Ah, where to begin with this book. I like to keep these reviews succinct but we'll see. Please note that I"m aware this book is being reviewed after it's pub date, and a lot of the readers I've spoken to about this book have enjoyed it. I loved the small-town setting of this book and I understand how this was given 'stranger things' as a comparison. While not really similar at all, the cast of characters, setting, and general eerie mystery of the book was reminiscent. I thought most of the characters were well rounded but I did not connect with Violet as much as I wanted to. The writing was mostly where this book fell flat for me. I struggled to get through parts that were not engaging even though I was interested in where the story was going, which is a shame, because everything about this book was really wonderful.

I really enjoyed this book. There were great characters and a creepy setting. I would love to read a sequel and reread this right before.

What really drew me in to this book, wasn't the plot (which was solid) or the characters (who were well developed). It was the tone and the overall creepiness. It sucked me in and I just loved how goosebumpy it made me feel. If you're a fan of eery books, then you'll definitely like this.

I really enjoyed this book, but in a way that makes me wish I'd loved it more, or connected with it on a deeper level. On the surface there is so much about it that hits all of the things I love - small upstate NY town, ominous atmosphere, cults, mysteries and conspiracies - but for some reason I felt only a lukewarm enjoyment towards it all. I think this might be, in part, because of the characters. I couldn't connect to a single one of them.

Perhaps there's too many main characters, but they all fell rather flat for me, even though we have three different POVs to choose from. But that's the thing - all the POVs felt the same, all the characters are white, all of them are kind of generic (except for Isaac, who is your classic Ronan archetype, a la The Raven Boys), and so in the end this was the kind of book with a really great plot and atmosphere but little to no personal connection.

I'm still giving this a high 3.5 stars because I really enjoyed reading it; there was something warm and comforting about it, and that might just be the heady and creepy atmosphere. But the writing was good and I think the plot is constructed well; I like the way this author's mind thinks (like...this is a Dark book, with a lot of Dark themes that probably could have been explored further). This is definitely a compelling and solid debut novel; I just wish it had inspired more emotion in me!

Cliffhanger ending!
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the opportunity to read and review The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman.
A mix of characters is introduced in the first few chapters. They all have something in common; they’re all descended from the main four families that have resided in Four Paths for decades. These families have protected the town from the Beast that resides in the mysterious and frightening Gray. Hawthorne, Carlisle, Saunders and Sullivan are the four head families. Violet Saunders has recently moved to Four Paths with her mother, Juniper. It’s just the two of them since Violet’s sister and father have both passed away. Justin and May Hawthorne are the children of the sheriff of Four Paths, their mother Augusta. Violet and Juniper live with Darla, Juniper’s sister. Harper Carlisle lost a hand earlier and she keeps training to still be strong and helpful; she has four siblings. Isaac Sullivan is part of the fourth founding family but the rest of his family is gone, in one way or another. Secrecy seems to be the rule between families and hiding truths from the Four Paths citizens is how the heads of the families claim to keep the town safe. Secrets are painfully revealed and trust is broken. The teenagers’ lives and relationships all intertwine and complicate matters because the teens don’t want the secrecy. They want honesty and openness. The teens also get thrown into violence and deception by the Powers that run the town. They each have to decide who they will be loyal to and what they will do with their own powers and futures. The story ends with a bit of a cliffhanger and I’m expecting the sequel to shine more light on Isaac’s mysterious family. 4 stars for a supernatural story that has much more to tell!

I loved this book. The atmosphere, the cast of characters - my stupid children, the plot, the twists it took. The ending might've killed me. I cannot wait until April for the next book. That just doesn't work for me.

After the death of her sister, seventeen-year-old Violet Saunders finds herself dragged to Four Paths, New York. Violet may be a newcomer, but she soon learns her mother isn't: They belong to one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods. Justin Hawthorne's bloodline has protected Four Paths for generations from the Gray-a lifeless dimension that imprisons a brutal monster. After Justin fails to inherit his family's powers, his mother is determined to keep this humiliation a secret. But Justin can't let go of the future he was promised and the town he swore to protect.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley. The title of the book and the eerie cover initially made me interested in reading this book, but the summary and a rave review from Claire Legrand (Furyborn) , sealed the deal. I was really excited to figure out the mysteries behind this story and the book absolutely did not disappoint.

The setting, the town of Four Paths, is really front and center in this novel. It’s strange, magical elements influence absolutely everything about the story, from the plot, to the characters, and everything in between. Right away, you can feel the setting seeping into elements of the novel, even when you least expect it. The author does a great job of making the town of Four Paths a character that almost feels like it’s changing along with the characters. Having such a vivid and well-developed setting that made me feel like I was part of the book.

The plot of the story is really what hooked me into book. The main plot line, of the children in this town attempting to overcome the Gray and save their town from the Beast, was interesting on its own, but there are also some intriguing secondary plots. While not all of the obstacles are magic related, a lot of the personal plots were more satisfying to finish. There were also a number of twists and turns in the story that I did not see coming!


