The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

ARC Disclosure: This book was received free of charge from Tor Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

At a Glance: When You Need Devils on Your Side

In The Devils readers discover a dark medieval Europe where famine and plague roam freely while hidden monsters wait in every shadow and ambitious princes seek only their own gains. In this world the one thing that remains certain is that the elves will return to eat everyone. When the path through darkness becomes the only way forward, Brother Diaz, a reluctant monk, must assemble and lead a congregation of convicted monsters on a mission that seems impossible: Brother Diaz must install a thief as the ruler of Troy and bring together the fragmented church to resist the approaching apocalypse. When you journey through hell you require the assistance of the devils.

A self-doubting monk leads an unlikely group of misfits including an immortal knight, a narcissistic magician, a refined vampire, a chaotic werewolf, an invisible elf and a former mercenary to escort their unexpected royal passenger through a war-torn landscape filled with plague and supernatural dangers. A simple escort mission begins as an ordinary task but rapidly transforms into a deadly trek that challenges allegiances while uncovering hidden truths and mixing heroism with monstrous behavior.

A World Shadowed By Destruction

Abercrombie creates a fictional Europe that feels eerily recognizable despite its fictional nature. The atmosphere of The Devils reflects the bleak desperation of the Diablo video game series where corruption pervades deeply while darkness slowly advances from civilization’s borders. Humanity struggles to survive in this world where powerful entities see people either as expendable pawns or dangerous prey similar to Diablo’s Sanctuary.

The author expertly weaves real-world locations into his dark fantasy setting: The Holy City features its towering Celestial Palace and secret Chapel of Holy Expediency while Venice offers ambush-ready labyrinthine canals and Troy stands as an empire once great now close to ruin. Every location gains life by using sensory descriptions such as the foul air in plague-infested streets alongside the chilling breeze found in old tombs and the intense heat in burning structures which together build surroundings as deadly as their resident monsters.

The environment reveals its true genius through its support of the narrative themes. In Abercrombie’s Europe institutions designed for protection have collapsed while faith fails to provide solace and survival requires terrible decisions. The bleak landscape maintains its narrative purpose because each shadow strengthens the story while each horror exposes character traits in those who must face it.

The story displays a dynamic landscape of alliances because both religious and political powers fracture and realign similarly to Diablo’s age-old battle between Heaven and Hell. With multiple Popes establishing rival power bases the Catholic Church has fragmented into competing factions. The world faces an impending elven invasion that mirrors the Prime Evils from Diablo as an unstoppable force poised to create widespread chaos.

Characters: Monsters with Souls

While worldbuilding creates the shadowy background of The Devils, it’s the characters who light up this darkness. Abercrombie builds complex morally ambiguous characters well yet surpasses his own standard when he portrays literal monsters as sympathetic and deeply human.

Our entry point into the narrative is Brother Diaz who was never meant to be a monk but finds himself as our guide through an uncertain world where he doubts his faith and leads supernatural killers without preparation. The central emotional journey of the story follows his transformation from a hesitant follower to a reluctant leader while he questions his faith amid a divine institution that uses devils as tools.

The story gives all members of the “devils” group detailed and individualized portrayals. The eternal knight Jakob bears the burden of endless years through quiet dignity while demonstrating a soldier’s straightforward manner. Balthazar uses arrogance and wit to conceal his underlying vulnerability while displaying narcissistic tendencies as a magician. The ancient vampire Baron Rikard preserves his noble elegance while living as a monster. The werewolf Vigga represents both chaos and passion while avoiding the pitfall of turning into a simple stereotype. The invisible elf named Sunny adds a sense of mystery while displaying surprising compassion. The group finds its practical foundation in Baptiste’s mercenary background.

The most remarkable aspect of Abercrombie’s writing ability is his talent to create immediately identifiable voices for his characters. Characters express their unique traits through dialogue through Balthazar’s extravagant declarations and Vigga’s straightforward vulgarity alongside the Baron’s polished speech and Jakob’s concise military style. Every character possesses a unique voice that reveals their personality through their way of talking as well as through their actions.

Abercrombie’s monsters confront external threats while fighting against their inherent natures, much like the heroes of Diablo who face both literal monsters and inner demons. The personal darkness every character bears through their regrets and failures reflects the world’s spreading corruption. However all their actions show unexpected noble behavior along with acts of sacrifice and tenderness which make simple moral judgments difficult.

The emotional core of the novel emerges from the relationships that develop among this diverse group of characters. A found family emerges through unusual friendships and tentative romances alongside battle bonds to create warmth in an otherwise dark world. The connections between characters feel genuine because they grow naturally through shared struggles and trust-building over time instead of being artificially created by plot devices.

Plot: A Blood-Soaked Pilgrimage

The storytelling of The Devils unfolds as a grim pilgrimage through a tainted world. The simple task of escorting Alex to Troy’s throne evolves into a multifaceted challenge as hidden motives surface and unexpected threats arise alongside fluctuating alliances.

