Book Review: Before the Devile Breaks You by Libba Bray

*** This is the third book in a series. If you have not read The Diviners and Lair of Dreams proceed with caution, there may be spoilers. Also, read those books because they are amazing. ***

Title: Before the Devil Breaks You Series: The Diviners #3 Written by: Libba Bray Published: October 3, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: New York City. 1927. Lights are bright. Jazz is king. Parties are wild. And the dead are coming... After battling a supernatural sleeping sickness that early claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough of lies. They're more determined than ever to uncover the mystery behind their extraordinary powers, even as they face off against an all-new terror. Out on Ward's Island, far from the city's bustle, sits a mental hospital haunted by the lost souls of people long forgotten--ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the man in the stovepipe hat, also known as the King of Crows. With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over, and New York City on the verge of panic, the Diviners must band together and brave the sinister ghosts invading the asylum, a fight that will bring them fact-to-face with the King of Crows. But as the explosive secrets of the past come to light, loyalties and friendships will be tested, love will hang in the balance, and the Diviners will question all that they've ever known. All the while, malevolent forces gather from every corner in a battle for the very soul of a nation--a fight that could claim the Diviners themselves.

I love this series so much and thereforeI was anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. After two years and couldn’t wait to read this one. It was another inventive story from Libba Bray with great characters.

In three books I have become incredibly attached to these characters. This is a book with a ton of different characters and a ton of different perspectives. I am not always a fan of that but I think in this case I enjoyed it because I really do just live all these characters. Some more than others, of course, but in general I think every character is fantastic and complex. With each book different characters get more of the focus and attention. This book gives us a lot more of Theta which was amazing and Mabel which was interesting. There was also plenty of Sam which I appreciated. And while each character was good on their own, they were even better together. They all have great banter and relationships. Plus they make a great team.

But the other great thing about this book is the world building. I’m a big fan of historical fantasies and this book is a perfect example as to why. It’s the kind of book that balances history, mystery, and fantasy. The historical setting here is New York in the 1920’s. Which is such a lush setting prime for adventure and intrigue. Libba does a fantastic job at immersing the reader in that world with the slang from the time and incorporating actual things from the time including flappers, jazz clubs, the Follies, and more. It’s such an interesting and fun period and this book definitely takes advantage of that.

But there are also fantastic supernatural and mystery elements to this book. Here we get to learn a lot about The Diviners and their powers. I really enjoyed getting a bit it of history and learning more about Project Buffalo. There is still a lot more to learn but I am very intrigued by where and how it is all going. And then there is the supernatural elements. Of course we have the Dinivers powers and seeing them use them which was really interesting but there wasn’t a lot of attention on them. There was also plenty of ghosts and those sorts of elements here but this book was definitely not as spooky and scary as the two previous books. It really downplayed the horror elements I think. There supernatural elements but I didn’t find myself on edge in the way I was previously. I think probably this one felt more fantasy and less horror.

I will say, however, that my biggest criticism of this book is that the overall plot here wasn’t as good for me because it didn’t fell very self-contained. The thing about this book is that it didn’t have it’s own storyline really. It built on elements and storylines from the first two books and set things up for the final book in the series but it didn’t really have something unique to itself. The plot was good and it was interesting but I just wish it had something a little bit more two it. More of it’s mystery maybe, more to solve, more or a big reveal. Just more.

But I also want more because I want the final book in this series. The way this book ended I am really itching for the final book in the series to find out what happens to these characters that I love. I hope I don’t have to wait too long for it.

Overall this was a good book with great characters, an engaging historical setting, engrossing fantasy and mystery element. It was another good book in a fantastic series that I am completely committed to and engaged in.

I give Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you liked the first two books in this series definitely check this one out. And if you like historical fantasies and haven’t read this one then don’t waste any more time and read it.

Have you read Before the Devil Breaks You? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Crossing Over: Historical Fantasies With Atmospheric Settings

Hey all. It's been awhile Crossing Over post. If you're not familiar with Crossing Over it's a feature that stemmed from my desire to recommend an adult book with crossover appeal based on a YA or sometimes Middle Grade book that are similar. I hate that we pigeonhole books into a specific age range and so I try to combat that. Plus it's basically an if you liked, then try but for crossover books. It runs once a month (usually) here and I pick the books based on the theme of what I'm reading. So this month my focus is historical fantasy or historical mystery. This is one of my favorite subgenres because it combines elements of my three favorite genres to make something totally fun.

The Diviners by Libba Bray
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I love this series. It seemed like the kind of book I would enjoy but it took me forever to read it and I kind of regret that. It's surprisingly complex and incredibly engaging. For one thing it combines basically everything that I love: magic, mystery, adventure, and a historical setting that pulls you in (more on that later). Plus the way that this book is written, it is full of this atmospheric tone that borders on spooky. I mean at times it is downright scary. Plus it's a book full of surprises and a mystery that will keep you guessing and reading from beginning to end.

