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Fever House #2
The Devil By Name
No one expected the apocalypse would be broadcast via phone call. But in this chilling sequel to Fever House, anyone who managed to survive that doomsday call has a harrowing answer to the question, “Where were you when the Message came through?”
Five years after the event that drove most of the global population to madness, the world is overrun with the “fevered”—once-human, zombielike creatures drawn indiscriminately to violence and murder. In a campaign to restabilize the country, the massive corporation known as Terradyne Industries has merged with the U.S. government in a partnership of dubious motives, quarantining major American cities behind towering walls and corralling the afflicted there with the hope, they say, of developing a vaccine.
In Portland, where it all began, guilt-ridden detective John Bonner scours the city’s darkest corners for clues to humanity’s redemption. In New England, Katherine Moriarty mourns the devastating losses of her husband and son while in hiding from Terradyne. And across the ocean in France, a sixteen-year-old girl named Naomi Laurent discovers she has a disturbing and powerful gift—which may just be the key to the world’s salvation.
Equal parts gruesome and beautiful, The Devil by Name is a heart-stopping, breakneck saga of survival. As its characters’ paths inevitably collide across the ravaged landscape of a post-apocalyptic America, they are united by the desire to not just escape death but to carve out some way to live anew.
Everything starts and ends in the fever house.
Five years after the event that drove most of the global population to madness, the world is overrun with the “fevered”—once-human, zombielike creatures drawn indiscriminately to violence and murder. In a campaign to restabilize the country, the massive corporation known as Terradyne Industries has merged with the U.S. government in a partnership of dubious motives, quarantining major American cities behind towering walls and corralling the afflicted there with the hope, they say, of developing a vaccine.
In Portland, where it all began, guilt-ridden detective John Bonner scours the city’s darkest corners for clues to humanity’s redemption. In New England, Katherine Moriarty mourns the devastating losses of her husband and son while in hiding from Terradyne. And across the ocean in France, a sixteen-year-old girl named Naomi Laurent discovers she has a disturbing and powerful gift—which may just be the key to the world’s salvation.
Equal parts gruesome and beautiful, The Devil by Name is a heart-stopping, breakneck saga of survival. As its characters’ paths inevitably collide across the ravaged landscape of a post-apocalyptic America, they are united by the desire to not just escape death but to carve out some way to live anew.
Everything starts and ends in the fever house.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
February 23, 2024
Bro. Bro. BRO! This book is AMAZING! I’m just in awe of it. Possibly even better than the first one… a great follow-up and conclusion to the story.
And I was SO happy to get this book from NetGalley so that I didn’t have to wait til September to read it! I read the first book just last month… so I haven’t, like, entirely forgotten it.
The first one was batshit-fun-horror with the world going to shit. Now it’s 5 years later and it’s still batshit-fun-horror.
It reads like a (super-long) movie. It’s so good. It’s violent and supernatural and the characters are great and it’s fucking tragic. I’d love this to be a TV series and yet the whole time I’m like, No way… they wouldn’t be able to do it justice, they’d hold back too much. So books win once again.
My review of the first one said it would have been better with limited interruptions and I was right — I read this one in 2 days. Compulsively readable and so fun. (The most violent, crazy fun.) If you like (good) Stephen King and Chuck Wendig, this is for you.
And I was SO happy to get this book from NetGalley so that I didn’t have to wait til September to read it! I read the first book just last month… so I haven’t, like, entirely forgotten it.
The first one was batshit-fun-horror with the world going to shit. Now it’s 5 years later and it’s still batshit-fun-horror.
It reads like a (super-long) movie. It’s so good. It’s violent and supernatural and the characters are great and it’s fucking tragic. I’d love this to be a TV series and yet the whole time I’m like, No way… they wouldn’t be able to do it justice, they’d hold back too much. So books win once again.
My review of the first one said it would have been better with limited interruptions and I was right — I read this one in 2 days. Compulsively readable and so fun. (The most violent, crazy fun.) If you like (good) Stephen King and Chuck Wendig, this is for you.
December 3, 2024
Loved it!
