Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevive Tucholke.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke.
Book Summary: You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Liana's Summary: When the panther-hipped River West comes into Violet White's life, things start to happen. Eerie things. Scary things. Violet starts to suspect River.. what could he be? But why should she suspect him? She likes him. A lot. There's something going on with River. Something Violet needs to know.

Rate(1-10): 7.9 (Not quite an 8. But close enough, right?)


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

..And I'd finally made my way to this book. Finally. I don't know why I didn't read it sooner, because, overall, it was actually a pretty good book. From the author's writing style to the crazy plot twists, this was one hell of a story, especially for a debut.

I enjoyed this whole concept with the Devil and everything. It was interesting to read about.

The title and cover were both very interesting, and that tagline. Man, that tagline just makes you wanna read this. You stop fearing the Devil when you're holding his hand.

As for the main characters.

Violet, our main character, is actually an admirable protagonist. Except sometimes she just gets on your nerves. I like her strength and stubbornness, though, since it proves that she's not weak.

River is our mysterious hot guy (I suppose. At least Violet thinks so. All I know is that he has nice feet and nice skin.) I justknew there was something weird about him the second he entered the story. I guess that's thanks to my foreshadowing skills as a reader, but really, it doesn't take much skills at all to find out that there's something weird about him.. but I'll leave that something for you to find out, dear readers who have not yet picked up this book.

Neely, despite his weird name, is actually very hot. I like Neely. I like Neely's hair. It's blond. He's just a very good character. You'll see.

The only flaw of this book, I have to say, would be the slow-ish plot in the beginning that caused me to blank out at times. But that's about it. Definitely give this a try if you're ready to plunge into some creepy stuff. (Although I'm a wuss. And it wasn't that scary. You'll see. Just give it a try.)

Quotes
Note: This is an ARC copy, so quotes may not completely match those of the final print's.


"Are you Violet?" he asked.


I THINK THE STORY STARTS HERE


"..swagger, with panther hips,.."



PANTHER HIPS?! PANTHER HIPS. OMFG


"Really? That sounds made up."


Now that she mentions it..



"..I will let the stranger in your backyard kiss me, anywhere he likes. Meanwhile, I'll steal his wallet."



Oh.. how forward..


"Besides, River was mine."


HA, JEALOUSY IS IN THE AIR


"I wanted to kiss him there, suddenly, on his lower back."



what omg why wtf 


"..he had nice feet, especially for a boy-- strong and tan and smooth and so beautiful, you almost couldn't call them feet anymore."


HENCE (lolol; inside joke) THE NICE FEET COMMENT UP THERE^^^


"You don't even know me."


You don't even know him either!!


"I wasn't sure what I wanted yet, but it wasn't that."


Does it really matter what you want oh my god



"He won't,"



HOW DO YOU KNOW



"Then he leaned over and kissed my palm."



OOOH I FEEL A LOVE TRIANGLE COMIN' ON..
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This will be a series, but still, I don't think I'd enjoyed it enough to actually want to continue. But that's that. What do you think of this review?(: