue of the book, whatever that's fine, and there is like six more chapters where NOTHING happens!! How can that even happen?? And not even does nothing happen, the same nothing happens. Every single chapter has someone standing, usually looking off into the distance, saying that "a storm is coming" and that "we have to prepare". Yeah after the fourth time I got! Bad shit is coming! Stop pulling the blindfolds over the Diviner's eyes and get them ready!!
Sam Lloyd was my favorite character, and he was such a waste. He kind of flandered about, like Libba Bray wanted a funny, lively character but didn't know how to work him into the text. And I hated the last chapter!! How dare Evie!
All in all, this book was too long, and while there was action, it was spread out over pages and pages about the gathering mist, passing clouds, and cryptic warnings that are never explained. Why, just why would I even care?
Sam Lloyd was my favorite character, and he was such a waste. He kind of flandered about, like Libba Bray wanted a funny, lively character but didn't know how to work him into the text. And I hated the last chapter!! How dare Evie!
All in all, this book was too long, and while there was action, it was spread out over pages and pages about the gathering mist, passing clouds, and cryptic warnings that are never explained. Why, just why would I even care?
aya527's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I've ever read a book that left me terrified to keep reading the naughty john chapters had me s h o o k. But the problem for me was the characters, it not that I didn't love them (I would die for them) but I just felt like a lot was happening and it was hard to keep track. Maybe I'm just a scatter brain. I found myself having to remind myself that this book take place in the 20s and not 2019 when the topic of race or sexuality came up. but all in all I enjoyed this book!
ruthorfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amusicalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
If I were to make a prediction right now, this series is not going to go down as an all-time favorite series for me, I don’t think. But it was a fun popcorn read and I am somewhat invested in Evie as a main character (but not as invested as I was hoping to be). Historical fiction blended with horror/supernatural is not really a genre I’ve read much of, so props to the author for daring and vivid setting. This book was also quite a bit more bloody and gruesome than I was expecting! I don’t know why it surprises me when YA books push the envelope with gruesome scenes, but somehow it always does. I should know better by now.
I think that Libba Bray is very talented and very well-researched on the historical fiction side. When the paranormal elements/murder mystery events started revealing themselves, this book started to feel a little bit more Scooby-Doo episodic to me. The ending of this book suddenly introduced a few new ideas, which I think was probably intended to make the world feel bigger and interconnected, but the way it was executed felt a little like a waterfall of too much information too fast. The book should’ve ended a little sooner than it did.
Overall a spooky fun read perfect for fall, and the 1920’s setting was atmospheric in a way that I liked. I am quite excited to continue the series, which means this first book did a job well done!
I think that Libba Bray is very talented and very well-researched on the historical fiction side. When the paranormal elements/murder mystery events started revealing themselves, this book started to feel a little bit more Scooby-Doo episodic to me. The ending of this book suddenly introduced a few new ideas, which I think was probably intended to make the world feel bigger and interconnected, but the way it was executed felt a little like a waterfall of too much information too fast. The book should’ve ended a little sooner than it did.
Overall a spooky fun read perfect for fall, and the 1920’s setting was atmospheric in a way that I liked. I am quite excited to continue the series, which means this first book did a job well done!