The Diviners

by Libba Bray

Reviewed by

Lucy McGrew

Many stories overlap and intertwine during this novel. The book uses elements of suspense, horror, action, and romance, as the characters try to fight an elusive evil that strikes again and again in a series of strange, occult murders. The story takes place in the roaring 20s, with a modern flapper girl- Evie- as one of the protagonists. Because of a strange gift she possesses, Evie is sent to live in New York with her uncle. 

            But Evie isn't the only one in New York surrounded by strange mysteries; other characters reveal past gifts and hidden secrets throughout the story. Her uncle Will proves to be more interesting than she thought, after he is called to the scene of a murder, and Jericho, Uncle Will's assistant, may be hiding something more beneath his stoic surface. Memphis Campbell is a numbers runner with crazy dreams- could there be a more sinister meaning behind them? And Evie's new friend Theta seems as exciting as they get, being a famous Ziegfield girl and all, but she might have a secret that she doesn't want to be discovered. 

            The characters' lives intertwine and overlap as the plot unfolds. As murders shake the city and it seems no one is safe, Evie, Theta, Memphis, Jericho and others must come together to protect the ones they love. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a thrilling mystery, with plenty of plot twists and a killer on the loose. The reader has to stick with it- but once the pace picks up one is hopelessly sucked into New York, 1920 and taken for a winding adventure into its darkest secrets.   

My Sister's Keeper

By Jodi Picoult

Reviewed by

Marlee Eilenberger

            Even if you have seen the movie My Sister's Keeper with Cameron Diaz, the movie does not do the book any justice. Just like most of the books that are turned into movies, the movie is completely different from the book in some parts of the plot. Personally, I saw the movie first and then read the book, and even though I enjoyed the movie I fell in love with the book. 

            My Sister's Keeper is a story about what happens when a family finds out that their daughter has acute promelocytic leukemia, a blood and bone marrow cancer. Along with that it shows the struggle of the youngest sister, Anna, and how she was created to be a "savior sister". Anna was made to save Kate's life, but Anna was never asked if she wanted to do this. Anna tries to find a way out of it and that is when she seeks the help of Campbell, who helps Anna sue for the rights to her own body. A couple of plot twist happen during the story which leads up to a big surprise ending. The ending surprised me - I truly did not see it coming. In the end someone lives and someone passes away but the question is who?  

If you think you have made your mind up on a very controversial subject, like the one in the book, be prepared for Jodi Picoult's way with words to try and change your mind. Jodi Picoult shows both sides of a subject and really makes you think about it from another point of view. The way she does this in this book is by telling the story from the point of view of each character, and seeing how they react to different things throughout the story. If you enjoy realistic reading material then you will truly enjoy this book as much as I did. I give it a ten out of ten and a great read to start off your new year.