This is also a book with great characters. It changes perspectives many many times giving you a well rounded look at the what is happening and it's surprsingly easy to relate to every character. Many of them are kind of dubious and a few are super villainous in the best possible way. It's definitely got some unlikable main characters but I kind of like that.  You still totally root for them especially when they go through terrible things because the antagonists are so sinister.

But I think my favorite thing about this book is the setting. Libba Bray was able to perfectly take a familiar historical setting and show it to you in an interesting way. She takes real people and real things and then puts her own spin on them. And that spin is an amazing supernatural elements and an amazing magical system. It was incredibly complex and so engrossing. It all shouldn't work but it totally does,

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
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I loved this book. It seemed like the kind of book I would enjoy but it took me forever to read it and I kind of regret that. It's surprisingly complex and incredibly engaging. For one thing it combines basically everything that I love: magic, mystery, adventure, and a historical setting that pulls you in (more on that later). Plus the way that this book is written, it is full of this atmospheric tone that is so emotional and beautiful. I mean at times it is downright sad. Plus it's a book full of surprises and a mystery that will keep you guessing and reading from beginning to end.

This is also a book with great characters. It changes perspectives a few times giving you a well rounded look at the what is happening and it's surprising easy to relate to every character. . It's definitely got some unlikable main characters but I kind of like that.  You still totally root for them especially when they go through terrible things because the antagonists are so sinister.

But I think my favorite thing about this book is the setting. Libba Bray was able to perfectly take a familiar historical setting and show it to you in an interesting way. She takes real people and real things and then puts her own spin on them. And that spin is an amazing supernatural elements and an amazing magical system. It was incredibly complex and so engrossing. It all shouldn't work but it totally does,

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone. It has something for everyone. If you like fantasy, horror, historical fiction, mystery, doesn't matter. They combine all the things that I love to create an amazing novel. These are both good examples of books I think can combine genres really well. It combines fantasy and mystery in a way that is thrilling and interesting on it's own but then you add an atmospheric historical setting and things are taking to the next level. If you have read one of things I think you would really like the other.

Have you read The Diviners and/or The Golem and the Jinni? What did you think? What steampunk novels with crossover appeal do you like? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

Title: Lair of Dreams Series: The Diviners #2 Author: Libba Bray Published: August 25, 2015 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers  (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to "read" objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, "America's Sweetheart Seer." But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners' abilities...   Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at BEA in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

*** This is the second book in a series and may contain spoilers for book 1. If you haven't read The Diviners, do that and come back. ***

Lair of Dreans is a posi-tute-ly fantastic sequel that once again proves why Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. It once again takes the reader on a captivating ride through 1920's New York with complex characters, atmospheric supernatural elements and tons of mystery.

To me this one felt much more like a supernatural mystery and less like historical fiction. I loved the emphasis on the history and ideology of the 1920's in The Diviners. It balanced real life events and figures with fantasy elements so brilliantly. And yes, Lair of Dreams does that too. It takes the reader into the world of flappers, jazz, and chorus girls. But it's a little bit in Lair of Dreams it's toned down a lot. I can see this one being more appealing to readers who may not necessarily read or love historical fiction. But for me, who loves that genre, I wanted a little bit more of the history. But I also kind of wanted a little more of the little things that set the scene in the first book. For example, the slang. Maybe that was because I'm more used to it or maybe because it was toned down. But despite it not feeling quite so immersive, Lair of Dreams takes the readers to a fantastic historical setting.

But the toned down history gave more credence to the mystery elements. For one thing, Lair of Dreams is just as atmospheric and spooky as the first book. Libba's writing is fantastic and lyrical. Whether she's explaining the plot or setting the scene it all has a dark beauty that keeps you questioning. The mystery was probably my favorite part. This book was so intricate with lots of different plot lines and mysterious elements that didn't seem connected at all but they were incredibly purposeful and important to both the larger story of the series and the specific plot of this book. It had me on the edge of my seat and I loved watching the mystery unfold in a slow and deliberate way that had me guessing until the very end.

I also really loved the supernatural elements of the story. I wouldn't go so far as to call it horror but there are definitely some spooky and dark ghosts that had me very nervous both while reading and after I finished. What The Diviners did for whistling, this book does for the song Beautiful Dreamer is all I'm saying. But the antagonist wasn't quite so scary as Naughty John but they definitely had me worried for the characters. Thankfully they have their Diviners powers to help them out. I loved seeing them explore the powers even more in this book. We of course see more of the powers of the characters who were the center of the first book like Evie, Sam, and Memphis. But in this book, Henry takes center stage. We get to learn so much more about his Diviners power, dreamwalking. We also get to meet a new Diviner, Ling Chen who is also a dreamwalker. The dream world was both interesting and atmospheric. Frankly I'm glad I don't really remember my dreams otherwise I may have been more scared by this book.

