4.5 Rounding Up
AHHH BUY THIS BOOK!
I'll admit, when I started Idle Hands, I was not expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Idle Hands follows Perdie and her three children as they fight to get out from underneath the thumb of an abusive husband/father. Enter Ella (aka the devil). Ella's goal is less to steer and more to nudge you down the path to destruction by presenting options (and making that "what if" possible).

<i>“I’m not the teacher. I’m the test. I have nothing to teach you. No judgment to hand down”</i>

I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely purchase a copy for my bookshelf! The only drawback to Idle Hands was that I didn't feel like Hannah had the space to connect fully with the reader.

Idle Hands is undoubtedly going to take the Woman’s Literature genre by storm.

Not only is the cover a subtle mix of color and spook (the nails on that shadowed hand certainly provide a curiosity that belays the cheerful colors!) but there is certainly enough story contained in the pages to make anyone sit up and take notice of Cassondra Windwalker.

Idle Hands is a novel about Perdie, an abused wife who has put up with her husband's emotional and physical violence for too long. When he threatens to bring that same violence to her children, Perdie says no more, and leaves him. But in doing so and the life she leads after, Perdie has to grapple with questions fundamental for any person making life altering decisions: did I do the right thing? what even is the right thing?

The answer, as the novel goes into, is complicated. Oftentimes “right” and “wrong” are arbitrary categories and in reality, all we really have are forkroads and what ifs. However, it’s how we choose to look back on those that can give us both the most pain and the most satisfaction.

A big bright spot in the book is the narration-- not of Perdie, which is who you’d assume-- but of Ella, the literal devil. In a world where many adult fiction books detail domestic violence, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book who’s narrator was an omniscient devil who loves to wax poetic about human morality. Ella’s perspective, as the story moved forward, provided both a deeper insight to Perdie’s character and the human condition, and some needed levity.

This book is heavy; there is no doubt about that! But it brings to mind so many questions and philosophies to the forefront of our mind; questions of choice and morality, of regret, of satisfaction and content. The book itself seems a little long, especially in the middle, but by the final ¾ of the book, you simply can’t turn the pages fast enough.

The writing is raw, the emotions are raw, and I found myself sitting in silence for a hot minute contemplating the ending and the choice Perdie made. Which I think is exactly what Windwalker was aiming for at her conclusion of the story.

4 of 5.

** Thank you to NeGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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What would happen to you if you got the chance to change your destiny .... would you do it and what would the consequences be? This book is clever but it took me a while to understand the part the devil played until the moment things changed for Perdie. Really clever and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Idle Hands is a wholly interesting read that grips the reader with an original plot and makes them really examine why we do the things we do and make the choices we make.

4.5/5 stars

"... there is no happiness. There is only fleeting pleasure. And pain. So choose pleasure when you can."

Therein lies an intriguing question set forth in this spectacular novel. Will you choose between brutal emotional, psychological, and physical abuse or will you choose happiness... with a catch? I love the dichotomy in tone of this narration. It is sunshine and happiness until the devil asks one single question of our protagonist. Then darkness envelopes the lives of the characters. Said narrator is literally the devil. It is a philosophical puppet master pulling the strings that reveal just how defective and ignorant humans can be. The devil is the most fascinating character in a book that develops its characters so well they feel like flesh and blood. However, I felt absolutely no emotional connection to any of them. And the ending this strange and wonderful story was more a whimper than a bang. But that did not make me enjoy the experience any less.

Thank you so much to Agora Books for allowing me an advanced reading copy of this great novel.

Wow! Thank you so much NetGalley. This book was brilliant. That ending, my goodness.
The twists had me hooked and this book is a definite must read.

An interesting and unusual story using the devil as a commentator. I wasn’t sure about it when I started it and did find the musings of the devil a bit overlong but it was a quick read that I’m glad I’ve read. Different and interesting - I don’t think it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea but recommended for a different kind of novel.

What a novel! We’ve all been down the road of “what ifs” and daydreamed about alternate realities if we had made different choices, but for one woman, the opportunity to go back and make things “right” suddenly becomes very real.

When tragedy strikes Perdie’s little family, it leaves her questioning one crucial decision she made many years ago: what if she hadn’t taken her children and left her violent husband to start a new life?

The story is told by the narrator who introduces HERself as the devil, which lends the book a dark and often chilling element that sometimes made me uncomfortable. Having said that, it was ultimately an interesting way to pepper the story with existential truths that really pack a punch! I loved those nuggets of reflection and how the text became more unpredictable. It’s better not to reveal anymore, though there were definitely twists I didn’t see coming!

I found this book so emotionally raw and revealing of the human psyche. It’s also probably the first time I’ve read something that deals with domestic abuse in such an honest and insightful way without being morbid! Despite not being a very long read, I think Windwalker has successfully created a plot, storytelling method and characters that stay with you a long time after you’ve finished reading.

