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Divah
Eloise meets Rosemary's Baby in New York City’s very own Carlyle hotel.
Seventeen-year-old Itzy Nash is spending the summer at the exclusive Carlyle hotel in New York City. But the hotel harbors more than the rich and privileged; it is host to a gorgeous fallen angel, reclusive movie stars, and—Itzy soon learns—demons of the worst sort. When the Queen of the Damned checks in, all Hell breaks loose. Itzy is called upon to save herself—and all of humanity—from the ravages of the Underworld. There’s only one problem: Itzy’s possessed.
Part gothic thriller, part historical fiction, the novel straddles the Upper East Side and the lush trappings of the Carlyle hotel, and Paris during the Reign of Terror in 1789. Marie Antoinette is the Queen of the Damned. Marilyn Monroe is an expert demon hunter. To kill a demon, Hermès scarves, Evian water, and a guillotine are the weapons of choice.
Seventeen-year-old Itzy Nash is spending the summer at the exclusive Carlyle hotel in New York City. But the hotel harbors more than the rich and privileged; it is host to a gorgeous fallen angel, reclusive movie stars, and—Itzy soon learns—demons of the worst sort. When the Queen of the Damned checks in, all Hell breaks loose. Itzy is called upon to save herself—and all of humanity—from the ravages of the Underworld. There’s only one problem: Itzy’s possessed.
Part gothic thriller, part historical fiction, the novel straddles the Upper East Side and the lush trappings of the Carlyle hotel, and Paris during the Reign of Terror in 1789. Marie Antoinette is the Queen of the Damned. Marilyn Monroe is an expert demon hunter. To kill a demon, Hermès scarves, Evian water, and a guillotine are the weapons of choice.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2016
8 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Susannah Appelbaum
8 books70 followersSusannah Appelbaum realized at an early age that the world contains both good and evil—and she wanted nothing more than to write about it. By day, she does so. The night is reserved for keeping the world safe from shadows and demons. She has lived both in Paris and at the Carlyle hotel, where the service is exquisite and the food is never burnt. Susannah resides in New York’s Hudson Valley and is the critically acclaimed author of the Poisons of Caux series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 8, 2021
If machine existed that could delete memories, I would pay to have this book erased.
You know how sometimes you get trapped watching a movie, and even though it's so bad you're stuck? That was me with this book.
Divah can't decide what it wants to be. It's a Gothic thriller, horror, YA romance, with some historical fiction thrown in. I thought it might be a comedy too, but I couldn't tell if it was intentionally funny or not! Demons hate French and can be exorcised by Evian water! But all the silliness is done with a serious tone, which made it less believable, instead of funny.
I kept wondering if I was reading a spoof. I wasn't sure if it was making fun of itself or just bad. (I looked it up, and nope, it's not listed as a comedy. It's just so bad that it's funny.) There were many cliché horror aspects, and the main characters seemed like they were straight from a YA checklist!
Itzy was spunky, friendless, and quick to fall in love. Too often she rushes into danger or doesn’t listen to warnings. But in her defense the people warning her did a lousy job of sounding sane. (Her going into dark tunnels after a dog that previously bit her was particularly stupid.) Her love of old fashioned photography was a nice touch though, even if it's only so she can see the supernatural.
There isn’t much to Luc other than he’s handsome and brooding. Even after a way too long flash back we don’t learn anything about him. Except I’m now convinced he's insane. (He spends most of the flashback (like a quarter of the book) carrying around a severed head! Why?! No clue.) We get to meet the other fallen too, all of which have more personality than our love interest.
I read this book, because I wanted a forbidden love. I suppose technically there is, but there isn’t much romance other than she thinks he’s cute. More a crush than falling in love.
Pippa was one of the better characters, after her personality did a 180. The first time we meet her she’s a major bitch, acting horribly and not caring that her dog bit Itzy. Then when she next shows up, she’s nice and she’s friends with Itzy. Wait. What?
I wanted more world building. Demons come from hell, but they're more parasites taking over humans. (They look really gross!) But all we learn about angels is that like demons, they don't have souls and as a result, feel incomplete. (Luc and his friends are called fallen.) There are also Demon hunters, called scholars, who are often famous people, because demons like to hide among them. Marilyn Monroe was one of the greatest of all time. (See what I mean? It sounds humorous, right? But the author didn't go there!)
I kept reading hoping there was a reason for all the weirdness and craziness, but there wasn’t. I wasn’t confused, and the main plot made sense, but there was a certain irrational quality to all of the characters. (Maybe everyone’s just nuts!)
I've had to defend my rating of this book. I did almost rate it higher, because at least I was never bored. But in the end, this was quite possibly the worst book I've ever finished and if that isn't worthy of one star, I don't know what is.
Point of View: Third Person (Itzy), First Person (Luc)
Series: Standalone?
Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Edelweiss. I received this book free for an honest review.
My Summary:
An angel fell from heaven because he fell in love with Marie Antoinette, a demon. He's given a chance to earn his wings back by protecting a girl named Itzy.
In 1998, Itzy is seventeen and sent to stay with her aunt for the summer in rich hotel in New York City. A hotel crawling with demons who are all after Itzy.
You know how sometimes you get trapped watching a movie, and even though it's so bad you're stuck? That was me with this book.
Divah can't decide what it wants to be. It's a Gothic thriller, horror, YA romance, with some historical fiction thrown in. I thought it might be a comedy too, but I couldn't tell if it was intentionally funny or not! Demons hate French and can be exorcised by Evian water! But all the silliness is done with a serious tone, which made it less believable, instead of funny.
I kept wondering if I was reading a spoof. I wasn't sure if it was making fun of itself or just bad. (I looked it up, and nope, it's not listed as a comedy. It's just so bad that it's funny.) There were many cliché horror aspects, and the main characters seemed like they were straight from a YA checklist!
Itzy was spunky, friendless, and quick to fall in love. Too often she rushes into danger or doesn’t listen to warnings. But in her defense the people warning her did a lousy job of sounding sane. (Her going into dark tunnels after a dog that previously bit her was particularly stupid.) Her love of old fashioned photography was a nice touch though, even if it's only so she can see the supernatural.
