Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

by April Genevieve Tucholke

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.