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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (The Between Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 411 ratings

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.

A gothic thriller romance with shades of Stephen King and F. Scott Fitzgerald, set against a creepy summertime backdrop.

Praise for Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea:

A 2013 YALSA Teens Top Ten nominee

A 2017 YALSA Popular Paperback

“Tucholke’s gothic tone, plot, and setting, complete with a deteriorating estate full of dark family secrets, is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier or YA fare such as Kami Garcia’s and Margaret Stohl’s Beautiful Creatures.”

–-SLJ starred review

“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a stunning debut with complex characters, an atmospheric setting, and a distinct voice. Tucholke’s command of imagery and language is especially striking…Tucholke has real talent and, hopefully, will be writing for years to come.”

-–VOYA starred review

"People die; children stalk the cemetery with stakes; and strange, alluring River delights and frightens Violet in equal measure…the faded elegance that permeates almost every page, elevates this above more generic offerings of its type. Violet, too, has a quirky uniqueness that will draw readers, just as it draws River—for better or worse.”

-–Booklist starred review

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-With their beloved grandmother, Freddie, deceased and their artistic, absentee parents blowing the family money abroad, 17-year-old twins Violet and Luke are as neglected as Citizen Kane, their formerly grand and now dilapidated home on a seaside cliff. Antagonistic Luke and sultry neighbor Sunshine are Violet's only company until she rents the guesthouse to enigmatic River West. His crooked smile, discerning palate, and penchant for lying leave Violet both enamored and distrustful. He is cavalier with the mind-manipulating supernatural power he is unable, and somewhat reluctant, to control. In a small town with its fair share of lurid tales, River's appearance brings with it devil sightings, missing children, and disturbing deaths. Tucholke's gothic tone, plot, and setting, complete with a deteriorating estate full of dark family secrets, is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier or YA fare such as Kami Garcia's and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures (Little, Brown, 2009). Violet's narration is frank and perceptive, livened with humor and an almost poetically descriptive lilt. She is a combination of naive and mature, having grown up in relative seclusion with limited supervision. Violet and River's attraction is palpable, but their romance is tainted by his shifty morals and shady charm. Swearing and sexual situations are non-gratuitous. Adults are easily appeased and generally turn a blind eye. Give this one to fans of creepy mysteries, particularly tales that don't skimp on the violence. They'll appreciate the conclusion's heart-pounding, bile-rising standoff.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Violet and her twin brother, Luke, live in a crumbling mansion by the sea. There’s not much of a town, and nothing much happens. Then River West rents their guest house, and all hell breaks loose. People die; children stalk the cemetery with stakes; and strange, alluring River delights and frightens Violet in equal measure. Violet’s beloved grandmother always told her to be wary of the devil, and it’s not a leap to wonder if he has strolled into her life under the guise of a copper-headed boy with a crooked smile. Tucholke paints this moody, gothic romance with a languid brush. Moments of horror nestle against warm, dreamy kisses. Though the text could have been tighter—and the number of important characters fewer—there are unexpected twists that make the story a surprise. That, and the faded elegance that permeates almost every page, elevates this above more generic offerings of its type. Violet, too, has a quirky uniqueness that will draw readers, just as it draws River—for better or worse. Grades 9-12. --Ilene Cooper

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QJH4Y8C
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1169 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 386 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0142423211
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 411 ratings

About the author

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April Genevieve Tucholke
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April Genevieve Tucholke is the bestselling author of Merry and Hark, A Christmas Story (Algonquin), The Secret Life of Hidden Places (Workman 2024), Beatrice Likes the Dark (Algonquin), Seven Endless Forests (FSG), The Boneless Mercies (FSG), Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Penguin), and Wink Poppy Midnight (Penguin). Her books have been published in sixteen countries, and have received ten starred reviews. They have been selected for the Junior Library Guild, Kids' Indie Next, and YALSA Teens Top Ten. Tucholke currently lives in Savannah, Georgia. She loves coffee, forests, and Gothic cities.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
411 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story intriguing and enjoyable. They appreciate the writing style as poetic and beautiful. The characters are interesting, likable, and charming. The imagery is described as lovely and unique. Overall, customers find the book dark and captivating.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

57 customers mention "Story quality"43 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it haunting, enchanting, and intriguing with an interesting premises and creepy stories that give you chills. The cover is described as gorgeous and haunting, and the book has an outstanding storyline that keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...wait to see where APril Genevieve Tucholke takes this riveting, horrifying story. Phenomenal...Just phenomenal..... &#..." Read more

"This was a hauntingly romantic story with dramatic characters and a rich atmosphere that just adds to its Gothic storyline...." Read more

"...Overall, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is a hauntingly enchanting story, with a rich, gothic atmosphere, a quirky, likable heroine, and..." Read more

"...the girl who lives in a huge, decaying mansion, and creepy stories to give you chills. I can't get over how wonderfully the setting was built...." Read more

45 customers mention "Enjoyment"42 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it thrilling and engaging, with compelling characters and a good story that keeps them hooked. The author's writing style is well-received.

"...This is one of the most phenomenal books that I have read this year. Everything about it had me totally consumed until the last page...." Read more

"...Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea is a great novel that is bound to become a classic...." Read more

"...I definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for a thrilling read, and I can't wait to see how things develop in the sequel!..." Read more

"...Sometimes books are so good you read them as fast as you can, gobbling them up like your favorite junk food...." Read more

26 customers mention "Writing style"21 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the prose poetic and compelling. The story is described as descriptive, creative, and a masterpiece.

"Ok I dont even know where to begin with this review. This is one of the most phenomenal books that I have read this year...." Read more

"...In fact, 'intriguing' is the perfect word to describe April Genevieve Tucholke's debut novel "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"--there could..." Read more

"...The story was written beautifully, but I wasn't all too fond of the characters...." Read more

"...But April did a great job at creating these creative and colorful individuals!..." Read more

24 customers mention "Character development"19 positive5 negative

Customers find the characters interesting and likable. They appreciate the colorful names like Violet and Sunshine. The heroine is described as quirky and charming.

"...With its timeless characters and darkly rich scenery, April Genevieve Tucholke is a master storyteller and I can't wait to see what she creates next." Read more

"...Despite this, she never struck me as weird. Instead, Violet is an endearing heroine who's strong, compassionate, and has the ability to see ordinary..." Read more

"...was absolutely gorgeous. The beautiful boy with a dangerous and addictive power, the girl who lives in a huge, decaying mansion, and creepy stories..." Read more

"...able to appreciate horrifyingly beautiful places, some mystery, unique characters, and a bit of holding the devil's hand, then you should definitely..." Read more

20 customers mention "Beauty"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's beauty. They find it lovely and unique, with a gorgeous turn of phrase. The author weaves a dark, seductive, creepy story in a way that is captivating. They appreciate the beautiful imagery of a coastal town, characters with brightly colorful names, and the gothic atmosphere. The writing is described as wonderful and the cover is awesome.

"...April Tucholke weaves a dark, seductive, creepy story in a way that holds the readers attention until the last page...." Read more

"...With its timeless characters and darkly rich scenery, April Genevieve Tucholke is a master storyteller and I can't wait to see what she creates next." Read more

"...a little more magical, something which can be seen in the subtly beautiful descriptions of Citizen Kane, the grand estate she and her twin brother,..." Read more

"...was absolutely gorgeous...." Read more

6 customers mention "Darkness"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's dark and twisted story. They find it relatable and captivating, with an intriguing contrast between innocence and darkness. The writing is described as well-crafted and engaging, with elements like dark tunnels, mysterious roads, and a town that seems familiar.

"...The story that April wrote is just so mysterious and dark and consuming that you don't want to put this book down!..." Read more

"...the purplish prose and the use of repetition and the juxtaposition of innocence with darkness. 5 stars for the writing...." Read more

"...gothic mansions, cemeteries, small-everyone-knows-everyone town, dark tunnels, mysterious roads etc. I also enjoyed River for the most part...." Read more

"...Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea was the perfect title for a dark and creepy story set in the small sleepy seaside town of Echo with Violet's..." Read more

11 customers mention "Intelligence"7 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's intelligence. Some find the concept great and the writing brilliant, offering insight into what's going on. Others feel the plot is strange and not impressive, with flat characters and hardly developed ideas.

"...He was so charming, smart and everyone automatically liked him on sight. But that was his downfall...." Read more

"...The writing - brilliant! Despite the icky subject material, I couldn't stop reading...." Read more

"...and book smugness if she wasn't so damn silly, reckless and downright stupid when it came to life and death situation...." Read more

"...In the end, I feel indifferent. I liked the overall concept...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing. Some found it excellent and engaging, keeping them reading until the end. Others felt the characters were silly, reckless, and downright stupid. The story felt forced, clichéd, and upsetting at times.

"...Take it for what it is, but I'm starting to find it annoying, childish and upsetting. OVERALL:..." Read more

"...The pacing was excellent and the characters enigmatic and compelling. I was very pleased with how the story went. I cant wait to read the next book!" Read more

"...but superficial intelligence and book smugness if she wasn't so damn silly, reckless and downright stupid when it came to life and death situation...." Read more

"Good book. Hooked me quickly and kept me reading." Read more

Five Stars
5 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Love the book! Great quality. Ordered the paperback version and it's very durable. Looks just like the photo. Was so excited to read it, finished it in 2 days and i just ordered the sequel
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2014
    Ok I dont even know where to begin with this review. This is one of the most phenomenal books that I have read this year. Everything about it had me totally consumed until the last page.

    The cover is just breathtaking. The font of the title just jumps out at you. The two people standing on the edge of the cliff with the darkness behind them is just....amazing. This is most defintely one of my most favorite covers of this year!!

    I read the synposis of this book and was just in awe. April Tucholke weaves a dark, seductive, creepy story in a way that holds the readers attention until the last page. The descriptions writtin in this book of the scenery makes you feel as though you are right there on the side of the cliff experiencing every horrific moment with them.

    Even the main characters names: Violet and River....Those names were so perfectly placed in this story. There is just something about their names that grab you and bring you into this story. There is so much mystery and intensity in this novel.

    "You stop fearing the Devil when you're holding his hand."

    Violet meets River, a mysterious young boy who has rented her grandmother's cottage that is beside her mansion on the cliff. Violet is immediately drawn to River and introduces him to her friends. This is where it all begins. There is so much horror and mystery in this novel and I was completeyl consumed with it. Breathtaking is the only word that best fits this novel.

    April Genevieve Tucholke is an author that should be on your "to follow list" because she is phenomenal. She is a debut author that breaks into all the parts of the horror genre that you never knew were there....The history and descriptions that she uses in her writing is spot on. There is so much about this book that is incredible from the stories about The Devil that her grandmother told her to the family secrets that have been hidden away for too long.....

    I am telling you...I cannot rave enough about this book...I will wait on pins and needles until I can get my hands on the sequel. I absolutely cant wait to see where APril Genevieve Tucholke takes this riveting, horrifying story. Phenomenal...Just phenomenal.....

    "The dead are all around us, Freddie used to say. So don't you go being afraid of the dead, Violet, And if you arent afraid of the dead, then you aren't afraid of dying. And if you aren't afraid of dying, then the only damn thing you have to be afraid of is the Devil. And that is the way it should be...."
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2013
    This was a hauntingly romantic story with dramatic characters and a rich atmosphere that just adds to its Gothic storyline. Violet and her brother, Luke, are living on their own ever since their parents left to study art in Paris. To make ends meet, Violet rents out the cottage behind their home to the mysterious and charming River West. Violet and River start spending a lot of time with one another and Violet soon begins to develop feelings for this handsome young man. Around the time of River's arrival in town, strange events occur around Violet and her friends, which leads her to believe that River may have ulterior motives for being there. Is River a victim of circumstance or is he behind all the mysterious occurrences?

    River was definitely a bad boy, someone who you know will break your heart but you can't help falling in love with him anyways. He was so charming, smart and everyone automatically liked him on sight. But that was his downfall. If someone seems to be too good to be true, they usually are and I always felt that River was hiding something from Violet throughout the course of the book.

    Violet was such a sweet girl and I connected with her from the very beginning. She was trying to keep everything together with her parents and her beloved grandmother gone, and she had this inner strength that you usually don't see with girls that age. Even though she was a smart young girl, she still had this innocence about her, especially when it came to boys and relationships. Watching Violet fall in love for the first time brought back memories because that first love is always bittersweet and even though she believes that River may be responsible for the mysterious events plaguing the town, she can't help falling for him.

    Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea is a great novel that is bound to become a classic. With its timeless characters and darkly rich scenery, April Genevieve Tucholke is a master storyteller and I can't wait to see what she creates next.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Miss Hyatt
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2022
    My favourite book. The cover is amazing. I just love it
    Customer image
    Miss Hyatt
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2022
    My favourite book. The cover is amazing. I just love it
    Images in this review
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2020
    Thank you!
  • Kindle-Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tolles und mysteriöses Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on September 1, 2014
    Die Autorin hat einen sehr eigenen träumerischen und mysteriösen Schreibstil, der mir sehr gefällt!
    Ich habe gleich das zweite Buch bestellt! Sehr empfehlenswert.
  • Elisa Botarelli
    4.0 out of 5 stars fiaba gotica
    Reviewed in Italy on July 15, 2014
    Ricco di atmosfera con bellissime descrizioni dei luoghi e personaggi ambigui ed interessanti non sai se affezionati o condannarli.consigliato per l'estate
  • Zeit zu Lesen
    3.0 out of 5 stars Solide & spannend - kurzweilge Unterhaltung mit Potenzial zu mehr
    Reviewed in Germany on August 1, 2015
    Das Buch von April Genevieve Tucholke zu bewerten, fällt mir nicht ganz so leicht, da ich mir den Inhalt ursprünglich etwas anders vorgestellt hatte. Statt einer klassischen YA-Fantasy Lektüre entpuppte sich “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea“ mehr zu einem Thriller mit Grusel-Elementen frei nach Stephen King.

    Worum geht es in dem Buch?
    Violet und ihr Bruder Luke verbringen die Sommerferien vor ihrem letzten Schuljahr in den beschaulichen Örtchen Echo. Ihre Eltern, beides passionierte Maler, verweilen unterdessen auf Grund künstlerischer Aspekte für einige Zeit in Europa (Paris im Speziellen).
    Obwohl die Geschwister aus einer ursprünglich wohlhabenden Familie stammen, nehmen beschließen sie in den Sommerferien einen Untermieter aufzunehmen, um ihre klamme Kasse etwas aufzubessern. Das flatterhafte Künstlerleben ihrer Eltern hat das einstige Familienvermögen zusammenschrumpfen lassen. So geschieht es, dass sie ihr Gästehaus an den gutaussehenden Jungen River vermieten.

    Doch kaum ist River eingezogen, kommt es zu lauter merkwürdigen Zwischenfällen. Welchen Anteil River daran hat, der längst nicht so liebenswert und unschuldig ist, wie es für Violet den Anschein hat, das wird dem Leser dann auch schnell klar.

    Meine Eindruck:
    Erzählt wird die Geschichte aus Sicht der Protagonistin Violet, deren starke Gefühle für den eigentlich fremden River schnell deutlich werden und somit die gesamte Geschichte prägen. Diese stellen – meiner Meinung nach – auch den Scherpunkt des Konzeptes dar, da die Gefühle eindeutig Violet‘s Sichtweise einschränken. … Denn River ist alles andere als unschuldig und hat weit mehr als ein Leben auf dem Gewissen. Doch Violets rosa-roter Blick will dies nicht wahrhaben, auch nicht, als der Horror in seiner ganzen Pracht eskaliert. Als Leser hatte ich die ganze Zeit das Bedürfnis sie an den Schulter zu packen und zu schütteln ... Wach auf, Mädchen!

    Insgesamt erinnert mich die Erzählart und die Art des Story-Aufbaus sehr stark an Stephen King. Die Handlung, die Idee zu der Geschichte, könnte gut auch seiner (früheren) Feder entsprungen sein

    Fazit: von mir bekommt das Buch leider nur 3,5 Sterne – auf Grund mangelnder Glaubwürdigkeit und Authentizität. Denn im Gegensatz zu Stephen King gelingt es April G. Tucholke leider nicht, mit ihren holzschnitzartigen Figuren und teilweise vorhersehbaren Szenen, den Grusel-Effekt des Meisters einzufangen.

    Das Buch ist “nice-to-read“ und auf Grund seiner einfachen Erzählstruktur auch schnell durchgelesen. Es ist unterhaltsam und bietet noch immer genügend Spannung für einen gemütlichen Leseabend, die Grundidee des Buches gefällt mir sehr gut - allein die Umsetzung könnte ausgereifter sein.

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