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dianna_reads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blairfrank's review
4.0
Not as good as the first one, but I will be reading the next book in the series.
jaxness's review
3.0
3.5
Although it took me forever to finish this book, by the end i really enjoyed it. It was better than the first book.
Although it took me forever to finish this book, by the end i really enjoyed it. It was better than the first book.
hippolyta_vi's review
I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, though I can't really put a star rating on it - a number won't die Libba Bray's storytelling justice.
I don't belong to any of the marginalized communities she includes, but it seems like she really does them justice and that there was a lot of research and consultation involved in the making of the Diviners series. It's the dedication to her craft that will make me pick up the last few book in the series.
One fault would be the length of the book. Some call for less perspectives, but I actually really enjoy multiple character perspectives. It keeps me on my toes. However, I could do with less of the POVs of random citizens falling ill or dying. I got it the first time, and the second time, I don't really need any more exposition than that. I guess it's purpose is to spook the reader?
I don't belong to any of the marginalized communities she includes, but it seems like she really does them justice and that there was a lot of research and consultation involved in the making of the Diviners series. It's the dedication to her craft that will make me pick up the last few book in the series.
One fault would be the length of the book. Some call for less perspectives, but I actually really enjoy multiple character perspectives. It keeps me on my toes. However, I could do with less of the POVs of random citizens falling ill or dying. I got it the first time, and the second time, I don't really need any more exposition than that. I guess it's purpose is to spook the reader?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Blood
linzthebookworm's review
5.0
It took me a while to get into Lair of Dreams. At first, it was incredibly slow paced, and I just couldn't get into it. Once I actually got into it I was hooked! It's definitely worth the effort to really get into it. I felt like the world created was exceptionally well done. I thought the historical details and 20's slang were a nice touch. The dream world that was created was incredible. I love not only the details of the dream land but also the purpose those details served.
I really enjoy the characters, but Henry is my favorite. I'm so glad that he was able to really shine in this book. He's very witty, charming, and has a great sense of humor. I usually am not a fan of books with a lot of characters, especially when the book switches between the characters frequently. I felt the way the story transitions between different characters actually worked really well. What's even more surprising is that they each have their own quirks, struggles, powers, and backstory, but then they also each grow in some fashion. They aren't just flat characters.
For my complete review check out: http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-lair-of-dreams-by-libba-bray.html
I really enjoy the characters, but Henry is my favorite. I'm so glad that he was able to really shine in this book. He's very witty, charming, and has a great sense of humor. I usually am not a fan of books with a lot of characters, especially when the book switches between the characters frequently. I felt the way the story transitions between different characters actually worked really well. What's even more surprising is that they each have their own quirks, struggles, powers, and backstory, but then they also each grow in some fashion. They aren't just flat characters.
For my complete review check out: http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-lair-of-dreams-by-libba-bray.html
chelseatm's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the writing but the story took a while to get going and I could have made due with two less characters. In addition, I would have liked to read more of Evie rather than the Henry plotline. It's a good connecting series book but I think it would have been a lot better trimmed down.
megancmahon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoilers!
Well, this was awesome. I thought it was a bit slower and definitely less spooky than the last one, though.
As always notions of the American dream come up beautifully here - both its promises and its failings. I LOVED all the little vignettes from everyone who was affected by the sleeping sickness, and about the other side characters - Sister Walker, Adelaide Proctor - who are involved with the Diviners in some way. The atmosphere of Jazz Age New York and all the historical details Bray adds really make the story come alive.
But, as always, it's her characters who truly shine!
Memphis: Love this man and his (literal) healing journey! It was so cool to watch him come back into his power, and to watch his relationship with Theta develop. Though I wish we got more from them, and from his relationship with Isaiah.
Theta: i want more i want more i want more. She's such an awesome character; so tough and strong but with a heart of gold, so loyal to her friends yet not taking their shit. She's perfect. AND I WANT MORE OF HER DEVELOPMENT.
