The diviners by Libba Bray
Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781742375229.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Evie O'Neill has a secret, a power that has
gotten her into trouble in her boring hometown where she uncovered
the secrets of some powerful party goers. Bundled off to live with
her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, she is
thrilled to be in New York City, with its shopping, parties, alcohol
and speakeasies. She meets a fabulous Ziegfeld Follies girl and a
handsome pickpocket, but when brutal murders occur, seemingly occult
based, she finds herself investigating with her Uncle.
The glamorous atmosphere of the 1920's New York, with parties,
dancing girls and gambling comes to life in the hands of Printz
Award-winner Bray, who has the well-honed skill to write dialogue
and describe scenes that are indelibly marked on the reader's mind.
This background is absolutely fascinating and beautifully described,
with the research going into making it feel very authentic. The
mysteries of the occult are dark and threatening and seem even worse
when contrasted with the partying, fashions and fun that flapper,
Evie craves.
Evie meets up with a strange group of people in her quest for fun
and her dangerous attempt to uncover the beast, Naughty John, who is
murdering innocent people in a horrendous fashion. There is a large
cast of characters to remember, all interesting with strange
backgrounds and strange powers. Memphis Campbell is a numbers
runner, whose healing ability has failed him. Jericho works for her
uncle and has secrets of his own, and Sam, the pick pocket, is
searching for his family who were involved with Project Buffalo.
Theta dances for the Ziegfeld Follies and lives with Henry, a
talented, gay musician. Together they have to face the evil of the
beast.
Aimed at the mature young adult, (there are references to drinking,
drugs and gambling), this large tome (578 pages), the first book in
a series, is a gripping paranormal thriller full of historical
detail. Libba Bray answers five
questions about the book for The Horn Book
and there is a site
for the series with a trailer and author information.
Pat Pledger