There isn’t much to Luc other than he’s handsome and brooding. Even after a way too long flash back we don’t learn anything about him. Except I’m now convinced he's insane. (He spends most of the flashback (like a quarter of the book) carrying around a severed head! Why?! No clue.) We get to meet the other fallen too, all of which have more personality than our love interest.
I read this book, because I wanted a forbidden love. I suppose technically there is, but there isn’t much romance other than she thinks he’s cute. More a crush than falling in love.
Pippa was one of the better characters, after her personality did a 180. The first time we meet her she’s a major bitch, acting horribly and not caring that her dog bit Itzy. Then when she next shows up, she’s nice and she’s friends with Itzy. Wait. What?
I wanted more world building. Demons come from hell, but they're more parasites taking over humans. (They look really gross!) But all we learn about angels is that like demons, they don't have souls and as a result, feel incomplete. (Luc and his friends are called fallen.) There are also Demon hunters, called scholars, who are often famous people, because demons like to hide among them. Marilyn Monroe was one of the greatest of all time. (See what I mean? It sounds humorous, right? But the author didn't go there!)
I kept reading hoping there was a reason for all the weirdness and craziness, but there wasn’t. I wasn’t confused, and the main plot made sense, but there was a certain irrational quality to all of the characters. (Maybe everyone’s just nuts!)
I've had to defend my rating of this book. I did almost rate it higher, because at least I was never bored. But in the end, this was quite possibly the worst book I've ever finished and if that isn't worthy of one star, I don't know what is.
Point of View: Third Person (Itzy), First Person (Luc)
Series: Standalone?
Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Edelweiss. I received this book free for an honest review.
My Summary:
An angel fell from heaven because he fell in love with Marie Antoinette, a demon. He's given a chance to earn his wings back by protecting a girl named Itzy.
In 1998, Itzy is seventeen and sent to stay with her aunt for the summer in rich hotel in New York City. A hotel crawling with demons who are all after Itzy.
July 2, 2022
(6/29 off the 2022-specific TBR)
(2022 monthly goals: one book by an author whose entire bibliography i want to read)
i picked this up because i fucking love susannah appelbaum’s children’s series, poisons of caux. but there are lots of other reasons this book is up my alley. it’s set in new york! it involves the french revolution! there’s paranormal activity! there are fucked up buildings! i LOVE when buildings are fucked up and evil <3 and i love when the paranormal is joined with the “real” world: the idea that demons eat botox, for example, or that the carlisle hotel is full of magical inhabitants, or that marilyn monroe was a demon hunter in her heyday.
and so i should have loved this book, probably, but here’s the thing: it needs more editing. it needs at least one more revision and at least one more proofreading pass. appelbaum can fucking write and she can write well; i have no doubt about that. i know she can write well on an overarching plot/character level, because, again, she wrote poisons of caux, and i know she can write well on a prose level because this book is FULL of good prose:
so there’s no reason to have the same unusual word repeated twice on adjacent pages, or to miss an apostrophe-S, or to call the hellhound “he,” “she,” and “it” multiple times each. unless that last one was on purpose, in which case, shoutout to the demonic pug for being an any pronouns user. love wins.
and there’s no reason for the plot to feel as janky and disconnected as it does, because there IS a coherent plot here. it just feels like no event is ever given narrative weight, because itzy doesn’t seem to care. (this review says it well.) everyone around her is super vague in a way that is clearly meant, on a meta level, to keep the plot suspenseful, but also clearly not necessary on a larger level, so it’s just kind of grating. but itzy doesn’t seem to care? is like “yeah i’m a fallen angel,” and instead of shaking him down for further information, she just kind of goes with it. he also kisses her—“for her own good” to avoid being spotted by demons—and instead of going, “hey, can we talk about that? for my own good how? what ARE we?” she just… blushes and looks at the floor and moves on. tell me that’s not normal person behavior. i know social interaction often goes over my head, but come ON. if someone i barely knew kissed me in the middle of the street, i would want to follow UP, at least?
but itzy doesn’t, because unfortunately itzy is not a real person. she is a narrative prop. at first she reminded me a little of ivy manx from poisons of caux (i know i need to stop comparing this to poisons of caux but poisons of caux is so fucking good you guys), but she doesn’t really develop beyond learning how to fight with a sword and quip like a whedon character. i have no idea what she wants, other than a vague “don’t get possessed and destroy the world.” why does she do half the things she does? why would she go into the basement (while afraid of the dark) with a strange elevator boy just because he’s cute? because the plot requires it. why would she go into the dark (when, once again, she’s AFRAID of the DARK) to follow the dog that bit her who belongs to a girl she hates? because the plot requires it. this is why the luc/itzy relationship doesn’t really work for me, either—i could MAYBE get past the “immortal falling in love with human they’ve known since infancy” thing, maybe, if itzy were a dynamic character and her relationship with luc felt real, but she’s not and it doesn’t and i can’t. i never felt like i got to know itzy; she felt like a cardboard cut out of a strong female main character. which makes a lot of her internal struggle against possession fall flat; how do we know she doesn’t “feel like herself” if we don’t know who she is?
so this was a frustrating read in many regards. but i'm giving it three stars because the writing IS gorgeous and the ideas here are great; i maintain that with a little more editing, this book could have been a banger. other misc thoughts:
🪶the paranormal vibes at the start of this book are SO good; i wish those vibes had… continued? it was sort of giving coraline. itzy’s camera allowed her to see the “truth” of things through the lens, and the descriptions that came with that slapped, and then that just sort of… stopped happening? which was sad.
🪶i don’t love the shortness of all of the chapters; there are lots of places where chapter breaks happen for seemingly no reason. this could just be personal preference, though
🪶pippa: pippa is the other girl itzy’s age, introduced as wealthy and gorgeous and bratty, and when she gets into a fight with itzy, i braced for girl hate. but they end up becoming friends! i know the bar is soooo fucking low but i’ll take it. pippa proceeds to make some absolutely stupid choices but honestly so does itzy (there were multiple pages where i had to sit back and say “are you dumb” out loud) so i’ll let it slide and be glad that girls are sometimes friends
🪶the segment of luc pov in the middle was far and above my favorite. obsessed with the way the french revolution ties into the story. obsessed with the descriptions. obsessed with the angels. i read this whole part in basically one sitting because i couldn’t stop
🪶hey why the fuck was the french woman writing letters in a phonetically spelled french accent. what
🪶there are a lot of details of the end i wasn’t clear on
🪶that ending image fucking slapped though. the french revolution <3
tl;ldr: this book needed more editing. i wanted it to be great. it wasn't. it could have been! read poisons of caux first.
