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The Morningstar Confession
Dan's nights at his small, quiet church have always been uneventful, filled with routine prayers and the occasional sinner seeking solace. But one evening, everything changes when a new visitor steps into the confessional-the Devil himself.
THE
MORNINGSTAR
CONFESSION
Claiming he wants to tell his side of the story, the Devil challenges everything Dan holds sacred. As the Prince of Darkness unravels the tales of his own fall and the true nature of sin, Dan finds himself questioning his faith, his beliefs, and the very fabric of good and evil as he listens to
The Morningstar CONFESSION
THE
MORNINGSTAR
CONFESSION
Claiming he wants to tell his side of the story, the Devil challenges everything Dan holds sacred. As the Prince of Darkness unravels the tales of his own fall and the true nature of sin, Dan finds himself questioning his faith, his beliefs, and the very fabric of good and evil as he listens to
The Morningstar CONFESSION
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2024
51 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 3, 2025
One of my favorite sub-genres is horror based on religion. Reading the synopsis of The Morningstar Confession was all I needed to know I would most likely love this book. My instincts were correct! Lovers of Christopher Moore's Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal are in for a real treat with this book.
Father Dan welcomes an odd character into his confessional one day. The man claims to be Lucifer himself, but Dan is not convinced. Dan allows the man to confess, and the devil makes his plea to be forgiven for his sins. Telling well known stories from the Bible from his own point of view, the devil definitely gets Dan's attention and has him questioning everything he believes to be true.
Matt infuses this story with his trademark wit, making even the most serious situations palatable and not overly dramatic. For a reader like me, this book was pure entertainment from start to finish. It read like a memoir, or historical fiction, only way more fun! Matt pays homage to Moore's Lamb, which to me was an instant classic when I read it years ago. I highly recommend picking this one up, and I sincerely cannot wait to get another Matt Lutton book in my hands!
Father Dan welcomes an odd character into his confessional one day. The man claims to be Lucifer himself, but Dan is not convinced. Dan allows the man to confess, and the devil makes his plea to be forgiven for his sins. Telling well known stories from the Bible from his own point of view, the devil definitely gets Dan's attention and has him questioning everything he believes to be true.
Matt infuses this story with his trademark wit, making even the most serious situations palatable and not overly dramatic. For a reader like me, this book was pure entertainment from start to finish. It read like a memoir, or historical fiction, only way more fun! Matt pays homage to Moore's Lamb, which to me was an instant classic when I read it years ago. I highly recommend picking this one up, and I sincerely cannot wait to get another Matt Lutton book in my hands!
March 1, 2025
Faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
This is a tricky thing—it can be religious or it can be something entirely different.
I was raised and immersed in an incredibly religious culture, but now? No clue where I stand. And I know I’m not alone in that, no matter what doctrine you subscribe to or don’t.
Many of us have had existential moments, questioning what we believe in—whether about God, humanity, or even ourselves.
This book takes that questioning and turns it into a conversation—literally. The Morningstar Confession follows Lucifer as he speaks with a priest, offering his confession. But more than a confession, it’s a stark commentary on faith, belief, and what it truly means to be forgiven. Should humanity be saved? Do we even deserve it? And more importantly—who decides?
One of the things I appreciated most is that the author openly identifies as a person of faith, and I think that adds weight to the story. But don’t mistake this for a preachy book—it doesn’t try to convert or persuade you. If anything, it encourages introspection. If you believe or not, it might reinforce that belief or question it.
More than just religious faith, this book also tackles the broader concept of faith—faith in humanity, in our choices, in where we’re headed. Two people can experience the same event yet walk away with entirely different perspectives. And that’s exactly what this book does—it challenges perspectives, makes you think, and leaves you questioning.
November 11, 2024
In this dark story, we are given a fresh perspective that delves deep into the complexities of the human experience. This is a tale of grappling with both internal and external demons, while exploring isolation, identity, and the search for forgiveness. This novel blurs the line between good and evil and shows us true duality does not exist.
February 23, 2025
Lutton has a knack for making his readers think. And I mean really think: we question ourselves, our beliefs, our morals. This story was incredibly thought-provoking. The conversations between Lucifer and Father Dan were so vividly described and delivered so realistically that you can almost feel yourself in the darkened confines. And throughout the story that unfolds we find ourselves appearing in different sides of the confessional as our minds bend further one way or the other. Definitely recommend.
