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The Devouring Gray
(The Devouring Gray #1)
by
On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening…
Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbours treat her with ...more
Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbours treat her with ...more
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Mara YA Mood Reader
Yes it appears that it will be. I saw that the author states this in the acknowledgments :)
Community Reviews
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Start your review of The Devouring Gray (The Devouring Gray #1)
Review to come! (Listen I know I say this a lot but I have two weeks left in the semester, I promise I'm working on updating all my reviews XD)
...more
STRANGER THINGS MEETS THE RAVEN CYCLE.
I guess life is just that unimportant thing that’s happening before I get to read this book
I guess life is just that unimportant thing that’s happening before I get to read this book
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
“Four Paths had its charms, if you could ignore the fact that it was also a monster prison she apparently had some ancestral obligation to deal with.”
This is a really hard review for me to write, because this book had some of my favorite things of all time; lyrical and beautiful writing that I could nonstop highlight, an atmosphere setting that gives me goosebumps even just thinking about, a mystery all surr ...more
Oct 25, 2018
ELLIAS (elliasreads)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019-books,
i-own
This was hurt it would never understand. This was hurt made from love. And she immersed herself in grief, embraced it, the parts of her that had been so lost and broken, so long her enemy, were now her savior.
I devoured this book in one sitting and it has devoured me.
I FUCKING LOVED IT.
I honestly heard a couple good things surrounding this book; there wasn't much hype to it— there still isn't, too some extent. But what I'm going to tell you is: BELIEVE THAT HYPE. IT'S TRUE AND R ...more
**3.5-stars rounded up**
One day Sawkill Girls met a lovely, lesser known book, Strange Grace. They fell in love and had a baby. They named it, The Devouring Gray.
BRANCHES, STONES, DAGGERS, BONES...
Welcome to Four Paths, New York.
Riddled with grief after the loss of her sister, Violet Saunders is forced to move to Four Paths with her Mom. Admittedly, they need a fresh start, but Violet's not crazy about it.
Violet's mom, Juniper, has a strong connection to the town. In fact, she is a member of ...more
One day Sawkill Girls met a lovely, lesser known book, Strange Grace. They fell in love and had a baby. They named it, The Devouring Gray.
BRANCHES, STONES, DAGGERS, BONES...
Welcome to Four Paths, New York.
Riddled with grief after the loss of her sister, Violet Saunders is forced to move to Four Paths with her Mom. Admittedly, they need a fresh start, but Violet's not crazy about it.
Violet's mom, Juniper, has a strong connection to the town. In fact, she is a member of ...more
"Welcome to Four Paths. Nobody would ever stay here if they had a choice."
The Devouring Gray is Riverdale turned magical. It’s also less trashy AND everyone is bisexual.
I utterly adored the first few chapters of the book. It’s moody and creepy and totally has this sort of Twin Peaks vibe going for it. Every new page smells like secrets and mystery. And a little like returning to Forks for the first time in a decade. Dark forests and grey clouds as far as your eyes can see.
The plot was fast-paced ...more
The Devouring Gray is Riverdale turned magical. It’s also less trashy AND everyone is bisexual.
I utterly adored the first few chapters of the book. It’s moody and creepy and totally has this sort of Twin Peaks vibe going for it. Every new page smells like secrets and mystery. And a little like returning to Forks for the first time in a decade. Dark forests and grey clouds as far as your eyes can see.
The plot was fast-paced ...more
Dec 04, 2018
Tucker (TuckerTheReader)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Tucker by:
megs_bookrack
Mark my word. This will be the fantasy breakthrough of 2019! This is the next Harry Potter. When I grow old, I talk to my grandkids about this book. I'll ask them if they've ever read The Devouring Gray and when the answer of course they have. Who hasn't, I'll show them my rare first edition, ARC. They will be speechless.
This book has ruined me for any other fantasy novels. It was so well put together.
The book follows Violet, Harper, Justin and Issac who all live in the mysterious town of Four P...more
Another one that I think would be more of a 3.5 than just a 3. I really enjoyed this! I didn't know what to expect going in, but this read exactly like a season of the Vampire Diaries or Riverdale and I am not mad about it. Also, I just can't help but to love a book with a whimsical setting and (realistic !!) bi rep. Definitely glad that I branched out of my contemporary comfort zone to give this creepy fantastical book a try.
...more
TW: some body horror; possession; lots of death (death of a parent, sibling, etc)
This is the story of the teenage members of the founding families in a small town where the founding families have powers to keep a monster in the forest in line.
This was just the right combination of friendship, history, dark powers, and spookiness. Also nearly every main character is a canon bisexual trying their best.
It weaves together themes of grief and loss, power, loyalty, family ties, and growing up. I hig ...more
This is the story of the teenage members of the founding families in a small town where the founding families have powers to keep a monster in the forest in line.
This was just the right combination of friendship, history, dark powers, and spookiness. Also nearly every main character is a canon bisexual trying their best.
