I won’t forgive you, Joe Abercrombie, for what you did but I will absolutely continue to read your books.

This is my first Abercrombie read, and I never knew someone could weave character development, gore, action, emotion, and humor so expertly together. This book both made me full belly laugh but also left me in desperate suspense. And the characters, despite having many, many, many…. flaws, were such fun to go along with. Among them my new favorite foul- and oft bloody - mouthed werewolf.

Can’t wait to see where the Devils go next!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5/5 stars

This was unique, fun, and an absolutely WILD ride. I never quite knew what was coming next, but really that was okay. The characters were all very well developed and interesting; the plot was both straightforward and chaotic (simple goal, crazy path getting there); and the world, while fairly straightforward, was well built. The action was well written so it was easy to tell what was going on. The relationships (personal, professional, romantic) were all fascinating and I am very excited to see how our team moves forward after the end of the first book.

This was my first Joe Abercrombie book and I was very impressed - excited to see what comes next because I'm sure I'll never guess it!

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is a dark, action-packed fantasy that blends grim humor with gritty adventure. The story follows Brother Diaz, a monk leading a group of monstrous outcasts—including a werewolf, vampire, and necromancer—on a perilous mission to escort a former thief to the throne of Troy. As they navigate treacherous landscapes and political intrigue, the line between hero and villain blurs, leading to a bloody and morally complex journey.

Abercrombie's sharp prose and vivid world-building shine, though some readers may find the plot's repetitiveness a drawback. Nonetheless, fans of morally gray characters and high-stakes fantasy will find much to appreciate in this novel.

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Devils marks a departure for Joe Abercrombie, venturing into supernatural territory with mixed results. While his signature grit, sharp dialogue, and morally grey characters remain, the novel struggles to find the balance that made his earlier work so compelling. The world-building feels thinner than expected, and the supernatural elements -though intriguing in concept -are underdeveloped, lacking the depth or originality needed to fully land. The snarky humor gets repetitive, and is a barrier to connecting with the characters. Disappointing.

I'm a little confused on the mixed reception to this one. I thought it was great, if a little too long in the middle for what it was trying to do. I loved our band of Devils and the banter was great. I thought the climax was very good and I honestly enjoyed every POV. I thought this was Abercrombie at his most cinematic so I am excited to hear that James Cameron is going to be producing a movie of it!

Not as good as the best of First Law, but a great action romp with an alternative history setting!

9.5/10

The Devils was rich in its setting and premise. A band of eccentric misfits come together in order to complete a greater quest. In theory this book should have been exactly what I was craving, however I had a few qualms that caused it to fall a bit short for me.
We follow a relatively large cast of characters, which I wish each felt more distinct. It took time for me to care about some of our characters, while others I never grew to feel for. There were moments in backstories specifically that helped me connect to our characters, and I wish we got more of that! The potential was there, the execution could have been further developed.
I also found the plot, particularly in the middle of the book, to lag a bit. The beginning set up and conclusion of The Devils were strong, and this saved it for me. However our middle plot felt a bit like we were checking of items on a to do list - kill him (check), go here (check)...
Overall I did enjoy my time with The Devils & will continue to seek out more of Abercrombie's future books. This book was just -so close- to being amazing that I can't help but hope for improvement in the areas I found lacking.
3.75stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and TOR for the arc.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher @torbooks for the digital arc of 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓵𝓼 by Joe Abercrombie 🙌
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I love my Fantasy served up with a side of humor, and this one certainly has it! Added to the witt, this book is dark, gritty, fast paced and contains an unhealthy amount of vulgarity and violence 😝.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦.”

I can’t even begin to describe how rich this cast of characters is; dripping with personality and steeped in charm. This morally grey group includes a horny werewolf, a monk with questionable values, a narcissistic sorcerer (I mean magician 😝) that specializes in necromancy, a geriatric vampire, an orphan thief, a pirate, a cursed knight and an invisible elf.

Travelling across the land to claim the throne of Troy carries an element of found family, some love connections, and even some heartfelt and touching shared moments. The world building was pretty good, but I kind of got lost in all the characters shenanigans to pay attention as much as I should have 😜.

“𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥’𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.”

