did i scare at the gory parts? yes! but did i like the book? also yes! yes, it's scary. but i ate this up!

love the eerie setting of this book. but the ending felt too rushed (and i still expected that one character to die, but oh well, it ended).

nonetheless, i've enjoyed this!

Xan Kaur's "When Devils Sing" is a chilling Southern Gothic horror that masterfully combines small-town mystery with an aura of horror that permeates every sentence. Located in rural Georgia, the novel takes four unlikely teenagers searching for a missing local, only to discover a dark, decades-old secret rooted in the town's systemic injustices and a freezing urban legend of three devils.

The author's first work glows with rich atmosphere, turning the sweltering Georgia summer into a character in its own right. The antagonists are multifaceted and flawed, enriching a story that touches on the topics of class, intergenerational trauma, and the shadowy choices humanity makes. Although the slow-burn style craftshigh tension, some may criticize the resolution as placing much of the action towards the end sections. However, "When Devils Sing" is an engrossing and thought-provoking read, lauded for its descriptive writing and premise involving an innovative blend of folklore, identity, and social commentary. A required read for those who enjoy complex horror with a strong Southern sensibility.

When Devils Sing - Xan Kaur

There’s the Devil you know
The Devil you don’t
The Devil you wished you never met

Never make a deal with the devil…


The first third of the book is all over the place 🤷‍♀️

This book gives me Jeepers Creepers vibes, I thought it a couple of times throughout.

They Say
You Meet The Devil
At The Crossroads
Down in Georgia
When There Ain’t no option left

It seems throughout, there is little to no respect between any of these ‘kids’, their parents and other adults…is this book trying to convey modern relationships? 🤔

The final quarter of this book is brilliant! The lead up to it is verrrrry slow. Overall the book is okay, not great but it’s passable as a good read.

This book was very slow paced and I struggled with how fast the pov changed between the characters. I did like the writing style and setting.

Rural Georgia’s insidious town of Carrion, disappearances are routine—especially during the cicada brood’s 13-year emergence. When Dawson Sumter goes missing from room 4 at Neera Singh’s family motel, the stakes become personal. Neera teams up with Isaiah (a true-crime podcaster), Reid (from a powerful Lake Clearwater dynasty), and Sam (the hitman’s daughter) to unravel secrets tied to an ancient three-devil pact—where wealth thrives on ritual sacrifice.
Fans of Mexican Gothic, Midsommar, True Detective, and She Is a Haunting, this haunting debut blends horror, mystery, folklore, and social commentary into an intense, atmospheric read. While some resolution might feel sudden, the rich character work, Southern setting, and thematic layers make it a debut to watch.
When Devils Sing is a sumptuous Southern Gothic ride—haunting, restless, and emotionally resonant. Perfect for readers drawn to atmospheric horror with depth, social critique, and richly drawn teen voices navigating ancient pacts and modern injustice. A powerful debut that begs for another listen (or read) once the cicadas hush.
A near-masterpiece of modern YA horror—just a few pacing tweaks away from absolute perfection. Highly recommended for summer nights when the cicadas sing.

An atmospheric southern gothic young adult horror set in a town called Carrion, a poor almost neglected town which is a direct contrast to the glittering Lake Clearwater overseen by the Langley family.

This book has multiple povs of different teenagers within the town and how the town poses different hardships to them all, especially when they are trying to understand why people mysteriously disappear every year. With the appearance of three mysterious devils and risky bargains, the teenagers try their best to survive the town and to save their friend.

There are overarching themes of poverty, racism and classism which are done well and respectfully. Alongside adding depth to the plot and an understanding of the cult like social atmosphere of the town.

There are horror elements, some scenes of gore and dead animals which may put off some readers, but overall I think this was a well done southern gothic horror novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love a witchy book with multiple povs, love a woman author & love a good debut. If gothic South is your vibe- this is for you

Check trigger warnings for this. Especially if you’re not good with body horror and animal deaths.

The latter was especially hard for me, so I wasn’t able to finish it, but the characters were well written and I did enjoy what I had read aside from that.

I just need to wrap all the kids in this book in blankets and take them as far away as possible from almost all the adults in their lives.

This was such a good and moody southern gothic. There's plenty of mystery with a side of supernatural.

