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Devil Springs
The devil has come to Devil Springs. Except he hasn't. Not at all. But try and tell that to Mesa Crane's grandmother, Mayor Avis Kneller. This is not the senior year Mesa had pictured for herself. She's used to her grandmother’s restrictive dress code and no boys rule, but thanks to some skinny-dipping cheerleaders making some questionable social media posts, Avis is ratcheting up her expectations and decreeing spiritual warfare. Mesa is sick of being bullied into fake piety, but defying her grandmother will mean losing the small freedoms she does have, including her spot on the cross country team. Most unfortunate, since she's started training with the school's best (and okay, admittedly hot) athlete, Cody Howard. But when Mesa won't get baptized—as Grandma Avis mandates—her isolation begins. The actual devil may not have come to Devil Springs, but judgment sure has. Can Mesa endure until graduation? Or will she find the swell of faith she needs to stand up to her grandmother once and for all?
- GenresYoung AdultContemporary
252 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2020
1429 people want to read
About the author
Faydra Stratton
3 books37 followersFaydra Stratton is a writer, English teacher, wife, and mom to three boys. Her youngest son has Fragile X Syndrome, a spectrum disorder similar to autism but with a known genetic cause. Faydra attended the University of Florida (Go, Gators!) for undergrad and UNC Wilmington where she received an MFA in creative writing. Faydra resides in Florida and loves kayaking and paddle boarding.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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April 25, 2020Grappling with doubt especially because of the people of "faith" around you, a Fragile X storyline, and Florida love. So... 100% the story of my heart.
May 5, 2020
Devil Springs is a great debut, one that has me more than happy to dive into future books by the author. In fact, I’ll be keeping an eye out for what else the author has to offer as I’m eager for more.
Devil Springs is a powerful story, one that brings to life the best and worse of high school. You’re quickly sucked into the story, hooked on the characters, and will happily devour the book in a single sitting. With plenty of emotion packed into this one, each page will have you desperate for more.
The one thing I will say is that there was one scene in this that I feel could have used a trigger warning. There were hints it was to come, but I still wasn’t prepared for what happened and it did catch me off-guard. It certainly added to the emotion of this one, but I would have liked some warning.
All in all, Devil Springs was a wonderful read and I cannot wait to get my hands on more of the author’s work.
Devil Springs is a powerful story, one that brings to life the best and worse of high school. You’re quickly sucked into the story, hooked on the characters, and will happily devour the book in a single sitting. With plenty of emotion packed into this one, each page will have you desperate for more.
The one thing I will say is that there was one scene in this that I feel could have used a trigger warning. There were hints it was to come, but I still wasn’t prepared for what happened and it did catch me off-guard. It certainly added to the emotion of this one, but I would have liked some warning.
All in all, Devil Springs was a wonderful read and I cannot wait to get my hands on more of the author’s work.
May 5, 2020
Great debut! Mesa's questioning faith contrasted alongside her evangelical Grandma is such a compelling journey.
April 25, 2020
I've thought about how to write this review for hours, and I still don't know exactly how to word it. This is one of the few books I've read that have managed to pull me completely into the story. There were several times when I got so upset that I had to stop and remind myself that it was only a book. Faydra Stratton does an amazing job with world-building and drawing readers in.
She does a great job of capturing the spirit of high school; the characters were relatable and realistic. They genuinely acted like high school students, at least in my own experience, which is usually something authors struggle with (from what I've read, at least).
Mesa's relationship with Cody is the cutest thing. Cody reminds me of my own boyfriend, so maybe I'm biased, but he was one of my favorite characters. He's an absolute sweetheart, and you can tell he truly cares about Mesa, which I love.
As for Mesa herself, I think she was amazing. I can't imagine dealing with even half of the things she put up with. I do think she was a bit lenient with Cody, but I also completely understand it. With Kenzi, however, I'm definitely not sure I'd have been able to forgive her as quickly as Mesa did, so I admire her for being able to. She was such a caring, sweet character, especially with Drew.
