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Devil and the Bluebird
Blue Riley has wrestled with her own demons ever since the loss of her mother to cancer. But when she encounters a beautiful devil at her town crossroads, it’s her runaway sister’s soul she fights to save. The devil steals Blue’s voice—inherited from her musically gifted mother—in exchange for a single shot at finding Cass.
Armed with her mother’s guitar, a knapsack of cherished mementos, and a pair of magical boots, Blue journeys west in search of her sister. When the devil changes the terms of their deal, Blue must reevaluate her understanding of good and evil and open herself to finding family in unexpected places.
In Devil and the Bluebird, Jennifer Mason-Black delivers a heart-wrenching depiction of loss and hope.
Armed with her mother’s guitar, a knapsack of cherished mementos, and a pair of magical boots, Blue journeys west in search of her sister. When the devil changes the terms of their deal, Blue must reevaluate her understanding of good and evil and open herself to finding family in unexpected places.
In Devil and the Bluebird, Jennifer Mason-Black delivers a heart-wrenching depiction of loss and hope.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2016
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2490 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
March 14, 2017
I'm the agent for this book, and I loved it from the very first draft that Jennifer sent me. It resonated with me on so many levels: the music, Blue's sense of determination to set things right, and her complicated relationship with her sister, to name just a few. I'm so happy to see it with such a wonderful publisher, Abrams, and I can't wait for readers to get their hands on this amazing story.
June 22, 2016
3.5 Stars rated up
Remember that the devil is the one who tells you to play a tune that’s not your own, and you can drive him right on out into the cold by playing what’s in your soul.
Devil and the Bluebird tells the story of Blue, a young 17 year old girl who has decided to try and locate her sister who she has not heard from in two years. In order to find her quicker and easier, Blue has decided to ask for the help of a mysterious woman at the crossroads. In return for a pair of magical boots that will guide Blue to her sister, she must give the mysterious woman her voice.
What initially captured my attention about Devil and the Bluebird was that it used the traditional folk tale of the Devil at the Crossroads as its underlying story arch. I have seen this classic tale used in other forms of entertainment such as the television series Supernatural, but I have never read a novel that has dealt with the concept.
Devil and the Bluebird is, in it’s own way, a coming of age story with a slight magical realism feel to it. It is told in the way of a road trip as Blue travels across America to locate her sister and along the way she meets quite the cast of characters. Some good, some bad and some completely evil. It is very much an adventure story in which Blue has no idea who she is going to meet along the way. She has no idea of the lengths that she must go through in order to find her sister. On top of everything, she has no voice to help her find her way. It deals with the dangers of travelling alone, especially when it involves hitching rides from strangers or hopping freight trains, but Blue will stop at nothing to find her sister.
While the writing style itself was beautiful, I found that the story was a little drawn out. It took a little while to get going and when it finally did, I found it to be slightly repetitive. Blue meets stranger, Blue leaves stranger, rinse and repeat. And after finally reaching the final chapters of the story, things happened a little too abruptly. It was like reading two different extremes. First, very long and drawn out and then second, very fast and abrupt. There was no real peak in the storyline and what I think was supposed to be the peak happened so fast that I didn’t even process it.
The characters were okay. I liked Blue but she wasn’t amazing and maybe a little forgettable. I would say that I enjoyed the chapters where Blue interacted with Steve the most. They became such great friends after protecting each other from the dangers of travelling across America on your own as a teen. I found that the interactions between Blue and Dill made me feel slightly uncomfortable and it was very much an insta-love scenario. I really didn’t understand his purpose in the story at all. These moments were not a main plot point of the story. I wouldn’t consider Devil & The Bluebird a romance in any way, which made these short scenes feel even more unnecessary.
I feel like I wanted a bit more from the ending. As I mentioned earlier, it happened so fast that I didn’t really have any time to process anything. Throughout the entire novel everything moved slowly and everything felt so difficult, where the final outcome of the story happened too easily in my opinion. It seemed as though all of the complications Blue came across could have been avoided if she had just turned on a television.
I had really high hopes for a novel revolving using the idea of the Devil at the Crossroads folk tale, but unfortunately Devil and the Bluebird didn’t really meet my expectations. I do still think that the writing itself was beautiful and I loved the idea of a road trip adventure, but I just wish it wasn’t as drawn out. Everything Blue did, everything that made the story feel as long as it did, could have been avoided really easily, making it feel as though all the trouble that she went through was for nothing.
--
Initial post reading thoughts:
I started reading this one a little while ago through netgalley, but I became distracted by other novels and life. That is until I recently spotted it at my local bookstore and decided to pick it up again so I could finally finish it! I don't think I have ever read a novel that dealt with the classic tale of "the devil at the crossroads" so that aspect was definitely new and refreshing! I thought it was beautifully written and I loved the large cast of characters.
December 31, 2015
This is a stunning, enchanting story about music and magic and traveling the back roads of America to find answers you didn't know you were looking for. Blue is a fantastic character--determined but flawed, loving but hurt, grieving but still moving forward, still living--and I was aching for her the whole way.
But what I really love about this is how every single character--every single one, no matter how minor--is a fully realized character. Even if they only show up for a few pages, Mason-Black is so incredibly good at building secondary (and tertiary) characters that I believe 100% that all of these people who come and go from Blue's life have lives and families and dreams of their own, and how all together they show that while selfishness and cruelty can take so many different forms, so too can kindness and empathy.
I finished this one a while ago, and there are scenes that I'm still thinking about and will be thinking about for a long time. It's so beautiful.
(I read an advanced reader copy of this book.)
But what I really love about this is how every single character--every single one, no matter how minor--is a fully realized character. Even if they only show up for a few pages, Mason-Black is so incredibly good at building secondary (and tertiary) characters that I believe 100% that all of these people who come and go from Blue's life have lives and families and dreams of their own, and how all together they show that while selfishness and cruelty can take so many different forms, so too can kindness and empathy.
I finished this one a while ago, and there are scenes that I'm still thinking about and will be thinking about for a long time. It's so beautiful.