March 30, 2024
I was absolutley obsessed with Fever House and this follow up did not disappoint, I'm sad its come to an end but its become one of my favourite duologies, the violence, bloodshed and all out creepy supernatural horror are taken to new heights in this exhilirating thrill ride, when I say strap yourself in I mean it cos once you're on the Rosson rollercoaster there's no getting off, writing in a genre all of his own making, a punk rock thriller, Rosson delivers a gruesome survival/ apocalyptic horror painted on a landscape of guilt, revenge and loss, I was half expecting to close the book, look in the mirror and see myself covered in blood and gore(but all I saw was tears) the descriptions are extremely vivid and I felt like I was watching a Tarintino movie play out, this was a devastating read and incredibly moving in some parts, far from being just a horror story this is more about the search for humanity amongst darkness, the characters are some of my absolute favourites ever and we get more character development and depth to them in this sequel, I read this in two days because I couldn't put it down, kudos to Keith for writing this phenomenal saga
August 3, 2024
Oh Keith, you sick bastard (she says lovingly). Stumbling upon Fever House was such a unique experience, quite like reading the love baby story of Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk. And luckily for readers, The Devil By Name doesn’t pull any punches and truly blesses us with a solid sequel.
If you loved Fever House, The Devil By Name is truly a continuation that makes you want to read them back to back so it’s just one long book. Through the use of multiple POVs we get saints and sinners alike in a world gone completely to shit. The trifecta of the devils artifacts are abound in the world and wreaking a true hell on earth.
The quick paced, action packed plethora of weirdness ensues keeping readers on their tippiest of toes. I was gasping out loud, widening my eyes, and reacting to this novel like watching a horror punk apocalypse movie in theaters. I’m now a Keith Rosson fan through and through and will devour whatever he decides to serve us next.
If you loved Fever House, The Devil By Name is truly a continuation that makes you want to read them back to back so it’s just one long book. Through the use of multiple POVs we get saints and sinners alike in a world gone completely to shit. The trifecta of the devils artifacts are abound in the world and wreaking a true hell on earth.
The quick paced, action packed plethora of weirdness ensues keeping readers on their tippiest of toes. I was gasping out loud, widening my eyes, and reacting to this novel like watching a horror punk apocalypse movie in theaters. I’m now a Keith Rosson fan through and through and will devour whatever he decides to serve us next.
February 22, 2025
The story picks up five years after Terradyne transmitted The Message across the entire globe turning billions into The Fevered, wreaking chaos and destruction. Matthew and the remnants still exist with the demonic creature trying to claim the world. This devil has once again begun the ritual: the hand, the eye, the voice, a house of fever and wounds. Will he finish it this time bringing about a new blood-lashed world, one of its very own? All he needs to do is wed the wife, crown the son, and devour the light.
March 18, 2024
Following on the heels of Fever House (2023), Rosson's forthcoming novel "The Devil By Name" (Expected publication September 10, 2024) takes the reader on a journey far different from that which was undergone in Fever House. It is now five years later and the world has completely changed since the song was broadcast with the hidden message to every cell phone anyone bothered to answer. The fevered are roaming in hordes. The artifacts are in play.
We get new characters as well as revisits from old ones. One such new character is Naomi Laurent who for some reason we never quite understand has a power to cure the fevered. She is in what is left of France accompanying Denis in a world that only Thomas Hobbes might recognize: nasty, brutish, and short. John Bonner has nightmares about the severed hand back in Portland. Meanwhile, Dean Haggerty scavenges from Indiana to Cape Winston, Massachusetts, where Katherine Moriarty (the voice) is hiding in plain sight with her fevered son Nick in the barn.
In many ways, this world is recognizable to any who have read or viewed post-apocolyptic stories. But the artifacts and what they mean alter things and the control of the Terradyne Corporation does so as well. There are so many new threads that are just barely related to things that were set out in the first novel. This one is no longer a crime novel turned zombie fantasy. We are in full-blown zombie world.
Many thanks to the publisher for an advance reading copy.
We get new characters as well as revisits from old ones. One such new character is Naomi Laurent who for some reason we never quite understand has a power to cure the fevered. She is in what is left of France accompanying Denis in a world that only Thomas Hobbes might recognize: nasty, brutish, and short. John Bonner has nightmares about the severed hand back in Portland. Meanwhile, Dean Haggerty scavenges from Indiana to Cape Winston, Massachusetts, where Katherine Moriarty (the voice) is hiding in plain sight with her fevered son Nick in the barn.
