You know when you finally read that book you've been putting off and get upset with yourself for not doing it sooner? That was me upon reading Autumn Krause's Before the Devil Knows You're Here.
Genre: YA Gothic Fantasy
Category: Cozy Read
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Rating: 4/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 stars
Characters: 3/5 stars
World: 5/5 stars
Pairing: Spiced apple cider + apple and blackberry hand pies
“Everything left something behind. All the world testifying about its own existence.”
PLOT
When devastation strikes Catalina's family, still aching from previous loss, Catalina is thrust from their derelict cabin on a dangerous journey to confront the Man of Sap. Along the way, she encounters curses, restless spirits, warped creatures, haunting memories, and a mysterious woodsman.
Meanwhile, John is suffering the consequences of a Faustian bargain and reliving the horrors that led him to the present.
I admit John's chapters were my favorite. Part of it was the narration; Shawn K. Jain did a great job infusing the narration with John's despair and longing, and his performance of The Banker's character was stellar. It was by far the best part of the audiobook, in my opinion.
Overall, the story was entertaining and the short cast, dual POV timeline, and emotional ride kept the story moving quickly. Be warned: tragedy is a common thread throughout the story, and the ending is deeply satisfying in that it's not completely happy.
CHARACTERS
“People, she realized, were their own type of wilderness. Just as cruel. Just as unpredictable. Just as powerful.”
As a Mexican-American woman in the 1800s, Catalina knows life isn't always fair. After the loss of her mother, Catalina has given up her passion for poetry to become the Woman of the House. As dedicated to her family as she is, Catalina must also learn to take time for herself and appreciate the small moments.
Paul has a warm demeanor. He's kind, caring, selfless, and likes to crack jokes. But things haven't been all sunshine and rainbows for him, as Catalina and readers discover in time.
While I liked the characters well enough, I didn't feel particularly attached to them. Perhaps it's because there weren’t any dramatic character arcs—just two people hardened by their experiences who must learn to soften in different ways. Or it might have been that the short timeline gave the romance less time to steep? That said, I enjoyed Catalina and Paul’s interactions, and I think adding romantic fluff for the sake of a slower burn could have been detrimental to the plot and pacing.
“Curses could be broken, yes. But they left scars. Not simply the sort made from dead flesh, but the sort formed over a nerve, so that an ache is always there, just beneath the skin.”
WORLD
Before the Devil Knows You're Here is a lush blend of historical fiction, American and Mexican folklore, gothic imagery, literary and supernatural elements, and a splash of Snow White vibes. Readers follow the main characters through dark forests, abandoned villages, painful memories, and hellscapes. It’s a dark cottagecore dream (or nightmare?) perfect for spookytime.
IN A NUTSHELL
Before the Devil Knows You're Here is a gorgeous gothic YA standalone perfect for fall and readers who want a light taste of horror. Here you’ll find Faustian bargains, tortured souls, generational curses, multi-cultural characters, a suppressed poet, haunting woods, and a splash of romance.
“And I don’t fear the dark
Because I’ve learned
It is me.”
If you'd like to keep up with Krause's upcoming releases, you can check out her author page or follow her on bookstagram––her feed's gothic aesthetic is especially nice this time of year.
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