The Diviners by Libba Bray

I have been  lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of  The Diviners by Libba Bray.

 I had heard whispers that this was going to be amazing and captivating start to this series and i have to say it defiantly does not disappoint 

This is the much antisipated first book in the series. The Diviners in a riveting tale that dives into the depths of human wickedness brought about by religious fanaticism and fascination with the occult. The blend of tension, charm, creepiness, atmosphere and characterization come together to ensure this to be an absorbing and intellectually stimulating experience. This is an absolutely phenomenal book and one of the best of the year thus far. An indisputable must-read for anyone who enjoys a thoroughly bone-chilling story set against well researched historical backdrop. 

Taking place in 1920's  New York City, were cultures and religions  mix. 

The Diviners  is the story of a group of missed matched people investigating a series of gruesome occult-based murders. 

When something sinister dark and powerful is unleashed in New York, This evil force is determined to bring about an apocalypse in order to cleans the world of its sin.

People are being found murdered and some of their body parts missing. As the case unfolds we discover that it seems to be following a dark and disturbing pattern. Suggesting that these murderer are anything but random. As it appears the murder is trying to finish a dark ritual started 50 year prior

Evie (or Evil as Theta calls her) is sent to New York to live with her Uncle Will, After crossing the line with her parent.( who are still dealing with her brothers death) She images that life will be full of glamorous parties, and fantastic people. The last thing she imaged was that she would be at the centre of a murder investigation.

This investigation is going to be anything but normal when they discover that what they are  hunting is not quite human.

“Naughty john does his work with his apron on “

Evie is a fascinating character she is a strong, caring and determined female, but at times can be incredibly selfish and self absorbed. Often not thinking about how what she says and does will effect others.  All in all, she's a fine example of a fun-loving, convention-breaking flapper gal of the 1920’s.

Evie is also a diviner. Her talent allows her to tell people's secrets just by holding an objects that belongs to them and concentrating on it.

There is a large cast of character in the Diviners all well fleshed out and their behaviour, motivations and reactions to events taking place around them are realistic and the range of emotions they show is quite incredible.

Each characters story seem to intersect each other at points throughout this story, without them really knowing what effect they are having. 

Whether it is Sam’s hunt for is missing Mum

Uncle Wills’s hidden secrets 

Memphis healing power and love of poetry.

Or one of the many characters that your meet on this visit to the 1920’s   

Like in any story there are characters that  I liked more than others, but overall each one of them had a role to play that is essential to the overall story.

Though moments in the book for sum may seem a little confronting ( as is amy time murder is talked about )

I loved the amount of detail, that Libba Bray weaved into the plot. It adds a really depth and pulls you further into the roaring 1920’s.

The Diviners is an incredible story that will have has all queuing to get our hands on the next amazing chapter in this series.  

The Plot

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..

Rating: 4 stars 

Book: The Diviners

Author: Libba Bray

 Type:  series 

Website:http://thedivinersseries.com/