Dave vs The Devil (Original) - [Urban Fantasy/Comedy]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

When former poker player and gambling addict, Dave boasts that he could beat the devil in a bet, Lucifer takes him up on it. The bet: that Lucifer can't kill Dave at 7pm the following day. Dave figures out the Devil has to keep him alive until then.

While taking his newfound invincibility for a joyride, Dave and Lucifer uncover a demon plot to overthrow the devil and bring about the apocalypse. Now Dave and Lucifer must work together to stop the apocalypse, and try not to kill each other while they do it.

After a fight with the Antichrist named Steve, Dave dies, winning the bet. With a blank check as a reward in the form of a wish, Dave makes the only logical move, wishing for the devil to get therapy. With Lucifer reformed and an ascended archangel once more, Dave receives an offer he can't refuse, become the new devil and ruler of hell.

Armed with a crown that gives him sin based superpowers, immortality, and super strength, Dave must stop every apocalypse that comes his way while keeping hell running. And Dave faces a lot of apocalypses.

Suicide content warning for Chapter 1.

Dave bet the Devil and won. Now he's running Hell's corporate ladder with demonic powers, immortality, apocalypse prevention duties, and an employee handbook he definitely should have read.

An Urban Fantasy/Comedy/Drama story full of twists and turns.

Sensitive content warning: plot related self-harm in chapter 1, mild comedic sexual content in innuendo, implicit suggestions and phrases, and direct references with no explicit descriptions.

Completed

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2025
Author: Red Marsh

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 338
Views: 56,326

Chapters(69 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(9)

Abdellah BouzidRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I just finished Book 1 and it was very fun, it reminds me of a number of shows ( Supernatural, Good Omens, Lucifer and a little bit of The Sandman) and it's so well written with excellent dialogue that it could be adapted easily into a fun show
Starting book 2 right now
ArnavguptaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story is a fast paced comedy progression. No litrpg elements as of yet. It's fun and shows how a dude can exploit a devil's bargain. Loving it .
It's a story of how a dude goes on a bender and makes a bet with the devil that - the devil can't kill him at exactly 7pm the next day.
If you're new and on the bridge, I know the story is short novella style, but trust me it's a plus point for this story. Try it.
CaptainSlowNZRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A story about a man being very drunk, and making a bet with the devil. As someone who hasn't read the bible this story tickles my funny bone thoroughly. I 'could' understand if someone might be offended by this story, however you probably should take a chill pill because this story is PEAK. It is my dying wish as someone suffering from Acute Ligma Disease (ALD) that you read this novel. Uhhhh, I don't tend to make reviews so I'm not really sure what to write here...
READ THE BOOK!!!!
Lah lah lah lah laaaah filling up space lah lah laaaah Best story I have ever hallucinated 10/10 lah lah laaaah petting the mole people lah lah lah laaaah being burnt alive by the mole people lah lah laaaah LOADING PLEASE WAIT... Lah lah lee lah please hold caller...
My name is Dave and I like to dance.
Come and see my disco pants.
Pedal to the metal and I'm off the road.
Better watch out cause I'm bout to explode.
There's a little rhyme for you 😉 imma make it big one day!
Anyway
Lah lah lah lah lah lah lah words words words words words words words
Deth InvictusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
When Dave, a little too drunk for his own good, decides to make a bet with the Devil things get a little hectic.
The Devil actually responds and Dave makes his bet. I won't ruin it but let's just say Dave's next 24 hours become the most interesting and hilarious buddy story I've read in some time.
This story has everything you'd expect from a supernatural comedy buddy story and more.
Do yourself a favour and read this.
Turn on your suspension of disbelief (why else are we here?), leave your preconceptions at the door, and strap in for a wild ride!
This story just gets better and better.
Red Marsh is a relatively new author and this story, in my humble opinion, is just Divine.
Oh, if you are strongly religious, this might not be for you BUT it embodies one of the greatest tenets of Christianity - forgiveness.
EromenaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Basically, imagine you're chatting to your mythomaniac but incredibly inventive (and religious) friend at a party, and before you know it the party's over, almost everyone's gone and you realise that your friend really knows how to tell a good story.
The novel is the closest you can get to that experience, and frankly, it's really refreshing.
GAG CITYRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Dave captivates with its gripping plot and unforgettable characters.
Dave's character is flawed yet oddly relatable, navigating a world that feels both vividly real and profoundly symbolic.
What makes this book stand out is the imagery and humor. Every chapter delivers and by the end, the reader is left wanting more of Dave's world.
Whether you’re a fan of fantastical books or simply appreciate a well-told story, this is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page and reminds us why we fell in love with reading in the first place.
Verdict: A masterclass in storytelling. Don’t miss it! 💙
MoaZedonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is awesome. I usually avoid the comedy tag with a passion, but thankfully I made an exception for this story. The humour is a fixture of the story, without quite overdoing it. Totally recommend.
Style:
This is not a power fantasy. This is not a litRPG. This is a respectful parody(?) of the Christian faith, The Inferno, and a little folklore (occasional leprechauns).
Quite out of the norm for this site, but totally worth it. The author knows where the story is going and you can feel that the narrative had a strong direction, unlike this review.
It's crazy the number of details that Red Marsh knows from (presumably) the bible and draws strongly from Christianity for characters and plot devices. I have to respect the knowledge shown in the story, although it is far from the main focus.
Story:
At the end of book one, I thought we were done and the plot was exhausted. I was so happy to be wrong. Unlike normal webnovels, each book is still worth reading alone, despite me being unable to stop after one.
Grammar:
Yes, the book has grammar. No the book doesn't have (many?) typos. The sentence structure tends to be pretty simple, like this paragraph. Grammar is hard to review when it's good.
Character:
This is one place where the story would struggle to fail even if Red Marsh tried. 6 days of solid world building, and 6000 years of character relations since.
Loses some score because assholery is used to create comedy in the first book. This is looking to be much better going forwards.
drajitshRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The blurb makes it sound like a formulaic run of the mill wish fulfilment fantasy when it is anything but.
First of all it is a prime Grade A satire/ comedy, with a little action right at the end of book one to keep things lively.
And most importantly, there is very little navel gazing (if at all).
There are some minor technical errors, but they will only be annoying to a grammer nazi. They do not impede the flow.
I strongly recommend that you read it while it is still on royal road.
Update: Book 1 is easy reading. A few biblical reference here and there but nothing an atheist can't read. Book 2 is so full of biblical reference that I'm starting to think that I think the author is Rev. Marsh not Mr. Marsh.
Thank G-- I mean Google.
lavenderroeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you are a fan of a fast-paced, character-driven story with a mix of comedy and supernatural adventure, Dave vs The Devil is a must-read. It’s a fantastic mix of comedy, action, and supernatural adventure that had me hooked from the start. The premise is simple yet genius—a normal guy (Dave) makes a bet with the Devil that he can’t be killed within 24 hours, and hilarity ensues. The humor blends absurdist comedy with dark wit and clever dialogue. Dave and the Devil have an incredible dynamic, filled with snark, sarcasm, and unexpected moments of depth. But this isn’t just a comedy—the story also delivers thrilling action, intriguing mysteries, and a well-crafted supernatural world. It balances humor and stakes perfectly, making every chapter a delight to read. The banter between Dave and the Devil is endlessly entertaining, packed with snarky humor, absurd logic, and unexpected moments of depth. The idea of an ordinary guy making a bet with the Devil—and somehow managing to hold his own—is executed brilliantly. I really hope this author continues the story in another book… Dave vs the devil series would be amazingly spectacular. I only have 2 more chapters to read and already I can’t wait for more!