Scan barcode
sweetpoet's review against another edition
5.0
All time favorite series. what more is there to say? I'm not even much a series person but this one sucked me in from page one. Historical new york, mixed with a ghost story, and teenagers with magical powers??? what more could you ask for??? learning about every character is a treat specially listening to the audiobook, my god..... Never herd such an amazing narrator, giving all 7 characters their own personality and voice????? And my teenage self thought Twilight was everything??? well I should have picked this up instead and It would have never crossed my mind weather I was team Jacob or Edward! When I could have been deciding if I was team Sam or Jericho??? If you have not picked this up yet, drop everything right this moment and go to your nearest library and or bookstore, find The Diviners. GO GO what are you waiting for??? You will thank me I promise.
gillybeanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
macymere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
5.0
Gonna rate it like... 4.75 stars? 4.85? We'll see I guess lool.
AAAAHHHH! You know that feeling when you finish a really good book and you just have to sit there and smile for a second? I call it The Book High, not sure if anyone else ever gets that. BUT my point is I am majorly experiencing that right now. This was... so many things. The romance actually gave me butterflies (that's big, in case you were wondering; usually I have a hard time connecting with romance!) It was sooo spooky and my Scaredy-cat heart was just pounding. The atmosphere was so flawless, this book was set in 1920s New York and everything from the way they talked to the fly-off-the-page beautiful descriptions to the myriad perspectives we got to see (everyone has such a richly-detailed backstory it's just so beautiful)... I mean I didn't necessarily WANT to be in 1920s New York, but man did I feel like I was there. I was truly along for the ride, whenever I picked this book up I just felt like I was on a journey. Everything around me just faded away and I was with these characters as the book slowly got more complicated and spooky... I could just go on and on. The plotting and well-placed perspectives and the sheer atmospheric-ness of this book was done so. Masterfully. It does cover some rough topics (racism, sexism, abuse, brief mention of abortion, very dark religions) I think it was all done so well. Everything still has to settle I guess, I'm having a hard time forming my thoughts right now, like it was very creepy but there was also some wonderful romance and character growth and playful banter. And the writing was unreal. Almost ethereal. Like I feel like the writing just made this whole story, I'm telling you it was GORGEOUS.
I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for: an atmospheric historical fiction, an Urban fantasy, something spooky, ghosts and fortune-tellers and demons galore, and some very richly explored andeveloped characters. An overall fantastic read.
AAAAHHHH! You know that feeling when you finish a really good book and you just have to sit there and smile for a second? I call it The Book High, not sure if anyone else ever gets that. BUT my point is I am majorly experiencing that right now. This was... so many things. The romance actually gave me butterflies (that's big, in case you were wondering; usually I have a hard time connecting with romance!) It was sooo spooky and my Scaredy-cat heart was just pounding. The atmosphere was so flawless, this book was set in 1920s New York and everything from the way they talked to the fly-off-the-page beautiful descriptions to the myriad perspectives we got to see (everyone has such a richly-detailed backstory it's just so beautiful)... I mean I didn't necessarily WANT to be in 1920s New York, but man did I feel like I was there. I was truly along for the ride, whenever I picked this book up I just felt like I was on a journey. Everything around me just faded away and I was with these characters as the book slowly got more complicated and spooky... I could just go on and on. The plotting and well-placed perspectives and the sheer atmospheric-ness of this book was done so. Masterfully. It does cover some rough topics (racism, sexism, abuse, brief mention of abortion, very dark religions) I think it was all done so well. Everything still has to settle I guess, I'm having a hard time forming my thoughts right now, like it was very creepy but there was also some wonderful romance and character growth and playful banter. And the writing was unreal. Almost ethereal. Like I feel like the writing just made this whole story, I'm telling you it was GORGEOUS.
I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for: an atmospheric historical fiction, an Urban fantasy, something spooky, ghosts and fortune-tellers and demons galore, and some very richly explored andeveloped characters. An overall fantastic read.
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
Individually, I liked most of the elements of this story. I really liked the feel of the 1920s era. I liked the supernatural elements. I liked the visceral horror. I liked several of the characters. (I didn't particularly like Evie, but I could see how her personality and decisions drove the story forward.) But those things didn't entirely come together in a satisfying whole, especially with story threads that didn't often come into contact. There was some tonal whiplash between the flapper nightlife and the supernatural horror (which could each have highlighted the other but felt disconnected instead), some thin characterisations, and the beginnings of a romance that didn't do a thing for me. While I realise that this book is the beginning of a series, the ending dragged as it proceeded from resolving the book's plot to moving all of its players into place for the next chapter.
I did enjoy the book, but I think I liked the idea of it more.
I did enjoy the book, but I think I liked the idea of it more.
threegoodrats's review against another edition
3.0
Good, but not my favorite Libby Bray. I liked the characters and the setting and it was way more creepy than I expected. There's a lot going on but it did feel like it was going on for a very long time. That may just be my own impatience or short attention span though.
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
On its surface parts, there are many things about "The Diviners" that feel like familiar story elements. rebellious teens seeking for thrills and their own independence. Mysterious pasts. Burgeoning abilities of a supernatural kind. Dark religious cults aimed at resurrections. Yet this is a story that proves that it is not the trope or theme that makes or breaks a book but what you do with them.
WHile there are certain elements and character arcs I'm sure anyone familiar with any of the relevant genres will be able to sauce out for themselves, there is something about this plot, the pacing, the intigration of the historical time period, it's casual and sparsely tossed clues about the bigger world and issues that might come to play later, and just the general unraveling of this groups journey that made it down right gripping. I absolutely sped through this.
