Title: Before the Devil Breaks You Author: Libba Bray Narrator: January LaVoy Series: The Diviners, book #3 Length: 21 hrs 26 mins Publisher: Listening Library Publication Date: October 3, 2017 Source: audiobook received from publisher Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
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 don't even know where to begin with my love for this series. The writing, the narration, the utter creepiness of it...it all coalesces into one of my very favorite series. Which is quite a boast for this author, considering her Gemma Doyle trilogy is also on that list of favorite series. Despite how much she loves breaking my heart.
And I can totally see Libba Bray doing that here with this series, as well. She's made me come to love all of these characters, even ones I thought I'd always loathe. And, yes, she's left my heart reeling after this installment, too, but I know it's not over yet. She's not finished with my heart yet and even when this series is complete, she still won't be done with me because this is one of those stories that I can't help but come back to.
I love each and every characters' story arc, even if I didn't foresee it going in a certain direction, well, for any of them. No, especially because of that. I love how relevant this story is because of how history is doomed to repeat itself. That the more things change, the more they stay the same. And how sad is that? And I loved that in this book most of all, we see the Diviners actually coming together to work as a team. They all have their issues and their hang-ups but they're such a diverse lot of characters that it makes me hopeful for them, despite what they're up against.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Libba Bray has done her homework. When I'm reading these books, everything else falls away. I am transported to the Roaring Twenties. To the time of speakeasies and flappers and prohibition. When white man ruled the land and anyone of color or another sexual orientation was shunned. (Oh...wait.) But it's in the little details, as well, from specific items of clothing to songs sang at rallies or advertisements on radio shows. The background for this series has been so well-researched and it shows.
The publisher could not have selected a better narrator for this series, either. This story comes to life because of January LaVoy. There are so many story lines, so many perspectives, that normally I'd have a hard time keeping them all straight, but this narrator literally has a separate voice for each character. Each one is unique; each one is special. I cannot praise the narration of this series enough. It's among my favorites, as well.
This third installment in The Diviners series is actually on my favorites of 2017 list. It is just SO good. I mean, I waited long enough for it...it should be, right? ;0) Two to three years between books is hard but worth it. So worth it. And if I'm being honest, this might actually be my favorite in the series so far, so that makes the wait between installments all the sweeter.
I wholeheartedly recommend this series -- especially on audio -- and this time of year is perfect for it. It's just so divinely creepy.
Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing); the Michael L. Printz Award-winning Going Bovine; Beauty Queens, an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist; and The Diviners series. She is originally from Texas but makes her home in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, son, and two sociopathic cats.
(You should absolutely check out her full bio on her website, though. You'll learn things.)
January LaVoy is a New York City based actress, best known for her role as Noelle Ortiz-Stubbs on the long-running ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. January was named Publishers Weekly's "Audiobook Narrator of the Year" for 2013 and has an extensive body of work in both narration and commercial voiceover, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, John Grisham’s Camino Island and several Star Wars novels. She has won multiple Audie Awards, most recently in 2016 for her work on Libba Bray's Lair of Dreams.
Title: Lair of Dreams Author: Libba Bray Narrator(s): January LaVoy Series: The Diviners, book #2 Length: 20 hrs 12 mins Publisher: Listening Library Publication Date: August 25, 2015 Source: ARC received from publisher, purchased audio Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
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?
So, big books intimidate me. I love them, but they are just so daunting. I had the same problem with Bray's The Diviners back when I read it in 2012. Which, by the way, is the last time I entered this world. And that's another reason I kept putting off reading my ARC of Lair of Dreams. I thought I needed a refresher first. (You really don't, by the way. Bray is the bee's knees when it comes to that.) But the biggest reason I waited to dive into this sequel? January LaVoy is maybe the most fantastic narrator I've ever listened to, and I couldn't imagine not hearing more of Evie and company's story in her multitude of voices.
And I must say, once I returned to the story, I was so glad to be among old friends again. It was interesting to see how the world reacted to the existence of Diviners but also intriguing to see who would hold their cards close to their chest and not reveal the nature of their gift until it was forced out of them. Especially as "America's Sweetheart Seer" became more popular. And as it was becoming clearer that someone was hunting the Diviners.
But maybe more important than that storyline is that of those dying of the sleeping sickness, a sickness brought on by a killer from the dreamworld. As Evie and her friends discover more about their gifts, some of them fall pray to the lure of the dreamworld, and it's up to them to discover how to stop it from killing again.
