2.5 stars rounded down.

I was drawn to this book because of my interest in the Roanoke mystery and love for folk horror rooted in Puritan and witchcraft themes. The journal entries worked well and was some of favorite in the book.

That said, the story didn’t fully deliver for me. The plot jumped around too much, making it feel disjointed. It also had spice for what felt like the sake of spice. I’m not opposed to spice, and when done fluidly with the plot, I think it can add that element that readers want in certain stories.

Thank you NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Blood-Soaked, Witch-Filled Nightmare
Marie Lestrange’s The Devil’s Colony delivers a relentless, haunting, and visceral reimagining of one of America’s most enduring mysteries: the disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. By blending historical fiction with full-throttle horror, Lestrange crafts a tale that grips readers with its eerie atmosphere, brutal violence, and creeping sense of dread. From the first page to the last, this novel refuses to let up.

This is not a slow-burn horror novel. Instead, it launches into an all-out assault of blood, fire, and madness. If you enjoy historical fiction laced with the supernatural—and have the stomach for truly unsettling imagery—this book is an absolute must-read.

Many thanks to Victory Editing for an electronic ARC in exchange for my authentic review.

“The Devil’s Colony” Premise: Roanoke Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Set in 1587, The Devil’s Colony follows the Dare family—Ananais, Eleanor, Agnes, Henry, and baby Virginia, the first English child born in the New World. While these figures originate from real historical records, Lestrange takes their story in a terrifying new direction. The novel presents Roanoke as a doomed settlement, plagued by strange occurrences, horrific deaths, and the constant, oppressive presence of something lurking just beyond the tree line. Witches, wendigos, and possessed children turn this settlement into a nightmare, and the novel leans into the question: what really happened to Roanoke?

Told through multiple points of view, the novel embraces an era-specific narrative style, with most chapter openings framed as prayers—desperate pleas to God for salvation from the horrors creeping into the settlement. This approach creates an immersive, almost claustrophobic reading experience that plunges you into the settlers’ growing terror and paranoia. The Devil’s Colony reads like a found-footage horror film in book form. It’s fast-paced, utterly gruesome, and drenched in dread.

From the moment the Dares set foot on the cursed land, the colony faces misfortune. Crops fail. Shadows shift in the woods. Children disappear or return… different. As tensions rise and the death toll climbs, it becomes clear that something ancient and hungry has taken root in Roanoke. No one is safe.

What Makes “The Devil’s Colony” Stand Out
1. A Fast-Paced, Visceral Horror Experience
Unlike many horror novels that take their time building suspense, this one strikes fast. Lestrange wastes no time—right from the start, the book becomes a bloodbath. If you enjoy horror packed with nonstop tension, action, and gore, you’ll be hooked immediately.

The violence in this novel is not for the faint of heart. Lestrange excels at crafting nightmarish imagery that lingers long after you’ve put the book down. Women transform into sacks of skin that skitter around like puppies (yes, really!). Corpses whisper secrets. Something monstrous watches from the woods, waiting to claim its next victim. If body horror unsettles you, proceed with caution—this book does not hold back.

2. Historical Fiction with a Dark, Supernatural Twist
One of the most fascinating aspects of this novel is how Lestrange intertwines real history with fiction. The fate of the Roanoke settlers remains one of history’s greatest unsolved mysteries, and The Devil’s Colony offers a chilling hypothetical answer.

The Dares existed in reality. Virginia Dare’s birth marked a historical milestone. The colony’s inexplicable disappearance remains well-documented. Lestrange uses these facts as a foundation and constructs an intricate, terrifying what-if scenario, blending historical authenticity with full-blown supernatural horror.

3. Female Rage and Revenge
Without spoiling too much, this book thrives on powerful moments of female rage and vengeance. The women of Roanoke endure horrific treatment at the hands of both the supernatural forces at play and the men who claim to lead them. However, they do not remain victims. If you love stories where women refuse to go down without a fight—even when the odds seem impossibly stacked against them—you’ll find deeply satisfying moments throughout this novel.

4. Masterful Use of Atmosphere and Language
Lestrange’s writing stands out as stunning and immersive. Her descriptions pull you deep into the eerie, oppressive world of Roanoke. The forests breathe, the settlement feels cursed, and every shadow hides a potential nightmare.

By framing much of the narrative as prayers, she adds an extra layer of authenticity and dread. The characters’ devotion to God serves not only as a reflection of the time period but also as a desperate lifeline—a way to cling to sanity as the world around them unravels. Whether or not their prayers receive answers… well, you’ll have to read to find out.

Potential Drawbacks of “The Devil’s Colony”
While I loved this book, some elements may not work for every reader.

