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.))

This is a great, immersive southern gothic YA horror novel, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the lengthy page count flew by (I'm always leery of longer YA AND adult novels). I will say, massive content warning for animal cruelty in detail, and I do very much hope that gets added as an introductory content warning (along with other useful warnings) before the book goes to print.

To start my review, I'd like extend a big thank you to the author, Xan Kaur, the publisher, Henry Holt (Macmillan Children's Group) and NetGalley for the huge privilege of being able to read When Devils Sing early. I will share my review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble upon release. This YA haunting Southern Gothic tale brings together the genres of mystery, horror, and social commentary into a richly described world. The setting of rural Georgia is a character in itself, and as the story follows four teenagers, Neera, Isaiah, Reid, and Sam, they discover more than they bargained for about their home. We drop in on the characters as they decide to investigate further into the disappearance of local teen, Dawson. A search for answers is just the beginning, and the mystery quickly spirals into a chilling exploration of the town’s dark history, ancient folklore, and the more sinister forces that have long plagued the town of Carrion. Kaur’s writing feels very immersive and transported me to the landscape of Southern Georgia, and the gothic feel really added a lot of atmosphere to the vivid descriptions of the town, where many have already left for brighter futures elsewhere. I found the slower build up really worth it for the overall story, and it made the reveals that much more satisfying when I got to them. I did feel like this could set up for another installment, as there was a bit of a pick up of pace in the last third of the book.

The novel is told through four distinct perspectives, each character bringing their own struggles and motivations to the investigation and the following events. Neera is the daughter of a motel owner in town, and quickly became my favorite character as her immigrant experience and family dynamics brought a lot of depth and relatability to her story. Isaiah, Reid, and Sam each have their own voices as well, and the author really skillfully balances their voices, but I did wish for more from their backgrounds. Their personal histories and the town’s secrets really weave together a narrative that kept me entertained throughout. Being that this is Kaur's first book, I'm impressed by the ability to create an overall atmosphere and will make sure to look for their books in the future. The vibes were vibing (!!!) and if you like dark, gothic fiction with an exciting mystery, you'll enjoy this one! If you liked Mexican Gothic, The Southern Girl's Guide to Slaying Vampires, the Sookie Stackhouse series, or Cemetery Boys, you'll probably like When Devils Sing. Intended audience would be, I feel, 16 and over, as some of the horror and graphic scenes could be scary for younger readers.

Major Themes & Tropes:
- small-town
- found family/friendship
- ancient folklore, urban legends, myths
- ritualistic horror, cult behavior, sacrifice
- social commentary, classism
- the experience of marginalized people in America, and the South in particular
- the dynamics of power
- identity, belonging, and purpose
- friend group

*Content Warning for some Animal Cruelty*

4/5 stars

I rarely come across books that surprise me. I do tend to hype myself into believing the next new book/author will blow me away, but it seldom happens. This book managed is the exception.

The atmosphere of this book is so deliciously rich and dark, the precise vibes Kaur was aiming for. The descriptions directly transport you to the setting; I could practically hear the cicada cries and feel the Southern heat sticking to my own skin despite me reading this in the dead of winter. Maybe it's because I'm also reading one of her works as well, but the influence of Zora Neale Hurston feels particularly strong in the writing.

The characters are incredible, too. Despite the story being split in four separate POVs (In a debut novel, nonetheless!), every main character is fully fleshed out, complex, and deeply interconnected in such a way this story could not be told without a single one of them removed. Not once did I have trouble whose POV I was in, because Neera, Sam, Reid, and Isaiah each have totally distinct personalities and motives the story is built around. Again, not an easy feat to pull off in a debut, but Kaur pulled it off so effortlessly, and it's so worthy of applause.

The story is a very slow burn, which, according to other reviews I've glanced through, seems to be a turn-off for most readers. But, if anything, I was enthralled by the buildup, because it's all about setting the stage and becoming entrenched in the gothic atmosphere and the personal tragedies of the characters. It's so worth it once the mystery really amps up and pays off at the climax.

All in all, such a incredible debut, and I personally cannot wait to see what else Kaur may have planned in the future!

A delicious Southern Gothic horror that traps you from the first page and makes you really question what you would make a deal with the devil for.

This book ensnared me from the first page, and didn’t let go until the ending. We follow four teens as they become more and more entangled in the lore and danger of the town they live in - Carrion, the poorer area; and Lake Clearwater, right next door for the wealthy. With a strange intensity every 13 years when the cicadas arrive, everyone knows that people go missing around this time - and no one knows why.

Sam is the daughter of a man who no one will acknowledge is the hidden violent power behind the Langleys. Reid is a Langley, the most powerful family in Lake Clearwater and the center of the local legend surrounding the town. Neera lives in and works for her grandparents' hotel, but dreams of escaping Carrion to be a musician. And Isaiah is a true crime podcaster who gets an email from someone who went missing, but investigating would require him to look into his own hometown. Brought together during the 13 year cicada emergence when strange things begin to occur, they might discover something happening even deeper under the surface of their town.

One thing I really loved was the inclusion of the folk legend about Lake Clearwater, as well as the song people sing to warn their children about making deals with the devils. The occasional refrains, and mention of the legend during the book really brought home the insular feel of the town, with the feeling that everyone knows that there’s something lurking further beneath the surface - but other than a select few chosen, they only know enough to be wary about it. As I was reading I was trying to connect the dots about everything that was going on within the town, and while I was able to figure out a few, some were a legitimate surprise to me. This book kept me interested until the last page, and I had to know how it ended before I could stop reading.

If you love tense and atmospheric creeping Southern Gothic, complete with cult activity and living folklore, then When Devils Sing is the book for you. A phenomenal debut, this novel captured the feel of the south - and the local legends that everyone knows about, but won’t admit to being true.

The devil went down to Georgia
The devil went down and never left
They say you meet the devil
At the crossroads down in Georgia
When there ain’t no options left
There’s the devil you know
The devil you don’t
The devil you wish you’d never met
Be careful of the devils down in Georgia
There ain’t no coming back from the pact

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing this e-ARC.

I was instantly intrigued with this book by the title and the summary. It has been quite some time since I have read anything in the Young Adult genre, however When the Devil Sings kept me hooked. The southern gothic feel was different but truly captivating.