I feel a bit of a blank canvas on what to say about this novel. Sometimes books don’t inspire reviews, but this book is just leaving me empty for reasons I will explain. I sometimes focus more on the negatives in my reviews than positives, but I can find it hard to find words to praise a book without just spoiling the whole story and I am a critical reader. So this should be taken with a pinch of salt, for it was a recommendable novel.

I picked out the Diviners series because Kat from paperback dreams praised it. I put a reasonable amount of trust in her reviews, as she is a critical reader. Because of this I was expecting more from this book than what I feel I got. I enjoyed this book but I hope I love the next one in the series.

I unfortunately found this book too slow to get going and had a small reading slump about a third of the way through. So I read two other books before picking this back up again. That left the book a bit disjointed - but that’s my fault.

I liked the creepy plot and the characters. But the plot did not go at all how I anticipated from the blurb or what I then thought would happen after reading a couple hundred pages. And while being unexpected is good, it wasn’t the story I picked to read. But saying that, the 'diviners' slow burner part, I expect more is clearly being set up for the rest of the books in the series., so that series planning I appreciate.

Honestly…

I have been following the artist and author - Gabriel Picolo, on Instagram for the longest time. I had been aware of and in love with, Icarus and the Sun artwork for even longer. The story telling portrayed in just one piece of art was enough to grip me, so the thought of seeing a finished collection... then a book?!

After waiting so patiently, I was surprised to open a parcel and find the hardback one day. I spent that evening reading the story and admiring the artwork.

To have printed copies of some of my favourite pieces was lovely. The palette and juxtaposition of colours is beautiful. The story telling though images of real life, memories and imagination was almost brilliantly executed. And I finally got to read what this retelling was about.

... But I finished this book feeling dispirited.

The story timeline felt a bit flat and rushed. It is possible to create a short story with a heart-felt punch. Also, where was the Moon?! A character I'd so wanted to see more of, after seeing artwork on Picolo's Instagram. That was disappointing. Maybe the character was being softly introduced for a sequel. But this graphic novel needed this third beautiful character’s dynamic, beyond just being mentioned and represented by the actual moon. The whole story would also have been vastly improved if perhaps it focused on a more specific period of time.

For the artwork, I was sad for it's varying quality. I was not expecting every piece to be alike the featured and important frames. But some panels felt rushed and unfinished, and not as advertised on Instagram. I also noticed some continuity errors and typos.

I still love the artwork Picolo creates, and am glad I supported this book, he should be proud of it.

"It’s witty and romantic. With its characters falling outs and hidden love. I have literally burst into laughter a few times. I didn’t know I needed it and I love it."
- My comment on my first progress update when on Goodreads and I stand by it. Throughout this book it has always been 5 stars.

This review contains slight spoilers.

Overview:
Lord Henry Montague (Monty) is going on a year long Grand Tour of Europe with his friend Percy, before he is set to learn how to run an estate, before he inherits it from his Father. Monty drinks and gambles - a lot, and sleeps with both men and women - a lot. His father who abuses him does not agree with this and is giving him one last chance to prove himself. His sister - Felicity - an aspiring surgeon, is being sent with them, so they can drop her off at a finishing school. Monty's stealing of a box that he had no clue the value of turns their journey into a run as fugitives. The story turns to alchemical hearts and cure-alls, that former French Prime Minister the Duke of Bourbon is trying to get back for his own power gains. But Monty wants the cure for Percy, who after suffering from epilepsy for 2 years and not telling Monty, has a fit in front of him while on their trip.

This book tackles many important themes / issues, but despite this - the book is still a light-hearted read which melts the heart. This helps the audience learn about the issues but also shows that despite the rough parts of life, the good parts can still be kindled.

Homosexuality:
Running along and intertwining with the plot, is the two main characters exploring a homosexual romance with each other. This is the 18th century, where the words heterosexual and homosexual don't even exist as a male - female relationship is thought the only way. And the story begins in England where male - male relations are illegal and punishable up to death.

