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batmans's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
chelseatm's review
4.0
This was a great addition to the series. Libba Bray has matured very well as a writer and continued the story in a compelling way. She is handling the multiple characters more adeptly than in the previous book and nothing felt superfluous in telling their story.
The ending is surprising but powerful. I highly recommend this series.
The ending is surprising but powerful. I highly recommend this series.
ciarafarris's review
4.0
4 stars just because I have some complaints about the fates and developments of certain characters. No spoilers.
ksonnev's review against another edition
5.0
If the first and second books left any doubts, Before the Devil Breaks You only proved that the Diviners is going to be one of my favourite series ever. As much as I regret having let it sit on my TBR for so long untouched, I am really glad I waited until now to start reading the Diviners. I think that a lot of the nuances and things that I pick up on and appreciate in this series would have been lost on my younger self (i.e. all the commentary on social, racial, political, historical issues past and present).
In terms of the plot, I think Before the Devil Breaks You really kicks things into gear in terms of the overarching plot that was developing and being hinted at in the first two books. We finally start to understand what all these ghosts and spooky happenings are all about. We finally start to unravel Project Buffalo’s past and the Diviner’s abilities. It was definitely rewarding to finally have some of the (many) questions get answers.
But what really makes this series for me is the characters and setting. First, the characters. THE CHARACTERS! I love the whole crew, I really do - I can’t choose a favourite! Whats great too is by now, we know all of the main characters well at this point, so we can really start digging deeper into their arcs and backstories (Theta, for example, really shines in this book). But I also love the representation that Bray continues to bring. Its not a #ownvoices story, and I can only go off of what other reviewers have said, but it seems like Bray really tries her best to do all of her characters the justice they deserve. Also I have to giver her major points for the asexuality rep - I need more of that!
Without spoiling anything, I would say that there is a sense throughout this book that something (sadly) needed to happen to one of the main crew. I had several theories throughout who was going to die, but when it happened (and how it happened), I was shook. I was listening to the audiobook as I was literally driving to pick up my dinner and trying to hold back tears as I went into the restaurant to pay. So be warned. The ending - its intense.
And the ways that the characters interact with their environments is what really sells it all for me! 1920s New York seems so glamorous, so cool, so Gatsby. And sure, it was - for some people. For a lot of other people, it still really sucked and I’m glad Bray didn’t just gloss over the problems of the time. She really engages with the racist, sexist, classist, nationalistic attitudes at the time that I have found other YA books to gloss over. Again, I am no expert to say that she did so perfectly, but I know that for me personally, she really had me thinking more critically about the truth of our pasts.
I haven’t even gotten to the ghosts - how could I have forgotten (get it? ;)) I am such a chicken but by now, I knew going in that this book would be creepy and not to be read late at night. I did anyways, because I often couldn’t put it down. If you are a chicken like me, just be warned: there are scenes throughout that will have you jumping at every little sound or feeling like you aren’t the only one in the room… but in a good way. I promise!
All this to say, Before the Devil Breaks You was a fantastic third instalment and I cannot wait to jump right into The King of Crows. 10/10 recommend!
In terms of the plot, I think Before the Devil Breaks You really kicks things into gear in terms of the overarching plot that was developing and being hinted at in the first two books. We finally start to understand what all these ghosts and spooky happenings are all about. We finally start to unravel Project Buffalo’s past and the Diviner’s abilities. It was definitely rewarding to finally have some of the (many) questions get answers.
But what really makes this series for me is the characters and setting. First, the characters. THE CHARACTERS! I love the whole crew, I really do - I can’t choose a favourite! Whats great too is by now, we know all of the main characters well at this point, so we can really start digging deeper into their arcs and backstories (Theta, for example, really shines in this book). But I also love the representation that Bray continues to bring. Its not a #ownvoices story, and I can only go off of what other reviewers have said, but it seems like Bray really tries her best to do all of her characters the justice they deserve. Also I have to giver her major points for the asexuality rep - I need more of that!
Without spoiling anything, I would say that there is a sense throughout this book that something (sadly) needed to happen to one of the main crew. I had several theories throughout who was going to die, but when it happened (and how it happened), I was shook. I was listening to the audiobook as I was literally driving to pick up my dinner and trying to hold back tears as I went into the restaurant to pay. So be warned. The ending - its intense.
And the ways that the characters interact with their environments is what really sells it all for me! 1920s New York seems so glamorous, so cool, so Gatsby. And sure, it was - for some people. For a lot of other people, it still really sucked and I’m glad Bray didn’t just gloss over the problems of the time. She really engages with the racist, sexist, classist, nationalistic attitudes at the time that I have found other YA books to gloss over. Again, I am no expert to say that she did so perfectly, but I know that for me personally, she really had me thinking more critically about the truth of our pasts.
I haven’t even gotten to the ghosts - how could I have forgotten (get it? ;)) I am such a chicken but by now, I knew going in that this book would be creepy and not to be read late at night. I did anyways, because I often couldn’t put it down. If you are a chicken like me, just be warned: there are scenes throughout that will have you jumping at every little sound or feeling like you aren’t the only one in the room… but in a good way. I promise!
All this to say, Before the Devil Breaks You was a fantastic third instalment and I cannot wait to jump right into The King of Crows. 10/10 recommend!
joana_stormblessed's review
5.0
I am going to keep this review short and simple because I do not want to spoil the first 2 books in the series. I will say that this book has been my favorite. We finally cracked open the bigger mystery and the characters are learning more and more about the threat to the world.
I loved the characters so much in this book and I urge you to pick this up
I loved the characters so much in this book and I urge you to pick this up
dogmom198611's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
abaugher's review
5.0
Another amazing book about the diviners! Bray also made sure to put in a lot of great examples of oppression and prejudice and how unfair they are, all wrapped up in the epic story of Evie and friends. Beautifully done!