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Devils Kill Devils
Devils Kill Devils is perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Certain Dark Things and Southern gothic horror. Johnny Compton brings his trademark terror and dread that readers fell in love with in The Spite House to a new roster of monsters—angels, devils, vampires—and a heart-pounding race to save the world.When all hell breaks loose, you need a devil on your sideSarita has been watched over by a guardian angel her entire life. She calls him Angelo, and keeps him a secret. But secrets can’t stay buried forever…When Angelo murders someone she loves, Sarita begins to see what's really been lurking in the shadows surrounding her. And she will have to embrace the evil within if she hopes to make it out alive.Johnny Compton, critically acclaimed author of The Spite House and master of dread, takes you on a terrifying race of one woman against the hordes of hell.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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First published September 24, 2024
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August 11, 2025
After a promising beginning, Devils Kill Devils took a nosedive off a cliff, Thelma and Louise-style, for me.
I respect this author for their creativity, but I think someone should have reined this in and given it more focused perspectives. It was extremely difficult to follow.
I was excited for more from Johnny Compton after really enjoying The Spite House last year. This one sounded different content-wise, but I was looking forward to returning to Compton's captivating storytelling.
While I can say I still enjoyed the quality of Compton's writing: his word choices, the rhythm of his sentences, his descriptions in the Horror bits, the complex fantastical elements in this were not for me.
I won't attempt to summarize what this story contains, because honestly, I only truly understood one perspective, Sarita, and by the end, even she'd lost me.
Admittedly, Horror Fantasy isn't my fave subgenre, but this was strange, even for me, and I like some weird stuff.
I kept pushing on though, even once I stopped enjoying it, because I was waiting for the other shoe to drop; for the light-bulb moment where it would suddenly make sense.
Unfortunately, that never happened, and the further I got, the more disheartened I felt about the whole experience. Before you call me names, or trash me in the comments, I did read this with a friend and we both struggled to make sense of it, so I'm confident it's not just me.
It almost felt like it was trying to do too much without an easily understandable structure. It was all over the place.
Jarring jumps between POVs, staying for long periods of time within character's thoughts, which became boring, and huge info dumps regarding the world/concepts, are just a few of my complaints.
The later bits dragged for me as well and by the end, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
With all this being said, this isn't the end of the road for my relationship with Compton. Even though this one didn't work for me, I will be picking up his next book.
I am hoping it goes back more to The Spite House territory than this, but only time will tell.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
The audiobook narration from Imani Jade Powers was excellent and I do recommend that format if you are going to pick this one up.
Finally, a little reminder, just because this didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. If the synopsis sounds intriguing, give it a go. You've got nothing to lose and you could just find a new favorite!
I respect this author for their creativity, but I think someone should have reined this in and given it more focused perspectives. It was extremely difficult to follow.
I was excited for more from Johnny Compton after really enjoying The Spite House last year. This one sounded different content-wise, but I was looking forward to returning to Compton's captivating storytelling.
While I can say I still enjoyed the quality of Compton's writing: his word choices, the rhythm of his sentences, his descriptions in the Horror bits, the complex fantastical elements in this were not for me.
I won't attempt to summarize what this story contains, because honestly, I only truly understood one perspective, Sarita, and by the end, even she'd lost me.
Admittedly, Horror Fantasy isn't my fave subgenre, but this was strange, even for me, and I like some weird stuff.
I kept pushing on though, even once I stopped enjoying it, because I was waiting for the other shoe to drop; for the light-bulb moment where it would suddenly make sense.
Unfortunately, that never happened, and the further I got, the more disheartened I felt about the whole experience. Before you call me names, or trash me in the comments, I did read this with a friend and we both struggled to make sense of it, so I'm confident it's not just me.
It almost felt like it was trying to do too much without an easily understandable structure. It was all over the place.
Jarring jumps between POVs, staying for long periods of time within character's thoughts, which became boring, and huge info dumps regarding the world/concepts, are just a few of my complaints.
The later bits dragged for me as well and by the end, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
With all this being said, this isn't the end of the road for my relationship with Compton. Even though this one didn't work for me, I will be picking up his next book.
I am hoping it goes back more to The Spite House territory than this, but only time will tell.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
The audiobook narration from Imani Jade Powers was excellent and I do recommend that format if you are going to pick this one up.
Finally, a little reminder, just because this didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. If the synopsis sounds intriguing, give it a go. You've got nothing to lose and you could just find a new favorite!
May 30, 2024
My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Devils Kill Devils is Johnny Compton’s sophomore horror novel, a southern Gothic brimming with vampirism and religious occultism. I thoroughly enjoyed Compton’s debut novel, The Spite House, and waited in eager anticipation to see what this talented new voice in horror would deliver next.
Devils Kill Devils opens on Sarita’s wedding night. She senses a third party in the room, a pale figure enshrouded in shadows, who brutally murders her new husband, Frank, no questions asked. The murderer? Sarita’s guardian angel, nicknamed Angelo:
“Angelo stood at the foot of the bed, dressed in black. Strands of his long, flaxen hair hung over his face. Through the thin curtain of hairs he met Frank’s gaze with an ash-hot stare.”
While the underlying reason for Frank’s murder is unclear, Angelo has saved Sarita’s life on at least four previous occasions. Devils Kill Devils alternates between the present-day narrative and flashbacks that provide the history of Sarita’s near-death encounters.
Sarita’s long history with Angelo began when she was nine years old and nearly drowned in the Gulf of Mexico while playing in the waves with her older brother. Sarita’s mother prayed to God for a miracle, and right on cue, Angelo appeared to drag her limp body from the water.
