Monday, March 26, 2018

Review: Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist

Title: Devils Unto Dust
Author: Emma Berquist
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Greenwillow (April 10, 2018)
Genre: YA Western/Dystopian
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 5 Stars!


Book Description:
Ten years ago, a horrifying disease began spreading across the West Texas desert. Infected people—shakes—attacked the living and created havoc and destruction. No one has ever survived the infection. Daisy Wilcox, known as Willie, has been protecting her siblings within the relatively safe walls of Glory, Texas. When Willie’s good-for-nothing father steals a fortune from one of the most dangerous shake-hunters in town, she finds herself on the hook for his debt. With two hunters, including the gruff and handsome Ben, to accompany her, she sets out across the desert in search of her father. But the desert is not kind to travelers, and not everyone will pass through alive.


Western meets horror for this riveting story about survival, family, and inner strength. Tense, short chapters propel readers from one action-packed scene to the next, while Willie’s distinctive, introspective voice deepens the emotional stakes with every turn of the page. High concept and character-driven, Emma Berquist’s debut will satisfy fans of The Magnificent Seven, Rae Carson’s Walk on Earth a Stranger, and HBO’s Westworld.











It isn't often that you get a mesh of genres that blend together so seamlessly and yet, Dust Until Devils did it and did it well. 

A mix of western, dystopian, and a bit of this and that, and this novel truly stands out and shines.

It was fun, adventurous, enthralling, and unbelievably hard to put down. With a rough and tough no nonsense heroine that you can't help but instantly like in a setting that is every bit as rustic as it is horrifying, this truly was a read that I did not want to end. 

With it's short but riveting chapters you can't help but be sucked in by the action, the adventure and the western feel of it all. I absolutely adored this and even though I believe this is a stand alone novel, I can't help but want a sequel. 

This seems to be the year for YA. It is not only bigger and badder than it ever has been before but undeniably easy to fall in love with all over again. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

40 comments:

  1. I've never really been interested in the Western genre, but I'm glad this was a good read for you!! It sounds like it mixes genres well. :)

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I haven't either but this was seriously so much fun!

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  2. This sounds so interesting, Ali! I hadn't heard of it, but I like the sound of that blend of genres. I'm glad it was exciting!
    Great review!

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    1. It was Nick, I think this is one that you would really like as well. ;)

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  3. Oh this is new to me and sounds good - I mean 5 stars!!! I have to check it out!

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    1. It was so fun Grace. Totally took me by surprise.

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  4. This is new to me, but I Am all for a dystopian Western. I will see if I can get this at my library.

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    1. I hope they have it when it releases because I really think you would like it Heidi.

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  5. Now this is a story that might pull me back into YA. I love dystopias and like the blending of genres.

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    1. This was the story that did it for me Kim. I totally fell in love with it. That and the other one that is similar to this one.

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  6. I am not a fan of westerns, but this sounds exciting. I would consider reading this one.

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    1. I'm really not at all either but this was so good.

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  7. Not a Western fan, but dystopian western? Heck yeah! And 5 stars? YA? Yes, please!

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  8. Well, look at that, Western historical zombie land. Might have to look this one up. :)

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  9. Oh, you make me want to pick this up now! This sounds thrilling and a bit like a zombie type of story. My kind of read! I'm off to search out a copy! :)

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    1. It was so much fun and the blend of genres really was amazing. I really think you would like it as well.

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  10. This sounds really interesting--and it's on the same scale of the book I just finished reading. I'll add this to my TBR!

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    1. Was it the series by Rae Carson? If so then definitely along the same lines but not LOL! Either way, pick it up, so good!

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  11. Ok wow that is a wild genre cocktail Kindlemom and wow it works well to

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    1. It was be it seriously worked so well Debbie. It was a lot of fun and kept it interesting.

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  12. oh that's intriguing and different there!

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  13. I read this one recently and loved it as well! It's crazy how it all made such perfect sense. The short chapters really kept me engaged as well!

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  14. Ooo I love fusion reads. They're so fun when done right. And yay on all the good reads this year :)

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    1. Fusion reads, that's a great way to put it! I'm totally stealing that! :P

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  15. SOLD! I need to read more in this genre ;)

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  16. I haven't read this one but it sounds like it would be a good one.

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  17. oh.. oh.. this sounds so good,western and dystopia mixed together sounds a bit like Westworld >.< maybe.. now I want

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    1. I don't know what Westworld is but maybe! :P

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  18. This is new to me! 5 stars? I definitely need to check it out. I've been avoiding dystopian (just taking a break), but I might make an exception for this one.

    Thanks for sharing this!

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. I have to take breaks from dystopian as well so I totally get it but this is worth looking into, not your typical dystopian at all.

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  19. This sounds fantastic, and there are not a lot of great western YA dystopia's but this looks like one!!
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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    1. I know, now I wish there were more. I definitely want more in this mixed genre, it really was so fun.

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  20. I'm not a huge fan of short chapters, but I LOVE the cover, and the title, and I'm a huge fan of action. I need to read more western books!

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. The short chapters really worked for this though, hard to explain why other than those pages were pretty intense sometimes and action packed so they flowed nicely, shortness and all.

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