Before the Devil Breaks You

The Diviners, Book 3

By: Libba Bray

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The Diviners are back in this thrilling and eerie third installment by number one New York Times best-selling author Libba Bray.

After battling a sleeping sickness, The Diviners are up against a group of new and malevolent foes - ghosts! Out in Ward's Island sits a mental hospital full of lost souls from people long forgotten. Ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the Man in the Stovepipe Hat, also known as the King of Crows.

With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over New York City, the Diviners must band together and brave the ghosts haunting the asylum to bring down the King of Crows.

Heart-pounding action and terrifying moments will leave you breathless in the third book of the four-book Diviners series by number one New York Times best-selling author Libba Bray.

©2017 Libba Bray (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"This story broke my heart and made me laugh and gave me hope - and really, what more can you ask of a book than that? I loved it, and I have a feeling you will too." (Jennifer E. Smith, author of Windfall and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight)

"Narrator January LaVoy shines in the third installment of The Diviners series.... Despite the considerable number of characters and their intersecting storylines, LaVoy never misses a beat, demonstrating a wide range of vocal dexterity and skill that creates the impression of an ensemble. Listeners are encouraged to begin at the beginning of this planned four-audiobook series and enjoy LaVoy's mastery." (AudioFile)

Deliciously Creepy

Everything about this series is perfection. The narration and performance only enhance am already terrific plot line.

Wonderful Book

This was a great book. The first book was incredible but I would say this book bridges fantasy and historical fiction more. It dives into the rich history of America in the 30s that was sometimes charming but, more often then not, horrifying. I would say this book took a darker turn but was still enjoyable and entertaining. The diviners have a lot to fight for and against. I can't say enough about the narrator. She brings every unique character to life in the most perfect way! I cannot wait to listen to the final book in this series.

great story

enjoyed the historic perspective, author's note at the end was interesting to. enjoyed this book

The best audiobook experience you can have

Listening to the audiobooks for this series is like hopping on a rickety old train car and getting pulled along for the most spooky, thrilling, chilling, dazzling, suspenseful and immersive ride of your life. I think January LaVoy must be possessed to deliver narration like she does, it's not humanly possibly to be so good at so many voices. The story is great, the world building and characters are the best in the business, and I laughed, I cried, and I was scared out of my mind. Utter perfection.

A twisting tale

The narration was great, though I couldnt get behind Evie's voice.

The story, like all in the Diviners series is more of a stroll through a gallery of events, than a strict plot driven by the events. I do enjoy the style quite a bit, and it makes me feel closer to the characters. Ut did lag toward the end and I almost stopped listening, but I'm glad I finished the book. It was overall a well written and enjoyable novel. I can't wait for the next installment.

Can't wait til book 4 comes out!

I loved this book! January LaVoy's personification of the characters made this book come alive. It made me laugh, cry, get angry, and cry some more. The history and the acknowledgement of the pains and struggles of immigrant and African Americans was beautifully written. It is sad to know that there were and still exist some Americans with such strong anti-immigrant beliefs. In addition she also wrote about hope and love in a way that I've not seen blended in a novel before. I can't wait until book 4 comes out even though I was expecting this to be a trilogy.

Impressed

The narrator is outstanding and brings each character uniquely to life.

Also, wow. Bray managed to embody many important elements and challenges of the American history and that still plague us today. The chapter “Ghosts” gave me the chills- both the good and bad kind. It was a beautifully written segment on the horrors and truths that this country was build on which I have never seen incorporated into a novel.
Historical fiction meets paranormal in this series, and I am not sure anyone else has captured such confounding issues in this genre quite like Bray. I look forward to the final installment.

Great story, fantastic narrator

I don't know what to be more impressed by--the variety and richness of all the characters in the story, or January LaVoy's ability to not only capture each one individually, but maintain their personalities throughout this series. You need to start the series from the beginning--it's wonderful, complex and evocative, while also funny and playful. LaVoy's narration is perfect! AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Feels pertinent to modern events

If you could sum up Before the Devil Breaks You in three words, what would they be?

The somewhat culmination to the two previous books in the serious wherein readers follow a misfit group through dangerous adventures--dangerous not just because of the supernatural overtones but because of the very real undertones of racism, eugenics, and what it means to be American.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that this story is engaging readers through entertaining interpersonal trists and battling ghosts and ghoulies but more frighteningly is the subtle and wonderful way Libba Bray has married that to the real horror of eugenics, racism, the disregard for human rights all in the name of keeping America safe. Keeping America First (which can lead to really scay outcomes, thanks history!) The themes felt so relevant to todays political and social climate wrapped up in a novel that is easy to digest for younger readers. To me, the main characters seemed dynamic in their own sort of stock ways. They each filled a roll but were also so much more than that one thing.

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

Her reading was excellent!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

History is coming for you. It's not over.

Any additional comments?

Please tell me this is being made into a Netflix series? Something with a good budget but also widespread access.

Like a fine wine, only better

Libba Bray, perhaps the finest YA author of our time, has done it again. She's masterfully woven a web that is both spooky and delightful. Her characters are so artfully written that I feel I know them personally. And while Bray's writing is engaging, impeccable, and addictive to read, January LaVoy's narration only makes it better. What an actress! Now I have to find the other books she's narrated and listen to them as well. I don't think you can find a better narrator than Ms. LaVoy. I am anxiously waiting for the next book. Hurry, Ms. Bray!