Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this Audio ARC!

This was such an enjoyable read. I am obsessed with Appalachian folk stories, and this was such an interesting setting and following multiple characters from a small and very socially divided town, while they make impossible decisions and sacrifices for the ones they love. A lot of times with this many characters it is hard to really give each and every one their own individual voice that there is no doubt about who's chapter you are reading at any given time, but this author did such a good job with their individual voices and stories as they went through their own stories that also intersected throughout the book.

I cannot wait to read more from this author.

4.5 rounded up because this one is so good. a small town in georgia with a strange cicada festival and a people that mysteriously go missing?! yes please!!! how far would you go to save your family? would you sell your soul to the devil?

In When Devils sing we follow Sam- a girl who lives in a small impoverished town outside of clearwater lake where all the ultra rich people live. after she is in a fatal accident with her brother who is pronounced dead she is met with an offer from non other the devil himself. In clearwater lake every 13 years there is a huge migration of cicadas and during this time strange things happen and people go missing.

We also follow Neera- her family owns a very small motel just off the highway and they are struggling. her grandparents work non stop at this motel and after they lost their son they have had a very hard time. emotionally and financially. when her grandpas car is burned down she is met with the same offer as sam. can she help her family get out of this hole they are in?

We also follow an array of other characters of this town that are trying to get to the bottom of what happens during the cicada festival and once they start digging they can't stop. innocent lives are in their hands- can they save them? I absolutely ate this book up it's pretty different from what i normally gravitate towards but, once i started this one i couldn't stop.

Solid 3.5 In the Devil Sings, I loved the power dynamics between the rich and poor and how small-town Southern politics added tension throughout the story. That backdrop gave the book a gritty, grounded feel I really enjoyed.
The four main characters were fantastic — complex, flawed, but deeply relatable. They each had their own struggles, but I loved how they came together. There was something really honest and moving about the way their relationships developed.
The constant shifts in point of view tripped me up a little at times — it could be a bit disorienting.
One of the most unique and refreshing aspects was Neera’s layer of Punjabi culture. It added such an interesting contrast to the Southern setting and gave the story even more depth.
Since this isn't my usual genre, I wasn’t always sure if the "devil" was meant to be taken literally or as a metaphor — but I quickly learned there were actual devils making actual deals! The story didn’t lean too heavily into horror, which I appreciated. It wasn't too scary for me at all.
My only real critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed. So much of the book was spent building toward a major event, and once it finally happened, it was over pretty quickly. Still, I appreciated that all of the devil’s deals were made out of love or sacrifice — not for selfish gain. That made the characters feel even more human and real. Perfectly imperfect.
Overall, a strong debut with great writing, layered characters, and a story that sticks with you. I’d definitely read whatever this author does next. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this Audiobook.

Very interesting read! I was sucked in almost immediately by the cult/supernatural/mystery elements and was so excited to figure out why people were going missing and how a group of teens were going to be able to stop a group of devils. And while some of the story lived up to my expectations... it felt like there was no clear follow through. While the end wrapped things up, it did so in a super quick manner and it left me with a lot of questions that I don't think I'll ever get answers to.

SPOILERS AHEAD IN MY QUESTIONS!

How did fire defeat a devil so easily? Why would Jack just let Sam go - is he a nice devil? What is the black stuff that came out of people when Neera sings? What happened to Reed and the other survivors after the podcast was released? Why would Isaiah's father, a black man, help out a bunch of white people with a historically white cult ritual that kills people of color or in poverty?

There was a lot I liked, but this gave me enough pause to give this book a 3.5, rounded down to 3 because I do think it could have been WAY better since the initial 100 pages were so good and gripping. I still think others should read this book!

WOW
What a book.
If you like gritty, gothic, queer YA horror, please check this out! It’s the perfect spooky read to kick off Pride Month and the summer in general. HIGHLY recommended if you enjoyed Get Out or Sinners.

I absolutely devoured the audiobook—listened to most of it in one sitting. It’s narrated by a full cast, and every single actor is PHENOMENAL. It’s incredibly immersive and easy to get lost in.

That said, it’s a tough one at times. Content warnings include: detailed animal deaths (not pets), a car accident, gore, child abuse, SO MANY BUGS, alcoholism, and kidnapping. It’s definitely a dark read, but absolutely worth it.

Despite the heavy themes, it has moments of joy—there’s found family, healing, overcoming generational trauma, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go in order to find peace.