(2022 monthly goals: one book by an author whose entire bibliography i want to read)
i picked this up because i fucking love susannah appelbaum’s children’s series, poisons of caux. but there are lots of other reasons this book is up my alley. it’s set in new york! it involves the french revolution! there’s paranormal activity! there are fucked up buildings! i LOVE when buildings are fucked up and evil <3 and i love when the paranormal is joined with the “real” world: the idea that demons eat botox, for example, or that the carlisle hotel is full of magical inhabitants, or that marilyn monroe was a demon hunter in her heyday.
and so i should have loved this book, probably, but here’s the thing: it needs more editing. it needs at least one more revision and at least one more proofreading pass. appelbaum can fucking write and she can write well; i have no doubt about that. i know she can write well on an overarching plot/character level, because, again, she wrote poisons of caux, and i know she can write well on a prose level because this book is FULL of good prose:
Caged bare bulbs perforated the darkness.
Taut clouds stretched across the sky like scar tissue.
The sky was bleak with roiling clouds. Gone was the glory of Versailles, and in its place some forlorn moor, some wasteland of despair.
so there’s no reason to have the same unusual word repeated twice on adjacent pages, or to miss an apostrophe-S, or to call the hellhound “he,” “she,” and “it” multiple times each. unless that last one was on purpose, in which case, shoutout to the demonic pug for being an any pronouns user. love wins.
and there’s no reason for the plot to feel as janky and disconnected as it does, because there IS a coherent plot here. it just feels like no event is ever given narrative weight, because itzy doesn’t seem to care. (this review says it well.) everyone around her is super vague in a way that is clearly meant, on a meta level, to keep the plot suspenseful, but also clearly not necessary on a larger level, so it’s just kind of grating. but itzy doesn’t seem to care? is like “yeah i’m a fallen angel,” and instead of shaking him down for further information, she just kind of goes with it. he also kisses her—“for her own good” to avoid being spotted by demons—and instead of going, “hey, can we talk about that? for my own good how? what ARE we?” she just… blushes and looks at the floor and moves on. tell me that’s not normal person behavior. i know social interaction often goes over my head, but come ON. if someone i barely knew kissed me in the middle of the street, i would want to follow UP, at least?
but itzy doesn’t, because unfortunately itzy is not a real person. she is a narrative prop. at first she reminded me a little of ivy manx from poisons of caux (i know i need to stop comparing this to poisons of caux but poisons of caux is so fucking good you guys), but she doesn’t really develop beyond learning how to fight with a sword and quip like a whedon character. i have no idea what she wants, other than a vague “don’t get possessed and destroy the world.” why does she do half the things she does? why would she go into the basement (while afraid of the dark) with a strange elevator boy just because he’s cute? because the plot requires it. why would she go into the dark (when, once again, she’s AFRAID of the DARK) to follow the dog that bit her who belongs to a girl she hates? because the plot requires it. this is why the luc/itzy relationship doesn’t really work for me, either—i could MAYBE get past the “immortal falling in love with human they’ve known since infancy” thing, maybe, if itzy were a dynamic character and her relationship with luc felt real, but she’s not and it doesn’t and i can’t. i never felt like i got to know itzy; she felt like a cardboard cut out of a strong female main character. which makes a lot of her internal struggle against possession fall flat; how do we know she doesn’t “feel like herself” if we don’t know who she is?
so this was a frustrating read in many regards. but i'm giving it three stars because the writing IS gorgeous and the ideas here are great; i maintain that with a little more editing, this book could have been a banger. other misc thoughts:
🪶the paranormal vibes at the start of this book are SO good; i wish those vibes had… continued? it was sort of giving coraline. itzy’s camera allowed her to see the “truth” of things through the lens, and the descriptions that came with that slapped, and then that just sort of… stopped happening? which was sad.
🪶i don’t love the shortness of all of the chapters; there are lots of places where chapter breaks happen for seemingly no reason. this could just be personal preference, though
🪶pippa: pippa is the other girl itzy’s age, introduced as wealthy and gorgeous and bratty, and when she gets into a fight with itzy, i braced for girl hate. but they end up becoming friends! i know the bar is soooo fucking low but i’ll take it. pippa proceeds to make some absolutely stupid choices but honestly so does itzy (there were multiple pages where i had to sit back and say “are you dumb” out loud) so i’ll let it slide and be glad that girls are sometimes friends
🪶the segment of luc pov in the middle was far and above my favorite. obsessed with the way the french revolution ties into the story. obsessed with the descriptions. obsessed with the angels. i read this whole part in basically one sitting because i couldn’t stop
🪶hey why the fuck was the french woman writing letters in a phonetically spelled french accent. what
🪶there are a lot of details of the end i wasn’t clear on
🪶that ending image fucking slapped though. the french revolution <3
tl;ldr: this book needed more editing. i wanted it to be great. it wasn't. it could have been! read poisons of caux first.
April 5, 2016
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
A cross between historical fiction and fantasy, Divah has a lot going on. It's definitely a fun, clever thrill ride though historical New York City's Carlyle Hotel - a thrill ride full of all sorts of strange things - we're talking angels and demons - and all sorts of other things that the main character, Itzy, didn't expect when she had planned on spending the summer there.
When I hear about a potentially great new horror novel, I'm pretty much all over that, waiting for it come out and sitting patiently waiting to get a copy. I hadn't heard about Divah until it was almost time for the release date of the book - somehow it got swept under my radar. Also, I'm not always one for fantasy elements - such as demons and angels - I often find them difficult to read through, but that wasn't the case with Divah. I thought it was kind of enjoyable, and while it seemed a bit far-fetched, if you remind yourself that this book is supposed to be a paranormal fantasy, it instantly becomes a lot more fun of a read.
