The Devils ★★★★★

Gory and action-packed. The book is steeped in an alterative fantasy Europe with hints of its own sordid history of Crusades and barbarians. Abercrombie picks a few characters from his First Law trilogy and gives them a new quest. More than the plot, it's the characters journey and the relationships they build amongst themselves through witty and insightful conversations.

Some of the chapters are simply two-way conversations between Vigga and Alex, Alex and Sunny, Brother Diaz and Vigga, Balthazar and everyone else. One conversation is simply enroute to the river to fetch water but is memorable. Baptise and Jakob are the warriors but in each battle; someone else steps up to save the day. I'm sure Abercrombie was pitching his book for a very gory but entertaining movie.

Edition Read

• Edition Type: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 547 pages
• Date First Published: May 6, 2025
• Publisher: Tor Books
• ISBN10: 125088005X
• ASIN: 125088005X
• Language: English

Description

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters, and the mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.

Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

Source: GoodReads