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The Devil's Gift
All twelve-year-old Daniel wanted was a girlfriend. What he got was way more than he bargained for…
THE DEVIL’S GIFT is the thrilling debut novella by London-based horror writer Joshua Robinson.
THE DEVIL’S GIFT is the thrilling debut novella by London-based horror writer Joshua Robinson.
- GenresHorror
193 pages, ebook
Published April 1, 2022
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 17, 2022
Ok so this book got gobbled up in two days, I started it in my doctor's appointment waiting room and finished it in bed the next day. Think of a more gruesome and more twisted version of Let the right one. I loved the characters in this story if you like a mix of coming of age/ young adult stories. This is not a typical vampire Gabrielle is both sadist and manipulative but also has a very sweet and loving side towards Daniel. She seems to want to push his boundaries, and see how far he is willing to go to prove his love for her. She is stupidly likeable which means she can win anyone over even Daniel's parents. Who seems convinced that it is just young love until Daniel starts to rebel in a very unusual way. The change in Daniel is gradual the longer he spends with Gabrielle, the darker his approach gets. Under the impression that what he is doing is helping a vigilant who needs to eat to survive. As the story continues to get more twisted the dynamics between the two change. The pace is beautifully set out from the get-go, instantly hooking you with the mysterious girl in the park. I also loved the use of literature in the first chapter, the man who hated flies was a brilliant choice. Then there's the bully, Gregory who is your garden variety asshat. Everyone has had dealings with a bully like him, but I enjoyed the role reversed with Gabrielle saving the day and rescuing Dan. The strong female character with a dark secret is a great touch, I also liked that you got to see the other side of things. How Daniel questions what society expects from boys, that he has to protect her as her boyfriend. Which is so sad, because this stereotype does still exist. Which is why I love that Gabrielle squashes that and treats him like an equal. Not a girl he has to protect, shelter and save as she holds her power and strength. This story wraps around so many different aspects, the struggles of growing up, first loves and of course what to do in the face of a moral dilemma. For a new release I really enjoyed this story and I found it a refreshing change of pace.
June 13, 2022
Joshua Robinson was kind enough to send me 'The Devil's Gift', his thrilling debut novella for review and managed to take me back to my early teen years with his lovely tale.
Meet Daniel; a lonely and bullied at school, twelve-year-old who desperately desires having a girlfriend.
His dreams will come true when he meets Gabriella. A lovely yet mysterious girl with a dark secret. A secret that will get Daniel into serious trouble and put him in the spot to decide if he has to listen to his heart or his mind.
This wonderful, coming of age tale of young love, heartbreak, loss, blood and gore will creep you out and probably make you emotional at the same time as it beautifully combines scenes powerful enough to stir up emotions.
Nicely penned characters and a story that sinks its fangs in you and never let's you go. The combination of sweet romance and pure folkloric horror elements is magical and brings to mind 'Let the right one in', but it's a whole new different, unique beast on its own.
Hauntingly good and laced with the right amount of dark atmosphere, 'The Devil's Gift ' will creep in and stay there for quite some time.
Meet Daniel; a lonely and bullied at school, twelve-year-old who desperately desires having a girlfriend.
His dreams will come true when he meets Gabriella. A lovely yet mysterious girl with a dark secret. A secret that will get Daniel into serious trouble and put him in the spot to decide if he has to listen to his heart or his mind.
This wonderful, coming of age tale of young love, heartbreak, loss, blood and gore will creep you out and probably make you emotional at the same time as it beautifully combines scenes powerful enough to stir up emotions.
Nicely penned characters and a story that sinks its fangs in you and never let's you go. The combination of sweet romance and pure folkloric horror elements is magical and brings to mind 'Let the right one in', but it's a whole new different, unique beast on its own.
Hauntingly good and laced with the right amount of dark atmosphere, 'The Devil's Gift ' will creep in and stay there for quite some time.
