Book Summary
In The Devils, Joe Abercrombie trades his First Law world for an alternate medieval Europe where the Church employs monsters as holy weapons. Brother Diaz, a cowardly monk with delusions of grandeur, is tasked with leading a band of supernatural convicts—including a werewolf, vampire, necromancer, and invisible elf—to install street thief Alex on Troy’s Serpent Throne. What follows is a blood-soaked road trip where the line between saviors and monsters blurs with every battle.
While retaining Abercrombie’s signature grimdark tone, this novel leans harder into humor and found-family dynamics than his previous works. The action is relentless (particularly in the final 80 pages), but some readers may find the middle section repetitive as the group faces near-identical threats from the heirs of Troy’s late empress. Still, the character banter and moral ambiguity deliver the addictive Abercrombie experience fans crave.
Key Themes
Redemption Through Bloodshed: Each “devil” grapples with their monstrous nature while forced into holy service. The werewolf Vigga seeks belonging, the necromancer Balthazar schemes for freedom, and the elf Sunny yearns for acceptance—creating poignant contrasts with their violent capabilities. Abercrombie questions whether salvation is earned or imposed by those in power.
Institutional Corruption: The Church’s “Holy Expediency” doctrine justifies any atrocity for the greater good, mirroring real-world religious hypocrisy. A 10-year-old girl pope sends killers on missions while princes wage proxy wars, making the actual monsters seem principled by comparison.
What Makes It Unique
Grimdark Suicide Squad: This isn’t just another fantasy quest—it’s a dysfunctional family of supernatural misfits bound by magic and mutual disdain. The dynamic between Diaz’s nervous piety and the devils’ chaotic energy (especially Vigga’s horny werewolf antics) creates laugh-out-loud moments amid the gore.
Alt-History with Teeth: Abercrombie reimagines Europe with elves as Crusade targets and Troy as a Byzantine-style power center. Venice’s illusionist heist and the plague-ridden finale showcase his talent for blending historical grit with fantasy spectacle.
Reader Reactions
Early reviews are polarized: “Abercrombie’s funniest book yet!” raved one Goodreads reviewer, while another critiqued, “The middle drags like a vampire after sunrise.” BookTok fans adore Vigga (“Give this werewolf her own spinoff!”) but debate Diaz’s effectiveness as a protagonist. The audiobook, narrated by Steven Pacey (of First Law fame), is widely praised for bringing the eclectic cast to life.
Some fans miss the political depth of The First Law, but others celebrate the fresh energy: “Like Kings of the Wyld meets Best Served Cold—all killer, no filler.” The ending’s bittersweet twist—where “victory” means the devils remain outcasts—has sparked heated Reddit threads about institutional betrayal.
About the Author
Joe Abercrombie is the bestselling author of The First Law trilogy and its sequels, renowned for gritty characters like Logen Ninefingers and Sand dan Glokta. A former film editor, he brings cinematic violence and razor-sharp dialogue to fantasy—earning the nickname “Lord Grimdark.”
The Devils marks his first departure from the First Law world. While some signature elements remain (morally gray heroes, brutal combat), the lighter tone and supernatural squad dynamic show Abercrombie stretching beyond his comfort zone. He’s confirmed a sequel is in progress.
Memorable Quotes
“Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.”
“I’m finding Jakob a very interesting character—he’s like an amalgamation of Logan and Glokta. Haunted by battle wounds, but convinced he deserves the pain.”
Where to Buy or Download PDF of The Devils
- Amazon ( hardcover, Kindle)
- Bookshop.org (Support indie stores)
- Goodreads (4.2/5 from 15k+ ratings)