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The Devils #1
The Devils
Not yet published
Expected 13 May 25Win a free print copy of this book!
6 days and 10:25:01
100 copies available
U.S. only
Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.
Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters, and the mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.
Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.
Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters, and the mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.
Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.
560 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 6, 2025
About the author
Joe Abercrombie
140 books31.3k followersJoe Abercrombie was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Manchester University, where he studied psychology. He moved into television production before taking up a career as a freelance film editor. During a break between jobs he began writing The Blade Itself in 2002, completing it in 2004. It was published by Gollancz in 2006 and was followed by two other books in The First Law trilogy, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings. He currently lives and works in London with his wife and daughter. In early 2008 Joe Abercrombie was one of the contributors to the BBC Worlds of Fantasy series, alongside other contributors such as Michael Moorcock, Terry Pratchett and China Mieville.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 3, 2024
ARC provided by the publisher—Gollancz—in exchange for an honest review.
I fully realize this book is not out until May 2025, but so far, The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the best fantasy book I’ve read this year. It’s devilishly brilliant.
Believe me when I say I felt highly elated when I received the advance reading copy of The Devils. The last new book by Joe Abercrombie I read, The Wisdom of Crowds, was released 3 years ago. And it has been 13 months since I gave any new fantasy book I read (not counting reread) a 5-star rating. Today, the absence of a new Abercrombie’s book and a 5-star rating drought has finally been given water to live. The Devils marked the first time I read a book from Abercrombie that doesn’t take place in The First Law universe. I don’t think it is possible to avoid comparisons with The First Law in my review here. I, like many of you, knew about Abercrombie’s books through The First Law world, and it is understandable for readers to approach The Devils expecting they’ll get the same greatness of The First Law series. And from my perspective, you’ll earn them from The Devils. However, do not expect this to be 100% similar to The First Law in tone and narrative. By its nature, The Devils retains Abercrombie’s strongest skills as a storyteller as he navigates his own uncharted grounds of storytelling. Gritty and violent while focusing more on amplifying the fun, entertaining, humor factors and, as crazy as this will sound, the found family aspect.
So what's The Devils about? As Europe stares into the abyss and plague and famine stalk the land, while monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions, only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone. Now, the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief, Alex, on the throne of Troy and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse. To achieve this, Brother Diaz and Alex will be accompanied by The Devils, a congregation of convicted monsters that guarantees every mission turns into a disastrous bloodbath. It is mandatory to fight devils with devils. The result? This insane quest successfully led Abercrombie to hit another glorious homerun with The Devils.
As I said earlier, although it is entirely accurate to assess The Devils as another gritty and dark tale from our beloved Lord Grimdark, the main themes of The Devils is about the meaning of the soul, redemption, sense of longing, hope, faith, and found family. The way I would perceive or advertise The Devils to The First Law readers would be to imagine this as Best Served Cold, but the crew comprised of an unlikely found family of vicious, damaged, hilarious, and charismatic characters. Most importantly, most of these characters are inherently kind-hearted characters trying to do good. Not all, but most. There were definitely some nods to Logen Ninefingers, and time will tell whether these characters will reach the hall of fame status the characters of The First Law series such as Logen Ninefingers, Sand dan Glokta, Bayaz, and many more gained. But hey, as Logen often says, Abercrombie is still alive. We're only one book into the series. In The Devils, Abercrombie already effectively proved the myriad number of storytelling knives he wields are still deadly sharp and precise toward the target of writing great characters, dialogues, and actions.
I feel it is truly a gift and a curse to have read many fantasy books. I have mentioned this many times now in my reviews and videos. To put it this way, in the case of this book, having read all of Abercrombie’s First Law books and then being deprived of any of his new work for 3 years made me realize just how good I had it and how few authors can nail characterizations as good as Abercrombie does. Especially if we’re talking about distinct character’s inner and dialogue voices. My god. Abercrombie is close to being unparalleled in that aspect. Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi would totally say Abercrombie is one of the three best character writers in Europe. I had an absolute blast reading through The Devils, and if you’ve been a fan of The First Law books, then you’ll know and understand that one of the main reasons behind this is the extremely well-written characters.
I felt thoroughly invested in every character of The Devils group. They all have their own strengths and flaws, but at the end of the day, most of them are trying their best to repel the affliction that transformed them into devils in the eyes of society. Most of them are genuinely trying to do good and be kind after the sins of their past, and some want to belong to a group of loyal friends. This is Abercrombie writing an epic fantasy novel with an integral found family consisting of a thief, a cowardly monk, a cursed knight, a pirate, a narcissistic necromancer, an invisible elf, a geriatric vampire, and a werewolf. I could not resist that. The characters were lovable, and the dialogues were incredibly engaging. Following the journey of Alex, Brother Diaz, Jakob the Thorn, Baptiste, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, Sunny, Baron, and Vigga across all hell on Earth was addictive, delightful, and brimming with laugh-out-loud moments.
All of the above is not to convey The Devils as a simple, fun, and humorous book. It is not a proper Abercrombie book without the gripping actions and crimson brutality, right? Rest assured. You will get them and more. Abercrombie being one of the best combat scenes writers in the fantasy genre is a statement I have repeated countless times. The Devils gave irrevocable power to that notion. Structure-wise, The Devils is divided into four parts, and each part essentially ends with a dynamic and cinematic sequence of carnage. Abercrombie's fluency in the language of violence is undeniable. He is a master conductor at composing and structuring words to bring intensely vivid battle in my mind. It has been that way since The Blade Itself, and he retains that in The Devils. The last 80 pages of The Devils may just be one of the longest action sequences Abercrombie has ever written.
I completely loved it. There were no dull moments reading the visceral confrontations that raged across the alternative Europe Abercrombie crafted. The description of the setting and environment in The Devils is also bursting with life and imagery. The Holy City, Venice, Troy, and the conflagration of Saint Natalia’s Flame were exquisite and grand in their respective way. I wish I could get into more details about these, but I am cognizant of how fortunate I am to be reading this book nine months early, and I will leave the impact of the powerful battles and stunning vistas for you to experience yourself.
Abercrombie deals in absolute, and I have nothing but absolute praise for The Devils. It was the utterly compelling, immersive, and magnificent fantasy escapism I desperately needed. I (like many readers of The First Law series) await Abercrombie’s explosive return to that beloved grim playground. However, if you have been a fan of Abercrombie’s storytelling and writing in The First Law series, I guarantee The Devils will succeed at providing a captivating reading experience while you wait. The Devils feels like a legal injection of a healthy and joyful adrenaline rush. In the same vein as how The First Law trilogy helped spark my love for reading epic fantasy novels, The Devils is sort of responsible for reminding me why I cherish the fantasy genre. As I talked about how blessed I am to be reading The Devils early, I am cursed with waiting much longer for the sequel to come. It is worth the pain, though. The Devils is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. God, it feels good to say that. It is a declaration that has been missing from my reading year. If you are, for whatever reason, not sure about reading The Devils, retract that fear now. Have hope. The Devils is a book that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers to Abercrombie's work. The Devils signals the return of one of the masters of the fantasy genre. Pre-order The Devils. Enrich your reading life next year.
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew S, Annabeth, Anne, Arliss, Barbara, Bev, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Erich, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, James, Jeff, Jenn, Jesse, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, Rando, RCT, Redmischief, Rue, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Stephanie, Trish, TS, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
I fully realize this book is not out until May 2025, but so far, The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the best fantasy book I’ve read this year. It’s devilishly brilliant.
‘No matter how you fight, you can’t beat time. It lays low every empire, topples every tyrant.’