It weaves together themes of grief and loss, power, loyalty, family ties, and growing up. I hig ...more
Feb 10, 2019
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Dennis
Shelves:
from-publisher
3.75 STARS
"For the first time in his life, there would be a real member of every founding family in Four Paths. He would be a part of that. He would have a chance to change things, to help. Justin believed this. He had to. The Deck of Omens had told him so, and unlike the Hawthornes who used it, the Deck of Omens couldn't lie."
My first book of 2019 that's giving me quite the challenge in reviewing it! Hooray! In all seriousness, I've been sitting here for days wondering just how to talk about th ...more
"For the first time in his life, there would be a real member of every founding family in Four Paths. He would be a part of that. He would have a chance to change things, to help. Justin believed this. He had to. The Deck of Omens had told him so, and unlike the Hawthornes who used it, the Deck of Omens couldn't lie."
My first book of 2019 that's giving me quite the challenge in reviewing it! Hooray! In all seriousness, I've been sitting here for days wondering just how to talk about th ...more
Oct 18, 2018
Kristin Hackett (Merrily Kristin)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites
4.5 Stars- I still love this one just as much as the first time I read it! The last chapter gave me chills and I am so excited to be able to read Deck of Omens soon!
I already want to read The Devouring Gray again<3 The Riverdale comp is completely accurate but it also reminds me of my favorite animated series of all time, Over the Garden Wall! I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands please and thank you. ...more
I already want to read The Devouring Gray again<3 The Riverdale comp is completely accurate but it also reminds me of my favorite animated series of all time, Over the Garden Wall! I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands please and thank you. ...more
Apr 02, 2019
Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2019,
anticipated-of-2019
It took until the last quarter of the book for it to stop feeling like a lesser combination of a lot of good stories that already exist.
I was a bit confused at the beginning because you are thrown into the middle of things without much explanation. But as the story went on, I thought the reveal of information was well paced. The end had a few surprises and left me invested and wanting more! I love these characters, how they interact, and the small town lore. Their powers are unique. Would recommend to readers who enjoy a mix of real world and paranormal.
Audiobook review: 2 stars. The best thing this audiobook does is that the na ...more
Audiobook review: 2 stars. The best thing this audiobook does is that the na ...more
isaac is the only one worth a shit
Buddy Read this with Aimee from @aimeereads & Trina from @betweenchapters
Really enjoyed this eerie, magical book. If your a fan of Riverdale, Vampire Diaries or Stranger Things this book is right up your alley.
Also The CW needs to make this into a show, STAT.
Really enjoyed this eerie, magical book. If your a fan of Riverdale, Vampire Diaries or Stranger Things this book is right up your alley.
Also The CW needs to make this into a show, STAT.
Look at this beautiful damn pink sprayed edge copy!! I love freaking pink and needless to say, I didn’t like the book and it’s going in the trade in pile!! I give up!!
And for some reason, I thought this was going to be a horror story!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more
And for some reason, I thought this was going to be a horror story!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more
May 02, 2019
NReads
marked it as to-read
I just found out that I have an ARC of this book, might read it soon
May 02, 2019
booksnpenguins
marked it as to-read
Those pink colored pages were calling my name and I couldn't not answer.
*cries in pink* so pretty! ...more
*cries in pink* so pretty! ...more
DEVOURED this in one day.
All the stars I love this story so much ❤️
✨✨✨✨✨
All the stars I love this story so much ❤️
✨✨✨✨✨
Sep 03, 2019
Mara YA Mood Reader
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle-owned,
read-in-2020
2/12/2020 3 stars. I was excited in the beginning but my excitement soon fizzled out to only mild intrigue.
I was hoping for a character-driven book. Especially with this one being compared to or for fans of The Raven Boys and Stranger Things......
There were a lot of characters and the author did well smoothly transitioning between them in 3rd person mulitiple. But I didn’t find the magic blossoming here between the characters in a way like with The Raven Boys where basically I could care le ...more
I was hoping for a character-driven book. Especially with this one being compared to or for fans of The Raven Boys and Stranger Things......
There were a lot of characters and the author did well smoothly transitioning between them in 3rd person mulitiple. But I didn’t find the magic blossoming here between the characters in a way like with The Raven Boys where basically I could care le ...more
Easiest way to make me love a book: write some blossoming friendships in the middle of the characters fighting for their lives. ...more
Violet Sanders is the new kid in town. Her father had passed years before, and now her sister Rosie has died in a terrible accident, so it's just her and her mom. But Violet doesn't let the pain in her life take the best of her, and she manages to start a new life in the Four Paths, her mother's hometown. But very soon, she will realize that her family's past is linked with horrible mysteries concerning the apparently peaceful town, and the gloomy woods that surround it.
I was skeptical when I p ...more
I was skeptical when I p ...more
askdjaksd this is what happens when a white author tries to be fake woke
“They weren’t the kings and queens of Four Paths High School - they were its gods.”
