The Devils

Laura and I were entirely bowled over when our incessant badgering of our lovely friends at Gollancz resulted in their giving us an ARC copy of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. Having now finished the book, I can say confidently you're in for a real treat when it drops in May 2025. Some thoughts:

• This is by far his funniest book
• Be prepared to welcome some iconic characters into the fantasy zeitgeist
• This is also by far his most Abercrombiest book
• It reads like a chaotic D&D campaign
• The first 25% is a bit of a mess
• I had a great time

I would have never imagined that I would ever not finish a Joe Abercrombie book, but The Devils is that book.

His writing in the First Law series was what Marvel movies at some point tried to be, but never could: Funny where it doesn't hurt the plot or the characters, witty, sometimes a bit absurd, but, on the whole, always sincere, with very strong focus on the characters. The Devils is a Marvel movie, ripped straight out of a screenplay and forced into the shape of a novel. It's still a character-driven book, but with no substance or anything to say.

None of the characters take anything seriously. No matter what happens, the first reaction is always a witty oh-so-funny one-line remark to remind you how incredibly funny everyone is, and to assure you that you are never in danger of dealing with any sincerity or thoughtful themes. The setting pretends to be an alternate history pseudo-medieval europe with magic and demons and elves and werewolves, but has exactly zero similarities to actual medieval europe and is so absurd that it would have been much more believable if it was set in an original fantasy world. Everyone, no matter where they are from, speaks the same language. The plot is based around the schism of the church, yet religion is never taken seriously or portrayed as anything but a scam. Speaking of plot, it just exists to give the characters something to do and keep a carrot dangling in front of them.

I am already dreading the film adaptation for which the rights were sold right after the book's release.

This rating hurt as Joe Abercrombie is one of my favorite authors. This one just seemed a bit off. It felt rushed from one fight scene to another. I really wish there was a bit more character development.

The story is of the Devils who are basically prisoners of the church who are used for special assignments

This assignment is to bring a young street urchin who finds out she s the daughter of the empress who was killed by her sister. The Devils need to bring her to the serpent throne to take her rightful place on the throne. But first she needs to be on the lookout for her cousins the Dukes who also want to take over the throne.

The last 25% of the book was really quite good but the leading 75% was kind of a mess. It just seemed like there really was no flow.

The humor is there is Joe Abercrombie fashion. I truly love that about the book but the world building was not there and the characters seemed a bit flat.

I believe i read this is the first in the series and I will read the next book when it comes out. So it was not all that bad

DNF

Well, finally, a new trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, this time different, yet still similar in his signature fashion. The differences lie in the setting and a more action packed package. Instead of a fantasy land with some magic, this one is set in an alternate Europe with considerably more magic. Everything else feels familiar; a collage of morally gray characters (more black than gray, but alas), including an old, grumpy figure full of regrets yet indifferent (and who hates stairs), a piece-of-shit character destined for royalty, a rough barbarian constantly at risk of slipping into mindless frenzy, and the inevitable puppet master pulling strings by the book’s end. There are a few fresh faces, but you get the idea; Joe kept one foot on firm Father Earth while dipping the other into the unexplored waters of Mother Sea.

I’m not saying it’s bad, quite the opposite. I think he struck a sweet spot between the familiar and the new; it’s how he did it that bothers me.

Someone on Reddit wrote that it feels like your favorite alternative band playing more mainstream, pop-ier songs, and I couldn’t agree more. Joe’s usual writing thrives on suspense, gradual unfolding, and satisfying character development, culminating in a crescendo of plot twists. Here, the buildup is rushed, and once the story kicks off, it’s just action scene after action scene. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good (the only thing that I can say against his writing is that he does not do it as often as I would like to),but the relentless barrage grows grating. The inner monologues and multi-POV scenes are there, but they are a shadow of what I’ve come to expect from this beutiful man. I miss the long bridges, the witty verses, and so on. Choruses are fun,but a chorus among choruses just becomes noise. Ok enough of this shitty analogy of mine.

Another gripe is the dialogue in some places. I don’t know how else to put it, but at times, it feels… "Marvely"? That "Okay, that just happened" vibe. Multiple times a character lists off all the bizarre events in a way that feels cheap and unnecessary.

Still, I hold high hopes for the sequel (mainly because Abercrombie’s books are among the few joys of my life… but we all know how it is with hope). I’m glad he’s trying something new—the worst thing an author can do is write the same book over and over (or kill someone, but that’s beside the point). His first trilogy installments are always the weakest, but they walk so the second can run, so the third can leap up and hits you in the face until you forget which way is up and which one is down, and he makes it makes enjoy every second of it.

For now, there’s nothing to do but hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Cheers.

It’s a fable, but told from the perspective of the “monsters” my only detraction is that its view on life is too cynical, that doing the right thing is such a colossal surprise that you can’t expect it ever to happen.