Devils Kill Devils

by Johnny Compton

Overview

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

Sarita has been watched over by a guardian angel her entire life. She calls him Angelo, and keeps him a secret. But secrets can’t stay buried forever…

When Angelo murders someone she loves, Sarita begins to see what's really been lurking in the shadows surrounding her. And she will have to embrace the evil within if she hopes to make it out alive.

Johnny Compton, critically acclaimed author of The Spite House and master of dread, takes you on a terrifying race of one woman against the hordes of hell.

Also by Johnny Compton:

The Spite House

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250841681
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

JOHNNY COMPTON's short stories have appeared in Pseudopod, Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast and many other markets. He is an HWA member and creator and host of the podcast Healthy Fears. He is the author of The Spite House.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2024

Compton's sophomore effort (after The Spite House) opens up a whole new world full of well-known monsters. Sarita's life seems to be blessed; not only is she about to marry the love of her life, but she has a guardian angel who keeps her safe. However, her blessings look to be anything but when her guardian angel brutally murders her husband-to-be. Sarita soon finds out that she is part of an ancient prophecy and that there are worse monsters than her guardian angel searching for her. Compton leaves the confines of a haunted-house story for an expansive universe where creatures like angels, devils, and vampires are conceptually redesigned but still deadly. He even creates a theology that not only skewers organized religion but also explores mass hysteria among monsters. Even though the story feels rushed thanks to this condensed theology, Compton's command of descriptive prose, tinged with Southern gothic flair, once again shows readers images both beautiful and horrifying. VERDICT Fans of Clive Barker's dark fantasy will like the universe Compton teases, while readers who enjoy Nick Cutter's gorgeously gory prose will love how Compton describes all the myriad ways that flesh and bone can come apart.—James Gardner

Library Journal

Johnny Compton became one of my favorite horror authors with his debut, The Spite House, and Devils Kill Devils is a high octane follow-up that starts with a bang and never lets up. Compton has a gift for reimagining familiar horror tropes and making them wholly fresh with his unflinching storytelling, thoughtful worldbuilding and grounded characters. Since devils are in the title twice, you know you’re in for a wild ride!” —Tananarive Due, author of The Reformatory

“Devils Kill Devils promises a battle of evil vs evil, and Compton delivers so much more as each taut scene uncovers the next layer of the mesmerizing plot. Once again in the grip of a skilled storyteller, from the first sentence to the end, I could not put down this novel.” —Linda D. Addison, award-winning author, HWA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and SFPA Grand Master

“A heart-pounding thrill ride from first to final page, Devils Kill Devils grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Johnny Compton has made vampires terrifying again!” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruin

“Compton’s command of descriptive prose, tinged with Southern gothic flair, once again shows readers images both beautiful and horrifying.” —Library Journal

“A high-stakes, violent novel, epic in scope, populated by fascinating characters and an original cast of demons.” —Booklist

“As full of twists and turns as a coil of barbed wire and twice as gripping. Devils Kill Devils is straight-up jaw-dropping in all the ways it subverts our preconceptions of beloved monsters. Count me in for everything Johnny Compton writes next.” —Nat Cassidy, author of Mary: An Awakening of Terror and Nestlings

“Compton has created a blistering mashup of Olympus and Hell in this violent, cunning novel about ancient evil and fallible Gods, and the eternal human conflict about which one to follow.” —Philip Fracassi, author of Boys in the Valley

“The terror builds as we leave the world we thought we knew behind in this grisly tale of angels and demons. Devils Kill Devils is supernatural horror at its best.” —Justin C. Key, author of The World Wasn’t Ready for You

From the Publisher