Another Winner from Bray

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the prose alone make it worth listening to/reading. The narrator makes the story come alive. There are several parts that seem to drag on endlessly, but that is probably due to my own impatience to get to the end. Now, of course, I'm sad that it is over and so I will have to start again from the beginning and savor it this time, so I'm sure I'll like those parts more the second time around.

What other book might you compare Lair of Dreams to and why?

I really don't know. Obviously it goes well with its prequel, but these novels are in a league of their own, combining YA romance problems, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery. I loved Bray's debut trilogy, "The Gemma Doyle Trilogy," AND her book "Beauty Queens," AND this series is quickly joining the list. I cannot get enough of her stories.

Which character – as performed by January LaVoy – was your favorite?

Sam Lloyd or Theta Knight

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it is very lengthy, so that is not possible.

Any additional comments?

EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS SERIES. Unless you're some kind of fuddy-duddy or you just don't like YA fantasy/scifi novels (basically making you some kind of fuddy-duddy).

Also, for fans of Bray's previous Gemma Doyle trilogy there's a tiny easter egg/treat in this second book for us!

5 people found this helpful

Better than the first book

I bought this book primarily on the strength of January LaVoy's performance, and was pleasantly surprised to find that many of the things that annoyed me about the first book were better here: the characters were more interesting, the plot less formulaic, and the ending more concise. I'm cautiously optimistic for the next installment!

4 people found this helpful

Setting the stage for the next two books

I'm looking forward to the resolution of the series, however I felt that Lair of Dreams was written to bring certain characters together and lay the foundation for their respective relationships. I did not enjoy it as much as its predecessor, and I felt that the arc of the overall storyline does not advance enough in the second book to justify turning what could be a trilogy, into a four-book saga.

Overall the book still earns a solid 4.5 stars, if only for the sheer beauty that is Libba Bray's writing.

I am always astounded by Bray's ability to apply current events topics in a way that they can be tied back to real events from past eras, such as the 1920s, making the past or the issues so much more relatable for readers-- and it's not even done in a condescending way, like some authors who shall remain unmentioned *cough* "James Patterson" *cough, cough*

2 people found this helpful

Libba Bray at Her Finest

Libba Bray knows how to tell a story, or, in the case of The Diviners and Lair of Dreams, layers of story upon story. The second in the Diviners series, Lair of Dreams eerily mimics the climate in the US today: the fear of immigrants, the authoritarian views of many, the corruption. Evie and Sam and the rest of the characters pull the reader into a world of yesterday, while, all at the same time, connecting fluidly with the present-day America.

As far as the performance of the novel, January Lavoy was spectacular. I don't believe I've enjoyed an Audible book as much as I've enjoyed this one; her performance brought the book to life!

2 people found this helpful

This is the elephant's eyebrows!

A seamless blend of tenderness, humor, and extreme scarey! I couldn't stop listening and ignored everything and everyone around me. And now, the long, impatient wait until the next book. Oh yes, Libba leaves us with another cliffhanger!
(surprise cameo in this, too, but listen for it; it's a flash in the pan.)

2 people found this helpful

I should have read it long ago

I listened to The Diviners a couple of years ago and really liked it, I thought the story was interesting and refreshing, I loved the 20s setting and the narrator is just marvelous!
The ambiance January LaVoy generates while telling the story is everything.
As I'm not a native English speaker and I didn't remember everything from the first book, it took me a while to absorb what was happening and to get into the story. But once I started to pay more attention I was dragged into it.
Lair of dreams was an eerie book and a creepy one. I certainly recommend it and I will continue on with the series. So bad that the audio books are so expensive!!

I also want to highlight that it brings some important issues that are concerning as for the current times too. It was disheartening to hear about race discrimination in this book and realize that nothing much has change. We need to focus on this stuff. This book portrays discrimination toward Chinese people mainly, but it also towards POC and portrays homophobia. To show that in a book set in 1927 is accurate, the sad part is that almost a 100 years later we're fighting against the same kind of stuff.

OK, that was me letting go some feelings out.

Just read this series! It's so good 🤩

1 person found this helpful

It's The Berries!

The characters just came to life for me in this story. I love this series and can't wait for the next installment! This series would make great films!!!!

1 person found this helpful

when is the next book

love the story, the narrator, the characters. want the next book now! !!!

1 person found this helpful

Great book--even greater narration!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that there were a diverse group of characters portrayed with different viewpoints and experiences. I also liked that Bray did not shy away from the bad elements of the time period--the rampant and accepted racism, homophobia, etc.

What does January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings the characters to life with their own unique voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this to any history fans or any fans of the supernatural.

1 person found this helpful

Best Book in the Series

I absolutely love the voice acting and narration by January LaVoy

This story picks up where the first left and clearly continues developing the future books. We find learn about Henry and new friend Ling's ability to dream walk. Obviously dreams are torturing the city and the Diviners are caught right in the middle of it all.

At the start I felt that the equal opportunity checklist was just being completed because of trends to do so. HOWEVER, every minority, sexual orientation, relationship, and disability ADDED to the story. That's how an inclusive cast should look.

Honestly I'd only recommend this series as a duology as this is the strongest book.

1) The Diviners ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2) Lair of Dreams ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3) Before the Devil Breaks You ⭐⭐⭐
4) King of Crows ⭐