*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This took me a second to get into but it was overall a good read

Sarita should probably be dead, but thanks to her guardian angel Angelo she has been saved four times. The first time he saved her was when she drowned and it was Angelo who pulled her from the water, starting their very complicated relationship. It seems as though Angelo is there to protect and help Sarita, but one night things take a very dark turn when Angelo savagely murders Frank, the man that Sarita just married. Why did Angelo kill the man she loves when he has always protected her, and what is lurking in the shadows?

Devils Kill Devils sounded like a great novel, and started off in just that way, but then Cela the Godmaker made an appearance, and everything just seemed to go downhill from there and I really began to lose interest. There were so many things that were introduced in the second half that it almost seemed like I was reading a completely different, and scattered, story and I seriously considered DNFing the novel. There were only two things that I liked about the novel. The first is that the narrative switches from the present and the past, a narrative style that I often enjoy. The second is that the novel, which is in the horror genre, is full of death and carnage.

I sadly don’t think this author is for me. This is the second book by him and idk if it’s the writing style or what but something just doesn’t draw me in both with The Spite House and this one. However, a lot of friends enjoyed this one! So maybe it’s just me

Sarita has a guardian angel. She first realized this as a small child when she almost drowned at the beach and he appeared out of nowhere to save her, leaving when she was safe without a word. He appeared again when she was older saving her once more, then again when she was in college, saving her from a wreck that killed her friends. She has no idea why she has the man she calls Angelo but it makes her feel safe.

Then she meets Frank and marries him. When a tragedy occurs, Sarita starts to find out who Angelo is and why he has been by her side. A cult believes that she is the person they have worshipped for centuries, come to fulfill prophecy. As they attempt to take her and as they take others around her, Sarita learns that she must save herself rather than waiting on Angelo to do everything.

Johnny Compton specializes in the horror genre, writing short stories and hosting a horror podcast. This is his second novel with his first, Spite House, being nominated for the Bram Stoker Award. While this book started out strong, it seemed to spin away from him about halfway through, getting more and more frantic. Horror that creeps up on one is often most effective; this is 'in your face' terror. Sarita changes from a scared child to someone who, by the end, realizes that only she can save herself and that family is more important than anything else. She was the strongest character and readers will emphasize with her. This book is recommended for horror readers.

This was my first book by Johnny Compton and I enjoyed it! There is a lot going on, but I liked the characters and the multiple points of view. It was a great spin on vampire and guardian angels.

I have not yet read The Spite House by Compton, so I will be adding it to my TBR. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing a copy.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

I struggled through this book. It was so interesting at first and then about a third of the way through I started really struggling with the book. It was just so boring and it stayed in one persons thoughts for so long and nothing happened. Overall not a book for me.

Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton is a dark and thrilling Southern Gothic horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Compton’s storytelling is both intense and atmospheric, making this novel a standout in the genre.

One particularly gripping moment in the book is when Sarita, the protagonist, first encounters her guardian angel, Angelo, during a near-drowning incident as a child. This scene is not only pivotal to the plot but also showcases Compton’s ability to create a sense of dread and wonder. The vivid description of Angelo’s appearance and the mysterious circumstances of the rescue leave a lasting impression on the reader, setting the tone for the rest of the story.

Throughout the novel, Compton skillfully blends elements of vampirism, religious occultism, and family secrets to create a rich and complex narrative. Sarita’s journey from a skeptical young girl to someone who must confront the dark forces surrounding her is both compelling and heart-wrenching. The author’s attention to detail and the slow build-up of suspense make the story both engaging and thought-provoking.

This is a masterful blend of horror and Southern Gothic that will leave you pondering its mysteries long after you’ve turned the last page. Johnny Compton has crafted a story that is not just to be read but to be experienced

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.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this book. I felt like the language was just too difficult and the story was just confusing to me. This author's first book didn't work for me either so I don't think this author is for me.

I hope others love it.

Really enjoyed this read as well!! Sooo good. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends to read!

I don’t even know what to say about this one. I guess the simplest thing to say is that I was not a fan. Based on the blurb this wasn’t the book I was expecting to get. That would have been fine if the story I did get had been a strong one and engaging enough to hold my interest.

This one started off strong and really grabbed my attention but suddenly took a detour I was not expecting. We went from guardian angels to gods and goddesses, sleepers, vampires, prophecies, devils, godmakers, godbrides, martyred mothers, cults. It was just a lot and felt like it came out of nowhere.

What we do know about many of the character’s backstories as well as the history leading up to the events in the book comes from the internal dialogue of various characters, which would have been more effective if there hadn’t been so much of it. The book is very wordy, yet those words don’t do much to help move the story forward. It was hard to maintain an interest in the story when it just kind of dragged.

I have heard great things about Compton’s first book Spite House, which is on my TBR list. I’m still looking forward to reading that one and hope it’s a better fit for me.

Thanks NetGally and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced copy.

As soon as I read the premise for this, it reminded me of Dean Koontz’ Lightning which I read many years ago and enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately, it didn’t really live up to its premise and devolved into a generic story of abuse.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback

⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton is a unique take on the vampire trope. I enjoyed the monster design and the horrific scenes that took place throughout the book. Compton has a masterful way of describing visceral gory imagery. However, I felt the book waned a little toward the middle and end -- I lost my interest in it around the middle, and it took until the very end of the book to recapture it. Ultimately, though, I would recommend this book to any horror reader, especially those who like vampires or grotesque monsters.

I loved the cover and thats why i requested.

The book really did not do it for me. It was all over the place , rushed and very hectic.

The plot was hard to follow and just didnt like the writing style.

I will again try the author on another book but this one just fell flat.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

First I need to point out the obvious. This cover is wonderful. I love the colors.

However, this book fell a little flat for me. It was hectic. Plot felt everywhere and I didn't particularly enjoy the "telling" style of writing. I'm not completely turned off to the author because I'm not going to enjoy every book by one author. This one wasn't for me.

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

I was wanting to like this novel and, based on the description, I should have. But it was difficult to get into and felt disorganized at times. Though it's well written and the concept is there, it feels like there's a failure to execute.

Devils Kill Devils has a banger of a premise: what if your guardian angel turned out to be something more sinister? Sarita has known her whole life that her mysterious angel will appear and save her if she’s in danger--until he turns up on her wedding night and murders her new husband. I was hooked from the first pages and loved the premise, especially the mythology that draws on the Book of Tobit and other mystic texts. However, the plot lost its urgency for me when it focused a little too much on the powerful supernatural beings, rather than Sarita and the scrappy group of fighters. I think the novel could have been slimmed down and still retained a lot of its urgency. I liked the Texas setting and the history, and I will definitely read Compton’s next work.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for a copy of the book.