What do you think?
Rate this book
When Devils Sing
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2025)A Goodreads Most Anticipated Horror Novel
Four unlikely allies in a small town investigate a local teen's disappearance, and what they discover festering at the core of their community is far more sinister and ancient than they could’ve ever imagined. For fans of She is a Haunting, True Detective, Mexican Gothic, and Midsommar.
When Dawson Sumter goes missing, all he leaves behind is a smattering of blood in room 4 of the debt-ridden motel owned by Neera Singh's family. Disappearances like this aren't uncommon in the rural Georgia town of Carrion, especially every thirteen years when a periodical cicada brood returns from underground, shrieking their deafening screams.
For Neera, Dawson is another reminder that in this corner of the South, the rich only get richer, and the poor—well, nothing good comes their way.
Neera sets out to investigate Dawson’s whereabouts—if he even still lives—along with three other Isaiah, son of a prominent judge and clandestine true crime podcaster; Reid, son of the wealthiest man in the region; and Sam, estranged daughter of the local hitman. As they find themselves entangled in a messy web of secrets and lies, they discover the riches of the adjacent Lake Clearwater community may have a terrifying source of power dating back to the town’s founding and an ancient urban legend about three devils, each more sinister than the next. How deep does the rot go, and can they find a way to escape its reach?
When Devils Sing features multicast narration, including immersive podcast episodes that engage the listener in the unfolding drama.
"A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic for the modern age.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times–bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bears its Teeth
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.
Four unlikely allies in a small town investigate a local teen's disappearance, and what they discover festering at the core of their community is far more sinister and ancient than they could’ve ever imagined. For fans of She is a Haunting, True Detective, Mexican Gothic, and Midsommar.
When Dawson Sumter goes missing, all he leaves behind is a smattering of blood in room 4 of the debt-ridden motel owned by Neera Singh's family. Disappearances like this aren't uncommon in the rural Georgia town of Carrion, especially every thirteen years when a periodical cicada brood returns from underground, shrieking their deafening screams.
For Neera, Dawson is another reminder that in this corner of the South, the rich only get richer, and the poor—well, nothing good comes their way.
Neera sets out to investigate Dawson’s whereabouts—if he even still lives—along with three other Isaiah, son of a prominent judge and clandestine true crime podcaster; Reid, son of the wealthiest man in the region; and Sam, estranged daughter of the local hitman. As they find themselves entangled in a messy web of secrets and lies, they discover the riches of the adjacent Lake Clearwater community may have a terrifying source of power dating back to the town’s founding and an ancient urban legend about three devils, each more sinister than the next. How deep does the rot go, and can they find a way to escape its reach?
When Devils Sing features multicast narration, including immersive podcast episodes that engage the listener in the unfolding drama.
"A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic for the modern age.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times–bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bears its Teeth
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.
Audible Audio
First published May 27, 2025
320 people are currently reading
72123 people want to read
About the author
Xan Kaur
2 books343 followersXan Kaur is a Punjabi-American author who grew up in rural Georgia, where there were more gnats than people. Her debut novel is When Devils Sing, an instant New York Times and national Indie bestseller. When not writing, you can find her behind a camera or swimming in the nearest ocean.
Please refer to author site for content warnings.
Please refer to author site for content warnings.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 945 reviews
May 31, 2025
Wow! I wholeheartedly loved this book—truly, deeply, completely!
I have an addiction to Southern tales steeped in town secrets, power politics, and that eerie tension between poverty and wealth. Add in the ominous rising chorus of cicadas, mysterious disappearances, and incarnated forms of cicada, snake, and crow who appear as three devilish brothers tempting townsfolk into dangerous deals—and I’m all in. This story gripped me with its supernatural intrigue, rich Southern gothic atmosphere, and the fate of four outcast teens from broken homes whose lives collide in the most haunting way.
I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I felt such a strong connection to the four main characters—but Neera and Sam especially stood out. They were fierce and brave, maybe even more so than the boys, because they literally stared down their demons. Atta girls! I just wanted to wrap them in a shield and protect them as I read about their struggles and the way their neglectful families failed them.
The story kicks off after a chilling prologue from Secrets of the South, a podcast's Season 4 episode, introducing two divided communities in Southwestern Georgia: affluent Lakeside, and the impoverished, tragedy-ridden Carrion, where strange deaths and disappearances have haunted residents for generations.
We meet Sam, the daughter of Wiley Calhoun—right hand to the powerful Langley family. On the brink of her 18th birthday, she’s kicked out of her home, caught in a hit-and-run with her little brother, who isn’t expected to survive. Stepping out of the hospital for a breath of air, she meets a strange man named Jack who asks her: How far would you go to save your brother’s life?
You can probably guess what Jack really is… especially when he revives the dead.
Poor Sam soon finds herself indebted to someone incredibly dangerous. Her childhood friend Dawson Sumter—who may be entangled in the dark web surrounding the Langley family—is now missing. The last place he was seen? Room 4 of a run-down motel owned by Neera Singh’s grandparents.
Neera, also 18, dreams of becoming a singer and winning the legendary Cicada’s Song contest. In the meantime, she’s stuck scrubbing floors at the motel—until she sees Wiley Calhoun threaten her grandfather over unpaid debts, giving him a deadline of July 4th. Suddenly, Neera realizes her family is in deeper trouble than she ever knew. She starts questioning her beloved Uncle Ajay’s death and decides she must uncover the truth. That means turning to her old friend Isaiah.
Isaiah is the son of a prominent judge, and the secret host of a one-man podcast digging up the town’s buried secrets. Right before Dawson went missing, Isaiah received a cryptic email suggesting Dawson’s life was in danger. Now he’s more determined than ever to investigate—and the deeper he digs, the more tangled he becomes in the town’s sinister web.
And then there’s Reid Langley. The emotional, outcast son of the feared Langley clan. He witnesses his older brother Jonah flee the scene of the accident that nearly killed the Calhoun siblings. Reid is friends with Dawson too—and he begins to suspect that something evil is coursing through the veins of this town. Every 13 years, 13 people mysteriously vanish from the Carrion side of town, while the Lakeside community thrives.
Are the old legends true—devils in disguise roaming among them? Or is something even more dangerous hiding behind Southern charm and wealth?
When the cicadas begin to sing, you better run… unless you’re ready to confront your worst fears.
Overall:
I’m a big fan of Southern horror—especially the works of Grady Hendrix—but this book is even better than some of his recent novels. With its haunting musical thread, rich folklore, and eerie tension, it gave me serious Ryan Coogler’s Sinner vibes (my favorite movie of the year). The character development was stellar, the pacing perfectly crafted, and the plot twists hit hard.
I genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy it this much—but without question, this is my favorite Southern horror/fantasy read of the year.
Xan Kur is now on my auto-approved author list—I can’t wait to devour more of their work!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Henry Holt and Co. for providing a digital review copy of this masterpiece in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I couldn’t recommend this book more—add it to your TBR immediately and prepare to read it in one breathless sitting!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
I have an addiction to Southern tales steeped in town secrets, power politics, and that eerie tension between poverty and wealth. Add in the ominous rising chorus of cicadas, mysterious disappearances, and incarnated forms of cicada, snake, and crow who appear as three devilish brothers tempting townsfolk into dangerous deals—and I’m all in. This story gripped me with its supernatural intrigue, rich Southern gothic atmosphere, and the fate of four outcast teens from broken homes whose lives collide in the most haunting way.