I'm not usually a fan of stories with so many varying perspectives, but Libba Bray makes every character arc count. And it doesn't hurt that January LaVoy's narration helps me keep them all straight. There are definitely those that I favor, but there is no character who doesn't matter when it comes to this series. No action that doesn't have a consequence. It's all so very dire, and I think that's one of the things I like best. I'm not expecting happy endings for all of these characters, if any at all -- especially after what the author did to my heart at the end of The Gemma Doyle Trilogy -- so I'll be pleasantly surprised when things turn out unexpectedly...at least that's my fervent hope.
On a side note, I really like that thing that's happening between Evie and Sam Lloyd. Especially as they become a little less guarded around each other and begin to let feelings -- and secrets -- slip. I mean, I think Jericho is a great guy, but I'm of Sam's train of thought: that Jericho is not the kind of guy Evie should fall for. Maybe Sam isn't, either, but I think Sergei might be. ;0) Also, the ruse/fake engagement angle is one of my favorites! LUH-VING IT!
Obviously, I want more Sam and Evie and Theta and Memphis and the rest of the gang. If the wait for this book is any indication, I have a while to endure. That's okay, though, because being back with this series has reminded me of just how much I love Libba Bray's writing and how much I miss Gemma and Kartik, so I'm going to start a re-read soon. =)
GIF it to me straight:
And so is this series!!!
About the author:
Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing); the Michael L. Printz Award-winning Going Bovine; Beauty Queens, an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist; and The Diviners series. She is originally from Texas but makes her home in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, son, and two sociopathic cats.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Title: Lair of Dreams Author: Libba Bray Series:The Diviners, book #2
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR Publication Date: April 22, 2014
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 am decidedly not in favor of this cover change, specifically because the change makes the series look ho hum and run-of-the-mill when it is most certainly not. However, I am still anticipating this book with just as much fervor as when I put down The Diviners. I adored Evie and company and I can't wait to see what hijinks ensue in this next installment.
vs.
Now that you know what I'm dying to read, what are you waiting on this week? Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so I can stop by!
Title: The Diviners Author: Libba Bray Narrator: January LaVoy Series: 1st book in The Diviners series Publisher: Listening Library Publication Date: September 18, 2012 Source: purchased (also received an ARC) Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Something dark and evil has awakened....
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 her uncle will 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 is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened....
This audiobook includes an introduction read by Libba Bray.
So, I started my ARC of The Diviners -- which I won from the awesomeClaire LeGrande -- back in early September before the book was released, but I soon realized that I would need to be able to devote a large chunk of my time to finishing all 578 pages of this novel. And my time is limited. No, I'm not dying, but I do work full-time away from the home, I'm a devoted (okay, maybe that's pushing it, but I do love my family ohsomuch) mother and wife, and I'm a book blogger, which many of you know can be a full-time job in and of itself sometimes. So you can see my conundrum...maybe you even identify with it. But lo and behold, the audio was released on the same day as the novel hit the shelves at bookstores, and I snatched it up and immediately shelved my ARC in favor of hearing the indomitable January LaVoy breathe new life into the characters I'd already come to love in the first 100-150 pages I'd already managed to devour.
The Diviners is now my new favorite audiobook EVAR. I am completely, completely serious. I loved all of the voices and dialects Tavia Gilbert used in her reading of The Night Huntress series, but -- and no offense meant, honest -- she cannot hold a candle to January LaVoy's narration of The Diviners. This woman managed to portray all of the following characters without ever sounding trite or unbelievable: a 17-year-old girl; two very different 17-ish boys; an old, stodgy uncle; several African-American characters ranging in age from 10 or so to the very old and disabled Blind Bill; the swarthy and sophisticated Memphis Campbell; two senile old ladies; a cocky news reporter digging for the scoop; and a deranged serial killer, hell-bent on cleansing the world. Those are just a few of the characters...there are many, many more secondary characters, and all of them sounded completely different in their own way.
This is obviously a story that is composed of many smaller stories, each of their own importance. As the story unfolds, we meet each character separately as they start on the path that eventually leads them all to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed each characters' introduction in this manner and that the reader learns each story gradually...hence the nearly 600 page narrative. Once events are set in motion, though, the story finds its pace and really draws you into the world of 1920s New York.
