sleepingnerd 20/02/2020I read this book because it was the papercut's choice for March (and also recommended by Kat from paperbackdreams) and can I just say, it was a really great read?
The characters are well developed and compelling. I like how Evie can be brash and have her flaws, how she's allowed to be her own age (she's seventeen! just a kid! I've seen some reviews talking about how shallow she seems, just because she likes parties and dresses, but firstly, fuck you and your sexist views, and secondly, have you ever seen a seventeen year old?). At the same time, she's brave and kind and has her own traumas, in layers upon layers. Memphis, too, as well as Theta (which were my favorite characters). A novel is never really enjoyable to me if I can't care about it's characters, and this one had me easily hooked.
The supernatural and mystical elements are amazing, and I loved the historical side of this novel as well. It has such an atmosphere, like you're really in twenties New York, given by both the writing and the dialogue. I also enjoyed the spooky element, that managed to be scary even with many fade to black elements.
The only trouble I have with this book is the many moments of blatant exposition, where characters would go on long paragraphs of dialogue explaining this or that, or their internal monologue would tell, rather than show, what we needed to know. I'm generally pretty oblivious when reading, so for me to notice it, the exposition must be very blatant. I also think the side characters could have been more integrated into the main plot, though I understand that Bray wanted to introduce them for future novels.
All in all, a very good book, and I'm excited for the sequels!