Another Kind of Devil

It seems too easy to dub Another Kind of Devil, “another kind of horror,” but N.B. Clarke’s novel is truly fitting of the descriptor. Following a demon by the wonderful name of Scaramouche, this novel begins in Hell before changing the scenery to somewhere more familiar to the book’s readers, Earth. Wryly funny, sometimes scary and oftentimes disturbing, the novel questions the nature of good and evil, in a way that gives its title multiple meanings.

The nature of Another Kind of Devil’s story makes it difficult to discuss its plot without spoiling the details, nor what makes the story so enjoyable. Utilising a four act structure that’s broken into signposted parts (albeit without individual chapters), the first part follows Scaramouche’s misadventures in Hell. Scaramouche has grown bored with his existence in Hell, tired of condemning sinners to their eternal punishment, while wondering about life on Earth and all that it beholds. He soon finds himself on the outs with his superiors, who condemn him to a life on Earth. The remaining three acts take place on Earth, which is where the novel truly comes into its own. Scaramouche is determined to live out his time on Earth as a good and honourable person, thereby avoiding being returned to Hell. As the story takes shape, the plot pivots in some wonderful ways.

As the plot makes these pivots, the book’s themes come into focus, slowly solidifying until its climax. Although it’s difficult to discuss Another Kind of Devil’s plot without spoiling the book, providing detail about its themes is even more so. The story poses questions about humanity, the nature of good versus evil, and what it takes to be a good person. The author realises themes in a pitch perfect way, while tying them into the plot and its many twists and turns. Another Kind of Devil’s themes provide the reader with some food for thought, but never at the expense of the story; these two elements work wonderfully hand-in-hand.

The novel reads slightly longer than its 283 pages (both in paperback, and estimated on Kindle) would suggest. Although the author balances the dialogue and prose in a way that doesn’t favour one over the other, the writing feels dense; particularly so, given the amount of dialogue on offer. It’s an interesting effect, because the prose itself isn’t heavy. The writing is clean and clear to a fault; I would have appreciated a little more colour to it. At times, the writing almost feels as though it’s from a book aimed at a younger audience. While this could be jarring, it instead plays into an askew perspective that permeates Another Kind of Devil’s pages, lending the story—not to mention its protagonist—an off-kilter sense of innocence.

Despite the sense of innocence the novel’s prose conveys, there’s very little innocence about it. Another Kind of Devil is a horror story, replete with the horrific acts fans of the genre love. The innocence it projects both lures the reader into a false sense of security and unsettles them. It does so with a wicked sense of humour; the book is filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Whether they be demon or human, the book’s characters commit various atrocities. Those in Hell are played more for laughs, while those on Earth—the more realistic setting—resonate on a psychological level that plays wonderfully into its themes.

These themes are explored in a way that ties into the book’s four acts, with each part titled in a way that hints at the themes while playing off the others poetically. However, by being so beholden to its structure, Another Kind of Devil’s pacing suffers. The first part of the book in many ways serves as its introduction, while the second and third parts explore the story’s world and characters, while slowly unfurling the plot. If the book followed a classic three act structure, the final part would form the end of the second act and all of the third. This creates a finale that suddenly feels as though its rushing to the end, instead of unfolding in a more natural manner.

With its expedited final act, Another Kind of Devil relies less heavily on its characters. By this point, the reader knows all they need to know about them, but a stronger focus at the story’s climax would have helped the ending resonate that little bit more. That’s a small concern; Another Kind of Devil’s characters is one of its major strengths. Although some characters are fairly two dimensional, this is relegated to the various demons featured in Hell, who are largely played for laughs. Scaramouche and the book’s human characters are all keenly drawn. They’re fully formed characters who feel like real people, for good and ill. With such a focus on what it means to be human, and the range of behaviours between good and evil, the depth these characters provide help elevate the book beyond a simple horror story.

Another Kind of Devil is a horror that chills on a psychological level while also telling an engaging story with a healthy dose of humour. Although the pacing is a little off at points and results in a story that doesn’t end as strongly as it otherwise could, it conveys some wonderful themes through a strong plot. This is underpinned by its cast of characters who are presented with wonderful depth.

Favourite Passage

He got tired of counting his steps and decided to take up the mantra: I’m a tough bastard, but I gotta get tougher. I’m a tough bastard, but I gotta get tougher. He hoped all the repetition might actually get him to believe it. The words helped drown out the doubts that gathered in the back of his mind. Namely, the issue of food. Constantly thinking, I’m a tough bastard, but I gotta get tougher was certainly better than the very real worry, I’m a slow weakling, and I’ll probably die soon.

Another Kind of Devil, Part II: “Earth”

Another Kind of Devil was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review.

Another Kind of Devil is available in paperback and on Kindle, exclusive to Amazon.

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Another Kind of Devil