A powerful story, narrated by the devil herself, of a mother learning to navigate her abusive relationship and protect her three children. I only wish it was longer!

I do not think I have ever read a book that has been this heart-wrenching and emotional. The way in which Windwalker writes is so beautiful and powerful that it is hard to disconnect yourself from the book and the events that are taking place for the characters.

This novel follows Perdie and her three children and their journey through life after leaving her abusive husband. She is constantly plagued with thoughts of regret and doubt that affect the way she has lived her life and the decisions she makes. She, much like many people, are tormented by thoughts that their decisions have negatively impacted those around them. Ella, who some would call the devil, uses Perdie’s life and experiences to express the way in which bad things occur and how they are impossible to stop. This was the most interesting aspect of the novel for me as I loved the way in which the narrator, Ella, involved themself with the lives of this family and truly went into depth with the emotions, feelings, and decisions that were chosen.

The topics that this novel showcased were so powerful and left me both shocked but so invested in the lives of these characters. I was rooting for them all the way and when they were hurt, I was too. There were times that I felt the dialogue in the novel to be a bit bland but this was on and off and only with certain minor characters so it did not affect the reading experience as a whole.

This was such a dark book, both with its topics but the way in which it was written, but this is the way it should have been. These topics of domestic abuse, grief, and loss are so significant and need to be told, and I felt that this novel did those stories justice and whilst it was not the happiest of endings, I was almost left with a sense of hope at the end that I still can’t get out of my mind. This was a beautifully written novel with such eye-opening topics, that still held a sense of uniqueness that I have never witnessed in another novel. I can’t stop thinking about it.

I loved this book. |The story is very simple on the face of it; a woman trapped in an abusive marriage decides to escape with her three children. But the narrator Ella is actually playing with the characters, and we are left to consider whether our choices and actions influence our futures, and if they don't, then why don't we do just what we want? This book is very well-written, and I loved the characters, especially Perdie, who is always trying to do the right thing for her children. Idle Hands is a very clever book, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Oh the ways of the Devil! I liked this book! It was a quick solid read. It lacked some content but overall it was a great lesson. It definitely makes you think about the choices you made and God's plan for your life!

After making the courageous decision to leave her abusive husband, Perdie and her three young children start over and finally find the safety and love they deserve. But years later, when tragedy strikes, Perdie is left wondering if the choice she made to leave has led them to this moment.

If she were given the opportunity to take it all back and stay, would she?

How do I even begin to describe it? This book took me on one hell of an emotional journey, one that I don’t think I will ever forget. So much so I sobbed during one part, I was that connected to the characters that I felt their grief and anger. I haven’t cried reading a book for a long long time.

I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect from the story, but I think going in unknown helped even more. Perdie is in an abusive relationship and leaves. The first half of the book covers her escape and how she rebuilt her life. But as everyone knows, we all have doubts, especially when it comes to our children. Did we do what was right for them or was it a selfish decision? This is where ‘Ella’ comes in. The book is split between the story of Perdie and her family, and ‘Ella’ who is there to feed those doubts, or ‘the devil’ as she has been called.

Ella’s parts of the book I really enjoyed although did go quite deep at times, but everything she discussed we can all relate too. All the thought’s Perdie had, I’ve had in some capacity… ‘but what if I’d done that differently!’

This book is beautifully written and one that makes you question so much.

This is a novel about a mother trying to cope with an abusive husband and protect her children from ALL harm. The husband is portrayed in a way which fits fairly well with the sociopathic ex-partners of some women that I know. The twist is that the narrative is interspersed with passages in italics ostensibly giving the Devil’s view of proceedings and humanity in general. At the beginning of “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis the author warns the reader that the Devil is by nature a liar and nothing he says can be relied upon. “Idle Hands,” with its female Devil, contains no such warning. Readers looking for insight and guidance about the human condition need to give this book a few cautious pokes with a long stick first because there is a very subtle and clever spin on this subject throughout, which gets stronger towards the end. (The Devil denies responsibility for humans behaving devilishly in a manner that’s worthy of Tony Blair.)

It is a good book, but not recommended to the unsceptical reader.

OK, here goes, I’m not sure where to begin with this one.

One of the most unusual books I’ve read in a while and almost impossible to categorize. It’s a bit like the film ‘sliding doors’ but narrated by the devil. Mmmhh intrigued. I was after about 70 pages. With quotes like this from him down below!

“I’m not the teacher. I’m the test. I have nothing to teach you. No judgment to hand down”

A story of ‘what if’s’ and consequences.

So like I said, narrated by the devil himself.. in this case the devil who calls herself “Ella” and she introduces us to Perdie and her desperate life she has with her pig of a husband and her three children.
Her husband is an abuser and makes her life hell and as we see in the opening stages of the story she’s had enough and she’s planned her escape and is executing it.