It all starts with one Evie O'Neill, though. This "unflappable flapper" is quite the contrast to Gemma Doyle, who was both precocious and docile when we first met her in A Great and Terrible Beauty. Be that as it may, Evie still stole the show for me in The Diviners and quickly marked herself as my favorite character, though that arrogant Sam Lloyd came in at a close second. Really, though, all of these characters (and their stories) appealed to me in his or her own way.
Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. I loved her Gemma Doyle trilogy, and I can say with complete faith that if you, too, enjoyed that series, you will loveThe Diviners just as much. The rich world-building, the superb cast of characters, the incredible story-telling...it's all there in this book, as well. There's just something about Libba Bray and hidden magic that go hand-in-hand. The sheer amount of research necessary to write a story of this caliber alone is deserving of accolades. But pair that with the unfathomable story she's created, and you have yourself a novel to be revered.
Don't believe me? Check out the free previews currently being offered: Amazon | B&N
Rating:
Prepare yourself for the creepy...and don't say I didn't warn you:
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following books...yes, plural:
Title: The Diviners Author: Libba Bray Series: Diviners, book 1 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: September 18, 2012 Source: ARC won from author Claire LeGrand Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies." When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.
My teaser:
"You can't blame a fella for kissing the prettiest girl in New York, can you, sister?" Sam's grin was anything but apologetic. Evie brought up her knee quickly and decisively, and he dropped to the floor like a grain sack. "You can't blame a girl for her quick reflexes now, can you, pal?" -- p. 34 of ARC
Okay, so I cheated a bit...again. :0) But this book is soooo much fun. It's all, "See here, doll," and "Everything's jake, Pop." LOVE the twenties! I'm savoring this one...not that it isn't long enough to hold me over for awhile, as it is. :-P
Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are still reeling from the revelation that they share more than just the roof over their heads. The media has pounced on their story and the girls are caught up in a flurry of talk-show appearances and newspaper interviews. They've put on a happy public face, but someone is leaking their true feelings to the press, and while it seems like the world is watching their every move, at least they have each other. But with cotillion season right around the corner, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever-now, if only she could find an escort. Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove and it's seeming ever more impossible with EC mean-girls, young and old, doing their best to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, though, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete? As if sophomore year wasn't hard enough! It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off.
My teaser:
"I thought you were hiding something from me," Izzie said, starting to calm down. "I don't trust people that easily and I trust you, Brayden. Finding out you lied to me..." -- p. 165 of ARC
Uh oh! Sounds like trouble in paradise!
So, I'm reading two books and couldn't choose which one to tease. Did you have the same trouble this week? Share your teaser(s) in the comments! =D
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Title: The Diviners Author: Libba Bray Series: Diviners, book 1 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: September 18, 2012 Source: ARC won from author Claire LeGrand Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies." When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.
My teaser:
"So I shot the man in the back," Jericho said, testing Evie's attention. "Interesting," Evie said without looking up. "And then I took his head, which I keep under my bed." "Of course," Evie muttered. "Evie. Evie!" Evie looked up and smiled weekly. "Yes?" "You're not listening." "Oh, I pos-i-tute-ly am, Jericho!" "What did I just say?" Evie gave him a blank stare. "Well, whatever it was, I'm sure it was very, very smart." -- p. 342 of ARC
Okay, so I cheated a bit. Sue me. But I just KNEW I was going to love this book as I much as I did Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, and I was RIGHT! The banter, the intrigue, the chemistry...it all equals WIN as far as I'm concerned. And I adore the history of the 1920's, so it's like this book was written with someone like me in mind. I will seriously be singing Libba Bray's praises forever and ever and ever. Woman can do no wrong in my book. :D
Also, in case you weren't aware, Barnes & Noble is offering a sneak peak of The Diviners for Nook users.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
Series: Diviners #1 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
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-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."
When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.
Why I'm waiting: Where do I start? I love, LOVE, LOVED Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series. I really wish it could have gone on further, but it also made sense to end it where she did. Anyway, I've got a few of her other works on my TBR list, as well, and I'm sure they're raucous and hilarious, just like the author herself. But I think...no, I know, that I'll prefer when she writes in a time period other than the present. And when she writes about magic. Her writing is magical, in and of itself, and I can't wait to see what she does with the Diviners series.
Oh, and the trailer was just released! Take a peek:
Wow, that gave me chills! Beautiful and creepy! I. LOVE. IT. Seriously, I want this book yesterday!
TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads! In this weekly feature, Ginger poses a question to her followers and then asks everyone to link up at the end of the post, sharing their responses.
This Friday's Question:
Author Block Party: If you could gather a handful of authors to hang out with, who would you choose?
Hmmm...these questions always seem easy at first glance, but when I actually sit down to type out my response, I find myself inundated with possibilities. After all, there are a ton of authors that I love to read and stalk online. But when it comes down to it, these are the ladies that I'd actually want to hang out with:
The ever-witty, funny, clever, and uber-talented Maggie Stiefvater. Her writing is lyrical and her self-made book trailers are phenomenal. She's a successful writer, artist, and musician...in other words, the package deal.
Libba Bray: writer-extraordinaire. Is there any subject this woman cannot write about? She tackles it all and skillfully so. But mostly, I'd like to corner her and beg her to continue Gemma Doyle's story. :-)
I adore Beth Revis' online presence almost as much as her writing. There are authors that are ostentatious and then there are those that really make themselves available to their fans. Beth falls in the latter category.
I have to admit here that I haven't yet read anything by Maureen Johnson, though I do have Little Blue Envelopes waiting for me on my Nook. (And I'm dying to read The Name of the Star!) But I don't know how I'd make it through the day without the comic relief of her tweets. And then there's that steadfast way she stands up for anyone and everything she believes in. How could anyone not love her?
Last, but certainly not least, I would have to invite Hannah Moskowitz along for the ride. Her writing makes you thoughtful and questioning...and it makes you feel. She seems pretty open-minded and like she'd be a ton of fun to hang out with. And, of course, the funny.
So, yeah, pretty much, if an author can make me laugh, they're in. Which is why it was so hard for me to narrow down my choices. But I think I did well, especially considering how long the list was when I started...
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Friday, October 20, 2017
I Think *LIBBA BRAY* is Trying to Break *ME*: My 5 🌟 Review of BEFORE THE DEVIL BREAKS YOU
Author: Libba Bray
Narrator: January LaVoy
Series: The Diviners, book #3
Length: 21 hrs 26 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Source: audiobook received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I don't even know where to begin with my love for this series. The writing, the narration, the utter creepiness of it...it all coalesces into one of my very favorite series. Which is quite a boast for this author, considering her Gemma Doyle trilogy is also on that list of favorite series. Despite how much she loves breaking my heart.
And I can totally see Libba Bray doing that here with this series, as well. She's made me come to love all of these characters, even ones I thought I'd always loathe. And, yes, she's left my heart reeling after this installment, too, but I know it's not over yet. She's not finished with my heart yet and even when this series is complete, she still won't be done with me because this is one of those stories that I can't help but come back to.
I love each and every characters' story arc, even if I didn't foresee it going in a certain direction, well, for any of them. No, especially because of that. I love how relevant this story is because of how history is doomed to repeat itself. That the more things change, the more they stay the same. And how sad is that? And I loved that in this book most of all, we see the Diviners actually coming together to work as a team. They all have their issues and their hang-ups but they're such a diverse lot of characters that it makes me hopeful for them, despite what they're up against.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Libba Bray has done her homework. When I'm reading these books, everything else falls away. I am transported to the Roaring Twenties. To the time of speakeasies and flappers and prohibition. When white man ruled the land and anyone of color or another sexual orientation was shunned. (Oh...wait.) But it's in the little details, as well, from specific items of clothing to songs sang at rallies or advertisements on radio shows. The background for this series has been so well-researched and it shows.
The publisher could not have selected a better narrator for this series, either. This story comes to life because of January LaVoy. There are so many story lines, so many perspectives, that normally I'd have a hard time keeping them all straight, but this narrator literally has a separate voice for each character. Each one is unique; each one is special. I cannot praise the narration of this series enough. It's among my favorites, as well.
This third installment in The Diviners series is actually on my favorites of 2017 list. It is just SO good. I mean, I waited long enough for it...it should be, right? ;0) Two to three years between books is hard but worth it. So worth it. And if I'm being honest, this might actually be my favorite in the series so far, so that makes the wait between installments all the sweeter.
I wholeheartedly recommend this series -- especially on audio -- and this time of year is perfect for it. It's just so divinely creepy.
