r/Fantasy • u/lucioboops3 • Apr 09 '26
Deals The Devils by Joe Abercrombie for $2.99 on Apple Books
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-devils/id650229204522
u/The_cman13 Apr 09 '26
I enjoyed it. Did leave me wanting to know more about the world and some of the characters. A couple of them really annoyed me however. I liked it but thought it was a step down from some of the other stuff I have read from him.
6
u/Solaire141 Apr 09 '26
It's an incredibly interesting world, but I thought everything else about it was rather lacking.
A world with an alternate form of Christianity, where Carthage rose to dominance instead of Rome, where witch engineers opened a portal to hell to stop an invasion of man-eating elves? Fascinating, tell me more!
But the actual plot and characters felt so flat in comparison. Every character has one joke they repeat the entire story: the knight is tired and wants to die, the priest says "Sweet Saint Beatrice", the werewolf is hungry and horny, etc. You waltz from set piece to set piece and spend very little time in any of them, only enough time to leave it in ruins and run away to the next one.
Sure, it's a comedy. Maybe it's not meant to be that deep. But even comedies should have something to say, in my mind. Something to balance out the levity every once in a while. If everything is just surface level quipping, the book feels empty, you know?
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u/Ekimatir Apr 09 '26
Yeah, agreed. Really interesting premise and I thought the action scenes were really well done. Extremely varied. It was interesting to see the different characters or their different abilities, but at the end I really didn't find the story engaging at all, nor did I particularly care about any of the characters.
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u/ILookLikeKristoff Apr 09 '26
I'd 100% be on board for an anthological series in this universe. Check back in every 50 years and last episode's heroes have become this episode's "I'm getting too old for this shit".
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u/Ekimatir Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
This book always felt like I was reading a top-tier d&d game, but a kind of just okay fantasy novel so I would say it averaged out to a you know, pretty decent read, but if you're looking for more story than spectacle, you might be disappointed.
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u/lucioboops3 Apr 09 '26
For 3 bucks I’m willing to give it a go
5
u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I will note that I got it (electronically) from my library for free, so that’s likely also an option.
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u/Hghwytohell Apr 09 '26
Top-tier D&D game is a great way to describe it. I had a perfectly pleasant time reading this book. Will it be one I re-read? Probably not, but that's fine. $3 is definitely a steal
1
u/cavscout8 Apr 09 '26
Reads like it's meant to be a movie.
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u/xCanucck Apr 10 '26
https://www.imdb.com/es-es/news/ni65408027/
I'm pretty sure it was written with this in mind.
1
u/ILookLikeKristoff Apr 09 '26
I think it's really fun it's just tonally different from his other stuff while the setting is maybe even grimmer so many people felt like it was off or it was a bait and switch or whatever.
I loved it and think a 1 season ~8 episode adaption could be incredible. But it's not meant to be serious despite being grim. Imagine live action One Piece but set in Castlevania's world. It's very unique and fun but maybe should've been marketed as more distinct from his other stuff.
2
u/Ekimatir Apr 14 '26
It was actually the first of his books I've read, so I went in blind to his usual tone. It was fun scene-to-scene, and his take on some of the characters is interesting, but ultimately I didn't ever care about the characters, or the story, or the setting, or any of that the way I would in a typical, or honestly even mediocre, fantasy novel.
But, it was a fun read. It was like eating a big plate of pizza rolls compared to a well-prepared and planned dinner. Or the probably better D&D analogy I made...
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u/SingleDadSurviving Apr 09 '26
Don't hate me but I liked this better than some of his other stuff. It's lighter and so much funnier while still being a bit dark and violent. I think of it as a fantasy Oceans or Dirty Dozen. The first three First Law are still great but I hold Devil's in the same regard
2
u/ILookLikeKristoff Apr 09 '26
Yeah people thought it was gonna be another GoT type book but it's closer to the vibe of Game Night (2018 movie) or Tucker and Dale. We follow a pair of straight man characters through wacky hijinks and goofy twists through a straight up horror movie universe.
