Devils Kill Devils

Compton’s sophomore effort (after The Spite House) opens up a whole new world full of well-known monsters. Sarita’s life seems to be blessed; not only is she about to marry the love of her life, but she has a guardian angel who keeps her safe. However, her blessings look to be anything but when her guardian angel brutally murders her husband-to-be. Sarita soon finds out that she is part of an ancient prophecy and that there are worse monsters than her guardian angel searching for her. Compton leaves the confines of a haunted-house story for an expansive universe where creatures like angels, devils, and vampires are conceptually redesigned but still deadly. He even creates a theology that not only skewers organized religion but also explores mass hysteria among monsters. Even though the story feels rushed thanks to this condensed theology, Compton’s command of descriptive prose, tinged with Southern gothic flair, once again shows readers images both beautiful and horrifying.