I wanted to like this book a lot, but something about it just didn't click for me! I feel like each of the stories needed to be fleshed out more to really get me invested. I understand that we intentionally skipped around and only got morsels of information so that there could be a big reveal at the end, but it almost felt like the end was too late for that. Instead of being on edge for a sequel, I was already disconnected from the story.

I really loved all the diversity in identity here though, and think the book did a FANTASTIC job of including a mid-story gender transition. It's rare to see trans representation like this! I wish that the sapphic romance had more tension to it - the yearning felt one-sided and small in a way that the "big payoff" didn't feel as monumentous as I think it was supposed to be for the characters.

Foreshadowing was done reall well, the story came together nicely.

I loved this book. The writing took me into the scenes, made me feel like I was there. The book is also written so well, I just fell into the words. The characters are each unique and (I don’t care, I’m saying it) BAD ASS. A thrilling, humorous plot complimented with the beautiful story of found family.

Found family. Fantasy. Queer. Magic. Dark.

Much more to be discovered in this book of three stories following Cas, Finn and Remy’s stories and lives. A lot of action, questions, and pirates! Definitely a read if you love cozy queer / trans fantasy! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Three queer teens and their found family of queer pirates go on a magical adventure in this story that blends in historical and fantasy elements. I wish I could like this book more but I just found it boring and it never got me invested in any of the three main leads. I just didn't find myself caring and by the 50% mark I still wasn't invested, which was only a sign I wouldn't be having a fun time with this. I adore pirates, I adore queer characters, and this seemed like the perfect read for me... but it just missed the mark. I didn't find any of the three characters, Remy, Cas, or Finn to be all that outstanding for me and I never was invested in their drama or their journey. Sadly this one just never hit the mark, though it could just be a me thing and other readers might have more fun with it. I would say if you enjoy queer pirate fantasy adventures, definitely give this a go maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The synopsis for this book hooked me and I knew I would really enjoy this story. I also love pirates and found families and this did both very well. Cas, Finn, & Remy were a great group to get to know. We have revolving POVs between them and we get to see everyone’s point of view.

There is a lot of magic and mystery here and I also didn’t realize this would be a series. It ends on a great cliffhanger and I’m super excited to read the next installment! The pirates were my favorite and I loved their little family. They all seemed to have each others backs. The idea of Death here is so interesting and I’m anticipating seeing how it expands in the next book. I also want to see some solution with Henry because he left a sour awful taste in my mouth but hopefully he can redeem himself. Excited for where this story goes!

I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!

This was truly a lovely read. I was already hooked when told of its similarities to OFMD, and it completely delivered and more!! This was a lovely story of self discovery and I really enjoyed it.

I went into this book fully intending to love it. However, I had some issues as it didn't not hold my attention through it. It was fun and had some interesting characters but for me, it was kind of slow paced after the middle.

Queer, cozy, found family are some of my must read descriptors and this book did those so well while also keeping the creepy and mysterious elements going strong too. Seriously impressive balance there. The characters are well written and I appreciated the complex bonds of friendship between the main trio as they grow to trust each other more and also learn more about themselves. The magic system is really interesting too and had some great slow reveals through the book. All around this was a well paced and balanced book. I think it's hard to have both the cozy and creepy vibes this book did in such good balance.

Three queer young adults must save their friend from an occult secret society in this thrilling historical novel from former Boston librarian L.T. Thompson. The first time Cas Sterling has a prophetic vision, Cas vows never to tell another soul about the gruesome deaths depicted. After all, Remy DeWindt ended her friendship with Cas rather than believe her father is dead, and anyone else in Cas’ upper-class 1800s Massachusetts society circles would believe Cas was mad. But when Cas’ friend Henry is suspiciously spirited away by the same religious order that Remy believes kidnapped her father, the two must forge an alliance with Irish maid Fionnuala Robinson and a crew of openly queer smugglers before Cas’ next prediction comes true. “Devils Like Us” delights just as much in the self-discovery of Cas, Remy and Finn as it does in the swashbuckling adventure.

Devils Like Us is a lively queer historical fantasy that blends magic, adventure, and the search for identity against the backdrop of 19th-century New England. Following Cas, Remy, and Finn as they chase after a kidnapped friend, the story weaves in secret societies and dark mysteries with a youthful energy.

What really stands out is how the book handles queer identity—Cas’s exploration of gender and Remy’s journey with her sexuality feel honest and grounded, adding a much-needed layer of authenticity to the genre. The friendships and found-family vibes are warm and genuine, giving the story heart beyond the magic and danger.

That said, the pacing can get a bit uneven. Some scenes linger longer than necessary, and parts of the world-building feel comfortably familiar rather than fresh. The characters have moments of real depth, but at times their growth feels a little surface-level, which kept me from fully connecting emotionally.

Overall, Devils Like Us is a fun, important read—especially for younger readers hungry for queer adventure stories. As an adult who usually leans away from YA, I appreciated its heart and representation, even if it didn’t fully satisfy my taste for complexity. Still, it’s a worthy, hopeful tale that knows exactly who it’s for.

This novel follows the lives of three girls and their search for the truth about an occult organization called the order of the Lazarus.
Cas, a well mannered, sickly girl, whom also carried a secret. She could see whom was to die next. This realization over time strained her relationships especially with her former best friend, Remy.
Remy, whom is searching for answers regarding her missing father. She believes that he was abducted by the organization that focused on the occult and magic.
Finn, Remy’s current best friend whom also holds a secret infatuation for her friend. She will do anything Remy asks, if only to be closer to her.

I loved everything about this novel. The characters were so well written. I throughly enjoyed learning about them as they discovered their true selves throughout their adventure.

Rating: 4.5⭐️

"Devils Like Us" is L. T. Thompson's debut YA historical fantasy novel about three queer teenagers facing down a magical secret society. Cas has learned to keep secrets, both about their gender dysphoria and about the prophetic visions of haunting and grisly deaths of those around them. They've made the mistake of opening up before, and it cost them their friendship with Remy, who has spent the last eight years of her life searching for clues on the secret society that kidnapped her father— no matter if Cas thinks he's dead or alive. Her best friend Finn is desperately in love with her, but her deep Catholic roots make the words dry up in her throat. It's a sin— but not her first. Finn has already made a bargain that will cost her dearly. Read about Cas, Remy, and Finn in this novel coming out on June 3rd.

I really authentically adored this book, guys. I won't lie, with thee MCs, it took me a second in the beginning to really grasp who each of the main characters were, but they each were so uniquely lovely and I came out of this novel with a special place in my heart for each of them and the family they create along the way. This book will pull you in with immediate action and it won't let you put it down. It slows down for moments of beauty and laughter and then winds you right back up with action, mystery, and tension.

I really appreciated the way this book represented transness and neurodiversity. I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, but Cas's gender dysphoria and euphoria was shown so beautifully in a way I really related to. It has certainly stuck with me even after I've finished reading.

Queerness, Catholic guilt, magic, and mystery; this was certainly the book for me, and I hope it will be the book for you all, too! The torture of being an ARC reader truly is that it isn't even out yet and I'm already dying to read a sequel! Do yourself a favor and preorder a copy to check it out :)

Special thanks to L. T. Thompson and NetGalley for the eARC of this book

Palsss... I loved this. I was lucky enough to get to read an ARC of this YA historical fantasy novel - and I'm eager for whatever L.T. Thompson puts out next! I'm not cut out for horror stories most of the time, but I've found that YA is right up my alley for just the right level of scary - and that's precisely what I got with Devils Like Us. The "scary" is there, but it's also full of adventure (on the high seas), found family (borderline as warm as TJ Klune's found family vibes), self realization and acceptance, loyalty, trust, pining, and secrets. It's got this whole dark, piratey, magical, and queer thing going for it, too. Cas, Remy, and Finn are such a lovable trio - not to mention the crew of "outcasts" they end up setting sail with. Together they create a lil family I'd absolutely want to befriend and adventure with. I was hooked after the first couple chapters and tried to keep myself from zooming to the end to find out what happened. I think YA audiences will love this as much as I did!
4.5/5⭐️s
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Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this advanced reader copy to review. Its expected publication date is 6.3.25

Oh, wow. Just wow. DEVILS LIKE US is a masterpiece, a wild adventure, and a book of my heart. A book of my life, really; few stories have made me feel so seen while also whisking me away to somewhere magical, dark, and haunting. I laughed. I cried. I pumped my fist in the air ( no, I really did) as I rooted for these characters I love so much.

As I read through Cas, Finn, and Remy's stories, I was constantly flipping by who I felt closest to. They are so well-drawn, human, and knowable, despite being of another time. There's Cas, a funny, irreverent, charming trans guy has visions of people's deaths. Finn, a Catholic lesbian who feels eternally damned (which, well, I mean, she did sell her soul to a demon, so...). And Remy, who has never let herself live outside of her one goal; to support her family and take down the secret society that kidnapped her father. These three friends and their braided histories are characters I'll never forget. I'd follow them anywhere.

And it only gets better when they, uh, find (read: stowaway on) a ship of outcasts, the Memento Mori. The crew of the ship is just as endearing as they take the young sailors under their wings, especially after learning their fates and goals are intertwined. I don't want to say too much in case I spoil anything (truly so many moments of this story are well-earned and DELIGHTFUL to discover in real-time, so I won't take that away from anyone). But I will say I could not stop turning the pages; I had to know what was next, because each turn was thrilling, romantic, hopeful, or devastating. It pulled every emotion from me over and over again.

I could read this book again and again. It will appeal to fans of OFMD, of course, but also to anyone who loves found family, fantasy grounded in our world, and historical adventures with a cast of loveable LGBTQIA+ legends.