Book Review: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

 5/5 stars. This is the first book outside of the First Law world that I have read by Joe Abercrombie. The nine First Law books are some of my favorite books of all time, so I was highly anticipating this new novel from one of my ‘immediate buy’ authors. Abercrombie does not disappoint. I have seen much criticism of this book, but I have no dislike of this story in the least and enjoyed my reading experience thoroughly. The alternate European setting is a nice change for Abercrombie away from his wholly imagined world in the First Law, and I believe that his alternate religious history is extremely inventive and a nice addition to the story. I truly enjoy the inclusion of religion in SFF stories, and I have a great appreciation for an author that can make the religion something unique and special in its own right. The alternate European history here is also a nice twist, moving the center of European power away from England and France. I think Abercrombie does a successful job making use of his altered religion and imagined history here, and it is definitely a nice change of pace for his writing.

In addition to the setting and the historical background, all of the characters are typical Abercrombie characters, but some are ‘ramped up’ for this sarcasm-filled tale of a group of devilish mercenaries who have to accompany a should-be queen to her appointed realm. Each of these Devils has their own difficult past and lifelong traumas that they seek to overcome though efforts on behalf of the Church and the Pope, who might very well be the reincarnation of the savior. This group of misfits with each of their backstories, offer a further glimpse into the natural, and supernatural, territories of the changed European landscape that Abercrombie has dropped us into. I have enjoyed getting to know the immortal knight Jakob of Thorn, the werewolf Vigga, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi - the third greatest necromancer in Europe, the invisible Elf Sunny, Brother Diaz - the unlikely monk who has been tasked by the Pope with overseeing the group and their travels, and the would-be princess of Troy, Alex (Alexia Pyrogennetos), a street rat from the Holy City of Rome. I hope we get to know more about these characters in later books and look forward to discovering more about the young Pope and the Holy City in this altered universe.

Abercrombie has a way of creating characters that entertains the reader far beyond the plot itself; although, in this case, I think the plot and the group’s travels were just as entertaining. I highly recommend anything by Joe Abercrombie and will always be grateful that I discovered his work. I look forward to continuing this series and I hope that it is turned into a movie or TV series since it has been optioned by James Cameron!

Additionally, I listened to part of this on audiobook with the great narrator, Steven Pacey. It is also highly recommended! 5/5 for Mr. Pacey!!


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