In many ways, this world is recognizable to any who have read or viewed post-apocolyptic stories. But the artifacts and what they mean alter things and the control of the Terradyne Corporation does so as well. There are so many new threads that are just barely related to things that were set out in the first novel. This one is no longer a crime novel turned zombie fantasy. We are in full-blown zombie world.
Many thanks to the publisher for an advance reading copy.
June 20, 2024
The Devil By Name is a compelling sequel that surpasses its predecessor in pacing and flow. While it sacrifices some of the punk charm that defined Fever House, it makes up for it with stronger character development and a more engaging narrative. Overall, it's gripping, well-crafted, and a must-read for those who enjoyed Fever House.
October 2, 2024
Dnfed after part 2. I just don't understand how this has been rated higher than the previous one, I mean sure the number of ratings are less but still, this was so awfully boring, reminded of that meme "people running, and not going anywhere" , that's what the plot of this book is, I did skim through the later parts to see if there's any potential exciting stuff but nope.
Read
August 4, 2024I'm going to start off by saying this was a thrilling ride, and once again, I finished this book in under 2 days. I was wholly invested with the characters from Fever House and we are slowly introduced to an all-star cast of new villains in the sequel.
As the synopsis mentions, this is 5 years after the Message goes out to everyone in the world, turning the majority of the human population fevered. Exactly where we left off in Fever House, as the message is released. While the author has a very intricate way of weaving the action drama that pulls at our heartstrings that is the story being told from multiple points of view, I find myself reading repetitive information from the first book. The Devil by Name could be read on its own as a stand alone book with all the details it has describing events from Fever House (book 1). I wish the author would have made this 1 big book, instead of splitting it into two. It felt too repetitive.
The atmosphere of Fever House does not translate over to The Devil by Name. The feel of the book changes a bit. And I'm not sure if it's all this droning on and on of Katherine's of her husband, Matthew and her son Nick, or if it's all the repetition of the events from the first book, but it could have been about an additional 200 pages at the end of Fever House. We don't really gain much from book 2 having all this additional details.
After finishing this, I really do think the author rewrote The Stand & Swan Song but with zombies and demonic possession instead of a nuclear fallout scenario. I'm not going to give anything away but if you've read those books, this is similar. The end of the book felt cartoonish. I'm not sure what I expected. But it wasn't that. I felt the same let down when I finished Swan Song. So, don't that take to heart.
That being said, I still think everyone who enjoys Fever House, should read this. The story gets wilder, more characters are introduced who complicate things just a bit more. I was whole-heartedly invested in the characters and wanted to know that they all turned out well in the end. It doesn't turn out good for some, right? That's Keith Rosson for you, the new George RR Martin...."oh you like this guy?" *dead* :-)
I enjoyed the ride, thank you to Random House for a copy & the author for passing my email on. I look forward to reading Keith Rosson's other books. I am highly impressed by the intricate storytelling and amazing character development he is able to show in his writing.
As the synopsis mentions, this is 5 years after the Message goes out to everyone in the world, turning the majority of the human population fevered. Exactly where we left off in Fever House, as the message is released. While the author has a very intricate way of weaving the action drama that pulls at our heartstrings that is the story being told from multiple points of view, I find myself reading repetitive information from the first book. The Devil by Name could be read on its own as a stand alone book with all the details it has describing events from Fever House (book 1). I wish the author would have made this 1 big book, instead of splitting it into two. It felt too repetitive.
The atmosphere of Fever House does not translate over to The Devil by Name. The feel of the book changes a bit. And I'm not sure if it's all this droning on and on of Katherine's of her husband, Matthew and her son Nick, or if it's all the repetition of the events from the first book, but it could have been about an additional 200 pages at the end of Fever House. We don't really gain much from book 2 having all this additional details.
After finishing this, I really do think the author rewrote The Stand & Swan Song but with zombies and demonic possession instead of a nuclear fallout scenario. I'm not going to give anything away but if you've read those books, this is similar. The end of the book felt cartoonish. I'm not sure what I expected. But it wasn't that. I felt the same let down when I finished Swan Song. So, don't that take to heart.
