About

The Diviner is the second book in the Journals of Evander Tailor series written by Tobias Begley.

The Diviner book cover

Blurb

After a stressful first year at Yesgol, Evan Tailor is looking forward to a vacation with his boyfriend and a stress free year of schooling. Unfortunately, life has other plans. Despite his relative success in last year's tournament, Evan can't rest on his laurels. His impending debts loom ever larger, and his strengthening abilities reveal a conspiracy that runs deeper than Yesgol, one that could shake the roots of the very nation in which he lives.

A conspiracy so deep that even the Ligature is caught up in its web. Evan is forced to use every one of his skills as an enchanter and a diviner to learn more about the mysteries behind the power of the nobility before he's caught and bound in inescapable oaths.

Review

This was an enjoyable and engaging read, much like the first book "The Enchanter".

There were plenty of learning lessons and tinkering with artifacts and other magical items. Sprinkled between them were action scenes that kept me hooked and entertained.

The starting chapters were steadily paced and that helped me recall events from the first book and get immersed in this setting again. After that, it was difficult to put the book down. That said, I would've liked if Evander and Osheen had someone they could highly trust among their peers. Instead, there are students who are friends one day and going off-rails another day. There were some who could become trusted, hope they come to fruition in the sequels.

The short story at the end was good too.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟☆

What others are saying

From Kayla Bergeron's review on goodreads:

Begley delivers an equally heartening story with fascinating characters carrying big and small challenges of life; chock full of magic, intrigue, power, lessons for life and love.

From E's review on goodreads:

Really good continuation of a series - slight improvement on the first, I think, which I also enjoyed. An odd mashup of subgenres that somehow just works. Think magic school meets Atelier Ryza meets casually queer secondary world fantasy.

Bingo

/r/Fantasy/ 2022 bingo categories:

  • Cool Weapon
  • Published in 2022
  • Features Mental Health (HM)
  • Self-Published OR Indie Publisher (HM)