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When the Divine Are Dead
For fans of the Lorien Legacies and Orphan Monster Spy, comes the story of the diviners and their determination to survive.
When the diviners were rounded up and slaughtered in World War II, they were believed by a few Nazi supporters to be extinct. Fourteen-year-old Bradley doesn’t know his people’s existence is that dire of a secret. Not until he reunites with his godsister, who shares with him stories of the diviners’ rough past and secretive present. Bradley has a few dark stories of his own that he keeps hidden. He’s been targeted before, narrowly escaping death. When their pasts inevitably catch up to the present, the diviners must once again fight for their lives.
“You are a survivor,” Bradley’s mother said to him the day his brother was shot. Bradley Chambers has gone through hell. Death has been chasing him since he was five—first with his diagnosis of type I diabetes, followed by the time he was kidnapped by a man who wanted to feed him to a lion. Then there was a car crash that killed his childhood best friend, followed by the introduction of a new friend who would later try to kill Bradley’s five-year-old brother. There was no escaping his curse. He was doomed to experience death and destruction over and over again. When Bradley’s family moves to Indianapolis, he is less than hopeful that the move will do anything to remove the curse. Even with diviners like Serena Lindt and Frank Lantern to keep him on the straight and narrow, Bradley doesn’t see an out. Maybe he’s right. After all, Serena’s been digging for secrets—secrets that could expose them. Will Bradley be able to help save the diviners in time? Or will his presence only make things worse? In this young adult fantasy novel, fourteen-year-old Bradley learns the history of his people. When he realizes their tumultuous past could be far from over, he must bring forth both his confidence and his courage to fend off their enemies.
When the diviners were rounded up and slaughtered in World War II, they were believed by a few Nazi supporters to be extinct. Fourteen-year-old Bradley doesn’t know his people’s existence is that dire of a secret. Not until he reunites with his godsister, who shares with him stories of the diviners’ rough past and secretive present. Bradley has a few dark stories of his own that he keeps hidden. He’s been targeted before, narrowly escaping death. When their pasts inevitably catch up to the present, the diviners must once again fight for their lives.
“You are a survivor,” Bradley’s mother said to him the day his brother was shot. Bradley Chambers has gone through hell. Death has been chasing him since he was five—first with his diagnosis of type I diabetes, followed by the time he was kidnapped by a man who wanted to feed him to a lion. Then there was a car crash that killed his childhood best friend, followed by the introduction of a new friend who would later try to kill Bradley’s five-year-old brother. There was no escaping his curse. He was doomed to experience death and destruction over and over again. When Bradley’s family moves to Indianapolis, he is less than hopeful that the move will do anything to remove the curse. Even with diviners like Serena Lindt and Frank Lantern to keep him on the straight and narrow, Bradley doesn’t see an out. Maybe he’s right. After all, Serena’s been digging for secrets—secrets that could expose them. Will Bradley be able to help save the diviners in time? Or will his presence only make things worse? In this young adult fantasy novel, fourteen-year-old Bradley learns the history of his people. When he realizes their tumultuous past could be far from over, he must bring forth both his confidence and his courage to fend off their enemies.
166 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2020
369 people want to read
About the author
E.K. Barnes
9 books29 followersE.K. Barnes is primarily an urban fantasy and science fiction author. Her stories are often geared toward youth and young adults who not only enjoy reading about (or relating to) characters grappling with real-world issues but also revel in stories with a super-powered edge. Her debut novel, When the Divine Are Dead, was a semi-finalist in the 2021 Kindle Book Awards’ young adult category. For a brief time, E.K. was the owner and operator of Scribe Stash—a personalized subscription box service for readers and writers. She holds a passion for awareness and advocacy work, specifically regarding social issues and mental health. She can sometimes be seen at comic conventions and other bookish events in the Midwest.
E.K. is a member of the Independent Author Network. She is a graduate of Olathe Northwest High School and Johnson County Community College, both in Kansas. She also attended MidAmerica Nazarene University and Southern New Hampshire University.
E.K. comes from a family of creatives—her brother is a musician with dreams of becoming a film composer, her sister is a graphic designer and illustrator, and her parents both hold degrees in music.
E.K. is a member of the Independent Author Network. She is a graduate of Olathe Northwest High School and Johnson County Community College, both in Kansas. She also attended MidAmerica Nazarene University and Southern New Hampshire University.
E.K. comes from a family of creatives—her brother is a musician with dreams of becoming a film composer, her sister is a graphic designer and illustrator, and her parents both hold degrees in music.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 5, 2021
A captivating YA fantasy that weaves real-world issues and surreal magical elements into one intriguing package.
Bradley comes from a powerful Romani lineage where children gain magical powers at the age of ten. While it sounds pretty cool, it’s turned out to be quite the opposite. By the age of thirteen, Bradley is a survivor, narrowly escaping multiple violent encounters.
After the latest incident (and sudden death of his youngest brother), Bradley’s family decides to relocate. But when Bradley realizes the move is a sneaky way for his parents to get other Romani families to keep tabs on him, Bradley is frustrated that his family doesn’t trust him. But how could they? He’s a magnet for death and destruction.
Bradley must come to terms with his violent past, what it really means to be Romani, and why his family must stick together or die trying.
When the Divine Are Dead is exquisitely done. The writing is captivating and Bradley’s jaded voice is raw and refreshing. Readers will be hooked until the last page. The characters are well-developed and the pacing of the story kept me on edge.
