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sarahtribble's review against another edition
4.0
I'll preface with this: I really, really enjoyed this book. I didn't think I was going to; I haven't been interested in getting invested in book series' recently, and I usually stray away from horror/paranormal/supernatural/generally scary genres anyway. I prefer not to be afraid to turn out the lights when I go to bed, thank you very much. Yet I had heard such rave reviews about this book, and when I picked it up at Whitcoulls and skimmed the first few pages, I was hooked, so I bought it -- despite the opening scene describing a gang of tipsy teens convening with a malevolent spirit via a ouija board. I know, I know: I'm a huge baby if ouija boards can scare me.
I'm so glad I decided to read this. The plot is riveting, the characters have compelling depth and back stories, and I loved the historical setting -- 1920s New York is such a rich, luscious period in which to set a story, and I was fascinated by the history and the ways in which Libba Bray incorporates the language, mannerisms, and culture of the 1920s into the story. I'm glad this book kickstarts a trilogy, because I can't wait to dive back into this world, to learn more about its historical setting and to experience more adventures with the diverse and engaging cast of characters.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars because I enjoyed the setting and the story so much, but in the end, I took off a star for two reasons. The first: I found that some of the themes and subplots in this book lacked substance, or hadn't been fully fleshed out. There were often times when Evie would randomly begin to monologue internally about how misunderstood her generation was by the old-fashioned adults who always told her what to do, which I guess made sense considering the context, but it still felt out-of-place; it came up so sporadically that it threw me off balance as opposed to rallying me in Evie's favour, and this happened with a number of themes and ideas that Bray unwisely littered throughout the text. The second: I HATE the pairing of Evie and Jericho. Evie's affections for Jericho come out of nowhere, seemly only added to cause friction between Mabel and Evie in the second and/or third books in the series. In summary: Evie and Jericho are NOT a power couple, and as much as I enjoyed Evie's precocious perspective, I also hate her for breaking the girl code. Bitch can choke.
I'm so glad I decided to read this. The plot is riveting, the characters have compelling depth and back stories, and I loved the historical setting -- 1920s New York is such a rich, luscious period in which to set a story, and I was fascinated by the history and the ways in which Libba Bray incorporates the language, mannerisms, and culture of the 1920s into the story. I'm glad this book kickstarts a trilogy, because I can't wait to dive back into this world, to learn more about its historical setting and to experience more adventures with the diverse and engaging cast of characters.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars because I enjoyed the setting and the story so much, but in the end, I took off a star for two reasons. The first: I found that some of the themes and subplots in this book lacked substance, or hadn't been fully fleshed out. There were often times when Evie would randomly begin to monologue internally about how misunderstood her generation was by the old-fashioned adults who always told her what to do, which I guess made sense considering the context, but it still felt out-of-place; it came up so sporadically that it threw me off balance as opposed to rallying me in Evie's favour, and this happened with a number of themes and ideas that Bray unwisely littered throughout the text. The second: I HATE the pairing of Evie and Jericho. Evie's affections for Jericho come out of nowhere, seemly only added to cause friction between Mabel and Evie in the second and/or third books in the series. In summary: Evie and Jericho are NOT a power couple, and as much as I enjoyed Evie's precocious perspective, I also hate her for breaking the girl code. Bitch can choke.
aileenmaria's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
At first I thought that I was not going to rate this because this book clearly was NOT for me. But I am going to rate it- because I’m going to rate based on what worked for me and my enjoyment of the book- not how the book is written.
The author achieved what she set out to do in this book. I read it based on so many reviews of others loving this book series.
I should have stopped when I felt annoyed by it early on. I wanted to know why it was great…and I finished it- and didn’t feel like it was great for me.
Not a bad book- just NOT FOR ME.🫠
The author achieved what she set out to do in this book. I read it based on so many reviews of others loving this book series.
I should have stopped when I felt annoyed by it early on. I wanted to know why it was great…and I finished it- and didn’t feel like it was great for me.
Not a bad book- just NOT FOR ME.🫠
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the darker, spooky elements of the story. It set up a very interesting world and villain. However, I was taken out of the story often due to the romances and how the main character acted. I know this is a YA novel, which I tend to not read or enjoy as much. Still, it felt a bit much for such a long book, trying to cover many characters and events. I really feel like Memphis needed more coverage and exploration throughout the story. Maybe that comes with the rest of the series, but it still felt lacking. I think I’ll pick up the next one in the series. I was just distracted and pulled out of this story often, which made it more difficult to enjoy. I would like to see where it goes because the mystery and dark elements were super interesting.
shema's review against another edition
4.0
Defintely a great Halloween read.
Spoopy supernatural elements while also having interesting dynamic characters while also exploring themes of religious fantatics and the deconstruction of the Roaring 20s, seen as glamorous but was full of racism and corrupt institutions.
