"Assessment of 'The Devils': Joe Abercrombie's Gothic Elite Squad Struggles to Fulfill Its Potential"
Misadventures with Monstrous Miscreants: Joe Abercrombie's latest, The Devils
Dive into Joe Abercrombie's gruesome twosome, The Devils, his latest bloody foray into the mystical world of fantasy. This epic novel is brimming with Abercrombie's signature vivid world-building, brutally humorous dialogue, and relentless pace. But, unfortunately, this fantastical quest falls short compared to the author's previous masterworks.
In the chaotic realm of The Devils, Catholicism takes an unexpected turn with all-female priests and a child pope presiding. The landscape mirrors our own, yet veers sharply as elves from the East wreak havoc and have battled humankind for millennia. Centuries-old conflicts fuel the backdrop for an eccentric cast of characters to embark on their fantastical odyssey.
Our journey begins in a tumultuous Europe teetering on the brink of catastrophe. The passing of the mad Empress of Troy, Eudoxia, leaves the Serpent Throne vacant, causing her five sons to vie for power. Meanwhile, the Western Church has uncovered the hidden heir to the Eastern Empire: a penniless street urchin named Alex. The cunning Pope Benedicta enlists Alex and an eclectic team of reprobates, some by force, others of their own accord, to install her on the throne of Troy.
The rogue's gallery includes Brother Diaz, a naive, eager monk plunged deep into darkness; an aristocratic geriatric vampire named Baron Rikard, whose devious charm masks terrible powers; a necromancer named Balthazar, whose intellect often blinds him to the truth; an invisible-turning elf named Sunny; and Vigga, a rampantly libidinous werewolf.
Together, these motley crews of dark doers must battle unspeaking horrors spawned by Eudoxia's diabolical experiments, all while facing multiple attempts from her sons to assassinate Alex and claim the throne for themselves. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that not all is as it seems, and hidden nature and deadly secrets lurk beneath the surface.
As our characters struggle to maintain their precarious alliances and devise strategies to overcome each new obstacle, they gradually uncover disturbing secrets about their own origins, with surprising connections to Eudoxia's twisted legacy.
The Devils is Abercrombie's peculiar spin on Suicide Squad, boasting a delightfully subversive mixture of dark humor, grizzly action sequences, and intricate plotting. Although it recaptures some of Abercrombie's brilliance, the novel disappoints in three key aspects.
First, the storyline struggles with uneven pacing and repetitive encounters that quickly become predictable. The characters embark on a treacherous journey filled with peril, but with limited stakes and frequent escapes due to each character's exceptional abilities, the suspense all but evaporates, turning the saga into a routine game of Dungeons & Dragons.
Second, the author has cranked up the humor to extreme levels, venturing into the realm of campiness. While his previous works measured wit with a steady hand, The Devils indulges in excessive catchphrases and asinine one-liners that fail to strike the same chord as beloved characters like Logen Ninefingers or Glokta. The overabundance of humor overshadows the nuanced characters and their struggles, making the whole experience far less enjoyable than its predecessors.
Lastly, the characters in The Devils suffer from underdevelopment. While they each possess a distinct flair, they remain one-dimensional, barely scratching the surface of what could be complex, emotional stories. The featured creeps lack the gravitas of characters from Abercrombie's earlier works, feeling more like cardboard cutouts than three-dimensional individuals.
Despite these shortcomings, The Devils manages to charm with its engaging action sequences, imaginative battles, and powerful descriptive language. The story is also replete with surprises that keep readers guessing. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of several characters, including Alex, Brother Diaz, Jakob of Thorn, Sunny, and Balthazar, but conspicuously excludes Vigga and Baptiste for the most part.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie offers a unique and entertaining read, if not quite measuring up to the authority of his earlier works. While it delivers a dark, raucous adventure set against a captivating backdrop of warring factions and diabolical experiments, its missteps overshadow its strengths, contributing to a chaotic storyline and underdeveloped characters that fall short of Abercrombie's usual brilliance.
Enjoy Joe Abercrombie's latest offering, "The Devils," a new book in the fantasy genre, filled with his characteristic dark humor and intricate plotting. This book, however, fails to reach the heights of entertainment when compared to his previous masterpieces, such as the review of 'Joe Abercrombie's the Devils.' Despite the entertaining action sequences and creative character perspectives, the storyline suffers from uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters in comparison to best fantasy books 2025 and best new fantasy books.