(I read an advanced reader copy of this book.)
May 24, 2016
The story kicks off right away: at the crossroads where 17-year-old Blue is about to make a deal with the devil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PsU...
(The synopsis reminded me of this great episode of Supernatural. Has anyone else seen this one?)
All she wants is to find her sister. When the devil (a gorgeous woman in a red dress) shares a passionate kiss with Blue, the deal is sealed: Blue now has six months to find her sister. If she finds her in time, both of their souls will be saved. If she fails, both souls will be doomed for eternity. What the devil didn’t mention before the saliva swap was that Blue is going to have to do this without being able to use her voice. So, packed with a pen and a notebook, a backpack, her mother’s old guitar, and a pair of magical, but painful boots, Blue sets off on a journey to find her sister.
The first 10% were so ridiculously good that I was dreading the usual: things turning to shite rather quickly after that. Guess what, though? It didn’t happen! 25% -> still good. 50%-> still good. 75%-> still good. I slept like shit for two nights because I could not put the book down.
Blue meets some fascinating people on her journey. Some of them are kind and helpful, others just downright nasty. There’s a gay homeless guy named Steve who travels together with Blue for a while. And somewhere along the way, the devil (who keeps showing up to remind Blue she needs to keep on moving) decides to spice up the pact again: Blue can’t stay with people who know her real name for longer than three days. If they don’t know her name, she can stay with them for a maximum of three weeks. If she surpasses the time limit, bad things will happen to those people. You might think this is easily doable, but if you read this book, you’ll see that it isn’t.
Without having any money for food, shelter or transportation, Blue’s journey is a very hard one. And then there are the psychos who are after homeless children. I felt so lucky never to have been in a situation where I had to sleep on the streets and just hope that no one rapes or kills me after dozing off.
This bit plus the race against time makes this story fast paced, exciting, and scary.
Then there’s the musical element which is firmly present in this book. Blue’s mother used to be in a famous band before she died, and Blue and her sister have inherited the music gene for sure. The guitar is so important to Blue that she would rather risk her life for it instead of losing it. There are many other musicians in this book and an underlining message of how music empowers the soul. Together with the music, there are some powerful emotions in here as well. Dealing with the loss of a parent, or the loss of a part of your life which you can never return to.
Homosexuality is also a recurring theme and while most of it comes across as something perfectly natural, there are also parts where it shows just how hard it can still be when it comes to being accepted for who you are and what you stand for.
While I was fangirling away and happy to finally give something five stars again, I reached 90% of the book and…
I won’t go into this much because I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s reading experience with it, but JAYSUS, THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING!! I’ve noticed before that magic realism isn’t my cup of tea and this just proves that once more. Symbolism my arse. Luckily, it was only in the ending, so I’m giving this book four brownies and can highly recommend reading it (and skipping the last 10%).
Thanks to Amulet Books for providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Apologies for the hassle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PsU...
(The synopsis reminded me of this great episode of Supernatural. Has anyone else seen this one?)
All she wants is to find her sister. When the devil (a gorgeous woman in a red dress) shares a passionate kiss with Blue, the deal is sealed: Blue now has six months to find her sister. If she finds her in time, both of their souls will be saved. If she fails, both souls will be doomed for eternity. What the devil didn’t mention before the saliva swap was that Blue is going to have to do this without being able to use her voice. So, packed with a pen and a notebook, a backpack, her mother’s old guitar, and a pair of magical, but painful boots, Blue sets off on a journey to find her sister.
The first 10% were so ridiculously good that I was dreading the usual: things turning to shite rather quickly after that. Guess what, though? It didn’t happen! 25% -> still good. 50%-> still good. 75%-> still good. I slept like shit for two nights because I could not put the book down.
Blue meets some fascinating people on her journey. Some of them are kind and helpful, others just downright nasty. There’s a gay homeless guy named Steve who travels together with Blue for a while. And somewhere along the way, the devil (who keeps showing up to remind Blue she needs to keep on moving) decides to spice up the pact again: Blue can’t stay with people who know her real name for longer than three days. If they don’t know her name, she can stay with them for a maximum of three weeks. If she surpasses the time limit, bad things will happen to those people. You might think this is easily doable, but if you read this book, you’ll see that it isn’t.
Without having any money for food, shelter or transportation, Blue’s journey is a very hard one. And then there are the psychos who are after homeless children. I felt so lucky never to have been in a situation where I had to sleep on the streets and just hope that no one rapes or kills me after dozing off.
This bit plus the race against time makes this story fast paced, exciting, and scary.
Then there’s the musical element which is firmly present in this book. Blue’s mother used to be in a famous band before she died, and Blue and her sister have inherited the music gene for sure. The guitar is so important to Blue that she would rather risk her life for it instead of losing it. There are many other musicians in this book and an underlining message of how music empowers the soul. Together with the music, there are some powerful emotions in here as well. Dealing with the loss of a parent, or the loss of a part of your life which you can never return to.
Homosexuality is also a recurring theme and while most of it comes across as something perfectly natural, there are also parts where it shows just how hard it can still be when it comes to being accepted for who you are and what you stand for.
While I was fangirling away and happy to finally give something five stars again, I reached 90% of the book and…
I won’t go into this much because I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s reading experience with it, but JAYSUS, THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING!! I’ve noticed before that magic realism isn’t my cup of tea and this just proves that once more. Symbolism my arse. Luckily, it was only in the ending, so I’m giving this book four brownies and can highly recommend reading it (and skipping the last 10%).
Thanks to Amulet Books for providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Apologies for the hassle!
November 10, 2015
DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD hit all my YA buttons: teenage girl suffused with grief; musical themes; fantasy elements; struggles with loss and identity. Blue Riley is one of the most engaging teen characters I've read in a long time: she's quirky, intelligent, passionate, confused. Mason-Black does a beautiful job of maintaining Blue's voice throughout the book--she's never less than herself, even as she is struggling to figure out what that means. On the hunt for her runaway sister and in mourning for her mother, she's resolute and willing to do whatever it takes to find a family. Bonus: do YOU believe in the devil? A beautiful, lovely, lyrical debut. Mason-Black is one to watch.
