This was actually the first book I finished in 2023! And it was also the final book in a series. Can you believe I’m off to a good start haha? I was so proud! Also, it was nice to start the year with a book I enjoyed a lot. I definitely want to share my thoughts about the book and the series so let’s jump in!
The breath-taking finale to the epic New York Times bestseller, The Diviners, from Printz winner and beloved author, Libba Bray.
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...
The King of Crows (The Diviners, #4) by Libba Bray
on 04/02/2020
Pages: 560
Goodreads
I listened to the audiobook, like I did for most of the series. And it was such a wonderful experience. I’m super happy with my choices and I’m thankful for the day I finally started reading this series. Everyone seems to love the series and even though I had high expectations I was not disappointed!
“The river is change, and change cannot be stopped. Change, it sings. Change or be lost.”
This book has an incredible historical setting, I love all the research the author has done. It really feels like you are in 1920s America. But even better, she doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of history. They are a big part of the story. We have a very diverse group of main characters and their life wouldn’t have been easy by any means. And I guess it still translates to today unfortunately. I will say, as a white person I can’t comment on how triggering this might be for some readers so I would say be mindful of that. For example there is mention of sundown towns and the KKK. So I can imagine that might be triggering, please be mindful when picking up this book or series!
“There is no greater power on this earth than story….”
The story comes to an end in this one and I liked how it ended. Although it also felt a bit fast in the end somehow? The first part of the book felt pretty long, especially since our group is divided up for a long time. I liked the different things they got to see but I also hated how I missed out on them spending time together this one final time. One of the things I like so much about this series is the dynamic between the characters and I just can’t get enough of that part. So that was a little bit disappointing.
There is a plot twist I saw coming but was hoping I was wrong about. In my opinion something similar happened earlier in the series so I was hoping we wouldn’t go there. It was okay done so I’m not super mad but still. In my opinion it felt like reading the same thing and I think that shouldn’t happen in a series. Another twist is one I really hate haha. I don’t want to say more about it because I think you can guess what I was talking about otherwise. But like I said, did not like it one bit.
“The dead became the living until the living became the dead.”
I love this group of characters and the dynamic between them is amazing. It’s really hard to pick a favorite character. I keep going back and forth between Sam and Theta. But I also love Evie, Memphis and Henry. Isaiah and Jericho were my least favorite characters but they also had some good moments in The King of Crows.
In one of my last bookish items I shared my series book board and I just need to show it here again.
Make a better history
That quote is the perfect way to end this review and my thoughts on this series I think. Like I said before, Libba Bray doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of history but she also urges us to make something better of the next part of history, of the future. Let’s all make sure we do better!
