Skip to main content

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! 




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian (Review #29)

"Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister. Kate is tired of the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person - her ex-best friend - and she's ready to make her pay. Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him. Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they've each had a taste." Review: This book was FAN-TAS-TIC!! I am not for the petty popular girl books, and this is definitely not one of those books. The revenge you wish you got on the person who double-crossed you is finally let loose In one of the best and most inventive ways, and the ending left me jaw-dropped. This is a book everyone should have on their shelf.

Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi (Review #239)

  WARNING: SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS FAR IN THE SHATTER ME SERIES, STOP NOW. DO NOT READ. THIS IS BOOK 6.  FOR THE REVIEW ON BOOK 1, CHECK OUT  SHATTER ME . FOR BOOK 2, CHECK OUT  UNRAVEL ME . FOR BOOK 3, CHECK OUT  IGNITE ME .  FOR BOOK 4, CHECK OUT   RESTORE ME . AND FOR BOOK 5, CHECK OUT DEFY ME ! "Juliette Ferrars. Ella Sommers. Which is the truth and which is the lie? Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong—between Ella and Juliette—blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control. The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on." Review: This has been such a long time coming! If I'm being completely honest, I needed to be done with this series. I have been r

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan (Review #143)

"A girl named Nadya, who hears the whispers of the gods inside her head. A prince surrounded by desperate suitors and deadly assassins. A monster hidden behind pale, tortured eyes - and a smile that cuts like a knife. The paths of these characters becomes entwined during a centuries-long war filled with sinners and saints, magic and mystery, and a star-crossed romance that threatens to tip the scales between dark and light forever." Review: This was one of the best reads I’ve had in a long while. It DEVASTATED ME. BUT IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. Nadya and Serefin were both complicated, messy, yet divine characters. Neither were in the right or wrong but both knew the endgame. I loved every second of it. These characters never did what was expected of them and I loved there growth from beginning to end. And MALACHIASZ?????? I shipped it so hard. Every twist and turn had me hoping he and Nadya would set sail. Their dynamic was so intriguing to me. They were enemies of a hig