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The Devil Inside
Matthew’s life is turned upside down the day his daughter, Lucy, is born. His wife has died, and Gabriel, the all-powerful leader of his world, has taken Lucy to the mortals. Eight years later, Matthew returns from his self-imposed exile looking for answers. He decides to go back home and ask his brother, Lucifer, for help. It becomes Lucifer’s mission to bring Lucy back home.
Lucy’s family has no idea she is not their biological daughter, nor do they know she is spending time with her real father and uncle. Gabriel is unhappy to find out Matthew and Lucifer have been visiting the mortal world, as their actions have been causing collateral damage. He strips Lucifer of his powers to access Lucy.
The mortal clock is ticking quickly. Will Matthew and Lucy ever be reunited
in the place they both belong?
Lucy’s family has no idea she is not their biological daughter, nor do they know she is spending time with her real father and uncle. Gabriel is unhappy to find out Matthew and Lucifer have been visiting the mortal world, as their actions have been causing collateral damage. He strips Lucifer of his powers to access Lucy.
The mortal clock is ticking quickly. Will Matthew and Lucy ever be reunited
in the place they both belong?
402 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2025
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Russo
18 books17 followersBethany Russo is an indie horror and fantasy author from the South West of England. She lives with her husband, son and their two cats.
When not writing, you can usually find her spending time with her family/animals and getting outside for a long walk. One of her favourite ways to spend her spare time is reading. Russo's favourite genres are horror and dark fantasy. She has a special love for all things weird and wonderful, especially if it includes folklore/myths.
Follow Russo on Instagram: @bethanyrussowrites
When not writing, you can usually find her spending time with her family/animals and getting outside for a long walk. One of her favourite ways to spend her spare time is reading. Russo's favourite genres are horror and dark fantasy. She has a special love for all things weird and wonderful, especially if it includes folklore/myths.
Follow Russo on Instagram: @bethanyrussowrites
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 11, 2024
In a Nutshell: A contemporary fantasy about Matthew, Lucifer’s younger brother, who wants his daughter back from the mortal world. The storyline is good, but much darker than I expected it to be, and has some triggering content as well as a writing style that doesn’t work well for me.
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Plot Preview:
The cover and the blurb made me feel like this book was a perfect fit for me. Having enjoyed ‘When the Angels Left the Old Country’ and ‘Good Omens’, I was raring to read another book with the angel-devil combo in the lead. While parts of this book met those expectations, the core content turned out to be different from what I had assumed.
Because of the cover art, I thought that the plot would have a touching tale of a father seeking to be reunited with his daughter. It certainly is that, but it doesn’t stop at that. Despite Lucy being just eight at the start of the book, the book is strictly for adults. There is much triggering content in the plot, and the overall storyline is quite dark and gloomy. I still wish I had known about all this beforehand so that I could have been better prepared for such a read. I had to realign my mood to match the tone of the book; only then did it work better for me, thankfully.
Matthew - with his grief over his wife’s death and his love for his almost-stranger daughter, Lucifer in a role we rarely see him perform – that of a loving elder brother, little Lucy – trying her best to deal with the abuse doled out to her by her human family, and Howie – Lucy’s mortal father who isn’t strong enough to speak against his wife but loves his ‘daughter’ nonetheless – these four characters make the book what it is. I did not expect such a sensitive portrayal of the devil and his brother. Rare for male characters to be shown with such deep emotions where they cry without inhibition! I wish we could have known more about Emily – she seemed like a wonderful character, but her arc is cut as short as her life.
I also wish Matthew had a different name. I found it tough to accept such a common Christian name (and one of the apostles’ names, at that!) as belonging to the Devil’s brother. It should have been something fancier, more fantastical! (Aziraphale and Crowley have clearly elevated my requirements from every angel-demon book!)
Lucy’s human family doesn’t have any redeeming feature except for Howie. Her ‘mother’ Karen is especially abusive and manipulative, but she’s not the only toxic member of the family. It is easy to feel sorry for poor Lucy stuck in a family where no one understands her or cares for her.
The book is set mainly in our world, even though there are enough scenes set in the immortals’ domain. As such, the worldbuilding feels a bit lacking. If only there had been a greater exploration of the immortals’ domain!
