When strange sounds and whispered voices begin haunting the Miller family’s home, what begins as fear soon turns to desperation. Their son, twelve-year-old James, starts speaking in a voice that isn’t his. The local priest, Father William Grant believes he’s faced evil before, but nothing like this.
The rites fail. The prayers go unanswered. And as the nights grow longer, it becomes clear that what has taken hold inside that house isn’t seeking release, It wants to be free.
The Devil in I is a terrifying story of faith, guilt, and the silence of Heaven.
A possession tale where salvation is the most dangerous illusion of all.
Angel R. Sánchez is a passionate storyteller who weaves mystery, adventure, and emotion into every page. Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, his love for ancient legends and stories of human resilience inspired him to dream of worlds where courage and hope defy the limits of the possible.
After publishing his first works in Spanish, Linajes (2014), the poetry collection Katharsis, and the anthology Coleccionando Cuentos, co-written with his best friend, Víctor L. Miranda, life took him on a long detour away from writing. For years, he stepped back from his passion, balancing work and family while carrying stories quietly within him.
In 2025, Angel returned to the page with renewed purpose, making his English-language debut with The Real Monster. This novel not only reignited his literary journey but also launched his shared horror universe, The Mortal Coil.
Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Ángel invites readers to cross invisible thresholds, confront the unknown, and discover pieces of themselves within each tale. His inspiration springs from everyday life, myths hidden in plain sight, and his firm belief that imagination knows no boundaries.
Above all, Angel is a husband and the proud father of an amazing autistic daughter. Beyond the books, he’s a regular guy who works as an industrial machine operator and, like so many others, does his best every day to keep his family strong and cared for.
Prepare to lose yourself in unforgettable adventures... and perhaps, to find yourself along the way.
This book has everything you’d expect from an exorcist-style novel: a possessed child, an ancient secret, a bold priest, even letters from Rome. And obviously: an exorcism, including Bible verses in Latin. All these elements are well known, and The Devil in I doesn’t reinvent the genre. It’s not a book full of surprises, but one that plays with established elements and excels in its execution. What makes it stand out is that it expands the limits of the genre, by turning familiar elements into something cosmic and world-shattering. As a result this book managed to keep me on edge with every turn of the page.
Sánchez proves once more that he is a master at building suspense and atmosphere. His writing is as immersive as full of action and seems only to improve with each of his books. What probably contributes most to this is his use of vivid, everyday imagery combined with pure horror. By that he manages to create a kind of realistic horror that subtly bends the fabric of reality. His sharp eye for detail allows him to dissect ordinary life in a deeply unsettling way. Or as the author puts it in his own words: „horror often lives in that space where something feels almost right, but not entirely.“ Not set in his Mortal Coil universe, The Devil in I is a strong novel that burns on its own. Are you ready to face Hell?
I was so excited to receive this book from the author. I have read many possession novels and each one was different in their own way. This story was no different. Little did I know this book would be something else altogether. When I think of possession, I visualize. Person slowly changing into someone no one knows or recognizes. They begin to exhibit strange behavior, reject basic necessities and refute God. This character, while a young boy, did change in personality but not in a recognizable way. Doctors and specialist equated his behavior with stress. I guess I would have a hard time believing possession from a demon if I did not believe it could happen. I commend this author of keeping the `possession` realistic because I have experienced similar behavior. My family was terrorized by something..a demon, evil spirit; I vividly remember seeing glowing red eye in the door to my sister’s room. We had church people at our house to rid us the entity. It must have worked because we had peace after their visit. I would have been impressed with this story when the boy was exorcised. The author took the story in a different direction. This story got me thinking, “What if Lucifer was released?” I cannot even imagine. The author did a really good job of describing what would happen. Depressing?, yes, but what else could the conclusion be? Would there be anyone to tell the story or would all humans be wiped out and something else survive. I am glad I can read about it in a story because I do not believe humans are ready for that kind of future.
Something ancient has an appetite for freedom. This story is possession horror that catapults into action as if it has somewhere to be. Absolute MAYHEM from start to finish and no one is exempt. The tension and suspense had me double-checking shadows .. my own included. 10/10
Title: The Devil In I By: Angel R. Sanchez Publisher: Not listed Published Date: Expected May 17, 2026 ASIN: B0GX1SXH5W ISBN: 9798271733994 Page Count: 320
Triggers: Possession, religious horror, child endangerment, demonic activity, trauma, corrupted faith, moral collapse, violence, disturbing imagery, hopelessness
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
Apparently, I walked into a possession story that looked at every exorcism book before it and said, “That’s adorable. Now move.”
The Devil In I follows twelve-year-old James Miller, whose family begins hearing strange sounds, whispers, and all the usual “absolutely not, burn the house down” warning signs. Then James starts speaking in a voice that is not his, and Father William Grant is called in to save him. Simple, right?
Nope. Not even a little.
