They say
You meet the devil
At the crossroads
Down in Georgia
When there ain’t no options left

This is the tale of the “Three Brothers” repeated throughout the book, but obviously I started singing The Charlie Daniels Band “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” every time it came up.

An interesting debut from a new writer in the young adult, gothic horror genre, “When Devils Sing” centers around a small rural Georgia town where one side is populated by the affluent community of Lake Clearwater and the other houses the downtrodden people of Carrion. While Lake Clearwater’s residents are all wealthy and successful, Carrion folk are struggling to get by. There’s an old tale that the founder of the Lake Clearwater community, William Langley, made a deal with the devil at the crossroads of Carrion to become powerful - but that’s just a tale right?

“When Devils Sing” centers around the disappearance of Dawson Sumter at the beginning of the periodical cicada season - an event that takes place every 13 years and coincides with a massive Cicada Festival on the Lake Clearwater side. Four teens, each connected in some way to Dawson, are brought together to investigate his disappearance and other strange deaths that have occurred in Carrion.

Overall I found this book really enjoyable - while I did start to predict some of the plot twists, I still found the reveals to be enjoyable. I will say the first part of the book has a rather slow build up, while the second half seems like the main characters are rushing to fight against time, but I wasn’t as bothered by this as some other reviewers. There are a few disturbing scenes, including one upsetting moment involving an animal and a rather gross dining experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review. I look forward to seeing what this author does in the future!

4.5 stars - thank you netgalley for the arc! also, spoilers below!

i discovered xan on booktok; she was promoting her new book, when devils sing. the setting of this book is southwest georgia. i am from southeast georgia, and i haven't been home in some time. so this book, although set a couple hours west of my home, was close enough for me to connect.

i really enjoyed the characters in this book and the complex thoughts they had as they made their journey through what was going on.

the atmosphere of this book was dark, yet our characters still looked toward the light as much as was possible. there was also a lot of diversity, which is always appreciated nowadays. and honestly, it's very true how diverse the south is, however is not represented in the media that way. i promise the south is a beautiful place with incredible people... but no one ever really gets to see that. i'm glad this was brought up in our book.

i also enjoyed the prose in this book. it was super easy to read and very relatable. loved it!

some questions i still have

is jonah dead? is russ dead? i need to know who is dead.
is wiley dead?
where is reid and the rest of the people they saved?
did sam get to reconnect with neera even though they both didn't really know what to do with their feelings?


all in all, a good book for the shelves!

Such a fun ride! I really enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. I liked how everyone's story was intertwined and how it was told by different POV's. One of the kids' podcast covered and exposed the town's urban legend filled with murder, mistrust, and family probs down in Georgia. If you're looking for an entertaining, engaging quick read this is it! Read it in two days! Was not very scary for me, and there wasn't much gore for a horror sensitive person lol.

Thank you, Xan Kaur NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

Wow... this book was so amazing! From start to finish, I had the hardest time putting this book down. Is this considered horror? Not to me, but it definitely had me wanting more and more after every page. There are supernatural elements, death, superstition, that sweet Alabama charm, and more. It truly makes you think about things like legends and music. Like, is any of it true, and does it mean anything. The characters are very much likable, and I definitely got attached to them. You can only hope good things for them and want to crush the absolute terrible people involved in the conspiracies in this book. I'm very much into conspiracies, and this was a great read as it revolves around one. The pacing was very decent, and I had no trouble losing interest throughout the book.

People go missing every thirteen years. Oddly enough, this is when the Cicada returns and there is a festival for it in this town. Is this just a coincidence, or is it something far more sinister? A group of unlikely friends come together and dig where they shouldn't uncover secrets and history that should have been left alone. What's to happen now that they know what's really going on at this festival?

I'm a sucker for a book like this. If I didn't have to sleep or take care of my sisters child, I would spend hours reading through this, devouring it a second time. This truly scratched an itch I've been having, and I think a lot of people are going to love it as much as I have.

An incredible mystery turned horror set in the Deep South. The characters have such depth and interesting stories that are slowly revealed to be interconnected in unexpected ways over the course of the book.

What happens when a group of teens are desperate to escape the home town they grew up in? Well chaos ensues and deep decades long secrets are revealed as they try to claw their way out of this hopeless place.

Filled with interesting and unique mythology and lore that is brought to life in a way that can’t be ignored or easily forgotten, both by the characters and the readers.

Thank you to MacMillan Publishing and Xan Kaur for the ARC!

“Carrion was dying. All of Southwest Georgia was in the throes of ending.”

Kaur does a phenomenal job of taking all of the looming dread, majesty, and legacy of the rural towns of the south and translating it into an allegory using the most persistent image of evil in those towns; the devil. In her afterward she calls the book (in part) a love letter to the south, and having grown up in the bible belt I completely agree; it gave me a warm, comforting sense of nostalgia.

Kaur doesn’t only paint the small town of Carrion and neighboring community of Lake Clearwater in the red hues of nostalgia, though. The four main characters personify the deep rooted and devastating flaws of the rural south. Rampant and institutionalized racism, staggering socioeconomic disparities, and untouchable family dynasties create a sinister backdrop, in which the entrance of the devil is hardly a surprise.

The plot is suspenseful and twisting, the characters are all multifaceted and complex, and it captures small rural Georgia perfectly. Kaur’s writing style strikes an excellent balance between poetic and digestible in my opinion, allowing the book to be moving while also being gripping and very binge-able. The ending was very satisfying, though I almost wish the book was ever so slightly longer as there is a really fascinating lore detail about Jack and Crow I would have loved more back story on, though I suppose that’d have been difficult to work into the story.

Overall a lovely book I would absolutely recommend! I can’t wait to see what Kaur publishes next :)

"When Devils Sing" by Xan Kaur follows a group of teens as they uncover the dark secrets surrounding their small, southern towns. Dawson Sumter has gone missing and all of the stories surrounding his disappearance don't correlate to who he was. Neera Singh is a girl who dreams of the stage but knows she will have to work harder than some of her peers to get a shot at a record deal. She will do anything to not be forgotten. Reid's nepotism opens doors he has no desire to walk through but after his close friend disappears he wields that privilege alongside Isaiah, the son of a powerful judge and undercover podcast host. While they are both soaked in privilege they are willing to sacrifice it all to uncover whats buried in the soil. Sam will do anything to protect her brother, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Every thirteen years a cicada brood emerges, will they be able to hear each other over the screams, or will they be choking on the wings they promised to flee this town with?

Kaur dictates a dark, southern soaked town full of deception and secrets with a rotting root system that connects every person to each other. No one is innocent and I ate up this entire story. Creepy yet beautifully set Kaur had me hanging on to every word. The devil went down to Georgia and he never left...

This was a fun supernatural mystery set in southern Georgia. It follows 4 teenagers as they unravel the mystery of another missing teen, and uncover a conspiracy much more horrible than they could have predicted.

Despite this having supernatural elements to it, I found it incredibly believable. I am all too familiar with the deafening sound of cicadas in the summertime. I grew up in a Georgia town just like this, and the hierarchy and power that money and influence awards is so real, I could easily replace all the main players with people I actually grew up with.

I loved the blues and “demon at the crossroads” theme, and the characters of the “devils” were a big highlight for me. The way they subtly worked themselves into the story really worked for me, especially Jack.

I found the ending a bit abrupt, and the pacing a bit off. The beginning was a bit slow, and we don’t really spend very much time actually solving the mystery. It happens really fast, almost all at once and then we are rushed through the conclusion.

This is great for people who enjoy slow burn small town mysteries, and crossroads lore, especially young adult/teen audiences and those who do not like heavy horror or gore.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy! All opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Regardless of my complete feelings on this title I will say, it's not bad and to give it a try! I feel like it was lacking in some aspects but it kept me just hooked enough to finish. The setting was really well written and immersive. The animal cruelty is what turned me off from this book for the most part.

Better the Devil you know than one you don’t.

“When Devil’s Sing” welcomes us the the Deep South where a missing boy threatens the secrets of the ultra wealthy and when mysterious strangers start offering bargains to those down on their luck an unlikely group of teenagers have to work together to outsmart the Devil.

This feels like it would have been a fantastic episode of Supernatural during the early seasons. Checking all the boxes with small town legends and folktale like monsters who wouldn’t be tempted to make a deal at a crossroad?

All of the characters we spend time with have different motives when pulled into this world and their own desperations for being tempted by offers that seem too good to be true and while you want to scream at them not to do it you absolutely understand how one could be drawn into this world. Sam wants nothing more than to protect her brother from the violence at home, Neera wants to avoid her future becoming like her single mothers’ , Reid is ashamed of what his family has become and finally Isaiah wants to make a name for himself as an investigative journalist doing his best to solve a missing persons case and expose the corruption of those in high society. They all have something they want and a desperation to it that makes them easy victims to strike bargains with and I enjoyed every second.

The plot moves quickly and takes us on this journey of discovery and watching the group come together for this singular purpose was exciting as you never knew who or what could stand in their way or if it would matter at all when up against something far more powerful. I do wish we got a bit more on the lore surrounding the Devils as I believe we meet all three but the stark differences in their approach were striking enough to leave questions behind and I know I wouldn’t hate a sequel.

A very fun read and one that will sing to anyone who has spent time in a small town where whispers in the dark could change your fate, if you’re willing to pay of course.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me early access to When Devils Sing.

When Devils Sing offers a thoughtful and unflinching look at Southern culture—the good, the bad, and the ugly. The novel explores how the wealthy and powerful control and exploit those beneath them and the lengths they will go to in order to maintain their status.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. Kaur introduces four compelling protagonists who feel authentic and deeply human. They aren’t morally perfect; they make mistakes and are willing to cross lines to protect the people they love. Kaur does an excellent job of fleshing them out, making their motivations clear from early on, which helped me stay invested in their journeys.

However, the book’s pacing was inconsistent. The first 60% moved slowly, while the final 40% rushed through the conclusion, leaving parts of the story feeling unresolved. An epilogue with perspectives from all the main characters would have added more closure.

A minor critique is the use of specific brand names like “eBay,” “Nintendo DS,” and “Birkenstocks.” While this is a personal preference, these references can date the book over time and sometimes pull readers out of the story without adding significant value.

Overall, When Devils Sing was a solid 3.5-star read. The well-developed characters were its greatest strength, but the uneven pacing made it difficult to fully engage at times.

Southern gothic horror is definitely my jam! This was a fun read, but I do wish there was a little more telling of the three devils. That said, I loved the characters because they felt real and were a mix of different personalities. Dawson Sumter goes missing from a hotel room and only leaves blood behind. A motley crew of people set out to find him and discover the shady founding of the town. This book was atmospheric, the characters were great, and the story line was awesome.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 400
Publication Date: 05.27.25

“There’s the devil you know The devil you don’t The devil you wish you’d never met.”

- Gothic Horror
- YA Horror
- Multi POV
- Small Town
- Found Family
- Ancient Folklore
- Urban Legends
- Myths
- Ritualistic Horror
- Cult Vibes

Book Blurb:
In this atmospheric horror novel, four unlikely allies in a small Southern town investigate a local teen's disappearance, and what they discover festering at the core of their community is far more sinister and ancient than they could've ever imagined.
For fans of She is a Haunting, Mexican Gothic, and Midsommar.

“When Devils Sing” by Xan Kaur is an awesome southern gothic horror. Perfect read for those wanting a dark atmospheric, multi pov, southern vibes, cult elements, with animal sacrifices.

The pacing was strange. It felt rather slow at first and then picked up and felt super fast at the end. But I feel like she added depth to the character development since it is bouncing between four people. Which that in itself can be confusing at times. The world building was impeccable. I feel like it was really rich, detailed and action packed.

Overall, Xan did an excellent job in this debut novel. I definitely would ready more from her. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co for this ARC.

This is the first five star read I have had in a long time!
This book was atmospheric and perfect for summer. The characters are likeable and layered, providing connection to them and making them feel like real friends and acquaintances. The story isn't too predictable, and it's paced in a way that keeps you wanting to read more instead of dreading picking the book up again. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

thank you NetGalley ❤️

I’ve never read a Gothic Southern story, and OMG, this was amazing!

I have to admit, I didn’t fully get into the story until page 100, but once I passed that barrier, it was pure enjoyment!

I really liked the characters, the dark atmosphere surrounding Lake Clearwater, and the cicada element—it was a great addition to this twisted story ✨

I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!

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!

The setting was very well written and described. Books about the south, you already know its going to be hot and sticky. I will start off by saying that the start of the book was slow for me pacing wise. It takes more than half of the book for the MCs to actually figure things out when the reader can anticipate what's going to occur – so it felt dragged on. Towards the later of the book though, it was more quick paced as the MCs are now on the same page. If you like slower paced, small town, misfits, creepy vibes, multiple POVs and build up this may be a book for you. Overall, I give this a solid 3.5 and felt it was a good book as a debut! Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

This is a Southern Gothic novel, based on the disappearance of a local teen named Dawson. Four unlikely characters come together to investigate: Neera, whose family owns the motel where Dawson disappeared; Isaiah, whose father is a judge and who hosts a podcast; Reid, the youngest son of the wealthiest family in Lake Clearwater; and Sam, the estranged daughter of the local hitman who works for Reid's family. As they work together to find Dawson, they find age old secrets rising to the surface, not unlike the cicadas that emerge every thirteen years...
When I found out that this was a YA novel, it made a lot more sense to me. I felt that the ending was rushed, but on the whole, I really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The book is told between 4 POV. Sam who's dad is the local town hit man and works for the Langleys. Neera who helps out at her grandparents rundown motel and dreams of being a musician. Isaiah who runs a podcast called ' Secrets of the South'. And Reid who is part of the Langleys who run the area.
All 4 characters are connected in ways that they don't yet know about.

They come together to solve the mystery of what happend to Dawson? During the course of their investigation they come to realize that their town has some dark hidden secrets that few know about and the devil(s) may be closer than you think in this town.

The characters are well developed and are woven together nicely. Multi point of view books aren't always easy to follow but Kaur nailed it. I was instantly intrigued by the plot of this story and couldn't wait to read a bit each night. Needless to say I'm looking forward to adding this book to my shelf and can't waitbto see what Kaur writes next.

Give me Southern gothic horror, and you have my full attention. Add in characters that are various embodiments of devils, and I'm practically salivating, ready to devour said book in the most feral way.

When Devils Sing gives you the best of all worlds in a way that makes it hard to believe this is Xan Kaur's debut. From the very start, Kaur delivers a multi-POV story that demands attention... and deserves it. This was a one-sitting book for me, with characters that are all well-developed and woven together clearly and concisely. Multi-POV books don't always do the best job in keeping threads clear AND connected, but this book is the exception. ((Side note: I don't know if I'm SUPPOSED TO like Jack, but I'd have loved more interactions with him.))

The first thing I did when I finished this book was add it to my must-buy list, and the second was to ensure I am following this author because I can't wait to see what she releases next! I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves Southern-inspired horror, books that weave in a podcast element, and a strong element of representation.

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Henry Holt and Company, and Xan Kaur for this complimentary copy.))