nytephoenyx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
5.0
Loved this book. Love Libba Bray. Love all these characters but Sam Lloyd is my absolute favorite at the moment. This carried the series so well and upped the stakes and the focus on eugenics and having that angry conversation as well as radical protestors and just. It’s so good. History driven fantasy is wonderful. The ghost story aspects are wonderful. Just loved it. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Xenophobia, Rape, Classism, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Religious bigotry
Minor: Deportation, Gun violence, and Ableism
This book includes characters who are Black, Chinese, disabled, Jewish, and gay. There are minor characters who are LatinX, Black, and Jewish. Eugenics is a central conversation in the book. It is very strongly opposed.overbooked207's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
- 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
4.0
📖 Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray Book Review 📖
2nd book of September 2022 and 28th of the year:
This was another great addition to the Diviners series with truly creepy moments, great mysteries, an amazing, lovable, and diverse cast of characters, important commentary and messages, the always beautiful found family trope, queer representation, disability representation, fantastic writing, and more! I think that Lair of Dreams is still my favorite of the three books I've read so far, but I still recommend the whole series as a whole and can’t wait to finish it hopefully soon! TW for death, violence, murder, mention of lobotomies and memory loss, discrimination, racism, antisemitism, eugenics, domestic abuse, blackmail, ableism, homophobia, alcohol, institutionalization, bomb/explosion, vomit, rape, sexual assault, gun violence, medical content/trauma, and grief📖🔮☠️🏳️🌈
2nd book of September 2022 and 28th of the year:
This was another great addition to the Diviners series with truly creepy moments, great mysteries, an amazing, lovable, and diverse cast of characters, important commentary and messages, the always beautiful found family trope, queer representation, disability representation, fantastic writing, and more! I think that Lair of Dreams is still my favorite of the three books I've read so far, but I still recommend the whole series as a whole and can’t wait to finish it hopefully soon! TW for death, violence, murder, mention of lobotomies and memory loss, discrimination, racism, antisemitism, eugenics, domestic abuse, blackmail, ableism, homophobia, alcohol, institutionalization, bomb/explosion, vomit, rape, sexual assault, gun violence, medical content/trauma, and grief📖🔮☠️🏳️🌈
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Child death, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexism, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed this more than the first two books, and holy crap the last 1/4 of the book! So much action, and some things I really didn't like, especially how one character is kind of just forgotten by the author. But I did find some of the more annoying/less-likable characters more tolerable and even likable in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Blood, Xenophobia, Stalking, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Murder, Racism, Domestic abuse, Violence, Gun violence, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Gore, Ableism, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Sexual content
ellanarose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Hate crime, Racism, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
bookswithjess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Rape
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Homophobia, Murder, and Violence
larareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, and Xenophobia
emilyplun's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Slavery
genny's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Whew, okay, how do I review this one? It was much more somber than I anticipated. This time there's no big mystery at the forefront, so while I'm glad we're finally seeing more of the whole "King of Crows" business, I feel like this lacked the structure (and whimsy) of the first two books. The revelations about Project Buffalo felt like a punch to the gut, and my opinions about certain characters went through a rollercoaster (looking at you, Bill Johnson!).
In other words: this hurt my heart. I loved that we finally got to see more of Mabel's perspective, though this did feel detached from the rest of the story. Her struggle with morality as she fights the good fight? How she both missed and resented Evie, and all that she represented? So good. I'm a little bitter that we won't see how she could've reconciled these inner conflicts. I don't even know how to feel about Jericho anymore (do read the content warnings...). That's not to say that everything's doom and gloom! We still get plenty of humor and the beautiful friendships between the cast (and Theta being a badass). As always, Sam's romance with Evie was a personal highlight.
I listened to the audiobook - amazing voice work, as expected. I will likely reread the entire series in print one day. I'm a bit scared of book 4 because I've heard its the weakest, and that's never a good thing to hear about a series' conclusion.
In other words: this hurt my heart. I loved that we finally got to see more of Mabel's perspective, though this did feel detached from the rest of the story. Her struggle with morality as she fights the good fight? How she both missed and resented Evie, and all that she represented? So good. I'm a little bitter that we won't see how she could've reconciled these inner conflicts.
Spoiler
Because, if you clicked on this and thus aren't afraid of spoilers, she dies. Holding the hand of a person who, for all his faults, really did love her. Again: ow, my heart. Bray just straight up killed main characters in the last 10% of the book, damn!I listened to the audiobook - amazing voice work, as expected. I will likely reread the entire series in print one day. I'm a bit scared of book 4 because I've heard its the weakest, and that's never a good thing to hear about a series' conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
Eugenics is discussed multiple times, with proponents advocating for racist, homophobic, and ableist beliefs. A character gets threatening messages from their abuser, who eventually tracks them down and acts controlling/threatening. Two female characters are forcefully kissed; one scene is more graphic, as the woman is attacked and held down. The diviners visit an asylum; some patients are there willingly, some aren't. A character shares that their mother suffered from a mental illness. Another character reminisces about their mother dying from cancer.christinetyared's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? No
3.5
I had similar feelings toward Lair of Dreams to this book. The main mystery plot, which focused on ghosts and asylums, was much more interesting to me than the plot in Lair of Dreams. This book is much darker and scarier and the stakes are higher. I feel like all the threads began to come together in this book, and everything was much easier to read and figure out. Despite that, the plot overall of this book is quite lacking, it’s a lot of filler (the filler in itself isn’t bad per-say, but it still is filler); it pretty much is the set up for the final book, so it’s not the most satisfying to read on its own. I think I’ve you’ve already read the first two books in the series, you might as well continue on with it because it still is good and continues a lot of the vibes from the rest of the books. Additionally, it dives deeper into themes of America’s past, racism, ableism, and other serious topics, which makes it a somewhat thought-provoking and also harrowing read.
