Best known for her Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy, Libba Bray returns with a spooky teen novel about the occult and a serial killer who just won’t quit. Kidzworld reviews The Diviners.
The Museum of Creepy Crawlies
Evie O’Neill has a special gift; she can learn people’s secrets by holding an object that belongs to them. During a party, she makes the mistake of showing off her ability. Mortified, her parents ship her off to Manhattan to live with her Uncle Will, owner of the Museum of American Folklore, Superstition and Occult (better known to locals as The Museum of Creepy Crawlies).
A Serial Killer
When a murderer leaves behind the mangled body of a girl whose skin is branded with a strange symbol, the police summon Will’s expertise. Evie and Will’s helper, Jericho, accompany him to the scene. And when Evie touches a piece of the dead girl’s shoe, she opens herself up to a new realm of horror.
Evil Unleashed
As the serial killer continues to strike, Evie, Will, Jericho and a persistent thief-turned-museum employee named Sam discover a pattern in his killings. A pattern that they must keep from the police so as not to look crazy. But if they don’t put a stop to this killer before Solomon’s Comet passes overhead, he will unleash an unstoppable evil.
The Bottom Line
Set in 1926, the story includes a lot of well researched description and quirky sayings that were common during the decade, such as “and how,” meaning yes, and “the cat’s pajamas,” which was used to describe something great or stylish. While the book is rather long, the story itself is a fast-paced murder mystery. But if you’re prone to nightmares, we wouldn’t recommend that you read it before bed!
Have Your Say
Will you read The Diviners by Libba Bray? Tell us in our comment section below!
