drowningfaithh's review against another edition
5.0
The vibe & atmosphere of this book? BANGER. The first chapter gave me chills immediately and now I'm wondering why I haven't read more books in this genre. It really interested me because eerie vibe + unnatural abilities like x-men + murder mystery + historical setting = such an amazing book. I got a lot of goosebumps multiple times throughout reading the book. Although, I would agree with some that say it was kind of slow and that nothing much occurred. More vibes and character backstories, less plot, I would say? But I didn’t mind one bit.
I absolutely love the majority of the characters; Evie, Theta, Sam, and Henry are my favorites so far. I even grew attached to Uncle Will. My least would be Jericho. Evie mentioned how boring he was in the beginning, and that description stuck with me until the end. Speaking of Jericho, where did that romance come from? He was suddenly interested in Evie and that’s all he became—a love interest. I didn’t even feel anything for him after he told Evie his story. Hopefully, I could grow to like him.
In contrast, Sam and Evie immediately displayed off-the-charts chemistry from their first meeting. I stopped myself from shipping them because I thought we’d only see Sam once. Fortunately, that was not the case. Damn, Sam Lloyd is making me realize that I may have a thing for conmen and pickpockets. Anyway, girlie is clearly in love with Sam, but somehow a love triangle with Jericho was formed. Hoping for Sam and Evie endgame, OR ELSE.
Super excited to read the next installment! <3
I absolutely love the majority of the characters; Evie, Theta, Sam, and Henry are my favorites so far. I even grew attached to Uncle Will. My least would be Jericho. Evie mentioned how boring he was in the beginning, and that description stuck with me until the end. Speaking of Jericho, where did that romance come from? He was suddenly interested in Evie and that’s all he became—a love interest. I didn’t even feel anything for him after he told Evie his story. Hopefully, I could grow to like him.
In contrast, Sam and Evie immediately displayed off-the-charts chemistry from their first meeting. I stopped myself from shipping them because I thought we’d only see Sam once. Fortunately, that was not the case. Damn, Sam Lloyd is making me realize that I may have a thing for conmen and pickpockets. Anyway, girlie is clearly in love with Sam, but somehow a love triangle with Jericho was formed. Hoping for Sam and Evie endgame, OR ELSE.
Super excited to read the next installment! <3
nicisblitzed's review against another edition
4.0
I ended up enjoying this a lot by like, the last 100-200 pages. The ending was enjoyable but most of the book had me so bored. I can't wait to see what happens in the other books
alindstadtcorbo's review against another edition
5.0
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
I LOVED this!!!!! RTC - On to Lair of Dreams!
I LOVED this!!!!! RTC - On to Lair of Dreams!
res224's review against another edition
3.0
*3.25
I've been trying to come up with some coherent, intelligent thoughts on this book, and I've realised that the simple fact is that I don't have all that many (about the book, and unfortunately maybe also in general).
Like a lot of YA fantasy I've read in the past year, it's enjoyable and fun but ultimately gives me satisfaction as fleeting gorging on junk food.
I think this is a strong addition to the YA paranormal genre: a colourful historical setting with a diverse and three-dimensional cast of characters. I particularly loved Evie's sassy quips and the way that Bray doesn't use the good girl main character trope.
While not particularly scary, I did think that the plot was compelling enough and exciting.
Ultimately though, I don't think it will be enough for me to continue with the series, though I know that this would have been a favourite for my sixteen-year-old self.
I've been trying to come up with some coherent, intelligent thoughts on this book, and I've realised that the simple fact is that I don't have all that many (about the book, and unfortunately maybe also in general).
Like a lot of YA fantasy I've read in the past year, it's enjoyable and fun but ultimately gives me satisfaction as fleeting gorging on junk food.
I think this is a strong addition to the YA paranormal genre: a colourful historical setting with a diverse and three-dimensional cast of characters. I particularly loved Evie's sassy quips and the way that Bray doesn't use the good girl main character trope.
While not particularly scary, I did think that the plot was compelling enough and exciting.
Ultimately though, I don't think it will be enough for me to continue with the series, though I know that this would have been a favourite for my sixteen-year-old self.
ailengarcia's review against another edition
4.0
Nueva York en los años 20 y gente con poderes. Nada puede salir mal, y no lo hizo. Me gustó muchísimo, el mundo creado es muy bueno, y los personajes aún más. No fue perfecto porque me quedé con ganas de conocer más a todos los adivinos que se nos presentan, no sólo a un par de ellos. Confío en que en los próximos libros los podamos ver en acción a todos.
suexstories's review against another edition
5.0
READ THIS THROUGH AUDIOBOOK FORMAT!
I remember back in 2015 when I tried to read the physical book and it took me forever weeks so I ended up bringing it back to the library without finishing years later and this has become my absolute favorite.
The different characters and world is so vivid through the audiobook narration, I LOVED the creepy paranormal stuff. Evie is one of the best female protagonists not the typical nice kind, a party girl on the surface, but she struggles with a lot of things leading her to become what she's become and it's brilliant. The number of times she says things like "Swell" and "Positutely" I love it. Everything I envision this historical flapper setting was brought to life, and at the end of the book Libba Bray admit it took her forever to research the timeline and places, I love that she mentioned things like the Chinese Exclusion Act and other things.
THE NAUGHTY JOHN SONG and anytime a character Sings the word it just makes it ON ANOTHER LEVEL using audio so so so good!
I remember back in 2015 when I tried to read the physical book and it took me forever weeks so I ended up bringing it back to the library without finishing years later and this has become my absolute favorite.