Previous books in the series:
The Diviners
Lair of Dreams
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
{Audiobook Review} Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
Author: Libba Bray
Narrator(s): January LaVoy
Series: The Diviners, book #2
Length: 20 hrs 12 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: August 25, 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher, purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
So, big books intimidate me. I love them, but they are just so daunting. I had the same problem with Bray's The Diviners back when I read it in 2012. Which, by the way, is the last time I entered this world. And that's another reason I kept putting off reading my ARC of Lair of Dreams. I thought I needed a refresher first. (You really don't, by the way. Bray is the bee's knees when it comes to that.) But the biggest reason I waited to dive into this sequel? January LaVoy is maybe the most fantastic narrator I've ever listened to, and I couldn't imagine not hearing more of Evie and company's story in her multitude of voices.
And I must say, once I returned to the story, I was so glad to be among old friends again. It was interesting to see how the world reacted to the existence of Diviners but also intriguing to see who would hold their cards close to their chest and not reveal the nature of their gift until it was forced out of them. Especially as "America's Sweetheart Seer" became more popular. And as it was becoming clearer that someone was hunting the Diviners.
But maybe more important than that storyline is that of those dying of the sleeping sickness, a sickness brought on by a killer from the dreamworld. As Evie and her friends discover more about their gifts, some of them fall pray to the lure of the dreamworld, and it's up to them to discover how to stop it from killing again.
I'm not usually a fan of stories with so many varying perspectives, but Libba Bray makes every character arc count. And it doesn't hurt that January LaVoy's narration helps me keep them all straight. There are definitely those that I favor, but there is no character who doesn't matter when it comes to this series. No action that doesn't have a consequence. It's all so very dire, and I think that's one of the things I like best. I'm not expecting happy endings for all of these characters, if any at all -- especially after what the author did to my heart at the end of The Gemma Doyle Trilogy -- so I'll be pleasantly surprised when things turn out unexpectedly...at least that's my fervent hope.
On a side note, I really like that thing that's happening between Evie and Sam Lloyd. Especially as they become a little less guarded around each other and begin to let feelings -- and secrets -- slip. I mean, I think Jericho is a great guy, but I'm of Sam's train of thought: that Jericho is not the kind of guy Evie should fall for. Maybe Sam isn't, either, but I think Sergei might be. ;0) Also, the ruse/fake engagement angle is one of my favorites! LUH-VING IT!
Obviously, I want more Sam and Evie and Theta and Memphis and the rest of the gang. If the wait for this book is any indication, I have a while to endure. That's okay, though, because being back with this series has reminded me of just how much I love Libba Bray's writing and how much I miss Gemma and Kartik, so I'm going to start a re-read soon. =)
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Author: Libba Bray
Series: The Diviners, book #2
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Publication Date: April 22, 2014
I am decidedly not in favor of this cover change, specifically because the change makes the series look ho hum and run-of-the-mill when it is most certainly not. However, I am still anticipating this book with just as much fervor as when I put down The Diviners. I adored Evie and company and I can't wait to see what hijinks ensue in this next installment.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Audiobook Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray
Author: Libba Bray
Narrator: January LaVoy
Series: 1st book in The Diviners series
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Source: purchased (also received an ARC)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
So, I started my ARC of The Diviners -- which I won from the awesome Claire LeGrande -- back in early September before the book was released, but I soon realized that I would need to be able to devote a large chunk of my time to finishing all 578 pages of this novel. And my time is limited. No, I'm not dying, but I do work full-time away from the home, I'm a devoted (okay, maybe that's pushing it, but I do love my family ohsomuch) mother and wife, and I'm a book blogger, which many of you know can be a full-time job in and of itself sometimes. So you can see my conundrum...maybe you even identify with it. But lo and behold, the audio was released on the same day as the novel hit the shelves at bookstores, and I snatched it up and immediately shelved my ARC in favor of hearing the indomitable January LaVoy breathe new life into the characters I'd already come to love in the first 100-150 pages I'd already managed to devour.
The Diviners is now my new favorite audiobook EVAR. I am completely, completely serious. I loved all of the voices and dialects Tavia Gilbert used in her reading of The Night Huntress series, but -- and no offense meant, honest -- she cannot hold a candle to January LaVoy's narration of The Diviners. This woman managed to portray all of the following characters without ever sounding trite or unbelievable: a 17-year-old girl; two very different 17-ish boys; an old, stodgy uncle; several African-American characters ranging in age from 10 or so to the very old and disabled Blind Bill; the swarthy and sophisticated Memphis Campbell; two senile old ladies; a cocky news reporter digging for the scoop; and a deranged serial killer, hell-bent on cleansing the world. Those are just a few of the characters...there are many, many more secondary characters, and all of them sounded completely different in their own way.
