Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Children’s Group for letting me have an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dawson Sumter is missing. One of the first clues is a bloodied motel room and a mysterious key.
Set in a fictional southwest Georgia town, Carrion and Lake Clearwater have a tradition every 13 years. When the cicadas reemerge, sacrifices must be made and people make deals with the devil.
What unravels is a beautiful story about the lengths you are will to go to find out the truth of what happens to your friend and also, what is happening in this small town.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter. I love how Xan wrote these characters. It was so easy to picture being there helping to solve the mystery of Lake Clearwater. To be her first book, this was very well written and kept me engaged the entire time.
I loved the reveal of Neera’s father. I will admit that I guessed it, but the reveal was very well done.
I look forward to seeing what Xan does next!

💥💥💥Book Review 💥💥💥

When Devils Sing
By Xan Kaur
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars

When Devils Sing is an astute and uncompromising southern gothic horror novel that deals with the good, bad, and ugly. This novel delves into the heart of Southern culture and shows how the prosperous and authoritative exploit those beneath them and the magnitude they will go to in order to maintain their status quo.
This book had me itching to turn to the next page. The horror elements of the story were incredibly vivid and believable. I loved how the author came up with the concept of three devils and corresponded with three animals. I liked the writing style. It was enjoyable to read and fast. The four points of view are constructed well thought out to tell a compelling story.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

This book feels so very real. It honestly doesn’t feel like a book so much as it feels like life. There’s some things that happen in this book that don’t happen in life, but it still feels so very real.

There are a lot of POVs in this book, so keep that in mind going in to it. You need to make sure you’re paying attention to who you are following so you don’t get lost. Personally, I was a fan of all the POVs we have going on, partially because it adds another element of mystery, but also because it makes the characters feel more alive. It’s not easy to get lost with them, but a few times, I dove so far into the plot that I would just move chapter to chapter without paying attention and would be confused for a moment.

I loved the podcasts, the emails, the songs, all those extra elements sprinkled throughout that really add to the story. They’re really what makes it feel so real and alive. It’s almost like diving into a true crime of sorts.

It’s a super quick read that left me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you very much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which I received it.

ANHPI Heritage Month 2025 #8

Maybe I don't hate horror. Maybe I just hate white horror. Same goes for YA. Same goes for a lot of things. I will read anything Xan writes next. It's giving Wen-yi.

Hello, Punjabi Georgians. It's me, a Vietnamese Texan, greatly enjoying everything about this Southern gothic horror. Three devils? Are they hot? I'd smash. I lost you, didn't I?

There are cicadas. Cycles are by thirteen years. Racism. Classicism. A poor town and a rich town. The life expectancies differ. I know you're still confused, and I don't really want to explain anything to you, because I truly think you should go in blind.

I loved every second. The only thing I'd change, and Zana too, is less YA so we can bring a little devil fucking into this. Because Jack? Yes. That is it. The end. That's the review.

Book pairings: THE DARK WE KNOW | THE DEAD AND THE DARK

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

I went in with no expectations and they were exceeded! I loved the writing because it just made the setting stand out. When Devils Sing definitely was a slower paced book which took me a bit to get into it but I couldn't put it down once it started to get really interesting. I do wish the deals were creepier but I liked the concepts overall. I think if this was an adult book that it really could have went there in terms of the creep factor. I'd really like to see Xan Kaur write an adult horror and amp up the creepiness.

Love!! This was such a fun and engaging read. SUCH a wonderful debut!! The depth of the characters was so refreshing but my favorite part was how Carrion, GA itself felt like such a fully fleshed out character! I love the southern gothic genre and this is a welcome addition!

***4 and a half stars***

Let me start this off by saying I’ve had this book preordered since I ran across a tiktok video from the author advertising it months ago so when I had the chance to arc read it thanks to NetGalley, I jumped.

As one of my most anticipated reads of the year I was absolutely not disappointed. Southern Gothic is one of my all
time favorite genres whether that’s reading, music or folk tales. Call it being a girl from the south myself and knowing weird things go bump in the night but this perfectly scratched that itch.

The beginning was slower to get into with setting the scene but it felt like I was there. The sticky summer nights and the sounds of cicadas. The separation of the wealthy and the other side of town. It all felt so familiar to me.

The paranormal aspect along with the thriller and mystery had me on edge with the way everyone’s stories intertwined.

My main qualm is that there are no trigger warnings listed so if anything to with animal cruelty is a trigger for you, bear in mind there is a few instances throughout the story.

When Devils Sing
by Xan Kaur
YA Suspense Horror
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Macmillan Children's/Henry Holt
Ages: 14+

Dawson Sumter is missing, and Neera might be the last person that saw him when he arrived at her grandparents' hotel, Dawson leaving behind a lot of blood in the bathroom.

Sam made a deal to save her little brother after a horrific car accident. All she had to do was lie, saying she saw Dawson at the lake drunk.

Reid and Dawson became fast friends at the golf course, though Reid's family wasn't thrilled about a poor kid hanging around.