May 1, 2016
ONE OF MY TOPS READS OF 2016! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING DEBUT!!
This arc blew me away on so many levels - emotion, story, structure, gorgeous and masterful writing. This is one of those books I despised putting down, leaving the world that Jennifer Mason-Black has so beautifully crafted. The story is unique - Blue believes she makes a deal with the devil: she'll risk her soul to find her missing sister. Blue sets off on her quest at a huge disadvantage - the devil has taken Blue's voice so Blue is armed only with her dead mother's guitar and a pair of brown boots that seem to act as a compass. Blue's cross-country trek is wild as she encounters good and evil. Mason-Black's characters are vivid and truly unforgettable and the deep and moving themes of loss, grief, and rejection are finely woven throughout the plot. Music is as central a character as Blue and flavors the story so distinctly. Without a doubt, this is a book I will be buying and recommending as a top debut. Jennifer Mason-Black is a writer to watch for. DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD = PURE MAGIC!
This arc blew me away on so many levels - emotion, story, structure, gorgeous and masterful writing. This is one of those books I despised putting down, leaving the world that Jennifer Mason-Black has so beautifully crafted. The story is unique - Blue believes she makes a deal with the devil: she'll risk her soul to find her missing sister. Blue sets off on her quest at a huge disadvantage - the devil has taken Blue's voice so Blue is armed only with her dead mother's guitar and a pair of brown boots that seem to act as a compass. Blue's cross-country trek is wild as she encounters good and evil. Mason-Black's characters are vivid and truly unforgettable and the deep and moving themes of loss, grief, and rejection are finely woven throughout the plot. Music is as central a character as Blue and flavors the story so distinctly. Without a doubt, this is a book I will be buying and recommending as a top debut. Jennifer Mason-Black is a writer to watch for. DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD = PURE MAGIC!
April 27, 2018
This is one of the most beautiful and haunting books I have ever read. The road Blue travels (the actual road and her own road to discovery) is unlike anything I have every experienced before. If you like your YA with folklore and music and strength and magical realism and kindness and fear and redemption, you do not want to miss this book. Full review to come!
May 6, 2016
An ARC of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
Devil and the Bluebird was nothing like I was expecting and I may have liked it all the more because of it. You tell me there's a devil in the story, and I am so in. Plus, sister stories are always worth a read, having two sisters of my own and never really understanding either of them completely. And it should also be known that I can't say no to characters named Blue. ;0)
Much as Blue had been expecting someone different when she went to the crossroads, I was just as surprised at the identity of the would-be devil. Namely, that he was a her. Honestly, that shouldn't have really shocked me, not with all of the Supernatural I watch, but it did change all of my expectations for this book.
I guess I was hoping for some forbidden romance between the devil and Blue. Which would have been top-notch, but I think what the author does with this story is even more amazing. It's a coming-of-age story, about finding your voice (literally) and discovering your own path, and all of the ups and downs that come along with it. It's a story of loss and hope, of love and acceptance. That last one plays a BIG part in this story.
Blue makes friends and allies on her trek, but she also finds the meaning of true evil along the way. She discovers that things are not always what they seem but that she should trust her instincts when it comes to real danger. And she learns that family can come in many forms.
This story felt like a folk song, eclectic and rich. (It also made me want to rewatch Supernatural.) What a beautiful, poignant novel, full of heart and a hint of magic. A very lovely debut, to be sure.
GIF it to me straight:
NTS: Always get the terms of the contract IN FULL before offering up your soul to a beautiful, silver-tongued devil.
Devil and the Bluebird was nothing like I was expecting and I may have liked it all the more because of it. You tell me there's a devil in the story, and I am so in. Plus, sister stories are always worth a read, having two sisters of my own and never really understanding either of them completely. And it should also be known that I can't say no to characters named Blue. ;0)
Much as Blue had been expecting someone different when she went to the crossroads, I was just as surprised at the identity of the would-be devil. Namely, that he was a her. Honestly, that shouldn't have really shocked me, not with all of the Supernatural I watch, but it did change all of my expectations for this book.
I guess I was hoping for some forbidden romance between the devil and Blue. Which would have been top-notch, but I think what the author does with this story is even more amazing. It's a coming-of-age story, about finding your voice (literally) and discovering your own path, and all of the ups and downs that come along with it. It's a story of loss and hope, of love and acceptance. That last one plays a BIG part in this story.
Blue makes friends and allies on her trek, but she also finds the meaning of true evil along the way. She discovers that things are not always what they seem but that she should trust her instincts when it comes to real danger. And she learns that family can come in many forms.
This story felt like a folk song, eclectic and rich. (It also made me want to rewatch Supernatural.) What a beautiful, poignant novel, full of heart and a hint of magic. A very lovely debut, to be sure.
GIF it to me straight:
NTS: Always get the terms of the contract IN FULL before offering up your soul to a beautiful, silver-tongued devil.
September 23, 2016
“If you dance with the devil, you’re going to get burned.”
The cover caught my eye so I read the blurb – and then I dove right in. It is definitely something a little different than my norm.
Blue is seventeen and on a road trip in search for her sister. She makes a deal with an unknown woman in exchange for help. The exchange presents many challenges. There is a cast of characters spanning the spectrum from good to bad to evil. The search turned into quite an adventure – sometimes dangerous and one that kept the “deal with the devil” legend in mind.
Mason-Black is a new-to-me author. The writing itself was quite appealing. But sometimes the story felt repetitive and at other points felt disconnected from the story. Nothing stood out as remarkable or unforgettable. There was an insta-love encounter that was strange to say the least. Romance is definitely not an adjective to describe this storyline.
The rush to the finale left me ho-humming and questioning some of what I had read. Not what I initially expected nor did it feel worthy of all the effort. It left me with a haunted feeling.