Believe me when I say I felt highly elated when I received the advance reading copy of The Devils. The last new book by Joe Abercrombie I read, The Wisdom of Crowds, was released 3 years ago. And it has been 13 months since I gave any new fantasy book I read (not counting reread) a 5-star rating. Today, the absence of a new Abercrombie’s book and a 5-star rating drought has finally been given water to live. The Devils marked the first time I read a book from Abercrombie that doesn’t take place in The First Law universe. I don’t think it is possible to avoid comparisons with The First Law in my review here. I, like many of you, knew about Abercrombie’s books through The First Law world, and it is understandable for readers to approach The Devils expecting they’ll get the same greatness of The First Law series. And from my perspective, you’ll earn them from The Devils. However, do not expect this to be 100% similar to The First Law in tone and narrative. By its nature, The Devils retains Abercrombie’s strongest skills as a storyteller as he navigates his own uncharted grounds of storytelling. Gritty and violent while focusing more on amplifying the fun, entertaining, humor factors and, as crazy as this will sound, the found family aspect.
‘That’s how it always begins. The just cause. The good fight. Each time, I tell myself it will be different. But for me, as the fight wears on, the good wears off. Before I know it . . . I’ve made myself a devil. That’s why I swore to serve her Holiness. That’s why I have to keep my oath.’ And with the bitter regret of a drunk pushing away the bottle, he let his lingering fingertips slip from the gold-wired hilt.’
So what's The Devils about? As Europe stares into the abyss and plague and famine stalk the land, while monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions, only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone. Now, the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief, Alex, on the throne of Troy and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse. To achieve this, Brother Diaz and Alex will be accompanied by The Devils, a congregation of convicted monsters that guarantees every mission turns into a disastrous bloodbath. It is mandatory to fight devils with devils. The result? This insane quest successfully led Abercrombie to hit another glorious homerun with The Devils.
“Everyone’s scared all the time. That’s the thing you’ve got to tell yourself. They might be scared of different things to you. Things that don’t scare you a bit. Like heights, or failure, or wanting to piss then not being able to go. But everyone’s scared of something. And even if they’re not, it helps to think they are. The brave ones are just good at pretending, and pretending’s just lying by another name, and when it came to lying, Alex was up there with the best. Ask anyone.”
As I said earlier, although it is entirely accurate to assess The Devils as another gritty and dark tale from our beloved Lord Grimdark, the main themes of The Devils is about the meaning of the soul, redemption, sense of longing, hope, faith, and found family. The way I would perceive or advertise The Devils to The First Law readers would be to imagine this as Best Served Cold, but the crew comprised of an unlikely found family of vicious, damaged, hilarious, and charismatic characters. Most importantly, most of these characters are inherently kind-hearted characters trying to do good. Not all, but most. There were definitely some nods to Logen Ninefingers, and time will tell whether these characters will reach the hall of fame status the characters of The First Law series such as Logen Ninefingers, Sand dan Glokta, Bayaz, and many more gained. But hey, as Logen often says, Abercrombie is still alive. We're only one book into the series. In The Devils, Abercrombie already effectively proved the myriad number of storytelling knives he wields are still deadly sharp and precise toward the target of writing great characters, dialogues, and actions.
‘The world’s a bitter place… We’ve got to grasp at any joy we can.’
I feel it is truly a gift and a curse to have read many fantasy books. I have mentioned this many times now in my reviews and videos. To put it this way, in the case of this book, having read all of Abercrombie’s First Law books and then being deprived of any of his new work for 3 years made me realize just how good I had it and how few authors can nail characterizations as good as Abercrombie does. Especially if we’re talking about distinct character’s inner and dialogue voices. My god. Abercrombie is close to being unparalleled in that aspect. Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi would totally say Abercrombie is one of the three best character writers in Europe. I had an absolute blast reading through The Devils, and if you’ve been a fan of The First Law books, then you’ll know and understand that one of the main reasons behind this is the extremely well-written characters.
“They laughed together. The world was, it hardly needed to be said, divided into enemies and those that could be made use of. The Baron might well have been the most dangerous monster in this monstrous company, but if Balthazar had learned one thing during his storied career in the magical sciences, it is that the worst monsters often make the best allies.”
I felt thoroughly invested in every character of The Devils group. They all have their own strengths and flaws, but at the end of the day, most of them are trying their best to repel the affliction that transformed them into devils in the eyes of society. Most of them are genuinely trying to do good and be kind after the sins of their past, and some want to belong to a group of loyal friends. This is Abercrombie writing an epic fantasy novel with an integral found family consisting of a thief, a cowardly monk, a cursed knight, a pirate, a narcissistic necromancer, an invisible elf, a geriatric vampire, and a werewolf. I could not resist that. The characters were lovable, and the dialogues were incredibly engaging. Following the journey of Alex, Brother Diaz, Jakob the Thorn, Baptiste, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, Sunny, Baron, and Vigga across all hell on Earth was addictive, delightful, and brimming with laugh-out-loud moments.
‘I’ve spent a lifetime at war… and I can tell you only this. Nine times out of ten there’s more to be won from peace.’
All of the above is not to convey The Devils as a simple, fun, and humorous book. It is not a proper Abercrombie book without the gripping actions and crimson brutality, right? Rest assured. You will get them and more. Abercrombie being one of the best combat scenes writers in the fantasy genre is a statement I have repeated countless times. The Devils gave irrevocable power to that notion. Structure-wise, The Devils is divided into four parts, and each part essentially ends with a dynamic and cinematic sequence of carnage. Abercrombie's fluency in the language of violence is undeniable. He is a master conductor at composing and structuring words to bring intensely vivid battle in my mind. It has been that way since The Blade Itself, and he retains that in The Devils. The last 80 pages of The Devils may just be one of the longest action sequences Abercrombie has ever written.
‘In my youth I dreamed one man could tip the balance of history… Time has taught me that when one does, it can tip the wrong way as easily as the right.’
I completely loved it. There were no dull moments reading the visceral confrontations that raged across the alternative Europe Abercrombie crafted. The description of the setting and environment in The Devils is also bursting with life and imagery. The Holy City, Venice, Troy, and the conflagration of Saint Natalia’s Flame were exquisite and grand in their respective way. I wish I could get into more details about these, but I am cognizant of how fortunate I am to be reading this book nine months early, and I will leave the impact of the powerful battles and stunning vistas for you to experience yourself.
‘When I was young… I thought I was working towards something. Building to last. Some perfect state of things. Of the world. Of myself.’ He gently shifted one leg under her, then the other. ‘You get to my age, you realise nothing lasts forever. No love, no hate, no war, no peace. If a thing hasn’t ended . . . you haven’t waited long enough.’
Abercrombie deals in absolute, and I have nothing but absolute praise for The Devils. It was the utterly compelling, immersive, and magnificent fantasy escapism I desperately needed. I (like many readers of The First Law series) await Abercrombie’s explosive return to that beloved grim playground. However, if you have been a fan of Abercrombie’s storytelling and writing in The First Law series, I guarantee The Devils will succeed at providing a captivating reading experience while you wait. The Devils feels like a legal injection of a healthy and joyful adrenaline rush. In the same vein as how The First Law trilogy helped spark my love for reading epic fantasy novels, The Devils is sort of responsible for reminding me why I cherish the fantasy genre. As I talked about how blessed I am to be reading The Devils early, I am cursed with waiting much longer for the sequel to come. It is worth the pain, though. The Devils is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. God, it feels good to say that. It is a declaration that has been missing from my reading year. If you are, for whatever reason, not sure about reading The Devils, retract that fear now. Have hope. The Devils is a book that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers to Abercrombie's work. The Devils signals the return of one of the masters of the fantasy genre. Pre-order The Devils. Enrich your reading life next year.
‘Show me a man who regrets nothing and I’ll show you a man who’s achieved nothing.’