July 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author, Joshua Robinson, in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel can’t stop thinking about the girl in the park. He is a twelve year old boy, who is a particularly lonely kid. At school, he is bullied by a group of kids; both physically and emotionally. But one day, the girl from the park intervenes and all his day dreams about getting to know her come true. However, sometimes when our dreams meet reality, we don’t always realize that we can just as easily bite off more than we can chew. And for Daniel, he’s not quite sure if he has or not, but one thing is for sure, he knows he loves Gabriella with all his heart.
This novella is definitely one that you can easily read in one or two sittings. The chapters are short and digestible, which keeps the pace steady, allowing for a smooth flow from one page to another. It is a story about young love and figuring out how to navigate it. But more than that, it’s a story about not just decoding what love and relationships entail, but also doing it while under extraordinary circumstances that aren’t quite typical of puppy love. It is a story which takes the developing brain, sets it in an extreme situation, coupled by first love and decision making.
It asks, what is love? What is fair? What is right and wrong? Who gets to decide that? Can wrong look right under certain circumstances and how unconditional can love be? And better yet, should it be? Daniel struggles with all of these questions of morality and more as he reasons with his experiences with having found his first love and having a relationship with her.
This novella has cute moments, sprinkled with nostalgic feelings of how our brains may have worked once upon a time, but don’t get it wrong, this is a horror story and it is for adult audiences. It has undertones of a chilling creepy atmosphere mixed with in-your-face sort of horror, violence and gore that are reminiscent of scenes from various good horror films in the past couple decades. It has folklore horror elements and has some scenes that aren’t going to leave your mind for quite some time after reading it.
At times the plot is predictable, however, it does not necessarily take away from the story. When I read a novella of this flavour, I am usually more inclined to recommend to pick this one up when you have time to binge through it in one or two sittings. Sometimes, a spooky novella like this one, is best served without distractions, a cup of coffee (or tea), in this case, in order to properly dive into the mindset of this twelve year old kid.
Daniel can’t stop thinking about the girl in the park. He is a twelve year old boy, who is a particularly lonely kid. At school, he is bullied by a group of kids; both physically and emotionally. But one day, the girl from the park intervenes and all his day dreams about getting to know her come true. However, sometimes when our dreams meet reality, we don’t always realize that we can just as easily bite off more than we can chew. And for Daniel, he’s not quite sure if he has or not, but one thing is for sure, he knows he loves Gabriella with all his heart.
This novella is definitely one that you can easily read in one or two sittings. The chapters are short and digestible, which keeps the pace steady, allowing for a smooth flow from one page to another. It is a story about young love and figuring out how to navigate it. But more than that, it’s a story about not just decoding what love and relationships entail, but also doing it while under extraordinary circumstances that aren’t quite typical of puppy love. It is a story which takes the developing brain, sets it in an extreme situation, coupled by first love and decision making.
It asks, what is love? What is fair? What is right and wrong? Who gets to decide that? Can wrong look right under certain circumstances and how unconditional can love be? And better yet, should it be? Daniel struggles with all of these questions of morality and more as he reasons with his experiences with having found his first love and having a relationship with her.
This novella has cute moments, sprinkled with nostalgic feelings of how our brains may have worked once upon a time, but don’t get it wrong, this is a horror story and it is for adult audiences. It has undertones of a chilling creepy atmosphere mixed with in-your-face sort of horror, violence and gore that are reminiscent of scenes from various good horror films in the past couple decades. It has folklore horror elements and has some scenes that aren’t going to leave your mind for quite some time after reading it.
At times the plot is predictable, however, it does not necessarily take away from the story. When I read a novella of this flavour, I am usually more inclined to recommend to pick this one up when you have time to binge through it in one or two sittings. Sometimes, a spooky novella like this one, is best served without distractions, a cup of coffee (or tea), in this case, in order to properly dive into the mindset of this twelve year old kid.
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April 25, 2022Review to follow, but for now I'll say I enjoyed it very much and was left feeling quite ravenous on occasion throughout.
March 14, 2025
It was interesting to see a different sort of creature highlighted in a story. It was fun if a little predictable at the end! I will definitely look into Ghost Orchid Press to see what else they have to offer.
