Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 400
Publication Date: 05.27.25

“There’s the devil you know The devil you don’t The devil you wish you’d never met.”

- Gothic Horror
- YA Horror
- Multi POV
- Small Town
- Found Family
- Ancient Folklore
- Urban Legends
- Myths
- Ritualistic Horror
- Cult Vibes

Book Blurb:
In this atmospheric horror novel, four unlikely allies in a small Southern town investigate a local teen's disappearance, and what they discover festering at the core of their community is far more sinister and ancient than they could've ever imagined.
For fans of She is a Haunting, Mexican Gothic, and Midsommar.

“When Devils Sing” by Xan Kaur is an awesome southern gothic horror. Perfect read for those wanting a dark atmospheric, multi pov, southern vibes, cult elements, with animal sacrifices.

The pacing was strange. It felt rather slow at first and then picked up and felt super fast at the end. But I feel like she added depth to the character development since it is bouncing between four people. Which that in itself can be confusing at times. The world building was impeccable. I feel like it was really rich, detailed and action packed.

Overall, Xan did an excellent job in this debut novel. I definitely would ready more from her. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co for this ARC.

This is the first five star read I have had in a long time!
This book was atmospheric and perfect for summer. The characters are likeable and layered, providing connection to them and making them feel like real friends and acquaintances. The story isn't too predictable, and it's paced in a way that keeps you wanting to read more instead of dreading picking the book up again. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

thank you NetGalley ❤️

I’ve never read a Gothic Southern story, and OMG, this was amazing!

I have to admit, I didn’t fully get into the story until page 100, but once I passed that barrier, it was pure enjoyment!

I really liked the characters, the dark atmosphere surrounding Lake Clearwater, and the cicada element—it was a great addition to this twisted story ✨

I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!

Great book! It had all the fears of growing up. Make a choice. Turn the page or close the book. Enter the darkness if you wish!

The setting was very well written and described. Books about the south, you already know its going to be hot and sticky. I will start off by saying that the start of the book was slow for me pacing wise. It takes more than half of the book for the MCs to actually figure things out when the reader can anticipate what's going to occur – so it felt dragged on. Towards the later of the book though, it was more quick paced as the MCs are now on the same page. If you like slower paced, small town, misfits, creepy vibes, multiple POVs and build up this may be a book for you. Overall, I give this a solid 3.5 and felt it was a good book as a debut! Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

This is a Southern Gothic novel, based on the disappearance of a local teen named Dawson. Four unlikely characters come together to investigate: Neera, whose family owns the motel where Dawson disappeared; Isaiah, whose father is a judge and who hosts a podcast; Reid, the youngest son of the wealthiest family in Lake Clearwater; and Sam, the estranged daughter of the local hitman who works for Reid's family. As they work together to find Dawson, they find age old secrets rising to the surface, not unlike the cicadas that emerge every thirteen years...
When I found out that this was a YA novel, it made a lot more sense to me. I felt that the ending was rushed, but on the whole, I really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The book is told between 4 POV. Sam who's dad is the local town hit man and works for the Langleys. Neera who helps out at her grandparents rundown motel and dreams of being a musician. Isaiah who runs a podcast called ' Secrets of the South'. And Reid who is part of the Langleys who run the area.
All 4 characters are connected in ways that they don't yet know about.

They come together to solve the mystery of what happend to Dawson? During the course of their investigation they come to realize that their town has some dark hidden secrets that few know about and the devil(s) may be closer than you think in this town.

The characters are well developed and are woven together nicely. Multi point of view books aren't always easy to follow but Kaur nailed it. I was instantly intrigued by the plot of this story and couldn't wait to read a bit each night. Needless to say I'm looking forward to adding this book to my shelf and can't waitbto see what Kaur writes next.

Give me Southern gothic horror, and you have my full attention. Add in characters that are various embodiments of devils, and I'm practically salivating, ready to devour said book in the most feral way.

When Devils Sing gives you the best of all worlds in a way that makes it hard to believe this is Xan Kaur's debut. From the very start, Kaur delivers a multi-POV story that demands attention... and deserves it. This was a one-sitting book for me, with characters that are all well-developed and woven together clearly and concisely. Multi-POV books don't always do the best job in keeping threads clear AND connected, but this book is the exception. ((Side note: I don't know if I'm SUPPOSED TO like Jack, but I'd have loved more interactions with him.))

The first thing I did when I finished this book was add it to my must-buy list, and the second was to ensure I am following this author because I can't wait to see what she releases next! I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves Southern-inspired horror, books that weave in a podcast element, and a strong element of representation.

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Henry Holt and Company, and Xan Kaur for this complimentary copy.))

