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Avant que le diable ne te trouve
A deliciously dark folk horror for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Erin Craig, blending the tall tales of Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan with Faustian elements, and centering a fierce Mexican-American poet on a quest to rescue her brother.
1836. Wisconsin Territory. All Catalina has left is her little brother—Mama died years ago, and Papa was buried just yesterday. She and Jose Luis are alone now, in their ramshackle cabin on the edge of the Wisconsin wilderness, with the cold weather coming.
As Catalina sets plans to ensure their survival, a strange man appears—a man covered in bark, leaves growing from his head, and sap dripping from his eyes. Before Catalina can stop him, he scoops Jose Luis up and disappears. He leaves behind a strange bird with crimson wings. She can’t let this man—if that’s what he is—have her brother. With no idea where they’ve gone, she tracks the bird in hopes it will lead her to Jose Luis.
Along the way she finds help from a young Paul Bunyan, whose life has also been changed by the Man of Sap. As they travel deeper into the Northwoods, they uncover more of the Man of Sap’s history and the connections he and Catalina share, ultimately learning her fate is deeply entwined with his—set in seeds planted long ago—and now, giving her the power to change his life, or end it.
1836. Wisconsin Territory. All Catalina has left is her little brother—Mama died years ago, and Papa was buried just yesterday. She and Jose Luis are alone now, in their ramshackle cabin on the edge of the Wisconsin wilderness, with the cold weather coming.
As Catalina sets plans to ensure their survival, a strange man appears—a man covered in bark, leaves growing from his head, and sap dripping from his eyes. Before Catalina can stop him, he scoops Jose Luis up and disappears. He leaves behind a strange bird with crimson wings. She can’t let this man—if that’s what he is—have her brother. With no idea where they’ve gone, she tracks the bird in hopes it will lead her to Jose Luis.
Along the way she finds help from a young Paul Bunyan, whose life has also been changed by the Man of Sap. As they travel deeper into the Northwoods, they uncover more of the Man of Sap’s history and the connections he and Catalina share, ultimately learning her fate is deeply entwined with his—set in seeds planted long ago—and now, giving her the power to change his life, or end it.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2023
97 people are currently reading
12325 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Krause
5 books467 followersAutumn Krause is a writer in Orange County, California, where she can most often be found wearing a black lace dress and boots.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
January 14, 2023
This book is all about curses, poisoned apples, and Faustian deals with the Devil. As the author, this book means so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to stop by here. I am truly honored
August 1, 2023
Oh... my my my! What do we have here...?
Absolute perfection- that is what we have here- rare words used to describe a book that shines and leaves an impact that stays with you well after the story comes to an end.
My emotions were tapped, plummeted under the earth and flung towards the heavens left to float alongside the twinkling stars in the sky. This author commands an impressive grasp of words that are spun to create imagery you can actually taste with all your senses. I love this! I feel into the storyline immediately as the imagery seduced me and kept me in its tantalizing web. The character developements and plot are strong- each unfolding in a timely manner that contributes to the overall storyline.
Mercy me! I won't give away details but this IS rightfully deemed an anticipated book of 2023!
10/5.... okay, okay! Let's be serious... 5/5!
Thank you to the lovely Autumn Krause for granting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is anticipated to be published on October 3, 2023... grab a copy... if you dare!
Absolute perfection- that is what we have here- rare words used to describe a book that shines and leaves an impact that stays with you well after the story comes to an end.
My emotions were tapped, plummeted under the earth and flung towards the heavens left to float alongside the twinkling stars in the sky. This author commands an impressive grasp of words that are spun to create imagery you can actually taste with all your senses. I love this! I feel into the storyline immediately as the imagery seduced me and kept me in its tantalizing web. The character developements and plot are strong- each unfolding in a timely manner that contributes to the overall storyline.
Mercy me! I won't give away details but this IS rightfully deemed an anticipated book of 2023!
10/5.... okay, okay! Let's be serious... 5/5!
Thank you to the lovely Autumn Krause for granting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is anticipated to be published on October 3, 2023... grab a copy... if you dare!
October 24, 2023
I was correct, this was amazing!
What I liked: first, I have to say the sheer fact that Krause was able to take Johnny Appleseed and turn his story into something cursed, horrifying, and heartbreaking?? Amazing. I found the twist on his and Paul Bunyan’s tall tales to be entirely believable and so very creative. I think my favorite part of this was getting to slowly see Johnny’s story unfold in such a haunting way. Knowing that the other main character, Catalina, was based on the author’s own grandmother made her feel all the more real, and I loved the way Latin American surrealism was blended in throughout the story.
What I didn’t like: There were some spots where I found the language repetitive, in the sense that a word would be used multiple times in the span of a few sentences. I also wished we got to see a little bit more of Catlina’s poetry, as what we did see was really well done. As much as I love short books, I do think I would have loved to see more background of the relationship between Catalina and her family since they were vital to the central quest of the story.
Overall: I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a really compelling and unique story that blends American tall tales with Latin American surrealism.
Content warnings: alcohol abuse, death of a family member, murder
———————————
I already know this is going to be amazing, Thank you Peach Tree Teen for sending me a copy!
What I liked: first, I have to say the sheer fact that Krause was able to take Johnny Appleseed and turn his story into something cursed, horrifying, and heartbreaking?? Amazing. I found the twist on his and Paul Bunyan’s tall tales to be entirely believable and so very creative. I think my favorite part of this was getting to slowly see Johnny’s story unfold in such a haunting way. Knowing that the other main character, Catalina, was based on the author’s own grandmother made her feel all the more real, and I loved the way Latin American surrealism was blended in throughout the story.