Sarita has little memory of this experience and is doubtful of Angelo’s existence, despite the strong devotion her mother places in him. Her skepticism, however, vanishes during subsequent encounters with her guardian angel, as recounted in the first part of Devils Kill Devils.
These opening chapters of Devils Kill Devils are absolutely brilliant in their setup and the restrained way that Johnny Compton builds up layers of intrigue and horror. However, the tone of the novel shifts drastically with the introduction of a new point-of-view character, Cela, known as the Godmaker. While the beginning of the novel focuses on Sarita in a very personal way, Cela’s entrance causes the scope of the novel to blow up in a convoluted disarray of plotlines involving vampires, religious occultism, and the Book of Tobit. The latter part of the novel often struggles to maintain coherence, making me wish for a return to the more restrained approach.
To conclude, I love the premise of Devils Kill Devils and had high hopes based on the excellent first part of the novel. Unfortunately, the story loses focus as it expands its scope to an unmanageable extent, which also compromises the emotional impact of the novel.
Devils Kill Devils is Johnny Compton’s sophomore horror novel, a southern Gothic brimming with vampirism and religious occultism. I thoroughly enjoyed Compton’s debut novel, The Spite House, and waited in eager anticipation to see what this talented new voice in horror would deliver next.
Devils Kill Devils opens on Sarita’s wedding night. She senses a third party in the room, a pale figure enshrouded in shadows, who brutally murders her new husband, Frank, no questions asked. The murderer? Sarita’s guardian angel, nicknamed Angelo:
“Angelo stood at the foot of the bed, dressed in black. Strands of his long, flaxen hair hung over his face. Through the thin curtain of hairs he met Frank’s gaze with an ash-hot stare.”
While the underlying reason for Frank’s murder is unclear, Angelo has saved Sarita’s life on at least four previous occasions. Devils Kill Devils alternates between the present-day narrative and flashbacks that provide the history of Sarita’s near-death encounters.
Sarita’s long history with Angelo began when she was nine years old and nearly drowned in the Gulf of Mexico while playing in the waves with her older brother. Sarita’s mother prayed to God for a miracle, and right on cue, Angelo appeared to drag her limp body from the water.
Sarita has little memory of this experience and is doubtful of Angelo’s existence, despite the strong devotion her mother places in him. Her skepticism, however, vanishes during subsequent encounters with her guardian angel, as recounted in the first part of Devils Kill Devils.
These opening chapters of Devils Kill Devils are absolutely brilliant in their setup and the restrained way that Johnny Compton builds up layers of intrigue and horror. However, the tone of the novel shifts drastically with the introduction of a new point-of-view character, Cela, known as the Godmaker. While the beginning of the novel focuses on Sarita in a very personal way, Cela’s entrance causes the scope of the novel to blow up in a convoluted disarray of plotlines involving vampires, religious occultism, and the Book of Tobit. The latter part of the novel often struggles to maintain coherence, making me wish for a return to the more restrained approach.
To conclude, I love the premise of Devils Kill Devils and had high hopes based on the excellent first part of the novel. Unfortunately, the story loses focus as it expands its scope to an unmanageable extent, which also compromises the emotional impact of the novel.
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April 27, 2025Devils Kill Devils follows a woman who has been protected throughout her life from death by a mysterious man than her mother believes is her guardian angel. But on her wedding night, he appears in their hotel room and brutally kills her husband. The reasons why are connected with a cult, a prophecy, and powerful monsters...
It's a great start to the story and the concept has potential, but it meanders off, includes things that bear little relevance to the central plot, and then goes kind of off the rails without laying the groundwork for it to land. I'm all for a bonkers plot, but you have get buy-in from the reader and I didn't feel I had that here. Your experience may differ and I would try future books from this author but sadly this one didn't hit for me. The audio narration is pretty well done though. I received an audio review copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
October 15, 2024
We need a new genre called Borror.... aka boring "horror"
Borror - adjective
bor-ror also bôrər
: the genre used to describe a horror book that is actually super boring.
Used in a sentence: This was so borror.
Borror - adjective
bor-ror also bôrər
: the genre used to describe a horror book that is actually super boring.
Used in a sentence: This was so borror.
March 24, 2024
Wooooooowwwwwww. I need to take a step back and process the sheer amount of violence in this novel. Haha, it ain’t for the faint of heart! I requested this on NetGalley because I liked Johnny Compton’s other book, “The Spite House”, which I read last year. Mr. Compton certainly knows his horror, and he did extensive research on certain creatures that have inspired scary stories for centuries.
I like the main character, Sarita, a lot. She’s a strong woman, and many people would break down if they experienced only the *first* horrific event that happens to her. I definitely was rooting for her and her loved ones.
There’s a TON of carnage, as I mentioned earlier. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😄
If you enjoy slasher movies, this will be right up your alley.
I look forward to seeing what Compton comes up with next! He’s a very talented storyteller.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Tor Nightfire (thank you!!), which did not affect my review in any way.
I like the main character, Sarita, a lot. She’s a strong woman, and many people would break down if they experienced only the *first* horrific event that happens to her. I definitely was rooting for her and her loved ones.
There’s a TON of carnage, as I mentioned earlier. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😄
If you enjoy slasher movies, this will be right up your alley.
I look forward to seeing what Compton comes up with next! He’s a very talented storyteller.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Tor Nightfire (thank you!!), which did not affect my review in any way.
December 12, 2024
Devils Kill Devils
by Johnny Compton
General Fiction
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Sept 24, 2024
Tor Publishing
Ages: 18+
Multiple, (more than four) third-person POVs telling (not showing) their thoughts that ninety-nine percent of the time had nothing to do with the main plot idea of vampires/demons trying to create their 'god'.
The main plot of this story is at best only fifty pages, the rest of the book is pointless repetitive internal rambling. I get the heartache, but those characters' emotions were not real because of the drivel.
There is language, violence, and gore so it's unsuitable for readers under eighteen.
I can quite honestly say this is the worst book I have read this year.
-1 star
by Johnny Compton
General Fiction
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Sept 24, 2024
Tor Publishing
Ages: 18+
Multiple, (more than four) third-person POVs telling (not showing) their thoughts that ninety-nine percent of the time had nothing to do with the main plot idea of vampires/demons trying to create their 'god'.
The main plot of this story is at best only fifty pages, the rest of the book is pointless repetitive internal rambling. I get the heartache, but those characters' emotions were not real because of the drivel.
There is language, violence, and gore so it's unsuitable for readers under eighteen.
I can quite honestly say this is the worst book I have read this year.
-1 star
September 7, 2024
Devils Kill Devils is yet another ARC I received at San Diego Comic Con 2024!
There were definitely some interesting aspects to this book, but I was just so bored while reading it. I found the prophecy and religious aspects interesting, but the actual plot never gripped me.
There were definitely some interesting aspects to this book, but I was just so bored while reading it. I found the prophecy and religious aspects interesting, but the actual plot never gripped me.
May 1, 2025
I hated this. My first one star of the year.
May 10, 2025
Impressive world-building and a unique and exciting interpretation of vampire and demon mythologies are hampered by slow pacing in this story. The story starts with an explosion of violence and confusion, which works well, and the way the main character’s history was told in flashback chapters that run consecutively with chapters of the antagonist expanding her reach is smart. In that we meet a number of characters with a lot of potential, who are complicated and messy and connected to each other through all sorts of relationships, both deep and endearing and barbed and treacherous. The mythologies developed, revealed slowly, including the whole idea of vampire/demon religiosity, are exciting and feel like they could spawn a huge franchise.
The story still felt a little bit like a letdown, though. I liked the writing, it had an epic feel and yet was still naturalistic, with strong dialogue and character voicing. And I appreciated any given scene; they were all crafted well. But I felt the pacing never picked up after the initial set-up. Instead, things just kind of happened around our main characters, and it isn’t until a full 75% into the novel that they start being pro-active. When the action comes it is graphic and fun and effective, but it is a flash in the pan, with a resolution that would have been more satisfying if it had more build up. The other thing I missed, especially, were the character relationships. One of the strongest parts of the author’s previous book, Spite House, was the relationship between father and daughter. Here the main character has an incredibly deep relationship with her brother, and an equally important if not quite as deep relationship with her best friend, and those were explained to us but we didn’t really feel them until things started picking up in the back end of the book. Relationships, and what we are willing to do for others, is a strong connective tissue in the story, and while all the pieces were there I just felt like more could have been mined from the set-up. I wanted to be more invested in the characters, in the protagonists and antagonists, because they all came from tragedy and, to a large extent, were acting out of an unstable combination of self-preservation, desperation, and the wish to protect (or avenge) those you care about.
The characters, both main characters and ancillary characters, while under-utilized, are genuine and unique and I want to spend time learning more about them. The mythology and world-building are engaging and take on the familiar while adding to it in fun ways. The writing is thoughtful and intentional, and the action, when it comes, is bloody, emotional, and feral. The story has a lot of fun ideas that it is playing with, too, unflinchingly looking at what kind of monsters we might be transformed into through grief and desperation, as well as how a gluttony of violence is never as justified as it feels. Remorse and eldritch power go hand-in-hand with divinity and damnation, asking if there is much of a difference between the two when one is focused on power and domination. Really, though, it is the pacing that holds this story back and doesn’t give the characters enough to do or enough space to really explore how important their relationships are. If you like slow-burn stories with deep mythological centers then you will certainly have a good time here. I think all the pieces are fun but just didn’t come together in a way that particularly wowed me, yet I still had a good time with the novel and look forward to reading what Johnny Compton writes in the future.
(Rounded down from 3.5)
The story still felt a little bit like a letdown, though. I liked the writing, it had an epic feel and yet was still naturalistic, with strong dialogue and character voicing. And I appreciated any given scene; they were all crafted well. But I felt the pacing never picked up after the initial set-up. Instead, things just kind of happened around our main characters, and it isn’t until a full 75% into the novel that they start being pro-active. When the action comes it is graphic and fun and effective, but it is a flash in the pan, with a resolution that would have been more satisfying if it had more build up. The other thing I missed, especially, were the character relationships. One of the strongest parts of the author’s previous book, Spite House, was the relationship between father and daughter. Here the main character has an incredibly deep relationship with her brother, and an equally important if not quite as deep relationship with her best friend, and those were explained to us but we didn’t really feel them until things started picking up in the back end of the book. Relationships, and what we are willing to do for others, is a strong connective tissue in the story, and while all the pieces were there I just felt like more could have been mined from the set-up. I wanted to be more invested in the characters, in the protagonists and antagonists, because they all came from tragedy and, to a large extent, were acting out of an unstable combination of self-preservation, desperation, and the wish to protect (or avenge) those you care about.
The characters, both main characters and ancillary characters, while under-utilized, are genuine and unique and I want to spend time learning more about them. The mythology and world-building are engaging and take on the familiar while adding to it in fun ways. The writing is thoughtful and intentional, and the action, when it comes, is bloody, emotional, and feral. The story has a lot of fun ideas that it is playing with, too, unflinchingly looking at what kind of monsters we might be transformed into through grief and desperation, as well as how a gluttony of violence is never as justified as it feels. Remorse and eldritch power go hand-in-hand with divinity and damnation, asking if there is much of a difference between the two when one is focused on power and domination. Really, though, it is the pacing that holds this story back and doesn’t give the characters enough to do or enough space to really explore how important their relationships are. If you like slow-burn stories with deep mythological centers then you will certainly have a good time here. I think all the pieces are fun but just didn’t come together in a way that particularly wowed me, yet I still had a good time with the novel and look forward to reading what Johnny Compton writes in the future.