This is obviously a story that is composed of many smaller stories, each of their own importance. As the story unfolds, we meet each character separately as they start on the path that eventually leads them all to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed each characters' introduction in this manner and that the reader learns each story gradually...hence the nearly 600 page narrative. Once events are set in motion, though, the story finds its pace and really draws you into the world of 1920s New York.
It all starts with one Evie O'Neill, though. This "unflappable flapper" is quite the contrast to Gemma Doyle, who was both precocious and docile when we first met her in A Great and Terrible Beauty. Be that as it may, Evie still stole the show for me in The Diviners and quickly marked herself as my favorite character, though that arrogant Sam Lloyd came in at a close second. Really, though, all of these characters (and their stories) appealed to me in his or her own way.
Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. I loved her Gemma Doyle trilogy, and I can say with complete faith that if you, too, enjoyed that series, you will love The Diviners just as much. The rich world-building, the superb cast of characters, the incredible story-telling...it's all there in this book, as well. There's just something about Libba Bray and hidden magic that go hand-in-hand. The sheer amount of research necessary to write a story of this caliber alone is deserving of accolades. But pair that with the unfathomable story she's created, and you have yourself a novel to be revered.
Don't believe me? Check out the free previews currently being offered: Amazon | B&N
Rating:
Prepare yourself for the creepy...and don't say I didn't warn you:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #23: The Diviners by Libba Bray & Winter White by Jen Calonita
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following books...yes, plural:
Author: Libba Bray
Series: Diviners, book 1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Source: ARC won from author Claire LeGrand
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My teaser:
Okay, so I cheated a bit...again. :0) But this book is soooo much fun. It's all, "See here, doll," and "Everything's jake, Pop." LOVE the twenties! I'm savoring this one...not that it isn't long enough to hold me over for awhile, as it is. :-P
Author: Jen Calonita
Series: Belles #2
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Source: Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
But with cotillion season right around the corner, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever-now, if only she could find an escort. Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove and it's seeming ever more impossible with EC mean-girls, young and old, doing their best to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, though, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete? As if sophomore year wasn't hard enough!
It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off.
My teaser:
Uh oh! Sounds like trouble in paradise!
So, I'm reading two books and couldn't choose which one to tease. Did you have the same trouble this week? Share your teaser(s) in the comments! =D
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #22: The Diviners by Libba Bray
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Author: Libba Bray
Series: Diviners, book 1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Source: ARC won from author Claire LeGrand
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My teaser:
Okay, so I cheated a bit. Sue me. But I just KNEW I was going to love this book as I much as I did Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, and I was RIGHT! The banter, the intrigue, the chemistry...it all equals WIN as far as I'm concerned. And I adore the history of the 1920's, so it's like this book was written with someone like me in mind. I will seriously be singing Libba Bray's praises forever and ever and ever. Woman can do no wrong in my book. :D
Also, in case you weren't aware, Barnes & Noble is offering a sneak peak of The Diviners for Nook users.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: The Diviners by Libba Bray
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Why I'm waiting: Where do I start? I love, LOVE, LOVED Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series. I really wish it could have gone on further, but it also made sense to end it where she did. Anyway, I've got a few of her other works on my TBR list, as well, and I'm sure they're raucous and hilarious, just like the author herself. But I think...no, I know, that I'll prefer when she writes in a time period other than the present. And when she writes about magic. Her writing is magical, in and of itself, and I can't wait to see what she does with the Diviners series.
Oh, and the trailer was just released! Take a peek:
Wow, that gave me chills! Beautiful and creepy! I. LOVE. IT. Seriously, I want this book yesterday!
Friday, August 12, 2011
TGIF #4
TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads! In this weekly feature, Ginger poses a question to her followers and then asks everyone to link up at the end of the post, sharing their responses.
Hmmm...these questions always seem easy at first glance, but when I actually sit down to type out my response, I find myself inundated with possibilities. After all, there are a ton of authors that I love to read and stalk online. But when it comes down to it, these are the ladies that I'd actually want to hang out with:
The ever-witty, funny, clever, and uber-talented Maggie Stiefvater. Her writing is lyrical and her self-made book trailers are phenomenal. She's a successful writer, artist, and musician...in other words, the package deal.
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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