I don’t like writing reviews like this. Because I know the work it takes to write a book.

But this book…it was just…a mess.

The beginning section is so heavy on tell rather than show, with numerous unnecessary to the plot tangents, that by the time we get to the action any propulsive urgency to keep reading was long gone.

By the time the action kicks in, I felt so disconnected I couldn’t remain engaged with any character long enough to root for them.

The plot itself often didn’t seem to know quite what it wanted to be. Story lines are begun and then fizzle or are abandoned. Sarita’s friend Tori introduces the idea of magic and ancient gods, but then this idea is only halfheartedly followed through and doesn’t seem to serve much central
purpose. Especially because it seems that our main character can just believe herself into being a goddess of sorts?

Some things are over explained. Others are underexplained. The following Cela built…what purpose does it serve? I really should have had a completely clear idea of that.

And for this to be Sarita’s story, she doesn’t really do much. And then, after all that, everything ends abruptly. No reflection. No acceptance. No closure to whatever character arc Sarita should have.

And as for the writing itself…it gets so caught up in itself sometimes that the thread of what’s trying to be conveyed is hopelessly lost.

In the end, I had to force myself through this and wished I’d stopped ten pages in.

3.5 Rounded up

Who needs enemies when you have a delusional mother-in-law like Harrah.

This story focuses on vampires and their "religion" one that came to be from a "Prophecy" that Cela told her disciples. A prophecy that Sarita, Frank and her family and friends did NOT sign up for or know anything about.

It's a slow burn, quite confusing at times, I had to go back and reread certain parts to make sure I didn't miss or makeup what I was reading. I did enjoy the different POVs and how it helped to build and understand what was happening at the exact time to Harrah and Sarita in their different experiences.

This book is a unique blend of horror and thriller, with unexpected plot twists with a strong emotional core. While I was initially skeptical, I found the story improved significantly in the final half, and the story wrapped up satisfyingly for me. Although marketed as horror, the book leans more toward a gory paranormal thriller with light scares, philosophical themes, and cult elements. The multi-POV structure, including insights from both protagonists and antagonists, was a highlight and added an emotional depth and a human touch to the narrative. If you are on the fence, I suggest giving it a try. It will definitely leave you thinking about what you read for a while after you finish the last page.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton — A Ferocious, Genre-Bending Horror Triumph

Johnny Compton’s Devils Kill Devils is a masterclass in supernatural horror that fuses Southern Gothic dread with apocalyptic action. Following his acclaimed debut, The Spite House, Compton returns with a tale that is both emotionally resonant and viscerally thrilling.
JohnnyCompton.com
+11
Dragonmount
+11
Tor Publishing Group
+11

At the heart of the novel is Sarita, a woman who has been protected since childhood by a mysterious guardian angel named Angelo. However, her world shatters when Angelo murders her husband on their wedding night, propelling her into a terrifying journey through a world teeming with devils, vampires, and ancient prophecies. As Sarita confronts these horrors, she must grapple with the revelation that her protector may be the greatest threat of all.
FanFiAddict
+7
The BiblioSanctum
+7
California Reading
+7
Amazon
+5
NetGalley
+5
California Reading
+5

Compton’s storytelling is both imaginative and relentless. He reimagines familiar horror elements—angels, demons, vampires—infusing them with fresh life and terrifying originality. The novel's pacing is unyielding, delivering a high-octane narrative that never lets up. As Tananarive Due notes, “Devils Kill Devils is a high-octane follow-up that starts with a bang and never lets up” .
FanFiAddict
+4
Smitten For Fiction
+4
Tor Publishing Group
+4
JohnnyCompton.com
+4
This Is Horror
+4
Dragonmount
+4

The character development is equally compelling. Sarita emerges as a complex protagonist, navigating grief, betrayal, and the weight of destiny with resilience and depth. Her relationships, particularly with her brother and best friend, are portrayed with authenticity and emotional nuance .
NetGalley
+4
Dragonmount
+4
The BiblioSanctum
+4
FanFiAddict
+9
The BiblioSanctum
+9
NetGalley
+9
California Reading

Critics have lauded the novel's originality and impact. Nat Cassidy describes it as “straight-up jaw-dropping in all the ways it subverts our preconceptions of beloved monsters” . The novel's blend of horror and action, coupled with its rich characterizations, makes it a standout in contemporary horror fiction.
JohnnyCompton.com
+4
Amazon
+4
This Is Horror
+4

Verdict: Devils Kill Devils is a bold, unflinching exploration of good, evil, and the gray areas in between. Compton delivers a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying, solidifying his place as a formidable voice in horror literature. This is a must-read for fans seeking a horror novel that challenges conventions and delivers relentless thrills.

