Audio ARC review~

Devils, guardian angels, and… vampires? Sarita has been protected since childhood by a man she assumes is a guardian angel, until he murders someone she loves.
This wasn’t quite what I was expecting but was still intriguing nonetheless. The first few chapters had me hooked but I lost my steam about halfway through. I found the author’s take on vampires to be interesting and it definitely allowed for more gore and violence than a more traditional vampire tale would. The ending felt somewhat rushed and the overall pacing of the book was a little off. The narration was clear and easy to follow, and the audio quality was consistent throughout.

3/5 ⭐️

While I loved the gore level, I wish I would have felt more towards at least one character. The story also verged a bit more into a certain fantasy (or fantasy adjacent) realm that I don't usually love the vibes of.

3.5 stars* Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton

I picked up The Spite House last year when it first came out and I loved it! So, when I saw the opportunity to read from him again, I rushed to request a copy of the audiobook arc. This book has such an interesting premise and starts off with a bang!

Sarita has always had a guardian angel, who she calls Angelo, watching over her. When Angelo murders someone she loves, Sarita begins to see what’s really lurking in the shadows surrounding her. If she hopes to make it out alive, she must embrace the evil within.

I loved the first chunk of this book but I think I just ended up getting lost conceptually. I also think that the switches between perspectives weren’t as obvious as I would have liked which often left me confused. Overall it was still an enjoyable read and I will continue picking up from Johnny Compton!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this arc audiobook for me to review! These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

This has a strong premise and the book starts off well but unfortunately it just kind of fizzles out, never fully pulled me in, and just felt like we were going around in circles for most of the book. There was so much going on but it just never felt interesting or exciting enough, I found myself zoing in and out. I found myself wanting more of something but I couldn't tell you what. Just felt like something was missing.

Also, I don't know if it was just the audiobook narrator but I struggled with the switching between Sarita and Cera's chapters. Chapter titles with the character's names might have helped smooth it out.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc in exchange for a honest review.

Devils Kill Devils was quite a bloody, pulpy mess, and I loved that about it. I really liked Compton’s rendition of a vampire, and also liked hearing his reasoning behind it in the Author’s Notes. Coming in just under 300 pages, this one reads fast and is straight to the point right from the beginning without venturing off from the main event. I liked the characters and enjoyed the narration in the audiobook. I can’t wait to read what Compton puts out next. If you enjoy reading novels based on cults, dark magic and vampires, I think you’d like this one. Thanks to Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio for my advanced audiobook. Devils Kill Devils will be published just in time for spooky season, 9/24.

There were points where the audio quality varied in the audiobook - the voice performance is great, paced well, and dramatic as desired

Regarding the book itself:

Nothing short of the best vampire novel I’ve ever read. THANK you. Every detail of the worldbuilding is fascinating and the prose is so good, it establishes Compton as a major talent.

I didn’t love every single thing about it - while it starts with a bang, the book takes a while to reveal its hand enough for you to understand what it has in store. I think it’s worth the patience for its worldbuilding alone, but not every reader may be. Also there’s at least one late second-act exposition dump that I think is a little too blunt and detailed, where I think some of the specifics would’ve been better teased out in the margins.

Otherwise, I loved it. A work of true horror - gut-churning, bone-crunching, flesh-slicing horror - that I relished. Compton’s King-esque devotion to character detail and a flair for the cosmic made this exactly my kind of romp. This book starts with a bang and never really settles down - except then it somehow doesn’t even hit its true stride until the second half? I loved the worldbuilding and character detail and Compton’s fluid, evocative prose. Honestly, all my critiques are far too specific to belong in a pre-release review. Despite those critiques, I would recommend this novel to practically any horror reader I knowI would advise prospective readers to try to remain unspoiled. I didn’t really know the premise or log line or even that it was a vampire book going in, and I think my experience was the better for it.

Who can be against?

Johnny Compton invites us to the Texas Hill Country - a place as haunted as it is beautiful in Devils Kill Devils. Sarita has grown up with a guardian angel - Angelo - who saved her from drowning when she was very young. As she grows into young adulthood, Angelo repeatedly saves her life, and this knowledge gives Sarita a feeling of security, but when she grows into adulthood, Angelo shocks Sarita with an unthinkable act. The events of this night set Sarita on a path towards absolute destruction where she encounters savage monsters and hungry gods.

Devils Kill Devils is a horror novel for fantasy fans. The world building is superb. As Sarita moves closer to an inevitable violent collision with her own devil, Compton fleshes out a world with centuries of history, revealing a plan that has been secretly moving towards these moments in the background long before they have been revealed to Sarita and the reader.

The villains are terrifying. This one is more gruesome than suspenseful, but the mere existence of this other culture living just below the surface of the known world is horrific. Excellent cast of interesting, likable (and repulsive) side characters.

Well done.

Not what I was expecting. Wow this audio book took me for a wild ride, and I enjoyed every minute of it! The great narration had me immersed in the story from the beginning.

Thank you, NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced audiobook. This was a fun thriller. Sarita has a guardian angel she calls Angelo. When Sarita gets married, she witnesses Angela murder her husband, but no one believes her that it was him and they think she was just traumatized from the event. I knew going into this novel that it would be supernatural in nature, but I was not expecting vampires. I completely had it in my mind that Angelo was an angel or something going in. Well, I should know better by now not to have preconceived notions about any books. This was a fun book and anyone who enjoys the tv shows Supernatural or Evil would enjoy this story.

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 Kil lDevils was an interesting take on a vampire story. I really enjoyed how unique the author made his versions of vampires. However, the book had so much buildup and character development that when I listened to it as an audiobook, the narrator said, "And that concludes the novel," I didn’t even realize it was over because the ending was so flat. I think some people may enjoy the ending because they like happy stories, but it was a letdown to me.

This started with a bang and then slowed down and introduced the premise of the story in a weird kind of way. The first chapter about Sella (sp? It was audio so not sure how names were spelled) seemed really out of place. I realize the introduction of her and the "religion" is necessary but it felt awkward. I did like the over all feel of the story and once all the characters have been introduced it has a lot of action. I enjoyed the folklore and the mix of the different views on vampirism.

Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton is a thrilling and darkly fascinating read that grabbed my attention from the very first page. Compton masterfully weaves a tale of supernatural horror and gritty suspense, creating a story that is both chilling and utterly captivating.

The novel centers around complex and deeply flawed characters who finds themselves entangled in a world where the lines between good and evil are constantly shifting. Compton's ability to create such a morally ambiguous protagonist is one of the book's greatest strengths. You can't help but be drawn into their struggles, both internal and external, as they navigate a landscape filled with demonic entities and terrifying challenges.

The plot of Devils Kill Devils is fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you have things figured out, Compton throws in a new revelation that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The blend of horror and suspense is perfectly balanced, ensuring that the tension never lets up.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its richly detailed and immersive world-building. Compton has a knack for creating settings that feel real and atmospheric, from the eerie buildings to the dark, shadowy bars and corners where devils lurk. The vivid descriptions pull you into the story, making you feel like you're right there alongside the characters, experiencing their fear and uncertainty.

A particularly admirable aspect of Devils Kill Devils is Compton's inclusion of mixed-race characters, which adds a layer of authenticity and diversity to the narrative. The portrayal of these characters is done with care and nuance, reflecting the complexities of their identities and experiences. It's refreshing to see a horror novel that not only provides thrills but also offers representation and depth to its characters.

The themes explored in Devils Kill Devils are thought-provoking and layered. Compton delves into the nature of evil, redemption, and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion. These deeper reflections add a significant weight to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple horror story.

Overall, Devils Kill Devils is a gripping and intense read that will appeal to fans of supernatural horror and suspense. Johnny Compton has crafted a novel that is both terrifying and deeply engaging, leaving readers eagerly anticipating his next work. If you enjoy stories that are as thought-provoking as they are frightening, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Wow, what a wild and fun read. Honestly this read like two books: the first half was exhilarating while the second half focused more on characters and folklore. I enjoyed listening to this, grabbing my attention from the get-go with everything surrounding Angelo and Sarita. Finally a gothic horror that I enjoy the MC because Sarita is a character that you just want to root for. Having her brand new husband killed off by her "guardian angel" Angelo from the beginning of the book, you get so sunk in that you want to know anything and everything about this Angelo entity.