February 1, 2025
Tbh, this is not the kind of book I would have picked up to read myself, but the name of "Matt Lutton" was enough to convince me to give it a shot. However, I'm still unsure if I liked it; it's very well-written, satisfyingly paced, horrifying in its implications and intriguing in its selection of religious themes (the God-Lucifer relationship, the role of the latter in Jesus' life, the meaning of sin and salvation, and the nature of humanity). But I felt that in the good bits, it didn't cover any new ground: Lucifer's resentment, his moral ambiguity, and his questioning of the significance of man have already been well-trodden in all kinds of art (even in the Sandman comic, which has my favorite portrayal of Lucifer); and in the original parts (the Jesus-Devil paternal-like relationship, Lucifer's role in the Fall, and so on), I felt very much let down. I found the main character (the priest) quite interestingly flawed, but ultimately unlikeable. Perhaps I'm not the target group of this book: it seems to presuppose a manner of theological questioning I do not find fascinating enough (i.e., the attempt to gain philosophical insights on Christianity and humanity through entertainment of an alternate theological history), plus its horror elements recycle common views of the Devil in 90s horror movies (from Angel Heart to End of Days, just a little bit gorier, grosser, and more vulgar). That said, if dark religious themes are your thing, especially when treated with a touch of wit and black humor, then please do go for it; just be prepared for some challenging scenes of over-the-top vulgarity and grossness.
November 11, 2024
Absolutely amazing, I am speechless. Beautifully haunting. Everyone needs to read.
October 4, 2025
The Morningstar Confession is not a horror novel, it's an experience that you have to open your mind to if you want to enjoy the book. What does that mean? It means, this one clearly isn't for everyone. It will scare off a segment of readers, and be 'not horror' enough for others, but the ones who can surrender to the story, it promises to deliver.
This book, in my opinion, isn't trying to scare you as much as it asks you to consider a perspective under horrific elements. Dan is a priest who is in a confession booth when supposedly Lucifer comes in on the other side of the partition wanting forgiveness. From here, many things are revealed from his point of view and the conversation goes to some very real and honest places for Dan.
There were some nice quotable in this that I liked. "Mice don't bow to owls" being the standout one for me. I won't offer context, just trust that it's badass when it's said.
The opening to this book is strong. I was hooked right away.
I feel like some of the stories that Lucifer tells from more biblical scripture lost me a bit. One, because I just don't understand the source material well enough, and two, I just found those bits less interesting compared to the present moment parts of the writing.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and execution a lot. If you are willing to open yourself up to read about Lucifer's side of the story in his pursuit for forgiveness, this one is worth checking out.
This book, in my opinion, isn't trying to scare you as much as it asks you to consider a perspective under horrific elements. Dan is a priest who is in a confession booth when supposedly Lucifer comes in on the other side of the partition wanting forgiveness. From here, many things are revealed from his point of view and the conversation goes to some very real and honest places for Dan.
There were some nice quotable in this that I liked. "Mice don't bow to owls" being the standout one for me. I won't offer context, just trust that it's badass when it's said.
The opening to this book is strong. I was hooked right away.
I feel like some of the stories that Lucifer tells from more biblical scripture lost me a bit. One, because I just don't understand the source material well enough, and two, I just found those bits less interesting compared to the present moment parts of the writing.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and execution a lot. If you are willing to open yourself up to read about Lucifer's side of the story in his pursuit for forgiveness, this one is worth checking out.
April 23, 2025
This is quite the read. It's one that will make you think as it touches the complex nature of religion and the human mind. The Morningstar Confession also touches upon the idea of faith, which is always a hot-button topic these days. It's about a character named Dan, who is a priest. He has to protect his 'faith' as Lucifer questions his faith with actual good points.
This story will blur the line between good and evil, believe me, it had me questioning certain things. However, that was by design, I'm sure. The Morningstar Confessions doesn't pull any punches either. You can say I strangely enjoyed this story, as it made me think about my religious life. As for the Abrahamic stories, Matt gives us a fresh perspective on each story, including my favorite, the story of Job.
