Philosophers and theologians have long known that defining evil is a devilish task. Once a definition is asserted, the line between good and evil can be a bit circumstantially fuzzy. Bestselling author Joe Abercrombie plays with this idea in his latest novel, THE DEVILS, where those decried as monsters turn out to be heroes. In his alternate Europe, the church is run by women, magic is real, and a secret group is poised to place a new empress on the throne --- if only they can get her there alive.

When Brother Diaz is summoned to the Holy City to meet with the child Pope, he imagines he will be given a choice post within the church. Instead, he is made vicar of the Chapel of the Holy Expediency. This congregation, he is told, is given tasks that others among the faithful are not suited for. This enigmatic comment and the details of his vicarship become more clear as Brother Diaz meets those in the Chapel.

"THE DEVILS is great fun. Abercrombie hews closely to fantasy tropes but has some cool surprises for readers as well. Bloody, sexy and humorous, the novel lampoons religious authority and toys with European history and geography in really interesting ways."

First up is the legendary Jakob of Thorn, a long (long!)-lived Knight Templar in the service of the Pope who acts as the security and sword for the Chapel. Next is Baptiste, a smirking and scarred woman who is introduced as a “lay minister.” It is when Brother Diaz meets the rest of the members of his flock that it begins to dawn on him that his position with the Chapel is not really the cushy promotion he was hoping for.

In a room with a view in the Holy City, Alex is being scrubbed by nuns and prepared for her own new role. She was found in the slums of the city, rescued by Duke Michael, who claims to be her long-lost uncle. She is told she will be placed on the Serpent Throne of Troy as Empress and charged with reunifying the Churches of the East and West. An orphan and a thief, Alex is uncertain about this offer and her abilities, but surely it would beat a life on the streets. She will be making the trip to Troy under the protection of Brother Diaz’s Chapel of the Holy Expediency, all of whom are bound by the magic of the powerful young Pope to complete the journey.

Once readers --- not to mention Brother Diaz and Alex --- meet the Chapel congregants, the binding makes sense. Kept in basement cells in the Holy City are Balthazar, a necromancer; Baron Rikard, a vampire; Vigga, a pagan werewolf; and Sunny, an elf with the power of invisibility. In the great tradition of fantasy novels, this ragtag and diverse group undertakes a trek to Troy to bring Alex to her rightful royal place. But things are not as they seem --- danger abounds, magic is employed, friendships are forged and romances bloom as the group comes to rely on, understand and care for each other in the face of violence, injustice, trials and adventure.

THE DEVILS is great fun. Abercrombie hews closely to fantasy tropes but has some cool surprises for readers as well. Bloody, sexy and humorous, the novel lampoons religious authority and toys with European history and geography in really interesting ways. These well-crafted and compelling characters shine as they wrestle with issues of identity, responsibility, power and morality, and try to understand the real meaning of good and evil.