When Devils Sing is haunting, visceral, and deeply emotional. It doesn’t pull its punches—but beneath all the horror is a story about survival, connection, and reclaiming your voice. It’ll linger in your bones long after the final chapter. Don’t miss this one.

Short Synopsis: Every thirteen years, the cicadas return to Carrion, Georgia—and so does the darkness. When a boy vanishes from Neera Singh’s family motel, she and three other teens uncover a chilling mystery tied to their town’s wealth, an ancient legend, and three devils hungry for blood.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Neera's family owns the local hotel but when Dawson Sumter goes missing from one of the rooms, leaving only blood behind. The local podcaster for True Crime and son of a judge --Isaiah -- begins to investigate what really happened to Dawson alongside unlikely allies: Sam, the estranged daughter the local Hitman, and Reeid, the son of the wealthiest man in the area. Along with Neera, they will have to dig deep to uncover the truth of what's happening in their little Georgia town, because every thirteen years people go missing -- on the surface, the disappearances happen to coincide with the cicadas, but underneath is a disturbing history full of devils and deals. Something eerie is happening at Lake Clearwater, and the secrets within its depths might destroy everything the town has worked towards.

There was a lot going on in this. At first I thought we were going to just have straight up horror with some crazy demons and monsters, and you kind of do, but the whole ending just got insane. So let me start by saying the plot for this is very well done. You have that creepy, gothic, Southern Vibes throughout the entire book. There's a lot of instances where it almost feels like this is a real place and this is really happening because of how well the author depicts a small southern town. When you look at the characters, you have this interesting group of teens that are only connected because of their interest in what is happening currently. They're all raised with the stories of the cicadas and what happens in this town. Literally we first meet Sam and, despite knowing what she does, she's making a deal with one of the devils, so it's made to seem like this isn't an out of the ordinary occurrence here in town. There are so many secrets woven into the fabric of the story and woven throughout the town and the supernatural and I love how everything pieces together. The ending definitely messed me up, I did not know what to expect once they discover the plan but from the moment we get to the lake, things happen really quick, one thing after the other in rapid succession. I love the little bits of local legends and folktales that are very much present throughout the story, and while every town might have stories of devil's or creatures, they truly deal with the supernatural on a more familiar basis here and it is dark, and it is pretty, it is wild and intense.

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

I had really high hopes for this as it's been getting strong reviews and I LOVE the idea of southern Gothic horror, and cicadas being a serious horror element in the story. However, this just didn't deliver as strongly as I wanted it to.

This started with strong potential--Sam, and Wiley, and the appearance of Jack were such a great place to start but then it fell a little flat for me. There's a very diverse cast of characters, but I didn't feel like I knew any of them that well by the end, even though they don't even all meet up until more than halfway through the book. We spend a LOT of time with these characters but I wasn't really that invested in any of them.

I also had some serious issues with the pacing. Literally nothing else happens until 75% into the book. Then everything happens at once. Which was fine, like, at least it paid out, but I was also pretty sure I knew where this was going early on and so even the climax didn't really have any shock or awe factor.

All in all, I was disappointed. I know this is billed for YA but I've definitely read other YA Horror that hit a lot harder and with a lot more intensity.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the eerie, slow-burn pacing and the constant sense of unease. The mystery kept me hooked, and I appreciated how the story unfolded. I just wish we had gotten a little more detail about the devils themselves, but overall, a strong and haunting read.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Xan Kaur’s "When Devils Sing." While it’s clearly pitched as YA horror, it stands out as a well-crafted and very decent entry in the genre. The atmosphere is tense, the pacing is sharp, and Kaur does a fantastic job of keeping the reader on edge without relying too heavily on overdone horror tropes.

The characters felt authentic (for the most part), and I appreciated how the story balanced "scares" -- it wasn't really scary, but you know what I mean -- with real emotional stakes. It’s rare to find YA horror that doesn’t talk down to its audience, and this book absolutely respects its readers’ intelligence.

My only real criticism is the ending. While it’s satisfying in its own way, it felt a bit too tidy and wrapped up, almost like a "Hollywood happy ending." I would have preferred something a bit more ambiguous or unsettling to match the rest of the book’s tone. (I'm a Stephen King; so sue me. I don't think the majority of folks in a horror book should get out alive. Ha.)

Overall, though, "When Devils Sing" is an engaging read that I’d recommend to fans of either horror or YA. It’s well-written, well-paced, and enjoyable from start to finish.

I loved this. I loved it so much I had to force myself to stop listening a few times. This is one of those books that is best in audiobook form and I think it is because the audiobook is so well done. The narrators were great but also the other sound effects. I just loved it. I was immersed. I was so sad during the guitar portion of the story. That was like a death in itself.
I got our characters and loved them, flaws and all.
Thank you thank you thank you for this!

3.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook!

This one was a bit hit or miss for me, with some aspects really intriguing me, and others letting me down.

Hits: listen, I have a personal interest in cicada broods, so that element to this story was truly what sold me on reading this! The immersive Southern setting was great. The local folklore elements and community secrets aspects were really interesting. Also, the deals with the devils really grabbed me as well! I wish we could have seen more of this!

Misses: the pacing was too slow for my liking. It felt almost like the 4 different POVs kept the pacing bogged down a bit with going over almost the same events but from a different POV at times. In the beginning, I also had a bit of a hard time keeping the characters straight. I wish we could have had a POV from one of the devils. To me, that would have been a lot more intriguing!

Along those lines, I wish we had a bit more exploration of the deals with the devil and impending cicada brood as those were part of what drew me in to this book to begin with! I feel like these elements really could have intensified the stakes a lot more than they did. It seemed like there were almost too many different plot points going on, so we didn’t get to delve deeper into any one in particular.

Overall, the writing was really well done and I enjoyed the main plot. A lot of what I didn’t like as much were mostly just personal preference things, so I’m sure this will be a hit for others!

The narration and production of the audio version were both excellent. I love multiple narrators for multiple POVs and they all did an excellent job!

“In Carrion, they have a saying: The devil can be seen coming from a mile away. That is where our story begins. There’s the devil you know, the devil you don’t, the devil you wish you’d never met.”

This book was so well written. This is one of those books that leaves you thinking what the…When you’re from a small town there’s always rumors about everyone, only in Carrion most of the rumors are true. A small southern town full of generations of secrets, mysterious disappearances, cultural divides, and rumors of people making deals with devils. Unraveling the mystery through multiple POVs was exciting.

This book centers around two bordering towns Carrion (I see what you did there Xan) and Lake Clearwater, Georgia. Carrion is the poor side of town, the wrong side of the tracks if you will, while Lake Clearwater is the land of exclusivity and power where the rich live and play. Every 13 years the cicadas come and people disappear but no one talks about it. This book was so intriguing I was hooked immediately. The depth of the characters was incredible.

The multiple narrators were excellent and really added so much to the story. I loved the way the podcast episodes were worked in, they added a depth to the story. They all did an excellent job of bringing this story to life. This was the kind of audiobook you could listen to again and catch things you missed the first time through. I highly recommend listening to it.

🦗 Cicadas
😈 3 Devils
🤝🏻 Deals Made
✨️ Southern Lore
🔍 Mysterious Disappearances

I love how there's several character POVs. The mystery of the story was well done. The audiobook narrators did a really good job!

The way this all comes together was fantastic. The last 10% of the book was so interesting! 👀 I will stay vague to avoid any spoilers.

*I received an advance review copy for free in the form of an audiobook (advanced listening copy) from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest feedback about the book as an avid reader.*

Huge thank you to the author, MacMillanAudio, & NetGalley for letting me read & review this book. 💜

This book grabbed me immediately. I was intrigued by all the storylines, I had no idea how everything connected or where it was going. I liked main characters, they all seemed likeable even through their flaws, and the 'bad guys' weren't one dimensional.

The narration was awesome, I love having different narrators for this one particularly since there are a few POVs to deal with.

I listen to the audiobook. I really enjoyed the multiple narrators! It has southern folk lore, deals with the devil and a group of teens trying to find out where their missing friend is. Just when you think you have it figured out it takes a different turn. It’s a slow burn but once it gets going get ready to hold on!

Review for When Devils Sing (audiobook) by Xan Kaur
Narrated by Jennifer Pickens, Landon Woodson, and Michael Crouch

I was drawn to When Devils Sing for its Southern gothic horror elements, a genre I typically enjoy, and I do think the writing had richness and depth. Xan Kaur creates a vivid, unsettling atmosphere that many readers will likely appreciate.

However, the overall tone was too dark and slow-paced for my taste. I tend to prefer stories that weave in a bit of humor or levity to balance the heaviness (e.g., Grady Hendrix), and this one didn’t offer much of that. I also found it difficult to stay engaged and struggled to keep up with the many characters.

The multiple narrators—Jennifer Pickens, Landon Woodson, and Michael Crouch—did a solid job and helped differentiate the voices, which was a definite strength in an ensemble cast like this.

Ultimately, this one just didn’t hold my attention. While I can see its appeal for fans of dense, atmospheric horror, it wasn’t the right fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Life is Strange" meets Southern horror in this atmospheric debut from Xan Kaur—complete with deadly bargains, dangerous choices, and even deadlier devils. Set in a small Southern Georgia town plagued by screaming cicadas, strange disappearances, and the echoes of an ancient tale, the story hooked me from the very beginning. Kaur’s writing is immersive, and the world-building is both eerie and captivating. The depth only grows with the introduction of the main characters—Sam, Neera, Isaiah, and Reed—who are complex, memorable, and add real emotional weight to the story.

The audiobook takes the experience to another level. The narrators embody each character so well that it brings the entire story to life, perfectly setting the tone and enhancing the overall tension and atmosphere.

This book is downright creepy—in the best way possible. It doesn’t shy away from gore, but it balances the horror with suspense and a constant sense of unease that keeps you on your toes (and your toes curled in fear!).

My only issue was with the second half, where the pacing felt a bit rushed. The finale arrived so abruptly that I almost didn’t realize the book had ended. I would’ve loved a bit more time to sit with the resolution.

Still, this is a phenomenal debut—gripping characters, chilling lore, and a standout contribution to the Southern horror genre.

May 29 update: Posted on TikTok
Xan Kaur’s debut novel When Devils Sing combines Southern Gothic, amateur crime investigation, social commentary, and folk horror. I liked the main characters. The audiobook boasts a fantastic cast: Anjali Kunapaneni (Neera), Landon Woodson (Isaiah), Jennifer Pickens (Sam), and Michael Crouch (Reid). All of the narrators enhanced the novel’s emotional resonance. The intro and outro music suited the book well and added to the feeling of indulging in a treat.

While dealing with grief and her repressive family in their debt-ridden old hotel, teen musician Neera Singh is drawn to investigate her friend Dawson's disappearance. I like that there's a realistic social context. Instead of the overdone ‘one poor kid,’ we discover each character with their specific struggles. Carrion, Georgia has a deep social divide between the have-nots in Carrion and the elite at the lake. Although it was slow going for the first third of the book, I enjoyed how the main characters were drawn together into a team.

Strengths:
Some truly magical moments
Strong sense of place, bringing to life eerie elements of the setting
Appreciation of a legendary musician
Depiction of Neera Singh's family and how she's affected by not knowing Punjabi
Isaiah and his podcasts–I was glad to hear a bright, inquisitive, courageous Black teen in this book.

Distractions:
The beginning of the book has a lot to unpack with the back stories of multiple characters.
I found the flashbacks distancing.
It was heavy on tragedy for me. I would have preferred more focus on present-time horror.
Mixed feelings about Dawson. He seemed to exist mainly for plot points.
Although the ending had some good notes, I didn’t feel fully satisfied.

Altogether, this was an entertaining and ambitious debut novel. It’s well-written and brings something new to the depiction of devils. My personal rating is 3.5 stars. I’ll watch for Kaur’s next book, and I look forward to hearing more from these talented narrators.

Recommended for adults and young adults who are comfortable with dark themes and disturbing material.
If you have concerns about content, I’ve noted general examples below the asterisks.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC via NetGalley for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

*******
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This is not necessarily an exhaustive list, simply things I noticed:
Extended animal cruelty scenes (wild animals), multiple references to suicide, alcoholics, parental abuse resulting in injuries, threats, criminal attacks, corruption, detailed torture and murders in scene (no nudity, no SA).

What a BEAUTIFUL debut novel! Reading this after watching Sinners was definitely the move and I loved the Deep South horror/mystery vibe!

Those novel explores the rigid dichotomy between wealthy and poor people in America - thinking specifically who is allowed to prosper and who isn’t (and more importantly WHY that is).

I found the characters to be incredibly likable, layered, and REAL. How far would you go to save the person you loved the most? What are the consequences of your actions and wishes - and what happens if someone or someTHING grants them?

Truly a gorgeous debut novel! Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Southern horror books are always a win for me! There's just something about this sub genre that just works for me. I loved the atmosphere and mystery within this book and have diverse that whole cast was. Every main character's motivations for their actions felt realistic and understandable. Xan did not hold back at all and I loved that.

If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to say it was Neera! I can't wait to get my physical copy to display on my shelves.