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.
This book is a masterpiece! I knew I would like it, but I didn't think I would love it this much. It had my heart racing, the bees in my belly raging with anticipation, and my mind pleading with me to get back to reading! This book is so different from a lot of the stuff that's out there, it's very gothic, for one, and for another, it's the most awesome and unique story I've read all year.
The pace of the books is very fast, but I think the best way to actually describe it comes from a line in the book itself: "People say time is relative, and I guess that explained why my life before River felt like a handful of seconds... But my life after River was a three-volume saga," (pg. 350). The book really does feel that way even though only about a week, maybe a week and a half, pass.
There were only a handful of characters but they were all well thought out and deep. Violet, the main character, is simple and rather eclectic, almost like an old person is living inside of her. She's different then most other heroines in YA. She's strong, but a quiet and sleepy strength. River is an amazing antihero, although I don't really think that describes him all to well. There isn't one simple word to describe River, except, River. Luke, Violet's brother, comes off as an ass, but about half-way through the book you figure out who he really is. Sunshine is the same way, although I wasn't ever to fond of her the way I was fond of Luke. I feel like Jack could have had more to him, but there is a sequel, to we'll see where that goes. Neely was a great character as well and I couldn't help but love him, too. He's one of those characters that really imprints upon the reader. Well, they all are, but Neely especially. Finally, Freddie. There could be a whole series about her. We get a peek into her life, but Violet's grandmother was a colorful woman who was a scene-stealer in the story. Just wonderful.
The villain in this book is truly terrifying. You think you know but then you don't, trust me. A very flash-pow-OMG!! ending. I loved it.
The love between Violet and River was nice. Not over-the-top but very truthful and, while important to the story, not the main piece of it. You know it's there and you're rooting for them, but you don't feel swallowed by hormones.
The mythology in this story is very simple, but also something you don't want to know before you go into it. That's part of the fun, finding out what's going on.
The writing is beautiful and elegant, and dark. It leaves an impression, and I know that this author (April Genevieve Tucholke) is going to be around for a while. Her writing is very good and rings in your ears after it's all over.
Rating: *****5 out of 5 stars*****
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