March 23, 2022
Coming of age holds a perpetual place in the annals of horror. Be it loss or loneliness, sometimes both, the abstract logic of children suspends all disbelief. It is to his merit, that Joshua Robinson has been able to address the lingering doubts of youth that manifest themselves in fear for the adult reader not only through horror but with a deep and chilling perception. It´s one thing to produce a debut novel of this caliber, but to imbue it with such wisdom, effort and heart is an absolute triumph.
May 10, 2022
In my opinion this is a great debut novella. The story had great character build up, some you liked some you were glad they got what was deserved. It was fast paced and hard to put down. With the twist at the end I'm hoping for a sequel.
July 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I was offered a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine alone.
Ah, first loves. We all know how intense and all-consuming those can be. How it can feel like the world is ending when they come crashing down. That's certainly the case for Daniel, who's first love has a very peculiar appetite...
This short, sweet and oh so violent little novella is the perfect blend of a folk horror tale, and a coming of age story. This really is one of those novels that'll keep you up late, reading it in the dark, with the covers pulled over your head. I know, I know, you can do that with pretty much every novel, but this one nails that nail biting, shivers down your spine, late night reading atmosphere so damn well.
While it is a quick read, it's a gruesome one. In fact, it's pretty damn disgusting, which if you're the kind of horror fan I am, will excite you. Robinson has created something special here, not only does it make for the perfect summer horror read, but it's also a creeptastic thrill ride, that can proudly sit next to the likes of King.
If you're at all on the fence about this one, pick it up, providing you have the nerves to handle it.
Ah, first loves. We all know how intense and all-consuming those can be. How it can feel like the world is ending when they come crashing down. That's certainly the case for Daniel, who's first love has a very peculiar appetite...
This short, sweet and oh so violent little novella is the perfect blend of a folk horror tale, and a coming of age story. This really is one of those novels that'll keep you up late, reading it in the dark, with the covers pulled over your head. I know, I know, you can do that with pretty much every novel, but this one nails that nail biting, shivers down your spine, late night reading atmosphere so damn well.
While it is a quick read, it's a gruesome one. In fact, it's pretty damn disgusting, which if you're the kind of horror fan I am, will excite you. Robinson has created something special here, not only does it make for the perfect summer horror read, but it's also a creeptastic thrill ride, that can proudly sit next to the likes of King.
If you're at all on the fence about this one, pick it up, providing you have the nerves to handle it.
June 29, 2022
Wow, I did not expect to like this as much as I did or become enraptured as heavily as I did based on the short synopsis. This is definitely not what you expect based on that description.
This novella had me eating out of the palm of its hand, I devoured it. I caught myself jumping ahead lines just to find out what would happen next. What is it about kids that make us think from surface level, the story will be aimed to immature audiences? Kids can be really creepy if done correctly, and boy does this story do it well.
I highly recommend this, it's a short read but a fun, thrilling one.
This novella had me eating out of the palm of its hand, I devoured it. I caught myself jumping ahead lines just to find out what would happen next. What is it about kids that make us think from surface level, the story will be aimed to immature audiences? Kids can be really creepy if done correctly, and boy does this story do it well.
I highly recommend this, it's a short read but a fun, thrilling one.
July 29, 2023
Daniel is a 12-year-old boy who struggles to make friends and can’t seem to escape the bullies at school. Almost everyday he goes to the park near his house, where a pretty girl sits by herself. Daniel has been slowly working up the courage to talk to her. Finally, one day he decides to follow her, leading him to an abandoned park bathroom. He comes face-to-face with her, forgetting all cool phrases he preplanned because she’s a little preoccupied, eating a human leg. This girl is Gabriella and she lives in the bathroom, with no parents and must hunt once a month. Who is Gabriella really, and why did she choose Daniel, a nobody, to be her boyfriend?
“The Devil’s Gift” was a great debut horror novel by Joshua Robinson and a quick read. I enjoyed the twist at the end and Gabriella’s origin (I won’t spoil anything). Not only did Gabriella have some issues (i mean she eats people) but so did Daniel, which made me not completely feel sympathetic towards him. “The Devil’s Gift” is a great read for anyone who enjoys horror where pre-teens or teenagers are the main character and voice of the novel.