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew S, Annabeth, Anne, Arliss, Barbara, Bev, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Erich, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, James, Jeff, Jenn, Jesse, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, Rando, RCT, Redmischief, Rue, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Stephanie, Trish, TS, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
November 27, 2024
*Video review coming on release day*
I was filled with nervous excitement when beginning this series because I was thinking The First Law was just too big of shoes to fill. Shattered Sea was a letdown and I feared I would just be longing for what Joe established with First Law and always feel like I’d just be comparing it. This didn’t happen, but in the best way. Because this will most likely be my book of the year for 2025.
What Joe remains the master of is his character work and the dialogue. He’s the only author out there able to give you such damaged and, in most cases, reprehensible characters that you simply fall in love with and want to see achieve their goals. Also, the only author who can get away with the dialogue he does and it leaves you laughing (and usually when something very dark is happening in the story).
The Devils is like the fantasy Suicide Squad with a group of misfits that keep fudging up everything they touch, but somehow get the job done. Sorta. Guess we will have to wait for book 2 to see. I cannot wait.
I was filled with nervous excitement when beginning this series because I was thinking The First Law was just too big of shoes to fill. Shattered Sea was a letdown and I feared I would just be longing for what Joe established with First Law and always feel like I’d just be comparing it. This didn’t happen, but in the best way. Because this will most likely be my book of the year for 2025.
What Joe remains the master of is his character work and the dialogue. He’s the only author out there able to give you such damaged and, in most cases, reprehensible characters that you simply fall in love with and want to see achieve their goals. Also, the only author who can get away with the dialogue he does and it leaves you laughing (and usually when something very dark is happening in the story).
The Devils is like the fantasy Suicide Squad with a group of misfits that keep fudging up everything they touch, but somehow get the job done. Sorta. Guess we will have to wait for book 2 to see. I cannot wait.
February 14, 2025
Could very well go down as my book of the year in 2025. The best start to any of his series to date, and I can't wait to read the next one!
June 26, 2024
Absolutely loved this. And so, I think, will every Abercrombie fan out there. His funniest book yet, but a ton of poignant stuff as well.
December 22, 2024
My review of The Devils is published at Before We Go Blog.
Joe Abercrombie returns with The Devils, a dark epic fantasy featuring plenty of irreverent and often campy nods to classic horror. The novel takes place in an alternate medieval Europe threatened by an imminent elvish invasion. And the elves are hungry for human flesh.
Meanwhile, a religious schism pits the Western Church against the East. Her Holiness, Pope Benedicta the First, believes that the best way to fight devils is with her own band of devils. She assembles a motley crew of classic horror-inspired characters, including a vampire, a werewolf, a necromancer, et al., to unite the land and consolidate power. Led by the rather pitiful Brother Diaz, the ragtag band of antiheroes is tasked with placing a former thief, Alex, on the rival throne.
The Devils delivers a torrent of fast and bloody action. Unfortunately, the plot never slows down enough for the characters to develop the level of emotional depth that I would have expected from an Abercrombie novel.
Instead, the author’s tongue seems to be permanently in-cheek throughout The Devils. The novel’s tone is dominated by its lowbrow humor, never missing an opportunity to go for cheap laughs. Although I found some of the jokes amusing, this book is quite a chonker, and the nonstop onslaught of crass humor became rather grating after a while, making the book feel exceedingly long despite its fast-paced plot.
Another issue with The Devils is its overly repetitive dialogue. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the same lines being used over and over again. Lines that are funny the first time don’t become funnier after repeated usage.
Despite an interesting premise, The Devils is too cheeky for its own good. To me, humor works most effectively when it’s balanced by other emotions, such as found in much of Abercrombie’s back catalog. Unfortunately, The Devils feels shallow and unsatisfying in comparison.
Joe Abercrombie returns with The Devils, a dark epic fantasy featuring plenty of irreverent and often campy nods to classic horror. The novel takes place in an alternate medieval Europe threatened by an imminent elvish invasion. And the elves are hungry for human flesh.
Meanwhile, a religious schism pits the Western Church against the East. Her Holiness, Pope Benedicta the First, believes that the best way to fight devils is with her own band of devils. She assembles a motley crew of classic horror-inspired characters, including a vampire, a werewolf, a necromancer, et al., to unite the land and consolidate power. Led by the rather pitiful Brother Diaz, the ragtag band of antiheroes is tasked with placing a former thief, Alex, on the rival throne.
The Devils delivers a torrent of fast and bloody action. Unfortunately, the plot never slows down enough for the characters to develop the level of emotional depth that I would have expected from an Abercrombie novel.
Instead, the author’s tongue seems to be permanently in-cheek throughout The Devils. The novel’s tone is dominated by its lowbrow humor, never missing an opportunity to go for cheap laughs. Although I found some of the jokes amusing, this book is quite a chonker, and the nonstop onslaught of crass humor became rather grating after a while, making the book feel exceedingly long despite its fast-paced plot.
Another issue with The Devils is its overly repetitive dialogue. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the same lines being used over and over again. Lines that are funny the first time don’t become funnier after repeated usage.
Despite an interesting premise, The Devils is too cheeky for its own good. To me, humor works most effectively when it’s balanced by other emotions, such as found in much of Abercrombie’s back catalog. Unfortunately, The Devils feels shallow and unsatisfying in comparison.
October 30, 2024
Abercrombie just can’t miss. Yet another fantastic cast of characters, some incredible action sequences, hysterics, and grim thematic exploration. This reminded me greatly of Best Served Cold in all the best ways. Just everything I love about Abercrombie’s writing wrapped into a single, tightly wound story that never once lost my interest. Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!
January 27, 2025
You know that feeling when you slay a dragon? Cool. Then you know what it feels like to finish a Joe Abercrombie book and The Devils is NO exception.
I’ll simply end this review for now stating what Joe is known for best. Morally. Grey. Characters.
The characters in this book exude an enigmatic and mysterious aura. Their morally grey nature and secretive agendas added layers of complexity to the narrative. And the inability to fully trust any character heightened the stakes so much for me, making the reading experience both thrilling and unpredictable!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel :)
https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
I’ll simply end this review for now stating what Joe is known for best. Morally. Grey. Characters.
The characters in this book exude an enigmatic and mysterious aura. Their morally grey nature and secretive agendas added layers of complexity to the narrative. And the inability to fully trust any character heightened the stakes so much for me, making the reading experience both thrilling and unpredictable!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel :)
https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
November 20, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this overall, but I found it humorous in a way that just felt…a little tiresome after awhile. I also think, in a few places, the jokes/banter detracted from what could’ve been some great character moments. It’s a big cast, and while I loved some characters more than others, I found them all to be distinct with unique personalities that made each of them memorable. Abercrombie’s talent for strong characters, dialogue, and action continues to shine here. The Devils is a fun and adventurous romp, just not going to be a new favorite.
Thank you to Tor for the e-arc 🙂
Thank you to Tor for the e-arc 🙂
August 24, 2024
It took me awhile to get into it but once I got used to the fact that this was a very different tale from the First Law, I really enjoyed it. Humour, always a strong part of Abercrombie's writing, has been turned up to the max and the cast of characters almost sounds like the start of a bad joke. But it's not long before the blood is flowing along with the gags and I discovered I'd fallen in love with the motely crew. Great stuff
October 26, 2024
Overview:
⚔️ Action fantasy
🤡 Comedy
🏳️🌈 LGBT Rep / romance
👩👧👧 Found Family elements
🚗 Fast paced
🧌 Monsterfucking
I was lucky enough to be able to read an ARC of The Devils and have very mixed thoughts. I will put off my rating until I can get myself together. Joe Abercrombie is my favorite author and The Devils was my far my number 1 most anticipated book.
The Devils centers around Alex, a young thief who was found to be a lost princess who must be returned home to be crowned empress. In order to get there there safely, the young pope summons and binds a ragtag group of monsters and murderers. A vampire, A sorcerer, a werwolf, a man who can't die, a warrior, an elf, and an anxious monk travel together with one goal: get Alex on the throne at any cost.
This book is heavily unlike anything i've seen Abercrombie do, with maybe the best comparison being The Heroes. Its heavily focused on comedy and light hearted action sequences which are (in Lord Grimdark fashion) extremely well written. If you don't like comedic fantasy, you will absolutely struggle with this one.
While The First Law is heavily invested in character study, The Devils provides almost no character background and minimal expanded character lore. These characters all interact with each other and you do get a lot of them, but only two of them really have a strong enough backstory to consider notable, everyone else is sort of "what you see is what you get"- which is mostly cool powers connected with fun and often hilarious fight scenes.
The Devils is also a little less centered on character arcs, with most of the characters being morally decent or scamps who like to get away with a little murder. Most of them have a minor issue they need to work through that isn;t connected to a full character arc, but it is something that they may find while traveling with their companions and cutting down monsters. The morally grey studies of The First Law are not present in this book, and honestly most of these characters are shockingly likable. Alex absolutely sees some growth through the story, but most of her companions are quite static.
Each character sort of has their niche and simple traits. Balthazar the sorcerer is arrogant, Brother Diaz is awkward, Vigga is a horny and chaotic werewolf, and so on. Their personality traits usually line up with their powers and color their adventures in short stint POV chapters. This is probably the least character book Abercrombie has written.
I think to a few years back where Abercrombie said he wanted to write books that represented more than just men, and The Devils is a good example to how far hes come- featuring quite a few women and queer characters. The Devils has some really wonderful queer rep, and the queer couple is easily the best and most developed character interaction in the series. There is a shocking amount of sex and romance in this book, though a lot of post foreplay is fade to black. The scenes are classic Abercrombie, very messy and typically involving awkward men and terrifying women having femdom sex. The man is obsessed with femdom (as he should be) and simply refuses to acknowledge it.
This is a bit of a "no plot just vibes" book, as the group mostly encounters new fights on their way to crown Alex. Fighting on the roads, fighting in a ship- I can not express enough how much you need to LOVE action scenes for this book to be worth it to you. It is a tremendously fast burn where a lot of crazy unhinged shit is thrown at you really fast. Ive seen some hopefuls want to compare it to a Souls game, but its a little too unserious for that. I would actually say a better comparison is a medieval version of a Far Cry game.
As someone who doesn't particularly care for fight scenes and prefers slower, more political fantasy, this element of the book was a struggle, especially walking in expecting something from the book due to the author's previous work. There are absolutely no political elements at all and it is not what I would consider a grimdark fantasy- its actually quite hopeful at times.
The Devils will likely delight fans of The Blacktongue Thief, which is the best book comp I can think of. It's a bit of an odd duck of a book, but if Abercrombies signature dry style of humor works for you and you like the idea of fighting countless chimeras, werwolves ripping people apart, and a small dash of bizarrely wholesome queer romance, this one is for you.
For me, The Devils lacks the things I love about Joe Abercrombie's storytelling, but for many others it is jam packed with so many things that define his writing style and this book will be a welcomed fun departure from the darkness of his most famous world.
⚔️ Action fantasy
🤡 Comedy
🏳️🌈 LGBT Rep / romance
👩👧👧 Found Family elements
🚗 Fast paced
🧌 Monsterfucking
I was lucky enough to be able to read an ARC of The Devils and have very mixed thoughts. I will put off my rating until I can get myself together. Joe Abercrombie is my favorite author and The Devils was my far my number 1 most anticipated book.
The Devils centers around Alex, a young thief who was found to be a lost princess who must be returned home to be crowned empress. In order to get there there safely, the young pope summons and binds a ragtag group of monsters and murderers. A vampire, A sorcerer, a werwolf, a man who can't die, a warrior, an elf, and an anxious monk travel together with one goal: get Alex on the throne at any cost.
This book is heavily unlike anything i've seen Abercrombie do, with maybe the best comparison being The Heroes. Its heavily focused on comedy and light hearted action sequences which are (in Lord Grimdark fashion) extremely well written. If you don't like comedic fantasy, you will absolutely struggle with this one.
While The First Law is heavily invested in character study, The Devils provides almost no character background and minimal expanded character lore. These characters all interact with each other and you do get a lot of them, but only two of them really have a strong enough backstory to consider notable, everyone else is sort of "what you see is what you get"- which is mostly cool powers connected with fun and often hilarious fight scenes.
The Devils is also a little less centered on character arcs, with most of the characters being morally decent or scamps who like to get away with a little murder. Most of them have a minor issue they need to work through that isn;t connected to a full character arc, but it is something that they may find while traveling with their companions and cutting down monsters. The morally grey studies of The First Law are not present in this book, and honestly most of these characters are shockingly likable. Alex absolutely sees some growth through the story, but most of her companions are quite static.
Each character sort of has their niche and simple traits. Balthazar the sorcerer is arrogant, Brother Diaz is awkward, Vigga is a horny and chaotic werewolf, and so on. Their personality traits usually line up with their powers and color their adventures in short stint POV chapters. This is probably the least character book Abercrombie has written.
I think to a few years back where Abercrombie said he wanted to write books that represented more than just men, and The Devils is a good example to how far hes come- featuring quite a few women and queer characters. The Devils has some really wonderful queer rep, and the queer couple is easily the best and most developed character interaction in the series. There is a shocking amount of sex and romance in this book, though a lot of post foreplay is fade to black. The scenes are classic Abercrombie, very messy and typically involving awkward men and terrifying women having femdom sex. The man is obsessed with femdom (as he should be) and simply refuses to acknowledge it.
This is a bit of a "no plot just vibes" book, as the group mostly encounters new fights on their way to crown Alex. Fighting on the roads, fighting in a ship- I can not express enough how much you need to LOVE action scenes for this book to be worth it to you. It is a tremendously fast burn where a lot of crazy unhinged shit is thrown at you really fast. Ive seen some hopefuls want to compare it to a Souls game, but its a little too unserious for that. I would actually say a better comparison is a medieval version of a Far Cry game.
As someone who doesn't particularly care for fight scenes and prefers slower, more political fantasy, this element of the book was a struggle, especially walking in expecting something from the book due to the author's previous work. There are absolutely no political elements at all and it is not what I would consider a grimdark fantasy- its actually quite hopeful at times.
The Devils will likely delight fans of The Blacktongue Thief, which is the best book comp I can think of. It's a bit of an odd duck of a book, but if Abercrombies signature dry style of humor works for you and you like the idea of fighting countless chimeras, werwolves ripping people apart, and a small dash of bizarrely wholesome queer romance, this one is for you.
For me, The Devils lacks the things I love about Joe Abercrombie's storytelling, but for many others it is jam packed with so many things that define his writing style and this book will be a welcomed fun departure from the darkness of his most famous world.
October 27, 2024
The same strengths you expect from Abercrombie (character depth/development, expertly crafted fight/battle scenes, witty banter) with an extra dash of comedy that makes this his most fun adventure yet. Also this is his most magical world yet, with vampires, elves, werewolves and all other many of freakish beasts. Normally I'm not a huge fan of that aspect but Abercrombie made it work. Excellent opening salvo to this new world.
(Expanded review coming to Patreon, 1:30 video review on TT/IG)
(Expanded review coming to Patreon, 1:30 video review on TT/IG)
Want to read
April 4, 20222025. Three years away. Nevertheless, I am intrigued…
“The Devils begins a series which fuses the best of fantasy with the most gripping elements of heist, spy and thriller fiction. In a magic-riddled Europe under constant threat of elf invasion, the ten year old Pope occasionally needs services that cannot be performed by the righteous. And so, sealed deep beneath the catacombs, cathedrals and relic stalls of the Sacred City lies the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency. For its highly disposable congregation—including a self-serving magician, a self-satisfied vampire, an oversexed werewolf, and a knight cursed with immortality—there is no mission that cannot be turned into a calamitous bloodbath…”
— Tor (https://www.tor.com/2022/04/04/book-a...)
“The Devils begins a series which fuses the best of fantasy with the most gripping elements of heist, spy and thriller fiction. In a magic-riddled Europe under constant threat of elf invasion, the ten year old Pope occasionally needs services that cannot be performed by the righteous. And so, sealed deep beneath the catacombs, cathedrals and relic stalls of the Sacred City lies the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency. For its highly disposable congregation—including a self-serving magician, a self-satisfied vampire, an oversexed werewolf, and a knight cursed with immortality—there is no mission that cannot be turned into a calamitous bloodbath…”
— Tor (https://www.tor.com/2022/04/04/book-a...)
February 17, 2025
“Where was the line? Was there a line? Brother Diaz really didn't want to live in a world without lines and yet, through no apparent fault of his own, here he was, wondering if a severed head had always had a lisp.
Perhaps there had never been any lines. Perhaps the whole idea of lines was a consolatory fairy tale it had suited him to believe.”
When Brother Diaz first enters the Celestial Palace he believes he’s there to meet Her Holiness, the Pope. He believes he’s about to get the highest of respect and his longtime ambitions have been achieved. He’s wrong. For below the Palace is the Thirteenth Chapel, a place where the condemned and outcasted have been locked away to be called upon when the Church has an impossible task. Brother Diaz is to lead The Chapel of the Holy Expediency on a journey to safely set an unlikely princess on The Serpent Throne of Troy. With the ever threat of an Elf invasion and monsters at their heels Brother Diaz will need a flock of his own monsters on his side, he’ll need the Devils.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie plunges readers into a familiar world of backstabbing politics, morally grey characters and an abundance of sardonic humour. Yet this time around Abercrombie also gives us characters to empathise with, he gives us an adventure that’s ultimately fun and exciting and he twists well known fantasy monsters.
I’m a huge fan of the First Law books and I was apprehensive about starting something entirely new, yet I needn’t have been because although this is vastly different, it’s still very Joe Abercrombie. Just from the first few chapters I could tell there was still his trademark humour that I love so much and there are still antiheroes in a gritty corrupted world. Yet it also feels like the author has a sense of freedom, he’s now able to go all out on the fantasy elements.
Talking about the characters is hard because I had so many favourites. I really love a cowardly character who lands themselves totally out of their depth and doesn’t quite know how to get out of it, so naturally I loved Brother Diaz. He’s young, ambitious, not quite as pious or theologically inclined as a monk should be, all of which makes his POV downright hilarious. I don’t care what this says about me but Vigga is a fantastic character both in her wolf form and in her human form—she’s pure chaos and carnage. I also immediately loved Balthazar, the magician, who no matter how skilled in the Black Arts he was could not escape from his binding! Sunny the elf was one of those rare precious characters, who I just wanted to protect her at all costs.
As these characters all journey together I too feel like I’ve been on a journey with them and as more of their lives, their backstory and their relationship with one another is revealed my view of them also evolved. The world may perceive this group of outcasts to be monsters but each of them have faced tragedy, trauma and it has left them with grief and loneliness even when they weren’t to blame. Sometimes in life, shit happens to you and all you can do is make the best of what you have. This is what I feel The Church of Holy Expediency is for the Devils.
Abercrombie is a master of his craft, he’s the kind of author who never feels stale nor ever fails to entertain. The Devils is as hilarious as it is immersive. This is not just grimdark it’s Grimcom and it’s simply superb storytelling.
ARC provided by Lucy at Gollancz in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the copy!
Perhaps there had never been any lines. Perhaps the whole idea of lines was a consolatory fairy tale it had suited him to believe.”
When Brother Diaz first enters the Celestial Palace he believes he’s there to meet Her Holiness, the Pope. He believes he’s about to get the highest of respect and his longtime ambitions have been achieved. He’s wrong. For below the Palace is the Thirteenth Chapel, a place where the condemned and outcasted have been locked away to be called upon when the Church has an impossible task. Brother Diaz is to lead The Chapel of the Holy Expediency on a journey to safely set an unlikely princess on The Serpent Throne of Troy. With the ever threat of an Elf invasion and monsters at their heels Brother Diaz will need a flock of his own monsters on his side, he’ll need the Devils.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie plunges readers into a familiar world of backstabbing politics, morally grey characters and an abundance of sardonic humour. Yet this time around Abercrombie also gives us characters to empathise with, he gives us an adventure that’s ultimately fun and exciting and he twists well known fantasy monsters.
I’m a huge fan of the First Law books and I was apprehensive about starting something entirely new, yet I needn’t have been because although this is vastly different, it’s still very Joe Abercrombie. Just from the first few chapters I could tell there was still his trademark humour that I love so much and there are still antiheroes in a gritty corrupted world. Yet it also feels like the author has a sense of freedom, he’s now able to go all out on the fantasy elements.
Talking about the characters is hard because I had so many favourites. I really love a cowardly character who lands themselves totally out of their depth and doesn’t quite know how to get out of it, so naturally I loved Brother Diaz. He’s young, ambitious, not quite as pious or theologically inclined as a monk should be, all of which makes his POV downright hilarious. I don’t care what this says about me but Vigga is a fantastic character both in her wolf form and in her human form—she’s pure chaos and carnage. I also immediately loved Balthazar, the magician, who no matter how skilled in the Black Arts he was could not escape from his binding! Sunny the elf was one of those rare precious characters, who I just wanted to protect her at all costs.
As these characters all journey together I too feel like I’ve been on a journey with them and as more of their lives, their backstory and their relationship with one another is revealed my view of them also evolved. The world may perceive this group of outcasts to be monsters but each of them have faced tragedy, trauma and it has left them with grief and loneliness even when they weren’t to blame. Sometimes in life, shit happens to you and all you can do is make the best of what you have. This is what I feel The Church of Holy Expediency is for the Devils.
Abercrombie is a master of his craft, he’s the kind of author who never feels stale nor ever fails to entertain. The Devils is as hilarious as it is immersive. This is not just grimdark it’s Grimcom and it’s simply superb storytelling.
ARC provided by Lucy at Gollancz in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the copy!
Want to read
June 18, 2024I think Goodreads is trying to gaslight me. I know I added this book to my shelves a month ago or so, when it had a red cover with an angel holding a sword on it. It just vanished.
September 21, 2024
Divertidísima partida de rol de lo más disparatada con un grupo de personajes más que carismáticos y una trama que no te deja respirar ni un segundo. La novela más divertida, macarra y rolera de Abercrombie, y probablemente mi nueva favorita.
January 9, 2025
I’ve truly missed Joe Abercrombie’s writing because it’s been months since I finished The First Law Trilogy. So, imagine my excitement when an angel blessed me with an ARC of Lord Grimdark’s much-anticipated novel, The Devils. From the very start, I knew this was a 10/5 read for me.
This book has everything: it’s dark, witty, action-packed, and set in an alternate Europe. The band of misfits: a vampire, a cursed knight, a thief, a monk, a jack of all trades, an elf, a magician, and a werewolf, are all unforgettable, each shining in their own way. The banter had me laughing out loud, and the focus on each character was incredible. It’s hands down one of Abercrombie’s funniest works, perfectly balancing sharp humor with gritty violence and a gripping plot that kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of Abercrombie’s previous books or love fantasy with sharp wit, memorable characters, nonstop action, and brilliant storytelling, The Devils is a must-read. I already can’t wait to listen to the audio when it releases on pub day!
This book has everything: it’s dark, witty, action-packed, and set in an alternate Europe. The band of misfits: a vampire, a cursed knight, a thief, a monk, a jack of all trades, an elf, a magician, and a werewolf, are all unforgettable, each shining in their own way. The banter had me laughing out loud, and the focus on each character was incredible. It’s hands down one of Abercrombie’s funniest works, perfectly balancing sharp humor with gritty violence and a gripping plot that kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of Abercrombie’s previous books or love fantasy with sharp wit, memorable characters, nonstop action, and brilliant storytelling, The Devils is a must-read. I already can’t wait to listen to the audio when it releases on pub day!
October 26, 2024
His funniest and breeziest novel to date. Excellent characters and dialogue, some real gut-wrenching moments, and a promise of great things to come.
Want to read
November 13, 2024ARC received!!! Thank you so much, Tor!
This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and I cannot believe, absolutely cannot believe, it's already in my hot little hands!!!
This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and I cannot believe, absolutely cannot believe, it's already in my hot little hands!!!
October 9, 2024
The elves are coming to eat the humans...
Joe Abercrombie is back with a darkly fun, historical fantasy novel that is the first installment in a brand new series. It has all the trappings of an Abercrombie novel that we have come to know and love—fast-paced action sequences, deliciously dark humor, and top notch character work.
In a fantasy version of medieval Europe, the western and eastern churches have split over matters of theology, famine and plague haunt the land and the false Empress has recently died, leaving a power vacuum that her four sons are competing to fill by whatever ruthless means necessary. Oh, and the flesh-eating elves are waiting just beyond the borders to devour the humans. Pope Benedicta, in an attempt to combat the coming apocalypse and establish her puppet empress in Troy, commissions Brother Diaz to lead a motley crew of monsters to see a thief turned princess safely ensconced on the throne. Brother Diaz's "congregation" consists of a vampire, an elf, a werewolf, a knight, a pirate, and a sorcerer--er, magician of the dark arts. As they embark on their journey across the continent, monsters of a different sort pursue The Devils and chaos and mayhem ensue. The Devils might be Abercrombie's most plot heavy book to date--spanning four total parts and approximately 560 pages--he really packs in a lot of action. The action sequences are the exquisite bloodbaths that you would expect from Joe--and he gives you just enough time to catch your breath before we're whisked to a new location, with new enemies and more death and gore. At times, this can be a bit jarring as a reader, but it's oh so much fun, and as a result, easily overlooked.
When it comes to character work, Abercrombie once again proves why he is one of the best. While he doesn't give us quite the character depth that we are accustomed to from his series set in the First Law universe, every character still has a remarkably unique voice. Even the most minor characters leave a lasting impression. One thing I found interesting, and was even a little disappointed by, was the fact that we don't get a POV from every member of the Church of the Holy Expediency--a couple of characters are noticeably left out in this regard. There is one in particular I would have loved to get inside their head--as terrifying as that might have been.One of the overarching themes in the novel is that of redemption—is it possible to overcome previous bad deeds by trying to do the right thing or will the terrible things you’ve done always define you? And while all the characters are the morally gray, self-serving kind we should expect from Joe, many do attempt to do “the right thing” even if it doesn’t always work out. And let’s be honest, this is a typical Joe novel, so characters trying to do the right thing rarely works out. While every member of The Devils congregation has their endearing qualities, far and away my favorite was practitioner of the dark arts, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, one of the top three necromancers in all of Europe (self-proclaimed). I eagerly anticipated each of his POVs—his disdain for the rest of the group gave me life. Speaking of the group, another theme explored in The Devils is that of the found family and sense of belonging. At times, these themes were expressed in the most poignant of moments, leaving me deep in my emotions.
Overall, I found The Devils to be a darkly funny, wildly fast, and furiously action-packed ride. The character work from Joe does not disappoint and is the nexus linking all the elements of the novel. If you are a fan of the First Law series, this new book will not disappoint. I look forward to the next installment in this series. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you plan on reading this book when it comes out next year.
My review can also be found on my blog: https://www.bookishbits.com/blog/a-bo...
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for sending me an arc of The Devils in exchange for an honest review.
Joe Abercrombie is back with a darkly fun, historical fantasy novel that is the first installment in a brand new series. It has all the trappings of an Abercrombie novel that we have come to know and love—fast-paced action sequences, deliciously dark humor, and top notch character work.
In a fantasy version of medieval Europe, the western and eastern churches have split over matters of theology, famine and plague haunt the land and the false Empress has recently died, leaving a power vacuum that her four sons are competing to fill by whatever ruthless means necessary. Oh, and the flesh-eating elves are waiting just beyond the borders to devour the humans. Pope Benedicta, in an attempt to combat the coming apocalypse and establish her puppet empress in Troy, commissions Brother Diaz to lead a motley crew of monsters to see a thief turned princess safely ensconced on the throne. Brother Diaz's "congregation" consists of a vampire, an elf, a werewolf, a knight, a pirate, and a sorcerer--er, magician of the dark arts. As they embark on their journey across the continent, monsters of a different sort pursue The Devils and chaos and mayhem ensue. The Devils might be Abercrombie's most plot heavy book to date--spanning four total parts and approximately 560 pages--he really packs in a lot of action. The action sequences are the exquisite bloodbaths that you would expect from Joe--and he gives you just enough time to catch your breath before we're whisked to a new location, with new enemies and more death and gore. At times, this can be a bit jarring as a reader, but it's oh so much fun, and as a result, easily overlooked.
When it comes to character work, Abercrombie once again proves why he is one of the best. While he doesn't give us quite the character depth that we are accustomed to from his series set in the First Law universe, every character still has a remarkably unique voice. Even the most minor characters leave a lasting impression. One thing I found interesting, and was even a little disappointed by, was the fact that we don't get a POV from every member of the Church of the Holy Expediency--a couple of characters are noticeably left out in this regard. There is one in particular I would have loved to get inside their head--as terrifying as that might have been.One of the overarching themes in the novel is that of redemption—is it possible to overcome previous bad deeds by trying to do the right thing or will the terrible things you’ve done always define you? And while all the characters are the morally gray, self-serving kind we should expect from Joe, many do attempt to do “the right thing” even if it doesn’t always work out. And let’s be honest, this is a typical Joe novel, so characters trying to do the right thing rarely works out. While every member of The Devils congregation has their endearing qualities, far and away my favorite was practitioner of the dark arts, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, one of the top three necromancers in all of Europe (self-proclaimed). I eagerly anticipated each of his POVs—his disdain for the rest of the group gave me life. Speaking of the group, another theme explored in The Devils is that of the found family and sense of belonging. At times, these themes were expressed in the most poignant of moments, leaving me deep in my emotions.
Overall, I found The Devils to be a darkly funny, wildly fast, and furiously action-packed ride. The character work from Joe does not disappoint and is the nexus linking all the elements of the novel. If you are a fan of the First Law series, this new book will not disappoint. I look forward to the next installment in this series. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you plan on reading this book when it comes out next year.
My review can also be found on my blog: https://www.bookishbits.com/blog/a-bo...
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for sending me an arc of The Devils in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2025
DON’T get me wrong, this is Joe Abercrombie doing 5⭐️ immoral character-driven mayhem like the 5⭐️ king he is……there is however such thing as TOO much of a good 5⭐️ thing, and I can’t help but feel as though part of the magic of First Law/Age of Madness was that you had all these other big plot devices, storylines and narrative things at play so you could REALLY enjoy the nasty unlikeable snarky characters at their nasty unlikeable snarky best. The Devils was fun and violent and profane, but at the end of it all that’s all it was. In the best way!! I enjoyed the SHIT out of it!! I loveeeee a seemingly incompetent magician, a depressed vampire, a depressed immortal warrior knight, a depressed and horny werewolf, a fucking Frieren, a sexy pirate AND an imposter princess like say less!! Unfortunately, I just needed it to say just a little more by way of world-building and overall grand-scheme narrative. Big if you want to read 500 pages of Joe Abercrombie pulling side quest ideas out of a hat and giggling while his characters trip and fall and fuck their way through them, though. I did and you know what, I’ll fucking do it again for Book 2 so who’s the joke REALLY on……..
September 15, 2024
The Devils is an exciting mix of dark humour, intense action, and complex characters, set in a Europe on the brink of disaster. Plague, famine, and the ever-present threat of an elven invasion cast a shadow over the land, while a group of convicted supernatural criminals are tasked with an unlikely mission: to place a thief on the throne of Troy and unite the fractured church against the apocalypse. It’s chaotic, violent, and darkly funny, a perfect blend that had me thoroughly hooked from the start.
What really struck me was Abercrombie’s knack for creating characters who, despite being obvious miscreants, feel painfully human. Each member of the group has their own flaws, motivations, and backstory, making them more than just archetypes. I found myself invested in them as they navigated their own personal struggles while facing larger threats. Their interactions feel natural, often fraught with tension, but always sharp with wit.
Speaking of wit, the dark humour in The Devils is a highlight for me. Abercrombie knows how to balance the bleakness of the story with a healthy dose of irreverence. I found myself hooting with laughter numerous times, even during the most intense moments. This humour keeps the novel from feeling too grim and adds a unique layer to the narrative.
The action is another strength of the book. Abercrombie crafts fight scenes that are fast-paced and visceral without losing focus on the characters. Every battle feels like it has weight, not just for the plot, but for the people involved. The stakes are high, and the pacing never falters, keeping the story moving without feeling rushed.
What I particularly appreciated is how the book explores deeper themes of leadership, loyalty, and survival. the characters are constantly navigating the line between self-interest and their reluctant responsibilities. The twists and turns in the plot are not just for shock value—they offer moments of growth for the characters and force them to confront difficult choices.
If there’s any critique, it’s that some characters don’t get as much attention as others, but given that The Devils is (hopefully??) the first in a series, I expect there will be plenty of time for them to develop further in future instalments.
What really struck me was Abercrombie’s knack for creating characters who, despite being obvious miscreants, feel painfully human. Each member of the group has their own flaws, motivations, and backstory, making them more than just archetypes. I found myself invested in them as they navigated their own personal struggles while facing larger threats. Their interactions feel natural, often fraught with tension, but always sharp with wit.
Speaking of wit, the dark humour in The Devils is a highlight for me. Abercrombie knows how to balance the bleakness of the story with a healthy dose of irreverence. I found myself hooting with laughter numerous times, even during the most intense moments. This humour keeps the novel from feeling too grim and adds a unique layer to the narrative.
The action is another strength of the book. Abercrombie crafts fight scenes that are fast-paced and visceral without losing focus on the characters. Every battle feels like it has weight, not just for the plot, but for the people involved. The stakes are high, and the pacing never falters, keeping the story moving without feeling rushed.
What I particularly appreciated is how the book explores deeper themes of leadership, loyalty, and survival. the characters are constantly navigating the line between self-interest and their reluctant responsibilities. The twists and turns in the plot are not just for shock value—they offer moments of growth for the characters and force them to confront difficult choices.
If there’s any critique, it’s that some characters don’t get as much attention as others, but given that The Devils is (hopefully??) the first in a series, I expect there will be plenty of time for them to develop further in future instalments.
Want to read
December 12, 2024I’ll probably die when this releases 🤠
November 12, 2024
The most witty Abercrombie book to this day. Set in an alternate early Europe, elves are the bane to mankind and monsters are the key to victory. With swashbuckling adventure and new takes on vampires, werewolves, and necromancers, I can guarantee this will be one of the best books of 2025.
September 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Gollancz for this ARC!
Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded up.
I don’t think I would even be able to put into words how excited I was when I saw this ARC listed, and the pure joy that flowed through me when I got it.
I have so far read five of Abercrombie’s books, and I truly think he is an absolutely fantastic fantasy writer. While The First Law trilogy may be my favourite fantasy series of all time, this goes in a somewhat different, but not less enjoyable, direction.
The Devils is a rather humorous but still entirely cruel and gorey fantasy novel, departing from the rather politics-heavy world of the Age of Madness trilogy into the completely different world of historic Europe, only now with the addition of magic and monsters brought to life. Rather than a tale of war and politics, this is an adventure story, in which we follow a lovably-despicable cast of characters in their journey across Europe to see one of them crowned Empress of Troy, a journey that has them falling from one challenge into the next.
Before I started reading this I read some other reviews, in one of which the reviewer expressed that they thought this book was less character-focused than Abercrombie’s previous works, but I don’t think I can agree with that statement. While it is certainly true that some characters are given more “screen time” than others, and we learn more of their backstory, but nonetheless we get to see each of the central characters grow and change over the course of this story, with the aforementioned changes not always being positive, in true Abercrombie fashion. I would also generally say that it is a bit of an unfair criticism to say that the first work in a trilogy didn’t give the full backstory of a character — what would be left for us to discover in the next two works then?
Really the only “criticism” I have of this is that the humour flowed a little less well than it did in previous Abercrombie works I have read, at times it works fantastically and seems well integrated, while at other times it feels a little off putting. Nonetheless, I think that this book is truly as fun and lighthearted as such a dark fantasy can get, and I am already anxiously awaiting book two.
Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded up.
I don’t think I would even be able to put into words how excited I was when I saw this ARC listed, and the pure joy that flowed through me when I got it.
I have so far read five of Abercrombie’s books, and I truly think he is an absolutely fantastic fantasy writer. While The First Law trilogy may be my favourite fantasy series of all time, this goes in a somewhat different, but not less enjoyable, direction.
The Devils is a rather humorous but still entirely cruel and gorey fantasy novel, departing from the rather politics-heavy world of the Age of Madness trilogy into the completely different world of historic Europe, only now with the addition of magic and monsters brought to life. Rather than a tale of war and politics, this is an adventure story, in which we follow a lovably-despicable cast of characters in their journey across Europe to see one of them crowned Empress of Troy, a journey that has them falling from one challenge into the next.
Before I started reading this I read some other reviews, in one of which the reviewer expressed that they thought this book was less character-focused than Abercrombie’s previous works, but I don’t think I can agree with that statement. While it is certainly true that some characters are given more “screen time” than others, and we learn more of their backstory, but nonetheless we get to see each of the central characters grow and change over the course of this story, with the aforementioned changes not always being positive, in true Abercrombie fashion. I would also generally say that it is a bit of an unfair criticism to say that the first work in a trilogy didn’t give the full backstory of a character — what would be left for us to discover in the next two works then?
Really the only “criticism” I have of this is that the humour flowed a little less well than it did in previous Abercrombie works I have read, at times it works fantastically and seems well integrated, while at other times it feels a little off putting. Nonetheless, I think that this book is truly as fun and lighthearted as such a dark fantasy can get, and I am already anxiously awaiting book two.
January 1, 2025
eARC provided by TOR Publishing - thank you!
Well, after my first Abercrombie series - The First Law, it sure felt nice coming back to Abercrombie's writing and wit. The book wasted no time in winning me over. The premise is set early on, and I quickly grew a liking to the various DEVILS and their banter. My favorite part of the book were the characters. Such a wide-range of cast with unique and corky personalities. Sunny the "evil" elf was definitely my favorite throughout.
In true Abercrombie fashion, the writing is dark, brutal, lacking in character morality and in no short of laughable comedic relief with the banter and dialogue that is circulated within the Devils group. My only criticism would be the repetitiveness. A few times the characters themselves would be summarizing the events to others and it felt like it was just Joe trying to remind the reader of what they read.
Overall, this is an awesome new series that deserves all the attention. I can't wait for the next adventure with THE DEVILS.