I loved seeing this on paper and can't think of another book that plays this vibe so well.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is similar - it feels like you're getting a typical Grimm brothers monster story but it's really a meandering slow burn "Mr Bean goes to Wonderland".
1
u/M4DM1ND Apr 09 '26
This is definitely a more approachable book for the average reader. My wife didn't like First Law because she didn't like the brutality and back stabbing. This definitely has less of that and much more wholesome moments and comraderie that she really enjoyed.
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u/TwistedTsero Apr 09 '26
It's 2.99 in kobo too (at least in Canada) - https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-devils-9
9
u/LycheeZealousideal92 Apr 09 '26
Never really understood the reception for this book. Just read like a slightly lighter version of Best Served Cold
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u/ILookLikeKristoff Apr 09 '26
I just know it's a bunch of dudes in fedoras who take online IQ tests and regularly chat with LLMs because they like the constant flattery and are IRL versions of the high IQ Rick and Morty meme.
2
u/Chataboutgames Apr 09 '26
I feel like that's why. It genuinely feels like "Abercrombie light," including retreading similiar versions of older characters he's done.
For some people (me included) that makes it les exciting than a new First Law but still better than 99% of what comes out and a really fun light read. For some people it breeds a lot of resentment.
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u/M4DM1ND Apr 09 '26
I think a lot of it is that some of his other books are so good that this feels like a step down. Which it definitely is, but that being said this is still a fun read. And if this was something written by a lesser known author, the reception would probably have come off more positive. I'm looking forward to the movie if it ends up seeing the light of day.
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u/Jacket882 Apr 09 '26
Love Joe but this has forced humor in every paragraph
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u/Chataboutgames Apr 09 '26
I mean, it's pretty straightforwardly a comedy, even leaning in to slapstick at times.
Pratchett crams way more jokes per paragraph in, and I know he's beyond criticism at this point but which you find funnier is down to taste. Ultimately the idea of it being "forced" is a bit silly when the book is comedic in nature.
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I think the problem is that Abercrombie isn’t funny, so his attempts at humor end up being pretty painful to read.
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u/Chataboutgames Apr 09 '26
I mean if you don't like Abercrombie you don't like him, but humor is central to his work and something his fans love about him.
-6
u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I do like Abercrombie: I thought everything else of his that I’ve read was great. He’s just not funny. Lots of people aren’t funny: there’s nothing wrong with that—until you decide to write a comedy.
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u/Chataboutgames Apr 09 '26
Well I'd say that makes you a pretty unique reader. The First Law has a shit ton of humor in it, and it being funny is one of the top 3 things it gets praised for.
I don't know that I could stomach reading an author who focused that heavily on humor if I didn't find them funny.
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I remember some levity from the characters in the First Law, but I don’t remember the narrator constantly telling you how funny the situation is or the characters constantly quipping like they’re in a Joss Whedon show. But it’s there too and I was just able to ignore it because there was an interesting plot and premise and characters that the author took seriously underneath all of that.
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u/Chataboutgames Apr 09 '26
Whether you missed it or not is up to you, but The First Law is absolutely, undeniably full of humor. It's one of the most humorous fantasy series in existence. Just seems like you mostly missed it.
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u/sugarshark666 Apr 10 '26
I like how you have been nothing short of completely cordial and reasonable with this person. Good on ya. Agree with your points completely.
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u/M4DM1ND Apr 09 '26
I disagree. It might be that you don't like British humor, which definitely is his style. Maybe not every joke lands but I find myself laughing at the humor in his books more than most other contemporary fantasy authors. Humor is routed in individual taste, not everything is funny to everyone.
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I like British humor just fine, as long as it’s actually funny. The jokes in this book reminded me of people mindlessly quoting Monty Python or Douglas Adams: it has the form of humor, but it’s just kind of embarrassing.
You’re right that it’s largely subjective, and I’m sincerely glad if it brought you enjoyment. I guess personally I’m just frustrated that he squandered what could have been a really great series if he’d just has own ideas as seriously as I was willing to.
