Rating: 3.5 rounded up.

A strikingly unique novel that veers off in the last quarter. I wish Quatro had steered the course better in the home stretch as the ending was lack lustre.

I was puzzled by the choice to suddenly try out new formatting (theatre scripts) in the last chapters. It didn't add to the overall narrative arc.
Quatro handles the themes of human trafficking and child abuse in a blunt way that is worth praising but overall the novel takes an unexpected and disappointing final turn.

A story of human nature, compassion, longing, and purpose — an unusual and unique novel centering around a southern town and two compelling characters. At times magical and weird, this story is written in sharp, cutting, and brilliant language. This contains themes and ideas such as religion, crime, hope, faith (or the lack of), and what it means to be a parent. I struggled with the structure as the different perspectives were at times jarring, I found myself unconnected to the characters. Overall, being from the south gave me a deep connection to this setting and the ideas it contains.

This novel started off promising, but I lost interest around the 50% mark. I appreciated this book being brief and making a good point, but overall, I was a little annoyed with the supernatural elements. The main character sees visions and after a while, it became grating because I couldn't tell if he had a gift, or he was mentally ill. The writing was decent and had me emotional at times, but I wanted a little more structure. Interesting book but lacked a cohesive story.

What a unique and thought provoking story. I'm not sure I can say I enjoyed it, but the writing was incredible. The main character, known as The Prophet lived a life full of suffering and we get a look into the visions he sees from The Lord. This was so bleak and heart-breaking and I feel like with a re-read I might give it a higher rating - I don't think I read it at the right time. It's definitely worth a read!

This was ambitious and I may have missed some of the authors intentions but I got enough to grasp the brilliance of the narrative.

This will be a divisive read with the discussion of hot button issues but it never felt preachy and offers a lot of food for thought.

I look forward to seeing what people say about this one when it’s released I think this is a bold and fresh literary contender.

JQ is most definitely a writer’s writer. A wonderful mixture of clarity and unexpected side road intrigue in this story. At all times, I felt securely oriented in time and place, even through many spatial-temporal-modal bounces, each one complicating the rather insular colliding pieces of world it constructs. I felt great trust in the deftness of the narrative as it unfolded. I didn’t know where we were going, but I made a great decision to hop in this truck.

How did I come across this book? NetGalley (thanks for the ARC).

I do not know this author personally, but I did remember her name as one of the fiction writing instructors at a Kenyon Review Writers Workshop. I love the writers they hire; some of the best I have ever encountered in terms of intensity, expectations, and being great examples themselves. I clicked on this title on that basis.

Prior to reading, I could never have imagined enjoying and savoring a book containing a character called The Prophet. More than one of my grandmothers (one Pentecostal, one Southern Baptist) scared the crap out of me, along with any desire to go to church. That Quatro was able to conjure sympathy and genuine concern for The Prophet is amazing to me. She made it a very enticing leap to make from the desire to paint religious visions while being aggressively trolled by a snotty cowboy devil to: this is all of us, trying our best to embody a deeply-felt purpose while bracing against crushing and pervasive criticism.

In the character of Michael, (a teenage girl rescued from a trafficking situation), we get a change-of-wind-direction point of view. That Quatro created both POVs so seamlessly is yet another feat of sorcery. Both characters aid the other in some way, yet both feel the need to conceal their game plans from each other. The tentativeness and necessity of their trust is one of the book’s major sources of tension. Will the purpose be fulfilled? Will it be too late? Will it be enough?

Uncertainty about the efficacy of the ending(s) is my only reservation. This is certainly a novel that should resist neatness in the exit. Somehow, though, some of the energy of the fantastic buildup dissipated just a touch with the particularities of the twisting dismount. And yet, I'm not sure I'm right about this. I can imagine the ending will be a point of polarization, which, ultimately seems in keeping with the novel's strange appeal. I may come back around and round up.

Since finishing this novel, I find myself looking forward to picking up a physical copy of it (mine was digital and not mark-up-able) so I can bracket my favorite passages (there were so many) and stare into space while I think about some of the questions it raises into the air and diffuses into the wider world: questions about purpose, futility, decency, trust, instinct, agency, evil, the role of goads, the avenues of self-preservation. I highly recommend this odd and observant vision of a novel.

Two-Step Devil by Jamie Quatro is a captivating read that quickly won me over, despite an initial adjustment period. The novel's unique writing style, characterized by its lack of quotation marks, took a little while to get used to. However, once I acclimated to Quatro's distinctive approach, the story flowed seamlessly, revealing itself as a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its use of non-linear storytelling through a series of flashbacks. Quatro expertly weaves these flashbacks throughout the narrative, enriching the story and providing invaluable context for the characters' present circumstances. I’ve always had a fondness for non-linear storytelling, and in Two-Step Devil, each flashback serves a specific purpose, enhancing the reader's understanding of the characters and their motivations. The way these past events intertwine with the present creates a rich tapestry of character development and emotional depth.