That being said, I still think everyone who enjoys Fever House, should read this. The story gets wilder, more characters are introduced who complicate things just a bit more. I was whole-heartedly invested in the characters and wanted to know that they all turned out well in the end. It doesn't turn out good for some, right? That's Keith Rosson for you, the new George RR Martin...."oh you like this guy?" *dead* :-)
I enjoyed the ride, thank you to Random House for a copy & the author for passing my email on. I look forward to reading Keith Rosson's other books. I am highly impressed by the intricate storytelling and amazing character development he is able to show in his writing.
March 7, 2024
My love for Fever House knew no bounds—I practically evangelized about it to anyone who'd listen. So, when I got my hands on an early copy of its sequel, The Devil by Name, I couldn't contain my excitement—I may have even let out a scream or two.
I know all good things must come to an end but The Devil by Name delivered everything I hoped for and more. I was physically moved by the chapters and found myself shedding tears on two occasions.
Even though this marks the end of the Fever House saga, it's a world I'll always hold dear and revisit often. I could not recommend this duology more.
I know all good things must come to an end but The Devil by Name delivered everything I hoped for and more. I was physically moved by the chapters and found myself shedding tears on two occasions.
Even though this marks the end of the Fever House saga, it's a world I'll always hold dear and revisit often. I could not recommend this duology more.
March 7, 2024
I need a minute
September 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, but it really is a different animal than its predecessor...but then, it has to be.
The first has the enjoyable job of blowing your mind with all this stuff you've never seen in this context before. The hand. The eye. The voice. Zombies. Rock 'n' roll. Shadowy corporations in lockstep with the government. Oh, and the impending apocalypse. It's a hell of a ride.
So this, the second book, has the unenviable job of taking all that stuff you know now, so it's not as mind-blowing. The hand? Big deal. The eye? Whatever. ...and so on... So Rosson now has to remix and move that story forward.
And, as far as I'm concerned, he did a damned good job. His plotting is insane. His characters are very, very real. His dialogue is brilliant. But none of that adds up to much of the story isn't there, and the story is there, trust me.
The first was about the characters and the world falling into the void. This one is about some of those characters, and some new ones, doing their damnedest to claw themselves out of that void.
This is a great duology.
The first has the enjoyable job of blowing your mind with all this stuff you've never seen in this context before. The hand. The eye. The voice. Zombies. Rock 'n' roll. Shadowy corporations in lockstep with the government. Oh, and the impending apocalypse. It's a hell of a ride.
So this, the second book, has the unenviable job of taking all that stuff you know now, so it's not as mind-blowing. The hand? Big deal. The eye? Whatever. ...and so on... So Rosson now has to remix and move that story forward.
And, as far as I'm concerned, he did a damned good job. His plotting is insane. His characters are very, very real. His dialogue is brilliant. But none of that adds up to much of the story isn't there, and the story is there, trust me.
The first was about the characters and the world falling into the void. This one is about some of those characters, and some new ones, doing their damnedest to claw themselves out of that void.
This is a great duology.
December 31, 2024
4.5/5
The Devil by Name picks up five years after Fever House with all the chaos, gore, and gripping drama you’d expect—and then some. The world is still reeling from “The Message,” a weaponized sound that turned much of humanity into bloodthirsty monsters called the fevered. With Terradyne Industries running the show and humanity clinging to survival, the stakes have never been higher.
The book is a wild ride; it takes elements of horror, noir, and spy thriller vibes and turns them into a splatterfest that somehow still manages to be emotionally grounded. John Bonner, riddled with guilt and desperate for redemption, Katherine Moriarty, coping with devastating loss, and Naomi Laurent, a teenager with a mysterious, world-altering gift, are all struggling. Newcomer Dean Haggerty, a warm, resourceful scavenger, is an unexpected bright spot, bringing a glimmer of hope to a grim story.
Yes, the gore is intense, and the body horror will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page (looking at you, “tortured fevered in the chair”). But here’s the thing - Rosson knows how to find a balance between the carnage and emotional depth, and his take on grief, redemption, and survival feels raw and real. The character arcs are top-notch, with even minor players leaving a mark. Katherine’s transformation, in particular, is spectacular.
The pacing is relentless, and while some plot conveniences (a possible cure-all across the ocean, for example) might raise an eyebrow, the story’s intensity and emotional pull make it easy to forgive. Rosson ties up loose ends from Fever House while introducing fresh twists, taking the story in surprising directions.
The final chapters are pure nightmare fuel, and the emotional punches hit hard. If you’re into stories that mix terror, heart, and a touch of hope, The Devil by Name delivers big time. It’s the kind of book that leaves you a little haunted but entirely satisfied.
The Devil by Name picks up five years after Fever House with all the chaos, gore, and gripping drama you’d expect—and then some. The world is still reeling from “The Message,” a weaponized sound that turned much of humanity into bloodthirsty monsters called the fevered. With Terradyne Industries running the show and humanity clinging to survival, the stakes have never been higher.
The book is a wild ride; it takes elements of horror, noir, and spy thriller vibes and turns them into a splatterfest that somehow still manages to be emotionally grounded. John Bonner, riddled with guilt and desperate for redemption, Katherine Moriarty, coping with devastating loss, and Naomi Laurent, a teenager with a mysterious, world-altering gift, are all struggling. Newcomer Dean Haggerty, a warm, resourceful scavenger, is an unexpected bright spot, bringing a glimmer of hope to a grim story.
Yes, the gore is intense, and the body horror will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page (looking at you, “tortured fevered in the chair”). But here’s the thing - Rosson knows how to find a balance between the carnage and emotional depth, and his take on grief, redemption, and survival feels raw and real. The character arcs are top-notch, with even minor players leaving a mark. Katherine’s transformation, in particular, is spectacular.
The pacing is relentless, and while some plot conveniences (a possible cure-all across the ocean, for example) might raise an eyebrow, the story’s intensity and emotional pull make it easy to forgive. Rosson ties up loose ends from Fever House while introducing fresh twists, taking the story in surprising directions.
The final chapters are pure nightmare fuel, and the emotional punches hit hard. If you’re into stories that mix terror, heart, and a touch of hope, The Devil by Name delivers big time. It’s the kind of book that leaves you a little haunted but entirely satisfied.
November 14, 2024
Full disclosure, I read the first book about a year ago and remember nothing but the big plot points. I think if I would have read these back to back, I would have enjoyed this one more.
Overall, this was a good story. But I found myself bored and disinterested as it got closer to the end. And when we finally arrived there, I couldn't help but feel it was all a bit unnecessary, which I'm sad about.
But the first book, Fever House, is an absolute banger, so check that one out for sure. I might not remember the details, but I remember absolutely loving it.
With that being said, I'm sad to say it, but I'm rating Keith Rosson's The Devil by Name 3 out of 5 stars.
Overall, this was a good story. But I found myself bored and disinterested as it got closer to the end. And when we finally arrived there, I couldn't help but feel it was all a bit unnecessary, which I'm sad about.
But the first book, Fever House, is an absolute banger, so check that one out for sure. I might not remember the details, but I remember absolutely loving it.
With that being said, I'm sad to say it, but I'm rating Keith Rosson's The Devil by Name 3 out of 5 stars.
January 4, 2025
Oh Keith, you sick bastard (she says lovingly). Stumbling upon Fever House was such a unique experience, quite like reading the love baby story of Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk. And luckily for readers, The Devil By Name doesn’t pull any punches and truly blesses us with a solid sequel.
If you loved Fever House, The Devil By Name is truly a continuation that makes you want to read them back to back so it’s just one long book. Through the use of multiple POVs we get saints and sinners alike in a world gone completely to shit. The trifecta of the devils artifacts are abound in the world and wreaking a true hell on earth.
The quick paced, action packed plethora of weirdness ensues keeping readers on their tippiest of toes. I was gasping out loud, widening my eyes, and reacting to this novel like watching a horror punk apocalypse movie in theaters. I’m now a Keith Rosson fan through and through and will devour whatever he decides to serve us next.
If you loved Fever House, The Devil By Name is truly a continuation that makes you want to read them back to back so it’s just one long book. Through the use of multiple POVs we get saints and sinners alike in a world gone completely to shit. The trifecta of the devils artifacts are abound in the world and wreaking a true hell on earth.
The quick paced, action packed plethora of weirdness ensues keeping readers on their tippiest of toes. I was gasping out loud, widening my eyes, and reacting to this novel like watching a horror punk apocalypse movie in theaters. I’m now a Keith Rosson fan through and through and will devour whatever he decides to serve us next.
April 18, 2024
I would not have predicted that the lightning of Fever House could be captured again, and yet Rosson has succeeded wildly. This sequel, set five years after the end of the first novel, is somehow more intense, bloodier, more cynical, and yet has more heart, too. The chapters move around through numerous POVs, some characters from the first novel and some new characters. It is the perfect narrative style for this story, and it works just as well here as last time. The action is propulsive, bloody, and unexpected. Every chapter leaves you wanting to know what happens next only to have you distracted to some other part of this dystopian hellscape when perspective shifts, and instead of being frustrated you’re instantly transported into that character’s struggles. The characters do kind of fit into some of the paradigms or archetypes you expect from a horrific post-apocalyptic story, but the character-building doesn’t stop there, they have more depth and are far more interesting and genuine than they need to be, frankly.
This story has no problem unexpectedly bodying characters that seemed destined to make it to the end. It is surprising and doesn’t always travel where you expect, and yet manages to tie up all the loose threads from the previous novel without ever feeling disjointed. To be fair there is a trajectory that becomes clear somewhat quickly, we know these characters are going to be crossing paths and in so doing create the conditions for the action (and narrative) to erupt into something even bloodier, more epic. Yet even with this telegraphed early on, it doesn’t feel like chess pieces all being moved around just to wait for the final ten pages of the story, this novel is chock full of action and consequences and welcome narrative arcs. There is less of a crime/noir aspect this time around, but that makes sense—five years after an apocalyptic event is going to find a whole lot of social/paradigm changes. The novel is still pulpy and brash, heartfelt and metal AF. There is some cult activity that is touched upon, and I would have loved it if the earlier part of the story gave us more depth into that part of this new world, the story is ripe for it, and so only getting passing mention was a little disappointing. But the novel didn’t let me stay disappointed for long, being filled with horrific transformations, both emotional and physical, that captivate and keep you on edge.
Not only was this novel a lot of fun—I didn’t want to put it down once I started—it was a great and worthy follow-up to the previous novel. People—some good people, some bad people, and some people who don’t know where fall in that spectrum—are forced to make choices, and as a reader we have to wonder at every step what we would do. How do you react to the end of the world, to the fascistic power of a capitalist state co-run by a private weapons manufacturer, to choices that put your survival and your humanity at seeming odds every day? There is no waxing philosophic in this novel, but there are complicated and engaging characters problems that, while they are extreme, boil down to extremely relatable decisions. This book is a blast, and if you liked the first then you’ll love this one.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Random House, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story has no problem unexpectedly bodying characters that seemed destined to make it to the end. It is surprising and doesn’t always travel where you expect, and yet manages to tie up all the loose threads from the previous novel without ever feeling disjointed. To be fair there is a trajectory that becomes clear somewhat quickly, we know these characters are going to be crossing paths and in so doing create the conditions for the action (and narrative) to erupt into something even bloodier, more epic. Yet even with this telegraphed early on, it doesn’t feel like chess pieces all being moved around just to wait for the final ten pages of the story, this novel is chock full of action and consequences and welcome narrative arcs. There is less of a crime/noir aspect this time around, but that makes sense—five years after an apocalyptic event is going to find a whole lot of social/paradigm changes. The novel is still pulpy and brash, heartfelt and metal AF. There is some cult activity that is touched upon, and I would have loved it if the earlier part of the story gave us more depth into that part of this new world, the story is ripe for it, and so only getting passing mention was a little disappointing. But the novel didn’t let me stay disappointed for long, being filled with horrific transformations, both emotional and physical, that captivate and keep you on edge.
Not only was this novel a lot of fun—I didn’t want to put it down once I started—it was a great and worthy follow-up to the previous novel. People—some good people, some bad people, and some people who don’t know where fall in that spectrum—are forced to make choices, and as a reader we have to wonder at every step what we would do. How do you react to the end of the world, to the fascistic power of a capitalist state co-run by a private weapons manufacturer, to choices that put your survival and your humanity at seeming odds every day? There is no waxing philosophic in this novel, but there are complicated and engaging characters problems that, while they are extreme, boil down to extremely relatable decisions. This book is a blast, and if you liked the first then you’ll love this one.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Random House, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2024
I was absolutley obsessed with Fever House and this follow up did not disappoint, I'm sad its come to an end but its become one of my favourite duologies, the violence, bloodshed and all out creepy supernatural horror are taken to new heights in this exhilarating thrill ride, when I say strap yourself in I mean it cos once you're on the Rosson rollercoaster there's no getting off, writing in a genre all of his own making, a punk rock thriller, Rosson delivers a gruesome survival/ apocalyptic horror painted on a landscape of guilt, revenge and loss, I was half expecting to close the book, look in the mirror and see myself covered in blood and gore(but all I saw was tears) the descriptions are extremely vivid and I felt like I was watching a Tarintino movie play out, this was a devastating read and incredibly moving in some parts, far from being just a horror story this is more about the search for humanity amongst darkness, the characters are some of my absolute favourites ever and we get more character development and depth to them in this sequel, I read this in two days because I couldn't put it down, kudos to keith for writing this phenomenal saga
October 9, 2024
Read this duology, it is horrifically weird and deranged and fan-flippin-tastic! If you're looking for a book with a strange occult storyline, the Feverhouse duology is maniacally excellent. It all started with the hand of a devil, a band, and some strange entities. The world was never the same again...
An addictive and gruesome read, couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next.
An addictive and gruesome read, couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next.
September 13, 2024
Helllllllll fucking yes, screaming from the rooftops!
March 16, 2024
Characters from each coast of the U.S.A. and a few from the middle of the country along with a gifted child in France come together in as complementary cogs in this living machine somehow churning through an undead world.
In The Devil by Name, Keith Rosson has painted a compelling picture of a post-apocalyptic United States where scavengers roam, the dead drift from habited zone to habited zone, directionless but always threatening to appear around the next corner, and where those responsible for the plague that caused the "fever" to spread in Book One might just get their comeuppance, retribution, or both.
As a person who's got Rosson's first book on the shelf but who hasn't cracked the spine—and always a fan of zombie stories told well—I might have expected this book would be a challenge to capture and hold me, but the fever—so to speak—set in, and I was horrified and gladdened to rejoin the fray every evening until I'd completed this advance reader copy. There were times when the characters' dialogue wasn't all I had hoped for, where it didn't reveal unique characters' inner motivations, and where the plot felt like it was the primary thing and the characters were merely along for the ride. There were other times when I forgot I was reading a book—those, any reader knows, are the very best times we have with books. Unpredictable at every turn, truly, and leaving some loose ends (for a Fever House #3, I'd imagine) for us to wonder after, The Devil by Name is not going to make my top ten for the year, but I'm glad I spent my time with it and would recommend it to horror fans, post-apocalyptic fiction or survival-horror fans, or for those who like a good walking dead story. Rosson has my approbation and my thanks for sharing this piece of his imagination with us. I'll certainly be heading back to book one to find out how things got so messed up in the world he's built.
In The Devil by Name, Keith Rosson has painted a compelling picture of a post-apocalyptic United States where scavengers roam, the dead drift from habited zone to habited zone, directionless but always threatening to appear around the next corner, and where those responsible for the plague that caused the "fever" to spread in Book One might just get their comeuppance, retribution, or both.
