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Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
327 Pages
Synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Jules Mathis comes home from school to find a strange girl, her mother explains that Mae is one of her patients at the hospital and will be staying with their family for a few days. But shortly after, Mae is wearing Jules’ clothes, sleeping in her bedroom, edging her out of her position on the school paper, and kissing Jules’ crush. Then things get weird.
Jules walks in on a half-dressed Mae, she’s startled to see a pentagram carved into her back. Soon white roses start turning up on the front porch, a rabid dog bites one of Jules’ sisters, and Jules’ parents, who never fight, start arguing behind closed doors.
Jules pieces clues together and discovers that Mae may be a survivor of the strange cult that has taken over a nearby town. And they will stop at nothing to get Mae back.
I have to be honest and say that The Devil in Ohio, which is based on a true story, has received decidedly mixed reviews, but except for a few things, I wound up enjoying it even more than I thought I would.
From looking at some of the negative reviews, a lot of readers had problems with Jules’ perceived selfishness. I personally think their judgement is a bit harsh. Before Mae even comes into the picture, fifteen-year-old Jules is suffering from the middle child syndrome. Her older sister Helen is a senior and apparently can do no wrong in not only her peers’ eyes but also their parents. Her precocious eleven-year-old sister Dani, is a musically gifted protege who requires a lot of attention. As a result, Jules is pretty much the doormat in the family. So, I was completely empathetic when Mae abruptly enters the picture and Jules feels a certain amount of resentment. Even then, the two girls spend the majority of the book relatively close, especially given the circumstances.
Mae is also empathetic, even when she seems to be taking over Jules’ life and exhibiting other questionable behavior. At the back of my mind was that this is a girl who was continually abused, both physically and psychologically since infancy. She really has no clue when it comes to societal norms. She craves acceptance from Jules and her family, as well as from her new classmates. My heart absolutely broke for her.
The person I had a huge issue was with Jules mother, Suzanne who is also Mae’s psychiatrist. Her actions are unprofessional, reckless, and exceedingly dangerous. By the end of the book I was appalled by the way she put her family in danger and particularly Jules. There’s a reason that’s divulged for her personal connection to Mae, but this is no excuse for her behavior. The explanation actually made me more angry, not less.
My other big issue was with the ending, which is rushed and abrupt. It left me with more questions and I’m hoping that there’s a sequel that will continue Mae’s and the Mathis family’s story.
I went back and forth over whether I wanted to rate this 3.5 stars or 4, before finally settling on the latter. Despite my issues with Suzanne and the ending, I really liked the way both Jules and Mae were portrayed. I think they’re realistic and many teens will find them relatable. Devil in Ohio would actually make a great discussion with teen book groups, or in an upper middle school or high school classroom. This is Daria Polatin’s debut novel and I’m looking forward to what she comes out with next.
renxkyoko said:
Is it 4/10 or 4/5 ?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
4/5
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renxkyoko said:
Wow. That’s a good review .
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raistlin0903 said:
I saw you were reading this on Goodreads, and I was already looking forward to your review. It sounded like my kind of book, which is precisely why I could not wait to read your review for it. And…it did not disappoint. Terrific review 😀 I had already pressed the want to read button, so I don’t have to do that anymore. Glad you enjoyed it so much Kim, and it’s again proof that everyone just seems to experience things differently 😊😊
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michel! I think sometimes when we’re reading books with YA characters, we have to remember how we were as teens. I include myself in that, as I can be judgy. If you read this, I’d love to know your thoughts on it.😊
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raistlin0903 said:
I have yet to decide what I am going to be doing for my book month…but I think it will be a mix of my to read list as well as novels that I already own 😊 So…maybe this one will be making the cut 😊
And just so you know…there is nothing wrong with being judgy 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie!🤗
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beetleypete said:
4/5 is a good review, KIm.
And that’s good enough for me!
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Pete!😊
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Jen said:
Oh this sounds like a page turner, and I hope that a second book is released down the road! Fabulous review, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen. I almost recommended this to you on Goodreads, but I wasn’t quite sure if it was your kind of read.
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Jen said:
I think I would be too scared 🙈😂 because I’m a huge baby. Did I ever tell you that I was screaming at Night of the Museum when the T-Rex was chasing him….I thought he was going to eat him *face palm*. My husband and his best friend, who I watched it with, still make fun of me to this day lol.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh no! That’s awful!😒
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
Well, being a middle child, I understand the plight! Middle children and satanic cult survivors? It definitely sounds like an interesting read! Count me in!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And, the fact that it’s based on a true story makes it even more interesting. If you read it Nicole, I’d love to hear what you think. Especially about Jules.😊
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
Ooo! I actually missed the true story!! Adding to my TBR now. Thank you. 😁
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The Cozy Pages said:
Very thought provoking review.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Nina.😊
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Carrie said:
Great review! I love that totally creepy cover and again just don’t remember seeing it on Netgalley at all. It is funny though how characters sometimes just rub some the wrong way while others don’t see it that way. Told you not too long ago I put my characters into therapy all the time so I’d probably have thought more along the way you did with this one.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
If you ever see this at your library Carrie, I hope you check it out. I think you’d like this, except for the ending. And I love the idea of sending characters into therapy!😁
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Carrie said:
I’m surprised it didn’t pop out at me with Ohio in the title. Been there plenty of times so I would have been interested in the setting if nothing else.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
I agree Carrie! I am loving that creepy cover! I will have to check this one out at my library!😘🤗
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Carrie said:
I’m still surprised I passed it up… darn behaving.
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vinnieh said:
Cults often make for creepy reading when done well. That cover is great as well.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
This does sound like it would make a great book for teen book groups!😄 I highly enjoyed your review as always, Book Diva!😍😎 Just an ABSOLUTELY amazing review just like you! Don’t forgwt how fabulous you are!😚
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks so much Dani. Hugs for you.🤗🤗
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews about this book but I’m glad you enjoyed it. It sounds quite interesting ajd also a bit creepy. Great review btw! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Raven!🤗
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mlbradford said:
Great Review, Kim! 🙂
I have started reading a YA novel: Clash Of Th Sky Galleons (part of The Edge Chronicles) written by Paul Stewart (but there are amazing illustrations by Chris Riddell!)
Are u familiar w this series? Hope so, because I will probably write a Review for it some time!
It sounds like th kind of awesome escapist fantasy that I’ve always loved
Keep up th awesome work, Kim! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh! I love this series Brad! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I can’t wait for your review.☺️
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mlbradford said:
Woohoo, that’s great to hear, Kim!
I had to search some time online before finding out if it had been published Stateside.
Compiling a Post of fantasy novels – I seem to have veered more towards Science-fantasy and Fantasy works recently. Anyway, variety is th spice of Brad!
Cheers!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
☺️
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