Idle Hands, Cassondra Windwalker. 4/5

In a world where the devil pulls the strings, can you change the past?

This is a remarkable little read. Clever, brilliantly composed, gut wrenching and bittersweet. Idle Hands allows you to view the Devil as more than an adversary to God, but as a shadow in the background, largely uninvolved and mostly watchful for odd decision that the tilt the scales.

The story follows Perdie, a mother of three fleeing an abusive relationship to start again, as the years roll on tragedy strikes and Perdie questions whether given the opportunity to go back and stay, she would have.

I loved this, it is one of my favourite reads this year. Clever observations on life, intricate and stunning monologues, heartbreaking story and a reminder that sometimes, it doesn’t always matter which thread you pull, you will always be left with a hole.

Stunning cover aswell! A new author for my one to watch list.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #AgoraBooks for my copy of this book.

Perdie is in an abusive relationship, she decides to flee to save her children. Their lives slowly get back on track until deadly accident which leaves Perdie desperate and begging for a different outcome. But just how desperate is she? Enough to make a deal with the devil?

I have some real mixed feelings on this one! And I think the reason for this is I was expecting a horror book with the devil manipulating actions and causing chaos. However, this was more a domestic 'horror' following one family. This was quite a thrilling read and I loved the jumping narrative and how we got to see both the outcomes play out. This even made me question my own thoughts when it comes to wondering 'what if'..

However, I really didn't like the Ella's (or the Devils) narrative. I found it quite basic and may be even a bit childish? It was good at building suspense though!

Overall, definitely worth a read and a really interesting concept! The writing style is great and paced really well. I would definitely read more from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Agora Books for providing me a copy to read!

This book gave me goosebumps.

Perdie exists within a violent marriage, staying because her husband only hurts her, he doesn’t harm the children. However, one day this line is crossed and Perdie makes the decision to leave and save her children.

Years later, having doubted the choice she made due to the impact it has had on the children, Perdie’s life is ripped apart and she wishes she could go back and change it all. The Devil is listening and makes this happen and Perdie lives her life again, but with different circumstances.

I cannot praise this book enough. The concept of the novel is genius - that The Devil is known as Ella and watches over what we do in anticipation of how we handle the tensions and stresses of life, and what choices we make when we hit one of life’s crossroads.

To read Perdie’s life through two different choices is heartbreaking, twice over. Whilst she blames herself for everything that has happened, fate seems to play a hand in everything that happens and no matter what choices are made, there is a price to pay.

This is a thought-provoking story about whether life would always turn out better if we made different choices, or are some people dealt a bad hand that no decision could ever change.

What an unusual but brilliantly written read Idle Hands produced. Told from the devil's perspective the story evolves around a family with an abusive Husband/Father and how their choices affect them.
At times I found some of the scenes to be hard to read but this didn't deter me from reading. The way Cassondra Windwalker writes is mesmerising, even in all of Idle Hands' horrifying telling. So much so, I read Idle Hands in one sitting.

Very interesting story that examines our choices and how the consequences that they bring. The story is unique in the sense that the narrator is the devil and we see how the devil’s view point and potential influences can either be given into or denied. Perdue is a battered wife with three kids and in the first part of the story we see what happens when she decides to leave her abusive husband. When things do not go well she unknowingly makes a deal with the devil and wishes for her to never have left. We then see what that alternative would have resulted in. It was a little heavy on the devils view point where I felt at some point got wordy but otherwise an interesting read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

“Idle Hands” is guy-wrenchingly emotional novel, laced with plenty of black humour and a poignant tenderness. It’s well written and an interesting read.

When Perdie decides to leave her abusive husband and take their their three children with her, it’s a fresh start that she is certain will provide a better future for them all. After building their new lives, tragedy befalls Perdie and in steps Ella with a tantalising offer. You see, Ella is the devil and she offers Perdie the opportunity to take back her decision to leave. Will this alternative reality prove to be better? Or do we need to live by our decisions with conviction?