Henry: 10/10, no notes. His relationship with Louis made me WEEP.
Ling: LOVED her POV, and learning about 1920s Chinatown and New York Chinese culture through her. She was also just a really interesting character with a neat backstory and a cool ability - she also had a LOT of bite, which I enjoyed.
Evie, Jericho, Sam: oof. At first, I respected Evie for rejecting Jericho because of Mabel. After all, that is what best friends do. But she and Sam did Jericho DIRTY in this one. I like Sam on the whole (though I think I like Jericho better) and I like that he's got a mission and sticks to it. But I don't like that he doesn't really see that he's as selfish as Evie is, just with different motives (finding his mother). I also don't like that he was so unkind to her towards the end. Yes, she was acting like a brat, but she's got CLEAR PTSD not only from horrible trauma in her childhood but from solving a murder?? I think Evie is a brilliantly written character in that I don't always like or agree with what she's doing, but I do understand where she's coming from. In this one I mostly just wanted to get her to therapy. As for Jericho, I'm a little uneasy about where his character development is taking him. When he was talking about "if I was the stellar American I could have Evie" that gave me a tiny ick...trust her when she says it's not about you. I am afraid.
OVERALL I loved it. I can't WAIT to read the third.
Well, this was awesome. I thought it was a bit slower and definitely less spooky than the last one, though.
As always notions of the American dream come up beautifully here - both its promises and its failings. I LOVED all the little vignettes from everyone who was affected by the sleeping sickness, and about the other side characters - Sister Walker, Adelaide Proctor - who are involved with the Diviners in some way. The atmosphere of Jazz Age New York and all the historical details Bray adds really make the story come alive.
But, as always, it's her characters who truly shine!
Memphis: Love this man and his (literal) healing journey! It was so cool to watch him come back into his power, and to watch his relationship with Theta develop. Though I wish we got more from them, and from his relationship with Isaiah.
Theta: i want more i want more i want more. She's such an awesome character; so tough and strong but with a heart of gold, so loyal to her friends yet not taking their shit. She's perfect. AND I WANT MORE OF HER DEVELOPMENT.
Henry: 10/10, no notes. His relationship with Louis made me WEEP.
Ling: LOVED her POV, and learning about 1920s Chinatown and New York Chinese culture through her. She was also just a really interesting character with a neat backstory and a cool ability - she also had a LOT of bite, which I enjoyed.
Evie, Jericho, Sam: oof. At first, I respected Evie for rejecting Jericho because of Mabel. After all, that is what best friends do. But she and Sam did Jericho DIRTY in this one. I like Sam on the whole (though I think I like Jericho better) and I like that he's got a mission and sticks to it. But I don't like that he doesn't really see that he's as selfish as Evie is, just with different motives (finding his mother). I also don't like that he was so unkind to her towards the end. Yes, she was acting like a brat, but she's got CLEAR PTSD not only from horrible trauma in her childhood but from solving a murder?? I think Evie is a brilliantly written character in that I don't always like or agree with what she's doing, but I do understand where she's coming from. In this one I mostly just wanted to get her to therapy. As for Jericho, I'm a little uneasy about where his character development is taking him. When he was talking about "if I was the stellar American I could have Evie" that gave me a tiny ick...trust her when she says it's not about you. I am afraid.
OVERALL I loved it. I can't WAIT to read the third.
greenleafbooks's review
5.0
This book is so amazing. It made me cry, laugh, and overall care about and with the characters. Libba bray is so good at writing characters, foreshadowing, and setting I just can’t believe how good it is. I love how this book expanded on the characters from book one, but also Introduced new ones like Ling Chan who I love. I still have so many questions and there are so many mysteries that have not been solved yet, but I’m so exited to see how they are addressed in the next book, and how now all the characters are working together. I’m not one to usually enjoy historical settings in books, but man is this one heck of a series.
kathafe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75