As for Mesa's grandmother, Avis, I absolutely hated her. The way Stratton managed to write her character so even at the end I would feel no remorse for her is phenomenal. I believe she truly got what she deserved, as cruel as that sounds. She was a terrible person, and in fact, she was the reason I got so emotionally invested in the book.
Additionally, I loved Drew with all my heart. He was such a sweetheart, and I'm glad he managed to surround himself with nonjudgmental people who would treat him the way he deserved.
I absolutely recommend everyone pick this book up when it releases. Stratton truly captures the struggles of growing up with overly-religious family. It was a quick and easy read that had me fully invested in the characters and general storyline.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
She does a great job of capturing the spirit of high school; the characters were relatable and realistic. They genuinely acted like high school students, at least in my own experience, which is usually something authors struggle with (from what I've read, at least).
Mesa's relationship with Cody is the cutest thing. Cody reminds me of my own boyfriend, so maybe I'm biased, but he was one of my favorite characters. He's an absolute sweetheart, and you can tell he truly cares about Mesa, which I love.
As for Mesa herself, I think she was amazing. I can't imagine dealing with even half of the things she put up with. I do think she was a bit lenient with Cody, but I also completely understand it. With Kenzi, however, I'm definitely not sure I'd have been able to forgive her as quickly as Mesa did, so I admire her for being able to. She was such a caring, sweet character, especially with Drew.
As for Mesa's grandmother, Avis, I absolutely hated her. The way Stratton managed to write her character so even at the end I would feel no remorse for her is phenomenal. I believe she truly got what she deserved, as cruel as that sounds. She was a terrible person, and in fact, she was the reason I got so emotionally invested in the book.
Additionally, I loved Drew with all my heart. He was such a sweetheart, and I'm glad he managed to surround himself with nonjudgmental people who would treat him the way he deserved.
I absolutely recommend everyone pick this book up when it releases. Stratton truly captures the struggles of growing up with overly-religious family. It was a quick and easy read that had me fully invested in the characters and general storyline.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2020
It's hard to believe that Devil Springs is this author's debut novel as it's so well written and plotted. The author introduces her readers to small town life where religion tries to rule, but some residents don't necessarily 'fall into line' and that's when things start to shift. I loved seeing Mesa break free from the cage her grandmother tried to trap her in, and I hope we get to revisit the town to see if certain residents have changed after the events that took place towards the end. Some parts of the story were definitely darker than others, and it wasn't always easy to see how religion is used to control and dictate, but I couldn't stop reading and didn't put my Kindle down until I got to the end. Hopefully, Faydra Stratton will continue to write because I see a bright future ahead for her as an author if she continues to write at this level
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
March 29, 2020
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Devil Springs by Faydra Stratton is one of those books that a lot of people can relate to: whether you've struggled with your faith, grew up in a small town that you dreamed of breaking out of, or even if you have had less-than-pleasant relatives. This book was a little bit outside of my normal purview, as I often avoid books that focus on religion. As somebody who identifies as agnostic, I usually can’t relate to books that focus on characters struggling with their faith. But, when the author reached out to me about this book I was immediately interested - I’ve been trying to branch out and read genres of books that I wouldn’t normally read. Plus I’ve been trying to read more indie authors.
Devil Springs was definitely a quick read - if my day had not been so hectic, I definitely would’ve finished it in one sitting. The plot is well-paced, and the story grabs you early - particularly through empathy for the main character (Mesa). This empathy is mainly derived from her living situation - she lives with her abusive grandmother who constantly pushes religion on her. This book is largely emotionally driven rather than plot driven - it's hard not to feel empathetic for Mesa (who is not religious) as she goes through the struggle of living in a small town where religion is king. It’s impossible not to feel for her as she navigates complex social relationships in such a small town while also dealing with growing up and having aspirations too big for her town.
