The Diviners, Book 1

The serial killer in this book, like the serial killer from the movie Seven, is motivated by sacred texts but is even creepier, because there's a supernatural, occult element to all of the killings. The murders are described, and although they typically fade to black, the bodies are discovered and then described. And the serial killer doesn't discriminate when it comes to his methods: the victims range in age, background, and ethnicity and have parts of their body removed for ritualistic reasons. Those passages are gory, surprisingly detailed (the girl who empties her bladder or the boy who imagines what his friends will say when he's missing, etc.) and sometimes downright terrifying.

Some kisses, references to virginity or lack thereof (without every using the word), and going too far, feeling stirrings, and strong feelings of attraction. There's also a gay character who's said to sometimes bring guys home. There's love at first sight and also more than one possible love triangle that's established. Couples in clubs kiss and dance.

Because it's a period novel, there's not as much cursing as in contemporary teen books. There's the occasional "ass" and "bitch," as well as some more creative insults and historically appropriate references to "Negroes," "coloreds," and various immigrant groups.

The Diviners is set during Prohibition, so naturally speakeasies and drinking (gin, champagne, cocktails) is all the rage for sophisticated New York teens. Evie drinks "giggle water" whenever she can, and she (and her friends) get drunk on a few occasions. Mabel gets drunk, throws up, and vows not to drink again. Smoking was in vogue at the time, so many of the characters smoke cigarettes. The serial killer often drugs his victims to incapacitate them before he finishes them off.

Parents need to know that The Diviners is the first in a series by award-winning author Libba Bray, who has set her dark and pulse-quickening novel in Prohibition-era New York City. There's an occultish serial killer at work, and only those touched with supernatural gifts can rally together to try to find him. His killings are deeply disturbing, gory, and ritualistic. There's occasional strong language ("ass," "bitch"), as well as some more creative insults and historically accurate references to "Negroes," "coloreds," and various immigrant groups. This is the 1920s, so there's a lot of sneaking around to speakeasies and jazz clubs to drink and dance into the night, as well as kiss if the mood strikes. Racism and anti-immigrant fervor is explained, and there's a good deal of discussion about the occult, witchcraft, voodoo, and other dark beliefs. But best of all, the book is packed with historical references to the literature, entertainment, politics, and style of the Roaring Twenties.