Abercrombie navigates the narrative journey through expert pacing that combines intense violent scenes with quieter moments showcasing character growth. The action sequences unfold with remarkable frequency as ambushes take place in Venice’s canals, protagonists face church zealots and battle supernatural creatures with every sequence surpassing the last in complexity. Abercrombie demonstrates his exceptional ability to direct disorderly combat scenes while preserving absolute clarity about each character’s actions.

The narrative finds its pulse between violent encounters through campfire conversations and tense negotiations with allies alongside unexpected beauty in devastated landscapes. The narrative pacing protects audiences from becoming numb to violence and strengthens their connection to character outcomes.

The story takes surprising turns at multiple essential moments. Villains who seem evil have understandable reasons for their actions while allies who appear trustworthy work secret agendas against you and missions that look simple contain hidden layers of complexity. Journeying through Abercrombie’s Europe offers a constant stream of surprises for characters and readers much like the unpredictable dangers and treasure-filled corners of Diablo’s procedurally generated dungeons.

The author demonstrates mastery in guiding his extensive story throughout its complex unfolding. The story maintains clarity and keeps moving forward even though it features numerous viewpoint characters alongside competing factions and supernatural elements embedded in historical backstories. Each apparently unrelated storyline ultimately ties back to the main conflict to create a coherent narrative despite the epic scale of the story.

Prose: Sardonic Brilliance

Abercrombie has consistently combined dark elements with comedic aspects in his writing while The Devils stands as the ultimate manifestation of this style. His writing functions like a sharp blade which delivers precise and efficient strikes that manage to execute lethal blows while providing surgical insights. While the portrayals of violence remain unflinching about brutality they never indulge in excessive gore. Even in its darkest moments the story maintains balance because sardonic humor stops it from being overwhelmed by its own grimness.

Action scenes stand out as the author’s greatest strength because they develop with vivid cinematic detail. As Vigga becomes a werewolf she brutally attacks enemies allowing readers to experience every fierce movement. Jakob fights against superior forces yet the action choreography is perfectly clarified amidst the surrounding chaos. These action sequences match Diablo’s visceral combat as they deliver enjoyment through both battlefield triumphs and stunningly depicted destruction.

The dialogue delivers equal brilliance through its blend of tension-filled exchanges and humorous character development. Through dialogue we learn about the speakers as much as we would from any descriptive passage while character interactions maintain story tension through well-timed humor. Abercrombie’s unique writing style remains evident through throughout because it contains dark humor and occasional deep insights while staying true to each character’s voice.

The author demonstrates impressive restraint by allowing key events to resonate with readers without adding commentary. Moments of sacrifice and betrayal along with glimpses of beauty in this devastated world stand alone in their power because restraint enhances their emotional resonance rather than exaggerated explanations.

Between the Sheets: Finding Connection Amid Chaos

Relationships emerge naturally throughout The Devils even though romance isn’t its main focus. The romantic and sexual content maintains a spice level of 2.0 (🌶️🌶️) because it develops characters instead of delivering titillation.

The relationships develop naturally between characters who find connection while facing extreme situations together. The connections between characters display a range of emotions from gentle to intense to complex because of their different personalities. The compelling nature of these relationships stems from their humanity through shared vulnerability and connection rather than sexual intensity.

In The Devils romance unfolds as a complex element which enhances the narrative instead of simplifying it. Attachments to others bring forth new risks while forcing people to deal with split loyalties as well as insurmountable decisions. The tension between individual goals and group survival propels the story’s progression without becoming a narrative distraction.

Abercrombie handles these elements with remarkable maturity. Sexual content develops characters appropriately without becoming exploitative or gratuitous. Readers who prefer fantasy without explicit content can access these scenes because they focus on emotional connections instead of physical details while maintaining realistic human relationships.

Bro Reading Comfort: Grim But Gripping

Readers may experience discomfort due to the 😳😳 (2.0) rating of The Devils but will find its content typical for adult fantasy standards. The story involves monstrous elements which naturally leads to graphic violence yet the violent content advances the narrative instead of existing for shock effect.

The cover art of the book makes its dark fantasy theme obvious so readers can enjoy it in public without drawing unwanted attention. The narrative focuses mainly on violent encounters between characters and explores themes of corruption and moral compromise while featuring supernatural horror sequences at times. The story elements appear relevant to the plot instead of being unnecessary additions.

People who know grimdark fantasy or have played Diablo games will see the content as fitting within their standard expectations. Readers who prefer lighter reading material should brace themselves for a tough read yet will discover elements of camaraderie and dark humor that provide balance to the bleakness along with flickers of hope.

Darkness That Defines

The book The Devils achieves a darkness level of 💀💀💀💀 (4.5) making it one of the darkest novels by Abercrombie. A plague ravages populations while religious organizations use monsters for their nefarious deeds and elven forces threaten total annihilation. The characters in this narrative represent darkness as they become cursed creatures or fall into corruption and make awful choices due to their situations.

