The Devil's Replacement

by Michael D.A. Clarke

The Devil is ready to retire from ruling Hell.

Before settling down with his sex crazed girlfriend, he must first seek a worthy replacement.

Through a series of gripping and connected short horror stories, we meet a variety of candidates potentially ready to take the reins.

From the twisted ringmaster of a circus that contains a dark secret, to an unstable superhuman saviour who begins to question whether society deserves to be punished rather than protected, each individual has their own unique, thrilling, twisted and often hilarious story to tell.

Only one of them will ultimately get the job. Place your bets.

The Devil's Replacement is a real treat for any horror fan.

Genres: Horror, Ebooks

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Michael D. A. Clarke believes that by adding in his initials and speaking in the third-person, he may come across as a real writer. In reality, he's not quite sure if he is a real writer as he has only written a few books. I mean, he did write them - so, by definition he's definitely a real writer, right? The question should be, "Is he a good writer?" That's for you to decide. But take comfort in knowing that Michael D. A. Clarke has been writing words since he was just 5 years old and has written many words since then.

Reviews

[Kirsty Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously Devilish!

What an absolute riot… this book was fantastic from start to finish. The perfect coupling of violence and comedy with a pinch of morality and micro ‘manhood’ jokes! Clarke is a comedic genius with a penchant for a hilarious one liner! Brilliant!

[P.B. Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written and highly engaging

I loved every story in this book and how it all came together in Hell. My favorite character was Cuddles. But... Be-Be secured the number one spot with her closing statement. A truly badass heroine.

The author's writing style is very creative and keeps the story flowing smoothly. All the stories had a deeper meaning to it under a seemingly normalized yet hilarious plotline. The only serious one was with Cuddles. And that one made me cry at times. But the ending made up for all the emotional trauma I went through.

I really enjoyed reading this book and will be adding Michael's first work to my TBR for sure. I highly recommend this for lovers of the horror genre but in all seriousness, this book can be read by anyone.

[Kate Hockman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Each of the individual four stories that lead us to our conclusion were expertly intertwined and I really enjoyed the writing as a whole! It felt like a combination of four short stories and I genuinely would have picked up and read any of them separately as well! I personally liked the four main character stories so much more than the parts that actually took us into hell for the interview or for discussion about the replacement, but that’s more of a personal opinion then a critique on the story at all. Overall I really enjoyed the premise and the humor, and it is very clear that the writer knows what he is doing! I really enjoyed his voice and the way he writes. Not my usual genre but I’m really glad I read this book and I will happily and gladly pick up the next. Thanks so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to get my hands on this one!!!

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious, the Devil shapeshifting into an obese man for bath time had me dead. 💀😂

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This book a quite a trip! It’s funny, dark, a bit gory, and definitely unique. Very entertaining if you enjoy snarky horror!

[Oliver Behegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very funny and engaging read. I look forward to the rest of the series and more of Michael's work.

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil really wants retire with his lust obsessed girlfriend but first he needs someone to replace him.

This is a wonderfully dark horror comedy. Told in short chapters we meet the potential new rulers of hell, the hypnotic ringmaster, the superhero, the keyboard warrior and the spoilt man child. We are shown their lives before they are dragged to hell for their interview and what makes them ideal candidates.

This is the darkest humour and made me laugh out loud a few times, it is still horror so there is some gory content but this is such a fantastic ride, I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. The characters are fascinating and some are actually really loveable and evil, a rare thing in horror, it is so much fun.

[Devi (TheBookAccountant) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! This book was like in the dark comedy genre while we follow the devil’s journey of choosing his replacement and the book dives into four different individuals. Although the content is pretty heavy, I find that it was so easy breezy to read through. It’s definitely a refreshing read for me and truly an amazing read so thank you Michael!

[Jia Hui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satan is looking to retire so he can spend time with his sex-crazed girlfriend. We follow a few potential candidates through short stories that connect (it’s an anthology, it’s also a novel!) and their ultimate interview with the Devil.

There are lots of pop culture references in this book and highly relatable to our current society, but there is also hitler growing out new moustache styles. Going through the pages, you’ll chuckle, you’ll feel a sense of injustice for the characters and empathise with them, and you’ll also reflect on the toxic cultures that happen both in this book and in real life.

The Devil’s Replacement gets all my 5 stars. If you want to give horror a try or want something light to cleanse your palette this is just the book for you!

[Britney Carswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a darkly funny read with chaotic characters, this is the book for you! This book was such a ride, I loved the way the characters were written and the one liners had me dying. The concept for this book was so unique and I loved how the stories were all connected. Will definitely be reading the sequel soon!

[Z. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing read

Story was absolutely phenomenal and unique. Loved everything about it. Can’t wait to read more from this author in the future

[claire martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Clarke does it again

I read Michael's previous book and enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to get stuck into his next one.

His style of writing just flows, it's so easy to read and easy to get engrossed in the storyline.

I loved how each story was a tale in its own right and they were all loosely interwoven with characters popping up in different stories but linked in one way or another.

I loved the double act of Satan and Hitler, they were a comedy duo. There was also morals to the stories, completely unexpected in an anthology about hell.

I found this a real page turner, easy read and allows you to suspend reality for a couple of hours. I'll be looking forward to Michael's next book to see where he takes us next.

[Gavin & Xayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read that this was a book of short stories, I assumed it would be just that. Various stories with each one being different, but that wasn't the case. I have never read a book where each short stories seemed more like chapters of an overall regular length book but each story carried on to the next one. It was done so well. Also the comedic bits throughout each story were amazing. This made the reading flow easier and kept me wanting to read more. Also, who doesn't want to read a story about Satan retiring and the first line was Hitler introducing himself to a group of people? Be-Be has to be my favorite character in this story. Her power powers of illusion was definitely the best one (especially when she was using it on Toby and Dan.) She also just seemed to be the least crazy out of the interviewees which is also not saying much haha. Overall an amazing easy to read book with hilarious parts that kept you engaged. Definitely a book you can read in one sitting, which is what I did!

[kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book.
Loved it from start to finish, a real page turner.
Looking forward to future books.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Replacement is a fun and quick read!

Each short story intertwined into the main storyline perfectly. The overlapping of characters in each story was brilliantly and cleverly executed. And the appropriate candidate won the devil's job.

I wish the interview chapter was more in-depth and longer; however, this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more!

[Amelia Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The movies have been lying to us. We were promised a muscular saviour - not some skinny runt. I want Henry Cavill... Not someone that looks like they do Cavill's taxes."
I ended up loving this book more than the premise promised. It's short and fun, horror and as such at times gory, but I didn't find anything more repulsing than everytime Hitler was mentioned and/or in a scene. To be fair, it was quite satisfying seeing him in hell and the way Devil always treated him, so in the end it was really nice to see it go that way.
It's not just horror, it's a supernatural horror at times (my favourite kind) and it's elements really brought together all of their stories.
Four people are up for an interview with the devil, who is retiring and is looking for a replacement, all of them somehow have crossed each others lives, directly or indirectly and we get too see them get to the point when they all are worthy of the Satan's throne.
In the end I definitely had a favourite character who I was rooting for, and whose backstory would have been nice and who despite turning evil was still making a lot of sense somehow. Also had another favourite character who ended up being the next replacement and weirdly, I agreed with them in the end too, so there's some things I might need to think over about myself.
Also there's a diner called UFOatmeal! How cool is that!

[⚕️NurseNan⚕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After millennia of ruling Hell, The Devil is looking to retire and travel with his girlfriend. First, he must find a suitable replacement. His henchman Hitler, thinks the job is guaranteed for him, but Satan has other plans. Thus begins a little contest amongst some of the worst humanity has to offer to see who is fit for the title of Ruler of Hell.

The candidates include a circus ringleader with hypnotic powers, a sadistic man-child, a social media influencer with no moral compass, and an alien superhero who has given up on humanity. Well, and Hitler technically. Each one shows promise, but only one can win.

