First off, I truly enjoy this author and loved The Spite House. That said, this book was a miss for me. I had a hard time getting into the characters and DNFd a little over halfway through the book. I truly tried to stay with it but it just did not hold my interest. I struggled with internal monologues that went on too long for me. If you like the idea of vampire gods meddling in human affairs with a healthy dose of gore, this is the book for you! I would absolutely try this author again in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

All I knew going in was that this is a vampire story from the author of The Spite House, another five-star read for me. He excels at writing complex, well-crafted characters and making familiar tropes feel fresh and original, so I couldn’t wait to read this. I loved it. It’s old-school horror in a modern setting. My favorite part is the creature design and the way Compton used folklore to create his vampires.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing this review copy.

I enjoyed Spite House so I was really looking forward to seeing what was next by this author. And I admit, this book had some very intriguing aspects though it did get a bit convoluted at the end when all the plot lines from the vampires (very loosely related to the more common vampire), sleepers, the use of magic/prayers, and how through the power of belief from many can change a normal person into roughly, a god. It was a lot to take in but still a good book to read with the chapters changing to the viewpoints of not only Sarita, but Cela, and Harrah. Each woman had a good story to tell and you had the villain origin story (Cela) as well as the hero's journey that Sarita takes to try and save her family and stay alive to not fulfill the prophecy that Cela wanted that would end in death and the end of the world.

It was definitely a good horror book with lots of death and creepiness (those are some powerful vampires!) and while it did end, it also left room for more forays into this world and I think I would enjoy reading them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book to read and review.

This wasn't bad but not the scariest thing I've read. The first chapter was stellar but sadly the book didn't keep that pace. I felt like more time was spent talking and reflecting about the Angel/monster and less on his actions.

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this. I loved the story and the characters, and I was hooked from the very first chapter. I liked all the multiple POVs and really enjoyed how they all came together. I didn't like how, at times, it seemed like he used every big word he could think of in one sentence. It really hindered the flow of the story. There were also a few plot holes that just took me out of the story. Overall, it was a decent read.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Unfortunately this book was not for me. I thought the book was a bit messy and pacing was off. I liked the concept of the novel however its execution was poor. I thought most of the characters fell flat and the there was a lack of atmosphere.
I did read this while traveling so some of these issues could be with when I read it. However, this book was still not one I enjoyed.

Compton is back with a gruesomely violent fantasy horror novel. If you enjoy slashers this one is definitely for you. I would describe this as a southern Gothic story bleeding of themes of the occult and vampires. I found the first half of the novel incredibly gripping and paced well but the second half was a bit confusing and disjointed at times.

This book started off with a bang! It has so many elements…Vampires, devils, angels, religion and lore! The main character is Sarita and tragedy strikes right at the beginning.
We then learn that Sarita has a guardian angel named Angelo that has been protecting her since she was little.
Things take a turn when Angelo betrays Sarita’s trust and kills a loved one.
The story is told from different POVs which helped shape the story from each character’s perspective.
This does have a lot of gory deaths so brace yourself for that. Overall it was a good read. Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

This is a very tough read, primarily because of the gore and cannibal nature of the devils. There is also a lot of exposition so the true plot wasn't clear until half way through the book. I totally agreed with one of the minor characters, "Who are you?" Naturally she dies before getting any answers.
This definitely falls into the horror genre, and a YA market. Sarita is a badass heroine. Do pay attention to the trick she learns about a razor blade because it shows up again. I may have been more invested if the devil kingdoms and fights for power were introduced earlier and more reliably.
This is an ARC from NetGallery, the review is my own.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of Devil Kills Devis by Johnny Compton. I really liked his first novel, The Spire House and this was a different theme and style. I was immediately drawn in at the beginning when Sarita’s husband is killed on their wedding night by her guardian angel. You learn about their history together and how he came into her life. While Sarita is trying to figure out why Antonio did this, the story shifts to Cela and the history and motivation behind the vampires. This is where the story lost my interest and investment in the characters. It was still a solid read and good for people who like supernatural horror and the occult.

I tried so hard to get into this book. So hard that I almost finished it, despite being almost painful to do so. This was basically a long, rambling story about vampires who found religion. I can’t being myself to finish the book, it was a pretty rough read. I’m not a fan at all, I wouldn’t recommend this.