The story is told through PoVs of four main characters, Sam, Isaiah, Neerah, and Reid. The author skilfully manages the introduction of the characters, to ensure we are invested without feeling like the exposition on who they are is one big info dump. All the characters feel unique, with their own motivation and once they start teaming up it doesn't feel like the book just needed to get there but rather like a natural progression in these character's developments.

My favourite parts were definitely the devils we got to meet and the mythology that comes with the town. That short story of how the town came to be could have been a book on its own that I would have happily read.

The book slows down a little at the end for me, it feels like it loses a little of its own stakes, but honestly I would happily follow these four on more mystery solving adventures.

3.5 rounded up.

“They say you meet the devil down in Georgia when there ain’t no options left.”

When the Devils Sing is a beautifully atmospheric novel, woven with southern folklore, superstition, and the eerie weight of small-town secrets. While labeled as YA horror, the only truly "YA" aspect here is the age of its characters—the themes, experiences, and storytelling go beyond typical genre conventions.

I deeply appreciated the diversity and representation in this book, especially in its exploration of what it means to be a minority in the South. Xan Kaur captures this reality with striking accuracy and authenticity.

As a lover of small-town mysteries and haunting narratives, this book was exactly what I was looking for. I wouldn’t say this book is particularly fast, and there was a dip in pace mid way (ish) through the book. but I didn’t mind too much—I found myself absorbed in the characters and their struggles, their family dynamics, and the hardships they endure, so ultimately it didn’t put me off.

Speaking of characters, they are exceptionally well-developed, but I particularly resonated with Neera and Isaiah. Their journeys felt raw and real.

The only aspect I didn’t fully love—and can see being intense for some readers—is the depiction of animal deaths and body horror- it was very extreme and discussed in great detail. I understand that many folklore traditions involve animals and sacrifices, but for those sensitive to such themes, just want to give content warning to prevent distress for other readers. I could handle it, but as a rule of thumb I tend to avoid books with animal cruelty, I just wasn’t aware there was any. There are also other darker subject matters including DV, so please check warnings before.

Xan’s writing is evocative and poetic, creating a deeply immersive reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
I am very much looking to reading more of their work.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Panmacmillan Children’s books and First Ink

I really couldn’t get in to this book, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
I struggled to connect with the characters. I just didn’t connect with the storyline.

Interesting story of 4 youngsters dealing with town secrets and deals with the devil..... Good read and great characters.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

When Devils Sing is a dark, gripping tale soaked in Southern folklore and modern mystery. And boy, did it tick a lot of boxes for me

I loved the multi-POV format, it added so much depth and nuance to the story. Each character brought a fresh angle, and it helped build a really rich, layered narrative. It never felt overcrowded, just cleverly woven.

The setting? Absolutely nailed. I could practically feel the sticky heat of the Deep South clinging to the pages. The writing was so vivid, I felt like I was right there with the characters, wading through both literal and emotional swamps, ready to bargain my soul away.

What really stood out was the way old lore and modern storytelling were blended—think classic Southern gothic meets investigative podcast. And who doesn’t love a true crime podcast?! There’s even a bit of Scooby-Doo-style sleuthing, but with a much darker, more bloodier twist. It gave the whole story this eerie, timeless quality without feeling too far removed from the present.

This book had me hooked. It was eerie without being overdone, smartly written, and full of tension. I’ll absolutely be reading whatever Xan Kaur writes next.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A chilling book that will transport you to Georgia, and its mysterious summer and folklore. I really liked the characters and the storyline - we had 4 POV characters, and each one had something to contribute. I wish the book was longer since the ending felt rushed and I missed the vibe from the begining of the book.

When Devils Sing is an eerie, slow-burning YA horror set in the stifling heat and creeping decay of small-town Georgia. With haunting prose and a creeping sense of dread, Xan Kaur crafts a tale that blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with the sharp edges of teenage grit.

The story begins with the sudden and bloody disappearance of Dawson Sumter from a dilapidated motel owned by Neera Singh’s struggling family. From there, the mystery pulls together four teenagers—each with their own baggage and secrets—into a disturbing investigation that peels back the glossy facade of Carrion during its infamous Cicada Festival.

Kaur’s setting is rich with tension. The image of screaming cicadas, faded motel signs, and rot just beneath the surface makes the town itself feel like a character. The pacing is deliberate, building steadily towards a climax that delivers on both emotional stakes and horror chills.

