My first Joe Abercrombie book and it did not disappoint! I’m so glad I received an ARC of this and was able to read it. It was typical Joe writing with the humor. I loved it!

This book was reviewed for our site by Sally Berrow.

Joe Abercrombie is back, folks, with his highly anticipated historical fantasy horror romp, The Devils— his most action-packed novel to date and the first in a brand new series.

Europe is in turmoil: the Eastern and Western Churches are in schism and the usurper Empress Eudoxia is dead. Only one thing is certain: the elves are coming and they will eat everyone.

In a bid to consolidate power in the East, Her Holiness, Pope Benedicta the First, commands the hapless Brother Diaz to lead a ragtag bunch of ne’er do wells to install a thief upon the Serpent Throne of Troy. Comprised of a self-important necromancer, a geriatric vampire, an undead knight, an ex-pirate, an oversexed werewolf, and a vanishing elf, the Church of Holy Expediency makes haste towards its destination. But Eudoxia’s sons are closing in, and they have their mother’s hideous experiments in tow. To fight devils, one must be prepared to use devils…

Clocking in at well over 500 pages, The Devils makes for a fine bludgeoning weapon in-hand, but whips along at a rapid, raucous pace that had this reviewer devouring it in the space of just 48 hours. Veteran fans will be no strangers to Joe Abercrombie’s beautifully crafted battle scenes and cinematic set-pieces, and I’m pleased to report they feature in abundance here. From a creepy haunted house to the swashbuckling high seas, to a battlefield atop an ancient tomb filled with decaying corpses, the Church of Holy Expediency give us a whistle-stop tour around an absolutely bonkers alternative medieval Europe sure to have the history buffs chuckling knowingly and laughing at an in-joke or two.

At times the fast-paced action sequences and abrupt location changes feel a little too whirlwind—in fact, combined with an ensemble cast and an abundance of new world-building information to absorb, it often feels downright chaotic. However, overall, The Devils’ chaos is enormous fun, and although the break-neck pace may come as something of a disappointment to those who adore the slower, deeper political machinations and character work present in Joe’s The First Law series, it simply cannot be denied that no one writes action as beautifully and as viscerally as Joe:

“He came open like an old coat, insides sliding out in a red-black slurry.”

Pure poetry.

Hig res cover for The Devils USSpeaking of character work, Joe’s, as always, is unmatched. In the case of The Devils, it’s the glue holding all the aforementioned chaos together. Although he doesn’t quite plumb the deep dark depths of the human condition as much as he’s done in the past, it’s no small feat that every single one of The Devils’ characters has their own highly distinctive, unique voice—even those who turn up for a chapter or two only to then immediately die (often horribly).

The titular Devils themselves are of course the crowning glory, each of them riffing on a different classic horror monster such as the Wolfman, Dracula, the Invisible Man and many more (there’s even a whiff of the Island of Dr Moreau around some of Eudoxia’s sons’ henchmen). Whilst I’m certain many Grimdark Magazine readers will absolutely love the ridiculously crass and hyper-violent werewolf, Vigga, it’s the necromantic sorcerer—sorry, magician—Balthazar who takes the cake for my personal favourite. His too-high opinion of himself combined with his increasingly desperate, hilarious attempts to remove Benedicta’s papal binding are an absolute joy to read, and a scene in which a Duke is summoned from the depths of Hell legitimately had me laughing out loud for several minutes.

Overall The Devils is fast, furious, and an absolutely rollicking good time. The cast is wonderful, the plot fast-paced and action-packed, and it’s easily Joe’s funniest work to date. It marks Lord Grimdark’s triumphant return to the fantasy genre, and here at Grimdark Magazine, we’re already clawing at the bars and slathering for the sequel.

While I enjoyed this overall, I found it humorous in a way that just felt a little tiresome after awhile. I also think, in a few places, the jokes/banter detracted from what could’ve been some great character moments/conversations. It’s a big cast, and while I loved some characters more than others, I found them all to be distinct with unique personalities that made each of them memorable. Abercrombie’s talent for strong characters, dialogue, and action continues to shine here. The Devils is a fun and adventurous romp, just not going to be a new favorite.

This was my first Joe Abercrombie book, but after reading it, I'm ready to go pick up his past books.

The Devils is dark and gritty in a lot of ways, but Abercrombie's writing balances that with genuinely funny dry humor. Despite the grim plot and setting, The Devils is really a story about belonging, friendship, and found family. This found family is made up of a group of criminals, some of which do lean towards malice or at least prioritize self preservation over the 'greater good'. One of my favorite aspects was how the characters grew to care about each other without losing those core parts of their identities.

Every character was so unique and I'm not sure I'd be able to choose a favorite. Each had their own (usually tragic) backstory and particular set of skills, and I had so much fun reading as they stumbled, murdered, and snarked their way through the plot.

In a dark, alternative medieval Europe, a young monk is tasked to lead a disparate group of supernatural beings - including a vampire, a necromancer, a werewolf, a pirate, and an elf, among others - on a holy quest using very unholy methods. Abercrombie's endlessly quotable wit, deft character work, and crackling dialog are on full display, and few modern authors work better with large cinematic action set pieces. This standalone novel about found families should absolutely draw in new readers.

You know that feeling when you slay a dragon? Cool. Then you know what it feels like to finish a Joe Abercrombie book and The Devils is NO exception.

I’ll simply end this review for now stating what Joe is known for best. Morally. Grey. Characters.
The characters in this book exude an enigmatic and mysterious aura. Their morally grey nature and secretive agendas added layers of complexity to the narrative. And the inability to fully trust any character heightened the stakes so much for me, making the reading experience both thrilling and unpredictable!

The Devils is a very average book that in no way consumed my life and became impossible to put down

https://youtu.be/GVfXm_JN8H8

I think the humor and writing style is too niche for our small libraries, but I am actually considering buying a copy for my husband. :-)

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC.

TL;DR Review: Razor-sharp dialogue, a wildly imaginative alt-history fantasy world, and wonderfully extravagant characters result in what may be Joe Abercrombie’s best work to date.
Full Review:
A hapless priest and a colorful gang of monsters and mischief-makers are tasked by the Holy Pope (who happens to be an adorable 10-year old child) to travel across Europe to set up a street thief as the Empress of one of the most powerful nations in the world. Sounds like the setup for either a really bizarre joke or a truly spectacular fantasy novel.
The Devils follows along with this nameless crew of misfits and malefactors—which includes a deathless knight, a foppish vampire, the third best necromancer in all of Europe (who will make sure you know it!), a jack-of-all-trades, an amnesiac werewolf, an invisible elf (the pointy-eared kind), and a bureaucratic monk who has no business being out of his rectory—on their journey across war-torn, magic-scarred, and immensely fascinating lands on this holy mission. But a more unholy company has never existed, and the story is all the more fun for it.
As ever, Abercrombie’s characters are truly colorful and extravagant to an extreme. Brother Diaz starts off as precisely the milksop you’d expect, but keep reading and watch him grow a spine in the most intriguing of ways. Balthazar (with too many names to list here) is a bloviating, self-aggrandizing arse who…well, he pretty much stays the same, but finds some humanity along the way. Alex the street thief is on her way to become Empress Alexia (with too many names and titles to list here), and in so doing, discovers the truth of what it truly means to be a leader and ruler. Vigga the werewolf has spent her whole life forgetting her grim past and every bad thing, and is the happiest, friendliest, horniest murderous force of nature you could hope to meet.
Go into this book expecting nothing and prepared for anything. The most unexpected twists and turns, the most shocking surprises and revelations, and you’ll still be blown away.
The balance between grimdarkness and those ever-so-precious-and-rare moments of happiness is spectacular. The characters grow by inches rather than miles, but their evolutions are such a delight to discover as you go along for this wild ride.
In addition to the amazing characters and pacing, the world is just an absolute treat. Imagine a Europe (and the rest of the world) where Carthage conquered the Roman Empire then s*** the bed and destroyed themselves in a magical cataclysm. The subtle (and not-so-subtle) alterations to history lead us to a Europe with two Popes/Patriarchs, two feuding churches, a Holy Land infested with bloodthirsty elves, and so much more. It’s a delight to marinade in this world and discover just how insane it can become when magic and monsters and mythologies are all real.
And, of course, the dialogue and narration are razor-sharp as ever. Every time you switch POVs, the voice shifts and becomes immediately identifiable as belonging to that character, vastly different from the other. You’re treated to a deep dive into each character’s heads, their struggles, hopes, fears, dreams, and particular appetites for blood or necromancy or theft.
The banter is spectacular, the repartees beyond witty, and the brief moments of introspection and growth a marvel to behold.
Abercrombie is at his absolute sharpest in this brilliant, bloody, and batshit alt-history fantasy adventure! It’s an adventure that keeps getting wilder in every possible way and I adored every minute I spent in it.

This is my first read by this author and it makes me want to check out their other works. The main character is a petty criminal/con-man trying to survive when they discover that they are an heir to a throne of a matriarchal religion. We get multiple POVs as we follow their journey. There is a good mix of action, humor and those fantasy adventure elements you want. However, I think there were some repetition and I felt like some of the characters needed to be fleshed out more.

Great fun! The Devils is a gripping fantasy epic that will captivate readers who crave morally complex characters, bloody battles,, and a richly detailed world.

Abercrombie's funniest and breeziest novel to date. Excellent characters and dialogue, some real gut-wrenching moments, and a promise of great things to come.

Alex is a street urchin, thief, pickpocket, liar, an all-round fraudster doing whatever it takes to survive life in the Holy City. So when a duke whisks her off the streets and tells her she is the long-lost heir to the Serpent Throne of Troy, to say she is shocked would be an understatement. Brother Diaz is a monk and his faith in the church is matched only by his faith in bureaucracy. When a new assignment puts him in charge of the seediest elements of the church, he starts to learn things that rock his world. A haughty vampire, a sex obsessed werewolf, an invisible elf and an undead knight make up Brother Diaz’s new band of misfits that must escort Alex as they make their way to Troy to reclaim her heritage and heal the schism between the eastern and western churches.
Set in an alternate reality Europe, this classic fantasy story is at once familiar, highly original, and very entertaining. Abercrombie creates a highly compelling and likeable cast of characters in this fantasy adventure- the story is gritty and dark, full of great dialogue and plenty of intrigue. This book is a must read for fantasy lovers.

The Devils was my first Joe Abercrombie book, and it’s a fantastic read that truly stands out. The cast of characters is vibrant, the setting is immersive, and the overall vibe of the story is incredibly engaging. I’ve always loved the concept of a band of misfits coming together to solve a problem—it’s such a fun and compelling premise, and this book executes it brilliantly.

Abercrombie’s signature humor adds an irresistible charm, making me grin even in moments that had me squirming. The story has a cinematic, well-paced quality, reminiscent of a high-octane Hollywood action movie—thrilling, addictive, and immensely entertaining. While the gore and intensity might not be for the faint of heart, it’s clear that this book delivers exactly what it sets out to achieve.

Whether you’re a die-hard Abercrombie fan or just love the idea of misfit camaraderie wrapped in action-packed storytelling, The Devils is an excellent choice. Even those of us with weaker stomachs can recognize its brilliance. Kudos to Abercrombie for crafting such an outstanding tale

ARC provided by TOR Publishing - thank you!

Well, after my first Abercrombie series - The First Law, it sure felt nice coming back to Abercrombie's writing and wit. The book wasted no time in winning me over. The premise is set early on, and I quickly grew a liking to the various DEVILS and their banter. My favorite part of the book were the characters. Such a wide-range of cast with unique and corky personalities. Sunny the "evil" elf was definitely my favorite throughout.

In true Abercrombie fashion, the writing is dark, brutal, lacking in character morality and in no short of laughable comedic relief with the banter and dialogue that is circulated within the Devils group. My only criticism would be the repetitiveness. Often time the characters themselves would be summarizing the events to others and it felt like it was just Joe trying to remind the reader of what they read.

Overall, this is an awesome new series that deserves all the attention. I can't wait for the next adventure with THE DEVILS.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Joe Abercrombie, as I have seen, some people's favorite author and they love every page that he writes. For me, I was not the biggest of fans. A quick overview of the story: a religious man gets selected to lead a secret 13th branch of the religion which oversees The Devils, a name given to those that have broken the rulings of the church beyond the average means, such as being a werewolf, or a Black Art Magician. Their task is to travel across Europe to the city of Troy and bring the Princess to her Throne. The Europe that I mention is an alternate timeline where the religion is run by females, the Savior was a woman, and instead of a crucifix its a wheel/circle. The novel had heart, comedy, and action scene to fill anyone's cup. Not only that but the book has multiple POVs, and we got to see inside the head of every member of this brigade. It had the makings of an excellent read, but for me it just did not land.

The Bad

Something that I saw in the reviews for this book is that it is funny. And there are a lot of jokes within the story, and it just felt too much for me. It felt like every scene had a joke in it, either by something someone said or whatever the character was thinking. There were these heart felt scenes that we would learn about the traumatic past of a character and then someone would say something and the moment was gone. I understand that can be how life is but for every single moment? Two characters kiss and then one just vomits all over the floor, which is funny but it got tiring every single time. I think what made me mad the most was that this is a weird group of people put together, each so strong in how they were written but they were all a punchline and it just chipped away at the foundations of each character, each plot point, and it removed me from the story a lot. If you like humor and when everyone is a jerk and get under each other's skin, then this is for you. Its not badly written or even badly thought out but I am just not the one for this type of writing.

Another thing that frustrated me was the characterization. Now hear me out, they are The Devils so they are deemed the villains of the Holy Church but my gods, only two of them had any actual growth. No matter how many times their backs were against the wall or times they thought their lives were over, they just stayed the same. The novel started so strong, each character felt so different and flawed, which is what helped me sink my teeth into it, but they just stayed there. One character was the loudest with their thoughts and I thought they would be the most to change and I was sadly disappointed. In addition there were such abrupt transitions, where character would have a heart felt convo and then the next chapter would start and it had been a week that passed, and we have to use context clues to see what happened after. I know there is limited space but I would have rather had one less battle and more growth and conversation between the group.

My last thing was the plot events, plot twists, and the like were predictable for me. The pacing was quick, seeming to jump days, in the matter of a few pages, so we lost a little of the in-between material leaving the novel to really rely on these big events and big reveals to keep going forward. Because of that there became a rhythm of travel, fight, reveal, connect and then start over again. So by the end I was just ready for the next reveal that the plot twists at the end I felt well before they happened.

The Good

The fighting sequences were superb. Everything felt so detailed and thought out and was just fun. It felt like I stepped into a video game where I was overpowered and slowly started losing my health but remembered all of my abilities and then crush the opponents. Each character was showcased in each battle (for the most part) because of the multiple POV and it was fun. Jumping from the Magician to the Werewolf was abrupt but it broke up the slog of a fight and gave us a chance to see how special each person was.

Joe Abercrombie does a great job setting a scene. From the religious warfare and political intrigue, I knew what was going on. I knew who Alex was, and I loved her from the start. I also understood who Brother Diaz is and grew to love him as the story progressed. These two characters were similar in having dreams, being offered something unexpected and I was with them every literal step of the way. Though the other characters were important, the story revolved around Alex and Diaz and their travels impacted them.

In addition Abercrombie did a great job with thinking of plot holes and did a great job covering them up and making sure everything was sound. I would give a specific but I want to avoid spoilers but know things were very interesting and everything felt tied up.

Rating

★★★

A strong 3 star book. I liked my time with it, I laughed and rolled my eyes but it is not something I will likely pick back up for a re-read.

Zero tears from me.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book but I did not love it. I see where this book has its market and its people that are going to love it. Those that like funny, action packed, fast moving, motely crew will fall in love with this book. The story was captivating and had me turning each page but it was not until the end that I felt at the edge of my seat and it was only for a short moment.

I enjoyed my time with The Devils and I know there are people out there that will love this book a lot and I even know a few I would recommend this too.

Another great one by Abercrombie. We have a lot of his fans amongst our patrons and they will love this book! Will be ordering for my library.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was fun! I loved the cast of characters, the setting, and the general vibe of the book in general. I love a band of misfits getting together to solve a problem, it's such a fun idea.

This was my first Joe Abercrombie book, and it is clearly excellent - there's a wide streak of humor to The Devils that makes me grin even when I'm also squirming.

The problem is me: I have too weak a stomach to deal with the gore and the ick. But I can see that this is an objectively great book, and fans of Abercrombie's (because I gather that this IS what he's known for) are probably going to have an immensely good time with it. As are fans of Hollywood-esque action movies, because The Devils has something of a similar quality: well-paced and cinematic and popcorn-y. But *really excellent* popcorn, I don't mean popcorn-y as an insult, more in the sense of, incredibly moreish!

Just. Not if you're a wimp like myself! But even us wimps can recognise gold when we see it. The Devils is a fantastic example of what it's trying to be; it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to, and Abercrombie deserves all the kudos for it!