arirene's review against another edition
5.0
I've been in a reading slump for what feels like forever...
It in all reality has probably only been two weeks, BUT THAT DOSENT REALLY MATTER.
The point is this book was my lifeline, my best friend, my piece of resistance, the fire extinguisher in the midst of the dumpster fire that is my trivial existence.
and I'd like the give a big thank you to this piece of beautiful literature.
Now, this whole journey started the fateful day that I saw someone say that if you like supernatural, you should read this book.
I have two words. SAY LESS.
I picked this up immediately and devoured it.
It was a twisty, dark, paranormal masterpiece set in the 1920s. This book took loads of different lore on SO MANY different creatures and blended it all together and built a beautiful world with it.
The whole setting of 1920s New York was oddly comforting? even though people were literally getting violent murdered. Maybe that's just my problem with romanticizing danger showing, but honestly it was such a mood.
In addition to the stunning world building, somehow Libba managed to write characters with supernatural powers, and it didn't feel overdone and generic trope. Like, I very genuinely forgot that other characters in other books how paranormal abilities. Im not sure how that happened, but it did.
Her characters were fun, flawed and fantastic! (see what I did there. I like alliteration) Evie in particular was such a fun character, she is a gaslighting, gatekeeping, girlboss and I can support that.
overall : READ IT. especially if you enjoy slow-burn paranormal mysteries. This sucker was long but sooooooooo worth it.
It lived up to the standard.
I, a fan of supernatural, did infact adore it.
It in all reality has probably only been two weeks, BUT THAT DOSENT REALLY MATTER.
The point is this book was my lifeline, my best friend, my piece of resistance, the fire extinguisher in the midst of the dumpster fire that is my trivial existence.
and I'd like the give a big thank you to this piece of beautiful literature.
Now, this whole journey started the fateful day that I saw someone say that if you like supernatural, you should read this book.
I have two words. SAY LESS.
I picked this up immediately and devoured it.
It was a twisty, dark, paranormal masterpiece set in the 1920s. This book took loads of different lore on SO MANY different creatures and blended it all together and built a beautiful world with it.
The whole setting of 1920s New York was oddly comforting? even though people were literally getting violent murdered. Maybe that's just my problem with romanticizing danger showing, but honestly it was such a mood.
In addition to the stunning world building, somehow Libba managed to write characters with supernatural powers, and it didn't feel overdone and generic trope. Like, I very genuinely forgot that other characters in other books how paranormal abilities. Im not sure how that happened, but it did.
Her characters were fun, flawed and fantastic! (see what I did there. I like alliteration) Evie in particular was such a fun character, she is a gaslighting, gatekeeping, girlboss and I can support that.
overall : READ IT. especially if you enjoy slow-burn paranormal mysteries. This sucker was long but sooooooooo worth it.
It lived up to the standard.
I, a fan of supernatural, did infact adore it.
aspirin's review against another edition
3.0
Fun characters, fun aesthetics, but that can't carry me through 400+ pages. Too long. Probably won't read the sequels, but it was time okay spent.
lexieb's review against another edition
4.0
Libba Bray being her usual fantastic self. Highly recommended, but not highly recommended for bedtime reading.
Also, I have to say: if I tried to write a plot this complex, my head would implode.
Also, I have to say: if I tried to write a plot this complex, my head would implode.
theawkwardbookw's review against another edition
4.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
VIDEO REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMVRxlG0DWk
4.5 Stars
Set in 1926, this book follows a young 17 year old with an extraordinary gift. After an unfortunate incident at a house party, Evie O'Niel has just been exiled from Ohio to New York to live with her Uncle Will, the head of The Museum of Creepy Crawlies. A body is discovered with a strange symbol carved into it, her uncle is called onto the scene of the murder. Evie decides that with her supernatural abilities that no one knows about, she may be able to help solve the murder case. A boy named Memphis Campbell is caught between two worlds, a girl named Theta is trying to run away from her past and a student named Jericho who is trying to hide a secret.
I LOVED THIS BOOK - I did not want it to end! The writing style is incredible and mysterious and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I loved how each characters stories ended up interweaving together by the end of the book. The plot was so immersive and intriguing I felt instantly connected to the story and wanted to know more about these characters. Each character was so unique and different from the next and it was easy to tell who's perspective you were reading from. I loved Evie - she was so sarcastic and always wanted to be the centre of attention causing her to be selfish at times, but she cared about the ones she loved and wanted the best for them. I really liked how the focus was mainly on the mystery and magic instead of the romances in the book. I loved the concept of The Diviners and their powers and can't wait to read more about them!! I'm only giving it 4.5 instead of 5 stars because at times I did find the pacing to be a bit slow and that the book could have been a bit shorter, but overall I really loved the book! I'm left with so many questions and I need to find the sequel ASAP.... This was my first Libba Bray book but you can bet I'm going to go read more of her work in the future!
VIDEO REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMVRxlG0DWk
4.5 Stars
Set in 1926, this book follows a young 17 year old with an extraordinary gift. After an unfortunate incident at a house party, Evie O'Niel has just been exiled from Ohio to New York to live with her Uncle Will, the head of The Museum of Creepy Crawlies. A body is discovered with a strange symbol carved into it, her uncle is called onto the scene of the murder. Evie decides that with her supernatural abilities that no one knows about, she may be able to help solve the murder case. A boy named Memphis Campbell is caught between two worlds, a girl named Theta is trying to run away from her past and a student named Jericho who is trying to hide a secret.