This was more interesting to read in a historical fiction than a story based in modern time, because homophobia is common place and it gives a different perspective. As such; Felicity struggles to understand her brothers want for men, especially in a romantic rather than sexual way. She's clever and sees it as science - which in 18th century saw only man and woman together as natural. She could understand male- male sexual relations as a 'vice' but not the romantic part. Felicity is a likable character and the companion book 'A Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' is written in her perspective. So, to have this likable character with a view that is very problematic in the modern world is great and I think that's exactly why the author, Mackenzi Lee put it in there, to explore. This is a historical fiction, it's set in the early 1700's, even some of the 'nicest' people will have views that we don't agree with today with our better understanding of the world. What maintains Felicity as a character the audience like is that she is trying to understand her brother and never does anything against him and his romantic interests.

Racism:
Percy our second lead male character is biracial and its said multiple times that they are stopped from doing something as some people view his skin as just dark enough to be classed as lesser. Percy was raised by his aunt and uncle after his dad bought him back from abroad then died. He's raised in a wealthy family but is still excluded from some events, such as dinning when guests are around. A main theme in this story is him trying to teach Monty that he can't always defend himself but that doesn't mean he want's Monty to do that for him. Monty's lack of understanding and arrogance to others from his position as a wealthy white man set to inherit an estate is something he has to deal with through his journey. With those who are not white (Percy and the pirates/privateers they sail with), and not men (particularly his sister).

Sexism & Female Position:
Felicity travelling with the men also brings up difficult situations alike for Percy being biracial, such as not being allowed to stay at Inns. The full problem of lack of respect to females in the past isn't fully addressed in this book, situations arise but there is little conversation about it. But I can bet it will be in her companion novel which is great as its a different key theme to explore and too many developed themes in this book would hinder the plot.

Epilepsy:
Another issue Monty has to learn is that he cannot choose what is right for someone. He has to learn to love Percy for who he is and that his illness will not hinder that and he just needs to care for him. Epilepsy was hugely misunderstood in this time period and it's warming to see Monty not afraid Percy is possessed or contagious or should be shunned, but is just worried for him, even if he does first try to help in the wrong way.

Abuse:
The scale at which this story explores the depth, severity, consequences and affects of Monty's abuse from his father increases through the book, until raw emotion comes out and a healing process can start. This is the best piece I've read which tackles this subject.

Alcoholism:
Monty's drinking is his coping mechanism for his fathers abuse and his homosexuality. What is beautiful in this story is he isn't hated by Percy or his sister for his drinking - although, they do straight up tell him he's a mess. But they understood or where understanding the cause and knew they had to help him heal.

Read twice in 2019.

Oh this book, I will never find words beautiful enough to describe it.

The story is so different from many YA's. The world of Caraval is a magical game, but its unclear what is a game and what is reality. Plus, it appears the game is different this year and encircled around Scarlet and her Sister Donatella (Tella). The readers understanding of the plot changes so many times, the story always feel new and the characters mysterious.

The narrative is told in third person in Scarlet's point of view. The way Scarlet's feelings and senses are described in this book are so unique. Scarlet feels her emotions and other peoples in colours, sometimes to the point she can even see them. And her senses are also in colour, Scarlet hates purple, associating it as bad, her father smells like anise, lavender and rotten plums. It was a whole new way of reading and experiencing this world.

This book will intrigue, confuse and challenge your mind.

Aiden Bishop lives through a single day at Blackheath eight times, in eight people’s 'host’ bodies. His actions in each host remains when he moves to another host. He is needing to solve a death, that doesn't look like murder but is, by 11pm on the last day.

So how would you blackmail someone, if you don't have information on them yet? Well, your future self, in another host’s body, will bring it to you.

There's others fighting to solve this murder - are they good or are they going to betray Bishop? These people are different; they only live the day once, in one host. But why? Why/how is this even happening.

Oh! And there’s a deadly 'Footman', hunting down all of Bishop's hosts.

The story has clever layers, similar to - but in no way the same mechanics as Inception. The story is a living thing, always evolving. Making the world unleaveable.

This book will make you question why someone is who they are, whether it is because of their actions and how others affect their actions. And if a person can change. Or if the day can be changed.