The only major issue with this book was its side characters. There is a decent size cast of side characters including the Mesa's best friend, her best friend's family, and other students at school. All of these characters are introduced but very few of them actually received any definition or side stories. I was excited when I started reading because I’m a big proponent for main characters having strong friendships. Mesa's friendship with her best friend started strong, but it didn’t progress and basically got dropped from the story. Outside of her best friend, she really didn’t have a lot of relationships with other characters. Also there was one character in particular that confused me: Mesa's grandfather – he only made a brief appearance and it felt largely without context - I wish he had been utilized more in the story.
If you’re looking to support independent authors in this turbulent time, this would be a great book to start with. It’s an interesting case study in the impact of religion and what it means to come to terms with your faith or lack there of. Devil Springs is an emotional book ranging from happiness to rage as you read how Mesa’s family treated her. The only weak point what is the disuse of secondary characters. 4/5
Devil Springs by Faydra Stratton is one of those books that a lot of people can relate to: whether you've struggled with your faith, grew up in a small town that you dreamed of breaking out of, or even if you have had less-than-pleasant relatives. This book was a little bit outside of my normal purview, as I often avoid books that focus on religion. As somebody who identifies as agnostic, I usually can’t relate to books that focus on characters struggling with their faith. But, when the author reached out to me about this book I was immediately interested - I’ve been trying to branch out and read genres of books that I wouldn’t normally read. Plus I’ve been trying to read more indie authors.
Devil Springs was definitely a quick read - if my day had not been so hectic, I definitely would’ve finished it in one sitting. The plot is well-paced, and the story grabs you early - particularly through empathy for the main character (Mesa). This empathy is mainly derived from her living situation - she lives with her abusive grandmother who constantly pushes religion on her. This book is largely emotionally driven rather than plot driven - it's hard not to feel empathetic for Mesa (who is not religious) as she goes through the struggle of living in a small town where religion is king. It’s impossible not to feel for her as she navigates complex social relationships in such a small town while also dealing with growing up and having aspirations too big for her town.
The only major issue with this book was its side characters. There is a decent size cast of side characters including the Mesa's best friend, her best friend's family, and other students at school. All of these characters are introduced but very few of them actually received any definition or side stories. I was excited when I started reading because I’m a big proponent for main characters having strong friendships. Mesa's friendship with her best friend started strong, but it didn’t progress and basically got dropped from the story. Outside of her best friend, she really didn’t have a lot of relationships with other characters. Also there was one character in particular that confused me: Mesa's grandfather – he only made a brief appearance and it felt largely without context - I wish he had been utilized more in the story.
If you’re looking to support independent authors in this turbulent time, this would be a great book to start with. It’s an interesting case study in the impact of religion and what it means to come to terms with your faith or lack there of. Devil Springs is an emotional book ranging from happiness to rage as you read how Mesa’s family treated her. The only weak point what is the disuse of secondary characters. 4/5
May 3, 2020
Read my full review here: https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/20...
Opinions: Woah. Just woah. If you asked me about the story of Devil Springs, I couldn't tell you, yet this is one of my favourite reads of 2020! It is realistic, emotionally stimulating, humorous, and exciting all rolled into one. The first thing I look for when reading is connection to the characters, and this was absolutely instant in Devil Springs because of Avis' craziness, Mesa's helplessness, and her friend's varying degrees of friendliness and lust. As I mentioned before, there isn't a defined story arc, but there are dozens of meaningful, flowing scenes that make up a thrilling and climactic book. This lack of structure compliments the themes, which revolve around responsibility, trust, and self-respect. As a whole, Devil Springs was an intricate and thrilling read that left me on the edge of my seat the entire time and squealing with shock every time Avis did something crazy (and Mesa enabled it)!