I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I felt such a strong connection to the four main characters—but Neera and Sam especially stood out. They were fierce and brave, maybe even more so than the boys, because they literally stared down their demons. Atta girls! I just wanted to wrap them in a shield and protect them as I read about their struggles and the way their neglectful families failed them.
The story kicks off after a chilling prologue from Secrets of the South, a podcast's Season 4 episode, introducing two divided communities in Southwestern Georgia: affluent Lakeside, and the impoverished, tragedy-ridden Carrion, where strange deaths and disappearances have haunted residents for generations.
We meet Sam, the daughter of Wiley Calhoun—right hand to the powerful Langley family. On the brink of her 18th birthday, she’s kicked out of her home, caught in a hit-and-run with her little brother, who isn’t expected to survive. Stepping out of the hospital for a breath of air, she meets a strange man named Jack who asks her: How far would you go to save your brother’s life?
You can probably guess what Jack really is… especially when he revives the dead.
Poor Sam soon finds herself indebted to someone incredibly dangerous. Her childhood friend Dawson Sumter—who may be entangled in the dark web surrounding the Langley family—is now missing. The last place he was seen? Room 4 of a run-down motel owned by Neera Singh’s grandparents.
Neera, also 18, dreams of becoming a singer and winning the legendary Cicada’s Song contest. In the meantime, she’s stuck scrubbing floors at the motel—until she sees Wiley Calhoun threaten her grandfather over unpaid debts, giving him a deadline of July 4th. Suddenly, Neera realizes her family is in deeper trouble than she ever knew. She starts questioning her beloved Uncle Ajay’s death and decides she must uncover the truth. That means turning to her old friend Isaiah.
Isaiah is the son of a prominent judge, and the secret host of a one-man podcast digging up the town’s buried secrets. Right before Dawson went missing, Isaiah received a cryptic email suggesting Dawson’s life was in danger. Now he’s more determined than ever to investigate—and the deeper he digs, the more tangled he becomes in the town’s sinister web.
And then there’s Reid Langley. The emotional, outcast son of the feared Langley clan. He witnesses his older brother Jonah flee the scene of the accident that nearly killed the Calhoun siblings. Reid is friends with Dawson too—and he begins to suspect that something evil is coursing through the veins of this town. Every 13 years, 13 people mysteriously vanish from the Carrion side of town, while the Lakeside community thrives.
Are the old legends true—devils in disguise roaming among them? Or is something even more dangerous hiding behind Southern charm and wealth?
When the cicadas begin to sing, you better run… unless you’re ready to confront your worst fears.
Overall:
I’m a big fan of Southern horror—especially the works of Grady Hendrix—but this book is even better than some of his recent novels. With its haunting musical thread, rich folklore, and eerie tension, it gave me serious Ryan Coogler’s Sinner vibes (my favorite movie of the year). The character development was stellar, the pacing perfectly crafted, and the plot twists hit hard.
I genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy it this much—but without question, this is my favorite Southern horror/fantasy read of the year.
Xan Kur is now on my auto-approved author list—I can’t wait to devour more of their work!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Henry Holt and Co. for providing a digital review copy of this masterpiece in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I couldn’t recommend this book more—add it to your TBR immediately and prepare to read it in one breathless sitting!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
December 8, 2025
2025 Goodreads Choice Awards (Mai's Version) - Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
🏆 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards | Opening Round Nominees | Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction
ANHPI Heritage Month 2025 #8
Maybe I don't hate horror. Maybe I just hate white horror. Same goes for YA. Same goes for a lot of things. I will read anything Xan writes next. It's giving Wen-yi.
Hello, Punjabi Georgians. It's me, a Vietnamese Texan, greatly enjoying everything about this Southern gothic horror. Three devils? Are they hot? I'd smash. I lost you, didn't I?
There are cicadas. Cycles are by thirteen years. Racism. Classicism. A poor town and a rich town. The life expectancies differ. I know you're still confused, and I don't really want to explain anything to you, because I truly think you should go in blind.
I loved every second. The only thing I'd change, and Zana too, is less YA so we can bring a little devil fucking into this. Because Jack? Yes. That is it. The end. That's the review.
Book pairings: THE DARK WE KNOW | THE DEAD AND THE DARK | THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
🏆 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards | Opening Round Nominees | Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction
ANHPI Heritage Month 2025 #8
Maybe I don't hate horror. Maybe I just hate white horror. Same goes for YA. Same goes for a lot of things. I will read anything Xan writes next. It's giving Wen-yi.
Hello, Punjabi Georgians. It's me, a Vietnamese Texan, greatly enjoying everything about this Southern gothic horror. Three devils? Are they hot? I'd smash. I lost you, didn't I?
There are cicadas. Cycles are by thirteen years. Racism. Classicism. A poor town and a rich town. The life expectancies differ. I know you're still confused, and I don't really want to explain anything to you, because I truly think you should go in blind.
I loved every second. The only thing I'd change, and Zana too, is less YA so we can bring a little devil fucking into this. Because Jack? Yes. That is it. The end. That's the review.
Book pairings: THE DARK WE KNOW | THE DEAD AND THE DARK | THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
April 13, 2025
1.75/5 stars.
I'm really sad to say that I struggled immensely with this book. I'll start by saying that I really loved the writing in this book. The writing was fantastic as was the setting and visuals. I appreciated the concept of this book but it unfortunately didn't deliver for me.
The story started off strong and had a pretty intriguing introduction but it quickly started to lose steam. I considered DNFing this a handful of times. Not only did the pacing feel incredibly slow to me, but I struggled to get into the story with the multiple POVs. This felt to me like the POVs switched a bit too often to make the story immersive. Right when I felt as though I was getting a grasp on things, I would get thrown into another character's POV and it took me out of it. I also wasn't strongly compelled by really any of the characters which also made the POV change more difficult.
The pacing, unlikeable characters, and extreme animal cruelty/deaths almost made me completely ditch this book several times. I read a lot of horror, but for me, I never like to read about animal cruelty or animal death. Especially when it's strongly detailed and drawn out. The animal cruelty was not only detailed, but really emphasized the suffering of multiple animals and I hated reading it.
Ultimately this book was just not for me. The storyline wasn't gripping in my eyes and had I known about the intense animal cruelty before picking this up, I would've just avoided it altogether. The ending felt rushed and clunky to me. It's a shame because the blurb really had me intrigued and the cover is stunning. Unfortunately not every story is compatible with every reader, and this one was incompatible with me. I liked the writing enough that I would definitely give this author another try in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
TW: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
I'm really sad to say that I struggled immensely with this book. I'll start by saying that I really loved the writing in this book. The writing was fantastic as was the setting and visuals. I appreciated the concept of this book but it unfortunately didn't deliver for me.
The story started off strong and had a pretty intriguing introduction but it quickly started to lose steam. I considered DNFing this a handful of times. Not only did the pacing feel incredibly slow to me, but I struggled to get into the story with the multiple POVs. This felt to me like the POVs switched a bit too often to make the story immersive. Right when I felt as though I was getting a grasp on things, I would get thrown into another character's POV and it took me out of it. I also wasn't strongly compelled by really any of the characters which also made the POV change more difficult.
