The Diviners by Libba Bray Review

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Hist-Fic, Mystery
Pages: 578
Source: Publisher

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.
Evie's life is just getting interesting. She's traded her dowdy hometown streets for the glamorous and lively life of New York City, and she couldn't be more excited. This is her chance to get out, to explore and to live her life like she's always wanted. But things are never quite that simple, or so Evie is about to learn. When murderous tragedies start springing up throughout the city, Evie and her eccentric uncle find themselves right in the middle of it all. Can Evie help figure out who's behind the murders, or will they take her down before she ever has the chance?

The first thing you'll notice when you pick up The Diviners is probably the fact that the book is massive. It would make one heck of a paperweight. However, you'd be sorely mistaken if you assume that that's how I've used my copy. Libba Bray is no stranger to the world of YA fiction, but The Diviners takes her out of that comfort zone we've come to know and associate with the veteran author. Jam-packed with action, this vivid story springs forth from the pages with immense detail, powerful action and characters with whom you can actually empathize and grow to love. 

I held off reading The Diviners for quite some time because, and I'll be honest here, the size of this novel is daunting. Nearly 600 pages, it's a very thick book, and one has to set aside a good measure of time in which to thoroughly read it. However, I can honestly say that I never felt bored or tired with the story. There are touches of gruesome darkness that perfectly contrast the glittering lights of the city and the air of excitement that Evie has when she reaches New York. We're given stark contrasts of light and dark, but we're also given this underbelly of a world when we explore the truth behind the Diviners and their role in the murder spree. Evie, too, was an enjoyable character. While she was, at times, childish and melodramatic, I think it actually lent a very honest air to her transformation as she navigates this new world in which she lives. She has a surprising depth, as well, which provides a relief from the tension of the novel. At times, I did feel as though The Diviners was a bit too unnecessarily descriptive, however, it's hard to find too much of an issue with it because the writing is fluid, complex and beautiful throughout. The ending is a non-ending, but the foreshadowing has me begging to find out just what happens next. 

Overall, I was thoroughly surprised by The Diviners. I don't know why, really, but I didn't expect too much, and I found myself lost in its world for days. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy mysteries, historical fiction and touches of paranormal.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

24 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this one, too. I was daunted by the size, too (I rarely read books this thick due to the size of my TBR pile), but found it really engrossing. I liked the time period and thought the bad dude was sufficiently scary. Great review!
    -Natalie @Natflix&Books

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  2. I haven't read this one yet - I guess I'm waiting like you were! I actually have several books set in the 20s and I keep thinking I'll have a mini-20s readathon and get through them all at once.

    Yeah, I'm having a lot of luck making time for that. Maybe I should give it up and just pick this one up!

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  3. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Melissa! You're right, that ending definitely leaves us anxiously waiting for more---there so many stories left untold! I actually didn't even realize it would be a series until I finished this one. It was a daunting thickness, but worth every word!

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  4. I've had this one on my shelf for a while, but like you, I'm intimidated by the sheer size of the book! I do mean to read it soon though, as the setting and time period (New York in the 20s) is already something that I'm looking forward to experiencing!

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  5. I really liked this one too, but I wasn't too thrilled that many of the characters were unnecessary to this story and so much of it seems to be setting things up for the next book. Still it was an interesting story.


    Tanya Patrice
    Girlxoxo.com

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  6. I'm so jealous you got a review copy of this book. (It's set to be a series of four). I've been holding off buying it (because I'll never finish it from the library in the three week time limit) until I have a good chunk of time to sit and read it. I'm glad to see it's getting such good reviews, though.

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  7. This one was one of my absolute favourites of 2012. 5 stars without hesitation. Just reading your review makes me want to reread it already!

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  8. Wow, the Diviners sounds like it could surprise me in a good way! Plus, once in a while I need a nice thick book to keep me busy, especially if I am drawn in. Great Review :)

    New Follower

    Emily @ Counting in Bookcases

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  9. I'm reading this one right now and I agree, I love the contrast between the light and dark and Libba Bray does a brilliant job balancing everything. I also absolutely LOVE the 1920's setting! I totally know what you mean about setting aside the time to read the book since it is such a behemoth of a story. It's definitely daunting! However, I think it's worth it. :)

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  10. The setting is totally alive in this book and, yes, I agree this book is worth the daunting size, too!

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  11. Thank you! And yes...I think most YA fans will really enjoy this one. It was surprisingly really, really good.

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  12. I can't believe I took so long to review it!

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  13. It's really, really good. I think you'd love it!

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  14. Evie definitely was the highlight of all the characters, but it was almost refreshing to have such a well-rounded heroine!

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  15. You'll love it, Alexa! The size of the book worried me, but it moves really, really fast.

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  16. Do it! It's well worth the size, I promise!

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  17. thank you! yes, it was worth it, despite the huge size of the novel...it kept moving and the pace was fantastic!

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  18. I just read The Diviners myself and was very impressed with it. It was a long book, but, as you said, never felt really long, and for me nothing seemed unnecessary. My only complaint was that I didn't connect enough with the characters, but Bray has 3 more books coming to make me love them. I thought it was such a unique and compelling book!

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  19. Oh my geez! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I LOVED it and could not get enough. I need the sequel! Right now!

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  20. I LOVE Libbar Bray's Gemma Doyle but I haven't finished any of her contemporary. I have this book and yes, the massive size is scaring me away from it! Glad you loved it so much though, so I'll need to read it asap!

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  21. Oh my geez! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I LOVED it and could not get enough. I need the sequel! Right now!

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  22. This was a four star read for me too. I loved the character of Evie - but she kind of overshadowed all the other characters. Hoping to find out more about them in the next book!

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  23. You will NOT be disappointed – it’s SUCH a fantastic novel – I’m even up for re-reading it!

    Marlene Detierro (Ad Wizards)

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  24. I have enjoyed everything I have read from this author from A Great and Terrible Beauty to Beauty Queens. Not only is she a powerful storyteller, but she writes engaging social commentary with a touch of irony. The incredible research that went into the chosen background time period is obvious and very well done. If ever I become famous enough to merit a biography, this is the author I chose r. Until then, keep up the great work.

    Mariz
    Get Best Info for Ipe Decking information

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