There is a large cast in this book, which is surprising in a town that is described as being so small. Three character shared the point of view, which was alright for me. The plot was compelling enough and carried over through all three narrators that I didn’t mind the shifts in perspective. However, a lot happens between the characters before the book starts, so it was sometimes hard to grasp the emotional weight of their circumstances the way I believe the author would have liked. She makes up for over time with flashbacks, but at the beginning of the book, being thrown in with no idea of what the history is between these people was disorienting.

The Devouring Gray is a fun and exciting read for those who are a fan of The Raven Cycle and Stranger Things. The author does an excellent job creating a setting, plot and cast that are compelling and enjoyable. I felt completely hooked into this book and I’d highly recommend it.

The Devouring Gray Is Available Now On Amazon, Barnes & Noble And Through Your Favorite Local Bookstore.

The Devouring Gray was actually a much better book than I initially anticipated. Though it was slow to begin, the book was filled with torn friendships, lost loves and teen angst for everyone. While the plot was easily discoverable, it was an enjoyable story, and I am intrigued enough to want to read the second book. Violet and Harper are characters that I found relatable and complex, easily falling for them. I was a bit disappointed in the down play of the touted LGBT relationships, but over all it was a decent read that I could recommend to someone.

This was definitely a wild and weird story to read but it was extremely unique. The intertwining stories between the characters were interesting to read and figure out,

**For more reviews visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

I felt that the mystery element of the story was awesome, surprising and twisty as well as terrifying and I loved everything about it. The world that the author created was so different from anything I have encountered and secrets kept getting revealed causing me to doubt everything! I had guesses about what was going on, but there was no possible way I could ever have predicted what was really going to happen and I love that about the book! This review is short and to the point so I don't give anything away, just know this was engaging, scary, interesting and addictive.

If you are looking for a scary paranormal mystery that has LGBT representation this is the perfect choice. A large majority of the characters in the story are openly bisexual, which added some relationship drama (in the form of unrequited love and potential love triangles) on top of the spooky problems.

The ending was not really an ending, but instead opened up a ton more conflicts and questions that I will look forward to delving into in the next book in the series.

This one wrecked me. THE DEVOURING GRAY has some of the rawest and true-to-life teenagers I've ever seen written in a YA book. While not particularly action-heavy despite the premise (though I'm holding onto hope for the sequel), this book draws its strength from its characters. And the way the subject of grief is handled is so perfectly executed that I, myself, felt the loss. Going back to the action scenes, especially involving the creature within The Gray, while yes there weren't as many as I would have liked, those that were there were masterfully crafted. Eerie, spine-chilling atmospheres, the fear of the unknown, of a villain that cannot be seen. There was a great deal of inspiration pulled from both Stranger Things and The Raven Cycle when these scenes were written and it shows. I felt the same level of unease, and greatly look forward to the second installment.

DNF
Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Unfortunately, presently I have no interest in reading this title as I am in a YA slump. I may come back to it when I am in the mood in the future. I apologize for the convenience.

The Devouring Gray is the first book in a new series set in Four Paths, a town in upstate New York which harbors a monster imprisoned in a parallel dimension called The Gray. The town's founding families, the Hawthornes, Carlisles, Saunders and Sullivans, are tasked with keeping the Beast at bay. When teens from each family turn 16, they must perform a ritual to reveal magical abilities, which will allow them to keep the monster contained and protect the town. Violet Saunders, whose mother returns with her to Four Paths after her sister's death, is thrust into this drama just as her magical abilities are beginning to surface. She meets Justin Hawthorne, Harper Carlisle and Isaac Sullivan, who are at odds after devastating results from performing their rituals. They each curry Violet's favor, thinking she is the key to defending the town against the beast which is killing townspeople with greater frequency. The third person narration jumps between characters during simultaneous action and expertly manipulates revelations about the townspeople and their secrets. Although reminiscent of Netflix's Stranger Things, the complexity of the family histories and the teens' magical abilities used to fight "the Gray" create a unique mystery that will make readers anxious to read the sequel.

I enjoyed the story and I am curious to see where the series go. However, I had a problem with the lack of diversity. ALL four main characters were white.

I've seen this described as Stranger Things meets The Raven Cycle and I wasn't disappointed. This was a moody and dark read that kept me hooked, and I can't wait to see more from Christine Lynn Herman.

PARANORMAL IS COMING BACK, and this time, it’s queer af. I was thrilled to see so many characters younger me would have related to. And the world building! Absolutely wonderful, exactly the kind of creepy I was hoping for. If you’ve been missing STRANGER THINGS, this book is for you.

I received this novel as an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Devouring Gray is Christine Lynn Herman's debut novel, and it did not disappoint!

The novel follows four teens living in a town named Four Paths who are protecting their town from the Gray and the Beast that lives within the Gray. We follow the teens as they work through the responsibility of keeping the town safe as well as their personal and family struggles. I quickly loved all of the characters and their unique perspectives and challenges. Christine does an excellent job in representing a diverse population in her writing: bisexuality, heterosexuality, a below the elbow amputee, young, old, female, and male.

This YA novel combines fantasy and horror, which happens to be my favorite combo when it comes to my book selections. Christine's writing is clean, descriptive, and easy to follow, making this an enjoyable read. Be aware that this is not a stand alone book and we will have to wait until 2020 for the second installment. I'll be pre-ordering my copy as soon as it's available. Awesome read!

