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Gospel of the Cuckoo
Dallas’ entire life changed when the Church of New Lazarus opened its doors.
The small town of Wicker, Alabama has been taken over by a glamorous, fast-talking reverend with a charismatic smile as bright as his Rolex watch. This new reverend, who calls himself Blue, has declared himself a ‘modern day Lazarus’ and has set the whole town on fire with religious fervor. Yet, Dallas doesn’t trust him. There is something sinister about the new church and its cult-like following. And when Dallas, who has spent five years caring for his ailing grandfather, is suddenly thrust into the world behind the pulpit; he finds that his expectations of salvation may lie in more infernal hands.
The small town of Wicker, Alabama has been taken over by a glamorous, fast-talking reverend with a charismatic smile as bright as his Rolex watch. This new reverend, who calls himself Blue, has declared himself a ‘modern day Lazarus’ and has set the whole town on fire with religious fervor. Yet, Dallas doesn’t trust him. There is something sinister about the new church and its cult-like following. And when Dallas, who has spent five years caring for his ailing grandfather, is suddenly thrust into the world behind the pulpit; he finds that his expectations of salvation may lie in more infernal hands.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
2 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Sirius .
27 books50 followersSirius is a lover of glory, gore, and monsters. They are a queer, nonbinary artist living in the hot and bothered South; currently residing in a little spot that has been dubbed ‘Halloweentown’, North Carolina. They are the writer of The Draonir Saga, The Gentlemen Demon Series, and The Dread South Series.
When they are not writing, they work as a professional drag performer, weaving the characters from their stories into visual art for the stage.
When they are not writing, they work as a professional drag performer, weaving the characters from their stories into visual art for the stage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 26, 2024
This is queer small town religious horror that reads like a fever dream of sex and gore. Irreverent, bordering on dark satire (in a good way), this novella practically defies description until you read it.
A handsome charismatic preacher has the town of Wicker in his Rolex wearing hands. But when Dallas' grandfather dies at the hands of the preacher, he makes a deal with the devil to bring the preacher and his followers down.
What follows is not for the squeamish or those who might be prudish when it comes to sexual activities. It would be almost impossible to detail any of those things without giving anything away. But let's just say it's not your typical small town or religious horror book.
The scenes are detailed and quite brutal at times and there are certain elements which will have you reading well into the night. This is queer horror, no doubt, and it's unapologetic. In a town like this with the religious fervour firmly in place, Dallas is barely tolerated. It's the relationship which forms between him and the preacher which sets the wheels of revenge in motion with the help of the devil himself.
Definitely unique, well written, bloody and the best kind of weird, I highly recommend this novella.
I received an ARC of this book from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A handsome charismatic preacher has the town of Wicker in his Rolex wearing hands. But when Dallas' grandfather dies at the hands of the preacher, he makes a deal with the devil to bring the preacher and his followers down.
What follows is not for the squeamish or those who might be prudish when it comes to sexual activities. It would be almost impossible to detail any of those things without giving anything away. But let's just say it's not your typical small town or religious horror book.
The scenes are detailed and quite brutal at times and there are certain elements which will have you reading well into the night. This is queer horror, no doubt, and it's unapologetic. In a town like this with the religious fervour firmly in place, Dallas is barely tolerated. It's the relationship which forms between him and the preacher which sets the wheels of revenge in motion with the help of the devil himself.
Definitely unique, well written, bloody and the best kind of weird, I highly recommend this novella.
I received an ARC of this book from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
September 7, 2024
(I was given an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
This was my introduction to modern southern gothic horror, and I am thoroughly impressed. The novella, within its short length, manages to be thrilling both in a terror and an erotic manner. Sirius has a very classic horror tone and an ease to their writing while their storytelling grabbed me by the throat.
I will surely be back for more.
This was my introduction to modern southern gothic horror, and I am thoroughly impressed. The novella, within its short length, manages to be thrilling both in a terror and an erotic manner. Sirius has a very classic horror tone and an ease to their writing while their storytelling grabbed me by the throat.
I will surely be back for more.
November 9, 2025
3.5 but might round it up to 4 stars !!
October 26, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been a while since I’ve had my attention captured by a book. I went into this blind and I’m so glad I did. Trans characters with questionable morals, with a dash of southern horror? I’m in! The ending blew me away too. It’s one of my favorite microtropes. This is one of those books that I wish was longer. I would have loved to see some dynamics and characters explored more.
Thank you to Sirius and the publisher for giving me this opportunity.
