The Diviners Series, by Libba Bray - Starting July 30th 2019

[Felicia]

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-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

[Melany]

Memphis Campbell, Harlem, New York City (view spoiler)[ So far I really like Evie, I like she rebellious attitude, I really want to learn more about her power and, I kind of have the feeling that Memphis has powers too so I can't wait to learn more about him too (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

City of Dream (view spoiler)[ what is Naughty John is he just a ghost or spirit because I'm starting to think he's a demon (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

A Place in the World (view spoiler)[ I want to know more about the powers, about the "diviners". I want to know what they are exactly and what Sister Walker knows about them (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

And Death Shall Flee (view spoiler)[ I don't think this deal with Woodhouse is going to turn out well, I think Evie just messed up big time for attention... again (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Operation Jericho (view spoiler)[ I feeling Jericho likes Evie, I'm going to be a bit annoyed if there ends up being a love triangle between Evie, Sam, and Jericho (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Reckoning (view spoiler)[ Evie is acting like such a spoiled brat. I feel bad for Mabel, Evie keeps forcing her to do things she doesn't want to do. And I wonder who that woman was? I guessing it was a bad memory the way Will reacted (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

I've finished the book, overall I really enjoyed it and look forward to the rest of the series (view spoiler)[ tho I'm not looking for to all the drama that going to happen between Evie, Sam, Jericho and Mabel because Evie made out with Jericho (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

15% (view spoiler)[
I am enjoying this book so far. I am only a little ways into it, but I am getting into the plot. I am a little hesitant whenever a book describes every male character in it as extremely good-looking, but I doesn't seem to take away too much from the story. I also think Evie's power is rather unique as there aren't too many books (that I've read at least) where the MC has that ability. (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

We Make Our Own Luck (view spoiler)[ I really want to know how Sam's mother is involved with Project Buffalo and wonder if she is involved with what happed to Jericho. Also, did those people see Sam use his power? (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats (view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Jericho and Mabel, I know that Evie is trying to be selfless in this situation but the way it's going all 3 of them are going to end up hurt especially with Sam talking the tabloids that he and Evie are engaged (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Keep Out the Dead(view spoiler)[ I really think that Louis is dead and that Henry's father killed him (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

A New America (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Will let eugenics nutjobs fund his research, and good for Jericho! Evie is acting like a spoiled brat he should move on! I just hope he doesn't hurt Mabel (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Funny Feelings (view spoiler)[ I have a feeling that bringing Woodhouse into this is going to end up biting Evie in the ass, she shouldn't have told him about Sam's mom. Also, I'm getting whiplash over which boy (Sam or Jericho) is supposed to like, it annoying. (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Waking up (view spoiler)[ I think Wai-Mae is the woman in the vile and I still think Louise is also a ghost (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

I really want to get to this series in Sept/Oct so I’m excited there’s a thread for it which hopefully will still be active when I catch back up to add in new books!!

[Melany]

I'll try to keep it active!

[Melany]

Forget (view spoiler)[ If Henry dies I riot! (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Finished I really liked this book, even more than the first one!(view spoiler)[ I just really hope Evie can finally grow up in the next book. I am looking forward to seeing everyone being done with her shit. She was so selfish all book and at the end, Henry could have died and she tried to make it all about her (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

50% (view spoiler)[
I am enjoying this book, although there are certain things that are annoying. One is the lingo that Evie likes to use. I feel like she overuses "pos-i-tute-ly" and adding "-ski" to the end of words. Also, I find that sometimes the story doesn't go back a character POV for a while and then I forget who is who. Overall, though, Evie is a fun character. (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

