Thursday, July 11, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between, #1) Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke
Publisher: Dial
Release Date: August 15, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
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

My Thoughts:
I love to read creepy books, it has been that way for the past few months and in these past few months I have only read a handful of books that have truly scared me.  Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea has officially shown me what a creepy book can do.  I woke up last night from a nightmare with the night sweats and my heart pounding!  After I settled down I realized that my nightmare was caused by reading this book and I have to admit I was giddy.  Most books don't have that kind of effect on me and when one does I know the book at least in my opinion is amazing and one I will never forget.

Vi lives with her brother in an old mansion that has been named Citizen Kane by their late grandmother.  Their parents are off in Paris somewhere painting leaving Vi and Luke to fend for themselves.  When they run out of money Vi puts up an ad to rent their guesthouse.  The ad is answered by River, a boy who is as mysterious as they come and admits to lying 99% of the time.  Vi for some reason feels drawn to River, but when the town goes into crisis mode looking for a little girl who appeared to have been kidnapped Vi starts wondering who River really is and where exactly he was when the little girl went missing.  With little kids in cemeteries holding stakes and sticks, druken mad men killing themselves in the town square, and people accused of being witches and burned to death Vi doesn't know what to do.  All she knows is River is the connecting tie to everything, she just has to figure out what he is doing before she falls under the spell.

I can't tell you enough how much I loved this book.  It was creepy and gory and had my heart pounding from the start.  I might have read this somewhere and I agree with whoever said it that this book is for people who will eventually go on to read Stephen King.  The writing to me was very similar of Kings and the story was one that I could see him writing.  When I started reading King I wasn't quite ready so I really wish I would have had this book or one like it to give me a stepping stone into the thriller genre. 

The characters were all a vital part of the story and each had their own quirks.  I will say that these characters could possibly turn some readers off because of the dialogue.  It was a little weird at times but I think it worked with the story really well and it made everything more memorable.   I have seen this type of character writing before and it hasn't honestly worked for me until now.  I know you are probably wondering what I am talking about and it is a little hard for me to explain.  The characters aren't your typical everyday teenagers we see in YA.  They talked different and gravitated more towards old fashioned type things.  I just loved it!

I need to look and see if this is going to be a series because with the way it ended I am hoping with every fiber of my being that it will be.  I want to know more!  Awesome creeptastic book that will leave you with nightmare, I mean really what more could you want?!

4 snowflakes 
I am giving away my ARC copy of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea to one lucky follower!  I love this cover and I have to share it! 
Good luck!


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41 comments:

  1. Oooh creepy graveyard kids! Creepy children scare the crap out of me more than just about anything else. This was already high on my to-read list but now I'm even more excited to read it!

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    1. I commented before entering the giveaway so didn't realize I had to answer a question. I'm really looking forward to reading Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer which sounds like a deliciously creepy, ghostly historical fiction.

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  2. Uhhh, Fire & Ash by Maberry or Unhinged by Howard :D

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  3. Awesome review! And this IS the first in a series :D I feel like I've been waiting for this book for FOREVER. Oh well, just a little over a month now and I can finally read it <3

    - Kazhy @ My Library in the Making

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  4. I love a good creepy book too! I've been excited for this book ever since the cover reveal and I'm so happy to hear that this isn't just a pretty cover and that the content is as creepstatic as that cover too! It actually gave you nightmares? Now, I'm thrilled!
    I'm a little afraid about the ending though. I hope it's not one of those cliffhangers that makes you want to throw the book out of the window.
    Anyways, fabulous review, Crystal!

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  5. I'm not sure if this book counts as creepy, but Endless Knight by Kresley Cole. I hope they print ARCs of that book! I haven't seen anyone with one yet.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  6. I'm most looking forward to this book =D

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  7. T\hat's an easy one! Unhinged! I can't wait to read it! I read the sampler and LOVED IT! Thanks for the amazing giveaway! :)

    My Rafflecopter name and comment name is different:

    Rafflecopter name: Vannnah Batista
    Comment Name: Alicia Batista

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  8. I don't usually read creepy books so I don't look around for them unless one really catches my eye so my answer would have to be this book :)

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  9. Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn, In the After by Demitria Lunetta , Asylum by Madeleine Roux. There are so many books I am looking forward too.

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  10. Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I've been reading such great reviews for this book! it was already on my want list! Ummm... I really can't think of one right off the top of my head... definitely gonna have to fix that :)

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  11. the only book that comes to my mind at the moment is The End Games by T. Michael Martin (its already out)!!!

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  12. The Wicked Game. It sounds like it could be a really awesome read (much like this one?)

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  14. Hmmm.. probably Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Now, if you asked me what creepy book I was looking forward to the most, I'd answer Her Dark Curiosity! But that comes out in the winter...

    Brynna

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  15. I can't wait to read Unhinged! :D Splintered was absolutely amazing!

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  16. Definitely looking forward to Asylum by Madelaine Roux!

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  17. I still have to read Anna Dressed In Blood. It would be good to save for this fall and October.

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  18. I love that this book gave you nightmares! Sounds like the perfect book for me! Fingers crossed!

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  19. This one! But I'm excited for Unhinged (doesn't come out until January 2014, though). :)

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  20. I'm looking forward to Through the Zombie Glass! Thanks!

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  21. I am looking forward to reading this book and Unhinged as my two top scary books to read.

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  22. I am ridiculously excited for this one! Great review, I love sound that each character is unique and has their own faults.

    Alise @ Readers In Wonderland

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  23. I'm super excited to read Another Little Piece and Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea! I usually stay away from creepy books, but there's something about these two that are pulling me in.... I should probably be concerned.

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  24. Looking foward to The Necromancers House (not exactly YA, but still creepy)and Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

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  25. I'm looking forward to Asylum. It said to have creepy pictures inside =X

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  26. I'm looking forward to Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I've been hearing great things. I love reading a book that scares me!! Can't wait for this one 8)
    I've also been waiting for and I'm excited for the release of Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst. It sounds like it will be good also.

    Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway opportunity it's really cool of you. That cover really is awesome8)
    Michelle Hofacker (michelle68314@yahoo.com)

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  27. This one! I saw Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea on a Waiting on Wednesday post onths ago and have been desperate to read it ever since!

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  28. Honestly, This one, Between the Devil and the Deep Blu Sea! I love the cover, the summary sounds interesting and full of mystery, and I have been hearing good things about this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!

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  29. I'm realllllly looking forward to this one. Though since this comes out next month, I wouldn't really consider it a Fall novel. So I'd have to say I'm really looking forward to Horde by Ann Aguirre! :D

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  30. This is definitely THE creepy book I am most looking forward to atm! Thanks for another fantastic giveaway and chance to enter ♥

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  31. International? I'm from Spain, and I really want this book!

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  32. I'm looking forward to Asylum, which I first heard about during an Epic Reads ARC party! It sounds creepy and I haven't really read much of that genre in YA so I'm excited for that :)

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  33. I'm not really sure what creepy books are coming out soon but I always make a point in reading creepy books around Halloween. I'll probably read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, whatever ghost stories I can get my hands on, some H.P. Lovecraft (or re-read some Poe), and I might re-read Horns by Joe Hill. :)

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  34. The suspense is killing me. Who won this gem of a book? I'm so excited for the release date.

    And thanks for hosting this giveaway ladies! Great review.

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    1. Sorry Jenna! Things were a little crazy this week but the winner has now been announced and emailed =)

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