Spoopy supernatural elements while also having interesting dynamic characters while also exploring themes of religious fantatics and the deconstruction of the Roaring 20s, seen as glamorous but was full of racism and corrupt institutions.
skm2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maggiekwinters's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
shaking in my boots
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
cometkitty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nimbushfish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The Diviners Series are some of my favorite books of all time. Certainly they don't have the best prose, don't quite stick the landing in some areas, and have some tired tropes typical of the YA genre during this time (Mainly, that love triangle that was...resolved rather roughly, in my opinion. Evie's got two hands) but the plot, the characters, and the worldbuilding are some of the most original I've seen, especially in the YA genre.
I feel that it excels at being historical fiction as well. It isn't a surface-level glamorization of the 1920s: it references America's involvement in WWI, the Sedition Act, the First Red Scare, The Labor Movement, the rise of the Klan, the Wall Street Bombings and the Palmer Raids, among other things. The way its story delves into both the past (the Second Great Awakening, the Chinese Exclusion Act, etc) and the future (the Stock Market Crash, The Dust Bowl, the Manhattan Project, the Civil Rights Movement, etc) is wonderful, especially considering that part of the series is about America's sins, and that we all know that these sins don't end after the series does in 1927.
The worldbuilding is some of the most unique I've seen in Young Adult fiction.Project Daedalus and Project Buffalo are fascinating, and the latter is especially reminiscent of the 1977 Stargate Project. Tying them to eugenics makes a lot of sense, as if supernatural powers did exist, the government would certainly elevate these above the rest and try to use them against other countries. The characters, too. Though it is an ensemble cast, Evie is arguably the main character--but no character here is unimportant. All of them have their own fascinating stories, and all of them could be the star of their own novel.
This first book is probably my favorite out of the series. The Pentacle Murders are eerie and disturbing and the story is layered with hints and character motivations, from the question of James' fate to Sam's quest for his legally dead mother to Will Fitzgerald's past as a paranormal researcher. If the Museum of American Folklore and the Occult were a real place I'd visit it every chance I got. Alas.
I've got a lot of feelings about this series, but if I wrote them all down this "review" would be ten pages long. I only wish that these books were more well-known. The books certainly aren't perfect, but they are ambitious and layered and I love Libba Bray for it.
I feel that it excels at being historical fiction as well. It isn't a surface-level glamorization of the 1920s: it references America's involvement in WWI, the Sedition Act, the First Red Scare, The Labor Movement, the rise of the Klan, the Wall Street Bombings and the Palmer Raids, among other things. The way its story delves into both the past (the Second Great Awakening, the Chinese Exclusion Act, etc) and the future (the Stock Market Crash, The Dust Bowl, the Manhattan Project, the Civil Rights Movement, etc) is wonderful, especially considering that part of the series is about America's sins, and that we all know that these sins don't end after the series does in 1927.
The worldbuilding is some of the most unique I've seen in Young Adult fiction.
This first book is probably my favorite out of the series. The Pentacle Murders are eerie and disturbing and the story is layered with hints and character motivations, from the question of James' fate to Sam's quest for his legally dead mother to Will Fitzgerald's past as a paranormal researcher. If the Museum of American Folklore and the Occult were a real place I'd visit it every chance I got. Alas.
I've got a lot of feelings about this series, but if I wrote them all down this "review" would be ten pages long. I only wish that these books were more well-known. The books certainly aren't perfect, but they are ambitious and layered and I love Libba Bray for it.
miffyf's review against another edition
4.0
I wonder how much listening to an audiobook affects your enjoyment of a book?
I felt that this was wayyyyyyy too long and needed some judicious editing. Repetitive names - writing 'Evie O'Neill' instead of just 'Evie' - repetitive clues, and repetitive readings of the Book of the Brethren meant that it seemed to take forever to get to the conclusion. That said - OMG!!! What an ending! and yet...as the first of a series the last couple of chapters felt like a set up for the next book, rather than a conclusion to The Diviners story.
The characterisation is good, the plot is convoluted and tricky, the setting divine and the story idea is excellent. Some parts of the story had me shouting at the cd player - melodrama style. "Noooo. Don't go in there!" and "He's behind you!", and the conclusion of the main plot line had me on the edge of my seat!
It's always tricky listening to an audiobook in the car. Sometime I drive for miles and suddenly 'wake up' three suburbs from where I was last paying attention. At certain points in the story this is one of those mesmerising books.
Not for the faint-hearted.
I felt that this was wayyyyyyy too long and needed some judicious editing. Repetitive names - writing 'Evie O'Neill' instead of just 'Evie' - repetitive clues, and repetitive readings of the Book of the Brethren meant that it seemed to take forever to get to the conclusion. That said - OMG!!! What an ending! and yet...as the first of a series the last couple of chapters felt like a set up for the next book, rather than a conclusion to The Diviners story.
The characterisation is good, the plot is convoluted and tricky, the setting divine and the story idea is excellent. Some parts of the story had me shouting at the cd player - melodrama style. "Noooo. Don't go in there!" and "He's behind you!", and the conclusion of the main plot line had me on the edge of my seat!
It's always tricky listening to an audiobook in the car. Sometime I drive for miles and suddenly 'wake up' three suburbs from where I was last paying attention. At certain points in the story this is one of those mesmerising books.
Not for the faint-hearted.