The pacing, unlikeable characters, and extreme animal cruelty/deaths almost made me completely ditch this book several times. I read a lot of horror, but for me, I never like to read about animal cruelty or animal death. Especially when it's strongly detailed and drawn out. The animal cruelty was not only detailed, but really emphasized the suffering of multiple animals and I hated reading it.
Ultimately this book was just not for me. The storyline wasn't gripping in my eyes and had I known about the intense animal cruelty before picking this up, I would've just avoided it altogether. The ending felt rushed and clunky to me. It's a shame because the blurb really had me intrigued and the cover is stunning. Unfortunately not every story is compatible with every reader, and this one was incompatible with me. I liked the writing enough that I would definitely give this author another try in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
TW: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
July 17, 2025
When Devils Sing is an incredibly strong story, especially considering it is the author's debut. The book follows four teens living in the South, all of whom are a part of marginalized communities with varying levels of privilege. The four teens' lives are brought together as they make deals with devils and explore the mysteries of their community. I was really impressed by Xan Kaur's writing and how she managed to tie the four main characters' lives together. Before they even start interacting with one another, their lives are very well intertwined. And the themes regarding social status, race, queerness, wealth, and the American Dream are incredibly well written. Honestly, my only complaint is that the marketing for this book kind of spoiled it. The author posted a bunch of TikTok's promoting her debut novel about . That is literally the conclusion to the story, so even though it's hinted at throughout the book, it kind of spoiled the mystery aspect of the book for me. It also messed up my perception of the book's pacing. Since what I thought would be the central plot based off the marketing was actually the twist reveal, I spent a lot of the book waiting for the other shoe to drop. I understand that you have to grab people's attention, but I wish I could have gone into this book without any pre-conceived notions. Overall though, I was really impressed by this book and this author's writing. I can't wait to see what she puts out next!
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 27, 2025
“In Carrion, they have a saying: The devil can be seen coming from a mile away. That is where our story begins.
There’s the devil you know,
the devil you don’t,
the devil you wish you’d never met.”
When Devils Sing is a southern gothic mystery that unfolds through multiple perspectives. Every thirteen years mysterious deaths occur in Lake Clearwater. This explores the divide between the elite and poor and what people are willing to sacrifice to get ahead.
This story is a tangled web; it’s exciting to see the plot unfold from multiple different perspectives. The fast changes between perspectives make the story flow quickly and it captured my attention right away. The mysterious nature had me flipping pages until I figured out what was going on. The author’s voice is incredible. I had a really easy time immersing myself into the story. It’s super creepy and eerie, but I would say it’s more mysterious than it is scary. Check trigger warnings; the most notable is probably the gruesome animal cruelty displayed in here.
If you liked the movie Sinners, I recommend you give this a read! It also gave me Outer Banks vibes, albeit darker.
Phenomenal debut!
Thank you to Netgalley, Xan Kaur, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing group for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings: animal cruelty/death/hunting, alcoholism, child abuse, death, violence, suicide, car accident, fire
There’s the devil you know,
the devil you don’t,
the devil you wish you’d never met.”
When Devils Sing is a southern gothic mystery that unfolds through multiple perspectives. Every thirteen years mysterious deaths occur in Lake Clearwater. This explores the divide between the elite and poor and what people are willing to sacrifice to get ahead.
This story is a tangled web; it’s exciting to see the plot unfold from multiple different perspectives. The fast changes between perspectives make the story flow quickly and it captured my attention right away. The mysterious nature had me flipping pages until I figured out what was going on. The author’s voice is incredible. I had a really easy time immersing myself into the story. It’s super creepy and eerie, but I would say it’s more mysterious than it is scary. Check trigger warnings; the most notable is probably the gruesome animal cruelty displayed in here.
If you liked the movie Sinners, I recommend you give this a read! It also gave me Outer Banks vibes, albeit darker.
Phenomenal debut!
Thank you to Netgalley, Xan Kaur, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing group for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings: animal cruelty/death/hunting, alcoholism, child abuse, death, violence, suicide, car accident, fire
June 6, 2025
4.5 stars - thank you Macmillan for an early copy in exchange for my honest feedback as well as the opportunity to promote this book!
Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjbLwL72/
Promotional video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjbL7sMk/
Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjbLwL72/
Promotional video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjbL7sMk/
Read
November 11, 2024the pacing of a video game that fired all its writers after completing half the story so they had to rush the ending sooooo bad
May 12, 2025
When Devils Sing
by Xan Kaur
YA Suspense Horror
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Macmillan Children's/Henry Holt
Ages: 14+
Dawson Sumter is missing, and Neera might be the last person that saw him when he arrived at her grandparents' hotel, Dawson leaving behind a lot of blood in the bathroom.
Sam made a deal to save her little brother after a horrific car accident. All she had to do was lie, saying she saw Dawson at the lake drunk.
Reid and Dawson became fast friends at the golf course, though Reid's family wasn't thrilled about a poor kid hanging around.
After receiving an email from Dawson claiming something bad was going to happen to him, Isaiah begins to investigate, wondering if there is some truth to the urban legend about three devils.
Disappearances in Carrion are common, but they seem to spike every thirteen years, most of the missing drowning in the lake during the celebration of the cicadas' returns.
This book kept up at a steady pace, a slow one. I loved the unique idea of how the deals with devils were made, but they were not creepy enough, instead, they were simple. And with the multiple MCs, it got confusing at times, then bogged down with their histories; some were constantly reminded, while others were just a brushing. Equal grounds would have highlighted the characters' growth.
Even though it started off good, without the backstory of the character and what led to it, there was no impact. I had no idea why the situation happened. That reasoning wasn't given until much later. After the initial event, the story's pace dropped and didn't pick up until the end, and that was just a blip.
While one early reviewer called this: 'A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic...' I am going to majorly disagree! It's really only a sprinkling of blood.
I was expecting a blood filled horror story with devils and creepy bugs, but alas, nope. Yeah, there is some gore, blood, and death, but there was only one part of the story that came close to horror and gore. The descriptions of the town, environment, etc, were great; wonderful details, especially with the old pictures!
Even though I think this is tame, with the violence and blood, this book isn't suitable for readers under fourteen.
This almost reached the next star.
1 Star
by Xan Kaur
YA Suspense Horror
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Macmillan Children's/Henry Holt
Ages: 14+
Dawson Sumter is missing, and Neera might be the last person that saw him when he arrived at her grandparents' hotel, Dawson leaving behind a lot of blood in the bathroom.
Sam made a deal to save her little brother after a horrific car accident. All she had to do was lie, saying she saw Dawson at the lake drunk.
Reid and Dawson became fast friends at the golf course, though Reid's family wasn't thrilled about a poor kid hanging around.
After receiving an email from Dawson claiming something bad was going to happen to him, Isaiah begins to investigate, wondering if there is some truth to the urban legend about three devils.
Disappearances in Carrion are common, but they seem to spike every thirteen years, most of the missing drowning in the lake during the celebration of the cicadas' returns.