This book does not stop at creepy kid, desperate family, scared priest, and a few prayers tossed at the ceiling. Angel R. Sanchez takes the possession story and cracks it wide open until it becomes something much bigger, darker, and nastier. This is not just about one boy’s soul. This is about faith, guilt, Heaven’s silence, and the terrifying possibility that salvation may be the most dangerous lie in the room.
Here’s What Slapped:
This book came in swinging and did not bother with the polite little warm-up most horror stories give you before ruining your evening. It grabs the possession trope by the collar, drags it into darker territory, and makes it clear early on that nobody is leaving this house emotionally intact. Not James. Not his family. Not Father Grant. Not me, sitting there pretending I was fine.
Sanchez’s writing is smooth, vivid, and creepy as hell. Literally. The disturbing moments are written with care and control, which somehow makes them worse. He does not just throw horror at the wall and hope something sticks. He builds it. He lets the dread breathe. He lets the silence stretch until you start side-eyeing your own hallway like it personally betrayed you.
The horror is unsettling without feeling cheap, graphic without feeling like shock for shock’s sake, and layered enough that the dread kept building even when I thought I already knew where the story was going.
Spoiler: I did not.
Father Grant is also a strong character because he is not just there to wave a Bible and yell at evil like this is his first rodeo at the demon circus. He brings faith, doubt, guilt, fear, and a whole lot of “Sir, are you emotionally qualified for this?” energy. The Miller family’s desperation feels real, and the flashbacks add depth instead of dragging the pacing into the basement.
And the pacing? Fast. Relentless. No slow polite knocking at the door. This book kicks it open and starts rearranging the furniture.
What really worked for me was how the story kept expanding. Every time I thought I had the rules figured out, Sanchez moved the walls. The evil here is not just loud and ugly. It feels old, patient, and way too comfortable in the dark. That made the book feel less like a simple exorcism story and more like a trap that had been waiting long before anyone realized they had stepped into it.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly, not much for me. Some readers who prefer very traditional religious horror may need to know this does not stay neatly inside the lines of doctrine. It plays with faith, evil, and origin in a way that might make some people clutch their pearls and reach for holy water.
Personally? I loved that. Possession horror can get predictable fast, and this one felt fresh, bleak, and mean in the best way. It does not rely on the same tired “demon says something gross, priest yells louder” formula. It goes deeper. It gets stranger. It asks uncomfortable questions and then leaves you sitting there with the answers like, “Well, good luck sleeping with that.”
The only warning I would give is that this book is dark. Not cute dark. Not “light a fall candle and read under a blanket” dark. More like “why is my house making noises and why do I suddenly distrust every shadow?” dark.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Religious horror, possession stories, corrupted faith, exorcism horror, bleak supernatural dread, morally messy priests, creepy children, family trauma, ancient evil, and books that do not care about your peace.
Fans of The Exorcist will absolutely want to look at this one, but do not expect a copycat. In this reader’s opinion, The Devil In I takes the possession framework and pushes it into something more ambitious, more vicious, and far more unsettling.
Sum Up:
The Devil In I is fast-paced, disturbing, beautifully written, and deeply creepy. Angel R. Sanchez gave me dread, atmosphere, emotional weight, and an evil that felt bigger than one house, one child, or one priest. This is the kind of possession horror that does not just ask what happens when evil gets inside. It asks what happens when faith is not enough to get it back out.
Angel is very quickly becoming one of my must-read authors. Every book of his that I’ve read has been fantastic, and his newest book, The Devil In I, is no exception. From the first sentence, I was sucked into this world.
The story starts out as your typical possession story, but by the end, it’s like nothing like I’ve read before. We follow the Miller family, whose 12 year old son, James, has been at the center of strange occurrences and noises. When he starts speaking in a voice that’s not his, they get a local priest, Father Grant, to help out. I genuinely had no idea where this story was going. It starts out pretty typical, but soon enough, things escalate and get much worse than just a possessed kid. It’s clear there’s so much more at stake. I won’t spoil the ending, but wow, I was left speechless.
As always, Angel has such a beautiful, almost poetic prose that dragged me deeper into the story, and the way he builds dread through every chapter, every paragraph is just amazing. It’s on the shorter side as far as novels go, but it didn’t feel too short. Angel has a way of getting so much story into about 200 pages. Every new page brought on a wave of fresh terror, and there are scenes that genuinely creeped the hell out of me. It’s engaging, creepy, unpredictable, and overall is just so well written. I highly recommend checking this book out
After finishing this book I had to sit on it for a day to gather my thoughts and feelings and try to string together a series of words that would come away sounding more comprehensive and intelligent then just, “Damn this book was the bomb!” Guess what? I haven’t been able to do that. Lol.
The Devil In I is the story of the possession of 12 year old James Miller and his family and family priest, Father Grant and their fight to save his soul. Yet it becomes so much more than just the story of James’ fight for freedom. With skill and imagination that in this readers opinion surpasses that of, William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist, James’ story becomes a horrifying tale that grows to encompass all humanity has come to learn of religious doctrine.
