The Diviners
Oct 22, 2012
Author: Libby Bray
Category:JUVENILE FICTION, ROMANCE
Subformat:YOUNG ADULT
Publish Date:9/18/2012
ISBN:9780316126113
Book Description:
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.
Idgie Says:
This book is placed under the YA genre but at almost 600 pages it could be daunting to a teen. Then again, Harry Potter books are huge so perhaps I'm just swayed by the fact that all the teens I know think the Hunger Games is too long of a book. :) After stating my thoughts on the length of the story, I will say that I tore through this book, finding it a fast and enjoyable read.
This book in ways reminds me of the Lincoln Child/Douglas Preston "Pendergast" books, but for teens. A spooky museum full of items of the occult, the Uncle who runs it while seemingly receiving no tourists to help pay to keep it open, mysterious events, murder, mayhem.....etc.
The story is set in the 1920s and involves gin, flappers, speakeasies and a pile of young people (all around 17) who have mysterious skills that they tend not to talk about. For underage kids, they all drink heavily and most seem to have thoughts and experiences far above their ages. Then again, in the earlier part of the century people grew up much faster than they do now.
The one thing that might throw teens off is that the slang is spot on for the roaring 20s. While we, at a "mature" age probably watched enough movies, etc. to get most of it, YA might be completely lost by half the dialogue.
I found it to be a very interesting book and quite enjoyed reading it. I do feel it's a fit for a very mature YA or adults in general. I didn't feel that I was reading a novel too young for myself.
This book is placed under the YA genre but at almost 600 pages it could be daunting to a teen. Then again, Harry Potter books are huge so perhaps I'm just swayed by the fact that all the teens I know think the Hunger Games is too long of a book. :) After stating my thoughts on the length of the story, I will say that I tore through this book, finding it a fast and enjoyable read.
This book in ways reminds me of the Lincoln Child/Douglas Preston "Pendergast" books, but for teens. A spooky museum full of items of the occult, the Uncle who runs it while seemingly receiving no tourists to help pay to keep it open, mysterious events, murder, mayhem.....etc.
The story is set in the 1920s and involves gin, flappers, speakeasies and a pile of young people (all around 17) who have mysterious skills that they tend not to talk about. For underage kids, they all drink heavily and most seem to have thoughts and experiences far above their ages. Then again, in the earlier part of the century people grew up much faster than they do now.
The one thing that might throw teens off is that the slang is spot on for the roaring 20s. While we, at a "mature" age probably watched enough movies, etc. to get most of it, YA might be completely lost by half the dialogue.
I found it to be a very interesting book and quite enjoyed reading it. I do feel it's a fit for a very mature YA or adults in general. I didn't feel that I was reading a novel too young for myself.
Read excerpt HERE:
________________________________________________
Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com