This book kept up at a steady pace, a slow one. I loved the unique idea of how the deals with devils were made, but they were not creepy enough, instead, they were simple. And with the multiple MCs, it got confusing at times, then bogged down with their histories; some were constantly reminded, while others were just a brushing. Equal grounds would have highlighted the characters' growth.
Even though it started off good, without the backstory of the character and what led to it, there was no impact. I had no idea why the situation happened. That reasoning wasn't given until much later. After the initial event, the story's pace dropped and didn't pick up until the end, and that was just a blip.
While one early reviewer called this: 'A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic...' I am going to majorly disagree! It's really only a sprinkling of blood.
I was expecting a blood filled horror story with devils and creepy bugs, but alas, nope. Yeah, there is some gore, blood, and death, but there was only one part of the story that came close to horror and gore. The descriptions of the town, environment, etc, were great; wonderful details, especially with the old pictures!
Even though I think this is tame, with the violence and blood, this book isn't suitable for readers under fourteen.
This almost reached the next star.
1 Star
October 1, 2025
i…. really thought i was going to like this more.
the writing itself wasn’t a problem. the author does a great job with creating an eerie setting of a small community in the south rife with secrets and traditions. the premise was unique and started off strong, but it felt like it was slowly losing steam as the story went on. the characters felt surface level and forgettable.
at the end of the day, it wasn’t for me but i’m sure a lot of people would enjoy this.
the writing itself wasn’t a problem. the author does a great job with creating an eerie setting of a small community in the south rife with secrets and traditions. the premise was unique and started off strong, but it felt like it was slowly losing steam as the story went on. the characters felt surface level and forgettable.
at the end of the day, it wasn’t for me but i’m sure a lot of people would enjoy this.
May 25, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
This was really good!! When Devils Sing is a YA Southern Gothic horror novel that is slow burn and character driven. It takes a little while to get going and it's never fast paced, but if you can take your time with it there is so much here to love. We're following four characters in a small town in the American South segregated by class and rife with folktales involving deals with devils. Every thirteen years cicadas arise from under the earth and every thirteen years, people go missing. And now it's beginning again. The cicada's are back, and a teen boy named Dawson has disappeared...
Neera is the grand-daughter of Punjabi immigrants who are struggling to keep a motel afloat, her mom is often unstable and plans for Neera to attend college. But Neera dreams of being a musician, just like her uncle Ajay who her family never speaks of since his death.
Sam is the daughter of a violent and abusive man who works for the wealthy elite doing their dirty work. When her brother flatlines after a hit and run, she's willing to do anything to save his life. Even if it means making a deal with a devil...
Isaiah's dad is one of the few successful Black men to hobknob with the wealthy of their town, and Isaiah is expected to follow in his footsteps by going to law school. But Isaiah still loves the farm his dad grew up on, and he secretly produces a true crime podcast. Right now, he's investigating the disappearance of Dawson.
Reid is a Langley, and his father practically runs the town. He is the youngest of the children but is expected to fall in line regardless of what that means. But unlike his father, Reid has a conscience. And he's worried about his missing friend.
This unlikely group will dive deep into the dark secrets of this small town, and discover how far each of them is willing to go in order to get what they want...
Like I said, this is super character driven and it's a slower paced novel than a lot of YA horror these days. But I thought the payoff was there and characters all have interesting arcs through the course of the book. It's thematically rich, looking at the past and present of the South including racism and classism, and explores what happens when the American Dream fails to become a reality. I loved it. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
This was really good!! When Devils Sing is a YA Southern Gothic horror novel that is slow burn and character driven. It takes a little while to get going and it's never fast paced, but if you can take your time with it there is so much here to love. We're following four characters in a small town in the American South segregated by class and rife with folktales involving deals with devils. Every thirteen years cicadas arise from under the earth and every thirteen years, people go missing. And now it's beginning again. The cicada's are back, and a teen boy named Dawson has disappeared...
Neera is the grand-daughter of Punjabi immigrants who are struggling to keep a motel afloat, her mom is often unstable and plans for Neera to attend college. But Neera dreams of being a musician, just like her uncle Ajay who her family never speaks of since his death.
Sam is the daughter of a violent and abusive man who works for the wealthy elite doing their dirty work. When her brother flatlines after a hit and run, she's willing to do anything to save his life. Even if it means making a deal with a devil...
Isaiah's dad is one of the few successful Black men to hobknob with the wealthy of their town, and Isaiah is expected to follow in his footsteps by going to law school. But Isaiah still loves the farm his dad grew up on, and he secretly produces a true crime podcast. Right now, he's investigating the disappearance of Dawson.
Reid is a Langley, and his father practically runs the town. He is the youngest of the children but is expected to fall in line regardless of what that means. But unlike his father, Reid has a conscience. And he's worried about his missing friend.
This unlikely group will dive deep into the dark secrets of this small town, and discover how far each of them is willing to go in order to get what they want...
Like I said, this is super character driven and it's a slower paced novel than a lot of YA horror these days. But I thought the payoff was there and characters all have interesting arcs through the course of the book. It's thematically rich, looking at the past and present of the South including racism and classism, and explores what happens when the American Dream fails to become a reality. I loved it. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
July 14, 2025
BR with Christina
• [x] Mon 7/7 - chp 1-7
• [x] Tues 7/8 - chp 8-14
• [x] Wed 7/9 - chp 15-21
• [x] Thurs 7/10 - chp 22-28
• [x] Fri 7/11 - chp 29-35
• [x] Sat 7/12 - chp 36-44
• [] Sun 7/13 - chp 45-53
• [x] Mon 7/7 - chp 1-7
• [x] Tues 7/8 - chp 8-14
• [x] Wed 7/9 - chp 15-21
• [x] Thurs 7/10 - chp 22-28
• [x] Fri 7/11 - chp 29-35
• [x] Sat 7/12 - chp 36-44
• [] Sun 7/13 - chp 45-53
October 20, 2025
‧₊˚ ݁⊹ ݁᭪ when devils sing by xan kaur .ᐟ
˖ 6 stars
started 15.10.25
finished 20.10.25 ౨ৎ
❝he had the peculiar look of a marionette doll moving through the world as someone else pulled the strings.❞
⁺‧𓍢ִ🍂🕊️🎶⋆
˖ 6 stars
started 15.10.25
finished 20.10.25 ౨ৎ
❝he had the peculiar look of a marionette doll moving through the world as someone else pulled the strings.❞
⁺‧𓍢ִ🍂🕊️🎶⋆
May 18, 2025
Check out my full thoughts on this book and more here: booktube reviews :)
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Audio Review: The audio is the way to go. There is a podcast in this book and it's a full cast audio. Would highly recommend.
Review: This book is a prime example of how YA books can still appeal to an adult audience. I loved this book. We get an interesting cast of characters coming from various different backgrounds and cultures all mixed up in a southern towns horrors. I was a little surprised by some of the horror elements particularly at the end, because it's YA. I would say this leans on the new adult/ older YA age range.
If you have heard of the Murdaugh murder case (there are lots of documentaries about it) this reminded me of it in some ways. I live in a rural southern town and Xan Kaur was able to bring the horrors that sometimes exist to life. There is commentary on so many important things, wealth, religion, sexuality, gender, this book did it all so well.
If you have read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I think you would enjoy this for reasons I can't quite explain here. This is a story I will surely read again. It was heartbreaking, horrifying, and relatable. The writing, plot, storytelling and pacing were all incredible. I have no complaints and that is rare, especially for YA books read as an adult. I have nothing but praise for this and plan to read it again in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Audio Review: The audio is the way to go. There is a podcast in this book and it's a full cast audio. Would highly recommend.
Review: This book is a prime example of how YA books can still appeal to an adult audience. I loved this book. We get an interesting cast of characters coming from various different backgrounds and cultures all mixed up in a southern towns horrors. I was a little surprised by some of the horror elements particularly at the end, because it's YA. I would say this leans on the new adult/ older YA age range.
If you have heard of the Murdaugh murder case (there are lots of documentaries about it) this reminded me of it in some ways. I live in a rural southern town and Xan Kaur was able to bring the horrors that sometimes exist to life. There is commentary on so many important things, wealth, religion, sexuality, gender, this book did it all so well.
If you have read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I think you would enjoy this for reasons I can't quite explain here. This is a story I will surely read again. It was heartbreaking, horrifying, and relatable. The writing, plot, storytelling and pacing were all incredible. I have no complaints and that is rare, especially for YA books read as an adult. I have nothing but praise for this and plan to read it again in the future.
October 5, 2025
Xan Kaur took the true crime podcast we love to binge on our commute and dragged it into the dense, eerie hush of small town Georgia. Cicadas rise, secrets crawl out with them, and the narrators try to outrun debts they don’t fully understand.
Growing up in Georgia, with summers spent in Tifton, I immediately recognized Kaur’s landscape. She captures south Georgia in all its weight. Humid nights, dark backroads, unlit two-lane highways, etc. The setting becomes a character in its own right. Revealing how history, class and superstition tighten their grip on a town, and the desperate ways people try to claw their way out. The book also threads a quiet cult element through the plot, giving it a creeping folk horror undercurrent. It’s one of the aspects I wish had been expanded. The mystery is so strong that I would happily have read another hundred pages digging into the cult, the Langleys, and some of the character backstories.
The multiple POVs are a high point. Each narrator sounds distinct, and the transitions are seamless. Kaur ends chapters on just enough tension to make you turn the next page, but she also leaves space for character moments and sharp sensory detail. The result is a thriller that moves quickly without feeling disposable.
If you like Southern set mysteries with hidden histories, think the setting of Where the Crawdads Sing crossed with the cult whispers of True Detective, you may enjoy this one. It’s also a story about the compromises people make, and the sometimes terrifying lengths they’ll go to protect themselves and the ones they love. Overall, I’m genuinely impressed this is a debut. The writing is confident and atmospheric, the plot tightly constructed, and the themes of generational trauma, privilege, and survival give the story more weight than most YA thrillers. I’ll be first in line for whatever Kaur writes next. Very much looking forward to her 2027 novel!
Growing up in Georgia, with summers spent in Tifton, I immediately recognized Kaur’s landscape. She captures south Georgia in all its weight. Humid nights, dark backroads, unlit two-lane highways, etc. The setting becomes a character in its own right. Revealing how history, class and superstition tighten their grip on a town, and the desperate ways people try to claw their way out. The book also threads a quiet cult element through the plot, giving it a creeping folk horror undercurrent. It’s one of the aspects I wish had been expanded. The mystery is so strong that I would happily have read another hundred pages digging into the cult, the Langleys, and some of the character backstories.
The multiple POVs are a high point. Each narrator sounds distinct, and the transitions are seamless. Kaur ends chapters on just enough tension to make you turn the next page, but she also leaves space for character moments and sharp sensory detail. The result is a thriller that moves quickly without feeling disposable.
If you like Southern set mysteries with hidden histories, think the setting of Where the Crawdads Sing crossed with the cult whispers of True Detective, you may enjoy this one. It’s also a story about the compromises people make, and the sometimes terrifying lengths they’ll go to protect themselves and the ones they love. Overall, I’m genuinely impressed this is a debut. The writing is confident and atmospheric, the plot tightly constructed, and the themes of generational trauma, privilege, and survival give the story more weight than most YA thrillers. I’ll be first in line for whatever Kaur writes next. Very much looking forward to her 2027 novel!
February 8, 2026
3.5
Moody, intense, and dripping with atmosphere, When Devils Sing is a story that clearly aims to linger with you and for the most part, it succeeds.
Xan Kaur’s writing is undeniably beautiful. The prose feels almost poetic at times, especially in the quieter, more emotional moments. There’s a haunting quality to the world and the themes, and you can really feel the weight of pain, guilt, and internal conflict throughout the book. It’s the kind of novel that wants you to sit with its darkness rather than rush through it.
The social commentary was one of the strongest aspects of the book. Kaur does a great job exploring issues around trauma, power, grief, and the consequences of privilege in a way that feels thoughtful and relevant without being heavy-handed. These layers add real depth and make the story feel purposeful beyond its plot.
That said, the pacing noticeably falters in the middle act. The novel occasionally slows during some of the repetitive investigative sequences, and certain subplots particularly those involving Isaiah’s family and the Langley legacy could have benefited from tighter editing. These sections drag just enough to disrupt the otherwise strong atmosphere.
The Three Devils were interesting idea, but their lore and mythology didn't feel as fully fleshed out as it could be. The horror elements tied to them often took a backseat to the novel’s social commentary, which makes the supernatural side of the story feel more vague than impactful. Because of this, readers looking for stronger horror or clearer answers might come away a little underwhelmed.
Character wise, Neera and Sam both standout they're both complex, driven, and emotionally grounded. However, the ensemble balance slips toward the end. Secondary characters, especially Reid and Isaiah, fade into the background by the climax, and their arcs don’t quite receive the emotional payoff they deserved.
Overall, When Devils Sing is a dark, lyrical read with strong atmosphere and excellent social commentary, even if the pacing, underdeveloped lore, and uneven character focus hold it back from greatness. If you enjoy character driven fiction with thoughtful themes and don’t mind ambiguity over outright horror this is still a worthwhile read.
Pre-review: Creepy premise, solid atmosphere, and definitely had moments that hooked me, but it didn’t fully commit to the horror the way I wanted it to. The vibes were immaculate and the premise had teeth, but the execution didn’t fully sink them in. Still creepy, still engaging, just left me wishing it went a little darker and a little deeper.
Moody, intense, and dripping with atmosphere, When Devils Sing is a story that clearly aims to linger with you and for the most part, it succeeds.
Xan Kaur’s writing is undeniably beautiful. The prose feels almost poetic at times, especially in the quieter, more emotional moments. There’s a haunting quality to the world and the themes, and you can really feel the weight of pain, guilt, and internal conflict throughout the book. It’s the kind of novel that wants you to sit with its darkness rather than rush through it.
The social commentary was one of the strongest aspects of the book. Kaur does a great job exploring issues around trauma, power, grief, and the consequences of privilege in a way that feels thoughtful and relevant without being heavy-handed. These layers add real depth and make the story feel purposeful beyond its plot.
That said, the pacing noticeably falters in the middle act. The novel occasionally slows during some of the repetitive investigative sequences, and certain subplots particularly those involving Isaiah’s family and the Langley legacy could have benefited from tighter editing. These sections drag just enough to disrupt the otherwise strong atmosphere.