When you pick up “Devils Kill Devils” you need to prepare yourself to go on a wild ride. It will take you on a roller coaster of twists and turns. You will wonder at different points what in the world is actually going on? Then when you find out it is so much more then whatever it was you thought it could be.

A lot of what makes this book horrific lies in the idea that Sarita has had an Angel who has been saving her life when she needed it over the course of her whole life. Suddenly, the Angel kills Sarita’s husband and her entire perspective shifts and there begins her investigation into what is actually going on.

The premise is incredible and I enjoyed my read of this book very much. I think that the beginning and the ending of the book are the strongest aspects, but certain parts in the middle were a bit confusing. I know it was meant to be that way because Sarita is also confused, but sometimes the feeling took me out of the story a bit.

Despite that “Devils Kill Devils” is well worth the read and I understand why so many people are recommending this book as something to read within the vein of “Sinners”. It was an entertaining ride!

Devil Kills Devil is a hard one to review without giving spoilers, but I'll try my best. Sarita has a guardian angel of sorts that has protected her most of her life named Angelo. She has always thought Angelo had her best interests in mind until her wedding night when Angelo appears and kills her husband. Sarita can't understand why Angelo would do such a thing. Frank was nothing but kind to Sarita and ever a threat. As Sarita tries to come to terms with why Angelo would do something like that, she learns more about who or what Angelo really is. Sarita may be in more danger now than she ever realized.

If I didn't have the audiobook I'm honestly not sure if I would have finished it. The pacing for the first part of the novel was slower and didn't fully hold my interest. Once we start to learn what Angelo really is the story started to entice me more. There were still quite a few holes in the narrative that I wish were closed. I didn't guess the origin for Angelo, which I enjoyed.

This is my first novel by Compton. Although it wasn't my favorite I'll definitely give the Spite House a shot and probably his next work too.

It took me awhile to get to this book and I thought for sure it would be a new creepy fave! It started off so good! There was intrigue with talk of guardian angels going astray. While the vampire talk and devil talk was somewhat interesting I was bored during the multiple povs and the book ended up feeling messy and all over the place.

I wanted to love this book so much, and parts of it were very interesting. Visually the story filled my mind, but there seemed to be a lot of different stuff going on. I found it just a little hard to follow. That being said, the premise of the book is very unique. I look forward to more by Johnny Compton.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read this book.

I was very excited to read this because I loved the author's previous book, The Spite House. Sadly this one was a big miss for me. It was so chaotic and disjointed. Very difficult to follow what was happening. Not stating whose POV we were reading only added to that confusion.

If you like southern gothic and books about angels/demons, this is for you! It wasn't my thing, but I'll definitely pick up the author's next book to give it another try!

Great book! It had all the fears of growing up. Make a choice. Turn the page or close the book. Enter the darkness if you wish!

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group/Tor Nightfire for the ARC of this book.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but I will definitely be reading the Spite House soon.
This book pulls you in right from the beginning.

I liked the different POVs and seeing where the different characters were coming from but sometimes the characters thoughts would go off on tangents that didn’t seem necessary.

Overall though the pacing was pretty fast and action filled.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Chilling, adrenaline-fueled horror novel that grips you from the first page to the back cover. The violence will be divisive, but I dug it!

"When all hell breaks loose, you need a devil on your side."
Devils Kill Devils was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading other books from the author. It was written well and every character in this was interesting. I picked up this book and then could not put it down till I finshed reading it. The book was a wild ride from beginning to end and has angels, vampires and so much more. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader who loves horror. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this spooky read in exchange of my honest review of Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton.

I was super looking forward to this one as his previous book was on of my favorites from last year but sadly this one missed the mark. Can’t get into too much without spoiling it. I hope the next one is better!

The sudden and violent introduction is mirrored by the sudden and violent conclusion. Except you don't want a book to just stop. I expected some sort of denouement. Some perfunctory check up on the surviving characters. Nope. Highly unsatisfying.

The mythology/motivation of the antagonists is also confused and never fully elucidated. Not in a "save some mystery for later" way, but in an "author doesn't know what the hell is happening either" way

The central conceit is interesting and some of the characters are well-drawn. There are also genuinely thrilling and tense scenes, but not enough to save the book for me

I really loved The Spite House, but unfortunately this one did not hit for me. The first scene really drew me in, but so many things started happening that I got whiplash. I do love chaotic horror, but there was too much action and not enough character development for my taste. By the end, I still felt like I didn’t know any of the characters enough to have any connection or care what happened to them.

Very dark and creepy. It's a great read if you want to read something that could be cathartic
Liked it . Due to health issues cannot will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mineA more extensive review will follow