The cover caught my eye so I read the blurb – and then I dove right in. It is definitely something a little different than my norm.
Blue is seventeen and on a road trip in search for her sister. She makes a deal with an unknown woman in exchange for help. The exchange presents many challenges. There is a cast of characters spanning the spectrum from good to bad to evil. The search turned into quite an adventure – sometimes dangerous and one that kept the “deal with the devil” legend in mind.
Mason-Black is a new-to-me author. The writing itself was quite appealing. But sometimes the story felt repetitive and at other points felt disconnected from the story. Nothing stood out as remarkable or unforgettable. There was an insta-love encounter that was strange to say the least. Romance is definitely not an adjective to describe this storyline.
The rush to the finale left me ho-humming and questioning some of what I had read. Not what I initially expected nor did it feel worthy of all the effort. It left me with a haunted feeling.
March 27, 2016
full review up here!
i was provided an arc of this book by ABRAMS kids, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this one. this is an odd, dark, captivating little book, and I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for something different! full review will be up soon :)
i was provided an arc of this book by ABRAMS kids, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this one. this is an odd, dark, captivating little book, and I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for something different! full review will be up soon :)
June 29, 2016
A world of magical realism is deftly woven to create a novel in which the depth of feeling real musicians have for their craft and what it means to carry music in your soul can be felt by the reader. Devil and the Bluebird is a winning debut from Jennifer Mason Black.
February 26, 2017
Sometimes a book reminds me that it is possible to pour love through a page.
December 18, 2016
I'll sum this book up in four words: extremely boring; messy prose.
I can feel that the author is trying. Trying really hard to tell us something. But the message always get lost somewhere in an attempt of sophistication. There are bits of good writing if I were to squint hard enough but mostly I don't see them because there is way more of this:
And this, which I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at and I thought so long and hard steam came out from my head :
Seriously, just spare me. I have read many books with fantastic descriptions, descriptions that just felt out of the world and magical; I have never found them redundant. But more description does not make a good book, substance makes a good book. Description exists in this book just because. There is no other reason. Devil and the Bluebird is a novel that is very forgettable. To me, it was just a huge mess. The author leaves us hanging more often than not with her vague descriptions (at points where descriptions are needed but then nothing) so clearly, I was annoyed. A straight-forward named example would be the devil. The devil who held so many possibilities for a plot development - so many possibilities for a powerful message to be sent but nothing. Again, the devil exists just because. My impression of the devil doesn't change from the start of the book to the end since the author only put in effort to make the devil's presence known but never her intentions and purpose. She's just a woman in a red dress and makes deals with people which might somehow result in loss of souls. No one has any flipping idea why the devil exist.
I would have forgiven the writing had the plot been better. But I reinforce once again: This novel bored the hell out of me. It's just great literally everyone on the road let Blue hitch a ride then magnanimously offer her a place to crash. Fantastic, really. Everything is so peachy that even if you skipped the first hundred pages or more, you would have missed nothing. What's more, this was absolutely anti-climatic in every way. Supposedly major plot events did nothing for the plot other than leaving readers hanging again. And remember how this whole story is about finding her dearest lost sister who ran away from home for two years?
Well, screw that. If you're reading just to find out save yourself the anger that threatens to rip the book into shreds and just read the last chapter. There is absolutely no sense of dread at all that something terrible happened to Cass throughout the book - only anger that persists because you can't figure out how difficult is it for her to call home. Biggest bloody plot hole ever - the plot hole is pretty much the size of America.
I would also have forgiven the writing had the characters been good. But everyone was stupid and useless as a rock. First, there's Blue making the same mistakes repeatedly then how she stupidly jumped right into a trap willingly knowing the dude is up to no good. Not to mention the fleeting romance. I was thoroughly uncomfortable with the romance.
Yeah, I'm like no.
No. If I forgot to mention this happened one day after they met, now you know.
So I ended up not being able to forgive anything in the book. The plot, characterss, writing. None of it. It just ended up being an extremely tedious and boring book with all its loose ends not tied up which is really such a shame since this book has a great cover. I can't help but feel this whole book is a joke. The devil and her empty threats. Blue and her long meaningless journey. The fact that what happened to Cass was so stupid no one would have guessed it plus it made no sense. Even the scope of music, many authors have explored this terrain way better than Mason had. I would have liked the story to have some meaning after toughing my way through the book. But there's just nothing. One day when I look back at this book, all I would remember is how a book threw away its potential and bored me to death.
"Don't you know what instruments do?" the woman asked. "They suck people in and continue to echo them out forever once they're gone. Didn't you ever wonder why some dusty old violin has so much power?"
I can feel that the author is trying. Trying really hard to tell us something. But the message always get lost somewhere in an attempt of sophistication. There are bits of good writing if I were to squint hard enough but mostly I don't see them because there is way more of this:
A puddle. Somehow in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming, a puddles has formed around Tish. Stay in the puddle, she was safe. But the thing about puddles was that they could dry up, or come undammed, and there would be nothing to protect her anymore. Or Tish.
And this, which I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at and I thought so long and hard steam came out from my head :
"Everyone wants something. That doesn't make her special." An owl called from far away, a distant Who cooks for you all.
Seriously, just spare me. I have read many books with fantastic descriptions, descriptions that just felt out of the world and magical; I have never found them redundant. But more description does not make a good book, substance makes a good book. Description exists in this book just because. There is no other reason. Devil and the Bluebird is a novel that is very forgettable. To me, it was just a huge mess. The author leaves us hanging more often than not with her vague descriptions (at points where descriptions are needed but then nothing) so clearly, I was annoyed. A straight-forward named example would be the devil. The devil who held so many possibilities for a plot development - so many possibilities for a powerful message to be sent but nothing. Again, the devil exists just because. My impression of the devil doesn't change from the start of the book to the end since the author only put in effort to make the devil's presence known but never her intentions and purpose. She's just a woman in a red dress and makes deals with people which might somehow result in loss of souls. No one has any flipping idea why the devil exist.
