Book Review: The King of Crows by Libba Bray

Title: The King of Crows

Author: Libba Bray

Series/Standalone: The Diviners Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Pages: 560

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook (Own a physical copy)

"The breath-taking finale to the epic New York Times bestseller, The Diviners, from Printz winner and beloved author, Libba Bray.

After the horrifying explosion that claimed one of their own, the Diviners find themselves wanted by the US government and on the brink of war with the King of Crows.

While Memphis and Isaiah run for their lives from the mysterious Shadow Men, Isaiah receives a startling vision of a girl, Sarah Beth Olson, who could shift the balance in their struggle for peace. Sarah Beth says she knows how to stop the King of Crows- but, she will need the Diviner's help to do it.

Elsewhere, Jericho has returned after his escape from Jake Marlowe's estate, where he has learned the shocking truth behind the King of Crow's plans. Now, the Diviners must travel to Bountiful, Nebraska, in hopes of joining forces with Sarah Beth and to stop the King of Crows and his army of the dead forever.

But as rumors of towns becoming ghost towns and the dead developing unprecedented powers begin to surface, all hope seems to be lost.

In the sweeping finale, The Diviners will be forced to confront their greatest fears and learn to rely on one another if they hope to save the nation, and world from catastrophe..."

My Rating: 4/5

This book started off being just ok for me. If you're going into this book after the excitement of the third one maybe take a breather and think about how much time the author had between writing each installment. It's important to acknowledge that before leaping in. The first half off the book was slow going I felt like part of the magic (New York City) had been taken away without anything to give. After getting to the towns and meeting together I felt better about where this finale was headed. I loved the fast-paced action and horror aspects of the last section in the book. There are a few things I'd like to change, but I do respect what the author chose to do. Overall, I'm satisfied.

Book Review: Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray

Title: Before the Devil Breaks You
Author: Libba Bray
Series/Standalone: The Diviners (Book #3)
Genre: Young adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Pages: 552
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "Thick evening fog clung to the forlorn banks of Ward's Island, turning it into a ghost itself."

"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 forgoteen-- 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 friendship will be teasted, love will hang in the balance, and thre 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."

My Rating: 4.5/5

So for the first majority of the book I was kind of questioning my enjoyment of the series overall. I was still enjoying it and enjoying our characters, but it wasn't blowing me away as much as the books before this one. By the end of this storyline though I was drawn back into the world and am so excited to continue with the series. I'm just hoping that it doesn't take the author another 4 years to put out a novel. I loved the growth and changes in our characters, as well as the expansion on some of our newer characters. I also enjoyed the diversity within our characters.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray

Throughout the first part of the book I was a little disappointed in the content of this book. I was still enjoying it, but it felt a little too predictable to me and the characters seemed a little static for my liking, but by the end of the book I was blown away by the twists and turns. I loved the way the story wrapped up and it certainly left me wanting more. I'm excited to see where the story goes in the rest of the series.

Characters:
Evie: I thought that Evie would be my favorite character after the first book, but as the series has continued she's become less likable to me. I was proud of her for finely stopping WGI from pushing her around. I also wonder how she'll deal with her rekindled relationship with Sam.

Theta: I think Theta might be my favorite character. She's willing to stand up for herself even though she's scared. After her secret is revealed she takes time to figure out how she wants to use it to help her friends and people around her. I was surprised at how quickly Roy found her and tried to take control of her again. 

Sam: Throughout the story I was waiting for him to lose it on Jericho and I was surprised he didn't after the problem at the Marlowe estate. I also wonder how he will find his mother and what he'll do when he realizes she's one of the ones connection the King of Crows to this world.

Henry: I wish that we would have been able to see more from his point of view, I loved his perspective in the second book and I missed it in this one.

Ling: I felt the same way I did about Henry. I was glad to see an expanse on her romantic interest and the representation that she added to the story without it being labelled.

Memphis: I love him. I was frustrated when he was just bumbling through life after Theta broke up with him, but I can understand how that feels. I also wonder about his future now that the Shadow Men are after him with a purpose. Will Bill stay on their side?

Isaiah: Will his "fits" subside now that Bill isn't working against him, or will he become a seer similar to those we've seen throughout the story? Will he lose control of his body and just become a vessel for prophecies? I hope not.

Bill: I wonder about his choices and whether or not he will be willing to stay on the boys side or if he will stop repaying his "debt" at some point. I think now that he has a second chance at life he is willing to work harder to be a better person.