This is a great, immersive southern gothic YA horror novel, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the lengthy page count flew by (I'm always leery of longer YA AND adult novels). I will say, massive content warning for animal cruelty in detail, and I do very much hope that gets added as an introductory content warning (along with other useful warnings) before the book goes to print.

To start my review, I'd like extend a big thank you to the author, Xan Kaur, the publisher, Henry Holt (Macmillan Children's Group) and NetGalley for the huge privilege of being able to read When Devils Sing early. I will share my review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble upon release. This YA haunting Southern Gothic tale brings together the genres of mystery, horror, and social commentary into a richly described world. The setting of rural Georgia is a character in itself, and as the story follows four teenagers, Neera, Isaiah, Reid, and Sam, they discover more than they bargained for about their home. We drop in on the characters as they decide to investigate further into the disappearance of local teen, Dawson. A search for answers is just the beginning, and the mystery quickly spirals into a chilling exploration of the town’s dark history, ancient folklore, and the more sinister forces that have long plagued the town of Carrion. Kaur’s writing feels very immersive and transported me to the landscape of Southern Georgia, and the gothic feel really added a lot of atmosphere to the vivid descriptions of the town, where many have already left for brighter futures elsewhere. I found the slower build up really worth it for the overall story, and it made the reveals that much more satisfying when I got to them. I did feel like this could set up for another installment, as there was a bit of a pick up of pace in the last third of the book.

The novel is told through four distinct perspectives, each character bringing their own struggles and motivations to the investigation and the following events. Neera is the daughter of a motel owner in town, and quickly became my favorite character as her immigrant experience and family dynamics brought a lot of depth and relatability to her story. Isaiah, Reid, and Sam each have their own voices as well, and the author really skillfully balances their voices, but I did wish for more from their backgrounds. Their personal histories and the town’s secrets really weave together a narrative that kept me entertained throughout. Being that this is Kaur's first book, I'm impressed by the ability to create an overall atmosphere and will make sure to look for their books in the future. The vibes were vibing (!!!) and if you like dark, gothic fiction with an exciting mystery, you'll enjoy this one! If you liked Mexican Gothic, The Southern Girl's Guide to Slaying Vampires, the Sookie Stackhouse series, or Cemetery Boys, you'll probably like When Devils Sing. Intended audience would be, I feel, 16 and over, as some of the horror and graphic scenes could be scary for younger readers.

Major Themes & Tropes:
- small-town
- found family/friendship
- ancient folklore, urban legends, myths
- ritualistic horror, cult behavior, sacrifice
- social commentary, classism
- the experience of marginalized people in America, and the South in particular
- the dynamics of power
- identity, belonging, and purpose
- friend group

*Content Warning for some Animal Cruelty*

4/5 stars

I rarely come across books that surprise me. I do tend to hype myself into believing the next new book/author will blow me away, but it seldom happens. This book managed is the exception.

The atmosphere of this book is so deliciously rich and dark, the precise vibes Kaur was aiming for. The descriptions directly transport you to the setting; I could practically hear the cicada cries and feel the Southern heat sticking to my own skin despite me reading this in the dead of winter. Maybe it's because I'm also reading one of her works as well, but the influence of Zora Neale Hurston feels particularly strong in the writing.

The characters are incredible, too. Despite the story being split in four separate POVs (In a debut novel, nonetheless!), every main character is fully fleshed out, complex, and deeply interconnected in such a way this story could not be told without a single one of them removed. Not once did I have trouble whose POV I was in, because Neera, Sam, Reid, and Isaiah each have totally distinct personalities and motives the story is built around. Again, not an easy feat to pull off in a debut, but Kaur pulled it off so effortlessly, and it's so worthy of applause.

The story is a very slow burn, which, according to other reviews I've glanced through, seems to be a turn-off for most readers. But, if anything, I was enthralled by the buildup, because it's all about setting the stage and becoming entrenched in the gothic atmosphere and the personal tragedies of the characters. It's so worth it once the mystery really amps up and pays off at the climax.

All in all, such a incredible debut, and I personally cannot wait to see what else Kaur may have planned in the future!

A delicious Southern Gothic horror that traps you from the first page and makes you really question what you would make a deal with the devil for.

This book ensnared me from the first page, and didn’t let go until the ending. We follow four teens as they become more and more entangled in the lore and danger of the town they live in - Carrion, the poorer area; and Lake Clearwater, right next door for the wealthy. With a strange intensity every 13 years when the cicadas arrive, everyone knows that people go missing around this time - and no one knows why.