I would have forgiven the writing had the plot been better. But I reinforce once again: This novel bored the hell out of me. It's just great literally everyone on the road let Blue hitch a ride then magnanimously offer her a place to crash. Fantastic, really. Everything is so peachy that even if you skipped the first hundred pages or more, you would have missed nothing. What's more, this was absolutely anti-climatic in every way. Supposedly major plot events did nothing for the plot other than leaving readers hanging again. And remember how this whole story is about finding her dearest lost sister who ran away from home for two years?
Well, screw that. If you're reading just to find out save yourself the anger that threatens to rip the book into shreds and just read the last chapter. There is absolutely no sense of dread at all that something terrible happened to Cass throughout the book - only anger that persists because you can't figure out how difficult is it for her to call home. Biggest bloody plot hole ever - the plot hole is pretty much the size of America.
I would also have forgiven the writing had the characters been good. But everyone was stupid and useless as a rock. First, there's Blue making the same mistakes repeatedly then how she stupidly jumped right into a trap willingly knowing the dude is up to no good. Not to mention the fleeting romance. I was thoroughly uncomfortable with the romance.
She pulled him, ignoring the words, thinking instead about the feel of his palm on hers. The air around the dancers smelled of bodies, of smoke, of earth and dust and snow. She put Dill's hand on her hip, ignoring everything but what she could feel, the solidity of his back under her touch, the quick breath he took when he rested her head against his shoulder, when she leaned close. The music within him, like bagpiped over hills, calling, searching.
Yeah, I'm like no.
No. It didn't matter if you had an address, a name, anything. You didn't need anything but another person to feel love.
No. If I forgot to mention this happened one day after they met, now you know.
So I ended up not being able to forgive anything in the book. The plot, characterss, writing. None of it. It just ended up being an extremely tedious and boring book with all its loose ends not tied up which is really such a shame since this book has a great cover. I can't help but feel this whole book is a joke. The devil and her empty threats. Blue and her long meaningless journey. The fact that what happened to Cass was so stupid no one would have guessed it plus it made no sense. Even the scope of music, many authors have explored this terrain way better than Mason had. I would have liked the story to have some meaning after toughing my way through the book. But there's just nothing. One day when I look back at this book, all I would remember is how a book threw away its potential and bored me to death.
May 8, 2016
4.5/5*
**Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and Amulet Books for providing me a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley for the purposes of review**
Did I ever mention I love stories with Faustian deals? Well, I love stories with Faustian deals. And here we have a YA novel that not only opens with our protagonist literally making a deal with a crossroads demon, but perfectly executes an introspective tale about the many winding journeys we take in life.
Let’s start with the opening, because it was the entire reason I picked up this novel, especially given that it’s the “hook,” as it were, that’s used on the dust-jacket to tempt a potential reader. And, oh yes, it works wonderfully. First off: the crossroads demon is a woman. I love that, because it really, for me, enhanced the kind of LITTLE MERMAID-esque vibes that I was getting from the details of the deal Blue had to make with said demon. Also, it probably doesn’t hurt that I was imagining the female crossroads demons from SUPERNATURAL, and that’s always a good thing.
Not only that, but the demon has Blue perform “Man of Constant Sorrow” in one of the greatest moments of literary irony I’ve ever seen at a YA-book’s outset. I mean, guys, this the opening sequence! I’m already getting this much, and I hadn’t even gotten past chapter one. And music is a theme which continues on throughout the novel. After Blue gives up her voice as part of the deal with the devil, she learns to use her guitar as a means of speaking and I cannot stress enough how much I absolutely loved this idea. As a musician, I know all too well what it means to use music as a way to speak, and Mason-Black captures it so beautifully that I could have sworn I heard the music of the novel while reading it. (Speaking on that point: soundtrack, maybe? That would be nice!)
As Blue is searching for her sister, Cass, this novel is, at its surface, a road-trip story. Blue travels through the Northeast on this quest, meeting a wide spectrum of colourful characters along the way. And I do mean a wide spectrum: through Blue’s journey, we see the best and worst of humanity and everything in between, and we see how Blue deals with all the unexpected challenges that crop up throughout her quest. This is, after all, a deal with a devil, and so this journey was never going to be as “easy” as it seemed. And, yes, easy gets quotes around it because, in truth, the task seemed hard enough to begin with, throw in the loss of Blue’s voice, and I’m already looking at this search in terms of Herculean levels of difficulty.
But, as with any good road trip, it’s about the internal journey of the wanderer; it’s about what happens with Blue. Here is a girl who has lived in the shadow of the her mother’s legacy and who, in searching for her missing sister, is actually searching for herself. She’s trying to find not only where she belongs, but what kind of person she is when divorced from that musical legacy. And this book is wonderful in emphasizing not only unconventional families, but the families we make by choice. The ones who we let into our weird little orbits and make a part of our own souls, whether it be by chance or by necessity.
A lyrical piece of magical realism, easily and eclectically smashing together contemporary fiction with fantasy, this novel was an absolute delight. I’ve never read something quite like it, and I look forward to whatever Mason-Black has for me next.
**Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and Amulet Books for providing me a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley for the purposes of review**
Did I ever mention I love stories with Faustian deals? Well, I love stories with Faustian deals. And here we have a YA novel that not only opens with our protagonist literally making a deal with a crossroads demon, but perfectly executes an introspective tale about the many winding journeys we take in life.
Let’s start with the opening, because it was the entire reason I picked up this novel, especially given that it’s the “hook,” as it were, that’s used on the dust-jacket to tempt a potential reader. And, oh yes, it works wonderfully. First off: the crossroads demon is a woman. I love that, because it really, for me, enhanced the kind of LITTLE MERMAID-esque vibes that I was getting from the details of the deal Blue had to make with said demon. Also, it probably doesn’t hurt that I was imagining the female crossroads demons from SUPERNATURAL, and that’s always a good thing.
