Brigid Downey

I received this book as an ARC for the Enticing Journey Book Promotions The Real Devil Book Tour. This does not affect my review or my opinion of the book in any manner.

Content warning: Rape, attempted rape, domestic abuse/assault, drinking, child abuse, miscarriages, infanticide, violence, explicit sex, BDSM, gore.

Hi dreamers!

It’s my first blog tour! I’m really excited about this one because I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to be reviewing an indie book.

Today’s book is called The Real Devil by Stacie Santoro and gods is this a good one! The book follows Vahla who is Lucifer’s older sister. Turns out Lucifer is pretty much useless except to make women fall for him and seem scary so Vahla is the CEO and girl boss herself of hell. But she’s not just that, she’s Gabriel’s wife (yes archangel Gabriel)– or was before she fell and he wants her back. Add that to the fact that mother nature is absolutely crazy and messing with the balance by making horrid natural disasters and this book is a delicious ball of moody supernaturals in their own personal soap opera.

I’m honestly in love with Vahla (don’t worry Gabe she’s yours I’m spoken for) she’s snarky and sassy and honestly the badass queen we need running hell. There are several times she pulls the feminist card and tells men not to do the job of a woman and I’m so here for it! She brings new meaning to “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” and she’s not here to play. Honestly, she’s boss babe goals and kinda scary in an I-want-her-to-be-my-best-friend kinda way.

Abhitha is her actual best friend and is kick-ass in her own right. She is the wise sage to Vahla’s irrational temper able to calm her down and make her see sense. Honestly, the women helping women in the book is pretty amazing. Now, they aren’t perfect and I don’t think they should be. Maybe a topic for another time, but as much as I’m here for “woke” feminist stories they still call other girls bitches, and that’s realistic. I like how realistic and petty they can get because I relate. I think most of us can and it’s not sugar-coated or trying to be some gold standard of feminist and I love that.

The plotline can get a bit confusing if you’re not paying really close attention, but Santoro’s voice and writing style is my favorite thing in the whole world. She’s snarky and sometimes sweet, Vahla can be feminine and badass and then hugging a child while we see her innocence. The writing style and use of this book as Vahla’s journal (and honestly therapy) are what make Vahla and her world so complex.

Overall, I found The Real Devil to be laugh-out-loud funny, amazingly witty, and powerfully snarky. I can’t wait for the next journal and more of Vahla’s awesome life.

Are you going to pick up The Real Devil? Let me know what you think in the comments!