No matter how many times I found myself reading the synopsis itself for this book, I just didn't really connect with it - it sounded confusing and difficult to grasp, but once you get started with reading the book, it's a lot better. Itzy's character was a fun, kick-butt heroine who is dealing with all of these supernatural beings in the hotel where she's spending the summer. It's a different kind of story - definitely not something I've seen before in YA books, and the originality aspect of the book really made it even better.
The whole haunted hotel angle had me right off the bat, and it only gets more interesting as the book goes on. I have always loved the whole haunted hotel/haunted house type of book (or movie), and I am forever seeking out new books that fit this description. If you're like me on that aspect, give this one a go!
If you like historical YA, horror, and paranormal, this is a really great book to pick up. I'm glad I had the chance to read it!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A cross between historical fiction and fantasy, Divah has a lot going on. It's definitely a fun, clever thrill ride though historical New York City's Carlyle Hotel - a thrill ride full of all sorts of strange things - we're talking angels and demons - and all sorts of other things that the main character, Itzy, didn't expect when she had planned on spending the summer there.
When I hear about a potentially great new horror novel, I'm pretty much all over that, waiting for it come out and sitting patiently waiting to get a copy. I hadn't heard about Divah until it was almost time for the release date of the book - somehow it got swept under my radar. Also, I'm not always one for fantasy elements - such as demons and angels - I often find them difficult to read through, but that wasn't the case with Divah. I thought it was kind of enjoyable, and while it seemed a bit far-fetched, if you remind yourself that this book is supposed to be a paranormal fantasy, it instantly becomes a lot more fun of a read.
No matter how many times I found myself reading the synopsis itself for this book, I just didn't really connect with it - it sounded confusing and difficult to grasp, but once you get started with reading the book, it's a lot better. Itzy's character was a fun, kick-butt heroine who is dealing with all of these supernatural beings in the hotel where she's spending the summer. It's a different kind of story - definitely not something I've seen before in YA books, and the originality aspect of the book really made it even better.
The whole haunted hotel angle had me right off the bat, and it only gets more interesting as the book goes on. I have always loved the whole haunted hotel/haunted house type of book (or movie), and I am forever seeking out new books that fit this description. If you're like me on that aspect, give this one a go!
If you like historical YA, horror, and paranormal, this is a really great book to pick up. I'm glad I had the chance to read it!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2015
divah
By
Susannah Appelbaum
What it's all about...
Have you ever heard the expression..."when all hell breaks loose"? Well...that describes what happens in this book. It seems as though there are angels and demons and Itzy Nash...who is a bit of both. And...all of these creatures appear to reside at the Carlisle Hotel in NYC! They are in the lobbies and the tunnels and the elevators and the camera shops. Some even rely on Botox!
Why I wanted to read it...
This book just sounded intriguing and it really was. Little innocent motherless Itzy Nash comes to NYC to spend the summer with her Aunt Maude...but when she discovers that Aunt Maude's stuff is in the suite...even her glasses...but no sign of Aunt Maude...just flies...lots and lots of flies...well...Itzy is more than distressed! What happens next is creepy and fun and fascinating! No one that Itzy meets can be trusted!
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I loved the characters...even though most of them were totally repulsive. I loved the angel vs demon encounters. I loved Itzy and Luc...love scary chilling YA books with romantic encounters..who wouldn't love an angel? All those sexy fluttering wings and deep sensuous eyes! Oh my!
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who love YA that is filled to the sky with creepy chilling scenes and characters...as well as really attractive ones...should love this fast paced book! There was action on every page! Almost!
By
Susannah Appelbaum
What it's all about...
Have you ever heard the expression..."when all hell breaks loose"? Well...that describes what happens in this book. It seems as though there are angels and demons and Itzy Nash...who is a bit of both. And...all of these creatures appear to reside at the Carlisle Hotel in NYC! They are in the lobbies and the tunnels and the elevators and the camera shops. Some even rely on Botox!
Why I wanted to read it...
This book just sounded intriguing and it really was. Little innocent motherless Itzy Nash comes to NYC to spend the summer with her Aunt Maude...but when she discovers that Aunt Maude's stuff is in the suite...even her glasses...but no sign of Aunt Maude...just flies...lots and lots of flies...well...Itzy is more than distressed! What happens next is creepy and fun and fascinating! No one that Itzy meets can be trusted!
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I loved the characters...even though most of them were totally repulsive. I loved the angel vs demon encounters. I loved Itzy and Luc...love scary chilling YA books with romantic encounters..who wouldn't love an angel? All those sexy fluttering wings and deep sensuous eyes! Oh my!
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who love YA that is filled to the sky with creepy chilling scenes and characters...as well as really attractive ones...should love this fast paced book! There was action on every page! Almost!
April 19, 2016
I was hooked right from the first chapter! There were a lot of references to NYC, for example, that might have to be googled by someone unfamiliar with NYC but, for me, this added to the enjoyment of reading it. Plus I learned that there are worse things than roaches that can crawl into your bag if you put it on the floor.
Want to read
September 16, 2017The premise looks really promising! I will try it out!
April 28, 2016
Itzy is a seventeen-year-old girl who is invited to spend some time with her snobby aunt at New York's Carlyle hotel. Once there she meets freaky people, and receives a torn up pamphlet about Divahs, or female demons. As her eyes are opened to the supernatural, she realizes she is surrounded by soul stealing demons and fallen angels.
When the Queen of the Damned checks into the hotel, with the intent on possessing Itzy for eternity, Itzy has to save herself and stop the Queen from opening the gates of Hell and unleashing death upon the world.
My Thoughts-
Truly a Gothic creep fest! This story is the time old tale of the battle between good and evil, one that replays itself several times throughout history. The setting really steals the show. The Carlyle hotel is the embodiment of long forgotten decorum and polite people who will sweep anything under the rug, even murder. The hotel is riddled with underground tunnels and strange staff members. There is even a bar filled with paintings of bunnies.