“The Devil’s Gift” was a great debut horror novel by Joshua Robinson and a quick read. I enjoyed the twist at the end and Gabriella’s origin (I won’t spoil anything). Not only did Gabriella have some issues (i mean she eats people) but so did Daniel, which made me not completely feel sympathetic towards him. “The Devil’s Gift” is a great read for anyone who enjoys horror where pre-teens or teenagers are the main character and voice of the novel.
May 6, 2022
Just reading the synopsis, I didn't think I would like this debut story, but I was very wrong! And it made me order PizzaHut for the first time in a decade or so...
THE DEVIL'S GIFT is about 12 year-old Daniel's first girlfriend: a terrifying monster living in the park near his house and snacking on unfortunate joggers. Daniel wrestles with his loneliness as an outsider with no friends and plenty of bullies. Gabriella seems like a monster with a code at least, so what's the harm?
I thought I would have trouble connecting to a 12 year-old boy protagonist, specifically because romance plays an integral part in the story. A part of my brain was afraid that the author would take the easy road and right a story full of "boys will be boys" angst. It is immediately clear that this is not the case at all. Daniel is compassionate, thoughtful, sweet, a little sad, but most of all, he is head over heels in love. It is SO cute, and you can actually understand how and why he wrestles with his own moral code.
And don't worry. This story is HORROR for sure! There are scenes that are surprisingly gruesome, especially when they are sandwiched between sugary sweet puppy love. Oh, and the way the author describes PizzaHut got in my head. I craved it the whole week while reading. Finally I broke down and bought a pizza. He wrote it better to be honest. 😂
The only thing that bothered me a little was how often the MC thought lines right after they were said out loud. There are a lot of thinking lines actually, and once it nudged me out of the story zone for a second or two. But overall, the pace is excellent and consistent. There is humor and horror in fantastic balance. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you, Ghost Orchid Press for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
THE DEVIL'S GIFT is about 12 year-old Daniel's first girlfriend: a terrifying monster living in the park near his house and snacking on unfortunate joggers. Daniel wrestles with his loneliness as an outsider with no friends and plenty of bullies. Gabriella seems like a monster with a code at least, so what's the harm?
I thought I would have trouble connecting to a 12 year-old boy protagonist, specifically because romance plays an integral part in the story. A part of my brain was afraid that the author would take the easy road and right a story full of "boys will be boys" angst. It is immediately clear that this is not the case at all. Daniel is compassionate, thoughtful, sweet, a little sad, but most of all, he is head over heels in love. It is SO cute, and you can actually understand how and why he wrestles with his own moral code.
And don't worry. This story is HORROR for sure! There are scenes that are surprisingly gruesome, especially when they are sandwiched between sugary sweet puppy love. Oh, and the way the author describes PizzaHut got in my head. I craved it the whole week while reading. Finally I broke down and bought a pizza. He wrote it better to be honest. 😂
The only thing that bothered me a little was how often the MC thought lines right after they were said out loud. There are a lot of thinking lines actually, and once it nudged me out of the story zone for a second or two. But overall, the pace is excellent and consistent. There is humor and horror in fantastic balance. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you, Ghost Orchid Press for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2022
The Devil's Gift is a great short horror story which a think is best described as a 'coming-of-age horror'. I think what makes this so creepy is the mix of innocence and young love with violence and gruesome murders. I would like to have read more about how the developing relationship between the two main characters but other than that it was a really enjoyable read.
~I received a copy of The Devil's Gift in exchange for an honest review~
~I received a copy of The Devil's Gift in exchange for an honest review~
May 3, 2022
The Devils Gift is an easy quick read that mixes elements of folklore with romance and teenage isolation.
Daniel is a bit of an outcast at school and has his eye on a mysterious girl at the park, they finally meet and it soon becomes clear that she's not an average girl.
There were some creepy elements and it was interesting to read what "The Devils Gift" was and how Daniel would react after learning the truth.
I found some of the dialogue a little iffy but that's just personal preference.
I recieved an e-book from Ghost Orchid Press in exchange for an honest opinion.
Daniel is a bit of an outcast at school and has his eye on a mysterious girl at the park, they finally meet and it soon becomes clear that she's not an average girl.
