Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

Title: Lair of Dreams
Author: Libba Bray
Series: The Diviners #2
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Source: BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to "read" objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, "America's Sweetheart Seer." But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners' abilities...

Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?

Review

When I first read The Diviners, I was blown away by the atmosphere and storytelling. I feel in love with 1920s New York City. Naughty John gave me nightmares (still does). And I couldn’t get enough of Evie and her antics. It was an instant favorite of mine with very few books even coming close and that is why I have waited with bated breath for this sequel. To give you an idea of how much I’ve been wanting to read this book, I actually cried when I got an ARC at BEA. Dreams became reality for me that day. But seeing as I loved it, it was well worth the wait (and tears) and I would happily (albeit anxiously) wait another 3 years for the next book if it can be this good (but I hope I won't have to). For the record, there will be 4 books.

One of the first things to pull me into The Diviners, and later Lair of Dreams, was the setting. Libba Bray makes 1920s New York City come alive and it is magical. It is also the perfect setting for this story – that time period and that city was filled with so much life, death, hope and uncertainty. It was a time of change and a place where anything was possible. And Libba Bray captured this feeling and exploited it perfectly. I loved this mix of Historical Fiction, Paranormal and Thriller. It was brilliant.

In The Diviners we are introduced to a wonderfully vibrant cast of characters. Evie, who I’ve already mentioned, is one of the most memorable and entertaining characters I’ve ever met, even after 3 years and so many books later. She was a bit selfish in this book but I still adore her. She has to share the spotlight with a few others – Theta, Jericho, Sam, and Memphis to name a few. And that list only grows bigger in Lair of Dreams when we add Henry and Ling to the mix. But I never felt overwhelmed by the amount of POVs present. And I cared about every single perspective I read. All of these characters were wonderful and had a story to tell, which tied together seamlessly. I think that is another testament to Libba Bray’s talent.

We might have left Naughty John behind in The Diviners but Libba Bray gives us plenty of new monsters to fear in Lair of Dreams. The way Bray introduced the Sleeping Sickness that slowly swept through New York City was just as horrifying and creepy, maybe even more so because it could get to anyone. There is also a new player in the game – The King of Crows – that will surely play a bigger role in future books. And we also learn about a secret government organization that has something to do with The Diviners, Evie’s Uncle and Sam’s mother. I really felt the story expand in this sequel and I am excited to see what unfolds in the next two books.

For complete transparency, there was a bit of a love triangle in this book. In fact, many of the relationships are quite messy and complicated. But since it wasn’t a large focus of the book, I didn’t mind.

If you thought The Diviners was a monster of a book, Lair of Dreams tops it by about 100 pages. But don’t let the size of these books deter you from reading them. They are so , so good and no amount of words will do them justice. I don’t know if I can say that Lair of Dreams is BETTER than the Diviners but they are both so far above your average book that it’s not fair to compare them to each other. I also recommend the audiobooks because January LaVoy is dazzling. But I don't care what format you choose, just read this series!!!

The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners (The Diviners, #1)

Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Pages: 578, Hardcover
Source: Audiobook
Rating: 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads:

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies." 

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

This book is the cat’s meow; the ducks quack; the berries! (Diviners joke) But really, this book was amazing! Probably one of my most favorite reads, EVER. Gosh the setting, the characters, the mystery, EVERYTHING! I don’t even know where to begin *wills coherent thoughts to form*.

Libba Bray is something else when it comes to creating a setting for a book (her Gemma Doyle trilogy was set in Victorian London and was absolutely delightful). The Diviners is set in 1930s New York City and I couldn’t think of a better time and place for this story. All of the elements of this period are beautifully captured in her story down to the smallest detail and I can’t stress enough how much the atmosphere enhanced the story. Her expertly crafted characters, their dialogue and behavior, and each scene exuberated this era and made the story come alive. I was swept away from the very first page.