The Three Devils were interesting idea, but their lore and mythology didn't feel as fully fleshed out as it could be. The horror elements tied to them often took a backseat to the novel’s social commentary, which makes the supernatural side of the story feel more vague than impactful. Because of this, readers looking for stronger horror or clearer answers might come away a little underwhelmed.
Character wise, Neera and Sam both standout they're both complex, driven, and emotionally grounded. However, the ensemble balance slips toward the end. Secondary characters, especially Reid and Isaiah, fade into the background by the climax, and their arcs don’t quite receive the emotional payoff they deserved.
Overall, When Devils Sing is a dark, lyrical read with strong atmosphere and excellent social commentary, even if the pacing, underdeveloped lore, and uneven character focus hold it back from greatness. If you enjoy character driven fiction with thoughtful themes and don’t mind ambiguity over outright horror this is still a worthwhile read.
Pre-review: Creepy premise, solid atmosphere, and definitely had moments that hooked me, but it didn’t fully commit to the horror the way I wanted it to. The vibes were immaculate and the premise had teeth, but the execution didn’t fully sink them in. Still creepy, still engaging, just left me wishing it went a little darker and a little deeper.
July 6, 2025
✨2.8 ✨
I enjoyed the southern gothic nature of the story, but would have REALLY ENJOYED some back story on the devil aspect. A lot of unanswered questions remain after finishing this book.
I enjoyed the southern gothic nature of the story, but would have REALLY ENJOYED some back story on the devil aspect. A lot of unanswered questions remain after finishing this book.
May 26, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I loved the way the narrators all came together. I thought the story moved a little slowly, but it was a truly creepy story. I loved how it centered around the song about meeting the devil down in Georgia at the crossroad. This story takes place between Carrion and Clearwater two complete opposites. Carrion is a normal enough place except every 13 years when cicadas come (and let’s all agree nothing needed to make those things creepier) and Clearwater home to all the rich and powerful. Legend said that a hundred years ago a Langley ancestor met the devil at the crossroads and gave him his dead wife’s body in exchange for food and water and worldly goods. He leads more families in joining and the town of Clearwater was born. Four unlikely young adults come together to in present day to try to find out what happened to a missing boy name Dawson and what goes around in their small town. This story is creepy and full of the devil and bargains. There are also some gruesome descriptions of animal deaths so be aware of that.
April 26, 2025
When Devils Sing is a modern take on Southern gothic horror and facing life at a “crossroads”
This book does a great job at setting the scene of a small town divided by classism and racism. I enjoyed the writing style and the podcast snippets throughout the story. I became fully immersed in the story and couldn’t wait to see which Devil and what character would be targeted next!
The songs added the right amount of anxiety to keep me turning the pages. Along with the songs and podcast snippets, Kaur did an amazing job at developing her characters. Each pov offers insight into the differing dynamics within Southern Georgia. I personally enjoyed morally gray characters and this story is full of them!
I grew up in south Texas so I’ve heard the stories and songs about the three devils. Like so much of the cast, I was wary on the legitimacy of the tales. While I didn’t fully believe them, I headed my ancestors warning. For me, it was frogs and butterflies not cicadas that signaled the start of terror. I’m happy a BIPIC author shared this story because ALL perspectives are needed when sharing historical details whether it be factual or folklore.
Overall, I’d recommend this book for fans of horror, thrillers, and diverse casts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc of When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur in exchange for an honest review.
This book does a great job at setting the scene of a small town divided by classism and racism. I enjoyed the writing style and the podcast snippets throughout the story. I became fully immersed in the story and couldn’t wait to see which Devil and what character would be targeted next!
The songs added the right amount of anxiety to keep me turning the pages. Along with the songs and podcast snippets, Kaur did an amazing job at developing her characters. Each pov offers insight into the differing dynamics within Southern Georgia. I personally enjoyed morally gray characters and this story is full of them!
I grew up in south Texas so I’ve heard the stories and songs about the three devils. Like so much of the cast, I was wary on the legitimacy of the tales. While I didn’t fully believe them, I headed my ancestors warning. For me, it was frogs and butterflies not cicadas that signaled the start of terror. I’m happy a BIPIC author shared this story because ALL perspectives are needed when sharing historical details whether it be factual or folklore.
Overall, I’d recommend this book for fans of horror, thrillers, and diverse casts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc of When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2025
4.5 ! A really solid thriller with a sinister ending.
June 24, 2025
4.5 rounded up. As someone who isn’t typically a fan of YA or horror/murder mysteries, I was amazed by how much I enjoyed this book…yes, even the bugs! (Cannot believe I just wrote that)
When Devil's Sing had me completely immersed, because it included a few things I do love: lore, sacrifices, and hot demons. I mean… can we get a fanfiction spin-off with Jack? WHOOPS Sorry wrong genre. Anyway.
I liked that the kids weren’t able to save everyone. I loved the paranormal elements, the multiple POVs, and how clearly I could envision the setting. I genuinely didn’t see a lot of the twists coming. And was everything 100% resolved at the end? No and I liked that too.
So what would I say in terms of critique? Give me more lore. Dive deeper into the curse that bound the devils. Give me more of the main devil. Tell me about more bargains! Though honestly, I’m not sure if that’s a critique… or just a sign that I need to schedule an appointment with my therapist.
Can’t wait to talk about it with Bookclub.
When Devil's Sing had me completely immersed, because it included a few things I do love: lore, sacrifices, and hot demons. I mean… can we get a fanfiction spin-off with Jack? WHOOPS Sorry wrong genre. Anyway.
I liked that the kids weren’t able to save everyone. I loved the paranormal elements, the multiple POVs, and how clearly I could envision the setting. I genuinely didn’t see a lot of the twists coming. And was everything 100% resolved at the end? No and I liked that too.
So what would I say in terms of critique? Give me more lore. Dive deeper into the curse that bound the devils. Give me more of the main devil. Tell me about more bargains! Though honestly, I’m not sure if that’s a critique… or just a sign that I need to schedule an appointment with my therapist.
Can’t wait to talk about it with Bookclub.
February 14, 2026
este libro como una serie de televisión seria espectacular, como libro me decepcionó un poquito
August 1, 2025
This was a strong YA horror novel! While I wanted a little more digging into the past, the story was strong and while there were a few deep south tropes, the plot didn't rely too heavily on them to create a sense of fear.
May 8, 2025
When Devils Sing is an incredibly strong debut from Xan Kaur, with skin crawling horror and strong, complex themes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. The horror elements of the story were incredibly vivd, included for a purpose rather than simple shock value. The 3 devils concept was wrapped up quite abruptly at the end but was an intriguing element nonetheless. I really loved the plot otherwise. The skilful way Kaur weaved the themes of wealth, power and justice into the story made this a really impactful novel.
The writing style was immensely enjoyable and incredibly descriptive without overdoing it. Kaur was able to paint such an elaborate picture of their native Georgia that you could almost feel the oppressive heat. The suspense was done really nicely, starting off slowly and building steadily toward the final confrontation.
The 4 POV characters were themselves constructed really well. They all felt like completely different people, distinctive in a way that I can imagine is hard to write. Unfortunately, I did sometimes get lost while reading. The writing didn't shift enough to immediately indicate who was thinking and sometimes the POV would shift mid chapter which I struggled with.