1. Time Jumps and Off-Page Action
Due to the novel’s multiple POVs, the timeline shifts frequently. One chapter might take place in May, while the next jumps to July with an entirely different character narrating. As a result, some major events unfold off-page. Characters may suddenly die, or relationships may shift dramatically without the reader witnessing it firsthand.

Although this structure enhances the found-footage feel of the book, it may frustrate readers who prefer a more linear narrative.

2. Heavy Religious Themes
Given the historical setting, religion plays a significant role in the book. The Roanoke settlers lived as deeply religious individuals (likely Puritans), and their beliefs shape their dialogue and inner monologues. Nearly every chapter begins with a prayer, often pleading for salvation from the evil surrounding them.

For some readers, this adds authenticity and tension to the story. However, others may find the heavy focus on Christianity overwhelming. It’s worth noting that while faith remains a central theme, the novel frequently blurs the line between devotion and madness.

Final Thoughts on “The Devil’s Colony”
I loved this book. It moves at a breakneck pace, delivers brutally intense horror, and features some of the most striking imagery I’ve encountered in a long time. By combining real history, supernatural horror, and gut-wrenching violence, Lestrange creates an unforgettable reading experience.

If you enjoy historical horror, folklore-based nightmares, or books that embrace darkness, The Devil’s Colony belongs on your reading list. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Will you be picking this one up? Let’s talk all things Roanoke, witches, and historical horror in the comments!

The Devil’s Colony is a rich historical horror from Crimson Cobblestones’ author Marie Lestrange. Covering three years, from the Dares’ arrival in Roanoke, to the colony’s disappearance in 1590, it’s a bloody tale of desperation, witchcraft, and revenge.

Each chapter opens with “found-footage” like prayers, letters, and diary entries from the colonists - primarily Ananias, Eleanor, and daughter Agnes Dare - before diving into the action. Though they did help highlight the focus on faith in the time period, and the belief that if the colonists would only keep the faith, God would save them, they were quite tonally different to the writing of the chapters themselves, and as the story ramped up, they would break my immersion in the novel from time to time.

Similarly, use of “thee” and “thou” and the like popped up early in The Devil’s Colony, and it’s a stylistic choice that really didn’t need to be there, as Lestrange does a fine job evoking time and period without the need for it. As the novel progressed, I either stopped noticing it, or it appeared less (I think it was the latter), so ultimately, no harm no foul, but it did jar early on.

I only bring up these minor issues, because the vast majority of The Devil’s Colony is brilliant. It’s well researched, hugely atmospheric, and often bloody and brutal. The final set piece is genuinely horrifying, leading to a chilling finale that, given what we do know of Roanoke, is heartbreakingly inevitable.

The Devil’s Colony feels like a novel I’ll revisit again, with the encroaching dread, and the wicked horror at its core more than enough to make up for my complaints about some of the writing choices.

The Devil’s Colony is based off the lost colony of Roanoke, where 117 settlers disappeared. The only thing found was the word “Croatian” carved into the bark of a tree.

The Dare family is one of the first to settle in the new colony of Roanoke. They are very flawed but trying to survive the lack of food, medicine, and comfort. Agnes the eldest daughter, discovers witch’s in the forest and everything swiftly falls apart. A host to plagues from the coven of witch’s torment the settlers and cause disease and many deaths.

My favorite characters are the young couple Agnes and Jonathan. Although “sinners” they are loving, kind and responsible. The other characters in the book aren’t very likable, but realistic. Loved the witch’s in the woods. Some pretty intense body horror.

Will definitely read more from this author.

2.5 stars rounded up
It wasn’t terrible it was like a cheesy b rate horror movie that I usually love but this book just didn’t work for me.

I think every girl goes through a phase where she is consumed with theories about what happened to the Roanoke Colony, and this book gives answers in a delightfully wicked way. The author's prose and writing style reads true to the era and started off the story strong, but towards the middle and end it was a struggle to keep up with and truly follow. An enjoyable story, and easy to follow characters, but left me wanting more than I got overall.

Ananias & Eleanor Dare & their two (soon to be three) children are part of the second colony heading to the New World, following the failure of the first group. The Dares are moving for a fresh start following Ananias's affair with another woman but his promises of faithfulness do not last long & his actions set of events which culminate in the horror-filled end of Roanoke.

This is of course loosely (very loosely) based on the missing colonists of Roanoke who disappeared between 1587 & 1590 leaving behind the word 'Croatoan' carved on a tree. Although theories have abounded ever since, there has been little solid evidence of what happened to them so the scope for imagining their fate is quite wide.

This one started off quite well before descending into chaos which left me feeling 'What the heck did I just read?'. Although it did keep my interest enough to finish reading it, it became a bit unhinged towards the end. I was also a bit disappointed that it relied on the usual stereotype of witches being ugly, old women. A miss for me I'm afraid.