(Rounded down from 3.5)
August 31, 2024
3.5 stars
There's a definite 5-stars read in here if you have the patience, reading Devils Kill Devils was a constant whiplash, switching between complete engagement to groaning at its unnecessary wordiness. In the end I was glad I pressed on despite the book's monotonous first half (other than the attention-grabbing opening), because the finale was an emotionally potent, fantastically imaginative gore fest that left me in awe (and reaffirmed why I was such a fan of Johnny Compton's writing to begin with).
In some ways Devils Kill Devils comes across more like a debut than his actual debut, The Spite House, due to its obvious inconsistencies. The premise of realizing the entity one identified as a 'guardian angel' having ulterior, more sinister motive is such an intriguing starting point, and I appreciate Johnny Compton's intricate storytelling, fusing elements of vampiric lore, exploration on religion/cult, and grief into an unique modern horror fantasy.
But the absence of a vigorous editing is this novel's ultimate undoing: way too much stagnant train-of-thought passages when the plot should be developing. There are moments where consecutive paragraphs containing the same information, written differently as if the author was testing out options, somehow ended up all appearing in the final manuscript. For a short novel that's below the 300 page count, this definitely feels like a more laborious experience.
I don't think I've ever been so unsure on how to rate a novel, but Devils Kill Devils is that rare instance: there are obvious objective flaws where I know will turn readers off, yet I'm still compelled by the author's ambition, because when it is working, it works brilliantly. This might be one you'll have to try out for yourself, but Johnny Compton is still on my radar as a must-read author.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
There's a definite 5-stars read in here if you have the patience, reading Devils Kill Devils was a constant whiplash, switching between complete engagement to groaning at its unnecessary wordiness. In the end I was glad I pressed on despite the book's monotonous first half (other than the attention-grabbing opening), because the finale was an emotionally potent, fantastically imaginative gore fest that left me in awe (and reaffirmed why I was such a fan of Johnny Compton's writing to begin with).
In some ways Devils Kill Devils comes across more like a debut than his actual debut, The Spite House, due to its obvious inconsistencies. The premise of realizing the entity one identified as a 'guardian angel' having ulterior, more sinister motive is such an intriguing starting point, and I appreciate Johnny Compton's intricate storytelling, fusing elements of vampiric lore, exploration on religion/cult, and grief into an unique modern horror fantasy.
But the absence of a vigorous editing is this novel's ultimate undoing: way too much stagnant train-of-thought passages when the plot should be developing. There are moments where consecutive paragraphs containing the same information, written differently as if the author was testing out options, somehow ended up all appearing in the final manuscript. For a short novel that's below the 300 page count, this definitely feels like a more laborious experience.
I don't think I've ever been so unsure on how to rate a novel, but Devils Kill Devils is that rare instance: there are obvious objective flaws where I know will turn readers off, yet I'm still compelled by the author's ambition, because when it is working, it works brilliantly. This might be one you'll have to try out for yourself, but Johnny Compton is still on my radar as a must-read author.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
July 9, 2024
First off, I truly enjoy this author and loved The Spite House. That said, this book was a miss for me. I had a hard time getting into the characters and DNFd a little over halfway through the book. I truly tried to stay with it but it just did not hold my interest. I struggled with internal monologues that went on too long for me. If you like the idea of vampire gods meddling in human affairs with a healthy dose of gore, this is the book for you! I would absolutely try this author again in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2024
Dnfing this book at page 100.
• Repetitive with Sarita getting drunk & sleeping around (girl needs more hobbies)
• The Angel is boring for being one that kills people
• Sarita is boring
• Book is slow & boring
Book feels so monotone
• Repetitive with Sarita getting drunk & sleeping around (girl needs more hobbies)
• The Angel is boring for being one that kills people
• Sarita is boring
• Book is slow & boring
Book feels so monotone
January 30, 2025
An intriguing read that jumps right into all the action. While I found it an interesting read, I tend to enjoy more backstory and development in the storyline.
March 16, 2024
Vampire stories are making quite the comeback recently and I love how different interpretations of this legendary creature are keeping it fresh and unique. In this novel, you're going to read about vampires in a way you never have before.
Vampires as devils. Or, perhaps, devils as vampires. Whichever way you think about it, this is the basis of this epic, terrifying, gothic story of a woman who has been chosen to be worshipped without her consent or knowledge.
With a first chapter that will have your jaw dropping, this book at first appears to be about a psychopathic guardian angel. But it's so much more. We'll learn about Sarita's (the main protagonist) past and how she has been saved from death throughout her life by this "angel". But on her wedding night, everything changes.
Sleeping old gods, timeless prophecies, betrayels, vampires, and lots of stunning blood fueled action sequences will have you on the edge of your seat as you're reading. The exploration of the vampire mythos and how it can be a lot darker and more viscious than what you think is on full display here.
You definitely don't want to miss this one and I highly recommend it. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Vampires as devils. Or, perhaps, devils as vampires. Whichever way you think about it, this is the basis of this epic, terrifying, gothic story of a woman who has been chosen to be worshipped without her consent or knowledge.
With a first chapter that will have your jaw dropping, this book at first appears to be about a psychopathic guardian angel. But it's so much more. We'll learn about Sarita's (the main protagonist) past and how she has been saved from death throughout her life by this "angel". But on her wedding night, everything changes.
