The Diviners

The Diviners is set in glittering 1920s New York City, where seventeen-year-old Evie O'Neill arrives to live with her uncle Will at his Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult. When a series of ritualistic murders begins terrorizing the city, Evie's supernatural ability to read objects by touch becomes crucial to the investigation. The story features a diverse cast of young people who possess various paranormal abilities, from prophetic dreams to healing powers. These "Diviners" must navigate both their emerging supernatural talents and the social dynamics of Prohibition-era Manhattan, complete with speakeasies, jazz clubs, and social upheaval. Among murder mystery and supernatural horror elements, the narrative explores America during a transformative decade of cultural change. Themes of power, identity, and the tension between tradition and progress run through this first installment of a four-book series.

Readers give high marks to the 1920s atmosphere, supernatural horror elements, and diverse cast of characters. Many note the thorough historical research and authentic period dialogue. The audiobook narration by January LaVoy receives frequent praise for bringing the large cast to life. Positive reviews highlight: - Complex, well-developed characters - Vivid descriptions of 1920s New York - Creepy, unsettling horror scenes - LGBTQ+ and POC representation Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first 150 pages - Too many character perspectives - Length (578 pages) feels excessive - Some find main character Evie too bratty/annoying Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (106,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Multiple readers compare the tone to American Horror Story and Supernatural, with one noting "It's like The Great Gatsby meets Stephen King."

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The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert A teen traces her grandmother's connection to a supernatural world filled with dark fairy tales that begin bleeding into reality.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson A girl enrolled at a London boarding school discovers she can see ghosts and becomes entangled in a Jack the Ripper copycat investigation.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood Three witch sisters in an alternate Victorian America hide their powers while confronting prophecies and persecution.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters A teenage girl communicates with spirits during the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic while investigating her boyfriend's mysterious death.

★ The author, Libba Bray, wrote much of The Diviners while battling Lyme disease, which influenced some of the book's darker themes about physical and emotional struggles. ★ The 1920s slang used throughout the novel was meticulously researched using authentic periodicals and documents from the era, including original flappers' diaries. ★ The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult featured in the book was inspired by real institutions like the Merrylin Cryptid Museum, which collected supernatural artifacts in the early 20th century. ★ The ritualistic murders in the story draw inspiration from actual unsolved serial killings that occurred in New York City during the 1920s. ★ The four-book series took over a decade to complete, with the final installment, "The King of Crows," being published in 2020, eight years after the first book's release.