This was such a darkly fun story! Violet and her mother move to Four Paths after the death of her sister. She soon makes friends only to find out they are descendants of the town’s founders and so is she. Then magical things begin happening and Violet is pulled into the world of Four Paths and the Devouring Gray, a magical force that lives in the woods and seems to be feeding on the townspeople.

This book has that found family aspect that I adore. Violet is desperately searching for both answers to family secrets and a family. She has lost her father and sister, and her mother is very distant, always working, and shares nothing about her past. Justin and May are siblings with an incredibly controlling mother who is also the town sheriff. Issac is the only member of his family left in Four Paths. And Harper comes from a family with so many kids, it’s easy for her to feel unnoticed. So each of these characters are looking for family and definitely find it in each other.

The story line is fun and interesting, but my favorite part was the friendships.

Thank you so much to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

After a tragic accident, Violet and her mother did what her mother never wanted and moved back to her mother's childhood home. There Violet's family is one of the founding families and she is treated with guarded and fearful respect. This secretive town is frustrates Violet even more when people begin turning up dead and no one will give her any answers. Violet digs deep into her family's past to find what potentially mystical monster might be overshadowing the town.

This book had an interesting premise, though I never really got into it. I never liked or connected to the characters and the supernatural element was not something I was a fan of. I was a great crack at this story, but it didn't turn into one of my favorite books.

I apologize in advance if this review seems like a whole jumble of words it's because my brain is still not really wrapped around this book. So much happened and so little at the same time and my brain is like mush. Anyway here goes nothing.
Violet Saunders and her mom Juniper move in with Juniper's sister Daria in their hometown after the death of Violet's sister Rosie. She soon discovers that the town has a sinister forest called the Gray where a beast resides and many people have lost their lives. Even more interesting is that she finds out the Saunders name is well known here since one of Violet's ancestors created the town along with three other people from different families. Centuries ago, these four people created the town and bound the beast to the Gray. How they did so? With magic of course. For these four people somehow have special abilities that were passed down through the generations. The Sullivans can control fire, the Hawthornes can wipe a person's memory, the Carlisle's can control earth by transforming their own limbs to rock, and the Saunders can bring back the dead as well as other gifts that some family members possess like May and her gift of accurate reading of tarot cards. With all these gifts of course came consequences with Harper losing her left arm, Isaac not being able to control his fire when angry or afraid, and Daria and Juniper being so dangerous their memories were wiped. The four kids of these families Justin, Isaac, Harpar, and Violet end up working together to figure out why their families locked away the beast and how they can stop it from killing more people. Their is some tension in this with Harper despising Justin for betraying their friendship but they have to ultimately settle their differences to deal with a bigger cause. Chaos insues with Violet briefly losing her memory then being possessed by the beast itself and the bigger more horrible truth of a cult that planned to unleash the beast, being led by Violet's undead uncle who she only knew about through his journals. Of course the beast is banished once again and the cult is dispersed but the ending remains open ended with Isaac's abusive brother returning to Four Paths.

After that summary to kind of get my brain into gear since it's been some time since I finished this book I will say there are a lot of holes in this novel. The history of Four Paths is not really brushed upon much. It feels like the author only scratched the surface. How did these four people come to this town with these powers and how did this beast come to really be? We don't really know they were just there and the beast someone exists and the four people gave their lives to bind it to this place called the Gray. That forest in itself really doesn't make sense contextually either. Also the rituals every member of these families have to endure to get their powers under control remains super vague. Justin did not pass his ritual but what that ritual was is unknown. Harper's is vague as well until the end of the book and Isaac's is touched upon but not in enough detail. Violet's is really the only well known one since she had to complete it in order to save the town from the beast. As for characters I liked them enough. Justin was nothing to really praise about just a guy with no powers who's pretty much a coward for not standing up to his mom. Isaac I couldn't help but love with his fiery personality and gentle heart. He gave me super hard Ronan Lynch vibes and I love that cinnamon roll so I can't help but love Isaac too. Violet is as fiery as Isaac and I liked her give no fucks personality a lot. It's something seen in female protagonists but Violet is very unabashed about it and I appreciate that. I really thought her and Isaac made a great couple but it's irritating that it's not clear if Isaac has feelings for her or if he only has feelings for Justin. Harper is someone I admired with her strong will after basically being ostracized after her failed ritual and how mature she was for putting revenge aside to help vanquish the beast. As for other characters didn't like Augusta as I'm sure was the point since she aimed to control the town if anyone threatened her authority their memory was wiped. Juniper was not in the novel enough to feel really anything about her but I feel so bad for Daria for trying to help Violet and being murdered for it. I would count Orpheus as a character even though he is a cat and of course I loved his sass and I'm glad that Violet was able to raise him from the dead since I really don't think I would have dealt with this novel well if there was a dead cat since I can't stand animal deaths. Had to knock off a part of the star for that since the author could have found some other way to reveal Violet's power of necromancy. But besides that the concept of this book was really interesting and some of the characters memorable but the execution and back story could have been better.