Sleeping old gods, timeless prophecies, betrayels, vampires, and lots of stunning blood fueled action sequences will have you on the edge of your seat as you're reading. The exploration of the vampire mythos and how it can be a lot darker and more viscious than what you think is on full display here.
You definitely don't want to miss this one and I highly recommend it. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
March 11, 2024
Okay so remember listening to the radio and you would almost get a station but you couldn’t QUITE get it. I swear that’s the experience of reading this book. I’m DOA, grab the paddles.
Good premise but? Put the thesaurus down and worry about the flow of your story. All together confusing and wanes throughout the book. Just a rough read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC!
Good premise but? Put the thesaurus down and worry about the flow of your story. All together confusing and wanes throughout the book. Just a rough read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC!
December 13, 2025
This is a dark and violent horror story, featuring angels, vampires and as the title suggests, devils.
The story grabbed be at the beginning and I was captivated by the premise. As the story went along however, the plot seemed to lose me somewhat.
If you enjoy gothic horror or stories filled with terror, give this one a read/listen.
The story grabbed be at the beginning and I was captivated by the premise. As the story went along however, the plot seemed to lose me somewhat.
If you enjoy gothic horror or stories filled with terror, give this one a read/listen.
March 12, 2024
This was a surburban gothic horror in the same vein as The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires but with a lot more bite 👀 If you enjoy religious horror with lots of false prophecies, ancient evils, devils, angels and a plot to enslave humanity grab a cup of tea and a snack and get ready, cos this sh*ts about to get heavy (Eminem stan) Compton immerses us in this unique story through his melodic prose that seems to constantly be building to a crescendo, the atmosphere of this book felt quiet, you know that feeling you get when a room suddenly becomes too quiet, devoid of sound your imagination runs wild and you regret watching so many horror movies, the prose sucks you into a supernatural vortex of suspense and terror, I was constantly kept on the edge of my seat throughout, the writing style reminds me of authors such as Catriona Ward in that as the reader were not fully privy to the events unfolding (lots of *WHAT 👏 IS 👏 HAPPENING 👏 moments) little snippets of illumination are peppered along the way that only further propel the narrative forward and the readers drive to know what is happening, Comptons terrifyingly vivid descriptions left me in awe of how simultaneously beautiful and disturbing they were, the vampires in this novel are scary, the descriptions were unlike anything I've read in vampire fiction before (and I've read my fair share 👁) genuinely made me get goosebumps, theres a lot explored in this, love, death, grief, racism, family dynamics, revenge and obsession, using a supernatural backdrop Compton sinks the reader into a world of magic and murder where when all hell breaks loose its best to have a devil on your side, this is predominantly a horror novel but I'd also say it nudges up against Epic Fantasy too with room for further books in the universe thankyou to netgalley and Tor for the eARC
April 24, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up.
Sure, the climax and ending were very B-grade SyFy movie, but I didn't think it was as bad as everyone else made it out to be. It's classic Tor Nightfire (which has been a mixed bag for me), so depending on your love for outlandish horror, this might or might not work for you.
It kind of reminds me of how absurd Scott Hawkins's The Library at Mount Char was, so if you liked that one, you might like this one too.
While I did like the story with its vampire/demon cult, vampiric/demonic godlike entities, and the three MC's arcs, I agree with reviewers who said that it tried to tackle on too much at once, especially in the second half of the book.
While I was still wrapping my head around demon vampire god creatures and a religious cult waiting for their messiah, the author throws in a ghost, dormant but powerful god entities, magic/prayers, etc. If these elements weren't included, the story would've been a lot tighter and more understandable.
But honestly, I've read books that were much more convoluted, so this wasn't a huge deal for me. But ofc, YMMV.
I did actually love each MC's story arcs. Sarita, Cela, and Harrah each had their own distinctive voices and their own separate journeys that it wasn't difficult to figure out whose chapter I was reading. Each also had such different thought processes and actions that it made for compelling character arcs. I also really appreciated how the author included both the hero's journey and villain origin story.
All in all, I had a good time with this and I'm eager to check out the author's debut.
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for this arc.
Sure, the climax and ending were very B-grade SyFy movie, but I didn't think it was as bad as everyone else made it out to be. It's classic Tor Nightfire (which has been a mixed bag for me), so depending on your love for outlandish horror, this might or might not work for you.
It kind of reminds me of how absurd Scott Hawkins's The Library at Mount Char was, so if you liked that one, you might like this one too.
While I did like the story with its vampire/demon cult, vampiric/demonic godlike entities, and the three MC's arcs, I agree with reviewers who said that it tried to tackle on too much at once, especially in the second half of the book.
While I was still wrapping my head around demon vampire god creatures and a religious cult waiting for their messiah, the author throws in a ghost, dormant but powerful god entities, magic/prayers, etc. If these elements weren't included, the story would've been a lot tighter and more understandable.
But honestly, I've read books that were much more convoluted, so this wasn't a huge deal for me. But ofc, YMMV.
I did actually love each MC's story arcs. Sarita, Cela, and Harrah each had their own distinctive voices and their own separate journeys that it wasn't difficult to figure out whose chapter I was reading. Each also had such different thought processes and actions that it made for compelling character arcs. I also really appreciated how the author included both the hero's journey and villain origin story.
All in all, I had a good time with this and I'm eager to check out the author's debut.
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for this arc.
June 19, 2024
If you like vampires, religious horror & gore- this book is meant for you.
The dread, violence, and unsettling aspects of this story create a horrifying atmosphere. The descriptions of the different vampires and their transformations are unlike anything I have ever read before- the author’s note regarding his inspirations and research about vampires is also very interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc of this book!
