Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Tucholke is a strongly written teen fantasy about the choices we make and the family bonds we have to live with.
Violet and her twin brother Luke live alone in their mansion by the sea named Citizen Kane. Abandoned by artistic parents who have decided to travel to feed their desire to be artists rather than stay at home and care for their children; Violet and Luke must find ways to support themselves. Even though their home is lavish they themselves are nearly destitute. Luke spends his time chasing the local girls and Violet spends hers alone thinking of their long departed grandmother Freddie.
"...The dead are all around us, Freddie use to say. So don't you go being afraid of the dead, Violet. And if you aren't afraid of the dead, then you aren't afraid of dying. And if you aren't afraid of dying, then the only damn thing you have to be afraid of is the Devil. And that's the way it should be..."
Life would have gone on just like that for Violet except thinking of making some money she advertises her guest cottage for rent. And that's when River comes to town.
Violet could tell there was something about River that was different than any other boy she knew. From the way he moved to the he made her move. She was falling for him and fast. But there was something else about River. Something wrong.
"...A man killed himself in front of me. In front of the town. And River made him do it. I knew it. I knew it like I knew I was near the sea by the taste of salt in the air. I knew it like I knew the sound of Luke's steps as he walked around the Citizen.
I knew it like I knew the feel of River's arms around me, when he was fast asleep..."
River has a gift. A power he used to hand out his own form of justice. The ability to make anyone believe what he wanted them to just by touching them. Only the power seems to have a mind of its own and it now moves without River knowing. The power seeks to punish those it deems deserving.
Violet can't decide what to do. Does she protect River or stop him. And worse, is what she is feeling for him just another one of his manipulations?
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