What I didn’t like: There were some spots where I found the language repetitive, in the sense that a word would be used multiple times in the span of a few sentences. I also wished we got to see a little bit more of Catlina’s poetry, as what we did see was really well done. As much as I love short books, I do think I would have loved to see more background of the relationship between Catalina and her family since they were vital to the central quest of the story.
Overall: I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a really compelling and unique story that blends American tall tales with Latin American surrealism.
Content warnings: alcohol abuse, death of a family member, murder
———————————
I already know this is going to be amazing, Thank you Peach Tree Teen for sending me a copy!
October 18, 2023
Before The Devil Knows You're Here reads like true American folklore, as if it was once a historical account but it has shifted with each telling around the campfire until the story evolved into something dark and enchanting, echoing of heritage and full of meaning. While the story may not be true, it bears truth all the same.
"Saying the poem aloud was like taking her heart out of her chest and holding it out for everyone to see, even if everyone was only Paul. And hearts weren’t pretty. At least, hers wasn’t."
I was truly surprised by this book and I read it in a day! It is excellent paced so that the story is always moving and twisting, and yet it breathes with beautiful descriptions of not just the amazing world the characters explore, but also each heart beat of Catalina and John as we unravel their stories.
"People, she realized, were their own type of wilderness, just as cruel, just as unpredictable, just as powerful."
I really loved how small the cast was, centering around Catalina and Paul, as well as getting chapters written by Paul, letting us get to know not only the history of the monster-man, but his heart as well. Plus, the depiction of the Devil as the Banker was probably one of my favorite I've encountered in fiction! It was a fascinating take on Lucifer, the fallen Angel, and the various nods to the Garden of Eden were masterfully woven throughout the story.
The twists and turns were so exciting to experience, the slow burn romance was as powerful as it was sweet, and every word hummed with an eeriely-enchanting gothic atmosphere. And as a fan of horror, this had just enough of an edge to remind me of Edgar Allen Poe and other macabre tales. Not only was BTDKYH beautifully written from top to bottom, but it also explores bold themes of generational curses, the weight of regret, forgiveness, and the battle between hope and despair.
"She realized, then, the nice thing about being lost. You could be found."
If I were to binge-read one book on Halloween, it would be this one!
I received this book complimentary from the author but this review is voluntary.
Genre: Gothic Horror Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Rating: PG
"Saying the poem aloud was like taking her heart out of her chest and holding it out for everyone to see, even if everyone was only Paul. And hearts weren’t pretty. At least, hers wasn’t."
I was truly surprised by this book and I read it in a day! It is excellent paced so that the story is always moving and twisting, and yet it breathes with beautiful descriptions of not just the amazing world the characters explore, but also each heart beat of Catalina and John as we unravel their stories.
"People, she realized, were their own type of wilderness, just as cruel, just as unpredictable, just as powerful."
I really loved how small the cast was, centering around Catalina and Paul, as well as getting chapters written by Paul, letting us get to know not only the history of the monster-man, but his heart as well. Plus, the depiction of the Devil as the Banker was probably one of my favorite I've encountered in fiction! It was a fascinating take on Lucifer, the fallen Angel, and the various nods to the Garden of Eden were masterfully woven throughout the story.
The twists and turns were so exciting to experience, the slow burn romance was as powerful as it was sweet, and every word hummed with an eeriely-enchanting gothic atmosphere. And as a fan of horror, this had just enough of an edge to remind me of Edgar Allen Poe and other macabre tales. Not only was BTDKYH beautifully written from top to bottom, but it also explores bold themes of generational curses, the weight of regret, forgiveness, and the battle between hope and despair.
"She realized, then, the nice thing about being lost. You could be found."
If I were to binge-read one book on Halloween, it would be this one!
I received this book complimentary from the author but this review is voluntary.
Genre: Gothic Horror Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Rating: PG
September 14, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4
This book is a "Gothic-fable-folklore-fairytale" centered around a young woman's journey to rescue her brother from The Sap Man--a man with bark-like skin and covered in leaves and oozing sap.
Along the way, she encounters Paul Bunyan--a lumberjack--who is also on a quest to find the Man of Sap. They meet all kinds of mythical creatures, beasts, and spirits hidden in the woods.
A different timeline tells the story of a man consumed with cultivating an apple orchard for the love of his life so he can give her "apple stars" for the rest of their lives.
I won't sugarcoat the fact that this book is intended for a younger audience than my 48 years, but stories are for everyone at any age for all time. I enjoyed my time in this unique, slightly unsettling, romantic-yet dark and foreboding tale.
Perfect for readers who enjoy
-Historical fantasy
-Teenage characters
-Gothic vibes
-Legends & Folklore
-Magic
-Looking for a missing person
-Mexican culture and folklore
-Monsters
-Lyrical prose
This book is a "Gothic-fable-folklore-fairytale" centered around a young woman's journey to rescue her brother from The Sap Man--a man with bark-like skin and covered in leaves and oozing sap.
Along the way, she encounters Paul Bunyan--a lumberjack--who is also on a quest to find the Man of Sap. They meet all kinds of mythical creatures, beasts, and spirits hidden in the woods.
A different timeline tells the story of a man consumed with cultivating an apple orchard for the love of his life so he can give her "apple stars" for the rest of their lives.
I won't sugarcoat the fact that this book is intended for a younger audience than my 48 years, but stories are for everyone at any age for all time. I enjoyed my time in this unique, slightly unsettling, romantic-yet dark and foreboding tale.
Perfect for readers who enjoy
-Historical fantasy
-Teenage characters
-Gothic vibes
-Legends & Folklore
-Magic
-Looking for a missing person
-Mexican culture and folklore
-Monsters
-Lyrical prose
Read
July 22, 2024This story adds a new voice to the canon of woodsy folkloric horror, and one that I think many YA readers will adore. Peachtree Teen continues to find some of the most unique stories emerging in the young adult world and this one was no different.
So first of all, I HAVE to say: this had Over The Garden Wall vibes. Despite it being July, I broke my sacred personal oath of only playing the OTGW soundtrack in the fall months to use it as a soundtrack for this reading experience. It has a poet's journey through a creepy forest led by a bird, episodic encounters with unlikely inhabitants of the woods, an elder sibling looking out for their younger sibling, American folkloric elements, and deals with a devil. And again: autumnal to its core. If that doesn't scream OTGW to you, I don't know what could.
For me, my favorite part of this story was its use of folklore. The seed of this story is nothing more than a simple apple. But the way Krause interrogates the apple's relationship to land and to people and to the history of America turns this seed into a blossoming tree with rich roots and extensive branches of folklore. All the elements of this story feel so interconnected and well-crafted. American folklore specifically is something that really interests me, especially in literature, but I don't tend to find it utilized as often as I'd like. But from Johnny Appleseed to indigenous history, this story is so full of Americana and folkloric wisdom. And the perspective of a Mexican-American protagonist added an even deeper layer here of culture and family and history.
Krause so clearly has a strong grasp not only on what this story is engaging with but how to engage with it. From its episodic structure and character archetypes to its logic and morality, this story clearly parallels the folklore and fairytales it references, reading like a folktale of its own.
My only complaint is that I wanted the writing style to be less direct and more poetic, especially with the way poetry is used so heavily in the story itself. I think some more similes, adorned language, and luxurious prose teetering on verse would've just taken this book to another level.
Thank you so much to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: death of father, death of mother (past), grief, kidnapping, violence, blood & gore, poison, animal death, child death, insects, vomit, fire, alcohol, colonialism
So first of all, I HAVE to say: this had Over The Garden Wall vibes. Despite it being July, I broke my sacred personal oath of only playing the OTGW soundtrack in the fall months to use it as a soundtrack for this reading experience. It has a poet's journey through a creepy forest led by a bird, episodic encounters with unlikely inhabitants of the woods, an elder sibling looking out for their younger sibling, American folkloric elements, and deals with a devil. And again: autumnal to its core. If that doesn't scream OTGW to you, I don't know what could.
For me, my favorite part of this story was its use of folklore. The seed of this story is nothing more than a simple apple. But the way Krause interrogates the apple's relationship to land and to people and to the history of America turns this seed into a blossoming tree with rich roots and extensive branches of folklore. All the elements of this story feel so interconnected and well-crafted. American folklore specifically is something that really interests me, especially in literature, but I don't tend to find it utilized as often as I'd like. But from Johnny Appleseed to indigenous history, this story is so full of Americana and folkloric wisdom. And the perspective of a Mexican-American protagonist added an even deeper layer here of culture and family and history.
Krause so clearly has a strong grasp not only on what this story is engaging with but how to engage with it. From its episodic structure and character archetypes to its logic and morality, this story clearly parallels the folklore and fairytales it references, reading like a folktale of its own.
My only complaint is that I wanted the writing style to be less direct and more poetic, especially with the way poetry is used so heavily in the story itself. I think some more similes, adorned language, and luxurious prose teetering on verse would've just taken this book to another level.
Thank you so much to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: death of father, death of mother (past), grief, kidnapping, violence, blood & gore, poison, animal death, child death, insects, vomit, fire, alcohol, colonialism
October 24, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: historic racism, death of an animal (bird)
3.5
I was really into this concept- I love folk horror, and Johnny Appleseed folk horror. The whole idea sounds great, especially taking the actual Johnny Appleseed and his not entirely moral reasons or legacy into account. I was excited to see how that was incorporated, especially with a Mexican-American lead.
This book did also have some cool visuals, and moments of light body horror that I enjoyed. It didn’t often feel like horror, but in the scenes where it did it was well described.
Still, it didn’t really hit horror for me, leaving it in a strange inbetween spot in terms of genres. That, along with the slow pace and thin plot, made it harder to get invested. While there are obstacles, in most cases things just happen too easily. There is not much too overcome, just the very vague plot, and nothing is overcome by force of will, only by the necessity to have the story continue on.
And, while I did find John’s story interesting, it only made Catalina’s seem that much more dull. I wish this story had been focused on John with Catalina as an eventual secondary character/plot instead of having the more interesting pieces used as filer.
TW: historic racism, death of an animal (bird)
3.5
I was really into this concept- I love folk horror, and Johnny Appleseed folk horror. The whole idea sounds great, especially taking the actual Johnny Appleseed and his not entirely moral reasons or legacy into account. I was excited to see how that was incorporated, especially with a Mexican-American lead.
This book did also have some cool visuals, and moments of light body horror that I enjoyed. It didn’t often feel like horror, but in the scenes where it did it was well described.
Still, it didn’t really hit horror for me, leaving it in a strange inbetween spot in terms of genres. That, along with the slow pace and thin plot, made it harder to get invested. While there are obstacles, in most cases things just happen too easily. There is not much too overcome, just the very vague plot, and nothing is overcome by force of will, only by the necessity to have the story continue on.
And, while I did find John’s story interesting, it only made Catalina’s seem that much more dull. I wish this story had been focused on John with Catalina as an eventual secondary character/plot instead of having the more interesting pieces used as filer.
Read
January 11, 2025I have cried, and I have swooned and I finished it like 3 minutes ago so I don’t have words yet but I’m in love.
Autumn, Madame. I’m in love.
May you all fall in love with this Alice in Wonderland-esque,
American folktale inspired, spooky little book filled with
heartache and family and birds and bibles and the devil
and a girl with the last name Comeaux and cursed apples
and grief and sad boys and scary brides and a man named
John Chapman who stole my literary heart! *insert broken heart emoji*
Autumn, Madame. I’m in love.
May you all fall in love with this Alice in Wonderland-esque,
American folktale inspired, spooky little book filled with
heartache and family and birds and bibles and the devil
and a girl with the last name Comeaux and cursed apples
and grief and sad boys and scary brides and a man named
John Chapman who stole my literary heart! *insert broken heart emoji*
August 5, 2023
I’m literally shook to the core (yes, I know it’s a pun; and yes, it was intentional). I’ve never read anything like Before the Devil Knows You’re Here before in my life. It’s unique in the best of ways. Allegorical. Shocking. Touching.
The writing style is beautiful, and the cliff-hanger chapters literally had me turning pages for hours until I reached the end. It’s dark, yet full of light. Full of despair, yet teeming with hope. Sad, yet hauntingly beautiful.
I literally can’t wait for this book to release so I can display it alongside some of my all-time favorite books. Also—I will never think of apples the same away again. 🍎
CW: a couple uses of the d-word.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Before the Devil Knows You’re Here. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
The writing style is beautiful, and the cliff-hanger chapters literally had me turning pages for hours until I reached the end. It’s dark, yet full of light. Full of despair, yet teeming with hope. Sad, yet hauntingly beautiful.
I literally can’t wait for this book to release so I can display it alongside some of my all-time favorite books. Also—I will never think of apples the same away again. 🍎
CW: a couple uses of the d-word.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Before the Devil Knows You’re Here. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
January 24, 2024
The main word I would use to describe this book is empty. The story seems to be building towards a dramatic final confrontation and then sort of falls flat. Themes are developed and then abandoned while subplots culminate in “plot twists” that are surprising only because they come out from nowhere.
The main story centers around Catalina and Paul going on a quest to find the Man of Sap. By their very nature, quest plots provide a lot of downtime for the characters to think and talk while they travel. Catalina thinks a lot about her family, her memories of her mother, dealing with loss/grief, who she truly is, and her hopes for the future. These themes are repeated in her conversations with Paul. But the themes rarely factor into the conflicts or their subsequent resolutions, making the protagonist overcoming them feel devoid of meaning. Apart from the final confrontation with the main antagonist, the banker, Catalina responds to each danger by running, hiding, or being saved by someone else.
None of the antagonists in this book felt very compelling because the priority seems to make them look/feel creepy rather than to have any interesting or thematic motivations.
The main antagonist, the banker’s, entire shtick is that he offers Faustian bargains/deals with the Devil, using the wording of contracts to trick his victims and making what seems like a blessing to be a curse. But his power alternately seems bound to the contracts that he makes but when convenient or required for the narrative, he can suddenly do as he pleases.
John aka the Man of Sap’s storyline ended in an anticlimactic and unsatisfying way. John’s POV is told through letters/journal entries that he’s writing in order to tell his whole life story.
The descriptions of the world are poetic and vivid but the actual worldbuilding is barely fleshed out. Catalina and Paul encounter various mythical beings: They each appear for a single scene, don’t speak, aid Catalina and Paul for seemingly no reason, and then are never mentioned again. Apart from describing their physical appearances, we find out basically nothing about their backstories, how they came to be, or what they do.
Some more minor issues: The descriptions rely very heavily on similes and metaphors, initially to great effect but it begins to feel overdone later on. Also, some of the similes are kind of ridiculous or don’t make sense (for example, Catalina compares a row of three apples to teeth).
The romance between Paul and Catalina is generic and feels like it’s included solely because a romantic plot or subplot seems to be a requirement in fantasy books these days.
Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The main story centers around Catalina and Paul going on a quest to find the Man of Sap. By their very nature, quest plots provide a lot of downtime for the characters to think and talk while they travel. Catalina thinks a lot about her family, her memories of her mother, dealing with loss/grief, who she truly is, and her hopes for the future. These themes are repeated in her conversations with Paul. But the themes rarely factor into the conflicts or their subsequent resolutions, making the protagonist overcoming them feel devoid of meaning. Apart from the final confrontation with the main antagonist, the banker, Catalina responds to each danger by running, hiding, or being saved by someone else.
None of the antagonists in this book felt very compelling because the priority seems to make them look/feel creepy rather than to have any interesting or thematic motivations.
The main antagonist, the banker’s, entire shtick is that he offers Faustian bargains/deals with the Devil, using the wording of contracts to trick his victims and making what seems like a blessing to be a curse. But his power alternately seems bound to the contracts that he makes but when convenient or required for the narrative, he can suddenly do as he pleases.
John aka the Man of Sap’s storyline ended in an anticlimactic and unsatisfying way. John’s POV is told through letters/journal entries that he’s writing in order to tell his whole life story.
The descriptions of the world are poetic and vivid but the actual worldbuilding is barely fleshed out. Catalina and Paul encounter various mythical beings: They each appear for a single scene, don’t speak, aid Catalina and Paul for seemingly no reason, and then are never mentioned again. Apart from describing their physical appearances, we find out basically nothing about their backstories, how they came to be, or what they do.
Some more minor issues: The descriptions rely very heavily on similes and metaphors, initially to great effect but it begins to feel overdone later on. Also, some of the similes are kind of ridiculous or don’t make sense (for example, Catalina compares a row of three apples to teeth).
The romance between Paul and Catalina is generic and feels like it’s included solely because a romantic plot or subplot seems to be a requirement in fantasy books these days.
Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 15, 2023
"I've heard we start dying the moment we're born. Important thing is the books."
A gothic fairy tale wrapped in gorgeous prose, this was easily one of the most beautiful books I've read this year. (and I don't just mean the cover but seriously that cover tho 😍) It truly reads like a classic fairy tale in the style of the brothers Grimm, both a cautionary tale and an encouraging one. And I don't know about you, but I've never read a Johnny Appleseed retelling. I'm SO here for the Americana vibes, it gets an immediate yes from me.
I wanted only good things for Catalina from the first moment of meeting her. Paul is the best boy and has the greenest flags, I love him so much. John and the banker and the bride are characters who will haunt me for a good long while.
If you love the darkness of the OG fairy tales, if you watch Over The Garden Wall every autumn, if you love stories and love characters who love stories, you should try this book. I think you'll like it.
5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
A gothic fairy tale wrapped in gorgeous prose, this was easily one of the most beautiful books I've read this year. (and I don't just mean the cover but seriously that cover tho 😍) It truly reads like a classic fairy tale in the style of the brothers Grimm, both a cautionary tale and an encouraging one. And I don't know about you, but I've never read a Johnny Appleseed retelling. I'm SO here for the Americana vibes, it gets an immediate yes from me.
I wanted only good things for Catalina from the first moment of meeting her. Paul is the best boy and has the greenest flags, I love him so much. John and the banker and the bride are characters who will haunt me for a good long while.
If you love the darkness of the OG fairy tales, if you watch Over The Garden Wall every autumn, if you love stories and love characters who love stories, you should try this book. I think you'll like it.
5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
October 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ (Rounded Up)
This YA novel is an immersive, quick and fun read for folks of all ages, this 44 year old included! It’s part gothic fantasy with elements of Latin American folklore, including a delightfully sinister “sapman”.
The story begins in Wisconsin, 1836, and is focused around a young Mexican American poet, Catalina. Catalina’s Pa dies suddenly and her little brother’s abducted from their ramshackle cabin in the woods by the sapman.
Catalina meets all variety of weird and wonderful creatures on her quest to rescue her brother. Along the way she meets Paul Bunyon and Johnny Appleseed.
I really enjoyed this one and will be adding it to my seasonal mood reads rotation. It’s spooky, unique, and cozy.
This YA novel is an immersive, quick and fun read for folks of all ages, this 44 year old included! It’s part gothic fantasy with elements of Latin American folklore, including a delightfully sinister “sapman”.
The story begins in Wisconsin, 1836, and is focused around a young Mexican American poet, Catalina. Catalina’s Pa dies suddenly and her little brother’s abducted from their ramshackle cabin in the woods by the sapman.
Catalina meets all variety of weird and wonderful creatures on her quest to rescue her brother. Along the way she meets Paul Bunyon and Johnny Appleseed.
I really enjoyed this one and will be adding it to my seasonal mood reads rotation. It’s spooky, unique, and cozy.
October 11, 2023
This book is a gorgeous, gothic ride. 😍American folklore meets Faustian deals with the Devil, and it’s deliciously creepy (though as delicious as they look, you probably don’t want to try the apples).
Autumn Krause has written the absolute perfect book that comes out just in time for spooky season, and it has starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly!!
You guys aren’t ready for this book. ❤️
It’s perfect for fans of Supernatural (especially the episodes with eldritch horrors and crossroads demons 😜)
Congratulations on an absolutely brilliant gothic masterpiece, Autumn!
I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.
Autumn Krause has written the absolute perfect book that comes out just in time for spooky season, and it has starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly!!
You guys aren’t ready for this book. ❤️
It’s perfect for fans of Supernatural (especially the episodes with eldritch horrors and crossroads demons 😜)
Congratulations on an absolutely brilliant gothic masterpiece, Autumn!
I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.
July 26, 2024
It would be misleading to call this horror. There was some dark imagery, yes, but overall I think American gothic is a far better term for it. So while I was disappointed in that regard: LOVED everything else. I loved the Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan elements. Basically: huge fan of American pioneer-core and I loved this and it was a very quick
September 17, 2023
This novel is lush and creative-- a fresh addition to any bookshelf. It's a hero's quest in structure, reminiscent of Snow White & The Huntsman mixed with American folklore. (At times, it reminded me of The Princess Bride with a Stranger Things-esque underworld.) Needless to say, Autumn Krause's story is widely original and wonderfully eerie, a great read for spooky season.
Now to offer a more professional blurb . . .
"Teeming with poetic descriptions and nightmarish creatures, BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE HERE is a chilling exploration of desperation and the prices we pay for what we most want."