This was an enjoyable read. I appreciated its sense of humor on an otherwise dark subject. Each individual's story ties into all of the stories and I appreciated the connection. I especially like the character of Hell's Janitor. He was extremely relatable. The idea of Lucifer messing around with Hitler isn't new, but it is funny none the less. I could easily see this being an episode of "Tales from the Crypt". I'm sure The Cryptkeeper would have some hellish good puns about The Devil and his ghoulfriend.

[Kyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quickly became a favorite for me. Not only is it full of dark humor that actually makes me giggle, it was creepy and plucked at the strings of my insides with the characters stories. Some were dreadfully devilish and others had the sweetest of hearts yet the most awful things happen to them. Clarke knows how to dig into the depths of human depravity and turn it upside down to make it nearly hilarious in it's absurdity, the most scary part of it all is that there are people like this who exist not in Hell but right here on this big ball of dirt we call home. Devilishly witty, delightfully disturbing, and hellishly hilarious!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely hilarious, and so well-written! A collection of short stories, you would think it'd be just that, but the way Michael D.A. Clarke has written it is so cool because each short story feels more like a chapter rather than its own installment. The short stories intertwine in a bigger way and come together. If you want to find out why Satan wants to retire from ruling Hell and who he plans on choosing as his replacement (while laughing out loud along the way), this is the one for you!

[diagnosed bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil’s Replacement is about just what the title implies, the devil is ready to retire, and someone must take his place. It’s not as sinister as that title may imply. There is great use of humour throughout. It is a very interesting and captivating read, with lots of unique ideas. The story is told through short stories that are all connected and tie into each other.

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Comedy, Short Stories
Trigger Warnings: abuse, death, gore

[ems_booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg this was an absolute bloody riot!!

It has some dark themes, but it’s more like a dark witty comedy. Some of the imagery in this is absolutely hilarious, but there’s also times of sorrow and has a lot of gore, if that’s not your thing.

A very unique book, I’m so glad I read this one lol!

[Chandra Kelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful, it was cheeky and the four short stories were all great. Overall I love how they all tied together and I’m a sucker for anything satan related. Quick and easy satire to read! Great for beginners or even seasoned horror lovers.

[zzjennreads19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow!! I absolutely loved this book! Four different candidates, four interconnecting stories…who will be the new ruler of Hell? There were characters I loathed and characters that stole my heart. I will most definitely check out more from this author.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael D.A. Clarke kindly reached out to me to offer me a free e-copy of "The Devil's Replacement." I read the premise and happily accepted the offer, as it sounded like it would be my cup of tea.

I really enjoyed the character building between chapters, finding who would be a nominee for becoming the Devil's successor. These were interesting and well-written characters. There is a lot of comedy tossed into the book (Hitler serving as the Devil's assistant, whom he so aptly calls "Devil Bitch"), and there were certainly a few laughs to be had. I appreciated the contemporary references like how social media influencers might abuse their power, how not all superheroes are cut out for the job, etc. I definitely had some very specific real life or TV characters in mind when being introduced to these particular characters.

As for the drawbacks, I found the editing was a bit shoddy with misspellings and sometimes a lack of naming consistency here and there. This often takes me out of what I'm reading. Some of the comedy was a bit too on the nose for me at times, and the goofiness would often overshadow the substance of the story. The 'show-down' felt a bit anticlimactic at the end, although I'm aware that this is one in a series of three books.

Ultimately, it was a pretty fun read that kept me entertained in a light way. I think I may have been hoping for a bit more seriousness and darkness when it comes to finding the Devil's replacement, but I do believe there are many out there who would really enjoy this for the comedy and the great character building. I'm thankful to Michael for giving me a chance to read his work!

[Cas R · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this book was a great time with highlights that outshone its flaws.

The plot was interesting, the humor was quite good, the characters were great to get to know and learn about, and all their stories linked together in very interesting ways. So many times there was a new connection I hadn’t expected. Everything that was set up throughout the book was wrapped up quite satisfactorily by the end. I respect authors like this that have a real knack for organizing so many threads into one coherent story. It was a very enjoyable read.

