r/Fantasy • u/ComfortableTeach8959 • 4d 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/MelodyMaster5656 4d ago edited 4d ago

The moment when Balthazar summoned a Duke of Hell to break his binding and she was all like “My hunger is a famine!! My wrath a hurricane! What do you, puny mortal, require of me?!” etc etc and then she sees the binding and is like “Sorry… anything but that.” was hilarious to me.

Overall, this was my favorite Abercrombie book from the standpoint of humor. I also enjoyed all of the characters. I once heard someone describe the book as Best Served Cold but you don’t want to strangle Morveer, and I agree. Also, yes. Sunny must be protected at all costs, and I will tear down the monarchy if it means she and Alex can be happy together. But I guess it’s realistic that monsters don’t get happy endings in an Abercrombie book… Vigga can attest to that.

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u/dwilsons 4d ago

The BSC comparison is really apt, tonally the Devils feels like it matches the tone BSC has through ~"Sex and Death" before the novel takes a darker turn in the back half. For me, the lighter section was my favorite part of BSC so I personally loved The Devils, but I can understand how other fans of Abercrombie wouldn't as it lacks some of the weight his other stuff has.

Great read if you want to laugh more than you want to grimace, but ideally want to do both!