The dread, violence, and unsettling aspects of this story create a horrifying atmosphere. The descriptions of the different vampires and their transformations are unlike anything I have ever read before- the author’s note regarding his inspirations and research about vampires is also very interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc of this book!
August 25, 2024
2.0 Stars
After really enjoying The Spite House last year, I was hopeful I would also enjoy the new book by the same author.
The premise of this one sounded great but I found myself disappointed by the execution. My issue was that I found the character flat and the narrative surprisingly dry. I wanted to love this one, but it left me cold.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
After really enjoying The Spite House last year, I was hopeful I would also enjoy the new book by the same author.
The premise of this one sounded great but I found myself disappointed by the execution. My issue was that I found the character flat and the narrative surprisingly dry. I wanted to love this one, but it left me cold.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Read
October 11, 2024Dnf 57%
Loved this authors debut and enjoyed this at the beginning but we’ve taken a turn in to a fantasy world I cannot get behind.
Loved this authors debut and enjoyed this at the beginning but we’ve taken a turn in to a fantasy world I cannot get behind.
October 26, 2024
This book is a “slow burn” for sure… I’m talking turtles in peanut butter slow. However, the last 10% of the book really took off and saved it! 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
September 18, 2024
"She will kill you."
Sarita is freshly married and has finally landed with her new husband in their hotel for the night. It's a sweet night, as they revel in how happy they are, how much fun they had, how silly and tipsy they are. It isn't until Angelo appears that Sarita realizes she should have been more cautious, more worried. She should have been more honest about what Angelo had done in her life.
The start to this story was so well done. I was hooked - this story of Angelo, the pulse-pounding moments, the shocking first chapter and murder. But, quickly, the story slowed way down. It piled on POV, ones that were confusing and scope was huge and unexplained. The chapters became quiet storytelling instead of any dialogue or action. Huge info dumps replaced plot and I quickly became disengaged. Once I hit halfway, I was almost completely lost in the story, who was who, and why anyone was doing anything. The ending was a bit of a letdown after all the explaining and build up.
I even read this with a friend and we both struggled to try to understand some of the motivation and storyline. I really wanted to love this one more, but it was a miss for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Sarita is freshly married and has finally landed with her new husband in their hotel for the night. It's a sweet night, as they revel in how happy they are, how much fun they had, how silly and tipsy they are. It isn't until Angelo appears that Sarita realizes she should have been more cautious, more worried. She should have been more honest about what Angelo had done in her life.
The start to this story was so well done. I was hooked - this story of Angelo, the pulse-pounding moments, the shocking first chapter and murder. But, quickly, the story slowed way down. It piled on POV, ones that were confusing and scope was huge and unexplained. The chapters became quiet storytelling instead of any dialogue or action. Huge info dumps replaced plot and I quickly became disengaged. Once I hit halfway, I was almost completely lost in the story, who was who, and why anyone was doing anything. The ending was a bit of a letdown after all the explaining and build up.
I even read this with a friend and we both struggled to try to understand some of the motivation and storyline. I really wanted to love this one more, but it was a miss for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 5, 2024
No, Johnny, no! I was expecting so much from you.
While I didn't love his debut, I saw a ton of potential in Compton and could not wait to get my hands on Devils Kill Devils, his sophomore release.
And then I did and I knew by page 36 that this was a stinker.
There are good ideas here somewhere, I think. But they quickly get lost in a mess of characters, convoluted lore, POV changes, unnecessary dialogue, uneven pacing, and SO many goddamn words that, when you get down to it, said very little.
I'm really sad about this one. It's a horror fantasy about vampires (aka devils) and I can tell Compton tried to breathe new life into the subgenre. Unfortunately, vampires are vampires and instead of a breath of life, this ended up being just plain, old long-winded.
1.5 out of 5 stars.
I'll try one more by this author because he's a talented writer. With his next book, I hope he will prove himself to also be a talented storyteller. Cause this was... a mess.
While I didn't love his debut, I saw a ton of potential in Compton and could not wait to get my hands on Devils Kill Devils, his sophomore release.
And then I did and I knew by page 36 that this was a stinker.
There are good ideas here somewhere, I think. But they quickly get lost in a mess of characters, convoluted lore, POV changes, unnecessary dialogue, uneven pacing, and SO many goddamn words that, when you get down to it, said very little.
I'm really sad about this one. It's a horror fantasy about vampires (aka devils) and I can tell Compton tried to breathe new life into the subgenre. Unfortunately, vampires are vampires and instead of a breath of life, this ended up being just plain, old long-winded.
1.5 out of 5 stars.
I'll try one more by this author because he's a talented writer. With his next book, I hope he will prove himself to also be a talented storyteller. Cause this was... a mess.
October 16, 2024
Johnny Compton won my reading affection with Spite House, taking a haunted house trope and turning it into something wonderfully unique.
Devils Kill Devils is a completely different creature. Almost the entire first half of the book really heavily focuses on the characters dwelling on the incidences that propel the story forward. Each major player in the book is placed under the microscope and shows in detail the mental thoughts and struggles born from the aftermath. Revisiting decisions, playing the dangerous 'what if' game allowing us to really get a solid feel for their true natures. I'm usually totally fine with a slow burn build, but I often found myself reading the same information over and over, just worded ever slightly different, and this made it a bit sluggish for me.
Now, don't get me wrong, after the second big mystery happens, there are some pretty intense graphic scenes and tense moments when our unusual creatures make their appearances. Think of The Prophecy moments when angels and devils get involved, that kind of chaos. You are essentially dealing with the, holy shit what other planes of existence are out there, and, what is even real anymore?!
