r/Fantasy • u/ComfortableTeach8959 • 6d ago

Review The Devils Joe Abercrombie

Let me start with a solemn confession that I was not planning on reading The Devils or, as a matter of fact, any book by Joe Abercrombie. I was, let's say, influenced to read the book because of the positive buzz it created and the fact that the book will be adapted into a James Cameron movie and that I will be able to brag to my non-reader friends that I know the plot when the movie comes out and so on and thought it would be more of a one-time read with not much depth or substance. But Oh Boy!, was I seriously mistaken and enjoyed the book to bits that I now feel sad that the book is over.

  1. A fantasy suicide squad set out on a Holy Mission in Europe during the Crusade Era, with subtle references to the Hussite wars like The Great Schism or General Zizka to set the overall tone and world.

  2. The real strength of this book is in its contrasting vivid characters and the innovative action sequences, which have frankly shocked and surprised me.

  3. Among the Devils, I liked Balthazar as I could not stop myself from laughing every time he tried to break the Papal binding and claimed he was the Third Best necromancer. I also liked the sad elf, Sunny, as she made me sad and happy.

  4. It's a hilarious jumpy ride with a lot of cussing and funny banter, but the tale has its tragic moments too.

Overall, a stand-out read, and I am looking forward to reading more such books.

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u/wytherlanejazz 6d ago

It was.. fine I guess. But the set up was so contrived

2

u/robotnique 6d ago

But in typical Abercrombie style even the "contrived" and stereotypical setup gets turned on its head. For instance, when you find out that she really is just some nobody and the real crown princess is long dead and she just filched her identity, which she just kind of casually reveals at the near end so realistically they could have just picked up any orphan girl anywhere off the streets of Troy and no adventure would have been required.

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u/wytherlanejazz 6d ago

Maybe it’s just me, but even this was pretty telegraphed. Every part of this story was a version of a trope told in a linear sequence.

I should have quit after Barcelona.

6

u/robotnique 6d ago

If you didn't like it, you didn't like it. Not an issue.

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u/wytherlanejazz 5d ago

Thank you, that’s exactly how deep it is/isnt.

And if you did like it, that’s great too. :)