I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been a while since I’ve had my attention captured by a book. I went into this blind and I’m so glad I did. Trans characters with questionable morals, with a dash of southern horror? I’m in! The ending blew me away too. It’s one of my favorite microtropes. This is one of those books that I wish was longer. I would have loved to see some dynamics and characters explored more.
Thank you to Sirius and the publisher for giving me this opportunity.
August 25, 2024
Sirius is back with another fantastic southern gothic horror novella! I seriously haven't read a book yet that I didn't enjoy. It's my opinion that no one does this genre like Sirius.
GOSPEL gives us an amazing story, unique characters, spicy smut, queer representation, and gorgeous artwork. I was also lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, and the narrator was fabulous. I loved the various accents, Abel's was my favorite 😍.
I will be back soon with my full review.
GOSPEL gives us an amazing story, unique characters, spicy smut, queer representation, and gorgeous artwork. I was also lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, and the narrator was fabulous. I loved the various accents, Abel's was my favorite 😍.
I will be back soon with my full review.
August 20, 2024
Gospel of the Cuckoo might be Sirius' finest book yet. This book is a trial of will and faith with queer disability rep, exquisite sex scenes, and vengeance set in a small Alabama town taken over by a pulpit thumping preacher.
If you read one Sirius book this year, make it this one.
If you read one Sirius book this year, make it this one.
November 21, 2025
Unexpectedly spicy, but I had a lot fun with this one!
August 28, 2024
Sweet, delicious, queer blasphemy. Gospel of the Cuckoo is easily one of my favorite works of Gay Wrongs.
I adore so many aspects of this novella:
Queerness and disability are not just footnotes in this story, they are central to Dallas's experience.
There's a genuine southern flavor throughout that could only be written by southern folk.
The descriptive language is fantastic. I can't say I've read starlight and sunlight described in such revolting terms before. I'm also a huge fan of somatic manifestations of horror. There's something poetic about feeling dread moving through one's intestines.
And if all that goodness isn't enough to convince you to pick up a copy ... this book gets SPICY. I was wholly unprepared for how hot things got. Not that I'm complaining. Whew.
Thank you to Sirius and the publisher for the chance to check the ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I adore so many aspects of this novella:
Queerness and disability are not just footnotes in this story, they are central to Dallas's experience.
There's a genuine southern flavor throughout that could only be written by southern folk.
The descriptive language is fantastic. I can't say I've read starlight and sunlight described in such revolting terms before. I'm also a huge fan of somatic manifestations of horror. There's something poetic about feeling dread moving through one's intestines.
And if all that goodness isn't enough to convince you to pick up a copy ... this book gets SPICY. I was wholly unprepared for how hot things got. Not that I'm complaining. Whew.
Thank you to Sirius and the publisher for the chance to check the ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
August 26, 2024
This ARC was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is my favorite of the books in the Dread South Series—uncomfortably gruesome, spicy, and leaves you wanting 100 more pages of the story but in the best way.
Sirius has such a knack for pulling the reader into the setting. I really felt like I was sweating right along with Dallas in that revival tent. The descriptions are well written, but are concise enough that I’m never pulled out of the story.
I love that we got a little more taste of Abel (they were my favorite from Blackjack + Moonshine), but I definitely wanted even more. I loved all the descriptions of their clothing. Abel is such a gender mood. I also just love their calm personality, but it’s eerie because you can feel a boiling fire underneath that calm exterior. It’s very nicely done.
I think Dallas is a good main character for this story. Having trans, disabled representation is so important and I think both of those character traits really served to isolate Dallas from the rest of the town. I do feel like his motivation, at times, was a little wishy washy, I feel like his hate towards Blue and the town wasn’t fully grounded throughout the story. It would have been nice to see a little more glimmer of those feelings of distrust and the eventual r anger for the death of his grandfather. I think exploring his relationship with his grandfather also might have helped the reader to understand a little more since their relationship seemed a bit fraught with the grandfather deadnaming Dallas and the clear caregiver role strain that Dallas was experiencing.
But I did really like Dallas’ descent into a bit of madness towards the end as he slowly began to influence Blue which then influenced the congregation and led to some really gritty deaths. His questioning of Abel’s intentions, his dreams becoming a distorted reality, and eventually becoming the pastor of the church after Blue’s death was a really cool development.
However, the standout in this book for me was Blue. I could literally read an entire novel about his life and how he became the beloved reverend of the town. Him being trans was a really cool reveal and just made me want to know more about his life and upbringing. I liked his own sort of descent in giving in to his baser desires and worshiping Dallas’ body like Dallas was the one true God. His fall was really well done (taking away his voice….and the GLUE was horrifying, but in the best way. My jaw literally dropped). But I was honestly sad when he died and felt bad for him. I just really really liked him! I feel like there is so much to explore with him and I hope maybe we’ll see him again sometime.
I think keeping the ending open was a really smart choice. It’s satisfying enough that the reader can imagine what could happen in the future with Dallas taking over the congregation. Through the initial deaths we get a little taste of what Dallas and Abel have in store for the rest of them. It leaves you feeling unsettled, but in a really good way.
It was a quick, excitingly icky read and I’m really interested to see what comes next in The Dread South Series!
This is my favorite of the books in the Dread South Series—uncomfortably gruesome, spicy, and leaves you wanting 100 more pages of the story but in the best way.
Sirius has such a knack for pulling the reader into the setting. I really felt like I was sweating right along with Dallas in that revival tent. The descriptions are well written, but are concise enough that I’m never pulled out of the story.
I love that we got a little more taste of Abel (they were my favorite from Blackjack + Moonshine), but I definitely wanted even more. I loved all the descriptions of their clothing. Abel is such a gender mood. I also just love their calm personality, but it’s eerie because you can feel a boiling fire underneath that calm exterior. It’s very nicely done.
I think Dallas is a good main character for this story. Having trans, disabled representation is so important and I think both of those character traits really served to isolate Dallas from the rest of the town. I do feel like his motivation, at times, was a little wishy washy, I feel like his hate towards Blue and the town wasn’t fully grounded throughout the story. It would have been nice to see a little more glimmer of those feelings of distrust and the eventual r anger for the death of his grandfather. I think exploring his relationship with his grandfather also might have helped the reader to understand a little more since their relationship seemed a bit fraught with the grandfather deadnaming Dallas and the clear caregiver role strain that Dallas was experiencing.
But I did really like Dallas’ descent into a bit of madness towards the end as he slowly began to influence Blue which then influenced the congregation and led to some really gritty deaths. His questioning of Abel’s intentions, his dreams becoming a distorted reality, and eventually becoming the pastor of the church after Blue’s death was a really cool development.
However, the standout in this book for me was Blue. I could literally read an entire novel about his life and how he became the beloved reverend of the town. Him being trans was a really cool reveal and just made me want to know more about his life and upbringing. I liked his own sort of descent in giving in to his baser desires and worshiping Dallas’ body like Dallas was the one true God. His fall was really well done (taking away his voice….and the GLUE was horrifying, but in the best way. My jaw literally dropped). But I was honestly sad when he died and felt bad for him. I just really really liked him! I feel like there is so much to explore with him and I hope maybe we’ll see him again sometime.
I think keeping the ending open was a really smart choice. It’s satisfying enough that the reader can imagine what could happen in the future with Dallas taking over the congregation. Through the initial deaths we get a little taste of what Dallas and Abel have in store for the rest of them. It leaves you feeling unsettled, but in a really good way.
It was a quick, excitingly icky read and I’m really interested to see what comes next in The Dread South Series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Let me start by thanking Sirius and The Laughing Man House Publishing for the free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review
This was my first experience with Sirius’s work and what an experience it was! The blurb does not prepare you for what’s to come.
We start by looking into a small town community that has developed this cult-like mentality under the hand of Blue, a handsome and charismatic preacher, and his Church of Lazarus. We also meet Dallas, a disabled trans man, who’s in charge of taking care of his elderly grandfather. It is the grandfather’s death at the hands of the preacher, followed by Dallas’s deal with the devil that propels us into the rest of the story.
And what a story it is! What follows is not for the faint of heart, nor for the prudish mind. It is gore and sex described in such detail that it is impossible not to see the scenes vividly playing out in your mind. I won’t say much more as this story is best enjoyed if you go into it blind. My one complaint is that I wish it was longer, I’d have loved seeing some characters and their dynamics explored further. The end just leaves you wanting more.
I’ll conclude by saying that this is a unique novella, well-written and extremely weird in the best way. I’ll definitely look into Sirius’s other works.
July 14, 2024
Sirius has outdone themself with this newest story from the Dread South universe. Gospel of the Cuckoo is easily my favourite thing I’ve read from their oeuvre. I may have said that before, but I don’t see how this one can be topped. I am exactly the type of reader this one was written for, and I was immersed right from that haunting opening line.