There were some creepy elements and it was interesting to read what "The Devils Gift" was and how Daniel would react after learning the truth.
I found some of the dialogue a little iffy but that's just personal preference.
I recieved an e-book from Ghost Orchid Press in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 25, 2022
Who would have guessed that a horror story or a 12-year-old's puppy love would give off such wholesome vibes? It was a pleasant surprise. This is a very honest and pure coming of age with folk horror roots. We meet a sympathetic MC, that I simply adored. Our villain is also very likable, so it's really conflicting in terms of whom to root for, even when witnessing the most disturbing acts. The writing has great flow, the chapters are short and are well paced. I finished it in one sitting because I kept wanting to find out more and I'm so glad to have read this little gem.
April 30, 2022
A mix of folk horror and coming of age- ah young love!
July 24, 2022
😈 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡’𝙨 𝙂𝙞𝙛𝙩
Daniel is a bullied twelve year old loner who longs for nothing more than a girlfriend. His dream comes true when he meets the mysterious Gabriella at the park one day. She’s everything he’s ever wished for, except she has an insatiable appetite for some unusual foods. The secrets that she’s keeping threaten Daniel’s safety and his budding new relationship, while the war between his heart and his morals intensifies and leaves Daniel with a difficult decision.
The blend is teenage romance and horror is something I really enjoyed with this one. And when I say romance, I don’t mean the sickeningly sweet lovey dovey stuff. This is more like the innocent young, butterflies in the stomach, romance. Then throw some creep factor, a few gory scenes, and a bit of flesh eating in the mix, and you have this awesome little tale.
Robinson delivers characters with heart on the doorstep of something sinister. This isn’t just a “horror” story, because you actually FEEL for the characters. As a reader, you are transported right into Daniel’s mind as his conflict develops, and you feel like you’re right by his side rooting for him. And even though Gabriella’s actions are a bit questionable at times, she’s so darn likable. I really don’t know which character I enjoyed more.
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5- If you like a little humor with your horror, and a little teen love with your monsters, this one is def worth checking out!
**Thanks to the author for this copy in exchange for an honest review!**
Daniel is a bullied twelve year old loner who longs for nothing more than a girlfriend. His dream comes true when he meets the mysterious Gabriella at the park one day. She’s everything he’s ever wished for, except she has an insatiable appetite for some unusual foods. The secrets that she’s keeping threaten Daniel’s safety and his budding new relationship, while the war between his heart and his morals intensifies and leaves Daniel with a difficult decision.
The blend is teenage romance and horror is something I really enjoyed with this one. And when I say romance, I don’t mean the sickeningly sweet lovey dovey stuff. This is more like the innocent young, butterflies in the stomach, romance. Then throw some creep factor, a few gory scenes, and a bit of flesh eating in the mix, and you have this awesome little tale.
Robinson delivers characters with heart on the doorstep of something sinister. This isn’t just a “horror” story, because you actually FEEL for the characters. As a reader, you are transported right into Daniel’s mind as his conflict develops, and you feel like you’re right by his side rooting for him. And even though Gabriella’s actions are a bit questionable at times, she’s so darn likable. I really don’t know which character I enjoyed more.
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5- If you like a little humor with your horror, and a little teen love with your monsters, this one is def worth checking out!
**Thanks to the author for this copy in exchange for an honest review!**
November 7, 2023
🥩🎀 Book Review: The Devil's Gift by Joshua Robinson 🎀🥩
Review: 5/5 blue Butterflies
~A shape rammed him against the wall, pinning a forearm to his throat. "Hey", he managed, gripping her iron wrist. "It's me. Just me.
"Her blazing blue eyes burnt into his, the one light in this dank place".~
🥩What it's about:
12 year old Daniel is being pushed around by the boys in his class. But when he gets close to a mysterious girl from the park, his lonely days are over. She's sweet and beautiful ... and has a unique and disturbing culinary habit that lets Daniel question how often he can turn a blind eye when love gets in the way.