There's a really cool concept of religious turmoil, self driven prophecies, and major existential apocalyptic crisis. The execution needs to be paired down, drawn more concisely like his first novel, and the tone overall can be greatly improved. Compton still manages to take a typical trope and make something truly unique, but this one is coming off a bit rough around the edges.
Devils Kill Devils is a completely different creature. Almost the entire first half of the book really heavily focuses on the characters dwelling on the incidences that propel the story forward. Each major player in the book is placed under the microscope and shows in detail the mental thoughts and struggles born from the aftermath. Revisiting decisions, playing the dangerous 'what if' game allowing us to really get a solid feel for their true natures. I'm usually totally fine with a slow burn build, but I often found myself reading the same information over and over, just worded ever slightly different, and this made it a bit sluggish for me.
Now, don't get me wrong, after the second big mystery happens, there are some pretty intense graphic scenes and tense moments when our unusual creatures make their appearances. Think of The Prophecy moments when angels and devils get involved, that kind of chaos. You are essentially dealing with the, holy shit what other planes of existence are out there, and, what is even real anymore?!
There's a really cool concept of religious turmoil, self driven prophecies, and major existential apocalyptic crisis. The execution needs to be paired down, drawn more concisely like his first novel, and the tone overall can be greatly improved. Compton still manages to take a typical trope and make something truly unique, but this one is coming off a bit rough around the edges.
July 8, 2024
Review in the July 2024 issue of Booklist magazine and on the blog [Link live on 7/9/24 at 7 am central]: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2024/07...
Three Words That Describe This Book: Epic in Scope, Vampires, Violent
Good news here, the plot summary does not contain spoilers, in fact it underplays the opening scenes. I will not give any either because that opening sequence is A LOT-- in a good way. It sets the meaning and violent tone from the start and then Compton can run with it. But know, it does expand to be more Epic in scope. the opening scene sets the tone but it expands from Sarita's person connection to her guardian angel to the reason she has one.
100% recommend to your Sookie Stackhouse fans who do are good with more violence and don't need the romance. I know that sounds counterintuitive but Sarita reminded me of a more mature, less lovesick Sookie but still caught up in a fight between supernatural creatures-- with slasher levels of carnage. Bodies fall in this book.
Pacing is fast considering how much world building needs to be done. It starts brisk and has to slow down a bit to build the epic world, but the reader wants to know what is going on as much as Sarita does, so it doesn't feel slow.
The overall narration is omniscient but Sarita drives the story. There are others but I don't want to give plot details away. Just know this has some "villain" POV which helps to ratchet up the tension and increase the threat even before Sarita knows what is happening-- the reader is more anxious which makes the reading experience better.
This title is part of a the idea of reimagining the terrifying Vampire story. No sparkly, love interest vampires here. They are ancient and hate people, even use them as pawns in their games.
To that end, this book is great for fans of Butler's classic Fledgling and also newer titles such as Nestlings by Nat Cassidy. I have a review of that one here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2023/08...
The epic world building with a human protagonists caught up in a dark fantasy/horror fight between supernatural creatures that rise to the level of Gods (at least in their own minds here) reminded me of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This is darker and more violent, but I definitely felt the similarities while reading this title.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Epic in Scope, Vampires, Violent
Good news here, the plot summary does not contain spoilers, in fact it underplays the opening scenes. I will not give any either because that opening sequence is A LOT-- in a good way. It sets the meaning and violent tone from the start and then Compton can run with it. But know, it does expand to be more Epic in scope. the opening scene sets the tone but it expands from Sarita's person connection to her guardian angel to the reason she has one.
100% recommend to your Sookie Stackhouse fans who do are good with more violence and don't need the romance. I know that sounds counterintuitive but Sarita reminded me of a more mature, less lovesick Sookie but still caught up in a fight between supernatural creatures-- with slasher levels of carnage. Bodies fall in this book.
Pacing is fast considering how much world building needs to be done. It starts brisk and has to slow down a bit to build the epic world, but the reader wants to know what is going on as much as Sarita does, so it doesn't feel slow.
The overall narration is omniscient but Sarita drives the story. There are others but I don't want to give plot details away. Just know this has some "villain" POV which helps to ratchet up the tension and increase the threat even before Sarita knows what is happening-- the reader is more anxious which makes the reading experience better.
This title is part of a the idea of reimagining the terrifying Vampire story. No sparkly, love interest vampires here. They are ancient and hate people, even use them as pawns in their games.
To that end, this book is great for fans of Butler's classic Fledgling and also newer titles such as Nestlings by Nat Cassidy. I have a review of that one here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2023/08...
The epic world building with a human protagonists caught up in a dark fantasy/horror fight between supernatural creatures that rise to the level of Gods (at least in their own minds here) reminded me of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This is darker and more violent, but I definitely felt the similarities while reading this title.
November 26, 2024
To quote my high school history teacher’s comment on one of my term papers, “????????????????”
Rounded up. I loved The Spite House, but this didn’t quite work for me when it absolutely should have. I just felt like I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and somehow the vampire aspect just didn’t land with me despite loving vampire stories. I will absolutely read more from this author though.
Rounded up. I loved The Spite House, but this didn’t quite work for me when it absolutely should have. I just felt like I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and somehow the vampire aspect just didn’t land with me despite loving vampire stories. I will absolutely read more from this author though.
November 28, 2024
Going to mull this one over for a bit.
Eight hours later: mulling is over. Three stars, because the story was there - a young bride's new husband is violently murdered on their wedding night, by some mysterious, possibly supernatural stranger that has been "saving" said bride from danger since she was a little girl. The story starts strong, with brutal action and scary wicked stuff.