Not only that, but the demon has Blue perform “Man of Constant Sorrow” in one of the greatest moments of literary irony I’ve ever seen at a YA-book’s outset. I mean, guys, this the opening sequence! I’m already getting this much, and I hadn’t even gotten past chapter one. And music is a theme which continues on throughout the novel. After Blue gives up her voice as part of the deal with the devil, she learns to use her guitar as a means of speaking and I cannot stress enough how much I absolutely loved this idea. As a musician, I know all too well what it means to use music as a way to speak, and Mason-Black captures it so beautifully that I could have sworn I heard the music of the novel while reading it. (Speaking on that point: soundtrack, maybe? That would be nice!)
As Blue is searching for her sister, Cass, this novel is, at its surface, a road-trip story. Blue travels through the Northeast on this quest, meeting a wide spectrum of colourful characters along the way. And I do mean a wide spectrum: through Blue’s journey, we see the best and worst of humanity and everything in between, and we see how Blue deals with all the unexpected challenges that crop up throughout her quest. This is, after all, a deal with a devil, and so this journey was never going to be as “easy” as it seemed. And, yes, easy gets quotes around it because, in truth, the task seemed hard enough to begin with, throw in the loss of Blue’s voice, and I’m already looking at this search in terms of Herculean levels of difficulty.
But, as with any good road trip, it’s about the internal journey of the wanderer; it’s about what happens with Blue. Here is a girl who has lived in the shadow of the her mother’s legacy and who, in searching for her missing sister, is actually searching for herself. She’s trying to find not only where she belongs, but what kind of person she is when divorced from that musical legacy. And this book is wonderful in emphasizing not only unconventional families, but the families we make by choice. The ones who we let into our weird little orbits and make a part of our own souls, whether it be by chance or by necessity.
A lyrical piece of magical realism, easily and eclectically smashing together contemporary fiction with fantasy, this novel was an absolute delight. I’ve never read something quite like it, and I look forward to whatever Mason-Black has for me next.
June 1, 2016
Huh. What a strange little book. More later when I can get my thoughts in order.
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I liked Devil and the Bluebird. I really did! Mason-Black wrote some truly beautiful scenes that spoke to my heart: stuff about believing in yourself, the power of music, true love and friendship not being restrained to formal definitions... I even enjoyed her world building. But...
You just can't write a book and throw things in all willy-nilly-like. It's very disconcerting and it just doesn't work. You need build up and back story and continuity. So, three stars. But I'd still recommend this to Supernatural fans. Because it was a lot of fun.
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One last gripe: what librarian ever would let someone they've never seen before shelve for them???
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I liked Devil and the Bluebird. I really did! Mason-Black wrote some truly beautiful scenes that spoke to my heart: stuff about believing in yourself, the power of music, true love and friendship not being restrained to formal definitions... I even enjoyed her world building. But...
You just can't write a book and throw things in all willy-nilly-like. It's very disconcerting and it just doesn't work. You need build up and back story and continuity. So, three stars. But I'd still recommend this to Supernatural fans. Because it was a lot of fun.
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One last gripe: what librarian ever would let someone they've never seen before shelve for them???
May 16, 2016
3.5
The supernatural moments were sultry, devious, and insanely creepy. The kind of stuff that makes your skin crawl. I was crazy impressed with how terrifying these small scenes were. Chills. The devil is seductive, manipulative, playful, and yet, doesn’t seem inherently evil. She’s complex (I wish there was more of her and these teeny scary scenes).
Read more: https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
The supernatural moments were sultry, devious, and insanely creepy. The kind of stuff that makes your skin crawl. I was crazy impressed with how terrifying these small scenes were. Chills. The devil is seductive, manipulative, playful, and yet, doesn’t seem inherently evil. She’s complex (I wish there was more of her and these teeny scary scenes).
Read more: https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
March 2, 2016
Holy crap! I've never seen anything quite like this in YA. This genre just continues to amaze and astonish, and Mason-Black is at the forefront of that, pushing it into newer, more experimental, more daring areas. This book feels like something that might have happened to Johnny Cash when he was a teenager. I love it. I don't hand out five stars liberally, and this book earned every one of them.
August 14, 2016
A lyrical story supported by the rhythm of an invisible folk-rock band, DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD was a wonderful surprise. A poetic story about faith in yourself, selling out, and finding your way back to your soul. Mason-Black’s YA debut makes me eager for her next book.
May 28, 2017
MAN, I should have liked this book so much more than I did. It's atypical in so many great ways, but I had so much trouble finishing it. I'm going to blame the book funk I've been struggling with for months, frankly.
A girl named Sapphire Blue and stolen voices and souls gone awry and music personified are just a few of the great pieces of this story's arc. I'd recommend this for fans of magical realism but also for those who like a good ole contemporary story.
Glad I read it even if it took me a thousand years to finish.
A girl named Sapphire Blue and stolen voices and souls gone awry and music personified are just a few of the great pieces of this story's arc. I'd recommend this for fans of magical realism but also for those who like a good ole contemporary story.
Glad I read it even if it took me a thousand years to finish.
June 21, 2019
When I started reading, I felt great about this book. There weren't too many characters, the plot was very interesting and it sounded like something I've never heard before. But, as the book went on I started feeling kind of confused, there was just too many characters, I would sometimes get lost and have to reread the part where I got lost. Apart from that, I thought that the story was very interesting and the whole concept of selling your soul to the devil is scary to me. Also, Blue is such an interesting character with a strong will and so much love for her family. I think that this book would be very fun as a movie. Overall, I really like this book. It's very dark, but at the same time very fun and light because of how Blue connected with some characters, such as Steve. Though, if you're planning on reading this book, you should be very focused on it. I give this book 3/5☆ because although it was a good read, and it really had potential to be amazing, I would change some things.
January 31, 2016
This book came to me at the perfect time when I was in the mood for something different from the majority of YA I seem to be reading lately. Then again, it had me hook, line, and sinker from the beginning of the synopsis blurb even before I sat down to read the whole thing. The point is, I was feeling good about my chances that I would end up enjoying this.