In retrospect, maybe that quote makes this book sound like some dramatic trope-y high school drama, but it is not. I loved this so so so much. It's delightfully gothic and darkly atmospheric; a small town in the woods haunted by a beast made of nightmares. It also lives up to its comp titles of Stranger Things and slightly lesser so, The Raven Boys - just like in Stranger Things, The Devouring Gray has a beast f ...more
In retrospect, maybe that quote makes this book sound like some dramatic trope-y high school drama, but it is not. I loved this so so so much. It's delightfully gothic and darkly atmospheric; a small town in the woods haunted by a beast made of nightmares. It also lives up to its comp titles of Stranger Things and slightly lesser so, The Raven Boys - just like in Stranger Things, The Devouring Gray has a beast f ...more
“In eighteen forty-seven, a group of settlers seeking a new life in upstate New York decided to end their pilgrimage here. On this day, we celebrate the leaders of that group—Thomas Carlisle, Lydia Saunders, Richard Sullivan, and Hetty Hawthorne.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
[the full review is up on my blog ]
And from that pilgrimage was born Four Paths, a small town hidden in the woods with a beast at its core. The descendants of the four leaders of the group carry the burden of protecting their small town from ...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️
[the full review is up on my blog ]
And from that pilgrimage was born Four Paths, a small town hidden in the woods with a beast at its core. The descendants of the four leaders of the group carry the burden of protecting their small town from ...more
“I think our ancestors went looking for a monster. And I don’t think they realized what the cost would be once they found it.”
Wow, I had my doubts about this book because of all the mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the chilling, atmospheric writing. I wish this book would have been a bit longer, I felt as though it was rushed and I could have used more information. I thought this was a fast paced read, because I had to know what was happening n ...more
Wow, I had my doubts about this book because of all the mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the chilling, atmospheric writing. I wish this book would have been a bit longer, I felt as though it was rushed and I could have used more information. I thought this was a fast paced read, because I had to know what was happening n ...more
oh. my god.
Jan 08, 2020
Candace Robinson
added it
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while but had been needing to get through a clutter of ARCs! Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed when I finally found my chance!
I liked the multiple POVs, but I would have liked to have more on Isaac! He was my favorite! Harper was interesting and she’s missing part of her arm because of the Gray. Violet is the new kid in town. And Justin I liked but he needed more oomph. But when these characters were all together, they were on fire!
Loved the Founding Father ...more
I liked the multiple POVs, but I would have liked to have more on Isaac! He was my favorite! Harper was interesting and she’s missing part of her arm because of the Gray. Violet is the new kid in town. And Justin I liked but he needed more oomph. But when these characters were all together, they were on fire!
Loved the Founding Father ...more
4.5 Stars
I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! I did a reading vlog where I read this book, so you check that out if you want to know more of my thoughts: https://youtu.be/MO_nYYfB9Es ...more
I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! I did a reading vlog where I read this book, so you check that out if you want to know more of my thoughts: https://youtu.be/MO_nYYfB9Es ...more
DNF
I need to stop falling into booktube YA hype - this hooked sounded great in theory but the characters were cookie cutter, the writing mediocre and at points just odd, and there was nothing making me want to continue reading
I need to stop falling into booktube YA hype - this hooked sounded great in theory but the characters were cookie cutter, the writing mediocre and at points just odd, and there was nothing making me want to continue reading
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookalicious Book...: Book Discussion: The Devouring Gray | 5 | 19 | Feb 05, 2020 07:19PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Devouring Gray (The Devouring Gray #1) by Christine Lynn Herman - Restarting July 15th 2019 | 50 | 42 | Jul 23, 2019 10:23PM | |
| Challenge Corner: The Devouring Gray (The Devouring Gray #1) by Christine Lynn Herman--Starting July 16th, 2019 | 4 | 5 | Jul 16, 2019 09:46AM | |
The Procrastinato...:
The Devouring Gray (June 2019) Group Read Discussion
|
11 | 37 | Jul 04, 2019 06:57PM | |
| Bookish Bash Reads: Part Three: The Skeleton | 3 | 4 | Jul 03, 2019 07:38AM | |
| Bookish Bash Reads: Part Two: The Knotted Root | 2 | 4 | Jul 01, 2019 05:48PM | |
| Bookish Bash Reads: Part One: The Five of Bones | 4 | 5 | Jun 29, 2019 07:40AM |
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Born in New York City but raised in Japan and Hong Kong, Christine Lynn Herman subscribes to the firm philosophy that home is where her books are. She returned to the United States for college, where she traded out a subtropical climate for harsh, snowy winters and an Honors English degree at the University of Rochester. Currently, Christine and her books reside in Brooklyn, along with her partner
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The Devouring Gray
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Bestselling YA author Karen M. McManus knows a thing or two about dynamite ensemble casts. Her hit debut, One of Us Is Lying, took a...
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“Being invisible when you used to be seen...it's like being dead, but no one mourns you.”
—
26 likes
“Sinners who were led astray,
Wandered through the woods one day,
Stumbled right into the Gray,
Never to return.
Hear the lies our gods will tell,
The prison the Four wove so well,
But listen to us when we say,
Branches and stones, daggers and bones,
Will meet their judgement day.”
—
5 likes
More quotes…
Wandered through the woods one day,
Stumbled right into the Gray,
Never to return.
Hear the lies our gods will tell,
The prison the Four wove so well,
But listen to us when we say,
Branches and stones, daggers and bones,
Will meet their judgement day.”