I promise when you're done, you will be asking questions. If you enjoy religious or occult horror, I suggest you give this a read!
This story will blur the line between good and evil, believe me, it had me questioning certain things. However, that was by design, I'm sure. The Morningstar Confessions doesn't pull any punches either. You can say I strangely enjoyed this story, as it made me think about my religious life. As for the Abrahamic stories, Matt gives us a fresh perspective on each story, including my favorite, the story of Job.
I promise when you're done, you will be asking questions. If you enjoy religious or occult horror, I suggest you give this a read!
July 8, 2025
As soon as I saw that this book was about Satan walking into a church asking a priest for confession I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. After all, Lucifer has a lot of explaining to do, doesn’t he? First of all, this is a brilliant idea for a book. Religious horror is one of my favorite sub-genres in books and cinema. “The Morningstar Confession” is a new, fresh, and much appreciated addition to the occult horror genre. Lucifer was a dark and deeply flawed character but you feel bad for him at times in this story. For me, the novel was philosophical, violent, sensitive and even funny at times (which I did not expect, but highly enjoyed!). I give “The Morningstar Confession” an easy five stars and I can’t wait to read more of Matthew Lutton’s work!
June 13, 2025
I love religious horror. Whether I’m reading it, writing it, or just in a dark room surrounded by stained glass, I’m pretty happy. I also love the idea of the devil himself walking into a confession booth to tell his side of the story- and admittedly, I even learned some things about the Bible and it’s lore that I had been completely clueless on prior.
Whether or not you want to believe the father of lies himself, he has come into the booth to speak his truth. He wants to explain why humans are like rats to him, and why he believes himself misunderstood. He will go through several tales throughout this time, and we will learn that the priest listening to him has some stories himself he just needs to put out there. The drama is relentless and deliciously entertaining.
From the moment Lucifer Morningstar falls, to the events of the famous crucifixion, we get a look at things from his perspective. The descriptions are vivid and graphic, and the commentary is wild and interesting. That ending too…. Oh man. This is horror that makes you think, and makes you ponder long after you have closed the book.
I find there to be something so unsettling about empty churches or nearly empty places of worship in the first place. Throw an exhausted devil in there, THE devil himself, who feels he is misunderstood, and matters get a lot more complicated. Those who are interested in having a sit down with Lucifer, look no further.
This one’s a winner.
August 28, 2025
I am fascinated by religion so to get an explanation in the form of a confession from The Big Guy From Below was a delight that I never knew I needed. Wonderfully told story that pairs a flawed priest together with The Fallen Angel as they debate absolution.
January 3, 2025
kult å veta hur…. djävulen känner å tycker
December 24, 2024
Matt Lutton has raised the bar with The Morningstar Confession. It’s elevated, poignant, deeply philosophical, and hits hard, especially as someone who was raised Catholic but chooses not to practice as an adult. (To be clear, I felt the religious messaging was perfectly left to the reader’s interpretation, so don’t let that comment sway you.)
I gave myself an extra couple days to digest the story and think about how to describe it… what to say in a post and I’m glad I did. Had I posted this when I first set the book down (I read the whole thing in one sitting), the post may have said little more than “wow, I mean… just wow. I had lofty expectations for that one, but he shattered them.” And that’s all still true of course, but I feel a bit more articulate today.
“Why horror?” feels like a question we’ve all been asked, often. Why do I read it, why do I try to write it. The answer is elusive, but my best attempt so far, is that it’s the one type of story that’s most in tune with the human condition, that offers the best view of what it is to live and strive and aspire and struggle and fail and be misunderstood but persevere and learn and grow and then die. So that’s why.
And this book did all that for me, in a way I’ve not quite experienced yet. That’s what I want when I read horror, that’s the experience I’m chasing. Give me chills and gasps and dread and tension, that’s good horror. But, add layers of psychological insight and philosophical exploration on top of that. That’s GREAT horror. And Matt Lutton does it again.
I gave myself an extra couple days to digest the story and think about how to describe it… what to say in a post and I’m glad I did. Had I posted this when I first set the book down (I read the whole thing in one sitting), the post may have said little more than “wow, I mean… just wow. I had lofty expectations for that one, but he shattered them.” And that’s all still true of course, but I feel a bit more articulate today.