Margaret Walker: I wonder about her involvement with the Shadow Men and how her and the others had a falling out. I realize she wasn't a part of the Founder's Club, but what else was she involved in?

Will: I wish that he hadn't gone so early, but I also wonder how this will affect our other characters. Did he leave behind enough information for them to learn about themselves and their past, or will it be a continual guessing game?

Mabel: This broke my heart. I thought that Memphis would pop out of no where and heal her and things would be happy go lucky. Little did I realize that this is how she met her death. It broke my heart to see her dying trying to stop something to no avail. 

Jericho: I hope he freaking regrets what he did. To go after someone the way he went after Evie is unexceptable. I understand that he was out of his mind, but still its scary to think that that is the new brand of American's that Marlowe is trying to bring to life. 

Jake: I think he might be the bumbling idiot villian if I've ever saw one. To be willing to release the king of crows and think that they would be able to control him is just stupid. For someone so book smart, he's not the brightest of the bulbs is he?

King of Crows: I wonder about his origins and his story. Why does he want to destroy humanity so much.

Roy: I wish he would have met his end. He deserved it, but I'm glad that he knows that he doesn't have the power to control Theta anymore. That he is less than nothing.

Sarah: Her death served a huge purpose for those shadow men, which is unfortunate, but it makes me wonder if Jake had something to do with it.

Arthur: He and Mabel might have been happy together, but after all they went through they met their end in the most unfortunate way. I was hoping that at least one of them would survive. I think that he sincerely thought he was doing his part in social justice, but it just wasn't the right course of action.


Moments to Remember:
Pg. 135
"She got drunk and talked too much and danced on tables. She had a temper and a sharp tongue, and she often blurted out things she instantly regretted. Worst of all, she suspected that was who she truly was- not so much a bright young thing as a messy young thing."

Pg. 482
"I can't say what the future holds. That is my brother's gift not mine. I only know my heart has picked yours from the multitude, a secret sign, a small piece of the Divine, and it will not let go."

Final Line: "'The time is now.'"

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

Title: Lair of Dreams
Author: Libba Bray
Series/Standalone: The Diviners (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery
Pages: 613
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2015
Format: Physical Copy (Hardcover)
First Line: "Every city is a ghost."

"The longing of dreams draws the dead, and this city holds many dreams.

After a supernatural showdwon with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people's secrets, she's become a media darling, earning the title 'America's Sweetheart Seer.' Evyerone's in love with the city's newest It Girl... everyone except the other Diviners.

Piano-playing Henry DuBois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret- for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City.

As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edge of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess... As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

I've been debating whether this is a 5 star read for me and after a drive for thought, I've decided that it's great, but it's not quite a 5 star read for me this time around. I still absolutely love all the elements in this book. 20s paranormal mystery/thriller is exactly what I needed in my life. Something I didn't even know that I needed. It's crazy to say this about a 600 page book but I can't help but want and need more. So let's hope that I can afford the next book after Christmas shopping. I can't wait to continue on in the world and to see where all our characters will go. I loved the dynamic that the characters had together as well as apart. They are a diverse interesting cast coming from many walks of life which is something I can certainly appreciate. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

So this series is getting more and more popular on reading sites as well as booktube and guys I'm here for it! I loved this book so much and can't wait to get into the next book. Although, the cover changes are a little blah. This book was an excellent installment into the series. Throughout this book readers get a chance to further explore 1920s New York and all that comes with it both good and bad. Our characters also have a chance to come to light throughout this story and we get to explore new characters perspectives. I absolutely love this series and am so incredibly excited to see where it goes.

Characters:
Evie: She wasn't my favorite in this book for the simple reason that she was starting to act like a bit of brat. Don't get me wrong she's just trying to be famous and doesn't want her powers to be closeted. But near the end of this book her actions are less than favorable. That being said, I like her alot better with Sam than I did with Jericho. They just make more sense together in my mind.

Theta: I like Theta, but I'm scared for her. No one knows that she can light people up if she wants to except Sam and Henry. And while I doubt they'll tell her secret, I think that sooner rather than later she needs to come clean. Maybe not to all of society but at least the others in our cast of characters. Especially Memphis.

Henry: I freaking love him. There I said it. I think that he has a tragic past and his future isn't looking so great either, just due to the time period. I'm sure his heart is completely broken, but I hope he can make a future that he is proud of. 

Sam:  I really like him. Like yes he's a bit of a cheat, but I mean no one is perfect. Also for him to be working so hard to find his mother is an interesting aspect. I'm so excited to see how that plays out in the long run, especially knowing what we do. 