Itzy and Luc are the two main characters. Luc is a fallen angel who is trying to earn back his wings by protecting Itzy, and falling in love with her of course. We get his back story, and learn all about how he originally was fooled by the Queen of the Damned back in Paris 1789. Itzy is a fun character with an interest in photography. I was amazed that she didn't run screaming from the hotel at the very beginning.
Possession, demons, oh my! The story is an original tale of horror and dark fun. I did find a couple plot issues, which kept me from giving this one a perfect 5. I'm going to mention them so that if any of you figure them out, you can let me know. **** SPOILER ALERT**** First, at the very beginning Luc mentions demons crawling into your bag if you place it on the floor. Why then does he not shake out Itzy's bag at the train station? It would have prevented the whole mess. Second, the only way to open the gates of Hell involves having an angel's feather. Itzy steals back the feather, so how is Divah still able to open the gates in the hotel? And last, regarding those gates. We are told that if they open it is the end of the world. Well, they open and nothing happens. Nothing comes out. Plus, they don't shut them again, just fill the basement with water. What? How is that supposed to stop demons. So, that's my two cents.
I did love the story telling and the characters are so rich and bold. I give this one 4.5 stars and if you like dark, humorous horror, you really should read it!
When the Queen of the Damned checks into the hotel, with the intent on possessing Itzy for eternity, Itzy has to save herself and stop the Queen from opening the gates of Hell and unleashing death upon the world.
My Thoughts-
Truly a Gothic creep fest! This story is the time old tale of the battle between good and evil, one that replays itself several times throughout history. The setting really steals the show. The Carlyle hotel is the embodiment of long forgotten decorum and polite people who will sweep anything under the rug, even murder. The hotel is riddled with underground tunnels and strange staff members. There is even a bar filled with paintings of bunnies.
Itzy and Luc are the two main characters. Luc is a fallen angel who is trying to earn back his wings by protecting Itzy, and falling in love with her of course. We get his back story, and learn all about how he originally was fooled by the Queen of the Damned back in Paris 1789. Itzy is a fun character with an interest in photography. I was amazed that she didn't run screaming from the hotel at the very beginning.
Possession, demons, oh my! The story is an original tale of horror and dark fun. I did find a couple plot issues, which kept me from giving this one a perfect 5. I'm going to mention them so that if any of you figure them out, you can let me know. **** SPOILER ALERT**** First, at the very beginning Luc mentions demons crawling into your bag if you place it on the floor. Why then does he not shake out Itzy's bag at the train station? It would have prevented the whole mess. Second, the only way to open the gates of Hell involves having an angel's feather. Itzy steals back the feather, so how is Divah still able to open the gates in the hotel? And last, regarding those gates. We are told that if they open it is the end of the world. Well, they open and nothing happens. Nothing comes out. Plus, they don't shut them again, just fill the basement with water. What? How is that supposed to stop demons. So, that's my two cents.
I did love the story telling and the characters are so rich and bold. I give this one 4.5 stars and if you like dark, humorous horror, you really should read it!
November 29, 2015
Itzy Nash is staying at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City's Upper West Side for the summer. She soon discovers that the hotel is playing host to angels and demons alike. When the Queen of the Damned checks in, all hell breaks loose. Literally. It's up to Itzy to reconcile who she is and who she is meant to be in order to save the world....and possibly the love of her life.
History and the paranormal intertwine beautifully in this story that is set both in present day New York City and during the Reign of Terror. A touch of horror enhances the narrative, setting up wonderfully creepy scenes.
A great read.
History and the paranormal intertwine beautifully in this story that is set both in present day New York City and during the Reign of Terror. A touch of horror enhances the narrative, setting up wonderfully creepy scenes.
A great read.
April 21, 2020
Lucky enough to get an early preview of this book.
Susannah is my neighbor and I am not YA audience.
I'm loving it. I've visited the bar and restaurant and stayed at the Carlyle many times and I'm finding this book so evocative of the feeling you get if you visit the hotel - so many ghosts there, both good and evil, famous and unknown. I fear some of the reviewers missed the point. This is not realism. It's a day dream. Familiar yet surprising. Truth with fantasy. Improbable but possible. Let yourself drift into the book without skepticism or judgement and it is a delight.
Susannah is my neighbor and I am not YA audience.
I'm loving it. I've visited the bar and restaurant and stayed at the Carlyle many times and I'm finding this book so evocative of the feeling you get if you visit the hotel - so many ghosts there, both good and evil, famous and unknown. I fear some of the reviewers missed the point. This is not realism. It's a day dream. Familiar yet surprising. Truth with fantasy. Improbable but possible. Let yourself drift into the book without skepticism or judgement and it is a delight.
August 22, 2018
Meh. Once again, a book that doesn't do its premise justice. My biggest issue is that no one seems to take anything seriously in this novel. A powerful demon trying to open the gates of Hell on Earth is kind of a big deal, but hardly any of the angels and demon fighters seem to be worried about it. The "good guys" continuously send Itzy back into the bad guys' arms. Itzy herself isn't much better. She's a totally reactionary character and half the time, she never reacts in a way that you would expect someone to react. Also, insta-love. Blegh. The reason I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1.5 is because the stereotypical mean girl ends up becoming friends with Itzy.
August 4, 2016
Read review in it's entirety at http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...
Frighteningly fun and oh so fashionable, young adult author Susannah Appelbaum's latest novel Divah, really slays. Mixing historical fiction in a contemporary setting (well, as contemporary as 1998 can be), she forms a fellowship of unpredictable events. Imagine that Tim Burton got his hands on Eloise, and it might look something like Divah – ghoulishly affright with subjective humor to sway the mood.
Divided into three sections, readers are first introduced, in third person, to protagonist Itzy, a teen shuttled for the summer to her aunt's residence at the Carlyle Hotel. Things start to become weird on the train ride and steadily escalate once she arrives at the hotel. While running off screaming never to return would have made short work of Appelbaum's novel, it is just a bit strange that Itzy isn't a bit more “put off” by all the weirdness. The second half branches off into first person as a secondary character, Luc, tells his story. It is then back to third person for the concluding events. Like a song that loses its beat and then tries to regain its rhythm, these divisions don't flow as seamlessly as the author probably intended. Although the progression can be a bit confusing, it will become apparent why the author reveals certain aspects of the plot when she does, as it's all about the mystery.