TWs: death of a child, infidelity, scenes of a sexual nature., animal death, cannibalism.

Thank you to NetGalley & publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

While this was a perfectly serviceable and enjoyable read with some genuinely horrific moments (looking at you, skin dog creature), I'm just not sure what the author wanted us to take away from it. At times, it seemed to be going in a Good For Her direction and supporting the witches' actions in the face of sexism and ridiculous social standards. However, then the witches would do something especially heinous and (I think?) we were expected to then side with the colonists in condemning them as pure evil hellbeasts with no possible redemptive qualities. While this may have been intended to convey complex morality, it came across as muddled and made it hard to connect with or understand the characters. I'm also not sure why it was billed as "found footage style" when 1) it was set in a time before the concept of footage existed and 2) the word "epistolary" exists, but that's a nitpick.

What actually happened to the colonists at Roanoke? This extremely detailed and well written story attempts to provide us with those answers. Through prayers by the colonists and we get insight into the fears of the community as they face forces known and unknown. This book is perfect for fans of historical horror and folk horror.

In 1587, the Dare family arrives at the Roanoke Colony, hoping for a new beginning, but instead finds death, despair, and something far more sinister. Blending historical tragedy with supernatural horror, The Devil’s Colony reimagines the fate of the Lost Colony in a chilling, blood-soaked tale of survival and faith.

While the premise of The Devil’s Colony is intriguing, I struggled to fully engage with the story. The alternating diary entries and internal thoughts, written in both archaic English and modern English, made for a jarring reading experience. I found myself skimming after the first quarter, as the structure and pacing didn’t work for me. That being said, the atmosphere is effectively eerie, and fans of historical horror may enjoy this take on the Roanoke mystery.

This story was not what I thought it was going to be. Unfortunately the story was slow and did not hold my interest and I ended up DNFing at 25% . Thank you for the opportunity to read though.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel! Unfortunately I was not able to get into the story. It’s very well written, and the premise is great, and generally right up my alley. But I was unable to really get into the story, and thus I was unable to finish it. This was definitely on me.
My biggest recommendation would be to put the prayers/diary/journal etc entries into italics to seperate them from the regular story.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends that enjoy witchy and historical fiction.

You know one of those cheesy horror movies that you randomly choose from Netflix and laugh at with your friends, but later when you're trying to sleep your brain is still thinking about it? This is 100% that energy in book form.

The Devil's Colony takes the mystery that has shrouded the Roanoke colony for centuries and transforms it into a supernatural tale of deception, violence, and bloodshed. It is, as other reviewers have said, reminiscent of the atmosphere of The Witch (2015) and in some ways, I think a TV/movie adaptation would actually more benefit the story that Lestrange tells. The imagery is visceral and grotesque, but the writing style (and unfortunate lack of proper editing) left something to be desired. It started to drag a bit for me towards the end (despite the culminating aspects of the story), but all in all it turned out to be a quick and pretty entertaining read.

Also, tag yourself: I'm a Skin Beast.™

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. I'd also like to mention that I really appreciate Lestrange's commitment to making sure her readers had the correct file format through NetGalley; I received a weirdly formatted version first, and she later sent out an email with a revised version and further explanation.

Even if I finished the book and cannot say that I didn't like it entirely, I will not post a review to recommend this book on my social platforms and my blog (except my opinion on storygraph when I'll put it as finished in a few minutes),

I was aware of the Roanoki Colony's stories and speculation around the lost colony and the idea to read an horror fiction around it was why I requested the ARC. I am a big fan of folk horror stories working with puritan and witchcraft subject so I thought I would enjoy the ride. But I didn't. Or at least not enough to recommend it to my audiences.

The general idea is good, the journal entry format allowing to introduce smoothly different POVs definitely worked for me, i really like this part. It is mostly well written, though the book definitely needs editing. I Highlighted so much weird sentence structures, typo, names written differently from one chapter to another, that I guessed several time if the story had been beta read or not. This, is a super bad point for me. My brain tend to focus on only this then, and i cannot enjoy the rest.

I loose focus here and there because of some weird jump allowing too much lost information for the plot to be coherent all the way from beginning to end.

A warning for cannibalism, child death and graphic sex should be added. I don't read SMUT or romantasy/romance (just because I don't like how the relationship are painted) but I don't have issue with graphic sex in case of ritual or stuff like this in horror. But here it just felt like the spice had been added as an after thought to contempt the crowd and fit the trend. Unfortunately this part wasn't good, in my opinion. It adds nothing to the story and as it wasn't announced in the warning it made me almost DNF it at the first intercourse because it felt out of place.

The bigger issue for me in this book, is how women are painted and absolutely everyone of the female character has been poorly written and/or badly developed,< (or maybe just not enough). Of course, I don't speak about the position of women per se, as it was a tough period for women. But fitting the moeurs and believes of the era doesn't mean butchering the character development. I would advise to take a look at Gerald Brom's female Character development in Slewfoot to have an example of what I meant by witchcraft/puritan era and excellent female character development.

All together, it think that a revision of the text for all the typo and a beta reading session to have a second opinion about the character development and about the "world building" would have been enough to make of this book a great one. That's a really good first attempt but it feels raw still.,

I found The Devil’s Colony to be an enjoyable and pleasant read. I love multi-narrative tellings, and feel it was a really good choice for the recounting of the Roanoke colony, especially to reveal secrets along the way. With this narration, Lestrange gives the story much more depth and area to play with. It hones in on the opposition of themes like faith and madness, love and betrayal, and the variation of the character responses to supernatural occurrences. Exposing the marriage breakdown between Eleanor and Ananias Dare by swapping their point of view was exciting. But when their past was revealed, my initial intrigue about the source of their marital issues became a profound sense of pity for Eleanor. Imagery in The Devil’s Colony is rich and vivid, and although the overall atmosphere of the novel is dark and gloomy, it is sometimes used to convey a fleeting sense of bliss. Foreshadowing is used throughout The Devil’s Colony to produce a sense of unease, fear and tension which strengthens the exploration into the supernatural. Lestrange uses beautiful but hideous imagery to arouse the reader’s emotions, creating suspense peppered with anxiety. Clearly, Lestrange is a master with her descriptions and use of imagery throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to vividly imagine every scene and every character. The only criticism I have is that the “found-footage” diary entries became grating. Personally, I feel they were used too often, and more than a handful of them were longer than they needed to be, taking away from the overall energy of the novel. This novel leads with a family in domestic dysfunction, creating an allure of curiosity and possible entertainment, and then shifts to horrific deaths and unthinkable images. It is a rollercoaster of a read and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I wish I was more engaged, as with the long diary entries, I did find myself trailing off, but I am very glad I finished this novel.

3.5/5

This book was unlike anything I have ever read before and I think I will be thinking about it for a long time to come. It is fantastic and I can't recommend it enough

This is an historical fiction surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke, partially revealed as journal entries over a span of 1587-1590. It’s a very dark and entertaining read with a bleak ending. An entire menagerie of evil is not-so-accidentally unleashed on the second wave of settlers to Roanoke, and our starving little band of people are in way over their heads when it comes to battling the forces of nature…and of evil. A really great slow build that ends with a dramatic finish. Some of the editing on the NetGalley version I read was sloppy, but as a book this was super entertaining.

This is a new dark "what if" scenario that semi-uses historical facts but also takes creative liberties in a story about the second attempt at creating the colony of Roanoke and their efforts to settle down and find comfort and God in their new home only to discover their woods hold demonic forces and a coven of witches. The found prayer journal entries of the Dare family and other settlers brings us through the short existence of their once pious settlement as family secrets and betrayals are revealed and the isolation leads to madness and death.

I've never heard a story about Roanoke like this one! It was shocking and bloody, Lestrange spared no expense in the details. The descriptions and imagery were beautifully done and really solidified the gloominess of that lonely and scared colony and the horrifying things these characters see. I loved the use of the POV switches between chapters giving us a chance to see the characters responses and reactions while they try to rationalize the tragedies and supernatural events that keep hitting them. I became so attached to Agnes and Jon holding onto their love for each other in the face of everything. And knowing that, in the end, Roanoke has to be found empty I couldn't stop myself from reading on to find out exactly what happens to them.

My only complaint is that at times I really didn't think some of the journal entries were necessary and didn't add much. They tended to be the reason I had to take breaks from reading the book.

Overall, I thought this book was great and I'm excited for its upcoming release!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this ARC

History and witchcraft always makes the best combination. This book talks about the colony of Roanoke with an added twist of witchcraft. I always admire when authors can write books about a specific time period. This author nails it! From the language to the descriptions of living in the 1500s.

This books takes us back in time to the time period of 1580s as we follow people from England building a colony Roanoke. This is no easy task as people are out of their element and are using the land they have been provided to make nothing into something. Little do the people of Roanoke know they are settling on land that is currently being occupied by non human people.

I did enjoy the multiple points of views and being able to visit each person through their story. It was easy for me to keep up since I prefer stories with multiple view points. This story definitely gives an American Horror Story Roanoke. If you are a fan of this series you’ll love this book. Definitely give it a read you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Marie Lestrange and Victory Editing for providing me with an Arc! I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you’re looking for a theory on the lost colony of Roanoke full of witches and spice which is also well-researched and a fun read, this is the book for you.