I feel the book could have benefitted with a round of editing to tighten the flow. The plotline gets a bit affected by some repetitive scenes and emotions, grammatical issues such as run-on sentences (this won’t bother those who don’t bother about grammar while reading fiction, but run-on sentences are my bugbear), and detailed inner monologues, especially in the first half. All these factors make the book slower and longer than necessary. There are random perspective changes without clear delineations, and also flashbacks popping in sometimes without a clear indication. Plus, four of the five key human women in the book have similar names: Karen, Kathy, Katie, and Kirsty – so confusing!
[Note: I read an ARC, so it is quite possible that some of the above issues have been addressed in the final version.]
All in all, this is a valiant debut, with an imaginative plot and interesting characters. With some finetuning, I think this indie novel can create a greater impact. I was caught unawares by the darkness of the storyline and the abuse triggers, which is probably why it hit only at the ‘good’ level for me.
Recommended to those looking for a dark contemporary fantasy, albeit set mostly in our human world, as long as they are prepared for the content triggers and not as fussy as I about editing issues.
3 stars.
My thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours and author Bethany Russo for a complimentary digital ARC of 'The Devil Inside'. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Content Warnings: child abuse, child molestation, death, murder, grief, (attempted) rape, mental health issues, attempted suicide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Eight years ago, Matthew’s life changed when his wife Emily died and his daughter Lucy was forcibly taken away by Gabriel, the archangel, and given to a mortal family without their knowing about the swapped baby. Now Matthew, back from his self-imposed exile spent grieving his dual loss, wants his daughter back. He enlists the support of his elder brother Lucifer. But the process of getting a mortal back to their world and making her immortal again is not easy, and with Gabriel refusing his support, Matthew and Lucifer face a tough task ahead.
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of various characters.
The cover and the blurb made me feel like this book was a perfect fit for me. Having enjoyed ‘When the Angels Left the Old Country’ and ‘Good Omens’, I was raring to read another book with the angel-devil combo in the lead. While parts of this book met those expectations, the core content turned out to be different from what I had assumed.
Because of the cover art, I thought that the plot would have a touching tale of a father seeking to be reunited with his daughter. It certainly is that, but it doesn’t stop at that. Despite Lucy being just eight at the start of the book, the book is strictly for adults. There is much triggering content in the plot, and the overall storyline is quite dark and gloomy. I still wish I had known about all this beforehand so that I could have been better prepared for such a read. I had to realign my mood to match the tone of the book; only then did it work better for me, thankfully.
Matthew - with his grief over his wife’s death and his love for his almost-stranger daughter, Lucifer in a role we rarely see him perform – that of a loving elder brother, little Lucy – trying her best to deal with the abuse doled out to her by her human family, and Howie – Lucy’s mortal father who isn’t strong enough to speak against his wife but loves his ‘daughter’ nonetheless – these four characters make the book what it is. I did not expect such a sensitive portrayal of the devil and his brother. Rare for male characters to be shown with such deep emotions where they cry without inhibition! I wish we could have known more about Emily – she seemed like a wonderful character, but her arc is cut as short as her life.
I also wish Matthew had a different name. I found it tough to accept such a common Christian name (and one of the apostles’ names, at that!) as belonging to the Devil’s brother. It should have been something fancier, more fantastical! (Aziraphale and Crowley have clearly elevated my requirements from every angel-demon book!)
Lucy’s human family doesn’t have any redeeming feature except for Howie. Her ‘mother’ Karen is especially abusive and manipulative, but she’s not the only toxic member of the family. It is easy to feel sorry for poor Lucy stuck in a family where no one understands her or cares for her.
The book is set mainly in our world, even though there are enough scenes set in the immortals’ domain. As such, the worldbuilding feels a bit lacking. If only there had been a greater exploration of the immortals’ domain!
I feel the book could have benefitted with a round of editing to tighten the flow. The plotline gets a bit affected by some repetitive scenes and emotions, grammatical issues such as run-on sentences (this won’t bother those who don’t bother about grammar while reading fiction, but run-on sentences are my bugbear), and detailed inner monologues, especially in the first half. All these factors make the book slower and longer than necessary. There are random perspective changes without clear delineations, and also flashbacks popping in sometimes without a clear indication. Plus, four of the five key human women in the book have similar names: Karen, Kathy, Katie, and Kirsty – so confusing!
[Note: I read an ARC, so it is quite possible that some of the above issues have been addressed in the final version.]
