Stories about demons are as old as humanity itself. We’re fascinated by the supernatural, especially if it’s malevolent—and it doesn’t get more wicked than demons. There’s something about the concept of creatures designed to be bad that makes authors want to play along, expand on, or circumvent the mythos.
That’s a pseudo-scholarly way to segue into my demon obsession so I can tell you some of my latest and greatest demon-reads. From the helpful little guy just doing his job (which happens to be evil) to the old god turned vengeful monster, my reading year has been ripe with creative demon depictions.
I’ll start with the lighter approaches and end with the truly macabre.
*
Em X. Liu, If Found Return to Hell
On premise alone this book drew me in. A bureaucracy-weary intern at a corporate wizarding office (that gives off American healthcare vibes) is handed a case that turns out to be demonic possession.
And it’s not just any demon doing the possessing—it’s an attention-starved demon prince co-habiting in the body of a sweet and awkward engineering student. The story quickly shifts into everyone desperately trying their best and just looking for a place to belong, even the body-stealing demon prince.
This was a charmingly chill read with interesting magic, lots of laughs, excellent character writing, and a very human approach to the demonic.
Henry H. Neff, The Witchstone
In a world where demons have quotas and performance reviews, failing doesn’t mean a salary deduction—it means getting melted into primeval goo. Lazlo, the lazy, vice-riddled youngest son of the powerful demon lord Baalzebul, is forced to take his curse-keeper job seriously for the first time in his long life.
The task? Draw out misery from a young woman suffering under a truly gruesome family curse that will one day transform her into a monster.
This is definitely a more biblically classic yet tongue-in-cheek approach, with demonic hierarchy and rank determined not just by power, but by accomplishments. The horrific is juxtaposed right up against the hilarious, making for a memorable read.
Martha Wells, Witch King
The Martha Wells gave us demons and their culture is rich and strange and so unlike other demon interpretations. Our titular Witch King, Kai, a demon from the Underworld, lives a life rife with misunderstandings about demons.
He’s cut off from the world he used to know, the life he once made for himself, the body he’s accustomed to, his friends, and at the beginning, any memory of why he’s imprisoned. In Kai’s world, the evils are the invaders striving for control and power, massacring peaceful tribes, and taking control of the land—but he and his kind are the ones feared as evil.
Despite the backdrop of invasion and rebellion, this book is charming, a little cynical, filled with (bittersweet) friendships, as well as a wealth of cultures I’m desperate to learn more about. It’s also the kind of book that gets even better on a second (and third) read.
S.T. Gibson, Evocation
Secret societies, a messy three-person relationship, and a generational curse trying to claim one of the trio’s souls. What more could I ask for? Demons, of course.
David’s a powerful medium, lawyer, and member of an occult secret society. He’s living his best occult life, totally in control of his destiny, until a seance goes weird and a voice speaks up in his head.
Concerned he’s possessed, he reaches out to his ex (who’s also his rival at the occult secret society both belong to) and his ex’s wife (a talented and emotionally healthy witch). Unfortunately, David is going to need more than an exorcism if he wants to keep his soul.
While this book focuses on the relationship dynamics between these three characters, the backdrop of old school occultism, summoning, and a demon pact ticking clock made this a riveting read.
Leopoldo Gout, Piñata
What’s the difference between old gods and demons? Perspective and how angry that entity is.
This book was a darkly fantastic look at the brutality of colonialism, the callousness of cultural erasure, the cruelty of humanity, and the discomfort of losing connection to your own ancestry and traditions. Carmen, mother of two, is just trying to prove herself on a restoration project in her home country of Mexico.
A sexist foreman sabotages the work site, uncovering a hidden room filled with strange relics. Unbeknownst to Carmen, her youngest daughter takes one home, and what follows is a death-filled spree as something old and angry seeks revenge.
This one’s a wonderfully unique and gory take on demonic possession rooted in Mesoamerican history and lore.
Johnny Compton, Devils Kill Devils
This novel has a buck wild and deeply morbid setup. Sarita’s just had a perfect day marrying the love of her life, when her guardian angel—who’s saved her numerous times during life threatening moments—appears and inexplicably mercilessly murders her husband in front of her. Sarita’s then tossed into a world of chaos and magic and learns that her personal angel might be anything but.
This book pulls no punches and spills a lot of explicit blood. The title did warn me that devils are going to kill devils (and also a lot of innocent people in truly grotesque ways). Compton’s depictions of supernatural beings are brutal and pull from the familiar while twisting it into something new.
Intention, belief, and religion also play a large part, making for a very interesting (and very bloody) take on the demonic.
K. Valentin, An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder
I’d be remiss if I didn’t slide in one last demon book (mine). Mateo is overworked, underpaid, and the vessel for an ancient evil.
But when Topher walks in, cursed, extremely rich, (kind of cute in a scared rabbit sort of way), and hoping for help, Mateo decides he can earn cash for an exorcism with a side hustle lifting hexes. Never mind that he doesn’t actually know what he’s doing…or that using magic accelerates his possession.
Oh, and the demon inside him? It’s hungry.
***