Abercrombie’s Europe endures a complex darkness similar to how corruption radiates from the Prime Evils throughout the Diablo universe. Political leaders exploit their citizens while religious leaders violate their core values and common individuals perform terrible acts because they feel desperate or extremely afraid.

The story features human hunters who face chimeras, revenants, and animated corpses as tangible representations of widespread corruption. Every encounter with a beast uncovers details about the world’s deterioration and how characters battle their own inner demons.

The enduring humanity that survives among the darkness prevents it from becoming overwhelming. In the midst of darkness unexpected acts of kindness and sacrifice along with moments of humor create meaningful breaks. The connections between unexpected partners provide moments of illumination amidst the darkness. Characters labeled as “devils” who possess monstrous characteristics show they can develop emotionally and achieve redemption.

This balance transforms darkness into something meaningful instead of something gratuitous. The terrifying events function as crucial elements that propel character growth and examine deeper themes instead of providing only shock to readers. The fallen state of Abercrombie’s Europe mirrors Diablo’s corrupted Sanctuary yet retains its value as a cause worth fighting for.

Book Battlefield: A New Pinnacle of Grimdark

Abercrombie’s latest book demonstrates a major progression within his distinguished body of work. The author preserves his trademark grim tone along with morally complex characters but pushes his boundaries by introducing supernatural elements which strike a balance between traditional and innovative. Abercrombie’s latest work delivers a novel that pleases his established fanbase and attracts new audiences to his writings.

The book distinguishes itself by successfully reimagining common fantasy tropes such as vampires, werewolves and necromancers into unique and engaging elements. The book presents supernatural creatures who stand apart from the enticing monsters of urban fantasy and simple-minded adversaries typical in traditional sword and sorcery narratives. Their supernatural traits serve to enrich their personalities instead of merely defining them.

The connection between this book and the Diablo video game series appears especially fitting. The two stories depict worlds where darkness threatens to consume yet allows redemption to remain ever possible. The characters in both narratives face physical monsters and internal struggles simultaneously. Medieval European aesthetics combined with supernatural horror elements create unique dark fantasy settings through their blending together.

Readers who know Abercrombie’s First Law universe will find The Devils combines known elements with fresh experiences. The established tone of sarcasm and morally complex characters alongside realistic violence will feel recognizable but new supernatural elements alongside an alternative historical setting introduce fresh narrative possibilities. The book serves as evidence of the author’s ongoing development by showcasing progression instead of duplication in his storytelling techniques.

Should You Bother?

For Grimdark Fans: Absolutely essential. Abercrombie maintains his position at the top of the subgenre and The Devils demonstrates his established capabilities alongside fresh creative directions. Historical fantasy combined with monstrous elements establishes a unique identity within grimdark settings.

For Character-Driven Readers: Readers who appreciate protagonists with moral complexity should not miss this book. The characters known as “devils” undergo detailed character development which uncovers complex traits hidden beneath their monstrous appearances. The diverse relationships between characters weave a complex web that propels the story’s progression.

For Diablo Fans: Fans of the Diablo games’ atmospheric world-building and demonic threats will find The Devils delivers a comparable literary experience. Readers will discover both familiarity and novelty in the corrupted landscape and supernatural threats as unlikely heroes face impossible odds within this fresh narrative.

For Action Enthusiasts: Throughout the book Abercrombie demonstrates his exceptional skill in creating intense fight scenes. The action sequences range from minor skirmishes to epic supernatural battles while maintaining narrative tension, clarity and meaningful outcomes.

Final BroMantasy Verdict

The Devils represents Abercrombie’s most daring project yet as it fuses historical fantasy with monstrous components to produce an original yet recognizable experience. Readers receive all the familiar elements they desire—moral intricacy and brutal violence alongside biting humor—but the narrative also explores new dimensions that enhance Abercrombie’s unique style.

The greatest accomplishment of The Devils is its ability to portray literal monsters with deep humanity. Abercrombie skillfully develops characters and crafts interactions which transform supernatural archetypes into complex individuals where their monstrous traits serve to deepen their characterization. The characters’ battles with outside dangers and inner demons reach beyond the book’s dark fantasy elements to create emotional impact.

World-building earns equal acclaim for its ability to create an environment that appears historically authentic despite the presence of supernatural components. The fantasy version of Europe devastated by plague and facing elven attacks creates an ideal setting to examine the concepts of corruption and redemption as well as the true nature of monstrosity. This world holds the same value for salvation as Diablo’s Sanctuary even though it exists in ruins.

Through The Devils readers can observe the ongoing development of Abercrombie as he matures in storytelling abilities. He confidently and skillfully ventures into new narrative realms while keeping his unique voice intact. This book delivers content that pleases established fans and attracts new audiences demonstrating a notable accomplishment for an author with nearly two decades of experience.

In The Devils readers will discover a dark fantasy narrative filled with emotional depth combined with complex characters and intense action scenes which deliver a unique reading experience. Readers embark on a hellish adventure with villainous devils who become unexpected heroes in this modern fantasy masterpiece.