When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur is a sickly, smothering Southern Gothic with an air filled with the invasive kudzu and Gulf waters. It does a great job in peeling the layers behind the American rich, the American dream, using folklore and horror, very appropriate in the current climate. Xan Kaur is a talented writer and I'm very excited to see more from her.

actual rating: 4.25 (rounded down for Goodreads’ sake)

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s for a free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil went down to Georgia…

A story dripping with a lush, sickly sweet atmosphere, When Devils Sing follows four teenagers and their attempt to uncover the secret rot within their small, poverty stricken town in Southwest Georgia.

From the beginning, this book gripped me with its writing style and mystery. I was drawn into the characters immediately, with Neera and Sam being the standouts for me. Both trying to do their best with what they’re given, both trying not to repeat the mistakes of their parents. I felt that the book built tension well, even if the pacing was a little slow in places, and I found myself unable to put it down. The premise alone is fascinating, and the writing was well done and the characters believable in their backstories and motivations.

There were some loose ends and some characters stronger than others, in addition to an ending that felt a tad rushed and conclusions that were slightly predictable, but I still overall found the story to be gripping. I think it just could have benefited from being slightly longer. Still, interrogating a hidden secret behind the veneer of the American Dream? Sign me up.

The tension of social commentary mixed with generational trauma and the cycles of poverty is done well. Through the eyes of teenagers struggling to make it out, I found the struggles believable and wrenching. The supernatural element was also done well, just hinted at, but described well enough and couched deeply enough into the folklore of the town that it too was believable.

A note for readers: while this is marketed as horror, I would consider it more mystery until the last 10%. Even then, the horror element is not too too graphic, so unless you can’t handle the barest element, I’d definitely recommend picking it up.

Amazing work for a debut, can’t wait to see what the author does next.

The Devil went down to Georgia, and he never left.

I read this entire book in one sitting, devouring it like I had been waiting for a book like this my entire life. And as a caveat - I am not a YA reader, nor do I particularly gravitate towards multi-POV.

It's hard to believe that this is Xan Kaur's debut. It's absolutely masterfully written, with every page literally steeped in atmosphere. You can taste the humidity in the air, hear the buzz of the cicadas. We follow four main characters, so four points of view, but every single character has a distinct voice that jumps off the page. Each character feels *real*; all of them shared thoughts and burdens that I've experienced in my own life. Neera, in particular, really spoke to me. As an immigrant woman in the South, I've shared a lot of her experiences - even the subtle nuances of her family dynamics rattled me to the core (in the best way possible). The storyline was also clear and easy to follow, again not an easy feat with so many POVs. There was enough of a thread connecting every character to call out their shared history and give them reasons for coming together, but not so much complexity that I was getting confused about who was who.

I also think there's something so, so beautiful in reading a story about a devil at the crossroads, written from a POC lens. I grew up hearing that story, listening to it in the classic blues songs, but this felt like an entirely fresh take on the legend. The devil came down to Georgia, indeed. It's a true Gothic tale - the vibes are powerful, all swirling in a hot and sticky Georgia summer. One note is that the horror notes aren't particularly strong, so it's a perfect read for someone who doesn't often read horror.

A brilliant debut; I'm beyond excited to see what else Xan Kaur writes. And a thank you to Xan for providing me with an ARC after I begged her on instagram over the course of several months because this is, indeed, my ideal novel.

The book is a haunting inquiry of secrets, privilege, and the sinister forces lurking in the heart of a small rural Georgia town. The town's history is one of disparity between the haves and have-nots, which mirrors the story's core. The characters blend different experiences and stories around the town's darker truth.

The story is told from multiple POVs. Neera Singh is frustrated with the class divides in the community and her family's struggles to keep their failing motel afloat. Isaiah's obsession with uncovering the truth for his podcast, Reid's reluctant entanglement in his family's wealth and power, and Sam's haunted connection to her father's violent reputation. Their dynamic as a group is laced with distrust and reluctant camaraderie.

The legend of the Faustian deal adds dread to the storyline. While the characters investigate the past of Carrion reveals sinister secrets about the supernatural evil that plagues the town and its residents. The tragic revelations force the characters to confront the history and explore the long story of privilege and power. The cyclical nature of generational trauma and systemic oppression makes the story as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. The layering of societal commentary exposes the Southern Gothic tale with morally complex characters and the revelation that the devil may be someone you know.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing, Henry Holt Co. (BYR).

When you are desperate and feel at the end of your rope, would you sell your soul to the devil? What would you be willing to do for your wish to be answered?

This was a interesting read and not what I was expecting at all. It is in the perspective of 3 different people and can be a bit confusing at times to me at least (I perfer 2 at most). However, I did enjoy how all the characters are intermingled. Not my favorite book, but it was somewhat enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“When Devils Sing” by Xan Kaur is an atmospheric horror novel set in the haunting landscape of rural Georgia, bringing together folklore and social critique into a chilling tale of Southern Gothic horror. The story follows four teenagers—Neera, Isaiah, Reid, and Sam—whose lives are bound by the mysterious disappearance of local teen Dawson Sumter. The town of Carrion, filled with secrets, eerie rituals, and ancient lore, serves as a grim backdrop for this dark exploration of power and corruption. Before going into the review, please note that are instances of blood/gore and death of wild animals throughout the book. There are also some references to physical abuse (never directly described in the story).

One of the book’s strongest features is its vivid portrayal of the Southern setting. Kaur masterfully evokes the tension and raw beauty of rural Georgia, with its screaming cicadas and oppressive heat, setting an unsettling stage where supernatural forces and local legends come alive. The town of Carrion isn’t just haunted by devils; it’s haunted by social inequities, where the wealthy community around Lake Clearwater lives in affluence sustained by sinister deals, while the rest of the town struggles to survive. This sharp social critique elevates the novel, transforming it into both a horror story and a commentary on greed and systemic exploitation, showing that the real devils are humans and their never-ending greed.

Kaur introduces a unique supernatural element with the lore of three distinct devils who each offer different deals that go beyond the typical soul-for-gain exchange. I really enjoyed the three devils lore in this book as the portrayal of these devils varied in personality and the eerie, ritualistic sacrifices they demand adds depth and originality to the horror elements. Yet, as the teens dive into the investigation of Dawson’s disappearance, they start to realize that the true devils are not always otherworldly; sometimes, they are the very people around them.

Told from multiple perspectives, the book intertwines the lives of its main characters, each of whom has a complex relationship with the town’s secrets. Neera, who lives in her family’s rundown motel, feels the weight of her family’s struggles and the injustices around her. Isaiah, a judge’s son, is secretly recording a true-crime podcast that uncovers clues to Dawson’s disappearance. Reid, from the wealthiest family with the darkest past in town, carries his own burdens, while Sam, the estranged daughter of a local hitman, brings a gritty and often tragic perspective to their investigation. The podcast transcripts interspersed throughout the book help unravel Carrion’s lore and the eerie legend of the three devils, adding a realistic touch that enhances the story’s immersive atmosphere.

I did find it a bit challenging to follow the different perspectives initially, but the story’s intricate connections eventually come together, revealing how each character is tied to the town’s dark history and ultimately to each other. With themes of ritual sacrifice and cult behavior, the book delves into the sinister traditions that have long sustained Carrion’s elite, making the final reveal as shocking as it is thought-provoking.

“When Devils Sing” is perfect for readers who love atmospheric horror with social depth. Xan Kaur’s debut stands out for its bold critique of wealth and corruption in the American South, interlaced with folklore that feels both grotesque and hauntingly real. It’s a story where darkness runs deep, and readers are left to question who the real devils are.