Then there is the cover. Yes, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I'm only judging it after having read the novel. Appelbaum uses such charming words and her world building paints such a philosophical picture that it's remiss that the cover couldn't do a better job of capturing that scene.
For those who have grown tired of all the vampires and werewolves but still want some supernatural thrill, you've come to the right place. Fallen angels, devilish beings, and demon slayers make up the bulk of this phantasmal satire.
Oh là là, love is in the air as well as fire and brimstone as Divah singes with dark humor and high fashion hauntings.
Though Divah has more of a comedic banter, it still may interest those who enjoy Cassandra Clare's City of Bones, Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bones, and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight.
Frighteningly fun and oh so fashionable, young adult author Susannah Appelbaum's latest novel Divah, really slays. Mixing historical fiction in a contemporary setting (well, as contemporary as 1998 can be), she forms a fellowship of unpredictable events. Imagine that Tim Burton got his hands on Eloise, and it might look something like Divah – ghoulishly affright with subjective humor to sway the mood.
Divided into three sections, readers are first introduced, in third person, to protagonist Itzy, a teen shuttled for the summer to her aunt's residence at the Carlyle Hotel. Things start to become weird on the train ride and steadily escalate once she arrives at the hotel. While running off screaming never to return would have made short work of Appelbaum's novel, it is just a bit strange that Itzy isn't a bit more “put off” by all the weirdness. The second half branches off into first person as a secondary character, Luc, tells his story. It is then back to third person for the concluding events. Like a song that loses its beat and then tries to regain its rhythm, these divisions don't flow as seamlessly as the author probably intended. Although the progression can be a bit confusing, it will become apparent why the author reveals certain aspects of the plot when she does, as it's all about the mystery.
Then there is the cover. Yes, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I'm only judging it after having read the novel. Appelbaum uses such charming words and her world building paints such a philosophical picture that it's remiss that the cover couldn't do a better job of capturing that scene.
For those who have grown tired of all the vampires and werewolves but still want some supernatural thrill, you've come to the right place. Fallen angels, devilish beings, and demon slayers make up the bulk of this phantasmal satire.
Oh là là, love is in the air as well as fire and brimstone as Divah singes with dark humor and high fashion hauntings.
Though Divah has more of a comedic banter, it still may interest those who enjoy Cassandra Clare's City of Bones, Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bones, and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight.
dnf
March 23, 2016DNF @26%
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.*
Divah sounded so promising - a fancy hotel, demons and possession.
I enjoyed it to start with but then I rapidly lost interest.
Everything seemed to merge together - events were skimmed over and it felt to me that things weren't clearly spaced/thought out.
As for the protagonist, well, I've written her a letter...
Dear Itzy Nash (I can't believe that's your name),
I'm just going to come out and say it - I don't like you. It's not personal. Or maybe it is but I guess you can't help the way you were written.
So one thing I don't get is why you didn't question things more. You just accept it when someone tells you that demons are real and that Marie Antoinette was one. You don't think 'oh they must be crazy'. No instead you just go with it. You're like a sheep or a stick floating in a river just going with the flow.
Why did you agree to go to the hotel basement even though you're afraid of the dark? Not that you seemed frightened. At all.
Why on Earth did you let a complete stranger kiss you? Heck, you kissed him right back. You knew nothing about the guy. You didn't even question him when he said that the hansom cab wasn't a hansom cab. Nope. You just went along with it like the good sheep/stick you are.
Why would your aunt invite you to her hotel when she doesn't like you? Did you think it was strange? No. You also didn't blink twice when you were told that your aunt had organised a governess for you. A governess!
I hope you have a happy ending but I also hope that I don't read about you ever again.
Jess.
P.S. What kind of name is Itzy Nash anyway?
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.*
Divah sounded so promising - a fancy hotel, demons and possession.
I enjoyed it to start with but then I rapidly lost interest.
Everything seemed to merge together - events were skimmed over and it felt to me that things weren't clearly spaced/thought out.
As for the protagonist, well, I've written her a letter...
Dear Itzy Nash (I can't believe that's your name),
I'm just going to come out and say it - I don't like you. It's not personal. Or maybe it is but I guess you can't help the way you were written.
So one thing I don't get is why you didn't question things more. You just accept it when someone tells you that demons are real and that Marie Antoinette was one. You don't think 'oh they must be crazy'. No instead you just go with it. You're like a sheep or a stick floating in a river just going with the flow.
Why did you agree to go to the hotel basement even though you're afraid of the dark? Not that you seemed frightened. At all.
Why on Earth did you let a complete stranger kiss you? Heck, you kissed him right back. You knew nothing about the guy. You didn't even question him when he said that the hansom cab wasn't a hansom cab. Nope. You just went along with it like the good sheep/stick you are.
Why would your aunt invite you to her hotel when she doesn't like you? Did you think it was strange? No. You also didn't blink twice when you were told that your aunt had organised a governess for you. A governess!
I hope you have a happy ending but I also hope that I don't read about you ever again.
Jess.
P.S. What kind of name is Itzy Nash anyway?
February 9, 2016
DRC provided by publisher in exchange for review consideration
Unfortuantely, this was a DNF for me, and for two reasons.
1) The set-up came off as campy instead of creepy. For example, Aunt Maude, theoretically her care-taker doesn't come off as a real person. It's 1998 and she's hiring her 17-year old daughter a "governess" and telling her "not to leave the rooms." The author does know that no one has governesses nowadays, right? Tutors maybe, but not a governess and even if you did, no one would hire one for a 17 year-old nor expect a 17 year old to just sit on their hands all day. Also, some of the items needed for exorcism come off as parody. I mean, Evian. Really?
2) The writing just felt unpolished and trying a bit too hard to come off as stylish with lines like "the wide water was a deep ribbon of a bruise" and "a streak of lighting lit the purple sky." There's also some short sentences that are meant to be dramatic but just aren't. My favorite example of this being "she would wash in the bathroom." I'd hope so. I mean, where else would she wash?
