The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) in Libba Bray Lovers!

Dec 05, 2013 Kate rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, historical-fiction, favorites

Libba Bray does not disappoint. I spent all of yesterday’s afternoon reading The Diviners, as soon as I acquired it from the library. I didn’t think I would like it at first, because I am not the biggest Gatsby fan, but don’t let that put you off if you feel the same way! The Diviners is amazing. I know from my description it seems that Evie is the centre of the story, but Memphis, Theta, Jericho, Sam and others are just as amazing and interesting as her. It was also the first time since “The Th Libba Bray does not disappoint. I spent all of yesterday’s afternoon reading The Diviners, as soon as I acquired it from the library. I didn’t think I would like it at first, because I am not the biggest Gatsby fan, but don’t let that put you off if you feel the same way! The Diviners is amazing. I know from my description it seems that Evie is the centre of the story, but Memphis, Theta, Jericho, Sam and others are just as amazing and interesting as her. It was also the first time since “The Thirteenth Tale” that I’ve been scared out of my wits while reading a book - I jumped when my friend rang the doorbell! Libba Bray is an amazing writer and a master at immersing you into the book’s atmosphere - I felt that way while reading The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, but she does so with The Diviners to an even larger extent. I realised only on page 500 or so that this was goign to be a part of a series, which made me immensely happy!
Obviously a lot of research went into the book, and you really do feel like you’re roaming the streets of flappers’ New York. Don’t let Naughty John get you though - you can hide in a speakeasy and watch the dancers while drinking gin! Bray doesn’t brush off the negative aspects of the era either - racism was still very prevalent then and the Americans had a mentality of “America is for Americans” and The Chinese Exclusion Act as well as the Immigration Act were coming into force then. To quote Libba from author’s note - “Often, the monsters we create in our imagination are not nearly as frightening as the monstrous acts perpetrated by ordinary human beings in the aim of one cause or another”. This is one of the many lessons Evie and others learn during their character development, which I felt was somewhat lacking in The Gemma Doyle series. However, Libba more than makes up for it in The Diviners, and I simply cannot wait until August to read “Lair of Dreams”! My rating of The Diviners is 9/10 - would have been 10/10 if I didn’t have to look up all the 1920s jargon and Libba didn’t hint at the love triangle! ...more

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Jun 11, 2014 Marie Siller rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, creepy-in-a-good-way, supernatural

WHERE IS THE SEQUEL I DEMAND IT. This book was SO creepy an disturbing but not so much that it drove me away. I have a bit of a problem with gore, but this book didn;t go over the top with it. Maybe that's a low point for some people, but I was relieved that this book didn't rely on gross shock factor to keep it interesting when a less able author might have. I love all of Evie's friends and relatives from Jericho to Uncle Will. I felt that the love interest (trying not to give spoilers) part of ...more

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