mollymoriarty8 's review for:

The Diviners by Libba Bray

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious 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: Yes

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Fun read with a great setting and cast of characters. The audiobook was great too. My only annoyance was that the 1920s slang was very heavy-handed. But the story kept me invested, and I'll be continuing with the series for sure. It bounces between several narratives and the characters slowly come together. I picked this up for distracting fiction, and I was surprised how diverse and well-researched it was. Super atmospheric with a backdrop of 20s NYC, AND creepy old house for some added haunt. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore, Murder

Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion

one character's backstory (

Theta's

) includes domestic abuse and a brief rape scene that cuts off as soon as it's clear that's what will happen. An abortion follows, and there is also a brief description of a disreputable/scary apartment where abortions are performed. The character goes elsewhere. It's all contained in a single chapter that would be easy to skip over. Book also follows a serial killer and police investigation, which includes descriptions of ritualistic murders. Violence and some gore, including at least 2 animals (dog and rabbit, neither pets). More atmospheric/vivid imagery (think Halloween) than true horror or body horror.