The different characters and world is so vivid through the audiobook narration, I LOVED the creepy paranormal stuff. Evie is one of the best female protagonists not the typical nice kind, a party girl on the surface, but she struggles with a lot of things leading her to become what she's become and it's brilliant. The number of times she says things like "Swell" and "Positutely" I love it. Everything I envision this historical flapper setting was brought to life, and at the end of the book Libba Bray admit it took her forever to research the timeline and places, I love that she mentioned things like the Chinese Exclusion Act and other things.
THE NAUGHTY JOHN SONG and anytime a character Sings the word it just makes it ON ANOTHER LEVEL using audio so so so good!
leesuh's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a book like The Diviners before. It’s a mix of paranormal, romance, and mystery with all sorts of historical, occult, and religious aspects. Hearing that, it doesn’t seem like the book would be good at all, but everything works together so well and makes an extremely interesting and worthwhile read.
The main character, Evie, was so wonderful to follow around. In a book with a bunch of lovable characters it’s hard to single just one out, but if I had to it would be Evie. She’s fresh, fun, and extremely deep and so easy to like. Evie’s growth throughout the book is difficult not to notice. She went from a party-loving teenager who saw moving to New York as a “coming out”, to an almost-adult dealing with events that the strongest of people would hesitate to face. And she did it with unwavering courage and bravery. In the midst of a fight, Evangeline O’Neill is definitely someone you want on your team.
Evie, of course, is just one of several main characters. We also see the novel through the eyes of Memphis--a boy from Harlem with a special power of his own--and other select people throughout the story. Sometimes the points-of-view are a little sporadic and, if you’re not paying attention, confusing, but the story never suffered because of it. Every point-of-view was relevant and important to the plot.
Libba Bray has written a very thorough, engaging, and historically accurate (based in 1926, whoop whoop!) novel that will keep you reading until the very end. Admittedly it did take me nearly a month to get through the book, but I can’t blame the reading time on Bray’s writing at all. I loved everything about this novel and I’m very anxiously awaiting the arrival of the second book in the series. I definitely, definitely recommend you give The Diviners a try. You won’t regret it.
Boop-boop-a-deet-deet-doh-doh-da!
I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a book like The Diviners before. It’s a mix of paranormal, romance, and mystery with all sorts of historical, occult, and religious aspects. Hearing that, it doesn’t seem like the book would be good at all, but everything works together so well and makes an extremely interesting and worthwhile read.
The main character, Evie, was so wonderful to follow around. In a book with a bunch of lovable characters it’s hard to single just one out, but if I had to it would be Evie. She’s fresh, fun, and extremely deep and so easy to like. Evie’s growth throughout the book is difficult not to notice. She went from a party-loving teenager who saw moving to New York as a “coming out”, to an almost-adult dealing with events that the strongest of people would hesitate to face. And she did it with unwavering courage and bravery. In the midst of a fight, Evangeline O’Neill is definitely someone you want on your team.
Evie, of course, is just one of several main characters. We also see the novel through the eyes of Memphis--a boy from Harlem with a special power of his own--and other select people throughout the story. Sometimes the points-of-view are a little sporadic and, if you’re not paying attention, confusing, but the story never suffered because of it. Every point-of-view was relevant and important to the plot.
Libba Bray has written a very thorough, engaging, and historically accurate (based in 1926, whoop whoop!) novel that will keep you reading until the very end. Admittedly it did take me nearly a month to get through the book, but I can’t blame the reading time on Bray’s writing at all. I loved everything about this novel and I’m very anxiously awaiting the arrival of the second book in the series. I definitely, definitely recommend you give The Diviners a try. You won’t regret it.
Boop-boop-a-deet-deet-doh-doh-da!
renacuajo's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first time reading the book in a physical format but my second time reading it overall. And I just absolutely love this world and its secrets and its characters! After falling into a pretty bad reading slump, the familiarity and opportunity to understand the story so much better this second time around was absolutely the best of treatments! I can’t wait to start Lair of Dreams, which is waiting for me right now on my shelf. ❤️
renacuajo's review against another edition
5.0
Read for the first time in December 2015
"She insisted on Knight for her last name. It made her feel strong and bold. A name of armor. For she would defend herself in this new life."
This book. O M G, this freakin' book. I couldn't get enough of it. I was hooked from the very first page and I didn't want to let go.
I loved Libba Bray's narrating style (I could picture everything perfectly), I loved the characters (some people had a problem with Evie but I really just think she was, after all, a teenager. Teens say and do the darnest things)... I loved how everyone's "abilities" were fitting to the era and not over the top and unbelieveable. Everyone had their backstory laid out beautifully, and then you could understand where everyone came from and why they hurt. It was a cluster of broken characters brought together in a beautiful way.
It wasn't all fun and games, though, because important topics were touched upon and not just simply glanced over. That includes racism, interracial relationships, religious fanatics, LGBT, and rape.
Just a beautiful, beautiful (and VERY creepy at times!) read! Can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
"She insisted on Knight for her last name. It made her feel strong and bold. A name of armor. For she would defend herself in this new life."
This book. O M G, this freakin' book. I couldn't get enough of it. I was hooked from the very first page and I didn't want to let go.
I loved Libba Bray's narrating style (I could picture everything perfectly), I loved the characters (some people had a problem with Evie but I really just think she was, after all, a teenager. Teens say and do the darnest things)... I loved how everyone's "abilities" were fitting to the era and not over the top and unbelieveable. Everyone had their backstory laid out beautifully, and then you could understand where everyone came from and why they hurt. It was a cluster of broken characters brought together in a beautiful way.
It wasn't all fun and games, though, because important topics were touched upon and not just simply glanced over. That includes racism, interracial relationships, religious fanatics, LGBT, and rape.
Just a beautiful, beautiful (and VERY creepy at times!) read! Can't wait to get my hands on the second book.