A unique dark gothic fantasy take on the story of Johnny Appleseed? I am in! The story follows Catalina, a young woman in 1836, Wisconsin who lives with her father and brother in a cable in the wilderness. They have been struggling to just get by, crops failing, and hunger gnawing at them... but their father has always told them to be weary of the Sap Man and his apples, apples that will kill them. When her father suddenly becomes sick, a strange man covered in bark appears with sap dripping from his eyes and kidnaps her brother. Catalina knows it is the Sap Man and now she must find a way to get her brother back. Along the way she meets a lumberjack also hunting this man down... and together they journey deeper into the woods and encounter strange beasts and tortured souls. The story is also told from the point of view of Johnny, the Sap Man, detailing his life from before he became what he was and the deal with the devil that he made, and ultimately the cost. Catalina must find a way to save her brother but there will be a cost to getting what she wants and that might mean making a deal with the same devil that made Johnny what he is now. This was such a fascinating story and honestly so unique. I love the take on the story of Johnny Appleseed and the gothic fantasy tones in this were amazing. I really had a great time with this one and think it would make a great autumn read! If you like gothic fairytales, a little bit of romance, and good atmospheric writing, pick this one up!

*Thanks Netgalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink, Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*