Recommended For and Similar Reads: Devil Springs is a modernized version of Carrie by Stephen King. Crazy religious parental figure (Avis vs Margaret White), innocent yet tormented daughter (Mesa vs Carrie White), and love interest (Corey vs Tommy Ross). If you like rebellious teens, coming of age characters, and plot twists, you'll love this book. More similar reads are Nocturnal Meetings of the Misplaced, As Much As I Ever Could, and Masks!
Opinions: Woah. Just woah. If you asked me about the story of Devil Springs, I couldn't tell you, yet this is one of my favourite reads of 2020! It is realistic, emotionally stimulating, humorous, and exciting all rolled into one. The first thing I look for when reading is connection to the characters, and this was absolutely instant in Devil Springs because of Avis' craziness, Mesa's helplessness, and her friend's varying degrees of friendliness and lust. As I mentioned before, there isn't a defined story arc, but there are dozens of meaningful, flowing scenes that make up a thrilling and climactic book. This lack of structure compliments the themes, which revolve around responsibility, trust, and self-respect. As a whole, Devil Springs was an intricate and thrilling read that left me on the edge of my seat the entire time and squealing with shock every time Avis did something crazy (and Mesa enabled it)!
Recommended For and Similar Reads: Devil Springs is a modernized version of Carrie by Stephen King. Crazy religious parental figure (Avis vs Margaret White), innocent yet tormented daughter (Mesa vs Carrie White), and love interest (Corey vs Tommy Ross). If you like rebellious teens, coming of age characters, and plot twists, you'll love this book. More similar reads are Nocturnal Meetings of the Misplaced, As Much As I Ever Could, and Masks!
July 6, 2020
DEVIL SPRINGS starts slow as the story unfolds to what it actually is. Be patient and you'll be rewarded with a second half that won't give you a pause to breath. The story revolves around Mesa and her strict-stuck-in-the-50s, extremely-religious grandmother, who sees the devil everywhere, including the small town where they live. Mesa has spent most of her life living with her grandmother and is used to her odd ways, but when her grandmother interferes with Mesa's college plans, things go havoc.
Overall, DEVIL SPRINGS is a clean read for fans of Footloose and maybe Carry (without the horror). My biggest gripe is that the story takes quite a while to get to the gist of it, and for that story to get engaging.
Overall, DEVIL SPRINGS is a clean read for fans of Footloose and maybe Carry (without the horror). My biggest gripe is that the story takes quite a while to get to the gist of it, and for that story to get engaging.
May 4, 2020
I absolutely adore this novel! If you enjoy the movie Footloose, then you will definitely enjoy the plot in Devil Springs. Without giving too much away, Devil Springs is a town who is under the control of a religious radical mayor. The mayor influences the books read in English class, her granddaughter who lives with her, and now wants to change the name of Devil Springs.
This is a cute coming of age novel where the main character is over it. She fights back against the grandmother and it is truly wonderful. There were a couple Mommy Dearest moments, but still fantastic.
I definitely recommend this book. Enjoy!
This is a cute coming of age novel where the main character is over it. She fights back against the grandmother and it is truly wonderful. There were a couple Mommy Dearest moments, but still fantastic.
I definitely recommend this book. Enjoy!
June 9, 2020
I found this book to be an enjoyable read with a really satisfying ending. I liked the character personalities, particularly, the brother of Mesa's boyfriend and her neighbor Drew. And I could relate to the issues Mesa faced in her hyper-evangelical community since I grew up in a similar environment.
April 29, 2020
Devil Springs by Faydra Stratton is such a wonderful story to read. I loved reading this story very much and it is written by a new author for me to read. I highly recommend this story to all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
May 28, 2020
Entertaining Read
Loved this book! Growing up as a pastor’s daughter in a small town, I could relate to so much of what happens in this story. Brilliantly written, well-rounded characters, and a storyline that’ll keep you reading like the devil himself is chasing you. :)
Loved this book! Growing up as a pastor’s daughter in a small town, I could relate to so much of what happens in this story. Brilliantly written, well-rounded characters, and a storyline that’ll keep you reading like the devil himself is chasing you. :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews