Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

by April Genevieve Tucholke

Faded Gatsby glamour and thrilling gothic horror meet in this gorgeously told, terrifying and dreamy YA romance.

'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? Violet's grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who likes coffee and who kisses you in a cemetery... Violet's already so knee-deep in love, she can't see straight. And that's just how River likes it.

• ISBN10: 0803738897
• ISBN13: 9780803738898
• Publish Date: 15 August 2013
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Dial Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

Initial Thoughts: Even knowing this is primarily a romance, I was not expecting such unconvincing instalove--with a guy who is decidedly a jerk at least 50% of the time and not in a "hot, bad boy" way. The Gothic-inspired plot is practically nonexistent and barely makes sense anyway.

[cornerfolds]

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea caught my eye initially with its breathtaking cover and a promise of gothic horror, which I have generally found to be beautiful. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, but I went into it with an open mind and most definitely found myself satisfied at the end.

Violet and her brother live on a cliff overlooking the sea. And they live there alone. Their parents are off in France doing artsy things (they probably should not have had children). Meanwhile, the bills are stacking up and something has to be done. To keep themselves afloat without their parents to help them, Violet decides to rent out the guest house, which is where River comes in. From the very beginning, I really liked River. There was something a little off about him and I found myself often annoyed with his constant question evasions. Still, there was something incredibly romantic about him and I could totally sympathize with Violet's complete inability not to fall in love with him.

The mystery surrounding River really made this book's horror elements unique and amazing. The atmosphere of the small town the events took place in felt so realistically creepy... it was most definitely one of the better worlds I've read in a semi-contemporary setting. I was on edge from the very first chapter while also feeling wrapped up in the romance. Tucholke's writing plays no small part in the mood of this book! I found myself completely immersed in this world and had a hard time putting the book down. Something about her writing style just sucked me in!

And then that story... I had no clue what I was getting into with this one and I was totally blown away by the unique plot of The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. This is one of those books that doesn't leave me much room in the review to tell you -why- it's so good without giving too much away and ruining it (which might be why I had no idea what to expect). Just trust me on this one - you want to read it!

I love it when I have no expectations and find myself in the middle of a really unexpectedly awesome book! I won't say it's perfect, but I did really enjoy it and am definitely planning to pick up the sequel. If you're a fan of gothic horror that isn't too terribly scary and includes a little romance, definitely give this one a try!

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

If ever a book was an old soul, it's BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, the first book in the Between duology. Even though the book takes place now, every detail feels decadently vintage.

There were a lot of aspects in this book that reminded me of THE GREAT GATSBY and I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, specifically the character of Violet. She's very unusual and introspective. She's consumed with old literature, music, and the generations that preceded her. She has odd and sad relationships with her twin brother and friend, and a romance that is all consuming. The love story that develops between her and the enigmatic and vintage River is wonderfully thrilling and equally frightening.

As for the mythology, it's fairly basic, more magical realism than paranormal, but it's also completely original to this series. It's magic that feels truly magical. In fact, the whole book feels magical largely due to the lovely and atmospheric writing. Gothic and gorgeous from start to finish. And while the ending isn't an agonizing cliffhanger, it's enough of one that I can't wait to read the conclusion called BETWEEN THE SPARK AND THE BURN which will be published on August 4, 2014.

[e_rodz_leb]

3.5 Stars

Hmmm… I’m not sure how to go about describing this one. I think I was expecting something different from Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. It turned out to be quite creepy, with a touch of horror to boot.

The story is strange and unrealistic. Yes, I understand it is fiction, but I just didn’t buy it. For starters Violet and Luke’s parents just up and take off for Europe leaving the 16-year-old twins by themselves and that seems to be okay with everyone in the small town of Echo. These teenagers seem to be gallivanting all over the place without any supervision. Then Violet decides to put their guest house for rent and takes in the first boy that asks about the house (it happens to be River), a total stranger! Then, even if strange things happen around River and Violet affirms that she doesn’t trust him, she still lets herself be kissed silly and then gets in bed with him (not what you’re thinking though)! When a man commits suicide in front of everyone, Violet decides to go and get his son Jack to stay with them before the police takes him away and everyone is okay with this too. The unbelievable things just keep mounting one on top of the other.