Speaking of writing, Luc, who is clearly a centuries old angel sounds like a cross between an aristocrat and a teenager with lines in his letters like "But then, it must have been so very hard - the peasant uprising, and all that. That whole "Reign of Terror" thing was really a drag." Ouch.
All told, I don't think book is ready for prime time. Maybe give it a look on Kindle Unlimited if you can check it out for free, but otherwise, give this a pass.
Unfortuantely, this was a DNF for me, and for two reasons.
1) The set-up came off as campy instead of creepy. For example, Aunt Maude, theoretically her care-taker doesn't come off as a real person. It's 1998 and she's hiring her 17-year old daughter a "governess" and telling her "not to leave the rooms." The author does know that no one has governesses nowadays, right? Tutors maybe, but not a governess and even if you did, no one would hire one for a 17 year-old nor expect a 17 year old to just sit on their hands all day. Also, some of the items needed for exorcism come off as parody. I mean, Evian. Really?
2) The writing just felt unpolished and trying a bit too hard to come off as stylish with lines like "the wide water was a deep ribbon of a bruise" and "a streak of lighting lit the purple sky." There's also some short sentences that are meant to be dramatic but just aren't. My favorite example of this being "she would wash in the bathroom." I'd hope so. I mean, where else would she wash?
Speaking of writing, Luc, who is clearly a centuries old angel sounds like a cross between an aristocrat and a teenager with lines in his letters like "But then, it must have been so very hard - the peasant uprising, and all that. That whole "Reign of Terror" thing was really a drag." Ouch.
All told, I don't think book is ready for prime time. Maybe give it a look on Kindle Unlimited if you can check it out for free, but otherwise, give this a pass.
December 10, 2015
It's everything the summary promises you: dark, original, clever and full of monsters. I had an awesome time with Itzy!
There are a tonnes of details I've enjoyed in this story. First, the historical part of the story with the French revolution and Marie-Antoinette has a background plot/monster story.
Then, the Carlyle Hotel has the main place to build the storyline. It was great to have a tour of this famous location basement and the perfect scenery to invite monsters and ghosts.
Also liked the "walking dead" vibes in the apocalyptic ending. As well as all the clever and creative ways, the author has mixed demons to her real life characters. Like her vision of the battle between the good and the devil and the fact that we are all teinted.
It was really amusing and entertaining to learn about Itzy past, potential and to follow her adventures. Easy, creative and dark.
The final opening of the gates of hell's scene is very well pictured. I've enjoyed the different level of the combat. The personal motivations of all the characters, the manipulations, the easy way you can succomb and the darker and cold aspect of Angels.
If you want to spend a great moment with monsters, this story is a cool read!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
There are a tonnes of details I've enjoyed in this story. First, the historical part of the story with the French revolution and Marie-Antoinette has a background plot/monster story.
Then, the Carlyle Hotel has the main place to build the storyline. It was great to have a tour of this famous location basement and the perfect scenery to invite monsters and ghosts.
Also liked the "walking dead" vibes in the apocalyptic ending. As well as all the clever and creative ways, the author has mixed demons to her real life characters. Like her vision of the battle between the good and the devil and the fact that we are all teinted.
It was really amusing and entertaining to learn about Itzy past, potential and to follow her adventures. Easy, creative and dark.
The final opening of the gates of hell's scene is very well pictured. I've enjoyed the different level of the combat. The personal motivations of all the characters, the manipulations, the easy way you can succomb and the darker and cold aspect of Angels.
If you want to spend a great moment with monsters, this story is a cool read!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
May 13, 2016
I love a good story when the characters are really developed and imaginative. And this story does not disappoint. I though am not a huge fan of Gothic, dark, creepy horror stories. So why does this one still get a 3 star rating you may wonder? Well, the characters and story itself pushed it over the edge for me. I loved how the Carlyle took on it's own character and was an integral part of the story. That was fascinating to me! A very well written book in my little opinion.
(I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review)
PS the humor in me posting this review on Friday the 13th is not lost on me!
September 6, 2016
Fun fantasy for teen fashionistas. I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek nature of the world building in this book. Not everything has to take itself 100% seriously, and I got a kick out of the ideas that demons' favorite food is Botox and they are repelled by Hermes scarves. What I didn't love were the action sequences. I found my attention span waning during the battle scenes, and there was some confusion as to exactly what was going on. Overall an enjoyable read, tho. Is anyone else creeped out by romances between immortal creatures and teen girls? At the very least, someone who knew a person as a baby shouldn't later be attracted to them, right? Just me?
June 29, 2016
Such a fun supernatural story... but most definitely not a Gothic novel. I am truly sorry to sound so critical, but after a couple of courses that I took which predominantly dealt with the Gothic novel... I can't just agree with the description of this book. Was it thrilling? Yes. Was it eerie? ...Eh some parts. Was it the fear of the unknown? Not really, the main character just kind of embraced everything in strides.
3 stars.
3 stars.
March 2, 2016
A fun read that reminded me of The Diviners. The ending almost left room for a follow-up.
April 16, 2016
Won this book on a giveaway..great read for all
October 7, 2017
Really quick read. Loved the story and the world building. Sometimes felt a little rushed, but overall got me out of my book slump so well done! Would love to read more by this author.
June 18, 2023
1.5 (and that's being nice) Stars
I don't even know where to start.
This was a mess, just a big blob of What the hell is going on?
I think the only thing this book had going for it was that the description sounded fun, which is why i picked the book up but i was tricked. It just seemed like the author had a jumble of random ideas and threw them in the book with no order. It's not like the plot is complex or anything, it's actually simple and understandable but the way it was done was so incoherent and lazy. It feels like a comedy or parody novel but it wasn't and it felt weird even down to the way the author writes actions. It's stiff and choppy and nothing flows smoothly from point A to B, it's like a call breaking up and you're only getting a few words here and there but on a page. I had to go back and re-read sentences all the time because i felt like i was missing something but i wasn't. I felt like i was on mushrooms while reading this book (actually, i wish i were maybe it would have made it more bearable) because things would just happen and not be resolved or be explained. Itzy's dumb ass would never fully question anything.