The characters of Michael and The Prophet are both compelling and complex. I found myself empathizing with each of them in different ways, as Quatro skillfully navigates their inner struggles and dilemmas. Their journeys are portrayed with such nuance and authenticity that it’s impossible not to become invested in their fates. The unexpected yet immensely satisfying conclusion further elevates the book, providing a fitting and impactful resolution to the characters' arcs.

This was my first encounter with Jamie Quatro's work, and it has left me eager to explore more of her writing. Two-Step Devil showcases her talent for creating intricate, multi-layered narratives and deeply relatable characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what other stories she has to offer and anticipate that her future work will be just as intriguing and rewarding.

Such an interesting read, I especially loved the ending(s)! I wish I could go back and read this book again for the first time, looking forward to more from Quatro.

This is the second book I've read from Quatro and both times I've left the reading experience interested by the writing and ideas but frustrated by the overall execution. In this case, I felt like splitting the narrative left both The Prophet's and Michael's stories incomplete, bordering on caricature. I get that the stories are intertwined, but I would have preferred either staying with The Prophet the whole time or (and really, this would have been my preference) focusing more on Michael. I can even see a version where the Devil is the center -- an omniscient narrator who can send us with both The Prophet or Michael as necessary.

Look, can I tell you *exactly* what this novel is about? No. But I can tell you that the vibes are impeccable. The voice is astounding. The characterization so creative and captivating. The sense of place immersive.

The Prophet, an old man from Alabama who paints his visions, rescues a young girl who is a victim of sex trafficking, and the two, strangely, become companions before they have to part ways as each confronts an inevitable next step in their own life stories.

We also get flashbacks of the Prophet’s life as well as his relationship with his son, who doesn’t believe in his father’s visions. This story explores religion, politics, abortion, family, illness and death, and so much more.

The title references the devil figure that appears to the Prophet, who is named Two-Step and wears cowboy boots and a hat and might be my favorite character of the whole book. If you hear me start to greet people with “Greetings, fleshsacks!” just know it’s from him.

Thank you so much to Grove Atlantic and NewGalley for the eARC. I know I’ll be thinking about this unique, creative, powerful story for a long while.

3.5/4

Two-Step Devil is a strange and disturbing novel that tells the story of Winston (The Prophet), his strange companion, Two-Step who appears from time to time and Michael, a young girl who Winston rescues from sex traffickers.

In the first part of the book we see into Winston's previous life. His wife has died from cancer and he is estranged from his son's family. Winston is also dying slowly from cancer but has refused treatment possibly because it interferes with his visions. And it is the visions that keep him going. He has had them for decades and now paints what he sees, much to the amusement of Two-Step.

The second part of the novel gives us Michael's horrible story from seduction to being forced into prostitution. Winston enlists Michael to help him take his vision to the White House but Michael also has other plans.

I chose this book because of the title, which intrigued me although I can't honestly remember why Winston has christened his vision of the devil as Two-Step. There are parts of the book that I found baffling but otherwise it was an interesting story but with some heavyweight issues including drug abuse, child sex abuse, child prostitution, physical abuse and mental health.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advance review copy.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

This book does contain a few themes that merit mentioning in a trigger warning (TW: sex trafficking, rape, sexual coercion, abortion, infant loss, drug abuse)

I think the most important piece of information a reader could have before embarking on this, admittedly well-crafted work is that it’s very stylized in its prose and does not follow conventional narrative forms. The style of narration changes and at one point switches to play with stage directions and costuming given. The language used changes and ultimately the book creates a large sense of ambiguity. If that is something that immediately puts you off a book, this is not the selection for you. However, if open-ended, more challenging writing is something you embrace, this is a very compelling read that generates a lot of thought-provoking discussion.

The story is that of the Watchman, a prophet and painter living in the rural south and the teenaged sex worker he ‘rescues’ and identifies as critical to the mission related to spreading his visions. At the heart though, the book touches on themes of morality, relativism, salvation, alienation, loneliness, and the way we understand religion. (Particularly traditional Christian narratives of good and evil.)

The most successful part of this book in terms of creating tension while at the same time establishing atmosphere are the sections narrated in first-person by Michael. The weak point of the book is the stage-play section in the later half of the book. I thought it was a very high-concept addition, and while it did add to the philosophical element of the book, it was a laborious read.

Two-Step Devil is a more ambitious read and is, frankly, a little weird. But it’s very well crafted and a compelling story and well worth the challenge.

WOW! I LOVED this book! It is the most unique book I have read this year. You develop a strong connection to these characters and develop a lot of empathy for them. I will be recommending this book to a lot of people.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. The story was complex and full of detailed characterization. I loved the prose and dynamic style of the novel. Overall a good read.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the eARC of Two-Step Devil by Jamie Quatro. Quatro created a powerful story with the Prophet and his visions at the centre. I was reminded of Flannery O'Connor in particular. The last third kind of lost me but I see where Quatro was going with it.