And then makes a quick, sharp left into pages and pages and pages of internal monologue and explanation of past events that are told from inside our heroine's head. So much telling, so little showing. It was tough to wade through all of this exposition, as various characters ruminated about their pasts, their relationships with friends and family, the three or four prior episodes of being "saved" by the mysterious stranger.
All of this was really crappy and boring, not gonna lie. And then, an explosion of action, vampires eating people's faces, hearts getting ripped out of chests, ancient demons awakening from beneath a mountain. And then another sharp left into some character's mental ruminations that started to make my eyeballs bleed.
At some point, I wanted this book to have been given to another editor for some constructive feedback. Because I should like Johnny Compton's writing - The Spite House was an incredible debut novel. This sophomore effort - ugh. It reminds me why sophomores are sophomores - they are literally wise fools.
However, I remain positive in my outlook for Johnny Compton's next book. I know there will be a redemption song in there somewhere. Because this book had some amazing story ideas - it was the execution that faltered.
Eight hours later: mulling is over. Three stars, because the story was there - a young bride's new husband is violently murdered on their wedding night, by some mysterious, possibly supernatural stranger that has been "saving" said bride from danger since she was a little girl. The story starts strong, with brutal action and scary wicked stuff.
And then makes a quick, sharp left into pages and pages and pages of internal monologue and explanation of past events that are told from inside our heroine's head. So much telling, so little showing. It was tough to wade through all of this exposition, as various characters ruminated about their pasts, their relationships with friends and family, the three or four prior episodes of being "saved" by the mysterious stranger.
All of this was really crappy and boring, not gonna lie. And then, an explosion of action, vampires eating people's faces, hearts getting ripped out of chests, ancient demons awakening from beneath a mountain. And then another sharp left into some character's mental ruminations that started to make my eyeballs bleed.
At some point, I wanted this book to have been given to another editor for some constructive feedback. Because I should like Johnny Compton's writing - The Spite House was an incredible debut novel. This sophomore effort - ugh. It reminds me why sophomores are sophomores - they are literally wise fools.
However, I remain positive in my outlook for Johnny Compton's next book. I know there will be a redemption song in there somewhere. Because this book had some amazing story ideas - it was the execution that faltered.
September 23, 2024
Devils Kill Devils begins with an inexplicable death and then propels forward and touches upon religious conspiracies, sleeping eldritch beings, the deep pain caused by loss and regret and a unique interpretation of the demon/vampire mythos.
On Sarita’s wedding night, her husband is brutally murdered by the mysterious Angelo, a being who has served as her protector ever since she nearly drowned as a child and who she viewed as something of a “guardian angel.” With his apparent betrayal, her impression of the world is thrown into a tailspin. Adding to her uncertainty, Sarita eventually learns that she is a part of a much larger and meticulously planned destiny.
Devils Kill Devils has a strong beginning, as the mystery surrounding Angelo and his actions give way to a much larger and meticulously constructed religous conspiracy. The story does slow down considerably towards the middle, with more exposition than action, before ramping up again towards the very end.
I appreciated the multiple perspectives of the novel as Sarita, her mother-in-law Harrah and the vampire Cela begin and complete a journey that leaves each of them irrevocably changed. Sarita’s relationship with her brother David is also a highlight, their strong bond and their desire to protect one another, provides a more warm and grounded element amidst the grief and violence.
Devils Kills Devils is a gory novel and its interpretation of demon/vampire lore and the creative ways in which they exist and attack their victims makes them feel all the more dangerous and uncanny. There were also characters I wanted to see more of: such as the mysterious Angelo, an exiled vampire that was formerly loyal to Cela and even the nightmarish creature that he feared awakening.
The narration by Imani Jade Powers is excellent and while she voiced multiple characters, the shift between the commanding confidence of Cela’s voice and the slight Southern twang of Harrah’s is a particular standout aspect of her performance.
Although the pacing was a bit uneven and the resolution of the story’s conflict seemed slightly rushed, I enjoyed Devils Kill Devils. I appreciated the research into the mythology of various types of vampires that the author compiled and discussed in his Author’s Note as well.
Thank you to Tor Nightfire, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
On Sarita’s wedding night, her husband is brutally murdered by the mysterious Angelo, a being who has served as her protector ever since she nearly drowned as a child and who she viewed as something of a “guardian angel.” With his apparent betrayal, her impression of the world is thrown into a tailspin. Adding to her uncertainty, Sarita eventually learns that she is a part of a much larger and meticulously planned destiny.
Devils Kill Devils has a strong beginning, as the mystery surrounding Angelo and his actions give way to a much larger and meticulously constructed religous conspiracy. The story does slow down considerably towards the middle, with more exposition than action, before ramping up again towards the very end.
I appreciated the multiple perspectives of the novel as Sarita, her mother-in-law Harrah and the vampire Cela begin and complete a journey that leaves each of them irrevocably changed. Sarita’s relationship with her brother David is also a highlight, their strong bond and their desire to protect one another, provides a more warm and grounded element amidst the grief and violence.
Devils Kills Devils is a gory novel and its interpretation of demon/vampire lore and the creative ways in which they exist and attack their victims makes them feel all the more dangerous and uncanny. There were also characters I wanted to see more of: such as the mysterious Angelo, an exiled vampire that was formerly loyal to Cela and even the nightmarish creature that he feared awakening.
The narration by Imani Jade Powers is excellent and while she voiced multiple characters, the shift between the commanding confidence of Cela’s voice and the slight Southern twang of Harrah’s is a particular standout aspect of her performance.
Although the pacing was a bit uneven and the resolution of the story’s conflict seemed slightly rushed, I enjoyed Devils Kill Devils. I appreciated the research into the mythology of various types of vampires that the author compiled and discussed in his Author’s Note as well.
Thank you to Tor Nightfire, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
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