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The Devil in Midwinter
A handsome stranger, a terrifying monster, a boy who burns and burns…
Mattawa, Washington, is usually a sleepy orchard town come December, until a murder, sightings of a fantastic beast, and the arrival of a handsome new vintner in town kindle twenty-year-old reporter Esme Ulloa’s curiosity—and maybe her passion as well. But the more she untangles the mystery, the more the world Esme knows unspools, until she finds herself navigating a place she thought existed only in storybooks, where dreams come alive, monsters walk the earth and magic is real. When tragedy strikes close to home, Esme finds she must strike back, matching wits with an ancient demon in a deadly game, where everything she values stands to be lost, including the love of her life.
Mattawa, Washington, is usually a sleepy orchard town come December, until a murder, sightings of a fantastic beast, and the arrival of a handsome new vintner in town kindle twenty-year-old reporter Esme Ulloa’s curiosity—and maybe her passion as well. But the more she untangles the mystery, the more the world Esme knows unspools, until she finds herself navigating a place she thought existed only in storybooks, where dreams come alive, monsters walk the earth and magic is real. When tragedy strikes close to home, Esme finds she must strike back, matching wits with an ancient demon in a deadly game, where everything she values stands to be lost, including the love of her life.
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2014
5 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Elise Forier Edie
20 books42 followersElise Forier Edie is an author of speculative fiction and popular stage plays. Her most recent publications include "Heard," in Metaphorosis Magazine, and "Leonora" in Chilling Horror Short Stories.
Elise is a member of the Horror Writer Association (HWA), the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild. She has taught writing and arts classes at West Los Angeles College, College of the Canyons, Central Washington University, and Northland Pioneer College.
Elise is married to actor Keith Edie and lives in southern California with their two dogs, Krypto and Jubilee. When she is not writing, she likes to make quilts and soup, but rarely at the same time.
Elise is a member of the Horror Writer Association (HWA), the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild. She has taught writing and arts classes at West Los Angeles College, College of the Canyons, Central Washington University, and Northland Pioneer College.
Elise is married to actor Keith Edie and lives in southern California with their two dogs, Krypto and Jubilee. When she is not writing, she likes to make quilts and soup, but rarely at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 14, 2014
4.5 Stars
The Devil in Midwinter blends Mexican folklore with romance and mystery to create an enchanting, dreamlike tale, with elements of magical realism. The story comes to life, as the characters embark on a spellbinding journey with a dark twist.
Esmerelda "Esme" Ulloa is a 20-year-old college student who lives with her brothers and uncle on an apple orchard in Washington. Driving along the desolate road, she meets a stranger who is injured, hysterical, and ranting about a devil in the orchards. A series of disturbing events unfold, but Esme is distracted by recurring dreams that are haunting, surreal, and beginning to obscure her sense of reality.
A handsome vintner has arrived in town, and Esme's uncle is behaving peculiarly. Following a frightening outburst by her uncle, Esme and her brothers leave the home, only to find themselves in the middle of the dark, shadowy orchard. But what they find that night is even more shocking. Esme's world is turned upside down as she discovers her fate rests in a battle of wills against an ancient demon. But will she find the strength in time to save her one true love?
I really enjoyed this story! It's well written, with magical elements and characters that complement the themes. The characters could have been built up a bit more, but for a novella the author does a great job in imagining a story that is compelling and absorbing, with an enticing fusion of mysticism and reality.
Note: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Devil in Midwinter blends Mexican folklore with romance and mystery to create an enchanting, dreamlike tale, with elements of magical realism. The story comes to life, as the characters embark on a spellbinding journey with a dark twist.
Esmerelda "Esme" Ulloa is a 20-year-old college student who lives with her brothers and uncle on an apple orchard in Washington. Driving along the desolate road, she meets a stranger who is injured, hysterical, and ranting about a devil in the orchards. A series of disturbing events unfold, but Esme is distracted by recurring dreams that are haunting, surreal, and beginning to obscure her sense of reality.
A handsome vintner has arrived in town, and Esme's uncle is behaving peculiarly. Following a frightening outburst by her uncle, Esme and her brothers leave the home, only to find themselves in the middle of the dark, shadowy orchard. But what they find that night is even more shocking. Esme's world is turned upside down as she discovers her fate rests in a battle of wills against an ancient demon. But will she find the strength in time to save her one true love?
I really enjoyed this story! It's well written, with magical elements and characters that complement the themes. The characters could have been built up a bit more, but for a novella the author does a great job in imagining a story that is compelling and absorbing, with an enticing fusion of mysticism and reality.
Note: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2014
This is a surprisingly good read!
Even though it's only 155 pages, it felt very complete and full. It didn't seem short or too long. It wasn't rushed or really slow. The pace was perfect.
The concept was kinda creepy and weird but also very interesting. I really like the dark, creepy fairy tale aspect of this book.
It doesn't say on GoodReads what genre this is but I'm going to guess it's New Adult. There's a little more details then anything I've read in Young Adult but not enough to be New Adult. It's kinda in between genres.
Overall, I really impressed at this book. If you're looking for something kinda short but well thought out, I recommend The Devil in Midwinter.
Even though it's only 155 pages, it felt very complete and full. It didn't seem short or too long. It wasn't rushed or really slow. The pace was perfect.
The concept was kinda creepy and weird but also very interesting. I really like the dark, creepy fairy tale aspect of this book.
It doesn't say on GoodReads what genre this is but I'm going to guess it's New Adult. There's a little more details then anything I've read in Young Adult but not enough to be New Adult. It's kinda in between genres.
Overall, I really impressed at this book. If you're looking for something kinda short but well thought out, I recommend The Devil in Midwinter.
