This was eerie, atmospheric, and just plain bizarre...but I absolutely ate this up. The storytelling was so unique and intriguing and the vibes were captivating.

What did I just read? I'm blown away. This was the dark Johnny Appleseed-esque tale I didn't know I needed. What an adventure, what a villain, what a backstory to said villain! I really liked the setting and time period; I loved that this was a historical fantasy-type story (but not too fantasy that it can't appeal to a wide audience. Tall-tales are steeped in truth after all.) The backdrop of apple orchards was also sinisterly beautiful.

Catalina was a great MC too. Her devotion to family, her love of books, and her practical nature were all characteristics which led to a very real and relatable heroine. Paul was also great - I enjoyed unraveling his backstory and how he was based on the Paul Bunyan character!

Overall, just the perfect story to read on a blustery fall evening with a hot cup of Cider!

This book sounded super weird and thats what piqued my interest. And it is super weird in the best way. I love the way this story is told with the alternating timelines and the fairytale set up.

Full of visceral imagery and action-packed, Krause’s folkloric story braids 2 intersecting narratives. In one, a man makes a bargain with the devil, selling his soul to grow prosperous apple trees after years of fighting blight and pestilence. In the other, an intrepid heroine searches for her stolen brother with the help of a hearty lumberjack and a curious bird. We journey through dangerous and magical forests, meet an eerie cast of supernatural characters, and enter Hell itself. Drawing on the Bible, the poetry of Sor Juana, and the legend of Paul Bunyan, Krause creates a world entirely her own, one in which apples signify both vitality and decay, both the stars and the earth, both paradise and eternal damnation. The symbols are striking, the central figures easy to root for, and the imagery lush and imaginative. Perfect for lovers of modern takes on classic folklore, especially those centering around battles of good and evil, in which the perils abound, but a clever girl might just find a way to outwit the Devil, himself.

3.25-3.5 stars
The devil is in the details, and even he falls prey to them.

'Before the Devil knows you're Here' spins a gothic Grimm fairytale about the price of desiring something so much you would trade your soul and how it follows one family. It was gothic and addictive at points with its imagery and monstrous takes on following the path to the Sap man to rescue our heroine's brother (the wedding party and that flock of birds were creepy af).

However, what fell a little short for me was the character depth and build-up. I do not think enough time was given to Catalina compared to John. And while I know why we got more of John due to his backstory, this choice hindered the relationship between Catalina and Paul. Plus, the story was affected as she is our heroine, and I didn't feel enough of her presence in the book.

Ultimately, this is a fun spooky book, and I don't doubt it will find love among folks! Even though it wasn't my favourite, I still enjoyed it!

We have two different intertwining storylines in this book. One follows Catalina who is on the hunt after the supernatural being who kidnapped her younger brother. The second storyline follows this being – The Man of Sap – and the reader gets to learn more about his tragic backstory.
The story was action filled and engaging. Very folkloric.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Before the Devil Knows You're Here is an amazingly dark YA book. It's told from a dual POV and focuses on Catalina and John, the Man of Sap.
Catalina's father just died and her brother got kidnapped by the Man of Sap. So Catalina has to find the Man of Sap and destroy him. Cause he plants poisonous apples. On her quest, she meets the lumber, Paul. Together they want to rescue Jose Luis and defeat John.
But this isnt's as easy as they thought it would be. There are sinister powers at work. And they want to prevent them from defeating the Man of Sap.
I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book. It's dark and atmospheric and fast-paced. A pure delight.

Catalina’s word shatters when her father dies, poisoned by the Man of Sap's deadly apples, and her brother, Jose Luis, is stolen by the monster. With nothing left so lose, Catalina sets out after them to rescue her brother, finding a companion along the way in a very tall, strong lumberjack named Paul. I loved the American tall tale meets YA fantasy combination. This was a inventive dark fantasy with just the right amount of fierce heroine meets sad boy romance and truly creepy imagery!

This is the kind of YA I love now just as much or more than I would have at 16. But as a teenager I think I would have made it my whole personality. The MC, Catalina, has a stoic, no-nonsense attitude to the hardships she faces- and yet, she keeps her poet's heart intact, hidden away until it can flourish. Paul is more than a love interest- a character with trauma and depth of his own, he's no less swoon-worthy because of it 🖤 and their banter is fantastic! That brings me to the other 2 important characters- John, whose POV fascinated me, and the devil himself. The Banker has amazing characterization, all his fixations and idiosyncrasies painting him in vivid colours!

The plot is clever, with twists and turns and an intelligent solution I did not see coming. All little threads come together for a remarkable ending 🖤 Mythology is woven through to create a new tapestry, bringing depth and character to the writing. There is SO much to love about this novel, but what stayed with me the most is the imagery 🤎 It's dark and twisted and lyrical and haunting- every word a pleasure to read and discover. For this, it will be a forever favourite and a spooky season re-read for years to come 🥀

Before the Devil Knows You're Here is the type of book that sucks you in and doesn't let you go. It's not hard to get lost in this world, and I read it in under three hours because of how invested I was. This novel is one of the most unique and creative young adult books I've read this year by far, One thing I especially enjoyed about this book was the dual POVs. I find that often in YA, the POVS between different characters usually blur together, but this is not the case for Before the Devil Knows You're Here. I enjoyed how one POV was in first person, while the other was in third person because it really showed the talent of the author. The characters were engaging to follow, and my favorite was the Man of Sap because I liked how his backstory was explored. Overall, I highly recommend this book. I definitely will be on the look out for more books by Autumn Krause and more horror stories from this publisher.

A spine-tingling story laced with a gothic atmosphere, poisoned apples, peculiar birds, Faustian bargains, and dark folklore creatures. Imagine walking barefoot in the woods, and your hands are sticky with sap. Eerie fog rolls in, and trees loom in every direction whispering deadly promises.

I fell in love with Autumn’s writing from the first page making the story much more captivating. Her descriptions are strikingly visceral and incredibly gripping. There was never a moment when I wasn’t intrigued despite being afraid of what would come next. The pacing and the switching of POVs were effective and helped me stay engaged with the narrative.

The characters were interesting and complex though only a few stayed present throughout the story. When I put myself in their shoes, especially Johnny, I was able to learn new things about myself. Autumn did an excellent job with his story where we only see glimpses of his existence, yet those pivotal moments helped me understand his character better. The circumstances Johnny faced because of his desperation stirred my emotions. I always find myself drawn to characters like him who are determined and defiant against better judgment.

The journey Catalina and Paul embarked on was alluring, and each new obstacle they came up against kept me from putting the book down. I was desperate to see how the end would unfold, and although I was briefly upset with Catalina’s final decision, it was all necessary to reach a satisfying ending.

One of the reasons why I love stories is because it gives readers a chance to escape and explore whimsical yet dangerous quests. But this book, especially, embodies my ideal tale with dark horror elements, spooky creatures, and one of my favorite explorations, a deal with the Devil. If any of these appeal to you, I highly recommend this book, especially during the fall season! Cozy up with a blanket, sip your favorite hot drink, and trek into the creepy world of Before The Devil Knows You're Here!

Thank you, NetGalley and Peachtree Teen, for sending me an e-ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.