And then the book turned. I was so engaged and involved with their need for each other; then this world blew up with extra characters and events that even though it was great, I longed for just Sarita and Angelo. No, no romance or anything like that. Just that storyline was so exciting and interesting, it became the background once Hera and others got introduced. That was when the other part of the book emerged, and I was a little bummed. The gothic horror aspect continued for sure, definitely, but I really wanted to explore all the glory of Sarita and Angelo. But I loved the book overall. And the narration was done amazingly well!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and MacMillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Compton is back with a gruesomely violent fantasy horror novel. If you enjoy slashers this one is definitely for you. I would describe this as a southern Gothic story bleeding of themes of the occult and vampires. I found the first half of the novel incredibly gripping and paced well but the second half was a bit confusing and disjointed at times. This did make the audiobook a bit more difficult to follow.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this one. The horror was spot on.I loved the way the vampires were written and the mythology surrounding them. I also loved the gorey action and super intense scenes

I honestly thought this book was going in one direction and I was wrong. But it was a good wrong. I'll definitely reread this one down the road. It pulled me right in from chapter 1 and had me binging just to see where it was going.

Definitely helps that the audiobook was very well produced and the narrator did a fantastic job with this one.

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

This book started off with a bang! It has so many elements…Vampires, devils, angels, religion and lore! The main character is Sarita and tragedy strikes right at the beginning.
We then learn that Sarita has a guardian angel named Angelo that has been protecting her since she was little.
Things take a turn when Angelo betrays Sarita’s trust and kills a loved one.
The story is told from different POVs which helped shape the story from each character’s perspective.
This does have a lot of gory deaths so brace yourself for that. Overall it was a good read. I received an advanced audiobook and the narrator did a great job. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.

Devil Kills Devils, written by Johnny Compton, is a supernatural book that begins with Sarita, on her wedding night. The night she is married she sees her guardian angel, who she has seen at different times in her past when she has been in danger. Her husband is killed by this guardian angel, and this sets off the events that occur in this book, to Sarita, her family, and her deceased husband’s family as well. Throughout the book Sarita learns about the gifts and challenges that she has in her life, and how she can work to help those that she loves.
I did enjoy this book, but there were times that I had trouble keeping the different characters and storylines straight. There were also times where I had to push myself to read through some of the more gruesome parts, but this is not my typical read. Overall, I do recommend this book to any supernatural or horror fans out there! Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Devils Kill Devils
By Johnny Compton

Thank you so much @macmillanaudio @tornightfire for the gifted ALC. #MacAudio2024

Blurb:
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 side

✨ My thoughts:
What did I just read?! I swear books about vampires are starting to be my favorite kind of books. When I get so into a book and I can’t put it down, I always feel the need to find the audiobook so that I won’t need to stop consuming it and that’s exactly what I did with this book. Physical books will always be my favorite format but damn did this audiobook hit just right! The violence, the carnage, the HORROR… I loved it and I want more. I inhaled Johnny Compton’s book The Spite House, so when Devils Kill Devils was announced I just about screamed. The first chapter will hook you and there’s no other way to enjoy this except to devour it. Unable to stop reading, unable to stop listening, this novel is just too good. You need to read it, and I need to get my hands on a finished copy to keep forever. Gothic horror lovers, get ready! Devils kill Devils hits shelves 9/24/24, just in time for spooky season!

Happy reading 📖 🩸

This was a much different story than I anticipated. I enjoyed it still. I was a little confused at first because the POV changes weren’t super obvious to the ear, but I eventually got the hang of it. It was unsettling and eerie all throughout.

There was a LOT to keep track of and lots of inner monologue so this may be one that works better in print, no matter how great the narrator did.