The Devils cover

The Devils

The Devils • Book 1

by Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by Steven Pacey

4.42 ABR Score (69.7K ratings)
★ 4.22 Goodreads (62.8K) ★ 4.72 Audible (6.9K)
25h 6m Released 2025 Fantasy

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Abercrombie hands a priest a crew of killers and dares you not to root for them — Pacey makes that dare impossible to refuse.

  • Great if you want: grimdark with dark humor and morally irredeemable protagonists
  • Listening experience: propulsive and grim — 25 hours that don't drag
  • Narration: Pacey gives each monster a distinct, memorable voice
  • Skip if: you need protagonists with a moral compass

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About This Audiobook

War-torn lands face an existential threat as monstrous elves gather at the borders, while corrupt nobility remains consumed by personal ambition rather than the realm's survival. Brother Diaz arrives in the Sacred City expecting recognition for his faithful service, only to discover his new assignment involves leading an unprecedented mission with the most unlikely of allies. His congregation consists of condemned killers, dark sorcerers, and literal monsters—outcasts deemed expendable yet essential for the desperate task ahead. As political intrigue festers within the capital and inhuman enemies mass beyond the frontier, salvation may only come through embracing the very evils the church typically condemns.

Steven Pacey delivers a masterful performance that transforms this morally complex fantasy into an immersive audio experience. His vocal range seamlessly shifts between Brother Diaz's earnest conviction and the gritty personalities of his unholy companions, breathing distinct life into each character's motivations and moral ambiguities. Pacey's pacing expertly balances the story's philosophical weight with its visceral action sequences, while his nuanced delivery captures Abercrombie's signature blend of dark humor and brutal pragmatism. The narrator's skill in handling multiple perspectives and morally gray characters makes the audio format particularly compelling for this exploration of faith, necessity, and redemption.