All in all, this is a valiant debut, with an imaginative plot and interesting characters. With some finetuning, I think this indie novel can create a greater impact. I was caught unawares by the darkness of the storyline and the abuse triggers, which is probably why it hit only at the ‘good’ level for me.
Recommended to those looking for a dark contemporary fantasy, albeit set mostly in our human world, as long as they are prepared for the content triggers and not as fussy as I about editing issues.
3 stars.
My thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours and author Bethany Russo for a complimentary digital ARC of 'The Devil Inside'. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Content Warnings: child abuse, child molestation, death, murder, grief, (attempted) rape, mental health issues, attempted suicide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
March 16, 2024
I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.
The Davil Inside is a fascinating, heart-wrenching debut about a father and daughter separated against their will after the loss of his wife.
Matthews daughter Lucy is taken from him and placed within the mortal realm, and after years of grieving he enlists the help of his brother Lucifer to bring her home.
This book has such a different and unique storyline and spin on hell and devil's, and I loved every second of it.
The book is thoughtfully and delicately written with some more sensitive subjects very well handled and executed.
This is a beautiful debut with a satisfying ending and one I didn't want to end.
The Davil Inside is a fascinating, heart-wrenching debut about a father and daughter separated against their will after the loss of his wife.
Matthews daughter Lucy is taken from him and placed within the mortal realm, and after years of grieving he enlists the help of his brother Lucifer to bring her home.
This book has such a different and unique storyline and spin on hell and devil's, and I loved every second of it.
The book is thoughtfully and delicately written with some more sensitive subjects very well handled and executed.
This is a beautiful debut with a satisfying ending and one I didn't want to end.
March 12, 2024
This is a new author to me, a debut book no less and so I wasn't really sure what to expect, but this was a really great read and was brilliantly written for a debut.
Although obviously based on a supernatural vibe - this is essentially a beautifully written story about grief and loss, but also family connection too.
After his daughter, Lucy, is placed in the mortal realm, Matthew, after years of grieving, is ready to fight to get her back where she belongs.
He enlists the help of his brother, Lucifer.
I have recently read a series where we are cheering the demons on, but this is a rare thing and so here, still, it felt a little odd to be rooting for the devil to win the day and help bring about a happy ending for all.
The characters were brilliantly presented and brought to life through the story and it was easy to connect to them and really feel their emotions throughout.
The writing style was beautiful and the story really flowed well. I was immersed within this world and the words just wrapped around me as I read. It was such a lovely read.
I'm keen to see what this author will do next.
Although obviously based on a supernatural vibe - this is essentially a beautifully written story about grief and loss, but also family connection too.
After his daughter, Lucy, is placed in the mortal realm, Matthew, after years of grieving, is ready to fight to get her back where she belongs.
He enlists the help of his brother, Lucifer.
I have recently read a series where we are cheering the demons on, but this is a rare thing and so here, still, it felt a little odd to be rooting for the devil to win the day and help bring about a happy ending for all.
The characters were brilliantly presented and brought to life through the story and it was easy to connect to them and really feel their emotions throughout.
The writing style was beautiful and the story really flowed well. I was immersed within this world and the words just wrapped around me as I read. It was such a lovely read.
I'm keen to see what this author will do next.
April 1, 2024
A beautifully written debut novel.
You can really feel the raw emotion of the characters.
It was so moving and had me rooting for Lucy and Matthew throughout.
The concept was unique and the writing was amazing.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
You can really feel the raw emotion of the characters.
It was so moving and had me rooting for Lucy and Matthew throughout.
The concept was unique and the writing was amazing.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
March 20, 2024
I don’t normally gravitate towards books about grief and family but omg I was sucked in! I didn’t expect it to be so heart wrenching!
February 17, 2024
I do not often judge books by their covers, I might think a cover is beautiful or intriguing but it never is what sells me, but The Devil Inside intrigued me with the artwork on the front then when I read the blurb I knew I had to read it and I am so glad I did.
It’s hard to put this book in a box in terms of category or genre, on the one hand it’s a book about family and what you would do for them on the other it crosses into the realm of speculative and fantasy but in such a unique way. We begin by meeting Matthew, who recovering from his wife’s death finds that Gabriel has sent his daughter to the mortal realm and away from him. For eight years Matthew sends himself into exile until eventually he seeks the hep of his brother, Lucifer to at least get to see his daughter.
