Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

This book is a novella about two sisters who summon a demon using an ancient book. Jerica uses her new found power for revenge while her sister tries to warn her about the going to dark side. The book is short so there is not a lot of character development. There were not a lot of surprises. It was a quick fast read.

"Psychedelica Satanica" by Sybil Oxblood Pope sounded like it would be right up my alley with its mix of mysticism, and darkness, but I was really disappointed by the execution. The writing felt disorganized and often rambled, making it hard to stay engaged. Despite the intriguing subject matter, the book lacked clarity and cohesion, and I found myself struggling to finish it. I was very close to putting it down entirely, which was surprising given how much I expected to enjoy it. Unfortunately, I can only give it 2 stars.

***Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for gifting me an eARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Drawn in by the title and description of this book, I felt it was something that would be right up my alley. However, I DNF’d after only four pages of what felt like dialogue only. It had me feeling frustrated and very much in the dark in regards to setting. I know I do not enjoy reading plays or screenplays, and that is very much what this felt like. When my Kindle reported that it would take me roughly two and a half hours to complete the book, I couldn’t justify that much time with it. Especially after reading the reviews of others who expressed their dislike of it for reasons I know I would find irksome as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swann + Bedlam for the digital ARC in exchange for this review. All of my reviews are honest with the knowledge that not every book is for every reader.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book. Wow. I have literally never read anything like this. This was such a great horror book. Truly scary…bitchcraft done right! I thoroughly enjoyed the witchcraft/black magic element. I like that the author described the characters performing rituals instead of just like hinting at it or making the reader use their imagination. I really was glad that the author showed what the characters were getting into. And that ending…chef’s kiss. I literally was on the edge of my seat this entire book. Brilliant. Horrific. Chaotic. And not to mention a satanic goat familiar… literally loved this book. Tonally, this boom really set a vibe from beginning to end.

Sadly, this one wasn't for me. I was in the mood for something spooky and witchy, and this delivers the vibe, but the writing is a bit difficult to connect with. I love the concept, and in a more polished form I think I would love the book. I was struggling to finish, so I finally DNF'd around 35%.

I ventured outside my comfort zone for Psychedelica Satanica, and I was rewarded with one of the best books I've read this year.

I'm not a huge fan of mysticism or magic, but Psychedelica Satanica had the blend of sorcery, mystery, and even a little horror, and I couldn't put it down. I think I finished it just a few hours. These days, it takes me a week to finish most books, even if I'm enjoying them, so if I'm willing to forgo everything else on my schedule to finish my latest read, then it has to be good.

It's hard to discuss it without spoiling the book for everyone else, but I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, particularly their grit, resourcefulness, and how relatable they are. I haven't been a teenager in a hot minute, so it's sometimes difficult to relate to characters in that age group, but that wasn't the case with this one. I definitely want to keep an eye out for future books written by the authors, because the writing style and pacing were just *chef's kiss* absolutely perfect. I loved this book.

This would make a perfect fall read for anyone who loves horror, fantasy, or magical themes.

I found the title and blurb for this novella very attention-grabbing. Unfortunately, the story itself didn't deliver the way I'd hoped.

This was so short and fast-paced that, as the reader, I felt like I was just being swept from scene to scene with very little time to develop lore, characters, or depth to the story. I also lacked any emotional attachment to the characters, which meant the major deaths and changes they experience didn't affect me at all.

There's some interesting ideas being toyed with here, and Jerica slowly losing her humanity has the potential to be compelling. Unfortunately, there's just not enough depth here to deliver that.

Thank you to Netgalley and Swann + Bedlam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In *Psychedelic Satanica*, Sybil Oxblood Pope delivers a thrilling descent into the realms of vengeance and the occult, crafting a darkly electrifying narrative that grips from start to finish. This novel is a masterful blend of youthful rebellion and dark sorcery, set against a backdrop where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural dissolve into chaos.

The story follows Jerica and her sister Pen, two teenagers whose disillusionment and anger lead them into a pact with the devil himself. Their desire for retribution propels them into the depths of black magic, where their initial thirst for revenge quickly spirals into something far more sinister. As their spells grow in power, so does the turmoil surrounding them, transforming their lives into a kaleidoscopic nightmare.

Pope's writing is both visceral and captivating, capturing the raw intensity of adolescence alongside the mesmerizing allure of dark magic. The narrative skillfully blurs the lines between ally and adversary, drawing readers into a world where trust is as fleeting as the shifting shadows of their increasingly twisted reality. Each page reveals new layers of complexity, keeping readers on edge as the characters' actions bring about unpredictable and chilling consequences.

The novel's exploration of the costs associated with unchecked desire and power is both thought-provoking and harrowing. Jerica and Pen's journey through their newfound abilities reveals the darker aspects of their souls and the terrifying repercussions of their pact with the devil. Pope's ability to intertwine elements of horror with the intensity of teenage angst creates a compelling and immersive experience.

*Psychedelic Satanica* is not for the faint of heart, but it is a must-read for those who revel in dark fantasy and the occult. Sybil Oxblood Pope's deft storytelling and vivid imagination ensure a story that is as exhilarating as it is chilling. If you dare to explore the dark edges of power and revenge, this novel will take you on a spellbinding and unnerving ride that lingers long after the final page.

"**Psychedelica Satanica**" by Sybil Oxblood Pope is a horror novella centered around two sisters who summon the devil. The intriguing title and strong blurb initially drew me in, but after reading a few pages, the book fell short of my expectations.

The plot lacks depth, and the characters come across as naïve, with events unfolding without any clear motivation or reason. Instead of feeling a sense of horror, the narrative felt more like a poorly executed comedy. The author seems to have written this novella primarily for readers who prefer simple plots and characters.

Overall, I found "Psychedelica Satanica" disappointing and would only give it 2 stars. If you're looking for a horror story with substance and well-developed characters, this might not be the book for you.

I didn’t hate it, but I wanted to like it more than I did. I’m usually okay with “bad” endings when I connect with the antagonist. I just didn’t get that connection with this one. The writing felt a bit juvenile and some wordings felt clunky. Good story if you’re looking to be super pessimistic about life.

What a compelling read! Psychedelica Satanica is a fast-paced trip into the realm of tantalizing dark magics, grief, revenge, violence, and sacrifice. I was initially drawn by the book's humor and black magic vibes but was then lured into the conflict of two sisters, Jerica and Pen, and their opposing reactions to the darkest of magics. The humor remained throughout, especially in the snarky goat familiar, Vinegar Bill, but this book is a grim read down the corridors of courted evil. This unflinching novel of innocence seduced by darkness and the attempts to thwart its power, effectively depicts abusiveness, psychological trauma and diabolic power/deceit and closes with a devilishly bleak finale that will appeal to readers of dark literature as a more "realistic" closure. I would read another book by Sybil Oxblood-Pope.

This story keep me interested every page.

We follow Jerica and her sister Pen, who are some witchy gals, as Jerica gets involved in some dark magic and gets consumed by it.
Pope did an amazing job weaving in themes of grief, loss of oneself, sisterhood, love, etc. throughout this book.

There is also a familiar named Vinegar Bill who is usually a goat who is a great side character.

Will definitely read more by this author.

First of all, this cover is GORGEOUS, LOOK AT IT!! It looks like an old, worn-out book like the one the characters in the story used I'M OBSESSED

I was so intrigued when I saw the cover and read the description for this book. I have to say I did not know what to expect exactly but I was definitely not disappointed!

Jerica's slow acceptance and descent into evil was well done, especially given that it's a relatively fast paced short book. [I was quite surprised to see that we didn't get a happy ending but choosing to end the story with Jerica's fall into darkness was the best way to end the story, I believe (hide spoiler)]

I had an issue with the writing - the descriptions were really vivid and colorful and I enjoyed them.

But in some cases the characters' feelings and motivations were explicitly stated which took away the connection you shared with the characters. An example:

Pen was practically begging her sister to see reason by this point.


That was unnecessary since Pen's previous actions and words already show that she's trying to help her sister

Overall, this is definitely worth to read and I'd really recommend it to anyone interested! Many TWs, though (I'm sure I can't recall all of them though): homophobia, animal death, assault

I'm so sorry but I did not enjoy this book so much.

The idea was basically intriguing,
A teenager decide to ask for Devil's help to revenge her boyfriend's death and she gets involved with a mysterious dark power which really puts everybody around her in real danger.

I expected a lot of black bad magic and lisergic atmospheres, but I was only partially satisfied.
Bad magic was bad enough but all the characters and background really lacked, in my opinion, a bit of insight and depth. I really missed some psichology behind the rebel yell attitudine of the main protagonist and, well, yeah, also behind her familiar.
And only black juju didn't fix that for me.

I also think that the plot could have been developped more, as some parts were definitely too hasty (ending included).

Do not take me wrong, the book is ok if you just want to read something easy with dark magic in it and some gorey details. I just felt it was too flat for my taste and left me nothing to reflect upon later.

Psychedelica Satanica was my perfect kind of book. Short but filled with so much story and the story itself was filled with themes that I really enjoy as well. Witchcraft, sisterhood, morality, revenge, etc. We watch as Jerica loses herself and her morality to dark witchcraft following the death of her boyfriend. It was so exciting to read what she might do next. Dark and disturbing thing after dark and disturbing thing. Super addictive and I've already recommended it to my sister to read. Thank you NetGalley!

This was an interesting read. I thought at first this is gonna be a horror comedy but it took a dark turn. Despite that I found it still entertaining and fun. I also like that it's fairly short so the story doesn't drag out too long.
I would recommend it, if you wanna read a dark witchy book with an evil goat. But this is definitely not the romanticised version of witches bc you can see the main character slowly losing her humanity.

What a gem! I went into this one with zero expectations and came out thoroughly entertained. This oddball romp follows dark-arts dabbling sisters Jerica and Pen as they dive into some seriously demonic magic, but somehow the story never feels too heavy. Pope's writing strikes this weird balance where despite the menacing threats of infernal forces and sometimes very human violence, it's wrapped in a layer of absurdity that keeps things from getting too intense. The absolute star of the show is Vinegar Bill, a sassy, snarky demon-goat who stole every scene he is in. Fair warning: Vinegar Bill hates housepets, so you're definitely going to see this book listed eventually on doesthedogdie.com. And despite the (somewhat) light-hearted tone, don't expect a happy ending - this isn't that kind of story. But if you're in the mood for a surprisingly fun ride through some dark territory full of snappy dialogue and sisterly shenanigans, "Psychedelic Satanica" delivers. It's like a B-movie horror flick in book form - gory, ridiculous, and weirdly enjoyable.

This book gave me the same feeling as listening to Coven's Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls for the first time. Wicked fun :)

non ho concluso interamente la lettura perché non ho apprezzato particolarmente la scrittura, da una parte penso sia un mio problema, la differenza della lingua è quasi ovvia, dall'altra parte per mio gusto personale avrei preferito altro. Nonostante questo trovo che l'elemento magico e folk mi è sembrato particolarmente interessante. Con buona probabilità leggerei una possibile traduzione in italiano.