75% (view spoiler)[
I admire Evie's bravery, but that house was really unnerving. It is hard to believe that someone would actually feel comfortable enough to go in there, and stick their hands under floorboards searching for objects, and trying to open the closed doors. It is almost unbelievable that she could be that unbothered by the house. At least she became more believable when she fell into the pitch-black basement and started hearing things. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I felt like it was a little longer than it needed to be, but the plot kept me interested. I liked all of the characters, although not as much as Gemma Doyle and her friends. Overall it was a good read, and I will be starting the next book shortly. 3.5/5 (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Parts 1-2
(view spoiler)[
I'm loving this roaring 20's occult obsession setting! I wonder if if something strange is going to happen with Evie's pen pal with the long hair.
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 3-4
(view spoiler)[
In real life, I'd probably find Theta to be an awful person, for how she's treating Daisy. But reading about her, she's kind of funny. I hope we read more about her.
Are Sam and Memphis the same person?
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 5-10
(view spoiler)[
Ok, so Sam and Memphis aren't the same person lol
Poor Gabe! Why Gabe???
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 11-end
(view spoiler)[
Honestly, I didn't see Jericho and Evie getting together at the beginning of the book. I saw Evie going for Sam. I also hadn't seen Blind Bill as a villain. But I guess that's what's great about Libba Bray's books. Her characters are human, and there are always one or two twists and turns that keep the story interesting. I can't wait to dive into the next book!
(hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Parts 1- 4
(view spoiler)[
I'm kind of glad that we aren't reading more from Evie's story line. She's kind of vexing right now, very full of herself with her lessons and radio show and leaving all of her friends behind for popularity from the masses. I feel for Henry... he's not able to be with his one true love due to family, or powers not strong enough in his dreams...
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 5- 8
(view spoiler)[
Poor Memphis... What's going on with Theta? The hot hands?
I like the Evie/ Sam, Jericho/ Mable relationships much more than Evie and Jericho. I think Same challenges Evie more. I'm curious about Project Buffalo. Is this a secret society of Diviners?
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 9- 12
(view spoiler)[
Did anyone else catch that Gemma Doyle easter egg?? My little Libba Bray fan heart was so. excited. to read that!
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 13-end
(view spoiler)[
This was another great Libba Bray book. It's interesting that the dark theme of taking from others to achieve personal happiness is present in both this series and in A Great and Terrible Beauty. In AGATB, one of the girls was given an awful hand in life, just like Wei Mei. Both girls sacrificed the dreams/ souls of others to feed their own happy world.

Though macabre, it's an interesting theme. How tempting is it to ignore the bottom 50% of those struggling with poverty, when one is in the top 1% and can choose to ignore the plight of others for the material comforts and happiness that the top 1% can afford?

Libba Bray gives fantastic voices to her characters, men and women alike. Her characters are human, make mistakes, and are enjoyably different from each other. It's engaging to watch them interact with each other when dealing with wraiths and ghosts and spirits and gin (*cough* the "spirits" kind).
(hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Parts 1- 4
(view spoiler)[
I'm tired of the "who-is-Evie-in-love-with" back and forth between Jericho and Sam. Evie's not a bad character, but she's not the only character. I like Theta and Memphis' relationship. They're cute! I hope that Theata can come clean to him before it gets wrenched from her and he finds out through someone else.
I like the new Mabel. She's confident in herself; she's becoming proud of her own attributes and isn't comparing herself as much. I like that Theta is helping Adelaide, and I hope that Adelaide is able to help her with whoever is sending those creepy notes...
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 5- 10
(view spoiler)[
Noooo!!! Theta, no!! Don't break things off with Memphis in fear of Roy!
I appreciate that Libba Bray gives a voice to a diverse cast of characters. And each is imperfectly wonderful.
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 11- 14
(view spoiler)[
My stomach was in knots when Jericho lost control and chased after Evie. On one hand, he's not really in control of himself, but that does not excuse the fact that it. is. not. okay. for anyone to have to go through something traumatic like that.
And what's going on with Sam's mom?
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 15-end
(view spoiler)[
So, the last few chapters of the book got really spicy. It was like a roaring 20s version of Hollywood prom nights - it seemed like all of the couples were getting together.
(hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Parts 1- 7
(view spoiler)[
I'm glad we're (at least mostly) over the Evie-Sam-Jericho love triangle. I love your writing, Bray, but that was beating a dead horse. Roy needs to go. The fact that he's with the KKK and is still hunting Theta down... she should just fire him. Literally.
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 8- 11
(view spoiler)[
Thank goodness Henry is safe! I hope that Memphis will stay safe too.. I like that the journalist is writing about things that matter, rather than just the local gossip. Even though he's getting some heat back, it seems that his run in with Will helped inspire some thirst for justice.
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 12- 18
(view spoiler)[
I like that Evie is giving her voice to Memphis. This is very much how we can all make the world a little better... offering what you can to help others. Whether it is giving back or paying it forward, lending a helping hand and sharing your opportunities with others can make a positive impact.
(hide spoiler)]

Parts 19- end
(view spoiler)[
This was a good book, and I appreciate how Bray ended the book on the cusp of World War II. Again, I appreciate the diverse cast of characters, as they help make civil rights a more personal fight for their readers. These books probably could have been shortened into a trilogy and it would have worked well. The plot hasn't really changed that much since book one - evil king of crows and the army of the dead coming for the living, sprinkled with friendship and relationship dramas. I wish there had been a little more to the king of crows story, to keep the book moving along.
(hide spoiler)]