I especially liked the author’s use of real-world issues and how they were seamlessly weaved into the story. The Romani’s persecution during World War II and the cruelness of the Nazis are logically tied in with Bradley’s family history and the book’s storyline.
Another real-world issue that was handled brilliantly was Bradley’s diabetes. The way Bradley spoke about his experience with the disease will be relatable to readers who are also diabetic or know someone who is. Diabetes was treated as a part of Bradley’s narrative, but it wasn’t his defining trait.
Lastly, it’s important to highlight the moments of brutal violence, specifically against young children, throughout the book. Readers will either be turned off immediately—or feel reassured by the author’s well-handled, but candid take on the subject. There were times that I wished Bradley had been aged up to seventeen or eighteen. However, with the way that kids are seeing increased levels of violence in the news and the prevalence of school shootings in the US, some readers may find it refreshing that a book like this is so open about the conversation.
When the Divine Are Dead is a captivating, yet realistic take on the urban fantasy genre for young adult readers. I recommend it for older YA readers capable of handling storylines involving graphic violence and death.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on Reedsy Discovery. You can read my full review here.
Bradley comes from a powerful Romani lineage where children gain magical powers at the age of ten. While it sounds pretty cool, it’s turned out to be quite the opposite. By the age of thirteen, Bradley is a survivor, narrowly escaping multiple violent encounters.
After the latest incident (and sudden death of his youngest brother), Bradley’s family decides to relocate. But when Bradley realizes the move is a sneaky way for his parents to get other Romani families to keep tabs on him, Bradley is frustrated that his family doesn’t trust him. But how could they? He’s a magnet for death and destruction.
Bradley must come to terms with his violent past, what it really means to be Romani, and why his family must stick together or die trying.
When the Divine Are Dead is exquisitely done. The writing is captivating and Bradley’s jaded voice is raw and refreshing. Readers will be hooked until the last page. The characters are well-developed and the pacing of the story kept me on edge.
I especially liked the author’s use of real-world issues and how they were seamlessly weaved into the story. The Romani’s persecution during World War II and the cruelness of the Nazis are logically tied in with Bradley’s family history and the book’s storyline.
Another real-world issue that was handled brilliantly was Bradley’s diabetes. The way Bradley spoke about his experience with the disease will be relatable to readers who are also diabetic or know someone who is. Diabetes was treated as a part of Bradley’s narrative, but it wasn’t his defining trait.
Lastly, it’s important to highlight the moments of brutal violence, specifically against young children, throughout the book. Readers will either be turned off immediately—or feel reassured by the author’s well-handled, but candid take on the subject. There were times that I wished Bradley had been aged up to seventeen or eighteen. However, with the way that kids are seeing increased levels of violence in the news and the prevalence of school shootings in the US, some readers may find it refreshing that a book like this is so open about the conversation.
When the Divine Are Dead is a captivating, yet realistic take on the urban fantasy genre for young adult readers. I recommend it for older YA readers capable of handling storylines involving graphic violence and death.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on Reedsy Discovery. You can read my full review here.
August 21, 2022
When the Divine are Dead by EK Barnes follows Bradley, a fourteen-year-old boy with special Diviner abilities, Type I diabetes, and a string of deadly kind of bad luck.
We follow Bradley as he endures a school-shooting and a death of a family member, and then his family tries to start over in a new city with other Diviner families. We get bits an pieces of the horrible things that have happened to Bradley, his difficulty with his abilities, and the internal survivor's guilt that plagues him as his family tries to start anew.
I really thought the author nailed Bradley's authentic lower-YA voice, and I really felt for him as he tried to learn how to cope with his situation. Learning about the Diviners' ability was super interesting, and in general, the tension and tight writing kept my attention straight through the end.
There were a lot of characters and siblings to keep track of, and I did find myself wishing we got a little more development from some of the other main characters. There were also a few strands I was expecting to get answers to that we didn't quite get. However, this definitely seems like the first of the series, so they could have been left for future books.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook narration, and the I think the narrator did an excellent job of telling this story. Would definitely recommend for all fans of YA urban fantasy. Thanks so much to the publisher for the free audible code! (4.25/5)
We follow Bradley as he endures a school-shooting and a death of a family member, and then his family tries to start over in a new city with other Diviner families. We get bits an pieces of the horrible things that have happened to Bradley, his difficulty with his abilities, and the internal survivor's guilt that plagues him as his family tries to start anew.
I really thought the author nailed Bradley's authentic lower-YA voice, and I really felt for him as he tried to learn how to cope with his situation. Learning about the Diviners' ability was super interesting, and in general, the tension and tight writing kept my attention straight through the end.
There were a lot of characters and siblings to keep track of, and I did find myself wishing we got a little more development from some of the other main characters. There were also a few strands I was expecting to get answers to that we didn't quite get. However, this definitely seems like the first of the series, so they could have been left for future books.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook narration, and the I think the narrator did an excellent job of telling this story. Would definitely recommend for all fans of YA urban fantasy. Thanks so much to the publisher for the free audible code! (4.25/5)
November 21, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had a difficult time putting it down. I was riveted to the storyline. Can't wait for the next one.
September 18, 2025
Wow so interesting!
January 24, 2021
An all around great read by an up and coming author. The story is engaging and captured my attention the entire time I was reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape for a few hours.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews