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The Devils
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
129 books30.3k 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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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.
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.
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!!!!
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...)
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.
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.
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.
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
September 21, 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!!!
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.
Shelved as 'not-out-or-not-finished'
August 18, 20246 May 2025
September 1, 2024
I was super looking forward to reading this one, but I struggled with the Devils, because this book is a complete departure from the previous Abercrombie books I have read. I do have to say that Abercrombie writes amazing action scenes. The problem I had though is that this is a bit of a 'all vibe no plot' style read, and the narrative lurches straight from one epic action scene to the the next. I am absolutely amazed at the varied ways to describe people being mutilated. Although this is not my favourite Abercrombie book, I would recommend this to those that like fast paced books, with the humour of Blacktongue Thief and crews of misfits on a forced quest.
October 25, 2024
This is a placeholder review. I will write a full review soon.
This book was great. An absurd adventure story with fantastic characters and plenty of dark humor.
Coming May of 2025!
This book was great. An absurd adventure story with fantastic characters and plenty of dark humor.
Coming May of 2025!
Want to read
May 28, 2024this sounds fucking amazing
October 10, 2024
“Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.”
This is like the fantasy version of the Suicide Squad. The Church has imprisoned a group of murderers, monsters, and magicians. And when they need a little bit of work done and can’t soil their hands, who you gonna call? The Chapel of Holy Expediency, that’s who.
It's bad guys working towards good ends, and it’s a great story – more humorous than the First Law books, but the same fantastic writing. Abercrombie is an amazing character writer, and you absolutely end this book on the side of the Devils. But don’t be worried about the humorous part, if you want your typical Abercrombie brutality. There’s plenty of combat and carnage to go around.
It’s set in an alternate history Europe where magic and monsters are real, Troy never fell, and it seems Carthage destroyed Rome instead of the other way around, so that’s the seat of the Church. The worldbuilding is impeccable, the writing is exquisite, but the characters! I love them all, and we get POVs from many of them. The dialogue was often laugh-out-loud funny, and you know how much I love witty banter. I can’t tell you how THRILLED I am that this is a series and not a stand alone, because I can tell you right now this little found family of misfits is going to become one of my favorite fantasy groups. A shy elf who spends most of her time invisible, a decrepit old vampire that’s full of charm, a self-obsessed necromancer, a scrawny orphan thief, a super thirsty werewolf, the cursed knight, a saucy pirate, and the poor beleaguered monk who’s trying to keep them all in line. What’s not to love?
This book isn’t out until May, but trust me when I say you want to put this on your TBR right now. It’s an absolutely brilliant and darkly funny book, full of action, intrigue, magic and redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review!
This is like the fantasy version of the Suicide Squad. The Church has imprisoned a group of murderers, monsters, and magicians. And when they need a little bit of work done and can’t soil their hands, who you gonna call? The Chapel of Holy Expediency, that’s who.
It's bad guys working towards good ends, and it’s a great story – more humorous than the First Law books, but the same fantastic writing. Abercrombie is an amazing character writer, and you absolutely end this book on the side of the Devils. But don’t be worried about the humorous part, if you want your typical Abercrombie brutality. There’s plenty of combat and carnage to go around.
It’s set in an alternate history Europe where magic and monsters are real, Troy never fell, and it seems Carthage destroyed Rome instead of the other way around, so that’s the seat of the Church. The worldbuilding is impeccable, the writing is exquisite, but the characters! I love them all, and we get POVs from many of them. The dialogue was often laugh-out-loud funny, and you know how much I love witty banter. I can’t tell you how THRILLED I am that this is a series and not a stand alone, because I can tell you right now this little found family of misfits is going to become one of my favorite fantasy groups. A shy elf who spends most of her time invisible, a decrepit old vampire that’s full of charm, a self-obsessed necromancer, a scrawny orphan thief, a super thirsty werewolf, the cursed knight, a saucy pirate, and the poor beleaguered monk who’s trying to keep them all in line. What’s not to love?
This book isn’t out until May, but trust me when I say you want to put this on your TBR right now. It’s an absolutely brilliant and darkly funny book, full of action, intrigue, magic and redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review!
November 3, 2024
Joe Abercrombie is a master of his craft, and this novel is an example of a master at work.
I am a huge fan and The Devils doesn't disappoint. All the usual suspects are lined up, wound up, and sent off into the world, to save it and themselves.
There is humour, pathos and a dash of romance.
A vampire whose glamour consists of weaving a spell around a description of dumplings, a werewolf desperate to be seen, not as a threat to all, but as "clean", a world weary soldier who cannot die, even though he might wish to, and an elf who can disappear while holding her breath, all held together by their task of saving one young girl to be a queen.
All familiar Abercrombie territory but the pegs the story hangs on are not the be all and end all, it's the relationships within the story, the shades of good and bad, the nuances if you like, these are what sets Jo's Abercrombie apart from many much clunkier fantasy writers.
I was delighted to receive an e arc of this title from Gollancz through NetGalley and it was my pleasure to write an honest review for it.
I am a huge fan and The Devils doesn't disappoint. All the usual suspects are lined up, wound up, and sent off into the world, to save it and themselves.
There is humour, pathos and a dash of romance.
A vampire whose glamour consists of weaving a spell around a description of dumplings, a werewolf desperate to be seen, not as a threat to all, but as "clean", a world weary soldier who cannot die, even though he might wish to, and an elf who can disappear while holding her breath, all held together by their task of saving one young girl to be a queen.
All familiar Abercrombie territory but the pegs the story hangs on are not the be all and end all, it's the relationships within the story, the shades of good and bad, the nuances if you like, these are what sets Jo's Abercrombie apart from many much clunkier fantasy writers.
I was delighted to receive an e arc of this title from Gollancz through NetGalley and it was my pleasure to write an honest review for it.
July 6, 2024
Visceral, vivid, and violent, The Devils is exceptionally good. Every page is laced with an edge, an energy, written with a fiercely confident voice that demands and deserves your attention. Packed with insightful commentary and sharp wit, this is a delightfully irreverent tale from a master of his craft. If competing works of fantasy literature are a forest, Abercrombie is a damn flamethrower.
Oh, and Vigga-Wolf. You guys are going to LOVE Vigga-Wolf.
(Gollancz sent me this book in exchange for a blurb)
Oh, and Vigga-Wolf. You guys are going to LOVE Vigga-Wolf.
(Gollancz sent me this book in exchange for a blurb)
October 10, 2024
Joe Abercrombie sidesteps his usual Viking lore to deliver a compelling dark fantasy adventure that throws a band of mythical misfits - a vampire, werewolf, necromancer, elf and immortal soldier - in with a long-lost princess for an epic quest to have her instilled as the new ruler of Troy.
Abercrombie is a master at writing compelling characters - and you'll quickly fall in love with this new rag-tag of morally grey characters as they make their way across lands of yesteryear.
The battles are as epic as ever and the inclusion of raged-fuelled werewolves tearing their way through bodies, necromancers raising corpses and spell-based magic adds a fun new dimension to the usual sword and axe fare.
Being an Abercrombie story, the whole thing is delivered with loads of blood-soaked violence, sex, naughty words and humour.
Pegged as the first book in a new trilogy, The Devils is a fantastic first act and great appetiser for what's to come (hopefully).
Abercrombie is a master at writing compelling characters - and you'll quickly fall in love with this new rag-tag of morally grey characters as they make their way across lands of yesteryear.
The battles are as epic as ever and the inclusion of raged-fuelled werewolves tearing their way through bodies, necromancers raising corpses and spell-based magic adds a fun new dimension to the usual sword and axe fare.
Being an Abercrombie story, the whole thing is delivered with loads of blood-soaked violence, sex, naughty words and humour.
Pegged as the first book in a new trilogy, The Devils is a fantastic first act and great appetiser for what's to come (hopefully).
November 5, 2024
This book is many things but firstly it is a journey. Like all of Abercrombie’s pros the characters in this book are incredibly well developed and each one is able to leave you heart broken. Not Abercrombies darkest of books but certainly contains his trademark grimdarkness. There’s a great balance in The Devils between lighthearted moments and heart wrenching dark explorations of the human soul. The ending doesn’t give you want you but gives you what you need and perfectly encapsulates the gritty realness behind Abercrombies writing. A phenomenal book by a phenomenal author.
September 18, 2024
I had a great time with this book! Some parts dragged a bit, but overall a fun and gory romp that handles themes of good and evil, identity and self, religion and society, and companionship in a surprisingly thoughtful manner, all presented with raw humor and splattered guts. Will definitely recommend it to customers once it hits shelves!
I received an uncorrected bound proof from the publisher's rep, because of my job. This does not impact my opinion of the book.
I received an uncorrected bound proof from the publisher's rep, because of my job. This does not impact my opinion of the book.
October 14, 2024
Damn, I found my favourite book of 2025 a couple of months early.
Pros:
Great characters
Vigga
Intense action
Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi
Fun world building
Baron Rickard
Had no idea how the last 200 pages were going to play out
Sunny
It’s not smutty it’s just vulgar
Vigga (again)
Cons:
I now need to read all the Abercrombie books that I missed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!!!
Pros:
Great characters
Vigga
Intense action
Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi
Fun world building
Baron Rickard
Had no idea how the last 200 pages were going to play out
Sunny
It’s not smutty it’s just vulgar
Vigga (again)
Cons:
I now need to read all the Abercrombie books that I missed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!!!
Want to read
June 1, 2024This sounds soo good, I can’t wait!
September 12, 2024
Fun with all the expected quips from the author but a bit lighter than his usual fare.
September 14, 2024
Cool world building, but I didn’t care about any of the characters. Which is a bit of a problem in a character driven story.
Sadly DNF
Sadly DNF
Want to read
May 30, 2024This sounds like a Soulsborne game on steroids. Can't wait!
September 4, 2024
TBD, but it was great and also *fun*.
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