My only regret? Why did it take me so long to read any of Joes books?! 😱. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on the sequel, and definitely plan on listening to The Devils audiobook as a refresher since I’m sure I missed a lot! This has definitely become a top favorite for the year 🙌

Buddy-read this one with SP — this was my first Joe Abercrombie, but it won’t be the last. Fun, funny, irreverent fantasy with a motley crew cast of characters, all of whom become lovable in their own imperfect way. Very much if Suicide Squad had a baby with Hammer Horror in terms of the vibes, but also the character archetypes. And I’m assuming there will be a sequel that I will need to get my hands on IMMEDIATELY when it comes out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Incredible. Exactly what I look for and yet seldom find in fantasy. An epic dark fantasy take with surprising humor abound.

This was one of the best dark fantasy books I've read in such a long time. I fell in love with every single character and the world as a whole. I enjoyed seeing all of the set up for what I'm sure will be fantastic books to come.

The Devils is an epic fantasy quest with a fun cast of characters, a splintered religion, (chock full of corruption), and a wicked sense of humor!

I am late with my review so it's difficult to find something to say that hasn't already been said, so I'm keeping this review brief.

When originally starting this, I set it aside around 20 percent. I read a few other things and then restarted this from the beginning. The second time was the charm, because I was engaged with the characters and the humor that was starting to emerge.

The characters start off as the same old fantasy tropes-werewolves, vampires, and elves, (well, AN elf), all thrown into the mix with a divided religion, and a man who cannot die. Toss in the quest, (to restore the long-missing princess to her throne and to heal the religious schizm), and you have yourself the standard fantasy novel. But somewhere along the way, it became more than that. The characters change and grow and it's all viewed through a lens full of humor and empathy. Every one of the main characters is at the very least a sinner, if not an outright murderer, these are not good creatures-yet the villians they find themselves up against are so very evil, that our group seems good in comparison.

There's lots of blood and gore here for horror fans like me and there are some fantastical creatures that require an imagination far wider and darker than my own. I love that sh*t! (There's lot talk about sh*t too, I never said the humor was high brow.)

Overall, I felt this book had a hell of a lot of heart, but I did think, once or twice, like it was a slog, so instead of 5 stars, I gave it 4. I still highly recommend it and I will most definitely seek out the second in the series!

*ARC from publisher

The Devils
Written by Joe Abercrombie
Read by Steven Pacey
Book 92/250
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio/Digital, ARC
Pages/Time: 560/25hr 5min
Published: May 13, 2025
Rating: 9.5/10
Narration: 9.75/10

“Brother Diaz did not break for lunch. He did not need to eat. He was fueled by pure administration”

At long last, we have a new Joe Abercrombie book! And might I say The Devils is an absolute banger! Basically, a magical Suicide Squad for the Vatican set in an alternate Europe, The Devils is a fun and exciting take on the typical fellowship. To escort the lost princess of Troy back home, the child Pope assembles an ancient Knight, Vampire, Werewolf, Elf, Pirate, and a Priest.

From start to finish, this book is a wild ride that does not let up. And it works so well due to Abercrombie’s mastery of character-work. Immediately I fell in love with this crew and their interactions making the whole book a true delight to read. I loved this book, and I am hoping for more installments into this series.

I just finished reading The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC.

Brother Diaz never really wanted to be a monk-- but he can't help but feel a little cat-that-caught-the-canary when he's summoned to Holy City to meet with the Pope herself. When a Cardinal assigns him to head up his own chapel-- he can't believe his luck, that is, until he meets the rest of the Chapel of Holy Expediency. A vampire, a werewolf, a cursed soldier, a necromancer, and an elf (and whatever Baptiste is!). Brother Diaz realizes that sometimes, the Church needs to send Devils to do their work. Tasked with bringing the lost princess Alex to regain her throne in Troy, the Chapel is challenged at every step. Facing off against her four cousins, the group has to work together to get Alex to her throne. Filled with alternative history, notable landmarks, and a downright refreshing take on religion-- The Devils is a fun romp through Europe that's covered in the blood of their enemies.

I've been meaning to read other Joe Abercrombie books for a while, but this was my first. I love a good historical fantasy series, and this one hits all the marks. A female-child Pope? Check. Magic systems and magical creatures? Check. Swashbuckling? Check. This is a wonderfully complex world where Carthage has fallen, Venice is a cesspool of crime, and Elves have invaded the Holy Land. With an unforgettable cast of characters-- Vigga you have my heart always-- this is the type of bloody fantasy that keeps the genre alive. The first in the series, I will definitely be reading the rest of them.

A face paced humorous horror action with lots of crazy critters and characters. I really did enjoy the jokes, even if some of the humor was a little on the crass side. With such a diverse cast of characters it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed by some while craving more from others but over all a great story with a lot of action and tense scenes.

I want you to picture the most misfit group of powerful, dangerous, and cursed outliers you can imagine; said group are then forced to associated with each other as a result of a magical binding that otherwise has them under lock and key in a dungeon until they are assigned a task that requires, well, devils. The task laid before them is to escort a missing princess back to her home and arrive alive to be crowned Empress.

There's also a bunch of religious and political stuff in the mix but honestly you mostly don't need to follow it. Rough and tumble group meets holy mission and has unholy skillset in which to achieve it.

This was something of a strange read but in no ways a bad one. It's such a mix of things, between the dark violence, and the irreverent attitudes and one-liners, the opposing personalities, and the fact that every step along the way to completing their journey pulls them into one sidequest or another. And it's actually hilarious every time they get waylaid. Additionally, it forces them to find common ground, work together, and even scrounge up some grudging respect (and sometimes more!). But don't be fooled; they are barely scraping by, filthy, hunted, shipwrecked, beaten, bloody, and it's just.. well, a wild time.

But. There was depth and insight and wisdom and thoughtfulness here, too. Amongst the carnage and the necromancy and the disappearing elves and the cost of immortality. Like I said, it's a mix.

Also, it's a long one. I definitely felt every single one of these almost six hundred pages. So as weird and whacky as it was, I definitely spent too much time with them. I had overstayed my welcome. Or they had overstayed theirs.

But, now that it's a series, which I didn't know initially but considering the end how could it not be, will I read on? Yes. Because somehow I feel rather fondly about these characters. This was my first Abercrombie and I'm happy to say it won't be my last.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie marks a significant departure from his previous works. Yes, the trademark witty banter is still there. However, this one feels more like a comedic romp than a grimdark fantasy, which I feel readers will either hate or adore.

Unfortunately, I belong to the former camp.

At first glance, the idea of an alternate history Europe with magic sounded cool. However, the type of humor in this book was just not my cup of tea. The story devolved into a lot of poop and fart jokes that killed any sense of stakes or danger.

Ultimately, I found myself not caring what happened to the characters. They felt like they were more of a running gag than a complex, compelling character. We’re told over and over again that this is ragtag bunch of [insert joke about a geriatric vampire, a horny werewolf, and a pompous magician here] that it becomes stale. This is such a shame since Abercrombie has created such interesting morally gray (or not-so-gray) characters before like in his The Age of Madness Trilogy.

All and all, this turned out to be a much different book than I was expecting. I'm sure some readers out there will enjoy this book and think it’s a fun read, but I wasn't one of them.

Perfect book. Joe Abercrombie has knocked it out of the park. I sometimes struggle with fantasy that leans a bit more grimdark as it can put me in a funk, but the humor in this is so perfectly balanced.

The Devils is chaotic in the best way—darkly funny, packed with action, and set in a vivid world that practically begs for a screen adaptation. The tone is sharp and stylish, and the ensemble cast brings a lot of energy. That said, the middle third really lost momentum for me, and some of the storytelling felt more cinematic than immersive on the page. Still, the concept is a blast and Abercrombie clearly knows how to deliver big ideas with flair. I had a fun time overall and definitely want to check out more of his work.

A 3.5-star read for me. Joe was also incredible at the event in Seattle!

The Devil’s is a fun jaunt through a fantasied historical Europe. Fans of Abercrombie will appreciate is trademark dark humor, though some may find he leaned too far into the humor and forgot to take his characters as seriously as he does in his other works. Expect to see some familiar Abercrombie tropes, including a powerful fighter who can’t control themselves, spoiled nobility, and magic wielders who are annoying but useful. The simplicity of the plot is made up for with the depth of the characters. The first half wanders a bit, but it finds its footing in the second half for a satisfying conclusion. 7/10

Unfortunately, this was not my favorite. I appreciate Abercrombie's ability to infuse comedic elements into his iconic grimdark storytelling, but it felt like a bit too much for me. I will definitely recommend it to any of his already established fans, anyone looking for some grimdark fantasy, anyone looking for an introduction into the genre, or, someone looking for something different to read.

Thank you to Joe Abercrombie, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.