Gr 10 Up-This breathtaking sequel to The Diviners (Little, Brown, 2012) is worth the wait. The novel opens in 1927 New York City, as construction continues on expanding the subway system. When workers break through to an older and forgotten train station, they develop a "sleeping sickness," trapped first by dreams and then "nightmare[s] from which they will, never, ever wake." Bray sets the stage for a mesmerizing exploration of dreams, including the American Dream—the "opiate futility of hope"—the exploitation of religion, science, and patriotism for evil ends. Although the same major characters from the previous volume appear in this installment, an additional Diviner, Ling Chan, makes her debut. She can dreamwalk and communicate with the dead. She and Henry enter dreams together to search for Ling's friend, George (who has fallen ill with the sleeping sickness), and Henry's lover, Louis. Evie O'Neill, still a quintessential flapper on the surface, is back, now famous as the "Sweetheart Seer" on a radio show. A sinister government plot to exploit people who display any Diviner talent brings the characters together for an action-packed, fast-paced, and slang-filled read. VERDICT A multilayered, character-driven, and richly rewarding installment to the paranormal historical fiction series.— Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

A mysterious sleeping sickness is taking hold of New York City, destroying its victims from the inside out. But rumors of illness can't dampen the spirits of flapper and party-girl extraordinaire Evie O'Neill, or the "Sweetheart Seer," as she is now famously known on her radio show. Diviners are the cat's pajamas, don't you know? Meanwhile, pianist Henry DuBois' nightly walks through others' dreams lead him to Ling Chan dream-walker from Chinatown, who may have an idea of who, or what, is behind the sleeping sickness. All the major players from The Diviners (2012) return in this long-awaited second volume of a planned quartet, where hungry ghosts and nightmares, instead of serial killers, stalk characters but prove every bit as deadly. Bray admirably depicts Jazz Age New York, infusing it with a tense, sinister atmosphere. Though the number of dream-world journeys borders on excessive and little plot progression occurs, Bray's writing and cryptic teasers of things to come will keep readers invested and ready to "ankle" to the nearest bookstore for book three. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bray is a best-seller with a Printz Award under her belt (Going Bovine, 2009). A big promo campaign and author tour will help build the hype for her latest.