Honestly one of the best books I've read in a long time. Just completely perfect, the characters are awesome and so developed. I've already read the second and most of the third book and can't wait for the final installment although I will be sad to see such a brilliant series end, if your considering this book then consider no more and read it already!

1920s America and 17 year old Evie O’Neill is a selfish, independent minded party girl who harbours a secret gift. Unable to resist the temptation to show off her gift, Evie ends up in spectacular trouble and gets shipped off to live with her bachelor uncle in New York City where she becomes embroiled in the hunt for a murderer who is enacting a series of ritualistic killings. A chilling, gruesome supernatural mystery that oozes the decadence and vibrancy of 1920s Manhattan; is alive with atmosphere and history and introduces a feisty teenager determined to embody the spirit of the new modern woman, the Flapper. The first in what will hopefully be an amazing series.

After devouring the feast that is The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, I was left longing for more books by Libba Bray. I feel I should tell you that I accidentally read it for 9 hours straight yesterday, forgetting all the things on my to-do list! This book is set in the 1920s America – the era of the Great Gatsby, flappers and foilers, the years of Prohibition, the time when American dreams came true… The whole “things are not what they seem” and “all that’s gold does not glitter” themes which are very prominent in “Gatsby” can also be seen in “The Diviners”. Evangeline O’Neill, or Evie, has a gift. She can tell a person’s life story just from touching something that belongs to them. After pulling a stunt like that at a party in her small hometown in Ohio, she ruins a rich guy’s relationship and her parents send her to New York to live with her Uncle Will Fitzgerald who works at The Museum of Creepy Crawlies (unfortunately, entirely fictional). Her trip doesn’t start smoothly – upon arriving to the Big Apple, she gets her money stolen by a handsome devil (not in the literal sense as far as we know) Sam Lloyd who is posi-tu-te-ly smarmy and kind of a douche. However, things turn around once she is in the museum and meets her Uncle, her penpal Mabel and an odd, pensive Jericho who works for Uncle Will. Naturally, what’s a girl to do in 1920s New York? Party, of course! She befriends her glamorous neighbours – Theta, who is a star in the Ziegfield show and her roommate Henry who is a future world-class renowned pianist. However, something puts a damper on Evie’s partying. A series of occult-like murders shake New York City and what victims seem to have in common is strange symbols on them and certain body parts of theirs missing. The NYPD asks Evie’s uncle to consult since he is kinda like the Robert Langdon slash Rupert Giles of the 1920s and knows all there is to know about “freaky stuff”. Evie, Jericho and Mr. God-knows-where-he-came-from-but-Evie-is-convinced-he-is-up-to-no-good Sam Lloyd who suddenly pays a visit to the museum and Uncle Will gives him a job help Uncle Will with the case and Evie’s gift eventually comes in handy. Meanwhile, a young poet named Memphis is trying to live his life as a normal twenty-something romantic – go to parties, meet girls, and secretly dream about being invited to the infamous poetry clubs and gatherings. However, he is burdened by his own gift that seems to be failing him. Also, there is his brother to think about – is he gifted like Memphis is? Or is he possessed by the Devil? And why is their blind neighbour acting so strange? What Evie, Memphis, Theta and others don’t know is that they are in more danger than they realise – Naughty John is out and about and he will not stop until The Beast is released… Libba Bray does not disappoint. 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 possible love triangle! See this review also at thelawandthereader.wordpress.com

The best new release I have managed to get my hands on this year! Bray plunges you into a world of flappers, cut throat journalism, beautiful dancers and law breaking number runners, welcome to 1920s New York. Evie is sent from her home town to stay with her Uncle in New York as a punishment for her bad, drunken behaviour and slandering of the son of an important businessman at a social gathering. Little does she know but this is the beginning of something huge as Naughty John rises in the city to kill again and again and that it is time for the fabled Diviners to return. Part murder mystery, part romance and part supernatural thriller I dare you not to enjoy this rich and stimulating read. Bray’s attention to historic detail is so ripe and refreshing, and the characters are so well formed, they feel real and I adored being a part of their world. I can’t help but think this is the start of a ground breaking series for the Young Adult market, absolutely brilliant and a must read for anyone who loves a book that they just can’t put down.

The best new release I have managed to get my hands on this year! Bray plunges you into a world of flappers, cut throat journalism, beautiful dancers and law breaking number runners, welcome to 1920s New York. Evie is sent from her home town to stay with her Uncle in New York as a punishment for her bad, drunken behaviour and slandering of the son of an important businessman at a social gathering. Little does she know but this is the beginning of something huge as Naughty John rises in the city to kill again and again and that it is time for the fabled Diviners to return. Part murder mystery, part romance and part supernatural thriller I dare you not to enjoy this rich and stimulating read. Bray’s attention to historic detail is so ripe and refreshing, and the characters are so well formed, they feel real and I adored being a part of their world. I can’t help but think this is the start of a ground breaking series for the Young Adult market, absolutely brilliant and a must read for anyone who loves a book that they just can’t put down.