There aren't many fantasy authors out there doing it quite like Joe Abercrombie. Over the years, the British author has become one of the most prolific in his field, writing best-selling novels such as The First Law saga and the Shattered Sea trilogy. This year, he debuted his whackiest work yet: The Devils.
We'd be here all day if we were to explain everything about The Devils, so I'll keep our overview pretty brief. Set in an alternate, fantastical version of Europe, the novel follows young streetwise scavenger and thief Alex, who's told she's actually Princess Alexia Pyrogennetos, heir to the Serpent Throne of Troy. As the story unfolds, the Pope enlists a group of devils— including an elf, werewolf, magician, monk, and a vampire—and tasks them with escorting Alex to Troy, so that she can reclaim her rightful place on the throne.
Naturally, Alex's journey to Troy is rife with innumerable barriers and battles. There are those who would oppose her, but when monsters attack, it always helps to have your own set of devils on your side.
Just a few months after it was published, The Devils has already cemented itself as a massive success, with a sequel already being written. The novel has even attracted the attention of legendary director James Cameron, who plans to adapt the work into a movie. Cameron's company, Lightstorm Entertainment, acquired the rights to the novel, with the filmmaker already on board as a co-writer.
In a recent interview with Empire, Cameron rhapsodised about the book. "I was literally reading parts of the book out loud to my wife Suzy," he said. "And it dawned on me: 'I like this book so much, I should just buy it.'"
No elevator pitch is needed. Cameron puts it simply enough: “The whole thing is off its tits. It’s nuts.”
This is a movie that's clearly a thrill and a joy to make for the award-winning director. "It doesn’t have the kind of conscience that Avatar does, but I don’t know if that’s a bad thing," he added. "[Hiroshima] is a movie you do because you have to. The Devils is a movie you do for fun."
Tonally, it sounds like The Devils share the same whimsy as Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves—just with Abercrombie's signature brutality.
As it happens, Abercrombie's First Law novel Best Served Cold is also being tapped for a live-action adaptation starring Rebecca Ferguson. The project has gone quiet, although the author did touch on the subject when we interviewed him. We'll keep you updated on any developments there.
Up next for Cameron is Avatar: Fire and Ash, which arrives in theaters on December 19.
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