Xan Kaur is incredibly talented and I can't wait to read their work in the future. If you're a lover of horror, I would highly recommend When Devils Sing. 3.75 stars.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. The horror elements of the story were incredibly vivd, included for a purpose rather than simple shock value. The 3 devils concept was wrapped up quite abruptly at the end but was an intriguing element nonetheless. I really loved the plot otherwise. The skilful way Kaur weaved the themes of wealth, power and justice into the story made this a really impactful novel.
The writing style was immensely enjoyable and incredibly descriptive without overdoing it. Kaur was able to paint such an elaborate picture of their native Georgia that you could almost feel the oppressive heat. The suspense was done really nicely, starting off slowly and building steadily toward the final confrontation.
The 4 POV characters were themselves constructed really well. They all felt like completely different people, distinctive in a way that I can imagine is hard to write. Unfortunately, I did sometimes get lost while reading. The writing didn't shift enough to immediately indicate who was thinking and sometimes the POV would shift mid chapter which I struggled with.
Xan Kaur is incredibly talented and I can't wait to read their work in the future. If you're a lover of horror, I would highly recommend When Devils Sing. 3.75 stars.
January 1, 2025
I read this entire book in one sitting, devouring it like I had been waiting for a book like this my entire life. And as a caveat - I am not a YA reader, nor do I particularly gravitate towards multi-POV.
It's hard to believe that this is Xan Kaur's debut. It's absolutely masterfully written, with every page literally steeped in atmosphere. You can taste the humidity in the air, hear the buzz of the cicadas. We follow four main characters, so four points of view, but every single character has a distinct voice that jumps off the page. Each character feels *real*; all of them shared thoughts and burdens that I've experienced in my own life. Neera, in particular, really spoke to me. As an immigrant woman in the South, I've shared a lot of her experiences - even the subtle nuances of her family dynamics rattled me to the core (in the best way possible). The storyline was also clear and easy to follow, again not an easy feat with so many POVs. There was enough of a thread connecting every character to call out their shared history and give them reasons for coming together, but not so much complexity that I was getting confused about who was who.
I also think there's something so, so beautiful in reading a story about a devil at the crossroads, written from a POC lens. I grew up hearing that story, listening to it in the classic blues songs, but this felt like an entirely fresh take on the legend. The devil came down to Georgia, indeed. It's a true Gothic tale - the vibes are powerful, all swirling in a hot and sticky Georgia summer. One note is that the horror notes aren't particularly strong, so it's a perfect read for someone who doesn't often read horror.
A brilliant debut; I'm beyond excited to see what else Xan Kaur writes. And a thank you to Xan for providing me with an ARC after I begged her on instagram over the course of several months because this is, indeed, my ideal novel.
It's hard to believe that this is Xan Kaur's debut. It's absolutely masterfully written, with every page literally steeped in atmosphere. You can taste the humidity in the air, hear the buzz of the cicadas. We follow four main characters, so four points of view, but every single character has a distinct voice that jumps off the page. Each character feels *real*; all of them shared thoughts and burdens that I've experienced in my own life. Neera, in particular, really spoke to me. As an immigrant woman in the South, I've shared a lot of her experiences - even the subtle nuances of her family dynamics rattled me to the core (in the best way possible). The storyline was also clear and easy to follow, again not an easy feat with so many POVs. There was enough of a thread connecting every character to call out their shared history and give them reasons for coming together, but not so much complexity that I was getting confused about who was who.
I also think there's something so, so beautiful in reading a story about a devil at the crossroads, written from a POC lens. I grew up hearing that story, listening to it in the classic blues songs, but this felt like an entirely fresh take on the legend. The devil came down to Georgia, indeed. It's a true Gothic tale - the vibes are powerful, all swirling in a hot and sticky Georgia summer. One note is that the horror notes aren't particularly strong, so it's a perfect read for someone who doesn't often read horror.
A brilliant debut; I'm beyond excited to see what else Xan Kaur writes. And a thank you to Xan for providing me with an ARC after I begged her on instagram over the course of several months because this is, indeed, my ideal novel.
March 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me early access to When Devils Sing.
When Devils Sing offers a thoughtful and unflinching look at Southern culture—the good, the bad, and the ugly. The novel explores how the wealthy and powerful control and exploit those beneath them and the lengths they will go to in order to maintain their status.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. Kaur introduces four compelling protagonists who feel authentic and deeply human. They aren’t morally perfect; they make mistakes and are willing to cross lines to protect the people they love. Kaur does an excellent job of fleshing them out, making their motivations clear from early on, which helped me stay invested in their journeys.
However, the book’s pacing was inconsistent. The first 60% moved slowly, while the final 40% rushed through the conclusion, leaving parts of the story feeling unresolved. An epilogue with perspectives from all the main characters would have added more closure.
A minor critique is the use of specific brand names like “eBay,” “Nintendo DS,” and “Birkenstocks.” While this is a personal preference, these references can date the book over time and sometimes pull readers out of the story without adding significant value.
Overall, When Devils Sing was a solid 3.5-star read. The well-developed characters were its greatest strength, but the uneven pacing made it difficult to fully engage at times.
When Devils Sing offers a thoughtful and unflinching look at Southern culture—the good, the bad, and the ugly. The novel explores how the wealthy and powerful control and exploit those beneath them and the lengths they will go to in order to maintain their status.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. Kaur introduces four compelling protagonists who feel authentic and deeply human. They aren’t morally perfect; they make mistakes and are willing to cross lines to protect the people they love. Kaur does an excellent job of fleshing them out, making their motivations clear from early on, which helped me stay invested in their journeys.
However, the book’s pacing was inconsistent. The first 60% moved slowly, while the final 40% rushed through the conclusion, leaving parts of the story feeling unresolved. An epilogue with perspectives from all the main characters would have added more closure.
A minor critique is the use of specific brand names like “eBay,” “Nintendo DS,” and “Birkenstocks.” While this is a personal preference, these references can date the book over time and sometimes pull readers out of the story without adding significant value.
Overall, When Devils Sing was a solid 3.5-star read. The well-developed characters were its greatest strength, but the uneven pacing made it difficult to fully engage at times.
July 14, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately I found myself really struggling to get through it. The four characters in the book have merit, but I don’t find myself drawn to them or caring to read more of their POVs. One reason for that maybe the pacing/the frequent switching between their perspectives. I also am just not sure that I find any of them particularly likeable, in general.
I also felt like the suspense and intrigue was underwhelming. As someone who lives in a lake town in the rural South, I think a lot of the “scary” iconography was lost on me. A lot of the story depended on cicadas being somewhat scary, and I have never, once in my life, found cicadas scary. Maybe someone who is more unfamiliar with the setting may feel differently and enjoy this book.
I also felt like the suspense and intrigue was underwhelming. As someone who lives in a lake town in the rural South, I think a lot of the “scary” iconography was lost on me. A lot of the story depended on cicadas being somewhat scary, and I have never, once in my life, found cicadas scary. Maybe someone who is more unfamiliar with the setting may feel differently and enjoy this book.
June 11, 2025
3-4 stars
I enjoyed it a lot, but felt like the ending is somewhat rushed and I would have loved the "epilogue" part to be more developed as part of the book, not as an epilogue/ foot note later on if that makes sense
I enjoyed it a lot, but felt like the ending is somewhat rushed and I would have loved the "epilogue" part to be more developed as part of the book, not as an epilogue/ foot note later on if that makes sense
November 11, 2025
this is an american gothic YA horror about the swarms of cicadas that recur every 13 years in the south. it centers on four teens that all live different lives, but their paths cross when another teen goes missing and the devil starts making deals.
this was recommended to me through one of the goodreads books-to-look-out-for lists and I didn't realize it was YA. I love a YA sci fi or dystopian book but i've never been interested in YA horror because it doesn't hit as hard as i'd like it to, and that was the case with this.
personally I would've loved to read a more mature version of this because it was such a cool concept and I really enjoyed the imagery with all the cicadas and the town lore. I think this would be a 5 star read for anyone still in grade school that's into horror. for me, however, it was missing some extra zhuzh and it was more of a 3.25⭐️ read. still good, but not out of the park.
note that there are still quite a bit of dark/horror elements in this and trigger warnings should be checked before reading.
this was recommended to me through one of the goodreads books-to-look-out-for lists and I didn't realize it was YA. I love a YA sci fi or dystopian book but i've never been interested in YA horror because it doesn't hit as hard as i'd like it to, and that was the case with this.
personally I would've loved to read a more mature version of this because it was such a cool concept and I really enjoyed the imagery with all the cicadas and the town lore. I think this would be a 5 star read for anyone still in grade school that's into horror. for me, however, it was missing some extra zhuzh and it was more of a 3.25⭐️ read. still good, but not out of the park.
note that there are still quite a bit of dark/horror elements in this and trigger warnings should be checked before reading.
May 15, 2025
Thank you Netgalley! This was actually a 3.5, but like...an exciting 3.5 if that makes sense. It's got some issues to fine-tune, but it's unique and interesting enough of a story that I know I'm going to watching out for whatever this author does next.
So, the good: the main characters are really interesting! We have a super diverse group with interesting backstories and connections to the main plot. The story begins with them all only vaguely connected and slowly their pov weaves into one as they all get further entrenched in the main plot. I LOVE when books take this route, and while I have definitely seen it done better, the way it's done here isn't bad at all.
And unfortunately, the bad: let's start off with the end, because that's where my main issue lies. The beginning and middle of the book are paced, in my opinion, pretty well in a way that builds suspense for the finale. When we actually get to that finale, however, the pacing turns into a sprint and it just doesn't feel like good payoff at all. I feel like after finishing I still have so many questions and there are so many side characters whose ultimate fate is kind of just left vaguely up in their air or only semi-mentioned in the epilogue. The story is all an allegory for how rich communities in the south bleed existing poor ones dry which is great, and the book ends with it being up in the air over whether or not they'll receive justice. I don't hate that, but I don't think it was accomplished very well. With everything else, it just felt like another piece that was unfulfilling.
I LOVED the horror concepts in this story, but I feel like they were underutilized. We see the devils interacting with Sam and Neera, but it always feels like it's in a set-up context and not really...horror, if that makes sense. The two devils we see are implied to be more morally grey being trapped into this arrangement by their brother who we...never see! Which is crazy to me! He's killed in the finale, but we never see him, never understand what's going on beyond what we get from the pov of panicked teenagers. It's just very frustrating because the concept is cool and I feel like a lot more could have been achieved from the horror side of things.
So, the good: the main characters are really interesting! We have a super diverse group with interesting backstories and connections to the main plot. The story begins with them all only vaguely connected and slowly their pov weaves into one as they all get further entrenched in the main plot. I LOVE when books take this route, and while I have definitely seen it done better, the way it's done here isn't bad at all.
And unfortunately, the bad: let's start off with the end, because that's where my main issue lies. The beginning and middle of the book are paced, in my opinion, pretty well in a way that builds suspense for the finale. When we actually get to that finale, however, the pacing turns into a sprint and it just doesn't feel like good payoff at all. I feel like after finishing I still have so many questions and there are so many side characters whose ultimate fate is kind of just left vaguely up in their air or only semi-mentioned in the epilogue. The story is all an allegory for how rich communities in the south bleed existing poor ones dry which is great, and the book ends with it being up in the air over whether or not they'll receive justice. I don't hate that, but I don't think it was accomplished very well. With everything else, it just felt like another piece that was unfulfilling.
I LOVED the horror concepts in this story, but I feel like they were underutilized. We see the devils interacting with Sam and Neera, but it always feels like it's in a set-up context and not really...horror, if that makes sense. The two devils we see are implied to be more morally grey being trapped into this arrangement by their brother who we...never see! Which is crazy to me! He's killed in the finale, but we never see him, never understand what's going on beyond what we get from the pov of panicked teenagers. It's just very frustrating because the concept is cool and I feel like a lot more could have been achieved from the horror side of things.
March 7, 2025
When Devils Sing is a fun mystery with a haunting atmosphere. Set in a small town with a dark secret, the story explores the divide between the wealthy elite and those who suffer under their rule. The eerie setting and suspenseful storyline made for an enjoyable read, and I found myself eager to uncover the truth behind the town’s mysteries.
The book does a great job of building tension, with secrets unraveling in unexpected ways. The writing style is immersive, and the eerie tone adds to the novel’s appeal. There were some genuinely chilling moments that stood out, and it did get pretty gory at times. The themes of power, corruption, and justice were well done, adding depth to the story beyond just the whodunit aspect.
However, one challenge I had with the book was the number of POVs. While multiple perspectives can add intrigue, a couple of the characters felt too similar, making it easy to lose track of who was speaking. I had to backtrack to clarify which character’s perspective I was reading at times. A bit more distinction between the voices would have helped keep the narrative smoother. I was also hoping for a bit more characters development or depth. We only got glimpses of their layers here and there and then it would switch.
I also felt that the storyline about the three devils ended abruptly. It was one of the most intriguing parts of the book, but we didn't end up getting much of their story. It just wrapped up quickly—almost like a "kthxbye" moment. It left me wanting more, especially given how much suspense had built around it.
Overall, When Devils Sing is still a solid mystery with a compelling premise and a chilling atmosphere. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, it’s worth checking out!
The book does a great job of building tension, with secrets unraveling in unexpected ways. The writing style is immersive, and the eerie tone adds to the novel’s appeal. There were some genuinely chilling moments that stood out, and it did get pretty gory at times. The themes of power, corruption, and justice were well done, adding depth to the story beyond just the whodunit aspect.
However, one challenge I had with the book was the number of POVs. While multiple perspectives can add intrigue, a couple of the characters felt too similar, making it easy to lose track of who was speaking. I had to backtrack to clarify which character’s perspective I was reading at times. A bit more distinction between the voices would have helped keep the narrative smoother. I was also hoping for a bit more characters development or depth. We only got glimpses of their layers here and there and then it would switch.
I also felt that the storyline about the three devils ended abruptly. It was one of the most intriguing parts of the book, but we didn't end up getting much of their story. It just wrapped up quickly—almost like a "kthxbye" moment. It left me wanting more, especially given how much suspense had built around it.
Overall, When Devils Sing is still a solid mystery with a compelling premise and a chilling atmosphere. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, it’s worth checking out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 945 reviews