And I can't talk about the supernatural elements of this book without talking about these characters. This is a book where there are so many perspectives but it works so well. I think honestly it worked even better in Lair of Dreams. Maybe that's because I have grown so attached to all of them in the course of this book. Their all so complex and captivating. What Libba Bray does so well is balance between the fun and fancy atmosphere of 1920's New York and the dark atmosphere of the supernatural mysteries. This is mirrored in the characters and their arcs throughout the book. Sure they are fun and silly with great banter that had me laughing out loud and cute romantic moments but there is more to them then that. They also all have these complicated pasts that we are slowly learning about. I'm excited to learn more about a few of them like Theta and Sam as the book develops more. We've only got hints of them so far. But the more time I can spend with these characters, the better. They're fantastic and I'm such a fan.

But I'm a fan of this book in general. It's a hulking mass of a book but it's still a fast-paced read that I couldn't put down. It had me on the edge of my seat needing to find out not only what happens with the plot but to these characters. I can't wait to see what happens next. This book is the berries!

I give Lair of Dream by Libba Bray 9.5 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you loved the first book and you have been anxiously awaiting it's sequel you will not be disappointed. It takes you back into the world of The Diviners with an even more mysterious storyline and you get to learn more about those characters you know and love. If you like supernatural mysteries or are looking for a spooky story that will have you on the edge of your seat then check this series out.

Have you read Lair of Dreams? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners Series: The Diviners #1 Author: Libba Bray Published: September 8, 2012 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers  (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: 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.

I have never met a Libba Bray book that I have not loved. It doesn't matter if it's contemporary, historical fiction, or fantasy she is seriously an autobuy author for me. That being said, I waited entirely too long to read this book. I heard about it a few years ago and for some reason I never picked it up. I picked up her other books. And after finally reading it, I am definitely wondering why it took so long for me to read it because it was just absolutely brilliant.

What I adored most about this book is the historical fiction aspect of the story. Libba Bray is able to perfectly transport you into the world of New York City in the 1920's. She of course combines real people, ideas, and events of the period with fictional people and events. The setting comes alive with gorgeous detail as We're taken to the seedy prohibition era clubs, the jazz music, the vaudeville shows, and meet flappers and Bright Young Things out for a good time. I read a lot of historical fiction and never before have I found such an immersive experience, so much so that I found my manner of speech changing to adopt the slang of the time (but this is the second book set in the 20's I read in the past two weeks so take my opinion with a grain of salt). It's such a great representation of the era that I think the manner of speech and slang may annoy some readers, it does feel a little bit like jargon at times, but for me it felt all the more authentic and interesting. Not to mention that this is a period that I love reading about. It's a time of change and excitement that leads to a lot of really interesting and adventurous stories.

And that is exactly what the plot of this book was, interesting and adventurous. Sure, it's an immerse historical fiction novel but it's also a fantastic supernatural mystery. There is a disclaimer at the beginning of the book that warns the reader to keep the lights on and they are not kidding. This book is incredibly spooky. It's a fantastic ghost story that will forever change the way I view whistling when I'm walking down the street alone at night. But it's also an intricate murder mystery about the hunt for a serial killer. You know me and mysteries, I like solving them and I'm pretty good at it. I thought I had the mystery here figured out and I had a few elements of it solved but it still managed to surprise me and build to an amazing conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat completely riveted.

But the mystery plot and the ghost story were not the only supernatural elements of the story. The book also had a fascinating magical system that was a lot like the superpower stories that I love. Many of the characters in this book have powers that they are trying to keep secret, powers that connect them to a dark past, powers that get them into or sometimes out of trouble. I love characters with secrets and what Libba Bray does so well here with them is the dramatic irony of their secrets and their connections. The book is told in a third-person perspective from a lot of different perspectives and is intricately well-written. We slowly get to know each character and watch them interact with one another in positive and negative ways as their stories intertwine with the many different plot points of the book. Books with so many perspectives can be hit or miss for me and there were times where it felt a little too vast sometimes but it really did work.

The fact that I enjoyed the alternating perspectives so much may have been because each and every character here was fascinating and complex. No matter which character we are following at the time you are engaged and invested in their success. I particularly loved our main character Evie and her fun-loving spirit and plucky personality but I also loved that she's smart and probably the best detective in the bunch. But the book also had an amazing and dark antagonist. Naughty John may have just become one of my favorite villains, he is terrifying! Did I mention the whistling? Because, the whistling! Libba Bray is a master at characterization and The Diviners definitely proves it. But even so I feel like we have only begun to learn about each of them, their histories, and their powers. I can't wait to learn more. Maybe I should push Lair of Dreams up on the TBR.

The Diviners is a beast (if you've read it, you may laugh at this) of a book weighing in at almost 600 pages but it doesn't really feel that way. It's a book you will not want to put down as you hunt for clues about the supernatural mystery and the characters. Libba Bray further proves why she is one of my favorite authors.

I give The Diviners by Libba Bray 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Whether you are a fan of historical fiction, horror, mysteries, and/or fantasies this book is worth the read. It has a vivid historical setting, complex and engaging characters, a thrilling plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat and up all night. It was dark and spooky and wonderful!

Read this if you enjoyed:
The Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Miss Peregrine's School for Unusual Children by Ranson Riggs
The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Have you read The Diviners? What did you think? Leave me a comment for your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!