Before the Devil Knows You’re Here
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here by Autumn Krause, published by Holiday House on February 4, 2025, is a captivating narrative set in 1836 Wisconsin. This edition, comprising 240 pages, presents a blend of dark gothic fantasy and Latin American surrealism. The story follows Catalina, who, after the sudden illness of her father, embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her brother from a mysterious figure known as the Man of Sap. As she navigates the wilderness, Catalina’s determination to protect her family drives her to confront strange beasts and tormented spirits.
Readers will find an enchanting mixture of American tall tales and Faustian elements woven throughout the narrative. Catalina’s quest not only highlights her fierce spirit but also reveals the deep connections between her fate and that of the Man of Sap, rooted in a history of cursed seeds. This book explores themes of survival and familial bonds, making it a rich addition to the genres of historical fiction and fantasy. With its vivid prose and haunting imagery, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here invites readers into a world where folklore and reality intertwine.
Official synopsis Publisher
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!
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