Well, after my first Abercrombie series - The First Law, it sure felt nice coming back to Abercrombie's writing and wit. The book wasted no time in winning me over. The premise is set early on, and I quickly grew a liking to the various DEVILS and their banter. My favorite part of the book were the characters. Such a wide-range of cast with unique and corky personalities. Sunny the "evil" elf was definitely my favorite throughout.
In true Abercrombie fashion, the writing is dark, brutal, lacking in character morality and in no short of laughable comedic relief with the banter and dialogue that is circulated within the Devils group. My only criticism would be the repetitiveness. A few times the characters themselves would be summarizing the events to others and it felt like it was just Joe trying to remind the reader of what they read.
Overall, this is an awesome new series that deserves all the attention. I can't wait for the next adventure with THE DEVILS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
Fabulous! This has to be my favourite read of the year.
It's dark, but there's a lot of humour to balance it out.
The main characters are brilliantly flawed.There wasn't anyone that I disliked, and I think Baron Rikard (Vampire), was my favourite with his dry wit...
"Oh, I would never feed on someone to whom I had been formally introduced without express permission. It would be like eating a pet. Once they have a name, it feels...." The baron gave a fastidious shudder. "So crass." 😄
This isn't published until May, so if there's a follow-up, I'll have to wait, and it'll be a long wait to catch up with the Devils who I miss already.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
It's dark, but there's a lot of humour to balance it out.
The main characters are brilliantly flawed.There wasn't anyone that I disliked, and I think Baron Rikard (Vampire), was my favourite with his dry wit...
"Oh, I would never feed on someone to whom I had been formally introduced without express permission. It would be like eating a pet. Once they have a name, it feels...." The baron gave a fastidious shudder. "So crass." 😄
This isn't published until May, so if there's a follow-up, I'll have to wait, and it'll be a long wait to catch up with the Devils who I miss already.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
January 23, 2025
4.5 stars. Very surprising alternate history religious horror fantasy with Abercrombies trademark wry dark humor. More extensive review to come.
November 26, 2024
I received an advanced copy at Comic Con. Another great book from Joe Abercrombie. I think this is my favorite one I have read by him and hope that there is more written about these characters and this world.
Compared to the First Law series, the Devils is much more humorous and silly at times. It felt more like an episodic action movie rather than containing than the gritty realism of the First Law.
I have always thought the Abercrombie’s strength is his characters and the Devils is no exception. I loved the cast of this book and want to read about them more. While still morally dubious like previous Abercrombie characters, I found everyone here much more likable than in any First Law book. However, I felt there could have been more screen time given to developing relationships between some characters more as I sometimes thought the characters were closer than they should be based of interactions so far. Highly recommend to fantasy fans.
Compared to the First Law series, the Devils is much more humorous and silly at times. It felt more like an episodic action movie rather than containing than the gritty realism of the First Law.
I have always thought the Abercrombie’s strength is his characters and the Devils is no exception. I loved the cast of this book and want to read about them more. While still morally dubious like previous Abercrombie characters, I found everyone here much more likable than in any First Law book. However, I felt there could have been more screen time given to developing relationships between some characters more as I sometimes thought the characters were closer than they should be based of interactions so far. Highly recommend to fantasy fans.
February 8, 2025
When Brother Diaz is summoned to the Sacred City, he's sure he is finally landing a prestigious position that will reflect his hard work and dedication. But instead of a noble, glorious assignment, he finds himself in charge of the Chapel of Holy Expediency, an arm of the wing the Church doesn't even officially acknowledge. Brother Diaz is now responsible for dangerous individuals, ranging from a blood-thirsty werewolf to an arrogant necromancer. Their current assignment: escort a lost princess across the continent and install her as the rightful empress of a neighboring empire. In their way: four dangerous cousins who want the princess eliminated so they can take the throne instead.
THE DEVILS is another fantastic fantasy novel featuring that signature blend of Abercrombie: violence, crassness, and a host of memorable characters. Unsurprisingly, my favorite part of the story was the characters themselves. There are several POVs in this book, and every chapter felt like it had a distinctive voice. You could tell when it was a princess chapter versus a werewolf chapter versus a necromancer chapter. All these POV chapters provide insights into the characters themselves, which allows the readers to grapple with a real question: How dangerous are the members of the Chapel of Holy Expediency? Are they being unnecessarily prosecuted? Or has the Church accurately determined that these people are a clear and present danger to society if left unchecked? There is not a cookie cutter answer that applies to all of these characters, and it was intriguing to unpick their backstories and make my own judgement about the them.
Speaking of the Church, let’s discuss the setting itself. THE DEVILS is set in an alternate medieval Europe; while you’ll find references to familiar locations like England and Barcelona, you’ll also find the populace lives in fear of another invasion of cannibalistic elves. The Church is Christianity-adjacent, in that it worships one God, but they use different iconography, and their Savior is a woman, resulting in much of the upper Church leadership being women. All of this is in service of a VERY thinly veiled satirical critique of organized religion. It is a constant theme throughout the book, to the point of being slightly overdone.
The story itself was a blast to read. Our characters must journey from essentially the Vatican to Troy to return the lost princess to her throne. In their way are four royal cousins who want the throne for themselves, resulting in multiple attacks, traps, and attempts on the princess’s life. While individually, each fight is well done and distinctive, it did start to feel slightly repetitive by the end of this 500+ page book.
That doesn’t stop THE DEVILS from having one heck of a gut punch as the story concludes. While the mission of this particular book, returning the princess to her throne, is wrapped up by the end, there are multiple tantalizing hooks dangling that foreshadow things to come. I myself cannot wait to see these characters come back and grapple with a new problem, and see how events from book one have (or haven’t changed) their outlooks. In short, THE DEVILS is a fantastic opening for a trilogy that is sure to be thrilling and engaging journey.
Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
THE DEVILS is another fantastic fantasy novel featuring that signature blend of Abercrombie: violence, crassness, and a host of memorable characters. Unsurprisingly, my favorite part of the story was the characters themselves. There are several POVs in this book, and every chapter felt like it had a distinctive voice. You could tell when it was a princess chapter versus a werewolf chapter versus a necromancer chapter. All these POV chapters provide insights into the characters themselves, which allows the readers to grapple with a real question: How dangerous are the members of the Chapel of Holy Expediency? Are they being unnecessarily prosecuted? Or has the Church accurately determined that these people are a clear and present danger to society if left unchecked? There is not a cookie cutter answer that applies to all of these characters, and it was intriguing to unpick their backstories and make my own judgement about the them.
Speaking of the Church, let’s discuss the setting itself. THE DEVILS is set in an alternate medieval Europe; while you’ll find references to familiar locations like England and Barcelona, you’ll also find the populace lives in fear of another invasion of cannibalistic elves. The Church is Christianity-adjacent, in that it worships one God, but they use different iconography, and their Savior is a woman, resulting in much of the upper Church leadership being women. All of this is in service of a VERY thinly veiled satirical critique of organized religion. It is a constant theme throughout the book, to the point of being slightly overdone.
The story itself was a blast to read. Our characters must journey from essentially the Vatican to Troy to return the lost princess to her throne. In their way are four royal cousins who want the throne for themselves, resulting in multiple attacks, traps, and attempts on the princess’s life. While individually, each fight is well done and distinctive, it did start to feel slightly repetitive by the end of this 500+ page book.
That doesn’t stop THE DEVILS from having one heck of a gut punch as the story concludes. While the mission of this particular book, returning the princess to her throne, is wrapped up by the end, there are multiple tantalizing hooks dangling that foreshadow things to come. I myself cannot wait to see these characters come back and grapple with a new problem, and see how events from book one have (or haven’t changed) their outlooks. In short, THE DEVILS is a fantastic opening for a trilogy that is sure to be thrilling and engaging journey.
Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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