Though it comes as no surprise at all, the stranglehold religion had on the townsfolk of Wicker still managed to shock and terrify, not to mention how easily doubt and fear were manipulated with only the tiniest push. The cinematic dream sequences were utterly enthralling, and definitely my favourite thing about the book. The passion Sirius poured into Gospel of the Cuckoo, from the layers of meaning and depth of character to the vivid prose, is palpable.
Also, to be very simplistic: I never can resist a story about hapless humans assuming a dealing devil is the same as a advocating ally; and Sirius does those so well.
Gospel of the Cuckoo releases August 27th, make sure y’all mark your calendars!
Many thanks to for providing an ARC!
Though it comes as no surprise at all, the stranglehold religion had on the townsfolk of Wicker still managed to shock and terrify, not to mention how easily doubt and fear were manipulated with only the tiniest push. The cinematic dream sequences were utterly enthralling, and definitely my favourite thing about the book. The passion Sirius poured into Gospel of the Cuckoo, from the layers of meaning and depth of character to the vivid prose, is palpable.
Also, to be very simplistic: I never can resist a story about hapless humans assuming a dealing devil is the same as a advocating ally; and Sirius does those so well.
Gospel of the Cuckoo releases August 27th, make sure y’all mark your calendars!
Many thanks to for providing an ARC!
May 13, 2025
Rated 4 stars rounded up from 3.5 stars.
I’m honestly confused about the ending. I have really no idea what happened in the last couple chapters. The narrator becomes unhinged and slightly unreliable as he gets deeper into the horror and his own delusions. However, this is still a read well worth the time. I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book; the buildup and planning sections were amazing. Very dark but with some satisfaction for those with religious trauma (me). The ending just felt a little rushed and a bit too abstract for me. The setting is really well done and well written. Sirius makes you feel like you are in the dust filled world with them and their characters. The spicy bits were also really well written and very nice to read 🌶️
This book begs for a cold glass of lemonade as the characters, their lust, and the unforgivable setting seeps into your brain.
I’m honestly confused about the ending. I have really no idea what happened in the last couple chapters. The narrator becomes unhinged and slightly unreliable as he gets deeper into the horror and his own delusions. However, this is still a read well worth the time. I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book; the buildup and planning sections were amazing. Very dark but with some satisfaction for those with religious trauma (me). The ending just felt a little rushed and a bit too abstract for me. The setting is really well done and well written. Sirius makes you feel like you are in the dust filled world with them and their characters. The spicy bits were also really well written and very nice to read 🌶️
This book begs for a cold glass of lemonade as the characters, their lust, and the unforgivable setting seeps into your brain.
October 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The prose, story, and representation were fantastic, and the diversity even between the multiple trans characters was so refreshing. The design of the physical book and the artwork is also really interesting and adds to the experience. My only complaints are with the technical aspects of the writing; I caught several spelling and grammatical errors, along with some continuity errors concerning things like characters' appearances. These took me out of the story a little bit, but overall had no bearing on the quality of the story itself. It was also a very quick read, but was still very entertaining. I recommend it for the quality trans representation by a trans author if nothing else.
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this queer novella about religion and the cult like behavior of religious practitioners in the south. This even has the witch-hunt type of trope. It is well written and extremely graphic with the sexual and horror elements. I don't normally like how spice in written in other books but the spice here is pretty hot and pretty explicit. The story was really well written and I would definitely read more by this author. I feel like I can't really say much else without giving spoilers. If you like southern horror with religious and Faustian themes and don't mind explicit spice scenes, I highly recommend Gospel of the Cuckoo by Sirius. Also, the cover is amazing!
July 10, 2024
This is such a truly unique, wild and interesting book! I’m left somewhat speechless from this one, in a good way. The story deals with intense religious, and cult like followers, on a deep level. There is a good deal of graphic sexual scenes also. The horror and surprises throughout the story are amazing! There were a few things in the book that I was confused with, but most of them were answered by the end. This is a really fun and fast read, and I think the author did a fantastic job!
Thank you to Sirius for sending me an arc copy of this really great book!
Thank you to Sirius for sending me an arc copy of this really great book!
November 27, 2024
The religious/southern horror aspects in this had me on the floor sometimes... one of those reads where I just had to sit with it in silence for a while after finishing. There was something darkly satisfying and deeply horrifying about the direction the story went. I was entranced!
I'm always here for trans and disabled representation, and it's so important to see that unapologetically in a southern story like Gospel of the Cuckoo.