Now to offer a more professional blurb . . .
"Teeming with poetic descriptions and nightmarish creatures, BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE HERE is a chilling exploration of desperation and the prices we pay for what we most want."
August 13, 2023
“She was a child of the wilderness and though it was a brutal mother, it taught her well. “
This book has it all! Curses, romance, gothic vibes, and the devil himself ! I really enjoyed this book and the journey Catalina goes on to find the spooky and mysterious “Man of Sap”. Autumn Krause weaves a story that will give you chills and hope !
This book has it all! Curses, romance, gothic vibes, and the devil himself ! I really enjoyed this book and the journey Catalina goes on to find the spooky and mysterious “Man of Sap”. Autumn Krause weaves a story that will give you chills and hope !
September 17, 2023
Read this book if you like...heart-wrenching family loyalty, romance, a delicious touch of horror (and a gripping expression of devilry) that curls your toes, and vibes that are some sort of dark-academia-literary-folklore mood all black and gilded that made me want to paint my nails red and avoid apples at any cost. What a perfect read for the fall season!
October 23, 2023
"When the trees donned their autumnal crowns, it meant winter was circling, waiting to turn the trees to skeletons and the world to ice."
Before the Devil Knows You're Here was everything I'd hoped it would be for an October read! It felt like a dark & spooky Alice in Wonderland, diving into the depths of human desire and motivations with very tangible fiends. I loved the poetic themes and straightforward plotline. I read the majority of this book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and while I did manage to highlight a few of my favorite lines, most of the time I couldn't stop reading long enough to highlight because I needed to know what happened next! I'd love to go back and annotate this beautiful book!
I couldn't believe how short it was when I finished it. There is so much packed in its few pages that I feel as if I just read a 400+ page novel as far as content goes! There were many times that I had to set the book down and take a breath to process what happened in the story.
As for content, there are some spooks (obviously) and mentions of gory scenes, but I wouldn't call the book a "gory horror". As I mentioned before, it gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes, but on a much darker level. There is d3ath and some morbid concepts, but overall, I think Before the Devil Knows You're Here is a poetic story that delves into the darkness that mankind is willing to embrace when afraid of losing our most beloved people. A glimpse at the villainy inside all of us, if you will. If you're a fan of gothic classics, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein, Before the Devil Knows You're Here belongs on your bookshelf!
Other content: Very mild cursing (less than 5 mild words); one kissing scene (semi-detailed, but doesn't go beyond kissing); and the action/spooks are semi-detailed and while not "terrifying", they are pretty creepy.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own. This review is voluntary.
Before the Devil Knows You're Here was everything I'd hoped it would be for an October read! It felt like a dark & spooky Alice in Wonderland, diving into the depths of human desire and motivations with very tangible fiends. I loved the poetic themes and straightforward plotline. I read the majority of this book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and while I did manage to highlight a few of my favorite lines, most of the time I couldn't stop reading long enough to highlight because I needed to know what happened next! I'd love to go back and annotate this beautiful book!
I couldn't believe how short it was when I finished it. There is so much packed in its few pages that I feel as if I just read a 400+ page novel as far as content goes! There were many times that I had to set the book down and take a breath to process what happened in the story.
As for content, there are some spooks (obviously) and mentions of gory scenes, but I wouldn't call the book a "gory horror". As I mentioned before, it gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes, but on a much darker level. There is d3ath and some morbid concepts, but overall, I think Before the Devil Knows You're Here is a poetic story that delves into the darkness that mankind is willing to embrace when afraid of losing our most beloved people. A glimpse at the villainy inside all of us, if you will. If you're a fan of gothic classics, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein, Before the Devil Knows You're Here belongs on your bookshelf!
Other content: Very mild cursing (less than 5 mild words); one kissing scene (semi-detailed, but doesn't go beyond kissing); and the action/spooks are semi-detailed and while not "terrifying", they are pretty creepy.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own. This review is voluntary.
July 20, 2023
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, and it did not disappoint! Autumn Krause grabs the reader's attention from the first page and doesn't let go until the very last - if you're lucky. Filled with lyrical prose and a heart-wrenching story of the importance of family, I sped through this book. After reading, you'll never see apples the same again and hesitate before taking a bite of this forbidden fruit.
Want to read
October 3, 2023do you ever think about how every culture has like it's folk icon staples, and the US has... Paul Bunyan...
September 3, 2023
Received an arc from the publisher!
This is an undeniably gorgeous book that captures the fairytale feel in such a short amount of pages. The pacing felt a little rough to me, I’d get absorbed in one narrative and then pulled back to the other, and I think the ending could’ve been expanded a bit, but it was a fast and captivating read!
This is an undeniably gorgeous book that captures the fairytale feel in such a short amount of pages. The pacing felt a little rough to me, I’d get absorbed in one narrative and then pulled back to the other, and I think the ending could’ve been expanded a bit, but it was a fast and captivating read!
December 12, 2023
Before the Devil Knows You're Here by Autumn Krause was everything I never knew I needed. Let's just say I wasn't expecting this folk horror featuring Johnny Appleseed would work quite so well, but this was such a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend it!
December 21, 2023
This was definitely in my top 10 of 2023. A very dark fantasy for fans of Ava Reid complete with poisonous apples.
Full review to come, but if you're seeing this during the winter, now's the perfect time to pick this one up!
Full review to come, but if you're seeing this during the winter, now's the perfect time to pick this one up!