Now I won’t give away much more than that plot wise but I will say that this story is so touching at times and heart-breaking at others. Russo truly captures the frustration and anger Matthew feels (and in some parts Lucy too) as well as their feelings to each other. Russo also deals with some tougher subjects at the hands of Lucy’s adoptive mortal family but everything they write is written with care and attention.
The writing itself is easy to follow and beautiful at times. We really feel the emotions of the cast of characters and what they go through. It is actually lovely to read a novel where a biological parent and child’s relationship is featured and done so well. I really enjoyed following Matthew and Lucy’s story.
It’s hard to put this book in a box in terms of category or genre, on the one hand it’s a book about family and what you would do for them on the other it crosses into the realm of speculative and fantasy but in such a unique way. We begin by meeting Matthew, who recovering from his wife’s death finds that Gabriel has sent his daughter to the mortal realm and away from him. For eight years Matthew sends himself into exile until eventually he seeks the hep of his brother, Lucifer to at least get to see his daughter.
Now I won’t give away much more than that plot wise but I will say that this story is so touching at times and heart-breaking at others. Russo truly captures the frustration and anger Matthew feels (and in some parts Lucy too) as well as their feelings to each other. Russo also deals with some tougher subjects at the hands of Lucy’s adoptive mortal family but everything they write is written with care and attention.
The writing itself is easy to follow and beautiful at times. We really feel the emotions of the cast of characters and what they go through. It is actually lovely to read a novel where a biological parent and child’s relationship is featured and done so well. I really enjoyed following Matthew and Lucy’s story.
December 10, 2023
Bethany Russo has written an excellent debut with 'The Devil Inside.' It's a heart-wrenching story of Matthew and Lucy, father and daughter, who are separated by Gabriel. Along with his brother, Lucifer, Matthew must find a way to bring Lucy home to where she belongs. This was a gentle, heartfelt tale, and I felt Lucy's turmoil at being separated from her family and forced into an unpleasant surrogate household with people who do not understand nor care about her. A father's love for his only daughter is woven throughout this novel, and I'm so excited to see what this lovely author does next.
March 1, 2025
A brilliant debut from Bethany! Loved how dark and menacing it was yet the warmth and love between the family was a lovely touch. 😍 Recommend to horror lovers!
June 30, 2024
Russo is an author to watch! The Devil Inside is well-written and provokes deep emotions. I don’t usually gravitate toward books heavy with grief, but this one pulled me in, and I’m so glad I read it! The storytelling was excellent. This book will stick with me for a while. Although this story delves into some dark themes of family and grief, it was enjoyable with an interesting spin on those themes. The emotion pours off the pages and makes the reader feel Matthew’s love and grief for his family and Lucy’s suffering and despair for the life she was living. This is a story that will tug at your heartstrings. I’m happy with the final choice at the end. It was perfect.
November 25, 2023
Do you like TJ Klune? Then you'll love Bethany Russo's debut, The Devil Inside. A cosy read about lost (and found) family, with a biblical/supernatural twist. Beth's style of writing is beautiful, and she tells this heartbreaking story in such a poetic way. I can't wait to read more from her!
If you're looking for a cosy and uplifting read for the holiday season, look no further.
If you're looking for a cosy and uplifting read for the holiday season, look no further.
January 22, 2024
Thank you so much for your writing this!
Iits a dark and challenging story that takes you on a roller coaster ride or dispair, hope and love.
All kids think that maybe they were adopted at some point but imagine finding out you were really swapped at birth!
It's an emotional ride but so worth it!
Be sure to check trigger warnings.
Iits a dark and challenging story that takes you on a roller coaster ride or dispair, hope and love.
All kids think that maybe they were adopted at some point but imagine finding out you were really swapped at birth!
It's an emotional ride but so worth it!
Be sure to check trigger warnings.
January 4, 2026
A very touching story
March 13, 2024
The devil inside by Bethany Russo.
Matthew’s life is turned upside down the day his daughter, Lucy, is born. His wife has died, and Gabriel, the all-powerful leader of his world, has taken Lucy to the mortals. Eight years later, Matthew returns from his self-imposed exile looking for answers. He decides to go back home and ask his brother, Lucifer, for help. It becomes Lucifer’s mission to bring Lucy back home. Lucy’s family has no idea she is not their biological daughter, nor do they know she is spending time with her real father and uncle. Gabriel is unhappy to find out Matthew and Lucifer have been visiting the mortal world, as their actions have been causing collateral damage. He strips Lucifer of his powers to access Lucy. The mortal clock is ticking quickly. Will Matthew and Lucy ever be reunited in the place they both belong?