I'm always here for trans and disabled representation, and it's so important to see that unapologetically in a southern story like Gospel of the Cuckoo.
August 29, 2024
🥀He had a voice like honey whiskey—a little too sweet to be pleasant.
Holy. Shit. When I say I devoured this book, I mean that. This book was phenomenal. The smut and gore were immaculate. I was sucked in from the first page and couldn’t put this book down. The tension in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air. The spice had me actually blushing and screaming out loud (forgetting I was at work 🫠😂). And the gore? Omg the gore was sooooo good!
Holy. Shit. When I say I devoured this book, I mean that. This book was phenomenal. The smut and gore were immaculate. I was sucked in from the first page and couldn’t put this book down. The tension in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air. The spice had me actually blushing and screaming out loud (forgetting I was at work 🫠😂). And the gore? Omg the gore was sooooo good!
August 25, 2024
This was beautifully written. I don't wanna give too much away. The characters came to life on the page. My only critic is I could have read 100 more pages I loved it so much I didn't want it to end. I definitely plan on reading more of their work. If you have been looking to support LGBTQ+ indie authors and love a little southern spice definitely pick this one up.
October 22, 2024
WOW I loved this a lot. The perfect mix of sexy, blasphemous, and a little bit gross. I loved Dallas’ character arc from presumably meek and easily manipulated into someone commanding and hedonistic, albeit morally gray. The T4T smut with religious metaphors is truly *chef’s kiss.* Also a big fan of a cunty nonbinary devil.
January 4, 2026
wow what a book! i loved everything about this one! the only reason it isn’t a five stars is because of a few mistakes in the text but other than that it truly is a great work! the queer religious battle is one like no other, especially in the south, and i think this text captures that beautifully.
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May 21, 2024Engrossing from page one, Gospel of the Cuckoo is as engaging as it is horrifying. A sucker punch of a novella, sexy and blasphemous with a heavy dose of darkness. I loved it. Thanks to the author for sending me an early copy to blurb.
September 1, 2024
Feed them to be the beast and so it shall be! This novella was a awakening of sorts, there was cults, there was revenge, there was smut, there was a hot Devil. It was insanely queer and Full of different types of disability rep. I need more of Dallas, I need more of this town. <3
October 21, 2024
Bite-sized Southern horror with religious themes and revenge.
I appreciated the representation in this one.
The bloodier bits in the latter half of the story were the most compelling to me. As was the character Abel.
Thank you to the author for providing me a free copy!
I appreciated the representation in this one.
The bloodier bits in the latter half of the story were the most compelling to me. As was the character Abel.
Thank you to the author for providing me a free copy!
June 7, 2024
Gospel of the Cuckoo was deliciously blasphemous in all the best ways. Erotic and gruesome, this book had me hooked from the first page.
February 25, 2025
I loved this book. RTC
March 28, 2025
honestly i want to shove this book in my mouth like a snake i love it so much
December 14, 2025
Could've used some more cult stuff. But it wasn't too bad.
November 3, 2024
Religious Trauma? Check. Congregational Witchhunts to root out the Devil? Check. Scenes to make you blush and squirm? Check. A RANDOM GEARSHIFT CHANGE TO A LOOPTY-LOOP AND PULL OF A “Oh wait, this character is trans TOO?” Also Check.
Y’all this is the Southern horror I like to see and the only reason it’s given 4/5 stars is because I’m impatient and good gracious did this start off as a slow burn.
“Burn”as in “Hell” cause the devil is here and he wrote this book for our entertainment.
Y’all this is the Southern horror I like to see and the only reason it’s given 4/5 stars is because I’m impatient and good gracious did this start off as a slow burn.
“Burn”as in “Hell” cause the devil is here and he wrote this book for our entertainment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
**please proceed with the context that I loved this book**
What the actual loving FVCK did I just read?
Nothing about this book felt real & I literally sensed myself descending deeper into abysmal chaos with every page turned.
I can’t pretend to understand the level of courage one must have to entertain the darkness necessary to come up with a story like this.
I am confused. I am overwhelmed. I am feeling EVERYTHING. All signs of a good book 💀👍🏼
What the actual loving FVCK did I just read?
Nothing about this book felt real & I literally sensed myself descending deeper into abysmal chaos with every page turned.
I can’t pretend to understand the level of courage one must have to entertain the darkness necessary to come up with a story like this.
I am confused. I am overwhelmed. I am feeling EVERYTHING. All signs of a good book 💀👍🏼
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews