Probably nearer 3.5. Loved the characters and the twists. and the concept. but It could have (should have) been one third of the length. The fight scenes went oooooon. And as with all “quest” stories, it can get a little too episodic, unless the writer weaves in easter eggs, which didn’t happen here.

This is my first true 5* book of 2024, and I can hoenstly say that this is going to be high on the best reads of 2025 for a lot of people.
This is a true tour de force for Abercrombie, a misfit bunch of devils bound together in a common cause by the infant Pope of an alternate Europe, where elves eat their enemies and a street urchin can become one of the most powerful figures in the land. Cannot recommend this enough.

Fabulous! This has to be my favourite read of the year.
It's dark, but there's a lot of humour to balance it out.
The main characters are brilliantly flawed.There wasn't anyone that I disliked, and I think Baron Rikard (Vampire), was my favourite with his dry wit...
"Oh, I would never feed on someone to whom I had been formally introduced without express permission. It would be like eating a pet. Once they have a name, it feels...." The baron gave a fastidious shudder. "So crass." 😄
This isn't published until May, so if there's a follow-up, I'll have to wait, and it'll be a long wait to catch up with the Devils who I miss already.
I highly recommend this book.

A really interesting premise, and a very character driven story. Unfortunately, none of the characters are that likeable or intriguing. Sadly DNF

I have reviewed The Devils for book recommendation and sales site LoveReading.co.uk.

I have chosen this title as a LoveReading Star Book and a Liz Pick for its month of publication.

Please see the link for the full review.

Damn, I found my favourite book of 2025 a couple of months early.

Pros:
Great characters
Vigga
Intense action
Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi
Fun world building
Baron Rickard
Had no idea how the last 200 pages were going to play out
Sunny
It’s not smutty it’s just vulgar
Vigga (again)

Cons:
I now need to read all the Abercrombie books that I missed.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!!!

Joe Abercrombie sidesteps his usual Viking lore to deliver a compelling dark fantasy adventure that throws a band of mythical misfits - a vampire, werewolf, necromancer, elf and immortal soldier - in with a long-lost princess for an epic quest to have her instilled as the new ruler of Troy.
Abercrombie is a master at writing compelling characters - and you'll quickly fall in love with this new rag-tag of morally grey characters as they make their way across lands of yesteryear.
The battles are as epic as ever and the inclusion of raged-fuelled werewolves tearing their way through bodies, necromancers raising corpses and spell-based magic adds a fun new dimension to the usual sword and axe fare.
Being an Abercrombie story, the whole thing is delivered with loads of blood-soaked violence, sex, naughty words and humour.
Pegged as the first book in a new trilogy, The Devils is a fantastic first act and great appetiser for what's to come (hopefully).

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie offers an intriguing departure from his usual style. As someone who loved The First Law Trilogy and much of his earlier work, I found this book interesting, though it didn’t hit the same highs. It contains some memorable moments, but the narrative style felt different.

The blend of fantasy in a world that touches ours was also jarring at times. As you get caught up in the fantastical elements, references to real-world locations like Troy, the Holy City, or Germany pull you out of the immersion. Though it’s a solid read, it doesn’t quite match the magic of Abercrombie’s earlier novels

ARC provided by the publisher—Gollancz—in exchange for an honest review.

I fully realize this book is not out until May 2025, but so far, The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the best fantasy book I’ve read this year. It’s devilishly brilliant.

‘No matter how you fight, you can’t beat time. It lays low every empire, topples every tyrant.’


Believe me when I say I felt highly elated when I received the advance reading copy of The Devils. The last new book by Joe Abercrombie I read, The Wisdom of Crowds, was released 3 years ago. And it has been 13 months since I gave any new fantasy book I read (not counting reread) a 5-star rating. Today, the absence of a new Abercrombie’s book and a 5-star rating drought has finally been given water to live. The Devils marked the first time I read a book from Abercrombie that doesn’t take place in The First Law universe. I don’t think it is possible to avoid comparisons with The First Law in my review here. I, like many of you, knew about Abercrombie’s books through The First Law world, and it is understandable for readers to approach The Devils expecting they’ll get the same greatness of The First Law series. And from my perspective, you’ll earn them from The Devils. However, do not expect this to be 100% similar to The First Law in tone and narrative. By its nature, The Devils retains Abercrombie’s strongest skills as a storyteller as he navigates his own uncharted grounds of storytelling. Gritty and violent while focusing more on amplifying the fun, entertaining, humor factors and, as crazy as this will sound, the found family aspect.

‘That’s how it always begins. The just cause. The good fight. Each time, I tell myself it will be different. But for me, as the fight wears on, the good wears off. Before I know it . . . I’ve made myself a devil. That’s why I swore to serve her Holiness. That’s why I have to keep my oath.’ And with the bitter regret of a drunk pushing away the bottle, he let his lingering fingertips slip from the gold-wired hilt.’


So what's The Devils about? As Europe stares into the abyss and plague and famine stalk the land, while monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions, only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone. Now, the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief, Alex, on the throne of Troy and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse. To achieve this, Brother Diaz and Alex will be accompanied by The Devils, a congregation of convicted monsters that guarantees every mission turns into a disastrous bloodbath. It is mandatory to fight devils with devils. The result? This insane quest successfully led Abercrombie to hit another glorious homerun with The Devils.

“Everyone’s scared all the time. That’s the thing you’ve got to tell yourself. They might be scared of different things to you. Things that don’t scare you a bit. Like heights, or failure, or wanting to piss then not being able to go. But everyone’s scared of something. And even if they’re not, it helps to think they are. The brave ones are just good at pretending, and pretending’s just lying by another name, and when it came to lying, Alex was up there with the best. Ask anyone.”


As I said earlier, although it is entirely accurate to assess The Devils as another gritty and dark tale from our beloved Lord Grimdark, the main themes of The Devils is about the meaning of the soul, redemption, sense of longing, hope, faith, and found family. The way I would perceive or advertise The Devils to The First Law readers would be to imagine this as Best Served Cold, but the crew comprised of an unlikely found family of vicious, damaged, hilarious, and charismatic characters. Most importantly, most of these characters are inherently kind-hearted characters trying to do good. Not all, but most. There were definitely some nods to Logen Ninefingers, and time will tell whether these characters will reach the hall of fame status the characters of The First Law series such as Logen Ninefingers, Sand dan Glokta, Bayaz, and many more gained. But hey, as Logen often says, Abercrombie is still alive. We're only one book into the series. In The Devils, Abercrombie already effectively proved the myriad number of storytelling knives he wields are still deadly sharp and precise toward the target of writing great characters, dialogues, and actions.

‘The world’s a bitter place… We’ve got to grasp at any joy we can.’


I feel it is truly a gift and a curse to have read many fantasy books. I have mentioned this many times now in my reviews and videos. To put it this way, in the case of this book, having read all of Abercrombie’s First Law books and then being deprived of any of his new work for 3 years made me realize just how good I had it and how few authors can nail characterizations as good as Abercrombie does. Especially if we’re talking about distinct character’s inner and dialogue voices. My god. Abercrombie is close to being unparalleled in that aspect. Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi would totally say Abercrombie is one of the three best character writers in Europe. I had an absolute blast reading through The Devils, and if you’ve been a fan of The First Law books, then you’ll know and understand that one of the main reasons behind this is the extremely well-written characters.

“They laughed together. The world was, it hardly needed to be said, divided into enemies and those that could be made use of. The Baron might well have been the most dangerous monster in this monstrous company, but if Balthazar had learned one thing during his storied career in the magical sciences, it is that the worst monsters often make the best allies.”


I felt thoroughly invested in every character of The Devils group. They all have their own strengths and flaws, but at the end of the day, most of them are trying their best to repel the affliction that transformed them into devils in the eyes of society. Most of them are genuinely trying to do good and be kind after the sins of their past, and some want to belong to a group of loyal friends. This is Abercrombie writing an epic fantasy novel with an integral found family consisting of a thief, a cowardly monk, a cursed knight, a pirate, a narcissistic necromancer, an invisible elf, a geriatric vampire, and a werewolf. I could not resist that. The characters were lovable, and the dialogues were incredibly engaging. Following the journey of Alex, Brother Diaz, Jakob the Thorn, Baptiste, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, Sunny, Baron, and Vigga across all hell on Earth was addictive, delightful, and brimming with laugh-out-loud moments.

‘I’ve spent a lifetime at war… and I can tell you only this. Nine times out of ten there’s more to be won from peace.’


All of the above is not to convey The Devils as a simple, fun, and humorous book. It is not a proper Abercrombie book without the gripping actions and crimson brutality, right? Rest assured. You will get them and more. Abercrombie being one of the best combat scenes writers in the fantasy genre is a statement I have repeated countless times. The Devils gave irrevocable power to that notion. Structure-wise, The Devils is divided into four parts, and each part essentially ends with a dynamic and cinematic sequence of carnage. Abercrombie's fluency in the language of violence is undeniable. He is a master conductor at composing and structuring words to bring intensely vivid battle in my mind. It has been that way since The Blade Itself, and he retains that in The Devils. The last 80 pages of The Devils may just be one of the longest action sequences Abercrombie has ever written.

‘In my youth I dreamed one man could tip the balance of history… Time has taught me that when one does, it can tip the wrong way as easily as the right.’


I completely loved it. There were no dull moments reading the visceral confrontations that raged across the alternative Europe Abercrombie crafted. The description of the setting and environment in The Devils is also bursting with life and imagery. The Holy City, Venice, Troy, and the conflagration of Saint Natalia’s Flame were exquisite and grand in their respective way. I wish I could get into more details about these, but I am cognizant of how fortunate I am to be reading this book nine months early, and I will leave the impact of the powerful battles and stunning vistas for you to experience yourself.

‘When I was young… I thought I was working towards something. Building to last. Some perfect state of things. Of the world. Of myself.’ He gently shifted one leg under her, then the other. ‘You get to my age, you realise nothing lasts forever. No love, no hate, no war, no peace. If a thing hasn’t ended . . . you haven’t waited long enough.’


Abercrombie deals in absolute, and I have nothing but absolute praise for The Devils. It was the utterly compelling, immersive, and magnificent fantasy escapism I desperately needed. I (like many readers of The First Law series) await Abercrombie’s explosive return to that beloved grim playground. However, if you have been a fan of Abercrombie’s storytelling and writing in The First Law series, I guarantee The Devils will succeed at providing a captivating reading experience while you wait. The Devils feels like a legal injection of a healthy and joyful adrenaline rush. In the same vein as how The First Law trilogy helped spark my love for reading epic fantasy novels, The Devils is sort of responsible for reminding me why I cherish the fantasy genre. As I talked about how blessed I am to be reading The Devils early, I am cursed with waiting much longer for the sequel to come. It is worth the pain, though. The Devils is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. God, it feels good to say that. It is a declaration that has been missing from my reading year. If you are, for whatever reason, not sure about reading The Devils, retract that fear now. Have hope. The Devils is a book that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers to Abercrombie's work. The Devils signals the return of one of the masters of the fantasy genre. Pre-order The Devils. Enrich your reading life next year.

‘Show me a man who regrets nothing and I’ll show you a man who’s achieved nothing.’


You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel

I adored this. With all the humour and grit we expect with a tale from Abercrombie we follow a ragtag group of devils under the employ of the church because when you're fighting devils, devils are your best defence.

The Devils whilst exploring political elements and hints at a coming war, varies from Abercrombie's previous works and focuses more on an adventure across the lands, with a motley crew with one aim. Despite our crew being made up of supernatural and "evil" individuals Abercrombie as usual has crafted utterly complex and painfully human feeling characters and I adored this dysfunctional group! The fight scenes as expected were incredible the magical elements engaging and I for one can not wait to dive more into this world.

The Devils is an exciting mix of dark humour, intense action, and complex characters, set in a Europe on the brink of disaster. Plague, famine, and the ever-present threat of an elven invasion cast a shadow over the land, while a group of convicted supernatural criminals are tasked with an unlikely mission: to place a thief on the throne of Troy and unite the fractured church against the apocalypse. It’s chaotic, violent, and darkly funny, a perfect blend that had me thoroughly hooked from the start.

What really struck me was Abercrombie’s knack for creating characters who, despite being obvious miscreants, feel painfully human. Each member of the group has their own flaws, motivations, and backstory, making them more than just archetypes. I found myself invested in them as they navigated their own personal struggles while facing larger threats. Their interactions feel natural, often fraught with tension, but always sharp with wit.

Speaking of wit, the dark humour in The Devils is a highlight for me. Abercrombie knows how to balance the bleakness of the story with a healthy dose of irreverence. I found myself hooting with laughter numerous times, even during the most intense moments. This humour keeps the novel from feeling too grim and adds a unique layer to the narrative.

The action is another strength of the book. Abercrombie crafts fight scenes that are fast-paced and visceral without losing focus on the characters. Every battle feels like it has weight, not just for the plot, but for the people involved. The stakes are high, and the pacing never falters, keeping the story moving without feeling rushed.

What I particularly appreciated is how the book explores deeper themes of leadership, loyalty, and survival. the characters are constantly navigating the line between self-interest and their reluctant responsibilities. The twists and turns in the plot are not just for shock value—they offer moments of growth for the characters and force them to confront difficult choices.

If there’s any critique, it’s that some characters don’t get as much attention as others, but given that The Devils is (hopefully??) the first in a series, I expect there will be plenty of time for them to develop further in future instalments.

Any Joe Abercrombie book coming out is an event to be celebrated in my book, but this one, The Devils, has reminded me just how much I enjoy his writing
Yes, there is a touch of the formulaic about his tales, but hhs characters zing off the page and the tale rips along and a great and hectic pace.
Nobody in Abercrombie's books is all good, but, those considered bad often turn out to have more honour and innate goodness than anyone, least of all the characters themselves, realises.
There is no real need to recount the plot here, it's basic good versus evil with a twist!
There is undoubtedly a sequel coming up for the members of the 13th chapel, and I for one, am looking forward to meeting; Jakob the impossible to kill Knight, Bathazaar, the complex magician (is he going to land on the side of good or evil?)) Vigga, the girl slash werewolf, ( pun intended) Sunny the ever helpful, but vanishing, elf, and, of course, the Baron with his fascinating tales of dumplings.... all over again, the Devils that they are!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gollancz for this ARC!

I don’t think I would even be able to put into words how excited I was when I saw this ARC listed, and the pure joy that flowed through me when I got it.

I have so far read five of Abercrombie’s books, and I truly think he is an absolutely fantastic fantasy writer. While The First Law trilogy may be my favourite fantasy series of all time, this goes in a somewhat different, but not less enjoyable, direction.

The Devils is a rather humorous but still entirely cruel and gorey fantasy novel, departing from the rather politics-heavy world of the Age of Madness trilogy into the completely different world of historic Europe, only now with the addition of magic and monsters brought to life. Rather than a tale of war and politics, this is an adventure story, in which we follow a lovably-despicable cast of characters in their journey across Europe to see one of them crowned Empress of Troy, a journey that has them falling from one challenge into the next.

Before I started reading this I read some other reviews, in one of which the reviewer expressed that they thought this book was less character-focused than Abercrombie’s previous works, but I don’t think I can agree with that statement. While it is certainly true that some characters are given more “screen time” than others, and we learn more of their backstory, but nonetheless we get to see each of the central characters grow and change over the course of this story, with the aforementioned changes not always being positive, in true Abercrombie fashion. I would also generally say that it is a bit of an unfair criticism to say that the first work in a trilogy didn’t give the full backstory of a character — what would be left for us to discover in the next two works then?

Really the only “criticism” I have of this is that the humour flowed a little less well than it did in previous Abercrombie works I have read, at times it works fantastically and seems well integrated, while at other times it feels a little off putting. Nonetheless, I think that this book is truly as fun and lighthearted as such a dark fantasy can get, and I am already anxiously awaiting book two.

I was super looking forward to reading this one, but I struggled with the Devils, because this book is a complete departure from the previous Abercrombie books I have read. I do have to say that Abercrombie writes amazing action scenes. The problem I had though is that this is a bit of a 'all vibe no plot' style read, and the narrative lurches straight from one epic action scene to the the next. I am absolutely amazed at the varied ways to describe people being mutilated. Although this is not my favourite Abercrombie book, I would recommend this to those that like fast paced books, with the humour of Blacktongue Thief and crews of misfits on a forced quest.

This is my new starting point for people looking to start reading Abercrombie. It's fun, it's faced paced, and it's bursting with life. An all-timer of a novel, and one that I'm going to remember for a long time. Easily my read of the year so far.

Ok, I think this might be the Abercrombie book I have enjoyed most. More of a classic quest narrative with more focus on the plot moving than individual character arcs, this is a little like the Malevolent Seven, a little like The Blacktongue Thief. It is easily his funniest book, and tbh the one where the cast are less morally dubious. I really enjoyed it. I predict classic Abercrombie fans may be a little conflicted.