Really good read. I loved the cover. I did like the short chapters. I loved Matthew and Lucy. Even Lucifer. Gabriel I wasn't sure about. I didn't like Karen or Libby for how they treated Lucy. I did find this slow going but I managed to read it. It was very well written. A beautiful story about family and grief. I loved the supernatural side. This had the ending I was hoping for and I liked Gabriel in the end. 4*.
Matthew’s life is turned upside down the day his daughter, Lucy, is born. His wife has died, and Gabriel, the all-powerful leader of his world, has taken Lucy to the mortals. Eight years later, Matthew returns from his self-imposed exile looking for answers. He decides to go back home and ask his brother, Lucifer, for help. It becomes Lucifer’s mission to bring Lucy back home. Lucy’s family has no idea she is not their biological daughter, nor do they know she is spending time with her real father and uncle. Gabriel is unhappy to find out Matthew and Lucifer have been visiting the mortal world, as their actions have been causing collateral damage. He strips Lucifer of his powers to access Lucy. The mortal clock is ticking quickly. Will Matthew and Lucy ever be reunited in the place they both belong?
Really good read. I loved the cover. I did like the short chapters. I loved Matthew and Lucy. Even Lucifer. Gabriel I wasn't sure about. I didn't like Karen or Libby for how they treated Lucy. I did find this slow going but I managed to read it. It was very well written. A beautiful story about family and grief. I loved the supernatural side. This had the ending I was hoping for and I liked Gabriel in the end. 4*.
March 5, 2025
Eight years ago, immortals Matthew and Emily were the proud new parents of a baby daughter, Lucy, when an inexplicable tragedy tore their little family apart. Emily died and Gabriel, the leader of their unearthly world, sent baby Lucy away to live with the mortals. Now, Matthew wants Lucy back and will do anything to get her, including seeking his brother Lucifer’s help to defy Gabriel. When father and uncle meet young Lucy in secret, worlds collide. Gabriel wields his power to regain control, but Matthew’s love for his daughter knows no bounds. The result is a four-way battle of wills spanning universe and time.
This is the third book I have read by Bethany Russo, so I already knew she tells emotionally laden stories lightened with subtle humor, but I was still unprepared for the power of The Devil Inside. The names Gabriel and Lucifer hint at a Biblical good versus evil plot, but the author eschews stereotypes, giving these two a richly layered backstory and the devil a refreshingly transformative character arc. Of course, the stars in this universe are dad and daughter Matthew and Lucy, and Russo writes with exquisite sensitivity about the beauty, intensity, and even fragility of the father-daughter bond. “She was either too much or too little but this was her dad, and maybe he’d forgive her for it.” This is a novel that captured my heart on page two and wouldn’t let go until I read the last sentence. I only wish I could read it again for the very first time.
This is the third book I have read by Bethany Russo, so I already knew she tells emotionally laden stories lightened with subtle humor, but I was still unprepared for the power of The Devil Inside. The names Gabriel and Lucifer hint at a Biblical good versus evil plot, but the author eschews stereotypes, giving these two a richly layered backstory and the devil a refreshingly transformative character arc. Of course, the stars in this universe are dad and daughter Matthew and Lucy, and Russo writes with exquisite sensitivity about the beauty, intensity, and even fragility of the father-daughter bond. “She was either too much or too little but this was her dad, and maybe he’d forgive her for it.” This is a novel that captured my heart on page two and wouldn’t let go until I read the last sentence. I only wish I could read it again for the very first time.
January 10, 2024
4.5 stars! I’m not quite sure how to categorize this book in terms of genre but the heart of it is a story about family and grief. It’s the story of a father and daughter cruelly torn apart, and their journey to be reunited. It’s about never truly feeling like you belong in one place, and finding home in a person when you never thought you’d be whole again. It was a dark tale in places, but also so wholesome. The connection between Matthew and Lucy felt truly special, and I was glad to see their happy ending come into place. Russo is an exciting new author to watch out for on the indie scene, I recommend all of her work so far!