“Why horror?” feels like a question we’ve all been asked, often. Why do I read it, why do I try to write it. The answer is elusive, but my best attempt so far, is that it’s the one type of story that’s most in tune with the human condition, that offers the best view of what it is to live and strive and aspire and struggle and fail and be misunderstood but persevere and learn and grow and then die. So that’s why.
And this book did all that for me, in a way I’ve not quite experienced yet. That’s what I want when I read horror, that’s the experience I’m chasing. Give me chills and gasps and dread and tension, that’s good horror. But, add layers of psychological insight and philosophical exploration on top of that. That’s GREAT horror. And Matt Lutton does it again.
April 13, 2025
I really wanted this one to be a five star for me.
The intro of author's faith is a big part of the story and I believe it's what runs bright and true throughout the book and why the end is tied up very nicely. I absolutely adore horror x Catholicism but I think because the protag was a priest that my expectation was that it would go into more depth theologically.
A typical devil v priest trope, but this time the devil wants forgiveness badly from this one particular priest (wish there was more to that part but it's not really discussed).
The story is short and well written and hits the main two bible stories of creation and crucifixion, with a few throw away comments of other bible stories. I think maybe I just wanted the book to be twice as long and to go into some of the Christian lore a bit more.
It reads more as an internal struggle with faith than an actual theological debate between two people who have a deep connection by experience (devil) or life long study (the priest), and some of the conversation wasn't paced well and some of the ideas not as fleshed out as i would have liked them to be to really make the story carry me along.
All-in-all fantastic work, but give me more. pls.
also more gore i think. he's literally the devil. from the bible.
The intro of author's faith is a big part of the story and I believe it's what runs bright and true throughout the book and why the end is tied up very nicely. I absolutely adore horror x Catholicism but I think because the protag was a priest that my expectation was that it would go into more depth theologically.
A typical devil v priest trope, but this time the devil wants forgiveness badly from this one particular priest (wish there was more to that part but it's not really discussed).
The story is short and well written and hits the main two bible stories of creation and crucifixion, with a few throw away comments of other bible stories. I think maybe I just wanted the book to be twice as long and to go into some of the Christian lore a bit more.
It reads more as an internal struggle with faith than an actual theological debate between two people who have a deep connection by experience (devil) or life long study (the priest), and some of the conversation wasn't paced well and some of the ideas not as fleshed out as i would have liked them to be to really make the story carry me along.
All-in-all fantastic work, but give me more. pls.
also more gore i think. he's literally the devil. from the bible.
April 21, 2025
Jesus Christ, no pun intended.
Never has a book left me as speechless as this one. I read the last page and stared at the wall, not knowing what to think, but feeling so many emotions. I think if you're thinking of reading this, you either have to be extremely secure in your faith or not care one way or the other. However, this book, in my opinion, was so well written, so gut-wrenching, so warm, and made me want to learn more about the Bible. I felt every emotion under the sun. I don't know if this is something I could recommend to a friend or anyone, lol, but if you read this, just know this is the most thought-provoking book you will ever read. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Lutton's work.
Never has a book left me as speechless as this one. I read the last page and stared at the wall, not knowing what to think, but feeling so many emotions. I think if you're thinking of reading this, you either have to be extremely secure in your faith or not care one way or the other. However, this book, in my opinion, was so well written, so gut-wrenching, so warm, and made me want to learn more about the Bible. I felt every emotion under the sun. I don't know if this is something I could recommend to a friend or anyone, lol, but if you read this, just know this is the most thought-provoking book you will ever read. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Lutton's work.
November 14, 2024
This one was really interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. The Devil, aka Lucifer, goes into Father Dan's confessional booth, saying he wants to tell the story of his fall from heaven. I liked the parts where The Devil and Dan are talking to each other. It was cool and interesting to see each side while they were in booth talking. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.
November 17, 2024
The Morningstar Confession takes everything you know about Lucifer and Jesus/Joshua and twists it all on its head for a new perspective! We all know about Jesus: son of God brought to Earth to save humanity from their sins, tempted by the Devil, betrayed by Judas, executed by the Romans, etc. But did anyone ever think to ask Lucifer for his story?
I absolutely loved the glimpses into the past that Matt gave us. It was such a fresh take on the events of Lucifer's fall and the life of Joshua, and it gave a unique feel to the story as a whole. Slightly less effective for me were the confession scenes. I found myself missing the "Bless me, Father, it has been blah blah days since my last confession. These are my sins...." so it felt more like an exposition than a confession to me. I wanted to see maybe a specific sin, then the story of the past, then another specific sin, and so on just to keep it in my mind that this was a confession. It wasn't super clear why Lucifer was confessing in the first place, so I struggled a little until the end to figure out what he was hoping to get out of this.
There was something in the end that felt a bit off to me. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but there's a scene where I felt the padre took a step back character development wise, and it left me feeling a little wanting when I closed the book. Though there was a lot of room left for some quality torment via Lucifer, so maybe it evened itself out.
All in all, this book left me with some interesting thoughts. While I haven't been to a church since I was 18, I was raised Catholic, and I actually felt a little sorry for this fictional Lucifer, so props to Matt for writing such a fascinating character. I do have a little mixed feelings for Morningstar Confession, but I did enjoy it overall (despite what seemed like a lot of gratuitous vomit and poop)!
I absolutely loved the glimpses into the past that Matt gave us. It was such a fresh take on the events of Lucifer's fall and the life of Joshua, and it gave a unique feel to the story as a whole. Slightly less effective for me were the confession scenes. I found myself missing the "Bless me, Father, it has been blah blah days since my last confession. These are my sins...." so it felt more like an exposition than a confession to me. I wanted to see maybe a specific sin, then the story of the past, then another specific sin, and so on just to keep it in my mind that this was a confession. It wasn't super clear why Lucifer was confessing in the first place, so I struggled a little until the end to figure out what he was hoping to get out of this.
There was something in the end that felt a bit off to me. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but there's a scene where I felt the padre took a step back character development wise, and it left me feeling a little wanting when I closed the book. Though there was a lot of room left for some quality torment via Lucifer, so maybe it evened itself out.
All in all, this book left me with some interesting thoughts. While I haven't been to a church since I was 18, I was raised Catholic, and I actually felt a little sorry for this fictional Lucifer, so props to Matt for writing such a fascinating character. I do have a little mixed feelings for Morningstar Confession, but I did enjoy it overall (despite what seemed like a lot of gratuitous vomit and poop)!
April 18, 2025
The Morningstar Confession by Matthew Lutton
Wow -- he really went for it here. In the short span of 200 pages, Lutton digs deep into Abrahamic religious mythology, specifically from the perspective of a Catholic priest and the entity (is it a spoiler?) he's forced to recon with while trapped in a confessional booth. The story goes back throughout the old an new testaments to explore Lucifer's relationship and struggles with his creator and with creation itself--particularly man and Joshua/Jesus. It also goes more modern-day with the priest Dan's perspective and his own struggles with faith and sin and obedience.
The writing is deeply informed by knowledge not just of the books of the Bible, but also the cultures of the times that each of the stories take place in. Lutton delves into all of this with mastery. I am thoroughly impressed by his skill in crafting this book and don't know why it took me so long to finally read a Matt Lutton book. This will be far from the last.
I personally found this book extremely relevant in a time where so many of those that represent the Abrahamic religions are leaning so heavily on the persecution of the very people their good books tell them they should be lifting up and nurturing. I won't get into the politics of it as I don't want to get kicked out of here, but as someone struggling with reconciling what I'm seeing in the US and in other parts of the world right now compared to the religious teachings I grew up on, this book hit extra hard.
Thanks for writing this incredibly impactful book, Matt Lutton.
Wow -- he really went for it here. In the short span of 200 pages, Lutton digs deep into Abrahamic religious mythology, specifically from the perspective of a Catholic priest and the entity (is it a spoiler?) he's forced to recon with while trapped in a confessional booth. The story goes back throughout the old an new testaments to explore Lucifer's relationship and struggles with his creator and with creation itself--particularly man and Joshua/Jesus. It also goes more modern-day with the priest Dan's perspective and his own struggles with faith and sin and obedience.
The writing is deeply informed by knowledge not just of the books of the Bible, but also the cultures of the times that each of the stories take place in. Lutton delves into all of this with mastery. I am thoroughly impressed by his skill in crafting this book and don't know why it took me so long to finally read a Matt Lutton book. This will be far from the last.
I personally found this book extremely relevant in a time where so many of those that represent the Abrahamic religions are leaning so heavily on the persecution of the very people their good books tell them they should be lifting up and nurturing. I won't get into the politics of it as I don't want to get kicked out of here, but as someone struggling with reconciling what I'm seeing in the US and in other parts of the world right now compared to the religious teachings I grew up on, this book hit extra hard.
Thanks for writing this incredibly impactful book, Matt Lutton.
May 3, 2025
As a devoted fan of religious horror, I was thrilled to discover The Morningstar Confession by Matt Lutton. If you share a love for this genre, this book is an absolute must-read.
The story unfolds on a quiet night in a church, where Father Dan, a priest, awaits latecomers to confession. Instead of a parishioner, a mysterious figure enters the confessional, asking only to be heard. What follows is an eternal tale narrated from Lucifer’s perspective, pulling Dan—and the reader—into a night that redefines existence itself.
Lutton’s prose is nothing short of breathtaking. The dialogue, often a weak point in fiction, is seamless and authentic, drawing you deep into the characters’ minds. Both Dan and Lucifer feel vividly real, their voices resonating with raw emotion and complexity. The storytelling is some of the best I have read.
At its core, The Morningstar Confession poses profound questions: In the cosmic struggle between God and the Devil, who do you trust? And why? As an agnostic, I found the book’s exploration of faith, doubt, and morality deeply moving, and surprisingly unbiased. It neither preaches nor picks sides, allowing readers to wrestle with their own beliefs. By the final pages, I was in tears, struck by an unexpected sympathy for Lucifer that lingered long after I closed the book.
This is religious horror at its peak—beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and intellectually provocative. When you pick up The Morningstar Confession, prepare for an unforgettable journey into the confessional - and the heart of good and evil.
The story unfolds on a quiet night in a church, where Father Dan, a priest, awaits latecomers to confession. Instead of a parishioner, a mysterious figure enters the confessional, asking only to be heard. What follows is an eternal tale narrated from Lucifer’s perspective, pulling Dan—and the reader—into a night that redefines existence itself.
Lutton’s prose is nothing short of breathtaking. The dialogue, often a weak point in fiction, is seamless and authentic, drawing you deep into the characters’ minds. Both Dan and Lucifer feel vividly real, their voices resonating with raw emotion and complexity. The storytelling is some of the best I have read.
At its core, The Morningstar Confession poses profound questions: In the cosmic struggle between God and the Devil, who do you trust? And why? As an agnostic, I found the book’s exploration of faith, doubt, and morality deeply moving, and surprisingly unbiased. It neither preaches nor picks sides, allowing readers to wrestle with their own beliefs. By the final pages, I was in tears, struck by an unexpected sympathy for Lucifer that lingered long after I closed the book.
This is religious horror at its peak—beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and intellectually provocative. When you pick up The Morningstar Confession, prepare for an unforgettable journey into the confessional - and the heart of good and evil.
May 9, 2025
My latest read was The Morningstar Confession, a 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl contender, by Matthew Lutton. Briefly, it’s about a priest, Dan, who hears the confession of someone you would never expect to appear in a church’s confessional, Lucifer (the Morningstar). It’s a brilliant concept, and well-written with the way the story goes back and forth between Lucifer’s confession and his side of the story that he is telling the priest.
It’s a unique story and had my attention from the get-go. I also appreciate how the author’s references to true beliefs mentioned in the Bible blended seamlessly with fiction. I found a certain line very interesting as well, where Lucifer states, “That’s very convenient, isn’t it? Who needs fact when you have labeled everything your enemy says an automatic falsehood?” How appropriate for the times we’re living in now.
And thank you, Matt, for the quote (partial) from Mark Twain, “But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?” That, in itself, is a pretty heavy concept.
While I really enjoyed this book, I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I’m not certain if my interpretation of it was the one intended. And does that even matter? All things considered, I give it a 4 out of 5.
It’s a unique story and had my attention from the get-go. I also appreciate how the author’s references to true beliefs mentioned in the Bible blended seamlessly with fiction. I found a certain line very interesting as well, where Lucifer states, “That’s very convenient, isn’t it? Who needs fact when you have labeled everything your enemy says an automatic falsehood?” How appropriate for the times we’re living in now.
And thank you, Matt, for the quote (partial) from Mark Twain, “But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?” That, in itself, is a pretty heavy concept.
While I really enjoyed this book, I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I’m not certain if my interpretation of it was the one intended. And does that even matter? All things considered, I give it a 4 out of 5.
February 14, 2025
Before diving into this review, there are two things I want to preface.
1) I am not a religious person, and my knowledge of scripture/The Bible/religious history is not strong. (That said, I love modern takes on classic mythology and this checks that box)
2) Read The Author's Note!!! It dives into Lutton's relationship with religion, and does a fantastic job setting the tone for this novella.
Okay, so the review... This book was not what I expected, and because of my lack of knowledge regarding religious history, I actually learned a TON, which was a neat bonus. But what Lutton does exceedingly well is to have two dichotomous characters butt heads over their convictions regarding confession and forgiveness.
Can a Catholic Father find it in himself to forgive The True Morningstar when he comes to confession and unravels "the truth" behind religious texts with a tale unlike any heard before? Or will this be the one confession he can't forgive?
It's a fun and gripping ride that does well to mix the grand questions of the religious mythos with the follies of humanity into something that will either seed doubt or conviction.
1) I am not a religious person, and my knowledge of scripture/The Bible/religious history is not strong. (That said, I love modern takes on classic mythology and this checks that box)
2) Read The Author's Note!!! It dives into Lutton's relationship with religion, and does a fantastic job setting the tone for this novella.
Okay, so the review... This book was not what I expected, and because of my lack of knowledge regarding religious history, I actually learned a TON, which was a neat bonus. But what Lutton does exceedingly well is to have two dichotomous characters butt heads over their convictions regarding confession and forgiveness.
Can a Catholic Father find it in himself to forgive The True Morningstar when he comes to confession and unravels "the truth" behind religious texts with a tale unlike any heard before? Or will this be the one confession he can't forgive?
It's a fun and gripping ride that does well to mix the grand questions of the religious mythos with the follies of humanity into something that will either seed doubt or conviction.
May 3, 2025
The Morningstar Confession, by Matt Lutton, tells the story of damnation, sacrifice, forgiveness, and rage. When a man claiming to be Lucifer enters the confessional in his small church, Dan doesn’t believe him. After all, he wouldn’t be the first person claiming to be the Devil that the priest has encountered. But as he speaks, Dan can’t help but start to wonder if this man, this creature, is telling the truth. Lucifer speaks of events that happened very differently from what Dan has been taught, making him uncomfortable as he begins to question his beliefs more and more. Interwoven throughout are pivotal moments in Dan’s journey through seminary and the decisions he made that led him to this very moment.
As someone who is not religious, I found this story to be fascinating. While I’m familiar with many of the more well known biblical stories, there were things I had little to no knowledge about and I found myself looking up information as I made my way through the book. Lutton does a fantastic job of portraying a different side to the one that is told in church. I love it when a book really makes me stop and think about things, and this one most definitely did that.
As someone who is not religious, I found this story to be fascinating. While I’m familiar with many of the more well known biblical stories, there were things I had little to no knowledge about and I found myself looking up information as I made my way through the book. Lutton does a fantastic job of portraying a different side to the one that is told in church. I love it when a book really makes me stop and think about things, and this one most definitely did that.
November 30, 2024
The Morningstar Confession is a creepy and compelling read from the other side of the garden.
Biblical history is retold through the eyes of Lucifer, confessing his story. It is a complex and thoughtful retelling of the bible, with a dark tone throughout. You get under Lucifer’s skin and can actually sympathise with him at times. Similarly, the very flawed and human priest, Dan, is build up so well that you can completely understand him as a character and the decisions that he makes.
You can tell the level of research and love that has gone into this story, and it is really going to stay with me as so much of it rang really true to me. There are two sides to every story, and however complex the situation, easy to assign blame as a knee jerk reaction.
