The Devils

I have never read this author before but although the humor can be quite juvenile and silly, I found I really enjoyed this book. When it was finished I immediately missed the found family of the group. I will absolutely read the next book. Also it’s such a cool edition with end papers art and some art throughout the book.

The massive dramatic fight scenes got to be a bit much for me. But otherwise one of the best books I’ve read. Great characters and storyline and everything. Funny, scary, sweet - the whole shabang. Great writing! Super original. Wonderful. Hope there’s a follow up.

Pros. Overall, a great book. Characters all display very different personalities, humor fills almost every page, and it’s very linear.Cons.There was very little depth to the characters, absolutely no backstory to any of them. A vampire, a werewolf, an immortal knight, there should be ample opportunity to give us at least something.Length, it did drag on a bit at the end. 2/3 were great. Ending was meh. Plot twist could be seen a mile away.Worth a read but definitely not deserving of a spot on my favorites bookshelf

Joe Abercrombie’s “The Devils” is the best fantasy novel I’ve read so far this year. It’s hilarious, brutal, fast-paced, and full of heart. The premise: a young monk is ordered to lead a team of magically bound monsters—vampire, werewolf, necromancer, and more—to escort a streetwise thief who might be the lost princess of Troy. The setting is a clever alt-medieval Europe, where the Pope is a ten-year-old girl and the Church wages crusades against the elves. The characters are unforgettable (the necromancer steals every scene), the worldbuilding is sharp, and the action ranges from thrilling to harrowing. If you enjoy Abercrombie’s usual blend of grit, wit, and perfectly-timed twists, this book is a must. I tore through all 500+ pages and already want more.

Loved the character builds, the traits of each good or bad. Loved the pauper to princess storyline. Loved the sharp twist on human history to bring it all together in a way familiar, yet foreign enough. This book was a rollercoaster from the very beginning and leaves you waiting more in the way only Joe Abercrombie can do. Hope he continues this.