August 5, 2014
A quick and fun read. There was enough light suspense to keep me interested. The characters are simple but it goes along with the story. I enjoyed the Mexican legends and fairy tales weaved throughout.
December 18, 2017
I read this tale when it was included in an anthology, A Winter's Enchantment - a mesmerizing assortment of three festive holiday fantasy novellas penned by authors who were all new to me at the time I picked it up. Anthologies are normally hard for me to review as it’s difficult to assign one rating to a collection where I normally feel differently about the included stories. Happily, that was not the case with this anthology, as I absolutely loved each of the stories and didn’t want to put any of them down once I'd started reading them.
THE DEVIL in MIDWINTER:
The old folktales from Mexico often have the same beginning. "One day a man met the devil on the road," or "The devil came upon a man in the desert." This is not an old story, but I am here to tell you, I met the devil in an orchard in December. He offered me gold; he gave me pleasure; he fooled me twice and then he set me on fire.
---
"There's some kind of really bad stuff going around, because we keep getting these calls. Devils in the trees, monsters walking among us, crap like that. Happy holidays, right?"
Reporter Esme Ulloa’s curiosity is piqued by multiple implausible dispatches coming in from Mattawa, Washington. Surprisingly, the more she delves into the mysterious happenings, the more she questions what has always been her reality. This engrossing novella is based on Mexican mythology.
I have been horribly remiss in writing my review of this wonderful set of stories as this was truly a magical, beautifully written, paranormal collection - one that I would read again. I hope to check out other works by these same authors soon!
My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there!
THE DEVIL in MIDWINTER:
The old folktales from Mexico often have the same beginning. "One day a man met the devil on the road," or "The devil came upon a man in the desert." This is not an old story, but I am here to tell you, I met the devil in an orchard in December. He offered me gold; he gave me pleasure; he fooled me twice and then he set me on fire.
---
"There's some kind of really bad stuff going around, because we keep getting these calls. Devils in the trees, monsters walking among us, crap like that. Happy holidays, right?"
Reporter Esme Ulloa’s curiosity is piqued by multiple implausible dispatches coming in from Mattawa, Washington. Surprisingly, the more she delves into the mysterious happenings, the more she questions what has always been her reality. This engrossing novella is based on Mexican mythology.
I have been horribly remiss in writing my review of this wonderful set of stories as this was truly a magical, beautifully written, paranormal collection - one that I would read again. I hope to check out other works by these same authors soon!
My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there!
January 16, 2019
This story flies by. Sexy and mysterious, the writing is beautifully done.
January 3, 2015
Shortly before turning twenty-one, folklore and mythology student Esme Ulloa meets two enigmatic men. In order to take charge of her future, Esme must learn the mystery of her forgotten past. If she doesn't "wake up" before her birthday, it may be too late.
I was inspired to read this book after reading Elise Forier Edie's story "The Wicked Child" in Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, because it was one of my favorites. The Devil in Midwinter is a briskly paced novella with elements of mystery, fairy tale and romance. The action is interspersed with a fairy tale of the Devil and His Garden. The characters are compelling, and I enjoyed the story thoroughly. The combination of Mexican folklore, the Sleeping Beauty tale, and the modern world makes The Devil in Midwinter a magical midwinter's read.
I was inspired to read this book after reading Elise Forier Edie's story "The Wicked Child" in Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, because it was one of my favorites. The Devil in Midwinter is a briskly paced novella with elements of mystery, fairy tale and romance. The action is interspersed with a fairy tale of the Devil and His Garden. The characters are compelling, and I enjoyed the story thoroughly. The combination of Mexican folklore, the Sleeping Beauty tale, and the modern world makes The Devil in Midwinter a magical midwinter's read.
September 13, 2016
A novella set in rural, modern-day Washington State, this tale leans heavily into magical realism and Mexican folklore to create an intense read. Not a word is wasted, yet the language is rich and evocative, the imagery sharp.
I usually prefer long novels and long series, because I like to spend a lot of time inside the worlds their authors have created. And while I would have loved to have spent more time with these particular characters and in this enchanting world, I found the story to be satisfying just as it is. That said, I would love to read more by Edie, in this setting or any other.
Note: I received a free copy of this novella for review/judging purposes.
I usually prefer long novels and long series, because I like to spend a lot of time inside the worlds their authors have created. And while I would have loved to have spent more time with these particular characters and in this enchanting world, I found the story to be satisfying just as it is. That said, I would love to read more by Edie, in this setting or any other.
Note: I received a free copy of this novella for review/judging purposes.
July 6, 2014
Elise Forier Edie is a captivating writer. I didn't think any of the stories in A Winter's Enchantment would be my thing, but once I started "The Devil in Midwinter" I couldn't put it down. And when I "did" have to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I love this story inspired by Mexican folklore and mythology that is set in Washington state. The writing is finely crafted and Elise Edie kept me turning pages. I love how she kept me guessing as to who the devil really was and I love how this story is ultimately about female empowerment. I look forward to more stories, novellas and novels from Elise!
January 7, 2015
Okay 4 out of 5 for me is it. You only get 5 if I'm in love with the book to the point that I own it in many forms. This was great. Great writing, great story. It's romance plain and simple so if that's not your thing, don't read it. But if you're looking for a great tale with a happily ever after this does it without being too cheesy.
April 21, 2014
An interesting story but not my usual thing; I read this for a judging contest. Contemporary novella set in a small Washington town, with themes of magic and a sweet romance.
August 8, 2014
A very delightful fable brought to life in a current day situation. Truly enjoyed reading the story.
Loved the dreams and loved the scary monster.
Loved the dreams and loved the scary monster.
August 17, 2014
What a great story. Making a fable come to life in modern times. The bad guy had me guessing for a while. Loved the end.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews