This was such a lovely story!
This is the best type of fantasy! I don’t think I can quite put into words.
Xan Kaur‘s writing is captivating. She knows how to pull the reader into a magnificent and intriguing place.
The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in her writing really set the scene and tone.

“i hope you’ll walk away from this book knowing that there is rich diversity of people, culture, and beauty in a place that is overlooked and too often demonized when it does make it into mainstream american narratives. the south deserves better.”

when i heard the premise of when devils sing over a year ago, i knew it would be a novel that stuck with me long after i finished reading. months later, i was over the moon to have received an arc.

when devils sing is a southern gothic horror novel that explores the violent nature of the american dream through the lens of a small-town mystery. there are four main characters from the rural, dilapidated town of carrion, all of whom have been exploited by the wealthy and powerful in the name of prosperity for the neighboring community, lake clearwater. despite how alone these characters seem to be, each of the choices they make in the name of survival and escape from carrion puts them on a singular path: exposing the corrupt and grotesque underpinnings of lake clearwater and its elite. these storylines weave together so intricately.

when devil’s sing takes inspiration from the story of robert johnson/the devil at the crossroads, but weaves its themes with traditional southern gothic motifs (notably: the screaming of cicadas that emerge every 13 years).

if you loved the way that sinners wove supernatural horror elements with the true horrors of america’s history, you will absolutely love when devil’s sing. carrion and lake clearwater also reminded me a lot of shadyside and sunnyvale from the fear street trilogy, which tackles similar themes.

When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur is an intriguing and gripping story that weaves suspense and emotion with a dark, atmospheric edge. While the premise and pacing kept me engaged, certain plot elements felt underdeveloped. Overall, it's a solid read with compelling moments, but it left me wanting a bit more depth.

The southern gothic subgenre truly has my heart, and Xan did such a good job with her first ever novel that has four different points of view. She was able to make me care about the endings of each of her characters, and she genuinely shocked me with the plot twists. I hope she writes more southern gothic horrors in the future!

This was sold to me as a YA Southern Gothic, True Detective S1 comp and it delivered.

There were some issues I'd expect with any YA debut - the pacing was slow at times, and I wanted more depth out of the characters instead of switching POV every few pages. But some of the scenes in this are downright harrowing. The imagery perfectly captures the devil at the crossroads, southern decay, class divide atmosphere of the deep south. Definitely an author to watch.

4/5 – A gripping start that pulled me in right away. The southern gothic horror elements were executed beautifully, creating a dark, unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked. However, the ending felt a bit rushed and surprisingly neat, especially considering how disturbing and intense parts of the story were. I wasn’t expecting a happily-ever-after for everyone, which made the conclusion feel a little out of step with the rest of the book. There were also a few plot points that felt underdeveloped, like why Sam’s deal with the devil seems to resolve, but Neera’s doesn’t. I would’ve loved a bit more depth or clarity there. I also felt like since the book is relatively short, there is definitely room for expansion. I’d truthfully be interested in a sequel to follow the survivors re-entering society and how Isaiah’s podcast continues to develop. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for the ARC!

This was so great. This is a multi-perspective thriller/horror. It's not until towards the end that I agree this definitely belongs in the horror genre. The folklore and rural life was amazing to read about. Super atmospheric. Such a unique story.

I LOVED this book. The writing was stunning, and the lore of the town was absolutely gorgeous. It tackled the themes of racism, wealth inequality, and choosing your own destiny so beautifully, all wrapped up in a lush tale of a missing teen in a small Georgia town. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

This book took folklore and the realities of living in a small town and so cleverly combined them. I was hooked from the beginning, even if the ending felt a little rushed

When Devils Sing is a beautifully written story that will sink its teeth in you and drag you to the end while singing an unforgettable melody. This is the kind of book you never forget reading, but wish you could go back and read for the first time all over again.

As we get to know Sam, Neera, Isaiah, and Reid, we understand that everyone in this town has something they want and many are willing to pay a steep price to get it. The stakes are sky high from the very beginning, starting with a life hanging in the balance. And when you think things can't possibly get worse, or more complicated, they do! The plot thickens like a hot humid day.

When Devils Sing doesn't just illustrate the advantages of the wealthy and well off, its shows how horrific that power and privilege can be if left unchecked, with no consequences. This book is a whole conversation about the ways that corruptions seeps down into roots and drains the lifeblood from generations. Sooner or later, everyone must pay a toll.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves southern gothic, with a taste for nuance and fresh perspectives. I loved this book and I cannot WAIT for Xan Kaur's next one.

When devils sing is a new to me author and story. It was the cover that caught my interest. Beautiful!

Killings in a small town bring on stress and hurt.

3.5/5 stars

A small Georgia town of Carrion holds secrets that are bound to come out this summer. Following a group of recent high school graduates during the Fourth of July week. They band together to investigate a local teen's disappearance. Town secrets get revealed, southern traditions turn dark, and a twisted history is discovered. Does the devil come to Georgia?

I was intrigued by this book being a YA southern gothic horror book. I don't see many Southern Gothic books in the YA genre. This really was a love letter to small southern towns twisted into a dark horror story. The setting was the best part of this book. I can tell the author grew up in the south and poured their heart into this book.

The story takes place over a few days, maybe even a week, with multiple characters' POVs. This takes a bit to really get rolling. There are things happening in the beginning that are slowly getting connected throughout the book, but nothing really gripping. Nothing really spooky happens until the end, when the pace picks up substantially. The ending was the best part, but it is kind of left on a cliffhanger. The story wraps up, but there is still a big plot not totally resolved at the end.

The characters are a unique, almost found family, but since their relationships develop over a few days, there isn't too much of a bond/connection. It is a switch pov, but the story focuses on one character more than the others, so if you are not a big fan of her, it might take a bit to get through.

This is a good spooky read for the summer that has a nice mystery to it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for the ARC.

As someone who is not heavily into the horror genre, I have to say I really enjoyed this book! the multi-POV kept you engaged, and frantically looking for more clues. Thought It's definitely not my strong suit as far as following the storyline goes. I would recommend this book for fans of horror, thrillers, multiple point of views, and diverse casts.

TW: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

When Devils Sing is a haunting and atmospheric debut that delivers Southern Gothic horror at its finest. Set in a sweltering Georgia town thick with secrets and superstition, the novel follows a group of teens drawn into the mystery of a classmate’s disappearance—and the sinister truths their town would rather keep buried.

Xan Kaur's prose is rich and immersive, capturing both the oppressive beauty of the rural South and the creeping dread that builds with every chapter. The multiple POVs offer a layered perspective on grief, guilt, and power, though the voices occasionally blur. Still, the tension is palpable, the folklore chilling, and the final act deeply satisfying.

A slow-burn horror that rewards patience with a harrowing, lyrical descent into darkness.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

I'm always down for a good "deal with the devil" book, especially one with a gorgeous cover. The first 3/4 of the book had me questioning if it could really be called horror. It seemed to be more of a mystery with a supernatural slant. But then the last few chapters popped off, and it is definitely a horror book. This book has a lot of moving parts, and the fact that this book is a debut is very impressive. It's all handled very well, and the characters are people you care about. 4.5 stars

There was so much packed into this book: Cicadas like Doctor Eckelberg, the sins of the father, and a haunting song about what happens when the devils come to Georgia. Personally, I was drawn to Sam and Newra the most, eventhoigh there were times I wanted to scream at them to turn and run. I could not put this book down and continually was gasping as I put the pieces together in my mind!

Wow, just finished this book & I’m not sure how to put it into actual words! It was super atmospheric, suspenseful, gut wrenching, and heartfelt. Absolutely loved this story, and it’s definitely one of a kind!

Wow this is good. This is a beautiful complex and creepy novel that will get under your skin. I was completely immersed and I am so glad I got to read it!

This was chilling and moving. I’ll be thinking about this story for years to come. This is a fresh perspective in southern gothic horror that we desperately needed. What a read

What a stunning book!! It was so beautifully written and such a unique storyline. I’ve had such an issue with poorly written, booktok-popular books lately, so this was truly a breath of fresh air in terms of originality and writing style. I wish we got a little more conclusion at the end because I want to know exactly how everything ends up, but all in all it was such a great read! Thanks so much to Xan Kaur and NetGalley for the ARC!