“Idle Hands” is not normally the genre of novel that I read, but I was instantly drawn to the premise of the narrative being written from the Devil’s perspective. I wasn’t disappointed with this and I found Cassondra Windwalker’s novel to be both compelling and heartfelt. Ella’s (the Devil’s) monologues are wonderfully crafted and the questions and observations voiced really resonated with me. The critique and commentary on the human condition - our inherent vices, flaws and complexities - is poetic at times and really lends weight to the drama of the characters’ lives. The story of Perdie and her family would have been gripping enough without the additional aspect of Ella’s perspective, but this makes “Idle Hands” feel much more unique, affecting and memorable.

I really enjoyed the style that Windwalker has adopted. It helps to deliver genuine tension at times - particularly when Ella hints at what is to come. It also allows for elements of dark comedy/satire and the commentary on religious belief often portrays this. However, religion is not made fun of here and the observations made on God and creation are very astute and thought-provoking. I found the concept that humanity and our world are simply a game for both Ella and God/Jesus to play with to be an entertaining prospect and it made the derision of some of our deep-set beliefs as a civilisation (e.g. things happen for a reason) to be very humorous.

I also really enjoyed the human story at the heart of the novel. Perdie is a complex character who I sympathised with and respected through both decisions. The outcomes of both sides to the story were brilliantly crafted. Both choices were laden with suspense, heartbreak and wishes for a different outcome. What I found most affecting about Perdie’s story was that no matter what choice was made, each life held its own tragedy and regret. This made me think about how none of us can avoid this and how we all must make and face tough decisions that may not conclude how we perceive it wish. What “Idle Hands” suggested to me though, was that we should always stand by them. Given the opportunity to take back and change our choices does not guarantee us a better, happier, more successful outcome - we must face the consequences, come what may. “Idle Hands” was a really thought-provoking and enjoyable novel that I am truly glad I have read and I highly recommend it!

I’m not going to lie it was the cover that first caught my eye with this book, there is something that makes it both a little menacing and inviting, I hadn’t realised that this type of polarity would extend to the story as well.

I’m not even sure where to begin I feel at the same time utterly devastated and enlightened, the feelings that I am feeling at the hands of this book are raw but in a way that makes me hopeful. Honestly this is the kind of story that will not be easily forgotten, I will be carrying Perdie and her family around with me for days, probably even weeks.

We are introduced to Ella, the adversary or more commonly thought of as the devil, first and her narration is interspersed throughout the story, explaining her role within human lives and her thoughts on our choices. I loved this element of the book, all the philosophical ponderings and questions it brought up.

I liked that this is a stark reflection of the flaws of human beings and the reliance to assign blame to some ‘other’ rather than be accountable for our own actions. I think her narration also added that sense of foreboding, which actually made me a lot more invested, I felt emotionally charged before getting to certain events which only heightened my experience of them.

This story is something to be experienced, I don’t want to say too much because it would ruin the impact that it will have on you reading it, but it is the type of book where the repercussions of everything that happens will keep coming back to haunt you. The writing is phenomenal too, the imagery is a joy to read and the author is able to weave together the atmosphere of every scene with each word.

Idle Hands is a unique read, it is at the same time captivating and devastating and will play with your emotions, well worth reading.

In Idle Hands, Perdie is making plans to sneak away with her three children and leave her abusive husband for good. She has been considering this plan for years but when her husband’s violence starts to turn towards her children, it’s the last straw. She’s stowed away money and hastily packed up a trailer to get out of town. Years later, after rebuilding her life, Perdie is faced with horrific tragedy and makes a deal with the devil (who prefers to be called Ella) to try to fix it. Throughout the book we bounce between Perdie’s story and the devil’s perspective. The devil interjects and pops into Perdie’s story sometimes and WOW. Her story is heartbreaking and it was so wild to read the devil’s perspective. I finished in a day and realized the whole time I was holding my breath. Its a very sad book but also just so gripping and makes you think about the nature of our choices and how nothing goes the way we think it will.

Perdie makes the difficult and brave decision to leave her husband having been in a domestic abuse situation. She takes her three children and starts to rebuild life on her own. I found the back and forth with the devils sections irritating. Can she change the past when the devil calls the shots. In some respects I found that I could not identify, maybe because I do not have children and could not understand her emotions.

Before I start I want to say that this book contains a lot of trigger warnings from abuse (physical and emotional), death and grief.

This book was told in a format I didn’t truly expect but I found myself absolutely captivated by the multiple points of view it was told from. Perdie is such an amazing character and I instantly connected with her and rooted for her throughout the book!