June 17, 2023
This was such a deliciously unique premise! I really enjoyed the take on an American folk tale turned Gothic story laced with horror. Catalina, the protagonist, was someone I could root for to succeed. I did want to shout at her toward the end when she made an unwise choice, but I really loved how the ending came about with her using her wits and what she'd learned over the course of the story.
The supporting characters were enjoyable and complicated--which made for good reading!
This setting in 1830's American frontier felt fresh, and I appreciated how the protagonist's Mexican heritage was woven in throughout the story as well.
This story does have a dark feel to it, but not oppressive. All considered, a solid read.
The supporting characters were enjoyable and complicated--which made for good reading!
This setting in 1830's American frontier felt fresh, and I appreciated how the protagonist's Mexican heritage was woven in throughout the story as well.
This story does have a dark feel to it, but not oppressive. All considered, a solid read.
February 3, 2024
Curses. Poisons apples. Faustian dealts. Creepy forest with some strange birds. Also the main character, Catalina, is a poet. This book was so unique and different. Really like the dual pov, the John curse and the journey of Catalina to save her brother. And in the end she became the killer for save the ones she loves, and finds a way to escape her "prison".
August 9, 2023
I finished this book weeks ago and it has still been on my mind ever since, I cannot get over it. This book has been one of my anticipated reads this year and did not disappoint. It gave such a sinister vibe and spin to a folklore retelling. From the very first sentence in her author’s note to the last, I was captivated and couldn’t stop. If it wasn’t for work/life getting in the way I know I would have finished it in one sitting for sure. You cannot put this book down and the pacing of the book itself is done so well that you just get grabbed into the story and don’t want to leave.
Autumn wrote the book when she lost her grandmother and her love for her comes through so much on every page. You can see how Catalina’s pain and loss are a mirror into Autumn’s and it hit so close to home for me. It felt as if I was the one going through them because I remember the emotions of losing my own grandmother. Autumn also has such a way, the imagery present caused me to be awestruck. Certain lines have been living in my mind constantly, among them being “she was alone, alone in a way she hadn’t known existed, in a way that made her feel like she’d never been born or had already died” because they give me chills!!
On top of that the characters are amazing. One thing I really appreciated is how Catalina’s views and priorities were very obvious and easy to understand from the beginning. Nothing was done to try to change that about her as a character. And Paul, let's talk about Paul, shall we? Because that man… THAT MAN exceeded my expectations. Like I am not over him and his action and everything he’s done like a god damn. Where can I find myself a man like Paul? He seems so off-putting BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO HIM. Though I think my favorite would have to be John’s POV. It is such a good parallel to Catalina’s POV and helps unfold the story. His POV is truly something I wasn’t expecting, he managed to get the sympathy of the reader even though he’s supposed to be the bad guy. And that on its own speaks to Autumn’s own writing. To how she can manage to get you to sympathize with someone who’s you aren’t sure if you’re supposed to feel anything good towards. I can’t wait for more readers to discover the wonderful world that Autumn created in BTDKYH. You’ll fall in love with the world and the characters so quickly that you don’t even notice that you’ve finished the book.
Autumn wrote the book when she lost her grandmother and her love for her comes through so much on every page. You can see how Catalina’s pain and loss are a mirror into Autumn’s and it hit so close to home for me. It felt as if I was the one going through them because I remember the emotions of losing my own grandmother. Autumn also has such a way, the imagery present caused me to be awestruck. Certain lines have been living in my mind constantly, among them being “she was alone, alone in a way she hadn’t known existed, in a way that made her feel like she’d never been born or had already died” because they give me chills!!
On top of that the characters are amazing. One thing I really appreciated is how Catalina’s views and priorities were very obvious and easy to understand from the beginning. Nothing was done to try to change that about her as a character. And Paul, let's talk about Paul, shall we? Because that man… THAT MAN exceeded my expectations. Like I am not over him and his action and everything he’s done like a god damn. Where can I find myself a man like Paul? He seems so off-putting BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO HIM. Though I think my favorite would have to be John’s POV. It is such a good parallel to Catalina’s POV and helps unfold the story. His POV is truly something I wasn’t expecting, he managed to get the sympathy of the reader even though he’s supposed to be the bad guy. And that on its own speaks to Autumn’s own writing. To how she can manage to get you to sympathize with someone who’s you aren’t sure if you’re supposed to feel anything good towards. I can’t wait for more readers to discover the wonderful world that Autumn created in BTDKYH. You’ll fall in love with the world and the characters so quickly that you don’t even notice that you’ve finished the book.
November 3, 2023
"She realized, then, the nice thing about being lost. You could be found."
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here is a dark, atmospheric diamond of a book. A retelling of the legend of Johnny Appleseed, this is a story about the price of ambition and the power of love.
This story takes place in the deep woods of Wisconsin during the 1830s. Catalina, a young Mexican-American poet, must delve into the strange, otherworldly forest to save her brother after he’s stolen away by the Man of Sap, a being more myth than man. Along the way she meets Paul, a lumberjack with secrets of his own. Together they must survive the terrors of the woods and confront the face of evil itself in order to escape.
This book was like Labyrinth meets Over the Garden Wall meets Alice in Wonderland meets the Book of Genesis. I live in the Midwest and I really enjoyed seeing a diverse, multicultural tale about the area’s history, with the real story of who owned this land interwoven with the narrative. It made me want to do even more research on my own!
