Title: Devils Like Us
Author: L. T. Thompson
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format Read: Kindle e-book
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Historical Fiction
19th-century New England, three teenagers, prophetic visions, and queer pirates. Well, alright, I am intrigued, so sign me up to read Devils Like Us by L. T. Thompson.
Cas and Remy used to be the best of friends until Cas had his first vision, which showed something Remy just couldn’t accept. They’ve done nothing more than exchange awkward hellos since then. When they parted ways at that young age, Cas became friends with Henry and Remy with her family’s maid, Finn. Cas’s most recent vision brought public scrutiny when Henry grabbed him, also experienced the vision, and then freaked the heck out. Cas knows Henry needs to be rescued from the seminary the local evil pastor recommended to his family. But first, Cas runs into Finn, the person he saw in his most recent vision. He wants to tell her the truth, but she suggests meeting with her and Remy first. When they do meet up, they discover they’ve got a common enemy in this seminary school. They set out to save Henry and find answers about Remy’s father, and in the process, they meet a group of queer sailors and find themselves, too.
What stood out to me the most with this story were the characters. Cas, Remy, and Finn are absolutely fantastic. They’re each flawed and talented in their own quirky ways. Even the more minor characters of their found “pirate” family felt individual to me. Sometimes their choices were… questionable, but they are teenagers, so really, I should’ve expected that, right? The story was also intriguing, although the pacing lost some of its steam around the middle of the book when they were on the ship. This, however, felt necessary, as they were learning more about themselves and how to accept who they were.
Through this unique trio, Thompson explores defying societal expectations; friendship, trust, and reconciliation; courage; fate versus choice; and hope in the face of prejudice. The story is narrated by Cas, Remy, and Finn in close third-person in alternating chapters. Thompson’s writing is straightforward, character-focused, and highly readable, with a conversational quality. The prose is clean and simple rather than ornate or lyrical. Short sentences and deliberate repetition are used for rhythm and emphasis. There’s also a lightly witty, personality-driven narrative voice. Details reveal character at the same time they move the scene along, rather than stopping for lengthy description or introspection.
Devils Like Us was a fun read, full of personality, about young people finding and accepting their true selves. Readers who like queer historical fantasy, found family, and stories about rejecting social expectations and choosing to live authentically will be the most likely to enjoy this one.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— A fun, character-driven historical fantasy about finding and accepting your true self.
Click here to learn more about Devils Like Us and L. T. Thompson.
Let’s Discuss:
Do you think being true to yourself is always worth the consequences of going against what others expect of you?
Support Indie Booksellers
Thinking about picking up a copy? Purchasing through the link below supports independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting indie booksellers and I Speak Book Nerd. 💛📚💛
Get your copy on Bookshop.org.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.