I’m not sure what to think about the characters either. Violet is naïve and too trusting, but she tries to do her best since she was put in an impossible situation. Luke is a little more realistic, he gives his sister a hard time, but that’s what brothers are for, right? He is into girls (*duh*) and he honestly likes his sister and cares for her. River is very strange. He has his own twisted sense of what is right and wrong and he loves to play god. He is very conceited and not the best person to know either. Let me spell something for you Violet: murder is wrong!!! Instant-love just doesn’t work here at all. The only sensible person might have been Violet and Luke’s grandmother Freddie, and she has been dead for four years when the story starts.

The writing is good, but I found the over use of simile and metaphor exhausting to keep up with. Maybe Tucholke was aiming for gothic and lyrical, but it didn’t quite accomplish it. The plot is good, I did like the sense of urgency, and mystery and I did not see the ending coming at all. Strange, creepy, horrific things happen at every turn. The ending is inconclusive, with River going away on his own to resolve a big problem; but hey! That’s what sequels are for, right?

All in all, I will still read Between the Spark and The Burn, due to be published in August, if only to know what happens with River and his glow at the end.

[lizarodz]

3.5 Stars

Hmmm… I’m not sure how to go about describing this one. I think I was expecting something different from Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. It turned out to be quite creepy, with a touch of horror to boot.

The story is strange and unrealistic. Yes, I understand it is fiction, but I just didn’t buy it. For starters Violet and Luke’s parents just up and take off for Europe leaving the 16-year-old twins by themselves and that seems to be okay with everyone in the small town of Echo. These teenagers seem to be gallivanting all over the place without any supervision. Then Violet decides to put their guest house for rent and takes in the first boy that asks about the house (it happens to be River), a total stranger! Then, even if strange things happen around River and Violet affirms that she doesn’t trust him, she still lets herself be kissed silly and then gets in bed with him (not what you’re thinking though)! When a man commits suicide in front of everyone, Violet decides to go and get his son Jack to stay with them before the police takes him away and everyone is okay with this too. The unbelievable things just keep mounting one on top of the other.

I’m not sure what to think about the characters either. Violet is naïve and too trusting, but she tries to do her best since she was put in an impossible situation. Luke is a little more realistic, he gives his sister a hard time, but that’s what brothers are for, right? He is into girls (*duh*) and he honestly likes his sister and cares for her. River is very strange. He has his own twisted sense of what is right and wrong and he loves to play god. He is very conceited and not the best person to know either. Let me spell something for you Violet: murder is wrong!!! Instant-love just doesn’t work here at all. The only sensible person might have been Violet and Luke’s grandmother Freddie, and she has been dead for four years when the story starts.

The writing is good, but I found the over use of simile and metaphor exhausting to keep up with. Maybe Tucholke was aiming for gothic and lyrical, but it didn’t quite accomplish it. The plot is good, I did like the sense of urgency, and mystery and I did not see the ending coming at all. Strange, creepy, horrific things happen at every turn. The ending is inconclusive, with River going away on his own to resolve a big problem; but hey! That’s what sequels are for, right?

All in all, I will still read Between the Spark and The Burn, due to be published in August, if only to know what happens with River and his glow at the end.

[Kelly]

3.5 Stars
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2013/10/between-devil-and-deep-blue-sea-by.html
I wasn't sure what to expect from Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and I was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of Anna Dressed in Blood, the same suspense and drama and was also beautifully written. River is a lovable villain, he's delightfully evil. He's a proven liar, but his use of The Glow can compel others, including Violet. When River's past follows the trail of destruction, we're introduced to Neely. Neely is bad tempered and violent but is also the only person that River has been able to rely on. Neely also brings the truth, correcting the lies River has told, and who River truly is.

I found the conversation between a few characters irritating, the use of Brother and Sister within the dialogue was annoying. I personally didn't need reminding of the relationship between siblings, because surely no one ever refers to their sister, as Sister. Regardless, it was entertaining and I'll be continuing with the series.

[violetpeanut]

3.5 Stars really. As other reviewers have already noted, this book has amazing gothic atmosphere, a timeless feel to it and really good writing overall. I think the plot had some weak points that keeps me from rating higher, but I enjoyed the book despite them.

[nitzan_schwarz]

So... I'm going to donate this novel soon. My relationship with this novel was very complicated. I liked it, but I didn't, and then I felt they I had to like it, so I tried making everything (even the bad things) sound positive. I made "I both passionately hated it and fiercely loved it at the same time" sound like a good thing, when it isn't. I have no idea why.

This book has a lot of problematic things about it. Things that made me shy away from reading its sequel, and will forever keep me from doing that.

But, I did really enjoy the writing, and the creepiness (and the names!) and the whole vibe of the novel, and where I didn't fall in love, someone else might. Therefore - the library treatment for it. Or I might give it to my cousin, we'll see.

2013 cleaning my shelves challenge

3.5 stars

Originally published on my blog August 30, 2013. Please consider popping by ;)

This book is probably one of the creepiest things I've ever read. Like, I had the urge to buy holy-water and wear onion rings around my neck and stitch crosses into my clothing while reading it. It's also a book I'm pretty conflicted about, because I both passionately hated it but fiercely loved parts of it it at the same time. I guess I'm slightly like Violet, in that sense.

“Sunshine, if I ever disappear, please tell people that I ran after the Devil, trying to get my soul back.”

Violet White (perfect name #1), is a girl I'd love meeting and befriending. She's a bookworm, and a film lover, and has a totally awesome eccentric way about her. She was closest with her grandma Freddie, and still mourns her death, which means she wears her clothes and sometimes goes letter-haunting for her secrets.

She and her twin brother/womanizer, Luke, live practically alone in an old manor called Citizen Kane (like the movie) set on the background of a little town called Echo and the gushing sea, with only one neighbor called Sunshine Black (perfect name #2) for company... until River moves into the Guesthouse. River is a mysterious, lying stranger Violet can't seem to ignore. With him, weird things start happening. Little serious kids start talking of the Devil. children disappear. Ghosts appear. Chaos descends. Madness... 

River West (Perfect name #3) is the character that made this whole book so conflicting. I spent the first 1/3 of the book hating his guts and wondering what Violet saw in him because the dude was creepy and seemed to me bat-shit crazy. Then I spent the another 1/3 kind of liking him, and being intrigued by him, while simultaneously continuing to hate his guts and fantasizing about his death. I felt sorry for him, but in a true Violet fashion, I still didn't trust him. What he's doing then is still pretty evil, as Freddie would say. I don't like evil. 
Then the last 1/3 came, and I kind of really liked him! (shocked you there, didn't I?) 

So my feelings toward this book altered together with my feelings toward River, and as those were kind of all over the place and were a kind of a mix between hatred and love, same goes for the book. But I got invested in the book. Enough to care about what River was doing, enough to scream in my head; 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?' and 'STAY AWAY FROM THAT BOY' and 'WHAT THE F ARE YOU THINKING?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' which basically meant my brain was on overdrive. 

I was also conflicted about the romance. at first I didn't like it (as I found the love interest disturbing) and it was pretty instant and more than once, I wanted to bang Violet's head against the wall for the things she was doing and her thoughts, which often contrasted. But then River told her - and us - what's his deal... and I realized there was more to it all, which made me really forget and forgive all the rest and made me super intrigued as to how it will continue.

Despite my love-hate relationship with book, it captures you from page one, with it's Gothic background, amazing sceneries, the lyrical sense to the words, and the captivating narrator. I want to live in this book so badly (minus the creeptastic things, of course). I loved little Jack, and I enjoyed the relationship between Luke and Vi, even if it was annoying at times. Neely is my favorite brother, so far (seems like there will be more than one or two...) and I wish Freddie was alive. 

There were only two minor things that bothered me a bit about the writing. First, some sentence sounded a little... off. Like, it wasn't humans speaking. And then there was that really big emphasize on sex. Don't get me wrong, sexytime with River and Violet was pretty steamy and fun, but all their talking about Luke and girls and second base and breasts and blah blah kind of got old after awhile...  
 
The last 100 pages of this book were pure perfection; they were so creepy, and scary, and heart-racing, and action packed, and nightmare inducing and I freakin' LOVED River in them! I simply couldn't glue myself from the book and my nails are really suffering from the abuse I inflicted on them in those 100 pages and dear god almighty April can come up with the craziest and creepiest and scariest characters ever. 
And it was definitely necessary to say all that without any breaks, because those 100 pages demand a gushing reaction that makes you unable to put dots between your words.

Originally published on my blog August 30, 2013. Please consider popping by ;)