Moving on in her new life in Colorado she experiences tragedy and she is given the opportunity to make a change - make it all go away and she steps into what I call that sliding door moment. Sorry Cassondra Windwalker - you probably hate me using that phrase.

....... Anyway she makes a deal with the devil and things change... for the better or worse. Without spoiling it for you I can’t really give you any more details.
It’s a sad story and centers around mankind and how dumb we are at times. We choose our paths and we follow them. But if we were given the chance to change would we ? But there’s always a catch isn’t there? Well there is when your dealing with the devil himself.. or herself in this case.

This is dark but wrote in a different kind of dark. Also with domestic abuse thrown in - you may want to sit it out.
There’s a lot in this story with great characters and lots of behavioral and psychology humanisms.
The ending is left a little wide of open so if you need everything tied up with a massive “the end ribbon’ tough.
If you need something different and unique this ones definitely for you.

“Trim your wick, lift your shade. Cast that shine a little closer. I do get weary of darkness”

Fantastic writing, totally different. 4 stars
Thank you Agora books.
Published 23rd July

This is a story about a woman living with her 3 children and an abusive husband. What sets it apart from other books is they way the author has used a 3rd person as an adversary or 'devil'character. This character interposes the narrative of the story with insights as to why our character is thinking or acting in a certain way.

This book challenges readers to grasp what’s going on. Perdie is an abused wife who has the best interests of her children, Hannah, Rachel and Tad. She has to decide whether it is best for the family to leave with the children or stay. Her first choice leads to a happier life style then calamity. That makes her wonder if she should have chosen to stay. The book explores both possibilities. However, hovering over the book and making extended contributions to the text is Ella, who might be the devil or, as she describes herself, the ‘Adversary’. This ethereal voice comments on Perdie’s decisions and life’s choices in general. Some of it is amusing, some perceptive. She offers a good take on the human ability to find anxiety in all situations. Going on holiday just leads to worry about coming back! There are also some interesting questions about Christianity. This book is different and worth a shot.

This book wasn't at all what I expected. However, it has to be one of the most unique and fascinating books I have ever read. Beautifully written and exploring difficult decisions and their consequences, protecting our children and feeling responsible for anything bad that happens to them. All of this is peppered with the 'Devil' and her opinions. Exceptionally clever.

I’m numb! My hands are shaking. This is intense. What I feel after reading this book is equal to be in car which crushes into a wall or being stabbed in the heart brutally several times.

Perdie reminded of William Styron’s Sophie: she doesn’t decide which child of hers will leave behind but she has to decide between two dangerous paths which may result with more casualties she can ever imagine.

Perdie wants to leave her abuser husband for a long time. Her husband’s growing violent tendencies around their son is the last straw. She may endure his physical and mental abuse but she cannot let him harm her children.

She has to protect two daughters and her son to live in a dangerous territory. But what will happen to her children if she finally achieves to leave this violent life behind: how could she let her children live in poverty as she barely makes enough money to provide their needs by working at two different jobs, leaving them alone in the house broken hearted. How could she be a good mother without giving them better education opportunities and a bright future?

The adversary-the evil- watches each step she takes and sneakily waits for her to choose a path ends with heartbreak and grief.
I don’t want to give more spoilers about the story. I could only say it’s truly heart wrenching, impactful, thought provoking, depressing, soul crushing story about a mother who is ready to do whatever it takes for protecting her children in expanse her own life!

It makes us question our own decisions we make for our own children and makes us think deeply what we would do if we were in Perdie’s shoes.

The parts of the inner monologues of the evil were also brilliant, smart but at some parts they were too long and too philosophical for me which affected the intense pace of the story. But instead of that especially blood freezing, shocking conclusion was jaw dropping.

This is one of the surprising and mind spinning novels I’ve read for a long time and I’m looking forward to read more works of the author.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for sharing this incredible ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Oh, how decadent. A novel narrated by the devil himself, otherwise known as, Ella.. I would have thought him to be more maniacal. He seems quite bored with us, unless we choose to stand and shine our light. The enemy is mesmerized by the light of those that will not be consumed by this world, by those that embrace their differences and accepts life on its terms.

So, here comes Miss Perdie. A woman that believes she is a victim of circumstance. If she can just hang on a little while longer, all will be well.. In the short term or in the long term. Either way, it's not okay. Sometimes we delude ourselves, and in that delusion, we are not the only person harmed. Sometimes stuff happens no matter what we do, no matter what decisions we make.

In desperation, what kind of choices will a person make? What does Ella find so fascinating about this family? Whose light shines the brightest and what does the devil get out of this? Finished this book in one sitting to find out the answers. Well worth the read. Definitely not what you expect. Not every story has a happy ending.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Cassondra Windwalker for an ARC in return for an honest review.