Jericho: I'm curious about his relationship with Marlowe. I'm also wondering how that will play into his relationship with Ling in the future. 

Mabel: I have no doubt that she's heart broken but I'm proud of her for standing up for herself. The fact that she doesn't deserve to be lied to or treated as less than. I am curious about how the device reacts around her sometime. Also what would she do if she knew Jericho's past?

Memphis: I also love him, but I'm worried about who he's surronding himself with. I know that he needs to help his brother and keep him safe, but being budd with Bill doesn't seem to be helping. Not even a little bit.

Bill: I don't trust him, but I'm curious about his past and what he'd do if Memphis actually healed him. 

Ling: She's a very interesting character to read from based on the time period and her characteristics. I'm curious to see what happens with her dream walking in the next book. 


Moments To Remember:
Pg. 174
"'C'mon, Freddy,' Sam goaded, still trying to jimmy the lock. 'Is your curiousity button on the fritz?'
'No. Neither is my code-of-ethics button. Maybe you can ask Santa to bring you one of those for Christmas.'"

Final Line: "'For all of us.'"

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
Series/Standalone: The Diviners Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery
Pages: 578
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2012
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "In a town house at a fashionable address on Manhattan's Upper East Side, every lamp blazes."

"Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring 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."


My Rating: 5/5

This book gets hype so much and I totally get it. The Diviners is unlike anything that I've ever read. I really enjoyed the writing style, it was beautiful but spooky. I would give a precursor that this book is a little spooky with the idea of supernatural and the occult. But if you're fine with a bit of a thrill then I think you'd enjoy it overall. This story follows so many characters that you get a really good view of the world and the time period from so many different perspectives. 
The suspense in this book was on amazing. I had to do the thing where I would close the book and just stare at the wall to calm myself down. I would get so caught up in the story and then realize that it was a book, it was all in a book and I could calm my butt down. 
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal elements along with a crazy mystery. Can't wait to continue on with the series.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Diviners by Libba Bray

So this is the first time in a long time that  full length book got a 5/5 stars from me. And here is why:
1. Characters that you fall in love with and who bring a lot of depth to the story.
2. The settting/time period
3. The writing style: beautiful, spooky, suspenseful, thrilling
4. PARANORMAL MYSTERY IN 1920s? Sign me up.

When I first heard about this book I proceeded with caution because of the hype. The more a book is hyped the less I tend to like it. Maybe I'm an accidental hipster... you tell me. But this book was amazing. It was so different than anything I'd ever read before, the language and the setting made it unique and interesting. I love the idea of speakeasies, the idea of the suspense that anyone could catch you at any time drinking.... scandal. The author does a marvellous job at keeping the reader intrigued and guessing.

Characters:
Evie: She is really something. The way she describes doing things "wrong" really caught me in this book. How she would try her best to do and say the right things at the right time but always felt like she was messing up. I feel like that's super relatable for most people. Don't we all just wonder if we are messing things up sometimes? There were other parts of her personality that I didn't care for, selling out stories to newspapers, sneaking into "abandoned" houses, ya know just things that didn't seem like the smartest ideas. I'm excited to see where her gifts take her next.

Memphis: I loved him more than most of the characters. The fierce love he had for his brother and the way he did anything for him made me heart warm. The way he felt about Theta and treated her was beautiful. I can't wait to see what happens in his life with so many people aware of his powers and those his brother possesses as well..

Theta: She's amazing. I'm very interested in what she can do and how she will handle her past going forward with Memphis.

Henry: To be living his life in a time period where such things were considered much more than Taboo, it makes you wonder how he got so strong to handle rumours

Will: I want to know so much more about his life and what's coming? Why won't he take advice from any one whose letting him know their premonitions?

Jericho: How long before things mess up for him? Also I understand he's not interested in Mabel but maybe he should just tell her that, instead of her finding out that he's with her best friend.

Sam: I thought that Evie would end up with him for sure. What with their witty banter and the way they had started to get on throughout the book. Ugh. I like him I won't lie. I wonder where he'll come into play again.

Mabel: I wonder what she'll do if or when she finds out about the powers everyone around her seems to have.

Isiah: He might be the most in danger from Blind Bill of all people. What's that story about? I can't wait to see where that part of the story line goes. 


Moments to Remember:

Final Line: "he took her face in his hands and his kiss blotted out the sky."


Thanks for reading,
Sidny