Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 18th, 2012
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 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.
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.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)
Libba Bray has done it again! I cannot say enough good things about this book! It's not a huge secret or anything- I adore her! She has only written one book that I didn't LOVE, and even with that one, I liked it. (In case you're wondering which book that is, it's Going Bovine, which funny-enough, is the one that won awards...) I loved her Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing), and Beauty Queens was my 2nd favorite book of 2011. When I heard Libba had a new Historical/Paranormal series coming out, I was thrilled, but also a bit nervous about whether or not she could top the Gemma Doyle books (they are also Historical/Paranormal). Well, let me tell you, she has WELL outdone herself, because The Diviners was AMAZING!
First off, the timing of the release of this book was fantastic. It is such a creepy, nail-biter of a story, that reading it around Halloween is just perfect! I found myself reading late into the night, jumping at every little noise, and sleeping with the lights on. I wasn't expecting the creep-factor to be as high as it was, but it did so much for the story. And the story! It was so well executed, and so expertly paced, that it never seemed like it was the 592 page monstrosity that it was. It read as quickly as a book half its length. The plot was amazing, very original, and one that kept me guessing the entire time. I still have loads of questions, which ensures that I will be reading the second installment the moment I can get my hands on it. Honestly, though, the plot wasn't even the best part of this book...
Libba Bray is a very, VERY gifted writer, and her two biggest strengths are world building and character development. The Diviners was written from more than ten different points of view, and every single one was done extremely well. Developing that many different characters is hard enough, but to actually manage to write their POVs, without confusing the reader? Before I read this book, I would have said that it was impossible, but not only did Libba do it, she did it so that I really felt a connection to every one. There were characters I loved (Evie, Theta, Sam, Memphis), and then here were characters I loved to hate (Naughty John, Bill, The House), but there was not a single character that I didn't have an opinion of, and that is rare for me. The other thing Libba masterfully accomplished in this book was her depiction of the era and setting. Just WOW! She really did her research, capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, the Prohibition Era, and NYC as a living, breathing thing. I think one of the reasons I as able to read this book so quickly was that I felt like I was dropped into the story; I didn't feel like the reader of a story, but rather a participant, and that feeling had everything to do with Libba's world building.
Overall, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books this year; Libba takes the number two spot again! (Sorry, Libba, but nothing is going to touch David Levithan's beautiful, Every Day. Read my review HERE.) If you haven't already decided that you need to read The Diviners, let me be the one to tell you that you must! It is pos-i-tute-ly amazing!
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Grade Level Recommendation: This book is pretty scary, and there are some intensely graphic murders. Also, there is loads of drinking, as several scenes take place in speakeasies. No sex to speak of, and really not much language. I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade and up, as long as the reader isn't too easily spooked, and isn't intimidated by the length of the book. (ages 10+)
Libba Bray is a very, VERY gifted writer, and her two biggest strengths are world building and character development. The Diviners was written from more than ten different points of view, and every single one was done extremely well. Developing that many different characters is hard enough, but to actually manage to write their POVs, without confusing the reader? Before I read this book, I would have said that it was impossible, but not only did Libba do it, she did it so that I really felt a connection to every one. There were characters I loved (Evie, Theta, Sam, Memphis), and then here were characters I loved to hate (Naughty John, Bill, The House), but there was not a single character that I didn't have an opinion of, and that is rare for me. The other thing Libba masterfully accomplished in this book was her depiction of the era and setting. Just WOW! She really did her research, capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, the Prohibition Era, and NYC as a living, breathing thing. I think one of the reasons I as able to read this book so quickly was that I felt like I was dropped into the story; I didn't feel like the reader of a story, but rather a participant, and that feeling had everything to do with Libba's world building.
Overall, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books this year; Libba takes the number two spot again! (Sorry, Libba, but nothing is going to touch David Levithan's beautiful, Every Day. Read my review HERE.) If you haven't already decided that you need to read The Diviners, let me be the one to tell you that you must! It is pos-i-tute-ly amazing!
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Grade Level Recommendation: This book is pretty scary, and there are some intensely graphic murders. Also, there is loads of drinking, as several scenes take place in speakeasies. No sex to speak of, and really not much language. I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade and up, as long as the reader isn't too easily spooked, and isn't intimidated by the length of the book. (ages 10+)
** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of this book as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! Click HERE for details! International. Ends 11/01/2012 **
1. 
by Lauren Myracle~ If you read only one 2011 YA release, read this book! It was horrible and beautiful and raw. It will touch your very soul. This book will stay with me forever and I think everyone should read it. Read my review 
2. 
by Libba Bray~ I think this is the funniest book I've ever read. So full of social commentary, but in the snarkiest way imaginable. I've said this before, and I won't ever stop saying it; if the writing thing doesn't work out for Libba, she could make millions as a comedian. Read my review 
3. 
by Myra McEntire~ Daringly original, and intensely romantic. I could not put this down and enjoyed every moment I spent reading it. I can't express the must-read-ness of this book. Read my review 
4. 
by Lauren DeStefano~ Another Fabulously original story. I love dystopias, but I was getting sick of every new release trying to be The Hunger Games. It was so refreshing to read a new dystopia that had a totally original idea. Beautifully written and immediately engaging. Read my review 
5. 
by Carrie Ryan~ It doesn't even seem like this is a 2011 release. I was so anxiously awaiting this for most of 2010 and read it right away. I loved them all, but this was the best of the three books in the trilogy, which is one of my favorite series of all time. Read my review 
6. 
by Andrea Cremer~ I just got around to reading Nightshade this year,and kicked myself for not reading it sooner. I didn't make the same mistake with this book,and I liked it even better. Read my review 
7. 
by Gayle Forman~ It could be sentimentality, having loved If I Stay so much, but this book made me so very happy. It was just the closure I needed, and with so much emotion, good and bad. This pair of books will be with me for life. Read my review 
8. 
by Beth Revis~ I'm honestly not that huge on mushy-gushy romance. I'm 35, so I'm pretty jaded at this point. The fact that Beth Revis managed to write a wholly engaging YA Sci-fi novel that wasn't BASED on romance made me happy. I am currently hosting a giveaway of a signed copy of this book along with my review. Check both out 
9. 
by Jackson Pearce~ I liked Sisters Red, I loved Sweetly. I hold a grudge against Disney for their rape of the original fairy tales, and it makes me happy to read a re-telling that captures what they were originally about (gore and fear)! Read my review 
10. 
by Veronica Roth~ Fast paced and action packed. Gritty and unputdownable. Extremely original. Liked the idea behind it, loved the characters. Cannot wait for Insurgent to come out. If you like a good dystopia,you MUST read this book. Read my review 