Two-step devil, essentially, is the story of a crazy, super right winged, religious, old man who believes himself a prophet. Although he distrusts the government, he must bring his visions to the president ‘because he has a trusting face.’ Too sick to see his plans through, he rescues/kidnaps a trafficked young girl whom he believes is his ‘big fish’ who will help him finish the job.

At first I found the overall religiousness off-putting. However, as the story progressed and the characters were better developed this was no longer the case as the religious rhetoric really only belonged to the prophet and a few minor characters.

This story was a wild ride, and there's so much to unpack. I finished this book over a week ago and I'm still digesting, and likely will be for a while to come. Although, I will say it's definitely worth the read.

This was an intensely moving and beautiful novel. The characters are incredibly well written and although they are complex, flawed and vulnerable the author ensures that we admire them rather than pity them. This is one of the best novels I have read this year and one that I'll be recommending to everyone.

i don’t know how to capture this book into words. it may be the most strange yet wonderful book i’ve read. bear with me.

this book feels real, whimsical, heavy, lyrical, and profound all in one.

two-step devil unravels themes of grief, love, and the complications of faith. we follow a man who calls himself the Prophet, and the Girl he must rescue. the two have suffered greatly; but while we learn the Prophet’s past, we see the Girl’s future unfold.

all the while, the Two-Step Devil is a lingering & opposing force who gradually becomes more prominent into a grand finale; where he takes the narrative and turns his attention to the reader.

this is the kind of book that you’ll need to sit with and fully digest. the themes and topics brought to light in this novel are very prevalent in todays society.
i have never read a book with such a unique narrative flow before. there are three major perspective shifts, but all feel so purposeful and mesmerizing in their delivery. i have to give props to Quatro for taking such risks — from themes to format and everything in between.

Voice.
Voice, voice, voice.
In “Two-Step Devil” by Jamie Quatro, the main character, known principally as The Prophet, speaks with a voice that you’ve heard all your life and that you’ve never heard before.
On vomit: “That’ll clean.”
On hens: “I used to let them roam but it was feeding the coyotes, is why I'm down to five.”
The reader hears the kudzu wrapped around each word, the tomatoes swelling, the chickens scratching. Quatro has so wholly embodied the Prophet, or rather, the Prophet has so wholly embodied her, that the Prophet’s speech is effortlessly authentic: “God weren’t ashamed to be a baby in a trough, and he ain’t ashamed to use a vegetable as his messenger.”
Even though I grew up far north of the book’s Lookout Mountain setting, I heard my grandpa in the Prophet’s voice, other ancestors, generations who lived off the soil and with animals. Their voices rose from the page like smoke. The book conjured them, much like the Prophet conjures his own spirit being, the Two-Step Devil, whose visits are announced by smoke seeping through the cabin’s walls. When heard through the Prophet’s point of view, Two-Step’s voice mirrors the Prophet’s: “Look at you. Third-grade educated, a-fooling yourself with all this vision talk.” However, in the second half of the book, the reader experiences Two-Step outside the Prophet as intermediary, and his voice is condescending, flowery, at one point listing more than twenty names for Satan. And the reader realizes that Two-Step might be more than a figment of the Prophet’s imagination.
Visions drop before the Prophet on a five-foot screen, warning of future calamities. One seems to predict 9/11. He is driven to recreate them, painting the scenes on scraps of wood, on the walls and ceiling of the cabin, window glass, objects found in a nearby junkyard. His wife has died, but his son, Zeke, remains. Zeke sings with “a throat full of wonders,” and the Prophet is sure the gift was God’s purpose for the boy, to use his silver voice to share his father’s visions with the world outside their remote cabin. But Zeke rejects his father’s visions and refuses to use his voice, opting instead for the suburbs, his stomach growing large and soft.
Given the emphasis on voice throughout the book (Indeed, the Prophet claims that his voice can actually heal, and visitors pay him for this cure), I was disappointed initially in the scenes written in the point of view of Michael, a girl who comes to stay with the Prophet. These scenes are coated in drug use, so her narrative is grainy, muddled with painful memories that are also steeped in drugs. When other characters’ voices are so prominent, hers is bleary. At one point, the Prophet even asks her to serve as his voice. As I thought on this, it occurred to me that this lack of voice is representative of her lived experience. Like other women and girls in her situation, she has little agency, so I don’t begrudge her the comfort of drugs. I no longer want her to use her voice. I just want her to survive.
Big thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the eARC of this unusual, unforgettable book, one that I will continue to think about for the days and weeks to come, maybe longer.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was beautifully written! Not what I was expecting but it really shows what an author can do with a limited cast and a smaller setting.