TITLE: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between, #1)
AUTHOR: April Genevieve Tucholke
GENRE: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
PUBLISHED: 2013, Penguin Young Readers Group
SOURCE: Digital ARC via Netgalley
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? (via Goodreads)
Violet has a complicated relationship with the enigmatic stranger who calls himself River West, and I have a complicated relationship with this book. On the one hand, I can’t help but praise the genuine creepiness — these are some of the most well-crafted chills I’ve experienced in a while. But on the other hand, I have all these underlying issues with the characters and with the big plot twist that just leave me equal parts enraged and confused. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea was on my list of highly anticipated releases this year, but now that I’ve finished reading I have to admit I was a bit disappointed.
I always like to start with the good stuff, so let’s talk about some things that go bump in the night. Specifically, let’s talk about things like small children creeping through graveyards carrying crosses, ghostly girls appearing in the moonlight, and red eyes burning in the darkness, because if you find these thrilling, then you’ll find plenty to love about this book. But wait, there’s more! For me, the most terrifying moments in the story had nothing to do with spectral visions or graveyards at midnight. The true source of fear is human nature itself, and the capacity for humans to be evil — to be evil and yet be well intentioned, which I think is a thousand times scarier. I feel like there are few things more disturbing than a person who hurts and manipulates others for what he or she believes is the greater good; they believe they’re providing a service and working miracles, but all the while they’re actions are causing others to suffer. Which brings us to one of the main conflicts in Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: what is the definition of evil? Do the ends justify the means?
This conflict manifests itself in the form of River, a character who is portrayed as both intoxicating and extremely threatening. Violet is drawn to him from the start, which turned me off initially because it had all the makings of your usual Instalove romance and quite frankly I’ve had enough of those. Later developments in the plot made me rethink the Instalove part, but couldn’t get rid of the bad vibes between me and River. To be completely honest, I thought his supernatural abilities (which I won’t elaborate on) were a bit of a letdown once the truth was revealed. I think I was expecting something more. Which isn’t to say that those abilities aren’t unsettling enough as they are. But for me, River wasn’t swoon-worthy at all. I was mostly alternating between being perplexed by his character and wanting to shove him off a cliff. I guess I’m just not the kind of girl to be won over by his particular brand of charm. There is something so sinister lurking beneath the surface of River’s charisma, something sinister enough that it tainted even his better moments, and for that I think the author deserves credit. But was I in love with River? No. Did I think Violet should be in love with River? Nope. I see why she found him to be so irresistible, both before and after the big reveal, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
As for Violet, we don’t really get to know her that well. The real Violet recedes into the background once River arrives. Yes, we learn that Violet is an old soul who likes to wear her dead grandmother’s dresses and loves nothing more than curling up with a good book. She’s an artist and a coffee aficionado. She often feels misunderstood and left out, without any real friends (Sunshine doesn’t count) and lacking a connection with her twin brother. But who is Violet, really? I can’t tell. There IS a reason that partially explains why she’s such a flat character, and I accept that reason, but it isn’t enough for me.
I’m hiding my #1 issue with the book because I don’t want to spoil anyone who hasn’t read it yet. Only view the spoiler if you’ve finished the book in its entirety!
[View post to see spoiler]
RATING: 3/5
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is rich in Gothic charm (plus old-fashioned Gothic horror) and infused with an eerie atmosphere. There are a lot of questions floating around here about both human nature and the nature of evil, which I appreciated. I always like it when a book makes me think. But I had a lot of problems with the characters and the relationship between Violet and River, which soured the experience for me. Even worse was the ninja plot twist at the very end, which not only left me reeling (in a bad way, as in punching walls and throwing a massive tantrum) but also left me quite a bit disgusted. I mean, what a TERRIBLE plot twist. Words can’t even describe my disappointment at this turn of events. So, while I loved the horror bits and all the delicious creepiness of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and while I thought River’s complexity as a character was all kinds of interesting (if not likeable), I have to give this a mediocre ‘meh’ sort of rating and I don’t see myself picking up any future installments.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review!