This book touches on so many topics… the madness of temptation, the significance of words, the strength of family, and the importance of stories. The vibes are immaculate - the book takes place in the fall and the creepy setting is perfect for this liminal space between Halloween and winter. The book reads like a fairytale and has an incredibly satisfying ending.
It was also a pretty short novel, a little over 200 pages, so it’s a great way to help hit your reading goal for the year if you need a quick read (but please don’t rush through it!). And I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it’s very, very pretty.
Overall, I read the entire thing in one sitting in the bath because I was totally captivated. I cried three times and had to refill the hot water even more than that.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here is a dark, atmospheric diamond of a book. A retelling of the legend of Johnny Appleseed, this is a story about the price of ambition and the power of love.
This story takes place in the deep woods of Wisconsin during the 1830s. Catalina, a young Mexican-American poet, must delve into the strange, otherworldly forest to save her brother after he’s stolen away by the Man of Sap, a being more myth than man. Along the way she meets Paul, a lumberjack with secrets of his own. Together they must survive the terrors of the woods and confront the face of evil itself in order to escape.
This book was like Labyrinth meets Over the Garden Wall meets Alice in Wonderland meets the Book of Genesis. I live in the Midwest and I really enjoyed seeing a diverse, multicultural tale about the area’s history, with the real story of who owned this land interwoven with the narrative. It made me want to do even more research on my own!
This book touches on so many topics… the madness of temptation, the significance of words, the strength of family, and the importance of stories. The vibes are immaculate - the book takes place in the fall and the creepy setting is perfect for this liminal space between Halloween and winter. The book reads like a fairytale and has an incredibly satisfying ending.
It was also a pretty short novel, a little over 200 pages, so it’s a great way to help hit your reading goal for the year if you need a quick read (but please don’t rush through it!). And I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it’s very, very pretty.
Overall, I read the entire thing in one sitting in the bath because I was totally captivated. I cried three times and had to refill the hot water even more than that.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2024
I absolutely adored this book. It is classified as a YA, but it was still a very detailed, deep, and spooky read. Autumn weaves in folk tales (Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed) into the story, and making deals with the devil. The FMC is strong, and honestly, I absolutely adored her. She is loyal and will do anything to save her brother. The lumberjack is a secret cinnamon roll, and those are my absolute favs! This is a perfect read for spooky season!
Catalina has her dad and her brother, and that’s it. It’s them against the world, working to exist in this world. Until one day, there are apples left on their front porch. Her father gets anxious, and is soon murdered horrifically in front of her and the perpetrator abducted her brother. She will do anything to get him back. Never mind that the murderer regrew limbs, had magic and had a bag full of apple seeds. She befriends a bird that had flown around the perpetrator and it leads her towards her target and her little brother. She’s not sure how to kill him, but she won’t let a little thing like that stop her from saving her brother.
I listened to the audiobook version because I loved this book so much, and it honestly just made me love it even more. The narrators were absolutely amazing and really brought the characters even more to life. They conveyed emotion and I was immediately surrounded by the story, and listened to the whole thing in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this in either version!
Thank you to PRH Audio for the audiobook version!
Catalina has her dad and her brother, and that’s it. It’s them against the world, working to exist in this world. Until one day, there are apples left on their front porch. Her father gets anxious, and is soon murdered horrifically in front of her and the perpetrator abducted her brother. She will do anything to get him back. Never mind that the murderer regrew limbs, had magic and had a bag full of apple seeds. She befriends a bird that had flown around the perpetrator and it leads her towards her target and her little brother. She’s not sure how to kill him, but she won’t let a little thing like that stop her from saving her brother.
I listened to the audiobook version because I loved this book so much, and it honestly just made me love it even more. The narrators were absolutely amazing and really brought the characters even more to life. They conveyed emotion and I was immediately surrounded by the story, and listened to the whole thing in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this in either version!
Thank you to PRH Audio for the audiobook version!
December 15, 2023
3.75. Who knew the devil had a thing for interior design?
August 29, 2023
The Devil is real, and he’s a white man who works at a bank.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here is a beautifully-written book – made all the better by the fact that it was horror that was being so poetically described. The plot fits together very well, so the plot twists feel unexpected without being completely out of nowhere, and I loved the character of Catalina specifically, and her drive to save those that she cared about, even if she was hurt in the process. I also really enjoyed Paul’s character, and I liked the dyslexia rep. Even John himself was a sympathetic character.
The only real problem I had with this book, and the reason that I cannot give it five stars, was the romance. Although it was obviously meant to only be a minor subplot, it felt too minor, and the characters didn’t really have much romantic tension. The book would have worked just as well had the characters been friends, and it felt unnecessary and too sped up for the purpose of one concept that would have worked just fine with platonic love as well.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here is a beautifully-written book – made all the better by the fact that it was horror that was being so poetically described. The plot fits together very well, so the plot twists feel unexpected without being completely out of nowhere, and I loved the character of Catalina specifically, and her drive to save those that she cared about, even if she was hurt in the process. I also really enjoyed Paul’s character, and I liked the dyslexia rep. Even John himself was a sympathetic character.
The only real problem I had with this book, and the reason that I cannot give it five stars, was the romance. Although it was obviously meant to only be a minor subplot, it felt too minor, and the characters didn’t really have much romantic tension. The book would have worked just as well had the characters been friends, and it felt unnecessary and too sped up for the purpose of one concept that would have worked just fine with platonic love as well.
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