🥩What I thought:
This story in one word: Umami! It is a wonderful mix of creepy, heartfelt, sentimental, cute, gross and funny. I had a great time and feel like, this is the perfect little shocker for the cold season. ❄️ Daniel, the MC, is someone I supported with my whole heart and him falling in love was adorable to see. He took some wrong turns but his growth throughout the story was wonderful. I thought the MC was very relatable. And although the writing style is quite light, some scenes really punched me in the gut. Reading this felt like running through a beautiful house and suddenly being trapped in a cold, moist cellar.
This book can definitely be enjoyed by beginners of horror literature, as well as by the seasoned lovers of spook. 👻
Also, I'd highly recommend this if you liked the movie: "let the right one in".
Review: 5/5 blue Butterflies
~A shape rammed him against the wall, pinning a forearm to his throat. "Hey", he managed, gripping her iron wrist. "It's me. Just me.
"Her blazing blue eyes burnt into his, the one light in this dank place".~
🥩What it's about:
12 year old Daniel is being pushed around by the boys in his class. But when he gets close to a mysterious girl from the park, his lonely days are over. She's sweet and beautiful ... and has a unique and disturbing culinary habit that lets Daniel question how often he can turn a blind eye when love gets in the way.
🥩What I thought:
This story in one word: Umami! It is a wonderful mix of creepy, heartfelt, sentimental, cute, gross and funny. I had a great time and feel like, this is the perfect little shocker for the cold season. ❄️ Daniel, the MC, is someone I supported with my whole heart and him falling in love was adorable to see. He took some wrong turns but his growth throughout the story was wonderful. I thought the MC was very relatable. And although the writing style is quite light, some scenes really punched me in the gut. Reading this felt like running through a beautiful house and suddenly being trapped in a cold, moist cellar.
This book can definitely be enjoyed by beginners of horror literature, as well as by the seasoned lovers of spook. 👻
Also, I'd highly recommend this if you liked the movie: "let the right one in".
October 12, 2022
Setting:
This story takes place in modern day London.
Characters:
Daniel: Daniel is more or less the typical 12 year old boy. He’s not very popular at school and has one bully but he gets by okay for the most part.
Plot:
Daniel decides to talk to the strange loner girl at the park. He finds out she’s very friendly… to him at least. She might also not be entirely human.
My Thoughts:
This is a nice little horror novella. Novellas are tough to talk about because they’re so short that A. there’s less to say and B. it’s tougher to say things without risking spoilers.
What I can say is this is a competently written little tale. Robinson doesn’t really make any mistakes writing this story. Why only 3 stars then? While there aren’t any issues with this story it’s also not likely to leave any lasting impression on even a moderately seasoned horror reader.
There is a creature involved in this that I hadn’t read about before, but beyond that there’s little that would get me to recommend this specifically over a number of other horror books.
Still though, it was enjoyable and I’d be curious to see where Robinson goes next.
This story takes place in modern day London.
Characters:
Daniel: Daniel is more or less the typical 12 year old boy. He’s not very popular at school and has one bully but he gets by okay for the most part.
Plot:
Daniel decides to talk to the strange loner girl at the park. He finds out she’s very friendly… to him at least. She might also not be entirely human.
My Thoughts:
This is a nice little horror novella. Novellas are tough to talk about because they’re so short that A. there’s less to say and B. it’s tougher to say things without risking spoilers.
What I can say is this is a competently written little tale. Robinson doesn’t really make any mistakes writing this story. Why only 3 stars then? While there aren’t any issues with this story it’s also not likely to leave any lasting impression on even a moderately seasoned horror reader.
There is a creature involved in this that I hadn’t read about before, but beyond that there’s little that would get me to recommend this specifically over a number of other horror books.
Still though, it was enjoyable and I’d be curious to see where Robinson goes next.
June 3, 2023
The Devil’s Gift by Joshua Robinson was a delight to read. It is a coming of age story (Slowly becoming some of my favorite types of stories) that follows a young boy as he falls in love with a strange girl at the park. What happens after that leaves you very conflicted with who you should care about. I really don’t want to spoil any of this book for future readers, all I will say is it is just the right amount of love story tied with a whole lot of gory goodness. The execution of the writing itself is fantastic and is amazing work for a debut novella.
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