The Devils
Joe Abercrombie
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The Devils is Joe Abercrombie's grimdark fantasy novel, the first book in a new series, featuring flawed antiheroes navigating a morally complex world of power and betrayal.
- 1The novel features multiple flawed protagonists navigating a dark world.
- 2Magic and paranormal elements exist within the fantasy setting.
- 3Political intrigue and moral ambiguity drive the plot.
- 4Characters pursue power through manipulation and violence.
- 5The novel subverts fantasy tropes with realistic consequences.
- 6The story establishes mythology for a potential series.
Key ideas
Moral ambiguity
Abercrombie portrays a world where good and evil are not clear.
Flawed antiheroes
Heroes are deeply flawed and driven by self-interest.
Power and desire
Characters pursue power through any means necessary.
Paranormal elements
Magic and paranormal forces exist within the world.
Consequences
Actions have realistic and often devastating consequences.
Character voices
Distinctive character voices drive the narrative.
Who is it for?
Readers interested in grimdark fantasy will find this engaging. It suits fans of Abercrombie's work and of morally complex antiheroes.
Full summary
The novel follows multiple flawed characters navigating a dark world.
Each character pursues their own goals through manipulation and violence.
Political intrigue threatens to destabilise power structures.
Paranormal elements add complexity to political machinations.
The characters' paths intersect with unexpected consequences.
Abercrombie reveals depths to each character through their choices.
The novel portrays how power corrupts and destroys.
The story establishes larger mysteries and paranormal mythology.