This book started off with quite a bang. Initially it really captured my attention, I loved the premise of a guardian angel killing for the person he guarded. Then it took a turn into the cult/supernatural realm and the pace started to slow down. Lots of violence but the parts in between seemed to drag. I didn’t develop a real connection to the characters or their relationships with one another. Writing felt disjointed at times and the way chapters were being different points of view were confusing to follow.

Really neat premise: what if your guardian angel was actually a guardian devil. I enjoyed this one. The vibe felt like a mix of Clive Barker and Gabino Iglesias. The plot is well structured — taking us on quite the adventure — and the characters have a ton of depth. The narrative changes them both emotionally and physically. Lots of cool philosophical stuff explored in here too. Check it out!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton in exchange for an honest review. This book was quite a surprise in a good way. It started more as a romance/murder mystery and then became a theological murder mystery with speculation and violence. Very interesting book and I know I will be thinking about it for a long time.

I’m a big fan of Compton’s debut novel, 'The Spite House' so I was very excited to have a chance to read his second book.

If you enjoy horror with a generous dose of violence and gore, 'Devils Kills Devils' delivers in spades. The book doesn’t shy away from graphic scenes that might be a bit much for the faint-hearted.

Compton plays with the boundaries of what we consider monsters and angels. The book challenges us to rethink the nature of these beings and question where the line between good and evil truly lies. The story has a buffet of monsters—angels, devils, vampires— as well as religious cults and prophesies. It's basically a fight to save the world.

I enjoyed the individual story arcs of Sarita, Cela and Harrah and what drove each of their characters. The book has an excellent premise, but the latter half of the book loses focus, and it becomes a bit chaotic.

Overall, it's a gripping read that just needs a bit more focus towards the end.

3.5 Stars but rounding up

Thank you Netgalley, Tor Publishing and Johnny Compton for the eArc of Devils Kill Devils.

Having read The Spite House by the same author, I was really pleased getting accepted for this Arc, You just can't go wrong with Angels and Vampires!? The Characters felt pretty well fleshed out with Sarita and her guardian angel Angelo.. I really liked the dynamics between them both, even when Angelo kills someone that Sarita loves, her husband Frank . Sarita then finds herself realising what really lurks in the shadows and finds some horrifying realities.

If you really like vampire lore, gothic world building with horror elements of descriptive gore, this is a great book.

3.5 around up to 4

This is not your typical take on a vampire tale but its roots are true to the genre. The demonic bloodsucking, mouth-eating monsters, featured in this tale of ancient evils taking root in modern times, hint at Vampire Hunter D, Blood the Last Vampire and Fledgling staples. Something about this tale hit Pike’s Road to Nowhere and Whisper of Death vibes for me too.

Pros: Truly scary vampiric monsters, the Godmaker, vivid and beautiful descriptions of the darkness and what lies within.

Cons: This was heavy for me and badly timed within my TBR list. Read it when you’ve got time to sit down with it as reading in stints does not do it justice. Also opt to read it versus listen to the audio book. I did not enjoy the narrator’s performance. I wanted someone able to capture the “edge of your seat” graphic violence with more gusto.


Thanks to Net Galley for early access to this title.

Spite House introduced Johnny Compton's masterful ability to layer the complexity of emotion, horror, and surreal mystery, and through Devils Kill Devils Compton continues to explore the complexities of his craft.

The introduction the the story and the characters was engaging and draws the reader into the surreal mystery as the characters try to process the gruesome murder of Sarita's new husband Frank at the hands of her monstrous "guardian angel." While Compton incorporates the nuances of grief, confusion, and blame the characters work through in the aftermath of Frank's death, he also captures the rage and thirst for vengeance these characters feel even though they are horribly out matched by the force of the creatures they face.

The story lost me a bit with the logistics of the religious vampire cult, but the excitement and intense attention to detain in the midst of some of the most gory scenes I've ever read drew me back in. There are so many nuanced layers to unpack in Compton's work and I can't wait to see what he does next.

If you like vampires, religious horror & gore- this book is meant for you.
The dread, violence, and unsettling aspects of this story create a horrifying atmosphere. The descriptions of the different vampires and their transformations are unlike anything I have ever read before- the author’s note regarding his inspirations and research about vampires is also very interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc of this book!

I loved this book it grips you from page one. I could not put it down. I haven't read spite house but will definitely read it now. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.