June 6, 2025
I read this book after a cameo from a few of these characters in ‘The Wonder Of You’ and I’m glad I was able to get to know them properly! Overall this is a story about finding family in very unexpected places, reunions and the hope for feeling love again within grief. Matthew and Lucifer are a unique pair of brothers, Gabriel is the awkward father figure trying to control them, and Lucy is a sweet girl who feels lost in a world she doesn’t understand. I would recommend reading this book to fans of supernatural stories with twists re: religion/spirituality.
February 6, 2024
I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I loved this heart-wrenching but cosy read about father and daughter who have been separated and their journey to find each other again.
A fantastic debut with a biblical/supernatural twist on lost and found family. Can't wait to see what this author does next.
I loved this heart-wrenching but cosy read about father and daughter who have been separated and their journey to find each other again.
A fantastic debut with a biblical/supernatural twist on lost and found family. Can't wait to see what this author does next.
September 19, 2025
"His heart was pounding, his hands were shaking, he thought he would explode into a million pieces. He felt as if he was painting the sky red while also falling down a black hole. Squeezing his eyes shut, he could hear how his breakdown was causing the waves below him to crash together, the trees to whip frantically above him."
Now that you have a sliver of understanding (because, Reader, the quote above is only the beginning) of how Bethany Russo weaves humanity and emotionality into her storytelling, let's discuss...
THE DEVIL INSIDE is worthy of all five golden stars. I expected Russo's work to be emotional and layered (I've read THE WONDER OF YOU and her first poetry collection, RAPID EYE MOVEMENT), but I suppose I was caught off-guard by how deeply this story hit me. I read it slowly because there were moments that were admittedly challenging. (Please check content warnings--which the author is always very candid about) However, more than the stickiness of reading about child neglect, was the palatable references to grief and love lost. As well as the burning desire to help, save, protect, etc. that our main character Matthew feels for his daughter, Lucy. I cannot properly put into words how much Russo's inner dialogues resonated with me. So, I had to take it slow. It felt personal. And personal stories--ones that grab us and don't let us go--need to be approached with reverence.
To say I walked away with an empathetic disposition towards the character Lucifier (yes, THAT Lucifier) is outrageous, I know. But hear me out--you too will start to see things in a different light by the end of this epic tale.
At the risk of getting canceled, I'll just say it: None of us like Gaiman anymore, right? Because, despite his beautiful art (of which I was--am?--an enormous fan), he's problematic as hell. Okay, well, for those of us looking for Gaiman Alternatives, I've found her: Bethany Russo. Russo's urban fantasy blended with horror is JUST AS CAPTIVATING. There. I said it. BUT, what Russo brings to the table that elevates the story, in my opinion, is that raw emotionality I discussed earlier.
In short: Pick up THE DEVIL INSIDE. Get ready for a literary explosion; Russo's instincts are powerful. Get ready to wish you could dine with the devil after slay a coven of witches and bad guys. But above all, get ready to feel.
Now that you have a sliver of understanding (because, Reader, the quote above is only the beginning) of how Bethany Russo weaves humanity and emotionality into her storytelling, let's discuss...
THE DEVIL INSIDE is worthy of all five golden stars. I expected Russo's work to be emotional and layered (I've read THE WONDER OF YOU and her first poetry collection, RAPID EYE MOVEMENT), but I suppose I was caught off-guard by how deeply this story hit me. I read it slowly because there were moments that were admittedly challenging. (Please check content warnings--which the author is always very candid about) However, more than the stickiness of reading about child neglect, was the palatable references to grief and love lost. As well as the burning desire to help, save, protect, etc. that our main character Matthew feels for his daughter, Lucy. I cannot properly put into words how much Russo's inner dialogues resonated with me. So, I had to take it slow. It felt personal. And personal stories--ones that grab us and don't let us go--need to be approached with reverence.
To say I walked away with an empathetic disposition towards the character Lucifier (yes, THAT Lucifier) is outrageous, I know. But hear me out--you too will start to see things in a different light by the end of this epic tale.
At the risk of getting canceled, I'll just say it: None of us like Gaiman anymore, right? Because, despite his beautiful art (of which I was--am?--an enormous fan), he's problematic as hell. Okay, well, for those of us looking for Gaiman Alternatives, I've found her: Bethany Russo. Russo's urban fantasy blended with horror is JUST AS CAPTIVATING. There. I said it. BUT, what Russo brings to the table that elevates the story, in my opinion, is that raw emotionality I discussed earlier.
In short: Pick up THE DEVIL INSIDE. Get ready for a literary explosion; Russo's instincts are powerful. Get ready to wish you could dine with the devil after slay a coven of witches and bad guys. But above all, get ready to feel.
December 11, 2023
One man’s(or two I suppose, if you count his brother) struggle to be reunited with his child.
Matthew will stop at nothing to have his daughter returned to him and turns to Lucifer, his brother, to help him achieve that goal. Hardships in both realms will follow as the task reveals itself to be much harder than they anticipated.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t really the kind of book I usually go for, but I do love a bit of theological fiction(worth noting this doesn’t touch on that stuff, but you know… lucifers in it so 🤷🏻♂️) and i’m always about supporting new Authors.
The writing was fantastic and Bethany conveyed a lot of grief and turmoil in both Matthew and Lucy really well with this book.
I look forward to seeing what else Russo has to offer in the future.
Matthew will stop at nothing to have his daughter returned to him and turns to Lucifer, his brother, to help him achieve that goal. Hardships in both realms will follow as the task reveals itself to be much harder than they anticipated.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t really the kind of book I usually go for, but I do love a bit of theological fiction(worth noting this doesn’t touch on that stuff, but you know… lucifers in it so 🤷🏻♂️) and i’m always about supporting new Authors.
The writing was fantastic and Bethany conveyed a lot of grief and turmoil in both Matthew and Lucy really well with this book.
I look forward to seeing what else Russo has to offer in the future.
September 15, 2024
This was such a good story! Such heartbreak on every page! I really connected with and felt for all of the main characters, and the characters that angered me angered me. I loved the ending; it really fit with the characters' personalities. I wish there was a sequel so that I can see how these characters will come to handle their situation, but this might just be a standalone. In either case, the ending was satisfying enough. Check the trigger warnings because it has, like, all of them!
Honestly, I would've rated this a little higher if not for all the grammar issues that kept irking me, like the overuse of commas that every so often confused me. But this is probably my only complaint.
Honestly, I would've rated this a little higher if not for all the grammar issues that kept irking me, like the overuse of commas that every so often confused me. But this is probably my only complaint.
January 18, 2024
I was pleasantly suprised by how much I really enjoyed this one. I never thought I would be reading a book where I was rooting for the Devil 😂 It's a lovely story about the strength of family and heartbreak. The book is written very well and does not lack in detail anywhere throughout the story. The story is told between the mortal life of Lucy and the immortal world of Lucifer and his brother Mathew who desperately wants to get his daughter Lucy back with him and away from her abusive family in the mortal world. A really enjoyable read and I've not read anything like it before. I look forward to any future books from this author.
April 4, 2024
The Devil Inside by Bethany Russo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I sat down to read this book and gosh was I enticed. Straight away I was captured. It’s a great book for a relaxing read. Many dark and light moments, all making the book the great read it is.
I found myself on a journey with characters that showed great emotional and personal depth. I adored Lucifer and Matthew’s brothership.
Without adding spoilers, The Devil Inside, really had a hold on me, and when finished I definitely longed for more. (GIVE US MORE LUCIFER!)
This is Bethany Russo’s debut book as an author and what a great way to set off.
Can’t wait to read more of her work.
I sat down to read this book and gosh was I enticed. Straight away I was captured. It’s a great book for a relaxing read. Many dark and light moments, all making the book the great read it is.
I found myself on a journey with characters that showed great emotional and personal depth. I adored Lucifer and Matthew’s brothership.
Without adding spoilers, The Devil Inside, really had a hold on me, and when finished I definitely longed for more. (GIVE US MORE LUCIFER!)
This is Bethany Russo’s debut book as an author and what a great way to set off.
Can’t wait to read more of her work.
August 19, 2025
My very first book from this genre…
What can I say…I wasn’t sure at first, as I don’t usually read this kind of book, but I loved it!
Considering the dark subject matter, it made me smile on a number of occasions, although it also made me shed a few tears.
The characters were surprisingly endearing and I really enjoyed Bethany’s storytelling.
What can I say…I wasn’t sure at first, as I don’t usually read this kind of book, but I loved it!
Considering the dark subject matter, it made me smile on a number of occasions, although it also made me shed a few tears.
The characters were surprisingly endearing and I really enjoyed Bethany’s storytelling.
November 10, 2023
The Devil Inside is OUT NOW!!!! If you decide to pick it up and give it a chance... THANK YOU!
I hope you like it :)
I hope you like it :)
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