After receiving an email from Dawson claiming something bad was going to happen to him, Isaiah begins to investigate, wondering if there is some truth to the urban legend about three devils.

Disappearances in Carrion are common, but they seem to spike every thirteen years, most of the missing drowning in the lake during the celebration of the cicadas' returns.


This book kept up at a steady pace, a slow one. I loved the unique idea of how the deals with devils were made, but they were not creepy enough, instead, they were simple. And with the multiple MCs, it got confusing at times, then bogged down with their histories; some were constantly reminded, while others were just a brushing. Equal grounds would have highlighted the characters' growth.

Even though it started off good, without the backstory of the character and what led to it, there was no impact. I had no idea why the situation happened. That reasoning wasn't given until much later. After the initial event, the story's pace dropped and didn't pick up until the end, and that was just a blip.

While one early reviewer called this: 'A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic...' I am going to majorly disagree! It's really only a sprinkling of blood.

I was expecting a blood filled horror story with devils and creepy bugs, but alas, nope. Yeah, there is some gore, blood, and death, but there was only one part of the story that came close to horror and gore. The descriptions of the town, environment, etc, were great; wonderful details, especially with the old pictures!

Even though I think this is tame, with the violence and blood, this book isn't suitable for readers under fourteen.

This almost reached the next star.

1 Star

When Devils Sing may start with a crash but it's the ride that never gives up. This book kept me interested its whole way thru. Xan Kaur in her debut novel does wonders with telling the story of an american dream denied in the deep south. Her characters feel so sadly very real. The dark gothic elements also fit so perfectly into the old world south. As someone who lives as an other in the south I can truly emphasize with these characters. I cant wait to see what she comes up with next.
5 Stars!!!

I thought this book started out very strong. The first 4 introductory chapters of each character were done perfectly. They were exciting and really gave a feel to the characters. But it didn't take long for the book to really slow down. There were just a lot of scenes that felt like they didn't really add anything to the overall story.

I felt like maybe there were too many MC in this story. I honestly feel like Sam's story could have been straight up cut, and the story wouldn't be too different because there wasn't much of her to even begin with. We never once even met her brother, who seemed initially to be a huge character in her life. To be honest, Isaiah's too. I thought initially the podcast was interesting, but as the story went on, it felt like it was left on the backburner and just didn't really add to the story. Neera and Reids stories felt the most developed. I was struggling to keep track of how they all knew each other/knew Dawson as it felt like everyone's stories were kind of mixed too close.

I wasn't the biggest fan on how these devils operated. I'll give it points for the author trying an alternative/unique take on "selling your soul to the devil" trope because these kids don't sign their soul over on the dotted line. The devils make them do a deed for them, whether lying or spiking someone's drink. Now, for me, I kind of just wondered why didn't just do this stuff themselves. They can bring people make from the dead, so why not just use their powers instead of making humans do them? And the consequences weren't that bad, in my opinion. Like maybe I'm morally grey, but the reward far outweighed the punishment.

I thought the author did a great job with the atmosphere, and I did really like the whole 13 year cicada ritual/cult ish stuff. I wish there was more focus on that. Always love a story that has such a diverse cast as well. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group

When Devils Sing is a true southern gothic horror mystery that explores a small Georgia townspeople’s deals with devils through the eyes of four teenagers. For debut author Xan Kaur, they have knocked it out of the park for me for encapsulating an American Gothic tale's politics and atmospheric qualities. Kaur excels at launching the audience into the world of Lake Carrion and Clearwater - each character introduction reads so cinematically. Every scene is beautifully conveyed with visual language that speaks to each character’s temperament and circumstance. There’s also so much lore building here regarding the devils and music as a storytelling device that is so worthwhile. In this world, the devil you meet at the crossroads can differ from your friend’s. Everyone has their own motivation and secrets to withhold and it makes the mystery much more juicy as you peel back the layers through song, character histories, or town politics. If you like any of the comps of True Detective, She is a Haunting, and even Midnight Mass, you will absolutely dig this as much as I did.

I think the only thing that I found as a flaw is that I wanted more; this novel should have been a start to a duology. The book is broken into two parts, and the second part is broken into chapters with a countdown that accelerates the plot. I can totally see a world in which part one serves as its own novel, and we could get more exploration of the interpersonal relationships with our core four teenage group. There are hints of their shared or tenuous histories, but I believe a further exploration in part one would allow the second part to have greater impact and give more satisfaction on the setups from part one. Because the characters are racing against a clock in part two, there are lingering plot threads that are put to the wayside to address the high stakes position the characters are in, but as I said, you want more you want to understand, and you want to live in this world a little bit longer. This is a book I read 800 pages of over the course of two books. Though I will say, I’m a big fan of the ending. I’m sure I might be in the minority, but it’s very emblematic of the genre for things to feel more like reality where things aren’t wrapped in a bow at the end of the story. That being said, it’s a really strong debut for Kaur and I will definitely be reading whatever they come out with next because I really what they did on the craft level.