I LOVED THIS BOOK - I did not want it to end! The writing style is incredible and mysterious and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I loved how each characters stories ended up interweaving together by the end of the book. The plot was so immersive and intriguing I felt instantly connected to the story and wanted to know more about these characters. Each character was so unique and different from the next and it was easy to tell who's perspective you were reading from. I loved Evie - she was so sarcastic and always wanted to be the centre of attention causing her to be selfish at times, but she cared about the ones she loved and wanted the best for them. I really liked how the focus was mainly on the mystery and magic instead of the romances in the book. I loved the concept of The Diviners and their powers and can't wait to read more about them!! I'm only giving it 4.5 instead of 5 stars because at times I did find the pacing to be a bit slow and that the book could have been a bit shorter, but overall I really loved the book! I'm left with so many questions and I need to find the sequel ASAP.... This was my first Libba Bray book but you can bet I'm going to go read more of her work in the future!
readbycoco_yt's review against another edition
4.0
*listened to on Audible*
New York. 1920’s. The occult. Mystery.
Sign me the heck up.
This story is, as Evie would say, “the cats meow”.
I liked the characters, and I felt really immersed in the time period. It was almost like traveling back in time, in that sense. I also really enjoyed the supernatural storyline. It may have been nice to have a little bit more lore and mythology in the story, but that’s just because I love lore and mythology.
Because I listened to this book instead of reading a physical copy... and because I picked it up in the middle of the semester... I wasn’t AS engaged with it as I’d have liked. But I feel like that was more circumstantial than a result of any flaw in the story.
All in all I think this is a great story that I would love to pick up a physical copy of some time soon. 4/5 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
New York. 1920’s. The occult. Mystery.
Sign me the heck up.
This story is, as Evie would say, “the cats meow”.
I liked the characters, and I felt really immersed in the time period. It was almost like traveling back in time, in that sense. I also really enjoyed the supernatural storyline. It may have been nice to have a little bit more lore and mythology in the story, but that’s just because I love lore and mythology.
Because I listened to this book instead of reading a physical copy... and because I picked it up in the middle of the semester... I wasn’t AS engaged with it as I’d have liked. But I feel like that was more circumstantial than a result of any flaw in the story.
All in all I think this is a great story that I would love to pick up a physical copy of some time soon. 4/5 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
hoosgracie's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this! Especially excellent on audio. Set in the 1920s it tells the story of multiple teens with special talents.
gregoreads's review against another edition
5.0
Reread 2020: Still loved it, but 4.5 stars, maybe even 4 but I want to be generous because I love Libba Bray. This book is quite long, but it doesn’t feel that way. It has a great cast of characters, spooky plot, and wonderful writing. Sometimes the chemistry wasn’t really there between characters; Evie’s love triangle still doesn’t really interest me and there was a big case of instalove that was a bit much and didn’t have time to be fully explored. I’m so looking forward to finally finishing this series!
Original 2014 Review: I loved it! I'm a big Libba Bray fan, with Gemma Doyle standing as one of my favourite series, and this book did not disappoint. I got it when it came out but I'm really glad I waited so long to pick it up, because the wait to August 2015 would have really killed me.
The 20s plus a crazy scary ghost antagonist?? Sign me upppp. Most of the characters are really loveable and the plot keeps things moving and interesting. Evie's love triangle didn't actually interest me that much but other relationships did. Overall, Naughty John is scary and I'm really excited for Lair of Dreams. (Not so excited about the cover change)
Original 2014 Review: I loved it! I'm a big Libba Bray fan, with Gemma Doyle standing as one of my favourite series, and this book did not disappoint. I got it when it came out but I'm really glad I waited so long to pick it up, because the wait to August 2015 would have really killed me.
The 20s plus a crazy scary ghost antagonist?? Sign me upppp. Most of the characters are really loveable and the plot keeps things moving and interesting. Evie's love triangle didn't actually interest me that much but other relationships did. Overall, Naughty John is scary and I'm really excited for Lair of Dreams. (Not so excited about the cover change)
minorasimulator's review against another edition
5.0
Although the start is a little slow (a lot slow - I read 70% of this in the past three or so days) this book is worth the intial struggle. What Libba Bray is trying to do is create an in-depth paranormal New York, and she spares no expense at doing so. It was refreshing to have the perspective of the other characters, and also to be able to read such a well thought out mystery. I'm thoroughly looking forward to picking up Lair of Dreams next year!
gretelchen's review against another edition
2.0
How am I supposed to feel the tiniest bit of sympathy for a protagonist who is tasked with setting up her good friend with the guy her good friend has pined for forever...and uses that time to snag the guy all for herself with no remorse, guilt, or acknowledgment or discussion or asking "hey is it okay if," with said friend????
Mabel, I'm so sorry, sweetie. I'm so sorry that an ugly a** b**ch like Evie would even do that, oh my gosh
The Two Stars are for how effectively horrifying and disturbing the supernatural scenes were.