There is no doubt in my mind that what I found so glorious about this book over all other things are the characters. Some of this cast completely have my heart. While I admit Evvie is probably actually my least favorite, I greatly appreciate the depth that a character that others see her as, the persona she inhabits and is for quite a while, isn't quite so simple. I love that she is called out at times. I am completely in love with Theta, Henry, and Jericho. I adore the relationship between Evvie's uncle Will and both his niece and Jericho. The fact that Memphis has such a complicated relationship with his brother and his aunt let alone what might be going on with his family is a welcomed inclusion. There is a great view at all types of families. Mabel shouldn't be underestimated even if she seems to trail behind Evvie's story. She feels like one that will have her time. While I appreciate that there is hinted more, Sam probably trails behind for me as his persona feels the most generic at least in the first novel. Then there are a few local characters who also end up having their own peculiar quirks and intentions that really fleshed out the cast and the world. I should not that the fact that I could even recall these names without having to look back at them says something given that I am notorious for forgetting such things immediately even when a book impresses me and the plot points and themes stick.
This was an absolutely wonderful ride. It may not be phenomenal for others, but for me this is one of those hit at just the right time and mood.
WHile there are certain elements and character arcs I'm sure anyone familiar with any of the relevant genres will be able to sauce out for themselves, there is something about this plot, the pacing, the intigration of the historical time period, it's casual and sparsely tossed clues about the bigger world and issues that might come to play later, and just the general unraveling of this groups journey that made it down right gripping. I absolutely sped through this.
There is no doubt in my mind that what I found so glorious about this book over all other things are the characters. Some of this cast completely have my heart. While I admit Evvie is probably actually my least favorite, I greatly appreciate the depth that a character that others see her as, the persona she inhabits and is for quite a while, isn't quite so simple. I love that she is called out at times. I am completely in love with Theta, Henry, and Jericho. I adore the relationship between Evvie's uncle Will and both his niece and Jericho. The fact that Memphis has such a complicated relationship with his brother and his aunt let alone what might be going on with his family is a welcomed inclusion. There is a great view at all types of families. Mabel shouldn't be underestimated even if she seems to trail behind Evvie's story. She feels like one that will have her time. While I appreciate that there is hinted more, Sam probably trails behind for me as his persona feels the most generic at least in the first novel. Then there are a few local characters who also end up having their own peculiar quirks and intentions that really fleshed out the cast and the world. I should not that the fact that I could even recall these names without having to look back at them says something given that I am notorious for forgetting such things immediately even when a book impresses me and the plot points and themes stick.
This was an absolutely wonderful ride. It may not be phenomenal for others, but for me this is one of those hit at just the right time and mood.
reader_4life's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
trin's review against another edition
2.0
Oh, reader -- I struggled.
I know a lot of people who love this book and, on the surface, I should too. It's a horror-tinged fantasy-mystery set in Jazz Age New York, with a diverse cast of characters whose plotlines intersect on the way to stopping a puritanical death cult. Great! In theory! But I just could not sink into it. First and foremost, I think, because there was just something about it that felt inherently faux to me: so much exaggerated '20s slang. Also, there's just an endless litany of characters and POV shifts, so you never really feel like you get to settle down with anybody. The interactions and relationships I kept hoping would happen/slowly form for the most part simply didn't.
The character we do spend the most time with is Evie, who unfortunately commits the cardinal sin of characters for me -- not, as some would think, being selfish or difficult or "unrelatable," but being really annoying. This book is 600 pages long and I'm not sure she evolves at all. Also, it stretches credulity to an extreme degree that she'd be allowed to visit crime scenes and investigate these murders in the first place. (The cop character in this book sucks also, not in a way that appears to be commentary, just in that he doesn't make any sense.)
Finally -- remember all those characters whose paths were going to converge? Well, they don't! I feel like a good 30-40% of this book or more is just set up for the rest of the series. Again, this novel is almost 600 pages and it cliffhangs more plot threads than it resolves. And not in an intriguing way: in a way that suggests you, the reader, has just had their wheels spun for most of the book. Argh! I did not enjoy this experience! Bray clearly has a lot of ideas, some of them interesting, but I find this a baffling and deeply unappealing way to structure a piece of writing. I will not be continuing.
Really glad I could put it to this successful series from 2012. But sometimes you just read something and you're like... ma'am, I have notes.
I know a lot of people who love this book and, on the surface, I should too. It's a horror-tinged fantasy-mystery set in Jazz Age New York, with a diverse cast of characters whose plotlines intersect on the way to stopping a puritanical death cult. Great! In theory! But I just could not sink into it. First and foremost, I think, because there was just something about it that felt inherently faux to me: so much exaggerated '20s slang. Also, there's just an endless litany of characters and POV shifts, so you never really feel like you get to settle down with anybody. The interactions and relationships I kept hoping would happen/slowly form for the most part simply didn't.
The character we do spend the most time with is Evie, who unfortunately commits the cardinal sin of characters for me -- not, as some would think, being selfish or difficult or "unrelatable," but being really annoying. This book is 600 pages long and I'm not sure she evolves at all. Also, it stretches credulity to an extreme degree that she'd be allowed to visit crime scenes and investigate these murders in the first place. (The cop character in this book sucks also, not in a way that appears to be commentary, just in that he doesn't make any sense.)
Finally -- remember all those characters whose paths were going to converge? Well, they don't! I feel like a good 30-40% of this book or more is just set up for the rest of the series. Again, this novel is almost 600 pages and it cliffhangs more plot threads than it resolves. And not in an intriguing way: in a way that suggests you, the reader, has just had their wheels spun for most of the book. Argh! I did not enjoy this experience! Bray clearly has a lot of ideas, some of them interesting, but I find this a baffling and deeply unappealing way to structure a piece of writing. I will not be continuing.
Really glad I could put it to this successful series from 2012. But sometimes you just read something and you're like... ma'am, I have notes.