Where it falls a bit short is the writing itself. It feels a bit difficult to explain, but… It’s like the author has read a lot and has a good idea of how to write interesting sentences, but has some difficulty linking them together in a way that flows smoothly. There’s a lot of ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing.’ It could be a bit jarring or hard to get into at times, especially at the beginning, but it ended up being worth it for the story itself. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installments of the series and seeing if/how the author’s voice evolves, because all it needs is a little bit of polish from here.

VERY SLIGHT spoiler ahead…?

I’ve been reading so much splattery horror and evil shit recently that it was actually a nice change for once to read something where the bad guys mostly got comeuppances and a happy ending seems to have prevailed, LOL.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every so often there’s a decent random Kindle freebie out there. I’m not a huge fan of indie and tend to stay away from self-pub, but ever now and again, I check out what’s out there.
This one was exactly as advertised. Convinced by his Machiavellian mustachioed and notoriously evil assistant, Devil, decides to retire and look for a replacement. Instead of promoting from within, he opts for recruiting out, settling on four potential candidates. Within the pages of the book, each is given an extensive backstory to show the reader just how worthy they are. Out of these, the disappointed superhero one is the most clever and resonant.
Eventually the four gather together for an interview to vie for a job none had applied for. And yes, it will get dangerous.
Pretty funny all around, decently written, quick read. It could do with a bit of editing, but the overall presentation is solid for a self-pub effort. The funny thing earns a rating rounding up. In fact, I wouldn’t be opposed to reading a sequel someday if it comes up as a freebie.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is bananas and I mean that in a good way.

Let me back up a bit. The story follows Satan, who is looking to retire from his duties in hell. His crony, who we're introduced to early on, is an incredibly unlikable individual from the past. Said crony thinks he's the obvious choice to take over the "throne," but Satan has four other contenders in mind.

This anthology of short stories takes the reader through the backstories of each of these contenders until you reach the very end, where Satan has to make his final decision.

I liked that the stories were essentially connected and not completely independent of one another as seen in most short story collections. As the reader, it was fun getting to know each of the options and placing my own bet as to who would ultimately take over.

This book is for people who can handle dark humor, so definitely take that into consideration before picking this one up!

[Hayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book and a plot about the Devil looking for a worthy successor, I just didn’t love the execution of it.
What I think was really well done was serving up four interconnected stories that also stand on their own (Reminded me of Trick r Treat in that sense). And I really liked the story Night Protector and having a very relatable superhero turning villain after seeing the evils of humanity.
What I think could be improved on is the writing craft; specifically, the characters’ voices all seemed pretty similar and it was hard to distinguish between them at times. I also would have loved more depth to the story in the blurb - more of why Satan wants to retire, more of how he decided the four candidates were the four best suited for the job, more descriptions of the scenery of hell, etc.
We only improve our crafts by sticking with them, so I hope Clarke keeps writing. My thanks to him for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kez · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few authors who can blend horror and comedy seamlessly, but this one absolutely nails it. This isn’t a book I’d ever stumbled across before, which honestly feels like a crime, because it’s fantastic. I’m genuinely surprised it isn’t talked about more.

Satan needs a replacement. He’s worked really hard, and now he’s ready to retire and spend the rest of his days with his beautiful girlfriend, enjoying all the fun things adults get up to. He has a few worthy candidates in mind, but first, they need to survive the interview process.

The story walks us through each candidate’s journey, and somehow, you end up rooting for the most unexpected characters. At no point does the story drag. Instead, it builds, weaves, and intertwines until everything comes together in the best way.

This is book one of a trilogy, and I absolutely cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next two.

[Shazna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The devil is looking to retire..
But he must find someone to replace him..

First time reading from this author and won't be the last. I haven't read horror in ages, especially one that contains dark humour and I did really enjoy it :).
This book is fast pace and did make me laugh throughout reading it. I like how the author incorporated some familiar names within the book.

The authors writing is so detailed. Character development is great 😃..

Book has chapters made up of short horror stories but they all interlock into the story of Satan looking for a new replacement, which I thought was so good and must have taken some hard work!

If you enjoy horror with aspects of dark comedy and some gore I would recommend this book!