If that wasn't a mood killer already, i didn't care about not one single character. They were stick figures in a plot and were not fleshed out or interesting in the slightest. One character, Pippa, even becomes a completely new character out of nowhere differing from how she was introduced. Luc was supposed to be the brooding, dark, handsome and mysterious romantic type but he was just boring. Itzy was really flay as well, even though Luc acted like she was the most interesting girl in the world, and she's not really a smart cookie at all. Ava wasn't flesh out enough and i didn't get a chance to care about her. No one felt real, there was no reacting or questioning or emotions from them. They were cardboard.
The way the demons would be described or how the "battles" were described were super flat and it would feel like nothing was going on because it wasn't written with enough extravagance. In the middle and at the end, there was supposed to be these big fights going with all these creatures and craziness but i wasn't witnessing any type of battle because it felt so stiff and the actions of the characters were super stilted. What any character did for any reason didn't make sense, the villains weren't intimidating.... a mess.
On top of that, it felt like nothing much happened all throughout. Things were somehow going too quick and too slow at the same time and i was bored and confused AND the world building sucked AND there was insta-love. Oh geez fucking louise, i really wasn't catching any breaks reading this. Then you're just slapped with an anticlimactic ending and a flowery conclusion that's not explained much. I was already, unfortunately, kinda in a reading slump and i really hope this doesn't knock me into a reading coma. I really can't explain how annoyed i am with Divah
February 9, 2025
In Divah, Author Susannah Applebaum blurs the traditional lines between good and evil, demons and angels, and heaven and hell. Applebaum's hideous descriptions of hell's inhabitants are as alarming as the proliferation of these monsters walking among unaware humans throughout the world. The host of angels, both good and fallen, that have been assigned to do battle with hell's demons are no comfort, as Divah's angels have many flaws and indulge in human pleasures with reckless abandon.
Epic battle scenes set in New York's esteemed luxury Carlyle Hotel involve demonic beings and unscrupulous angels who inhabit the hotel alongside a clueless host of rich patrons. Demonic beings destroy the hotel's rooms, basement, and lobby in a nightmarish manner, and the hellish characters and angels' ability to inhabit human bodies makes sorting out the righteous from the ungodly impossible for untrained mortals during phantasmagorical scenes.
Earth's saviour from being overrun by creatures from hell is a seventeen-year-old girl named Itzy. She is plunged into the thick of the conflict unfolding at the Carlyle without explanation. Itzy is maddeningly inept and no match for the evil she is up against. Itzy's frustrating attempts to help make hell's victory of earth seemingly inevitable.
Divah is a rollercoaster ride through the age-old conflict between good and evil. Susannah Applebaum has tinged the epic struggle with amoral heroes that keep the reader in doubt and turning pages to find out if humankind will survive until the fantastic end. I enjoyed the read.
Epic battle scenes set in New York's esteemed luxury Carlyle Hotel involve demonic beings and unscrupulous angels who inhabit the hotel alongside a clueless host of rich patrons. Demonic beings destroy the hotel's rooms, basement, and lobby in a nightmarish manner, and the hellish characters and angels' ability to inhabit human bodies makes sorting out the righteous from the ungodly impossible for untrained mortals during phantasmagorical scenes.
Earth's saviour from being overrun by creatures from hell is a seventeen-year-old girl named Itzy. She is plunged into the thick of the conflict unfolding at the Carlyle without explanation. Itzy is maddeningly inept and no match for the evil she is up against. Itzy's frustrating attempts to help make hell's victory of earth seemingly inevitable.
Divah is a rollercoaster ride through the age-old conflict between good and evil. Susannah Applebaum has tinged the epic struggle with amoral heroes that keep the reader in doubt and turning pages to find out if humankind will survive until the fantastic end. I enjoyed the read.
June 27, 2017
I won my copy of Divah by Susannah Appelbaum through GoodReads FirstReads. What a unique, and interesting story! It's about seventeen year old Itzy Nash, who is sent to live with her odd Aunt Maude, who lives in the exclusive Carlyle Hotel, & where she meets an interesting cast of characters. Weird things begin to happen when she's on her way to the hotel, starting with an odd encounter with a man named Luc, almost being run down by a creepy carriage, and talk of demons. Once she arrives at the hotel itself she get's bitten by a dog, and is chastised by some snobs. Once inside her Aunts room she discovers rotten food, tons of flies and her Aunt Maude missing. When she is invited to go on a tour of the tunnels beneath the hotel she jumps at the chance and discovers it's strange history, and startling revelations of her own family and their connection to a group of demon hunters called scholars that once included Marilyn Monroe. Overall, I thought the book was fantastic, and I loved the mystery surrounding the Hermes Institute of Scholars. A must read!
July 16, 2021
Mediocre start, weak finish. I think the author has the ability to write well but the plot was meandering and awful. The first section was okay. Things took a turn for the worse when there was some phonetically spelled English with a bad French accent. The second section from Luc's point of view seemed completely out of place and didn't help with the storyline at all. It's like the author got bored of writing what she has and just decided to do something different and unrelated for a bit. Then the third section was just awful. All of the ideas felt very half-baked. The climax of the battle is the heroine dumping a bottle of Evian water on her head... So. 2 stars because I think there are times where she does well at creating atmosphere.
March 15, 2021
I can't give an accurate review of this book. It wasn't great but it wasn't terrible. I feel like the story was rushed. There are gaps in it and it progresses so fast. I really feel like it could have been a great story if it had been a bit slower and maybe made into two or more books. Then the writer could have given more detail and a better storyline.
July 17, 2020
I am actually enjoying this book. I think if you don't think too hard about what category this book is supposed to fall into and just take it for what it is, you'll enjoy it a lot more. It's cute and quirky and pretty well written.
June 30, 2025
Rating this book was somewhat difficult. didn’t hold my interest? i guess. was it entertaining? sure. but did i like it? no. it was one of those movies that even though its bad i can’t stop watching. its an ok book but overall wouldn’t read again.
January 4, 2020
Not the greatest. The minor characters needed to be fleshed out and the plot seems rushed and slow at the same time.
March 22, 2021
It was hard for me to read, it was boring and the perspective was confusing. The ending scene didn't elaborate enough, and the romance wasn't showed enough.
March 25, 2021
Quick read. Kept me very intrigued.
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