Now onto the spoilers.
(CW: gun violence, sexual assault, bombings)
1. Sam. Just Sam. I feel in love with him in book 2 and I loved him in this book. He’s witty and charming and smug but also caring and sweet. I’ve always loved his dynamic with Evie, and I’m glad they finally got together. But he was kidnapped right after because you can never just be happy in stories like these.
2. Ling. Although she was a very minor character in this story, I loved the (albeit small) plot line of her sexuality. I was excited when I thought she was a lesbian, but then I was even more excited when I found out she was asexual. It’s always nice to see more asexual rep, and I look forward to see how things with her and Alma continue in the next book.
3. Theta. I loved her backstory and thought it was very interesting. I was really sad when she broke things off with Memphis, but happy they managed to figure things out because I love them together.
Things (aka people) I disliked:
1. Mabel. I’ve never liked her, she was just the boring best friend, and although she did get more character in this book, I didn’t like her any better. I thought the whole concept of her feeling like an outsider could be really compelling, but I don’t like how she acted as a result. Her plot seemed very irrelevant and the big part at the end also just didn’t need to happen. Which, lets talk about that for a minute.
2. The bombing at Marlowe’s exhibit. I cannot explain it but Mabel’s whole story gave me major Heathers vibes but not in a good way, and to me, her trying to stop Arthur from blowing up Marlowe’s exhibit reminds me of Veronica trying to stop JD from exploding Westerburg High. One issue is that Mabel changes her mind in a second. After working so hard to let go of her old ways and be corrupted, the fact that she flips back and tries to stop everything in one second just doesn’t seem right. I just thought the whole scene was way darker than it needed to be and just didn’t need to happen. I also want to point out that there is gun violence in the scene because I haven’t seen it brought up, and as a gun violence survivor it does impact me somewhat to read about it.
3. Jericho. Like Mabel, I’ve never liked Jericho. He was the definition of cardboard to me, he had no personality. And in my opinion, he and Mabel deserved each other. He got worse in this book. I understand how he could reflect a corrupted person, like the ideal person: a strong, macho, white, able bodied, male. But I didn’t like it in all honestly. Also at one point he sexually assaults Mabel, which is what ends the love triangle, and I don’t think sexual assault is an appropriate way to break off a love triangle. Many people have pointed it out that it’s useless.
Now onto the spoilers.
(CW: gun violence, sexual assault, bombings)
Spoiler
Let me start with specific things (aka people) I liked.1. Sam. Just Sam. I feel in love with him in book 2 and I loved him in this book. He’s witty and charming and smug but also caring and sweet. I’ve always loved his dynamic with Evie, and I’m glad they finally got together. But he was kidnapped right after because you can never just be happy in stories like these.
2. Ling. Although she was a very minor character in this story, I loved the (albeit small) plot line of her sexuality. I was excited when I thought she was a lesbian, but then I was even more excited when I found out she was asexual. It’s always nice to see more asexual rep, and I look forward to see how things with her and Alma continue in the next book.
3. Theta. I loved her backstory and thought it was very interesting. I was really sad when she broke things off with Memphis, but happy they managed to figure things out because I love them together.
Things (aka people) I disliked:
1. Mabel. I’ve never liked her, she was just the boring best friend, and although she did get more character in this book, I didn’t like her any better. I thought the whole concept of her feeling like an outsider could be really compelling, but I don’t like how she acted as a result. Her plot seemed very irrelevant and the big part at the end also just didn’t need to happen. Which, lets talk about that for a minute.
2. The bombing at Marlowe’s exhibit. I cannot explain it but Mabel’s whole story gave me major Heathers vibes but not in a good way, and to me, her trying to stop Arthur from blowing up Marlowe’s exhibit reminds me of Veronica trying to stop JD from exploding Westerburg High. One issue is that Mabel changes her mind in a second. After working so hard to let go of her old ways and be corrupted, the fact that she flips back and tries to stop everything in one second just doesn’t seem right. I just thought the whole scene was way darker than it needed to be and just didn’t need to happen. I also want to point out that there is gun violence in the scene because I haven’t seen it brought up, and as a gun violence survivor it does impact me somewhat to read about it.
3. Jericho. Like Mabel, I’ve never liked Jericho. He was the definition of cardboard to me, he had no personality. And in my opinion, he and Mabel deserved each other. He got worse in this book. I understand how he could reflect a corrupted person, like the ideal person: a strong, macho, white, able bodied, male. But I didn’t like it in all honestly. Also at one point he sexually assaults Mabel, which is what ends the love triangle, and I don’t think sexual assault is an appropriate way to break off a love triangle. Many people have pointed it out that it’s useless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
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