Devils We Know

Devils Like Us #2

by L.T. Thompson

"Queer buccaneers on a magical adventure . . . one of the comps was Our Flag Means Death, how could I not give it a try? I'm so glad I did!" - Rick Riordan, on Devils Like Us

The sequel to the Stonewall Honor winner Devils Like Us

Three queer teens must bring Death out of hiding to save one of their own in book two of this YA historical fantasy duology that's Our Flag Means Death meets The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.

We need to find Death.

Cas, Remy, and Finn are on the run from the Order of Lazarus, a secret society that wants to use Cas's prophetic powers to capture Death and ensure that only the “unworthy” and “immoral” will meet their ends. Which will not only upend nature's balance but also tear apart the only place the friends have ever felt safe to be Aboard the Mori, where Cas can live openly as a trans boy, and where Remy and Finn are beginning to fall for each other. No matter what, they can't let that happen.

To protect their found family of queer sailors, the three teens will need to find Death first and strike a bargain of their own. But the society is hot on their heels-and so is a demon who's determined to claim the soul he's owed.

For Fans
Queer Pirates
Slow-burn Sapphic Romance
Queer Found Family
Historical Fantasy
Trans Representation

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT, Audiobook, Romance, Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Leanna Streeter]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This was a fun, fast-paced read that I ended up finishing in a single day. Once I started, I found it difficult to put down because I wanted to see how all of the different storylines would come together.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the multiple POVs. Each character brought something different to the story, and I enjoyed watching their individual journeys unfold while the larger plot gradually wove everything together. The connections between the characters and storylines kept me engaged and made the world feel bigger and more layered.

The found family elements were especially enjoyable, and I appreciated how much heart and humor was woven throughout the adventure. There was always something happening, which made this a quick and entertaining read.

Overall, this was an enjoyable conclusion to the duology with memorable characters, plenty of action, and a story that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy found family, multiple POVs, and adventurous fantasy with a diverse cast of characters, this one is worth picking up.

[Ena Babic Barnes]

One of my most favorite duologies ever. Perfect amount of adventure, magic, love and family. A perfect tale.

[Avery Mead]

The Devils We Know is a superb ending to an incredible story. Readers can expect more action, adventure, and love in this (both romantic and platonic). This book picks up after the last left off with our intrepid trio bruised, wiser, and ready to take on (and take down) The Order. We see Remy and Finn both have realizations about their individual powers, magical and otherwise, and about each other. Cas becomes braver, calmer, and more confident. As with the first book, this is chock full of LGBTQ+ representation, including trans, queer, and asexual rep. I absolutely loved this swashbuckling, nail-biting page turner, and like all of Thompson’s books, The Devils We Know is filled to the brim with humor and heart.

[Jen]

An absolutely magical, adventurous, queer romp. After DEVILS LIKE US, I thought my love for Cas, Remy, Finn, and the rest of these characters was at its sky-high limits. I was so wrong! This book is the absolute perfect follow up and to the first novel. Thompson's plot is tightly crafted, layered, and surprising. The prose is delightful, and so full of heart and humor. I truly had that "ok, but just one more chapter" feeling throughout the whole story, and would have read it in one sitting if I could have. I just love this duology more than words can say. It's so, so good. Treat yourself and read both if you can. This series is perfect.

[Ana Wright]

It's nice how we picked up from where we left off but we also get more and details about what happened to Finn. I like seeing that their friendship is still strong and that they are helping each other even when it seems impossible. It is also really fun seeing the little stuff with their relationships wether it is romantic or platonic. This book is a really good page turner it keeps you on your toes with suspense and you just have to know what happens. I like all the foreshadowing of weird stuff happening which is going to led to a big showdown or something like that. The ending is really great it was good on putting everything together and everyone got their own happy ending.

[alicia]

Did I totally get emotional in this one?? This was the second instalment of a very cute and cozy found family queer YA. It's quite low stakes and I didn't go in with particularly high expectation but it was fantastic. I think it worked well that it's a bit more established and the main characters have found their footing a bit. I do think this one was missing something with the most loveably side characters being absent for a large part of the book. They just added some different perspectives. It feels like this was the last one but hope there will be more.

[Dev]

While I selfishly wanted a different development in Cas’s character - wanting to see a trans masculine character more like myself - I was delighted by how he did develop in the end, along with our sapphic disaster duo and the wonderful rest of the cast. I hope the author revisits the trio in future adventures.

[The Page Ladies Book Club]

🌊 1. Devils We Know by L.T. Thompson
▫️Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon
▫️The Vibe: Dark Fantasy / Queer sailors racing a secret society to find Death.
▫️Review: "Obsessed! The narration kept my heart rate through the roof and the found-family dynamic is pure gold. Download immediately!"

[Cait]

I listened to this book as an Advanced Listener Copy from Libro.fm

[Seana P]

It was good, but it took me a while to get the characters organized from reading the first book. Kind of took a while to get going?

[L I]

This should've been a trilogy. Still good though

[Amanda]

This sequel to DEVILS LIKE US picks up right where it left off. With Finn, Cas and Remy in a race to track down Death before the Order of Lazarus, a secret society, does and alters the fates of those both living and dead.
There are deals struck with demons, conversations with Death, a sweet little love story,
and adventures on the high seas! If you loved Our Flag Means Death, then you absolutely must read this duology!

Thank you Bloomsbury Books for the ARC!