Sam is the daughter of a man who no one will acknowledge is the hidden violent power behind the Langleys. Reid is a Langley, the most powerful family in Lake Clearwater and the center of the local legend surrounding the town. Neera lives in and works for her grandparents' hotel, but dreams of escaping Carrion to be a musician. And Isaiah is a true crime podcaster who gets an email from someone who went missing, but investigating would require him to look into his own hometown. Brought together during the 13 year cicada emergence when strange things begin to occur, they might discover something happening even deeper under the surface of their town.

One thing I really loved was the inclusion of the folk legend about Lake Clearwater, as well as the song people sing to warn their children about making deals with the devils. The occasional refrains, and mention of the legend during the book really brought home the insular feel of the town, with the feeling that everyone knows that there’s something lurking further beneath the surface - but other than a select few chosen, they only know enough to be wary about it. As I was reading I was trying to connect the dots about everything that was going on within the town, and while I was able to figure out a few, some were a legitimate surprise to me. This book kept me interested until the last page, and I had to know how it ended before I could stop reading.

If you love tense and atmospheric creeping Southern Gothic, complete with cult activity and living folklore, then When Devils Sing is the book for you. A phenomenal debut, this novel captured the feel of the south - and the local legends that everyone knows about, but won’t admit to being true.

The devil went down to Georgia
The devil went down and never left
They say you meet the devil
At the crossroads down in Georgia
When there ain’t no options left
There’s the devil you know
The devil you don’t
The devil you wish you’d never met
Be careful of the devils down in Georgia
There ain’t no coming back from the pact

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing this e-ARC.

I was instantly intrigued with this book by the title and the summary. It has been quite some time since I have read anything in the Young Adult genre, however When the Devil Sings kept me hooked. The southern gothic feel was different but truly captivating.

This one had all the ingredients for a book I’d love—small-town secrets, a group of misfits playing detective, and an eerie, creeping horror vibe. And while it delivered on atmosphere and some unsettling imagery (seriously, cicadas are already nightmare fuel, but this took it to another level), it didn’t fully stick the landing for me.

The mystery itself had a strong start, and I was hooked by the town’s unsettling history and the eerie folklore woven into the plot. The shifting power dynamics between the main characters kept things interesting, especially with their different backgrounds and baggage. But somewhere along the way, the pacing started to lag, and certain reveals didn’t hit as hard as I wanted them to. There’s a lot of simmering tension, but the payoff felt a little underwhelming.

That said, if you’re into Southern Gothic horror with a slow burn, rich atmosphere, and a hint of the bizarre, this might still be worth picking up. It just didn’t quite get under my skin the way I was hoping.

Mysterious and atmospheric, Xan Kur keeps readers in a dizzying free fall with WHEN DEVILS SING. This downright spooky book is rife with plot twists and turns — scores of shocking revelations that may just make you gasp. For fans of Erin A. Craig’s SMALL FAVORS and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s MEXICAN GOTHIC.

I thought that this was an amazing young adult southern gothic novel. I loved all of the legends and folklore that was interwoven into the story.

I really was hoping for so much more for this book. I didnt like the animal cruelty, the pacing was not good and the story kinda fell flat for me.

I found this book to be really slow but I did enjoy the authors writing. I do wish there was trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Not a fan of animal cruelty. I love a good horror story but this was unfortunately too dark for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Xan and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the E-ARC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: May 27 2025

🐍🐦‍⬛🦗

Dark and twisted, chilly despite the south summer, thrilling tale of an urban legend about the devil's deeds.

"The devil went
Down
Down
Down
Down to Georgia
The devil went
Down
Down
Down
And never left
They say
You meet the devil
At the crossroads
Down in Georgia
When there ain't no options left"

We see the story through four different perspectives all thoughtfully connected from afar in the small world of Carrion. Four different people trying to find their way in the unfair world of social unequality, all of them connected by a missing person and the cicle of cicadas.

The plot is full of events from the first page, slowly and shockingly bringing the characters to their fate, each other and the revalations of best kept town secrets. I loved following the investigation, connecting so many stories of past and present in attempts to find the truth in both a creepy mistery and a dark supernatural power looming over us and the area in the atmosphere rural Georgia and that power.

All those songs and podcast sections brought additional depth of immersion to the events. It was a great decision to add those.

The book is extremely atmosheric, has great characters and geniously composed plot. I'd love to read more stories like this one.

- - -
Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really liked the commentary on the corruption and discrimination of the Southern small town setting. The characters were also quite different from each other and interesting, which was a positive. I really enjoyed the eerier chapters, but the inconsistent pacing took away from that, especially in the first half of the book which felt like a slog to get through. I do love horror, but unfortunately, I was disappointed.