The idea that you have paths in life and wondering if you had chosen the other path would life had been different is something I think about all the time. In this book Perdie is struck by the thought that if she had stayed would things have been different? Would her children be happier?

I also liked the role the devil played in this book and found their sections really interesting to read, however at times they felt like they were too long and I just wanted to know more about Perdie and the children.

Idle Hands is a beautifully written but incredibly emotional read that had me in tears. This book is heart-wrenching and its portrayal of abuse was heart-breaking. It’s a hard hitting book that if it hadn’t been an e-arc I think I would have put down because of my current state of mind. However, I’m glad I powered through!

Thank you to NetGalley and Agora book for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled to finish this book. The writing was too chaotic for me to get into and the inner dialogue the way it was written my brain read it will a spooky voice.

It was really off putting the long part at beginning really threw me off and I was confused from the off.

I just could not get past the pure amount of words there to find the actual story, I could not continue with the book.

Books are personal preference and we all have individual needs and likes in the books, we read. Sadly this book was not one I could engage with.

This has been my favourite book to read and review of 2020 by far. Amazing!!!! I connected so strongly with this story and loved every word. Thoroughly researched and a spot on account of what it feels like to be in an abusive relationship, as a woman and as a mother.

Perdie is married to Matt, a narcissist and abusive man. She can tolerate being hurt herself, but when he begins to turn on her son, she knows she can no longer stay. She manages to flee with her three young children, and they make a new life in Alaska, hundreds of miles from Ohio and her abusive ex. She makes friends, finds love and life is good. Except that her eldest daughter Hannah has dropped out of college, and her middle daughter, Rachel, has turned to food for comfort, and is being mercilessly bullied for being overweight. When Rachel and her younger brother Tad go to a school dance, life is about to change forever. A horrific accident leaves Perdie wishing she could go back in time, and change their fate. Enter 'Ella' - otherwise known as the Devil. She lives for people's despair. And when Perdie admits she would give up everything to go back in time, her wish is granted.

She wakes up back in her old life, with no memory of ever leaving. But did she make the right choice? Her husband Matt continues to abuse her, and as Tad is now growing into a young man, his Dad sees him as a threat to his authority. As a narcissist, others must do as you want them to, or they must be broken down. And on a fateful night, Perdie's choice to return ends up in the most tragic of circumstances. As she is once again in the company of Ella, what will she choose this time?

Truly original, this is a book that will stay with me. It really makes you think, and the overriding message is that no matter what choices we make, there is no guarantee of it being the right one, so live life fully, be in the moment and accept that we are not in control of our destiny as much as we would like to think we are.

Y'all!!! Ok, this is a story, right from the devil and it's pretty freaking ingenious. It's told from his perspective, about a family. A battered wife with her kids decide to leave and start a new future on their own. Then after a tragedy, the wife begs spirits of the beyond to change her path in life.

And I will leave you with that, because any more is a spoiler.

This book is unique, engrossing, and far out awesome. I think the idea of an entity or spirit narrator, is very imaginative. Windwalker makes it work, and it's damn amazing.

Normally it takes me a few days to absorb a book, but this one I read in just a couple of days, because, damn, I really NEEDED to know what was going to happen. Telling in from the story of the antagonist is genius. Especially when the "person" in question is an old-as-time demon.

It's really quite beautiful.

Idle Hands releases 7.23.2020.

5/5 Stars

Idle Hands leans towards Christian reading but manages to get your attention for the content and its story line besides the angle of devil and human that is little horrifying and for someone like me the imagery through words could get very graphic in your mind. I could feel only hate for the abusive husband and then the concept of devil. It was terrifying. Devil for me is very different from the devil you think and the devil you read in the book. What more do you want from a book? To shake up your entire core and this one hits on the spot where I think men can't. Read this one when it comes out. Please please do

I loved this book! I found the format and writing style kept me hooked. Loved the concept of the 'sliding doors' effect and all the possible outcomes of the character's decisions. I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down! Great read.

