What to read next
10 books like The Devils
The pleasure is in the group chemistry. The picks below take that appeal in different directions.
Read our review of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie.
Best matches
Three strong places to start
If you only want three picks, start here.
Best overall
Fastest read
Best alternative
Choose by reading mood
Where to start
For the fastest read
A Sorceress Comes to Call
BalancedFor the darkest read
Between Two Fires
Very darkFor the strongest romance
The Lion & the Deathless Dark
CentralFor the easiest entry
Nettle & Bone
AccessibleThe full shortlist
Why each book belongs here
See what each pick shares with The Devils, and where it goes in a different direction.
1
Nettle & Bone
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- Both books send an odd company across a dangerous fantasy landscape, but Nettle & Bone is shorter, warmer, and more interested in practical kindness. Choose it when the found family matters more to you than gore or provocation.
2
Between Two Fires
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Very dark
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- Between Two Fires also mixes medieval religion with monsters, but it treats faith and damnation with far more dread. Choose it for a severe horror pilgrimage rather than a profane team adventure.
3
A Sorceress Comes to Call
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Dark
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- A Sorceress Comes to Call shares the black humor and dangerous magic, then confines them to a smaller household drama. It is the better choice if you want social maneuvering and menace without a sprawling cast.
4
Katabasis
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
5
Queen Demon
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
6
The Lion & the Deathless Dark
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
7
The Hobbit
- Pace
- Measured
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
8
Witch King
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
9
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
10
A Feast for Crows
- Pace
- Measured
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Side-by-side
Pace, darkness, romance, and difficulty
| Book | Pace | Darkness | Romance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Devils | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Nettle & Bone | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
| Between Two Fires | Balanced | Very dark | Minimal | Accessible |
| A Sorceress Comes to Call | Balanced | Dark | Minimal | Accessible |
| Katabasis | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Moderate |
| Queen Demon | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| The Lion & the Deathless Dark | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| The Hobbit | Measured | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| Witch King | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
| A Feast for Crows | Measured | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
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