Evie is a hoot! She is sarcastic and outspoken, confident and carefree. She was one of the best lead characters I have had the pleasure of coming across. She was just so charming and full of life that I was constantly amused by her antics. Even though the other characters were strong, they paled in comparison. Note: this book is written in multi POV but is mostly the Evie-show (and no complaints here!)

But delightful setting and fabulous characters aside, this book was fabulously creepy. Naughty John gave me goosebumps and his eery little jingle was haunting: 

"Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on.

Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells em off for a coupla stones"

Everything about him and his occult-based sacrifices were unsettling and at various points in this story I was freaked out and afraid... yes, afraid. Libba Bray definitely created a unnerving villain and kept you on the edge of your seat while Evie and the police raced to stop him before it was too late. 

Even though this book has a supernatural element, I felt that it was subtly crafted into the story so that it was more of an added detail rather than a main element.  I would forget that Naughty John was some sort of dead ghost beast thing and that most of the characters had some type of power. But I preferred it as an undertone. The story didn't need it for excitement or suspense, it had plenty of that already and you can tell it will have a greater focus in the sequel to appease fans.

If my raving hasn't convinced you that you need to read this book, do yourself a favor and just read the opening chapter. I'm sure you won't put it down. It is fabulous! 

The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, #3) by Libba Bray

Title: The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, #3)
Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 819, Hardcover
Release Date: 12/26/07

Summary from Goodreads:
IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds. The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, bus she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

This whole series has been a classic case of "It's not you, it's me." I could not for the life of me get into the magical part of this story with much enthusiasm but boy did I love the setting!! Based in Great Britain during the Victorian Era, these young ladies sure know how to pack a punch into their pretty little words. The witty dialogue is really what kept me turning pages. Here is an example:

"I often imagine what sort of position Nightwing might seek out where she not currently torturing us as headmistress of Spence Academy for Young Ladies. Dead Sirs, her letter might begin. I am writing to inquire about your advert for the position of Balloon Popper. I have a hatpin that will do the trick, neatly and bring about the wails of small children everywhere. My former charges will attest to the fact that I rarely smile, never laugh, and can steal the joy from any room simply by entering and bestowing upon it my unique sense of utter gloom and despair. My references in this matter are impeccable. If you have not fallen into a state of deep melancholia simply by reading my letter, please respond to Mrs. Nightwing (I have a Christian name but no one ever has leave  to use it) in care of Spence Academy for Young Ladies. If you cannot be troubled to find the address on your own, you are not trying your very best. Sincerely, Mrs. Nightwing."

Read this with a British Accent and insta-love! But sadly, as I mentioned, I couldn't muster up an interest in the magic of this story, which is unfortunately, the premise of the book. This book being 800+ pages long did not help the cause. Negative feelings or not, I think it can be agreed upon that this book was drawn out. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this series because I think most will find it more enjoyable than I did but if I speak honestly, I was disappointed in both the characters, the progression of the story, and the ending. Libba Bray is pretty good at weaving the mystery through the storyline but in this case, the puzzle pieces just came together too slowly.

But to end on a positive note, I will highlight some of the dialogue in this book, which might be cause enough to read the series...

"We take such pains to be polite. We never say what we mean. For all it matters, we could greet each other and speak only of cheese - "How was your Limburger, miss?" "Salty as a ripe Stinking Bishop, thank you." "Ah, very cheddar, miss. I'll have your Stilton brought to your Camembert, then." - and no one would likely notice. "I'll see myself into the Muenster." "As you wish, miss." And there we are, though it is a pity my wickedness has been wasted with no one to appreciate it but me."

""Miss Temple, perhaps you will demonstrate the proper curtsy for us?" Without ado, Cecily Temple, She Who Can Do No Wrong, settles to the floor in a long, slow, graceful arc that seems to defy gravity. It is a thing of beauty. I am hideously jealous. "Thank you, Miss Temple." Yes, thank you, you little demon beast. May you marry a man who eats garlic with every meal."

Rating 2.5/5 stars