Before the Devil Knows You're Here
Part dark gothic fantasy, part journey into the bizarre, this delicious blending of tall tales and Latin American surrealism will haunt you as you devour it!
"Highly imaginative and powerfully affecting."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
1836, Wisconsin. Catalina lives with her pa and brother in a ramshackle cabin on the edge of the wilderness. Harsh winters have brought the family to the brink of starvation, and Catalina has replaced her poet's soul with an unyielding determination to keep Pa and her brother alive.
When a sudden illness claims Pa, a strange man appears—a man covered in bark, leaves growing from his head, and sap dripping from his eyes. He scoops up her brother and disappears, leaving behind a bird with crimson wings. Catalina can’t let this man—if that’s what he is—have her brother. So, she grabs Pa’s knife and follows the bird.
Along the way, she finds help from a young lumberjack, who has his own reasons for hunting the Man of Sap. As their journey takes them deeper into the woods, they encounter strange beasts and tormented spirits. The more they uncover about the Man of Sap, the more they learn how deeply Catalina’s fate is entwined with his, planted long ago in cursed seeds.
An enchanting mixture of American tall tales and Faustian elements, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here centers a fierce Mexican American poet on a quest to save her brother. Autumn Krause’s vivid, haunting prose and rich symbolism make this a must-read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Erin Craig.
A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year!
"Highly imaginative and powerfully affecting."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
1836, Wisconsin. Catalina lives with her pa and brother in a ramshackle cabin on the edge of the wilderness. Harsh winters have brought the family to the brink of starvation, and Catalina has replaced her poet's soul with an unyielding determination to keep Pa and her brother alive.
When a sudden illness claims Pa, a strange man appears—a man covered in bark, leaves growing from his head, and sap dripping from his eyes. He scoops up her brother and disappears, leaving behind a bird with crimson wings. Catalina can’t let this man—if that’s what he is—have her brother. So, she grabs Pa’s knife and follows the bird.
Along the way, she finds help from a young lumberjack, who has his own reasons for hunting the Man of Sap. As their journey takes them deeper into the woods, they encounter strange beasts and tormented spirits. The more they uncover about the Man of Sap, the more they learn how deeply Catalina’s fate is entwined with his, planted long ago in cursed seeds.
An enchanting mixture of American tall tales and Faustian elements, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here centers a fierce Mexican American poet on a quest to save her brother. Autumn Krause’s vivid, haunting prose and rich symbolism make this a must-read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Erin Craig.
A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year!
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Community Reviews
This book puts a gothic spin on the tale of Johnny Appleseed - very imaginative! The story follows a strong female protagonist, Catalina, on quest to find her brother, who was kidnapped by the treacherous "Man of Sap" - a villain who is spreading enchanted poisoned apple orchards all over the land. There is a lot of elements here that will appeal to the the girls who wear all black. I really loved the imagery in this book, (there are some whimsical yet spooky forest creatures). It was the perfect fall read!
A story about a Mexican American girl who lives deep in the woods with her father and brother, amidst tales of a Man of Sap whose apples can kill if eaten. Until one day, when he shows at her doorstep, her life is turned completely upside down.
I could not put this book down. It has adventure, heart wrenching tragedy, and beautiful romantic tension. This had ties to the Johnny Appleseed legend and I gobbled it up
I could not put this book down. It has adventure, heart wrenching tragedy, and beautiful romantic tension. This had ties to the Johnny Appleseed legend and I gobbled it up
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