I genuinely think this author has amazing potential and I was super excited to read this book. When I read the description after seeing her tiktok I RAN to netgalley to request a copy. The pacing of the book is so off. It’s sloooow and then fast. There’s no perfect pace. It does make you feel like you’re in the Deep South. It is good for YA horror, and I think people should give it a try. Will be posting a review on TikTok a few days before release.

This is a strong YA horror debut. I enjoyed the cast of characters and though the switching POVs worked well. I think the deep south is such a great setting for horror, and Kaur's personal knowledge and love for the region is evident throughout!

4.5 stars rounded up and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

What happens when a boy goes missing and weird things keep happening, like they do every 13 years in a small community in Southwest Georgia?

We follow Neera, Sam, Reid, and Isaiah as they struggle to reckon with the town they grew up in and their own families as their lives clash together in the swampy humidity of the deep south.

Each character had their own voice and flaws and imperfections and I loved that we got to see each one of them as they are before they all joined forces. I loved that we got to know everyone's motivations and how all they wanted was just to Get Out, but it's never that easy.

I could see a couple of plot points coming a mile away and I feel like the ending was a little rushed. I feel like with 400 pages, you can spare a few extra than the last 20 to reach the climax of the story. All in all, I will be buying the physical book with it comes out. I'm absolutely also going to check out anything else Kaur writes. The words she writes capture you from the start and never let you go. I found myself reading faster and faster just to find out what was going to happen to our heroes.

I'm absolutely obsessed with this book's take on southern horror! the three devils aspect was really cool to see from a BIPOC perspective and the Cicadas were so on point for the south. The muli POV narrative was engaging as well.

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read.

THIS book is a STRONG debut YA. You know how you get YA books that has writing that feels juvenile, but you're a teen and looking for something mature and at your level. This. This book right here is the one you want. It's gothic, it has a Southern feel, and it has damnation and interwoven narrative that accumulates at the end leaving you going 'oh my god what the hell'.

I loved that all our of characters were people who had something they wanted or they felt like they needed to escape something. I loved 'Jack', our one of many devils, that existed to tie in the supernatural aspect of it all (along with the other devil-god creatures). The rich vs the poor and the 'what will you sacrifice to get what you want?' aspect of it all had me following pretty well.

The reason why I rated it down a star is that while we get the backstory or the legend of why devils are present, and how it all links to the cicadas... I wanted a tad bit more about the each of them / their forms / who they are.

All in all, if you are looking for a book that unfolds as you read and enjoy an overlapping narrative this book is a treat. If you don't enjoy that then you'll not have fun like I did with this.

I love a good Southern Gothic story and this one definitely checked the box for that! It was a fun read with a very good concept. I felt like all the characters were a little hard to keep up with but overall it was enjoyable.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"Nothing quite conveyed God bless America like sacrificial murder."

A beautifully atmospheric Southern Gothic that tackles a town divided by race, class, and dark secrets upon which the town was founded. As someone from an equally superstitious and rural area of southern Appalachia, I can say the imagery and quotes from this book really blew me away. The rich folklore and anxiety-inducing writing had me gripped, and I couldn't put the last 30% of this book down!

I fell in love with each character because they had their brand of morally grey. It made them all the more realistic and personable. As well as the LGBT aspects within that aren't discussed as much in rural southern towns, but exist as readily as you and I. I'm incredibly happy with not only the queer representation but the diversity as well. The South is a true melting pot of cultures that we don't see discussed enough.

"They were two girls, both touched by the devils of Carrion."

My one qualm would just be the pacing of the story. It felt as if 60% of the book was used to prop up the slow burn of the last 50 pages. I think we could've gotten to the action a bit sooner, and I am afraid some people may put the book down for the pacing alone, although the story is so captivating.

Overall, an incredible read that I would absolutely recommend to any horror, thriller, or folklore lovers.

I don’t love the pacing in this one, but it did have a super strong start. Will retry at another date to see if it grabs me a second time.

A spine chilling gothic horror, When Devils Sing combines three monsters from the Deep South with the social injustices rooted deep in the community. Xan Kaur dives into this, holding nothing back.

When a teen from Carrion, Georgia, disappears, four teens are drawn together to solve his disappearance. Sam, Dawson’s former best friend, running from an abusive father and making whatever deals it takes to save her baby brother. Reid, son of the most successful man on Lake Clearwater, who has a feeling Dawson’s circumstances are the same as his mother’s death. Isaiah, who secretly runs the most popular podcast on the crimes and folklore of the South, who received an email before he disappeared. And Neera, whose family owns the rundown motel Dawson was last seen in, whose dream to become a musician seems impossible to reach.

As the thirteen year cicadas emerge from the earth, the three demons from Southern Folklore begin to make an appearance- and our group of protagonists begins to find that time for answers, and for justice, is running out.

Thank you to Henry & Holt Co and Netgalley for the e-arc! When Devils Sing debuts on May 27th and is sure to send a chill down your spine!

Review will be up on insta and TikTok soon :))