And enjoy I did, because Devil and the Bluebird is a delightfully introspective tale about so many things, but I was particularly drawn to the idea of the journeys we take in life and the real devils we may or may not encounter along the way. You've got families you're born into and the ones you construct by chance or out of need. You've got loss and resilience and strength in various forms. There were times when I stopped to read a certain passage over again a few times because I was struck by the words and what they conveyed. It's lyrical quality shouldn't be a surprise given that music runs through the veins of this novel, but I still found it a pleasant element nonetheless. It often reads like a series of connected vignettes with each event or encounter with someone feeling like the stanza of a larger poem,
Another pleasant element is Mason-Black's ability to give even the most seemingly minute of characters a full spectrum of characterisation regardless of their personal importance to Blue's journey or how often they appear. Everyone feels distinct and independent. And speaking of Blue, what a good protagonist. Admittedly, there were times I grew frustrated with her and perhaps in the way the story was flowing at the time, but the more I sit on my thoughts, the less I think about the criticisms I did have and more about my wish to see more characters like Blue populating the world of young adult fiction.
Yes, I still do have criticisms (I'm often very particular and picky anyway), but they pale in my mind when being held up with all the things I did like. Mostly I'm just looking forward for my schedule to clear up so I can read it again.
And enjoy I did, because Devil and the Bluebird is a delightfully introspective tale about so many things, but I was particularly drawn to the idea of the journeys we take in life and the real devils we may or may not encounter along the way. You've got families you're born into and the ones you construct by chance or out of need. You've got loss and resilience and strength in various forms. There were times when I stopped to read a certain passage over again a few times because I was struck by the words and what they conveyed. It's lyrical quality shouldn't be a surprise given that music runs through the veins of this novel, but I still found it a pleasant element nonetheless. It often reads like a series of connected vignettes with each event or encounter with someone feeling like the stanza of a larger poem,
Another pleasant element is Mason-Black's ability to give even the most seemingly minute of characters a full spectrum of characterisation regardless of their personal importance to Blue's journey or how often they appear. Everyone feels distinct and independent. And speaking of Blue, what a good protagonist. Admittedly, there were times I grew frustrated with her and perhaps in the way the story was flowing at the time, but the more I sit on my thoughts, the less I think about the criticisms I did have and more about my wish to see more characters like Blue populating the world of young adult fiction.
Yes, I still do have criticisms (I'm often very particular and picky anyway), but they pale in my mind when being held up with all the things I did like. Mostly I'm just looking forward for my schedule to clear up so I can read it again.
June 6, 2016
This was a very good debut novel for this author. I know she writes short stories, but this is her first novel.
My only complaint is that I didn't feel like she was ever really in any trouble. She'd just move from place to place in such a way that it was almost deus ex machina. People would just show up, randomly, and be all helpful (even if they proved to be jerks or asses later.) There was really only one scene that might've been a bit chancy but even then...
Some of them verged on the ridiculous. Like one scene has her escaping from this man, in the middle of a blizzard, and the place she breaks into just so happens to be this long, lost friend of hers that she hadn't seen or talked to or known where she lived in like 10 years or so.
I think this is her short story writing coming in. It felt like this was jumping from short story to short story, etc. They were all compact and separate in themselves. It's not a bad thing.
Actually, this author would probably be one of those rare, few authors who could write a book in short story form, having all the stories linked together but separate. I recently read a book like that (gosh, I forget the name) and this book was very much better than that, regardless of the fact that it wasn't told in the same format. It wanted to and I wonder if the first incarnation of this was like that, but yeah...
I also wish she could've gone into more detail of the crossroad devil, the other devil, and all that. We get glimpses but nothing really in depth.
The ending felt a bit rushed to. She's looking for her sister and all that. The way she found her (big ending spoiler) made me wonder what the point of the deal really was. I know that wasn't the point of this book. It's a road trip book about a girl who finds herself. It just felt a little anti-climatic.
Overall, I really loved this book. I liked the characters, etc. It was a sweet, touching story.
My only complaint is that I didn't feel like she was ever really in any trouble. She'd just move from place to place in such a way that it was almost deus ex machina. People would just show up, randomly, and be all helpful (even if they proved to be jerks or asses later.) There was really only one scene that might've been a bit chancy but even then...
Some of them verged on the ridiculous. Like one scene has her escaping from this man, in the middle of a blizzard, and the place she breaks into just so happens to be this long, lost friend of hers that she hadn't seen or talked to or known where she lived in like 10 years or so.
I think this is her short story writing coming in. It felt like this was jumping from short story to short story, etc. They were all compact and separate in themselves. It's not a bad thing.
Actually, this author would probably be one of those rare, few authors who could write a book in short story form, having all the stories linked together but separate. I recently read a book like that (gosh, I forget the name) and this book was very much better than that, regardless of the fact that it wasn't told in the same format. It wanted to and I wonder if the first incarnation of this was like that, but yeah...
I also wish she could've gone into more detail of the crossroad devil, the other devil, and all that. We get glimpses but nothing really in depth.
The ending felt a bit rushed to. She's looking for her sister and all that. The way she found her (big ending spoiler) made me wonder what the point of the deal really was. I know that wasn't the point of this book. It's a road trip book about a girl who finds herself. It just felt a little anti-climatic.
Overall, I really loved this book. I liked the characters, etc. It was a sweet, touching story.
October 10, 2016
Mason-Black has told a lyrical story about making deals with the devil and the ghosts that inhabit America. It's a story of music and family (both blood and not), and wandering, and finding the good and joy where one can. It is about being true to yourself, and making the music that can change a person's life, and the price of a soul.
This book was music, which is apt because of the running theme of music serving as a common language and an outlet for the soul. A lot of times, I finish a book and feel unsatisfied because I wanted more, to find out more, to keep reading and for the book to never end. This book was different. When it ended, I sighed. I smiled. It was perfect. The journey that Blue started had ended and there wasn't any further need to know what happens next because that ending was completely satisfying and I was content knowing that no matter what, Blue had learned and grown enough during the course of the book that she'll be okay.
Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS and Seanan McGuire's SPARROW HILL ROAD, DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD shows a side of America which harkens back to the days of the folk music revolution, where music reigned and had the power to change the world. Shades of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie (literally) pass through the book's pages and just like Blue, I remembered how powerful music - music that is true and heatfelt and from the soul - can be.
This book was absolutely gorgeous and I knew partway through that this was something special I haven't seen in the YA genre in a long time, if ever.
The only thing missing from this was a soundtrack. I would have loved a list of songs to listen to while reading this.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley.
This book was music, which is apt because of the running theme of music serving as a common language and an outlet for the soul. A lot of times, I finish a book and feel unsatisfied because I wanted more, to find out more, to keep reading and for the book to never end. This book was different. When it ended, I sighed. I smiled. It was perfect. The journey that Blue started had ended and there wasn't any further need to know what happens next because that ending was completely satisfying and I was content knowing that no matter what, Blue had learned and grown enough during the course of the book that she'll be okay.
Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS and Seanan McGuire's SPARROW HILL ROAD, DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD shows a side of America which harkens back to the days of the folk music revolution, where music reigned and had the power to change the world. Shades of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie (literally) pass through the book's pages and just like Blue, I remembered how powerful music - music that is true and heatfelt and from the soul - can be.
This book was absolutely gorgeous and I knew partway through that this was something special I haven't seen in the YA genre in a long time, if ever.
The only thing missing from this was a soundtrack. I would have loved a list of songs to listen to while reading this.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley.
November 27, 2016
Bluesman Robert Johnson wasn’t the only musician to go down to the crossroads and make a deal with the devil. In Jennifer Mason-Black’s Devil and the Bluebird, 17-year-old Blue Riley takes her guitar and meets up with the red-haired woman in the red dress. Blue promises her soul for a chance to find her missing sister.
This sets Blue on a journey across America, alone, where she discovers the darkness awaiting young people living on their own, homeless and without means. She learns about human traffickers, shelters for abused women and children, families who reject transgender children, and those twisted individuals who simply enjoy harming others. Through all the ghosts and demons, Blue’s guitar and her musical instincts give her insights into when and who to trust.
The strengths of Devil and the Bluebird include a countdown aspect that drives the narrative hard, and the edgy twang of Mason-Black’s narrative voice. Some of her characters are unforgettably evil, while others are sympathetic as they struggle to decide what to risk and whether to be generous. Although this book is marketed as YA, it defies and transcends that categorization.
Cross-posted on my What's Not Wrong? blog.
This sets Blue on a journey across America, alone, where she discovers the darkness awaiting young people living on their own, homeless and without means. She learns about human traffickers, shelters for abused women and children, families who reject transgender children, and those twisted individuals who simply enjoy harming others. Through all the ghosts and demons, Blue’s guitar and her musical instincts give her insights into when and who to trust.
The strengths of Devil and the Bluebird include a countdown aspect that drives the narrative hard, and the edgy twang of Mason-Black’s narrative voice. Some of her characters are unforgettably evil, while others are sympathetic as they struggle to decide what to risk and whether to be generous. Although this book is marketed as YA, it defies and transcends that categorization.
Cross-posted on my What's Not Wrong? blog.
March 28, 2016
Orphaned, and abandoned by her sister, a girl who is desperate enough to find her sibling makes a promise at the crossroads that steals away her voice. With only her mother's guitar and a pair of old boots to guide her, she sets off to find her sister and her voice. Every companion she meets has layers and is the opposite of one note. I felt at times cold and frustrated reading this book, which is exactly what the character was going through, trekking across the country in winter and not being able to speak. This is such an interesting book that's hard to describe. I loved that I couldn't quite pin down where it was headed, and at the same time can see this as a delightful book for young readers. The lonesomeness, the searching are all themes so relatable at a young age.
June 5, 2016
Oh my goodness gracious! Fantastic! Spectacular! Incredible! How grateful I am that my library just happened to have this on the new releases display for me to pick up on a whim. Easily the best 2016 release I've read so far, and a debut, no less. Not really spoiler-y, but something I greatly appreciated was the fact that though this is not marketed as an LGBT book, it has very essential LGBT themes within that took me so very pleasantly by surprise. (Transgender themes, as well, which is still so unfortunately rare in all genres of fiction without being niche.) It's important to normalize these stories, and I encourage them to be told in a way that doesn't need to be marketed to a specific audience. Kudos to Mason-Black for achieving that. 10/10 would recommend to everybody.
September 21, 2016
I had a few days to let this one sink in and I am sticking with my 5 star rating. This novel rocked. Blue makes a deal with the devil in order to find her sister Cass. As a result, she finds herself on an epic road trip across the US. How rare to find a story where the main character is not a special snowflake who has to save the world. Instead, Blue has nothing and is put into situations where she has to figure it out on her own. Blue consistently rises to the occasion.
If you are tired of the usual YA tropes, read this. If you want a great road trip book, read this. If you love music, read this.
You know what? Just read this.
If you are tired of the usual YA tropes, read this. If you want a great road trip book, read this. If you love music, read this.
You know what? Just read this.
March 27, 2018
Not one damn person in the reviews for this book gave a trigger warning for sexual assault and as such I'm going to be ending my night trying to overcome a panic attack. I resent authors who do not warn for this and I resent reviewers who don't either. DNF @ page 157.
July 13, 2016
A strange book that won my heart. More in depth review soon on/at The Book Wars.
April 22, 2022
I’ll be honest, the first three chapters of this book really set my expectations high. There was something nostalgic and just good in that off-kilter hearsay folklore kind of way. Unfortunately, the jerky story and flat characters just did it dirty.
Also definitely could have done without the really gross transphobia, even coming from antagonists. Also the story beat that used neurodivergence as a disguise.
Obsessed with what this book could have been.
Also definitely could have done without the really gross transphobia, even coming from antagonists. Also the story beat that used neurodivergence as a disguise.
Obsessed with what this book could have been.
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