Neera, Isaiah, Reid and Sam are a compelling and diverse group of protagonists. Their individual motivations and conflicts are clearly drawn, and the unlikely alliance between them feels authentic as they move from suspicion to camaraderie. The dynamics between them add depth to the central mystery and heighten the impact of each discovery.

Themes of corruption, inherited trauma, and the violence hidden beneath community tradition echo throughout the book. Kaur doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable, and there’s a dark honesty to her portrayal of rural life and generational rot.

When Devils Sing is unsettling and lyrical, a gripping exploration of how far a town will go to protect its own—and how the truth always finds a way to rise, just like the cicadas. Atmospheric, sinister, and deeply human, this is one for fans of slow-building, character-driven horror.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This felt slow and insidious in the best way. I'm always up for a small horror - particularly when they come with a beautiful front cover.
At first the several POVs got a bit confusing, but as their paths overlapped, I came to appreciate the distinctiveness between their voices and their individual but strong motivations. I particularly loved following Sam and Neera, and the "please don't do it" feeling in my gut mixed with a sinking understanding that I would likely do the same in their position.
My first novel by Xan Kaur, and hopefully not the last. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Devils Sing is an eerie and unsettling read that masterfully blends thriller elements with a hint of the supernatural. From the very start, Xan Kaur sets a chilling tone that creeps under your skin and refuses to let go.

The characters are a standout element here, each pov with unique motivations that make them feel real, albeit a bit selfish and broken in their own ways. This complexity adds an extra layer of depth to the story, as you find yourself both fascinated and repulsed by their actions. The narrative is carefully constructed, building tension and dread in a way that keeps you hooked until the very end.

That said, the ending did feel a bit rushed compared to the meticulous buildup throughout the novel. After spending so much time weaving a dark, tangled web, the final chapters almost seemed to speed by too quickly, leaving me wanting a little more resolution.

Still, if you’re a fan of creepy thrillers with a dash of gore and an unsettling southern gothic atmosphere, When Devils Sing is definitely worth picking up. It’s a twisted ride that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page

I thoroughly enjoyed When Devils Sing. The story was creative, dark, clever, and incredibly interesting, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The switching between different characters’ points of view was a little confusing at first, and I found myself a bit lost early on. However, as I got to know the characters better, everything became much clearer, and the transitions were easier to follow. Overall, a compelling and inventive read that was well worth sticking with!

When Devils Sing was a wonderful Southern Gothic YA horror/thriller about the lengths to which we’d go to protect the ones we love and the cost of our dreams. It was gorgeously written with a knife edge to it.

This is such a fantastic YA horror story. Kaur has a gift for creating a spine-tingling atmosphere immediately. From the first few pages, I was hooked and I knew I would not be putting this down until I had finished it. The dealings pivot around your dreams and the lengths you would go to achieve them or protect the ones you love. Instantly it is thought-provoking with an opening scene that I have not been able to get out of my head.There is a mesh of the supernatural and the monstrosity of humans that feels so skin-crawling, because it is at once otherworldly and rooted in the awful reality of our world. Kaur explores the systems built to maintain the power and privilege of the few, with the consequences that fall on those who are not viewed as part of this community. On a larger scale, it captures that small town paranoia so well with a claustrophobic feel as shadowy forces move to protect its secrets. The two contrasting settings feel like characters in their own rights with the blood staining the soil, speaking to the secrets buried there and the history obfuscated.

The shining light of this book is the characterisation. We get to follow Neera, Isaiah, Reid and Sam through their own journeys in investigating this mystery. They encounter separate forces that eventually intersect and embody different aspects of the themes Kaur is exploring. Their voices feel distinctive and three-dimensional, with enough room to breathe as they develop through the story. Each of them has been deeply influenced by their background and delving into the secrets in their community may break them completely. It just felt like such a rich tapestry to unpick here.

When Devils Sing captures that sense of something watching you in the dead of night. It is eerie and affecting - an incredibly strong debut.

Thank you to Netgalley and Xan Kaur for an ARC of this book. I will be giving my honest opinion. 5 stars, take all my money!! I loved this book so much! It really gave me such a blend of a good girls guide to murder and outer banks. I loved the relationships between the characters, I loved the storyline so much & the way it ended omg did not expect that. I love books/TV shows when a group of teens get together to solve a crime and this book did not disappoint. Also I hope this book gets turned into a TV show because it would be so good to watch this. I simply cannot wait to read more of this authors work. Incredible.