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Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray (Review #198)

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS FAR IN THE DIVINERS SERIES, STOP NOW. DO NOT READ. THIS IS BOOK 3. CHECK OUT THE DIVINERS FOR THE REVIEW OF BOOK 1, AND LAIR OF DREAMS FOR BOOK 2!

"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 claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough 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 face-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."

Review:
What an absolutely exquisite installment! After the last book, the size of this one seemed daunting. Much to my surprise, this entire book was so enthralling and exciting that it was done in a blink! So much happens, I'm not sure I can cover it all but this is everything I've been waiting for. Our ensemble of main characters are all together now learning to harness their gifts, boosting one another magically as well as personally.

Evie, the Sweetheart Seer, isn't the belle of the ball anymore. Now it's evangelical Sarah Snow, and she's telling the world that Evie is an agent of the devil. Mabel, once Evie's best gal pal, now distant from all the diviners and finding new companionship from a not-so-jake crowd. Jericho goes to Hopeful Harbor to spy on the genius philanthropist with a dark past (and present) Jake Marlowe, but the darkness within Jericho himself begins to emerge. Sam is still as desperate as ever the find out more about Project Buffalo and his mom, but he's also still looking for a bit of hope with Evie, despite crashing and burning the first time.

Theta's past has finally caught up with her and it won't let go of her until she's back on it's leash. Memphis is trying to hold tight to Theta despite her constantly pushing him away, and Isaiah begins to have unexplained seizures. Henry is not only trying to heal after learning his beloved is dead, but also heal from the trauma of watching his mentally-ill mother slowly die from the abuse and mistreatment by her husband AND doctors alike. Ling is looking to science for the answers and looking even harder for a role model, but everyone seems to be letting her down. 

And we have a new character, Conor Flynn. Imprisoned in an asylum after murdering a priest, he has visions he draws out, and they all come to pass. The Diviners are looking for answers and Conor seems to have them. But the King of Crows won't let them win so easy. 

As I said before, so much happens in this book. The dead are walking and their hungry. We see the team fight and struggle to find the clues that will close the Eye and bring down the man in the stovepipe hat once and for all, but they have no idea what is in store.

The ending had me in tears. I honestly didn't believe it was true until a chapter or so later, that's how devastated and numb I was. I don't know what's next for the Diviners but I'm with them until the end. I look forward to the final installment. The match has been lit and the fire is spreading. 

Let me know your own thoughts and feels down below in the comments! 




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