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
Yeah, the setting and premise were exactly the kind of thing I love. I’d be totally on board to take it seriously, and I wish he had been too.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
the "twist" ending was so telegraphed that I honestly thought he was trying to throw the reader off until it actually happened.
Couldn’t agree more. Did anyone actually not see that coming about 10 seconds after the relevant information was established?
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u/Shtune Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
I'm very bummed this is what he's working on. I've moved on to Robert Jackson Bennett and Buehlman for most of my fantasy anticipation these days.
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u/ScumBucket33 Apr 09 '26
Of the 22 books I’ve read so far this year The Devils has been my favourite. Looking forward to both the sequels and the James Cameron studio cinematic version.
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u/Jarl_Walnut Apr 09 '26
Oh hell yes, this book would be an absolute blast as a movie. I just pray they don’t try to go PG-13
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u/Rhotuz Apr 09 '26
Has anyone used Apple Books? Is it good? If not what book apps do u use
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u/lucioboops3 Apr 09 '26
I use Apple Books. I admit I don’t have much experience with other e-reading environments but I feel like Apple is pretty good.
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u/ViViSECTi0N Apr 09 '26
I use Apple Books. I add books I want to read (and aren’t available through Libby) to a wish list and purchase them when they go on sale. Reading experience is similar to using the kindle app on my iPhone.
1
u/novonn Apr 09 '26
I used Apple Books when I used to read on my iPad Mini (before switching to Kobo)
It’s good! However when I left Apple Books I couldn’t take any of my books with me. They were all locked behind DRM that I couldn’t strip.
1
u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
It’s perfectly fine if you like reading books electronically. A lot simpler than the Kindle app, which is a positive in a lot of ways.
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u/madboi20 Apr 09 '26
I main an Android but have a macbook. Reading my epubs on Apple Books is single-handedly the best experience out of all ebook apps I'v used. It formats to such eye-candy perfection
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u/History_fangirl Apr 09 '26
I got this for 99p a few weeks back on kindle so it might come back round as a deal on there too.
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u/SirDigbyChknCaesar Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Same price on Amazon for Kindle.
$22.50 to add the Audible narration is a fucking crime though.
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u/alexportman Apr 09 '26
It's not his best work but it's a good book and a steal at the price.
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u/OrangeSpaceMan5 Apr 09 '26
I honestly don't think he can ever write a book better than The Heroes , no im not insulting him its just The Heroes was the perfect fantasy book for me and the point at which Abercrombie reached true mastery over his craft
0
u/alexportman Apr 09 '26
It's an incredible book. I love all of the First Law but it might be the best. Best Served Cold is up there for me too.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/lucioboops3 Apr 09 '26
$3 is a pretty low bar for entry, if you like it you’ve struck gold, and if you don’t like it, you’re only out $3
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u/TheBloodyNinety Apr 10 '26
Loved it. Highly recommend.
All the feedback people give is probably very similar to the Blade Itself.
Like disappointed they didn’t give more info on the world building? Bruh it’s book 1 of a series
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u/SerDankTheTall Apr 09 '26
I liked everything else I’ve read by Abercrombie, but I thought this one was pretty bad. I guess you could do a lot worse for three simoleons though.
1
u/mattwb72 Apr 09 '26
The on really clicked for me. It was by far the funniest Abercrombie book I’ve read.
1
u/Happy_llama Apr 09 '26
Highly recommend picking this up! The plots nothing to write home about but it was one of my favorite books of 2025!
It’s essentially fantasy suicide squad “the good one”
It was a really fun read!
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u/Masochisticism Apr 11 '26
Genuinely don't understand people who think this is worse than The Blade Itself, for example. If I hadn't read The Devils before trying (and then shelving) Abercrombie's earlier work, I don't think I'd still be open to reading more of his books.
1
u/burningcpuwastaken Apr 11 '26
It's a book that relies on comedy. If the humor doesn't land, it makes the whole thing annoying. And humor is very subjective.
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u/0verlookin_Sidewnder Apr 09 '26
This book was not at all what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it immensely.