This book was a lot of things. Kind is not one of those things. It pulls out all the stops and heaps enormous quantities of trauma on the reader, consequences be damned. This, for me, was a very personal book, with a lot of connections to a life that I've lived, and that made it far more impactful than I could've imagined. The idea of putting the devil into the details (and as a voice) was a wonderful one, and there was a lot of thinking to be done once I was finished with the book. The idea of the two paths, never knowing which is the right one is always a sticky one- specifically when it entails destroying the lives of your children vs leaving them happier. There's so much to be examined here, and I do wish the end gave a little more regarding the consequences of Perdie's actions (or, as the narrator highlights, perhaps her actions do not matter so much at all).

There are so many things examined in this- perhaps the most poignant being the way in which domestic violence is so pervasive and difficult to deal with, especially when you're unsure as to what the appropriate course of action is to take. This book left bile rising in my throat at times with its accuracy, a sure sign of the fact that it comes from a very real place. I loved all of the characterisation as well, except perhaps in Perdie, in that sometimes she felt a little more hollow- but, in being so self-sacrificial, I suppose that was a natural result. The book was interesting and made for quite the story- I just wish it had gone a tiny bit further with everything, and it would've been a five star for me.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the eARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I’m going to start by saying there are trigger warnings for this book, especially with regards to domestic abuse. The story follows Perdie, a devoted mother and battered wife. Her husband Matt is a controlling narcissist who blames her for his violent outbursts. But at least he doesn’t go for their kids... until he does.

In the background is the devil who is watching the choices Perdie makes, including the brave one to take her children and flee from their abusive father. The devil continues to watch over Perdie and her family as they grow into their new life, safe from harm.

Then tragedy strikes.

Overwhelmed with shock and grief, Perdie blames herself, believing that her decision to leave all those years ago led to this moment. And that’s when the devil in disguise steps in with a question: If Perdie could take it all back and stay, would she do it?

At first I found the devil’s commentary a little off-putting, especially when it happened mid-scene but I quickly got used to this and it definitely added to the feeling of impending doom and apprehension. I found myself tensing whenever Perdie spoke to her husband in case something sparked off his vile temper. The scenes of domestic violence are raw and harrowing, but in no way gratuitous. I also felt the reasons people stay in an abusive relationship was sensitively handled.

The scenes surrounding the tragedy were heart-wrenching and I don’t mind admitting that I cried, despite the warnings within the devil’s narration that something bad was going to happen. It made me think of a sadistic version of the Chorus found in Greek tragedies. I also found some life-affirming observations within the devil’s views of human nature too, something I did not see coming!

I think this book, and the philosophical questions it raised, will stay with me for a long time. Available from 20th August, I wholeheartedly recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well...... it’s different! Just, not a different I particularly enjoyed..

The devil is Ella and she interacts throughout this tale of family and abuse. It’s a story about Perdie and her children who escape Perdie’s abusive relationship in order to make a new life and it’s about choices and the consequences of our choices. It’s a unique read, I just really struggled with the writing style and found it hard to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.

A 2* OK read

After finishing 'Idle Hands', I am emotionally wrung out which highlights the power of this novel. Windwalker has crafted something truly special here.

The bulk of the text follows Perdie's life as she makes the decision to take her children out of their abusive home. We see the impact of Perdie's choices, with this action as the catalyst, coming to a better understanding of the strengths and flaws in human nature as we do. I do not want to share anymore of the narrative for fear the emotional impact will be lessened. Ultimately, the reader is forced to bear witness to the unexpected twists and turns of Perdie's life, Windwalker not shying away from portraying some pretty horrific and brutal events.

Plot aside, the narrative structure is what made this book a five star read, pushing the reader to be more introspective as a result of what they witness. Narrated by Ella (more commonly known to you and I as 'the devil'), the novel is sequenced with frequent sardonic interjections and appearances from this being herself. The extra layer of cynical commentary was incredibly clever and often unexpected in its delivery (sometimes perhaps waxing philosophy for slightly too long but this is just a minor gripe). What could have been a rather depressing tale of a broken family is turned into something rather more twisted and sinister.

This book is not for the faint-hearted with its unflinching portrayal of trauma and abuse. The structure of the text makes it a gripping read and raises some important questions on the nature of humanity, love and loss. A five star read, highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had such a promising premise, but I'm afraid it didn't live up to the expectations I had for it.

The story is told in a very unique way, which I like the concept of. However I felt as though it dragged on a bit much.

That being said, just because I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked, doesn't mean it's not a good book!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this E-book to review via Netgalley.