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Please Note: I receive an advance copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
After the horrifying explosion that claimed one of their own, the Diviners find themselves wanted by the US government, and on the brink of war with the King of Crows.
While Memphis and Isaiah run for their lives from the mysterious Shadow Men, Isaiah receives a startling vision of a girl, Sarah Beth Olson, who could shift the balance in their struggle for peace. Sarah Beth says she knows how to stop the King of Crows-but, she will need the Diviners' help to do it.
Elsewhere, Jericho has returned after his escape from Jake Marlowe's estate, where he has learned the shocking truth behind the King of Crow's plans. Now, the Diviners must travel to Bountiful, Nebraska, in hopes of joining forces with Sarah Beth and to stop the King of Crows and his army of the dead forever.
But as rumors of towns becoming ghost towns and the dead developing unprecedented powers begin to surface, all hope seems to be lost.
In this sweeping finale, The Diviners will be forced to confront their greatest fears and learn to rely on one another if they hope to save the nation, and world from catastrophe...
Review:
The supernatural series, The Diviners, by Libba Bray, has been a gothic horror delight. Each book has been filled with exciting characters with a creepy story set in the Roaring Twenties. This book, The King of Crows, is the grand finale. As an audiobook, this book was a whopping 22 hours, 21 minutes! Reading this book was a commitment, but one that was well worth it.
What I Liked:
Narration:January LaVoy is an amazing narrator. Her many voices for each character are so convincing, it's hard to remember that only one person is performing!
Setting:
Previous books in the series all focused on New York City during the Roaring Twenties. The energy and excitement of the city fuels the story. This book takes us into rural America during that time. I enjoyed the contrast between the vibrancy of the city and the slower pace (and more modest lifestyle) of the smaller towns during that time.
Characters:
All the Diviners have strengths and challenges that play in to the story. All of them must face their fears and shortfalls as they confront the King of Crows.
One of the characters I really grew to like was Evie. Evie, who in earlier books was rather shallow, matures in this story. I liked that she started to think of other people's happiness rather than just her own.
Friendship:
I also loved that Theda and Evie become friends who can rely on each other. I don't see too many friendships develop slowly in the course of a book series. Usually friendships are either instantly deep or begin long before the book has even started. But in this story, their characters share many small moments that add up to a true friendship.
Themes:
This story is full of moments that explore larger themes such as racism, immigration, and what being American means. The characters realize their time is one on the precipice of change. Can the freedoms America espouses really be for all, or only for the elite?
Story:
The story is full of foreboding as the group moves closer to the final confrontation with The King of Crows. But before they ever get to him, they must evade the clutches of Jake Marlow, and his Shadow Men. The suspense and situations where they must fight their way out, are exciting and harrowing.
What I Was Mixed About:
Length of the Novel:As much as I loved this book, it really should have been edited down. There were long passages expounding on the injustices of America. I think the author has a lot to say about America that is relevant to today. But it created a tone that was out of sync with the rest of the series.
Rating:
Release Date: February 4th, 2020
Genre: Gothic Horror/Historical Fiction
Author: Libba Bray
Audiobook Publisher: Listening Library
Audiobook Length: 22 hours, 21 minutes
Print Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Length: 560 Pages
Source: Listening Library
Format I Used: Audiobook
Recommendation: If you can make the commitment of time, this is a rewarding finale to a creepy series.
