Monday, November 9, 2015

Review: Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics

Title: Daughters Unto Devils
Author: Amy Lukavics
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harlequin Teen (September 29, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Horror
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
When sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner's family decides to move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes it is her chance for a fresh start. She can leave behind the memory of the past winter; of her sickly Ma giving birth to a baby sister who cries endlessly; of the terrifying visions she saw as her sanity began to slip, the victim of cabin fever; and most of all, the memories of the boy she has been secretly meeting with as a distraction from her pain. The boy whose baby she now carries. 

When the Verners arrive at their new home, a large cabin abandoned by its previous owners, they discover the inside covered in blood. And as the days pass, it is obvious to Amanda that something isn't right on the prairie. She's heard stories of lands being tainted by evil, of men losing their minds and killing their families, and there is something strange about the doctor and his son who live in the woods on the edge of the prairie. But with the guilt and shame of her sins weighing on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or deep within her soul.








Going into this I was expecting something magnificent, something horrifying and original but as I started it, instead I realized more than anything, this would more than likely just be an odd, unusual read and not at all creepy or scary. In fact it took me a very long time to really understand Amanda and even like her. I'm still not sure that I like her, but oh boy, did we get a good hard, long look inside the inner workings of her mind.

*shudders* This read might have started with little interest and me not thinking it was scary at all, but it certainly wasn't how I thought of it by the end. It ended up being the dark and horrifying read I was earlier expecting and somewhat disturbing, not only with the details of the story, but as Amanda's thoughts and feelings turned darker, more confusing, harsh, and disturbing. 

In fact, “disturbing” is such a great word for this read and if I could only use one adjective to describe it, that would be my number one choice for it.

This book is not for the faint of heart or for those of us with wild imaginations, both of which I might add, I do in fact possess. 

It had so much potential but honestly, the first half of the book was slow and strange and the second half, explosive, disturbing and left me reeling. So many unanswered questions and so much happens that it truly was overwhelming. 

Did I like this story? Yes and no. I think with more work it could have been amazing but instead the first half fell flat and the second was just too much and too little too late. But I did enjoy it and the twists were crazy and the spook factor by the second half was definitely there so for those things alone, I am giving this three stars instead of two.


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

49 comments:

  1. Sorry this book didn't live up to your expectations. I will say that the cover totally gives me the creeps!!

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    1. It is a creepy cover and there were parts that were very much creepy just in a weird way if that makes sense?

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  2. It sounds like you had some very mixed feelings about the book. I do like the sound of the mystery but all the unanswered questions would drive me completely insane!
    I'm glad there were parts that you liked, at least.
    Great review, Ali!

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    1. Thanks Nick, I think it was the unanswered parts that are making my rating as low as it is. ;)

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  3. Shoot! As much of a chicken as I am, I was still hoping this would be super creepy and make me want to read with all the lights on. I'm not big on books that are disturbing, I like more creepy an suspenseful, and it's a shame it started so slow. Thanks for your thoughts on this one Ali!

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    1. I know what you mean Jenny and yeah, it was creepy at times I suppose but more than anything just bizarre. ;)

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  4. Good you took a chance on this one, I also really don't like things being unanswered, its' sloppy on the authors part. Great Review

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  5. Well, I'm confused. I was expecting spectacular from this one. But I do loathe when things are not made clear... Still, I might try it - it's been waiting on my list for a while and, like you say, at least the potential is there. Happy Monday, Ali <3

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    1. It definitely has potential and I know others loved it more than I did so you never know, you might love it!
      Happy Monday and reading Ramona!

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  6. Like you, I would have hoped for a terrifying read, and I really don't like being disappointed in that regard. I love my scary reads more than anything. Also, I don't appreciate unanswered questions unless leaving them open has a true purpose.

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    1. Exactly and I really don't think it did in this case. :(

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  7. Hmm.... I think this is one I am going to pass on. I like a good creepy book, but if this one doesn't catch your attention and if it is distrubing, I think I can do without. I am ready for some lighter reads.

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  8. honestly with a name like that i would expect the book to be creepy and nothing less ;/

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    1. Yes between the name and the cover that was exactly what I was expecting.

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  9. I ordered this one for my horror readers, but I, personally, will take a pass on it. I don't mind disturbing books but the unanswered questions will bug me.

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    1. I bet some of them will definitely like it but others might be more like me and be driven crazy by all the unanswered stuff. ;)

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  10. I do like a creepy read, but it does sound like it should have worked better in the beginning; something to keep readers more hooked. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I agree, it drug just a little bit too much for me.

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  11. Oh I love how creepy it sounds, but it doesn't sound like it worked as a whole package. Bummer.

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  12. "This book is not for the faint of heart or for those of us with wild imaginations, both of which I might add, I do in fact possess. " Oh that gives me pause. For some reason I can read horror easier than seeing it, but disturbing makes me pause. :)

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    1. It was more disturbing that horror for me but I might be weird. :P

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  13. I've wanted to read this book for ages, but have yet to find a book that actually scares me.

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    1. You know the ones that scare me the most are the more realistic ones, like adult mysteries with a serial killer or something like that. ;)

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  14. I bought this on a whim - scary mood and all that I was in, but have yet to get to it. I like the scary sound, but lol, disturbing gives me pause. I'm going to set this aside, and make sure I'm in the mood again for all that ;)
    Gah, should have know with that cover and title.
    Great review, Ali!

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    1. I can't wait for you to read it Kim and get your take on it. It will be interesting to see if you agree with me at all. :P You might just love it! I think I might be the odd ball with this one.

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  15. Oh man. That cover gives me the weelies, to be honest. I don't know if it's something I could read nowadays, but perhaps when I'm in a better state of mind?

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    1. It's probably a bit dark for you now. ;) I would definitely hold off on it. <3

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  16. Oh weird. I'm not sure about this one. It might be too dark for me. But just the weirdness of it might not be my cup of tea.

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  17. Bummer that you didn't enjoy this one! The cover definitely is an eye catcher and I might just add this to my tbr list since horror is one of my favorite genres, especially in books!

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  18. I really hate when it takes so long for me to like a character. Not sure about this one.

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    1. It is tough sometimes to push through when you don't for sure.

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  19. Bummer it didn't stand up to what you thought it would. The cover is so fantastic, I was hoping that it would be a better read. Great review though.

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  20. Well you know I love disturbing. It sounds like an interesting book.

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    1. You know I usually do as well but, not as much this time but you never know, you might really love it. It was really interesting to say the least.

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  21. AH yes I would have expected reepy and scary too so I understand.

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  22. Hmm... sounds interesting, but I would expect it to be scary.

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  23. I just finished a book with similar characteristics. It's labeled as horror, but I wasn't the least bit scared.

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  24. Ugh. Sorry this one didn't live up to your expectations. A slow start is torture!!!! Great review!

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  25. Nope-not one for me. Sorry it was so slow in the beginning and too little too late in the end. Interesting review!

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