Series: Between (bk. 1)
Genera: Paranormal Romance
Subjects: supernatural, gothic, horror, Maine, seaside
towns
Age/Grade Level: Teen
Length: 360 pgs.
HC/PB: Hardcover
List Price: $17.99
Publisher: Penguin: Dial
Summary/ product description: “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 guest house
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.”
My Review: This book was better than I thought it
would be. It was more funny than scary. It had a kind of dark, gothic humor in
the narration. Violet thinks of strange and morbid things, but it’s
entertaining. And the insta-love wasn’t an issue because River was controlling
her, making her feel like she was in love. So defiantly give this book a
chance, and don’t put it down for its ridiculousness.
Violet is such an overused name in YA PNR. Violet
White is a loner book nerd that doesn’t socialize much and like strange things.
Her parents are painters and they went to Europe, and left Violet and Luke
months ago to fend for themselves. Who knows when they’ll be back? Luke is
Violet’s brother. He seems very mean and sexist, but he’s just you typical
teasing brother. Violet is very unique in some ways. I would call her a strong
female character, but she is dynamic. She reminds me of Pierce from the Abandon
series by Meg Cabot. She’s not at all like Bella from Twilight.
River is not like Edward. He’s more like Damen from
the Immortals series in appearance, but with a manipulative edge. He’s also
kind of like Damon from the Vampire Diaries, and he can compel people, or
create an illusion. He calls this the Glow. He’s also a compulsive liar, or
maybe just a regular liar. He lies a lot to Violet. Violet still falls in love
with him even when her instincts scream no.
Sunshine Black is Violet’s neighbor/friend. She likes
to tease Violet, but also helps her out. She likes Luke, who already has a
girlfriend.
I really enjoyed the setting and the atmosphere. There
are so many YA book that I’ve read set in Maine (Need, Delirium, Hush Hush,
Siren…). I’ve never been to Maine, but these books make me want to visit. This
book is Maine in summertime, and is very descriptive of the town and their
estate by the sea.
The story feels moody and magical, with creepy undertones.
Like there’s a storm brewing. The writing is lyrical and beautiful. There are
some things that feel juxtaposed, and maybe this book qualifies as magical
realism. But it’s essential a paranormal romance about a girl who meets a guy
with a dangerous gift. And there’s a lot of trust issues, and discoveries. I
was hoping for something really big to happen, but I think I’m satisfied. But I
seriously need to know what book 2 is gonna be about soon.
I recommend this book if you like stories set in
seaside towns, in Maine, or gothic novels, or paranormal romance novels like
the Fallen Series by Lauren Kate, or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. There are
no angels or demons in this book, just so you know.
Cover Art Review: I love the typography! Swirly, yet
legible. The photo background is nice too. Good colors.
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