This is the first book of Ángel Sanchez’ that I have read and now I am eagerly looking forward to exploring his oeuvre. His writing flows smoothly and his characters are well fleshed out, unique and polished. His world building is solid and in this case scary as hell and I mean that quite literally.
Ángel R. Sanchez’ possession story, The Devil In I is pure unadulterated FIRE! 🔥
****MUST READ**** Damn, this horror book is phenomenal! It has a little of everything; emotions, fright, suspense, excitement, possession, evil, and lots more!
The Miller family notices something is wrong with their 13 year old son, James. They contact the local priest to come in and give some advice. This is just the start of hell for this family, and those in contact with them. This story takes a deep and dark turn very quickly. It’s not just about possession, but something way deeper and horrifying.
Definitely a top read of mine! It’s very well written and I didn’t want to put it down! Books rarely give me the creeps and this one did! The ending completely surprised me in the best way! It completely sucked me in and I felt it in my soul! I will remember this book!
I was lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! I can’t wait to read more from this author!! *It comes out May 17th and I highly recommend the read!!* 😈👹😈👹😈👹
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. Like the other books, I was immediately drawn in and invested in the characters and storyline.
How can I describe it other than demonically captivating. 😈 It is not your run of the mill exorcism book.
As with all of his books, Angel puts his own unique perspective on a story we thought we knew. The journey I was taken on was not what I thought it would be and I enjoyed every page! The conclusion is… as it should be. 👌🏽I loved it!
Angel’s writing made the fear, anxiety and isolation that was a result of the demonic force palpable for the reader. And every character introduced was touched by the demonic force Angel created. No loose ends or unfinished storylines here.
If you want an exorcism with great writing and a new perspective on demons and possession, I highly recommend this book.
Take everything you think you know about the Exorcist and make a sharp left. This is what Angel brings to us in this dark story. He introduces us to James Miller who at 12 years old is possessed. And it isn't a slow burn of a start; he takes us on a roller coaster ride from the beginning. The priest and family follow the usual tropes but this story turn all that on its edge. Evil isn't formulaic and one way doesn't work in all cases. The atmosphere and suspense are top notch and keep the pages turning. Angel has done it once again with his writing style and the way he presents the story. This is one tale that you'll want to keep the lights on for.
Father Grant is called to the Millers' house, where strange things are happening. Initially, it looks like the Millers' twelve-year-old son is possessed. But that's only the beginning...
This book is compelling and genuinely creepy. If you think you've seen it all when it comes to possession stories, think again.... Fast paced and unsettling, this story only begins where other stories end. It's a wild ride, for sure..
It was my first book by Angel, but I'll be checking out his other work for sure!
Everything you could want in an exorcist type book letters from Rome cause you know they got to approve to help a possessed child. Ancient secrets and a priest ready to fight whatever possessed this 12 years old boy and save his soul.
A brutal, emotional, character driven descent into darkness. This story is unsettling blending grief, rage, and supernatural possesion. It feels raw and personal. The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere thick, and the emotional stakes hit hard. This might start as just another average possession story but it’s far from that
A standout for readers who love extreme psychological horror with real heart behind the brutality. It’s a must read
I love a good possession story and I was excited when I found out Angel was writing one. But this is not just your average possession story. This evil is darker than the demons we are used to. I have enjoyed everything I have read by Angel. He has a way of making even the most vile scenes sound beautiful. This one grips you from the very beginning with nonstop dread and hopelessness. The Devil in I is my new favorite of his books and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
I was a beta reader for this book and as with all of Angel’s books I loved it! It had me hooked immediately. I loved the descriptions of James and his room and what was happening to him. There’s some really good flashbacks in the book that contributed well to the whole story and a look into the past. There’s a lot of mysterious parts to this story and I thought the ending was really good! I love possession stories and this was a really good novella!
This was such an insane take on the exorcism horror genre by Angel R Sánchez. There’s no slow build at all—it just throws you straight into the possession & trauma which I personally loved. (No lube!)
The narration feels kind of distant at first, almost like you’re not fully connected to what’s going on, but stick with it. Once you realize whose perspective you’re actually seeing things from, it makes a lot more sense—and honestly made me appreciate it even more by the end.
If you come from a more traditional religious background, just know this isn’t really “canon,” but that’s part of what makes it feel different.
Super dark, bleak, and pretty unsettling overall. If you’re into heavy, no-holds-barred horror, I’d definitely recommend you pick this one up when it debuts!
I really enjoyed this book it was fast paced and I was hooked from the beginning.This book was unsettling and I recommend it to anyone interested in a psychological thriller exploring corrupted faith and moral collapse.
Wow what a great story about lucifer and how he fell to earth leaving his artifact to be found by children. Buried beneath a house. I am a huge fan of possession and exorcism stories and this is now one of my favorites
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.