Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Review!

 
Title: Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Hardcover: 368 pages 
Publisher: Dial (August 15, 2013)

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."


Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea is told from Violet White's point-of-view. Violet and her twin brother, Luke, decide to rent out their guesthouse. They don't really expect anything to come of it, but something does.

Everyone was reading this book for their Halloween read. My book, however, showed up after Halloween. Once I received it, I read it that very minute and I could not put it down. It was the right amount of creepy and my heart was racing while I was reading this.

First, the cover. I have mine displayed on my shelf because I cannot stop staring at it.

Second, River West. I really liked River. I still liked him when he caused mischief. I still liked him when he lied. I have never read about a male character who drinks so much coffee, but I really enjoyed it since I do the same. River's character is very mysterious and I could not figure out his secret, until it was told.

I had no problem with Violet White. I say this because some people compared her with Bella Swan. Um, no. Bella Swan fell head over heels in love with Edward before she knew anything about him. Violet, however, does not fall in love with River. She likes him, but she never stops questioning him and she even questions herself. That's why I liked it so much because it was more realistic. Not anything like the instant Bella-Edward relationship. *snap* *snap* *snap*
I loved Violet's character. She was more real to me because she paid attention. Most characters who know that something doesn't seem right, tend to ignore it or look past it. Not Violet. Also, I loved that she's a reader. My favorite part was the small hint that she read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

 "It was the sound an orphan governess hears in a book, before a madwoman sets the bed curtains on fire."

This book kind of reminded me of Seven Tears Into The Sea by Terri Farley. They both have to do with people living near the ocean, and both stories have a main girl who meets a mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere. Seven Tears Into The Sea was a little disappointing to me, but Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea was not. It was a lot better, even better than what I expected. 

I recommend this book if you like creepy stories, mysterious boys, and... devils? Yeah, there's devils in here. 

This book really made me want to take a trip to my nearby ocean. Why? Maybe I want to find my own River West. Or maybe I just miss being near the sea. 

Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea received a 4 out 5 stars.

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