As a person who's got Rosson's first book on the shelf but who hasn't cracked the spine—and always a fan of zombie stories told well—I might have expected this book would be a challenge to capture and hold me, but the fever—so to speak—set in, and I was horrified and gladdened to rejoin the fray every evening until I'd completed this advance reader copy. There were times when the characters' dialogue wasn't all I had hoped for, where it didn't reveal unique characters' inner motivations, and where the plot felt like it was the primary thing and the characters were merely along for the ride. There were other times when I forgot I was reading a book—those, any reader knows, are the very best times we have with books. Unpredictable at every turn, truly, and leaving some loose ends (for a Fever House #3, I'd imagine) for us to wonder after, The Devil by Name is not going to make my top ten for the year, but I'm glad I spent my time with it and would recommend it to horror fans, post-apocalyptic fiction or survival-horror fans, or for those who like a good walking dead story. Rosson has my approbation and my thanks for sharing this piece of his imagination with us. I'll certainly be heading back to book one to find out how things got so messed up in the world he's built.
November 18, 2024
The second book of a duo. It felt like it was written by a completely different author. Disappointing. 2.5⭐️
July 17, 2024
Take The Road, add a government conspiracy dwelling in the shadows, and put on Minor Threat in the background, and you have a glimmer of what Rosson pulls off in The Devil by Name. This book manages to continue the story from Fever House without putting its feet in any of the established footprints the first book made. In truth, it reads less like a sequel and more like the landing strip for a wholly developed idea. While the ideas and characters evolve, the tempo remains breakneck, and you won't find a dull moment or an ounce of fat. Keith Rosson has crafted something truly spectacular and terrifying.
March 1, 2024
Fever House was down right disturbing and I was THRILLED at the opportunity to read The Devil By Name.
What to say? This follow up was unhinged, in the best way possible. I was terrified -and- excited to see what was going to happen next.
I simply could not put this down.
If you are a fan of the first book, supernatural horror, and bloody plans to conquer the world this book is for you!!
I just reviewed The Devil By Name by Keith Rosson. #TheDevilByName #NetGalley
What to say? This follow up was unhinged, in the best way possible. I was terrified -and- excited to see what was going to happen next.
I simply could not put this down.
If you are a fan of the first book, supernatural horror, and bloody plans to conquer the world this book is for you!!
I just reviewed The Devil By Name by Keith Rosson. #TheDevilByName #NetGalley
October 3, 2024
"Avail yourself to me. Make me a house of fever and wounds, where all rooms are ghastly and dark. Do it. Make me a king’s house, and you will have all you ever wanted."
Five years after the apocalypse, the world is overrun by violent creatures. American cities have been quarantined.
I absolutely loved the first one but this one just didn't land for me as well. I found to difficult to stay connected to the story with so many POVs.
Thank you netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Five years after the apocalypse, the world is overrun by violent creatures. American cities have been quarantined.
I absolutely loved the first one but this one just didn't land for me as well. I found to difficult to stay connected to the story with so many POVs.
Thank you netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2024
Years after the events of Fever House, the world is a terrifying post-apocalyptic dystopia. The perfect setting to reunite us with some familiar characters and introduce us to some new ones.
I loved this! It’s a great follow-up with the same gnarly atmosphere and sickening imagery as the first book.
There are shades of The Stand (I think even Mr King has said the same), and the whole thing feels both epic and claustrophobic.
Once again, the audiobook narration by Xe Sands is spot on and so haunting.
I loved this! It’s a great follow-up with the same gnarly atmosphere and sickening imagery as the first book.
There are shades of The Stand (I think even Mr King has said the same), and the whole thing feels both epic and claustrophobic.
Once again, the audiobook narration by Xe Sands is spot on and so haunting.
November 25, 2024
I’m a big fan of Keith Rosson’s work and when I heard he was writing a novel that centered around a punk rocker with all kinds of occult weirdness, I couldn’t wait, but then I got sidetracked writing a strange punk rock saga of my own. By the time I finally got to it, its sequel. The Devil by Name, had been released. I devoured them both and then I interviewed Keith for Message from the Underworld. You should read it: https://jimruland.substack.com/p/gimm...
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September 10, 2024THE DEVIL BY NAME continues the apocalyptic story started in FEVER HOUSE and it's just as thrilling. The stakes (and story) remain savage, but between the chaos and carnage is an emotional tale of loss, hope, and sacrifice by Keith Rosson that brings the hellish hijinks to a satisfying end.
March 5, 2024
This was a great follow up to Fever House! The character povs can get a bit confusing sometimes but it’s all relevant and wrapped up nicely (insanely) at the end.
September 30, 2024
4.5 stars.
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