Matt’s writing style is always impeccable, but has gone to new heights with this story.
Biblical history is retold through the eyes of Lucifer, confessing his story. It is a complex and thoughtful retelling of the bible, with a dark tone throughout. You get under Lucifer’s skin and can actually sympathise with him at times. Similarly, the very flawed and human priest, Dan, is build up so well that you can completely understand him as a character and the decisions that he makes.
You can tell the level of research and love that has gone into this story, and it is really going to stay with me as so much of it rang really true to me. There are two sides to every story, and however complex the situation, easy to assign blame as a knee jerk reaction.
Matt’s writing style is always impeccable, but has gone to new heights with this story.
December 9, 2024
As soon as i saw this available for pre-order, i did it, after reading the last two amazing books from Matt, my fav being 10 Drink Minimum.
The cover on this is amazing, i love it and it fits so well with the story inside.
The thing i really loved about this, is as a kid, i was one that was obsessed with the other story, think " The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" so a story from the devils POV?
Where do i sign up?
I love the look inside we had to the Devil, what he really thought and to be honest i felt some sympathy, gasp, i know, i know.
But that's what a good author does, they persuade you to feel and think about things differently.
I loved the little confession scenes, it really put me in the moment, i felt like i was in the confessional.
Another solid story from Matt.
The cover on this is amazing, i love it and it fits so well with the story inside.
The thing i really loved about this, is as a kid, i was one that was obsessed with the other story, think " The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" so a story from the devils POV?
Where do i sign up?
I love the look inside we had to the Devil, what he really thought and to be honest i felt some sympathy, gasp, i know, i know.
But that's what a good author does, they persuade you to feel and think about things differently.
I loved the little confession scenes, it really put me in the moment, i felt like i was in the confessional.
Another solid story from Matt.
May 24, 2025
Interesting concept but I have mixed feelings on the execution. Religious horror has a specific appeal to me as a former Catholic schoolboy but I found myself a little underwhelmed at the end of this. There is some clever writing and neat ideas but I also found myself taken out of the story by some odd syntactical choices that made it a little hard to follow at points, as well as a few typos (there’s a “Pilot” that I’m fairly certain was supposed to be “Pilate”).
I liked the book’s take on the Job story, as well as the more paternal relationship between Lucifer and Jesus/Joshua (which I would have liked to see explored more) but the overall theological debate didn’t do very much for me personally and I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and unsatisfying. I did enjoy my time with the book, but wanted a little more.
I liked the book’s take on the Job story, as well as the more paternal relationship between Lucifer and Jesus/Joshua (which I would have liked to see explored more) but the overall theological debate didn’t do very much for me personally and I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and unsatisfying. I did enjoy my time with the book, but wanted a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I really love well known stories that are flipped over and looked at from another angle. I am not religious, so me reading this is the same as reading Wicked or Circe (meaning, I consider it mythology/fairytales etc). I was excited to have an additional element of horror thrown into that scenario. I will be thinking about this one for awhile, and that is never a bad thing. I felt like we did indeed see a different side of Lucifer - learned things that had been left out. But I guess I'm left confused as to whether it was meant to change our view of him in the end.
Ehm - somewhat gratuitous on the 💩,🤮, and kind of gross chewed food descriptors. Not yucking anyone's yum, but it's not my personal vibe when it comes to horror 🤣
I really love well known stories that are flipped over and looked at from another angle. I am not religious, so me reading this is the same as reading Wicked or Circe (meaning, I consider it mythology/fairytales etc). I was excited to have an additional element of horror thrown into that scenario. I will be thinking about this one for awhile, and that is never a bad thing. I felt like we did indeed see a different side of Lucifer - learned things that had been left out. But I guess I'm left confused as to whether it was meant to change our view of him in the end.
Ehm - somewhat gratuitous on the 💩,🤮, and kind of gross chewed food descriptors. Not yucking anyone's yum, but it's not my personal vibe when it comes to horror 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
This is by far my favorite version of the story of Lucifer. It's definitely much more believable than anything in the Bible.
Most of us know Lucifer was the only angel to use his free will in opposition to God, which caused Lucifer to be cast out of God's presence by way of Michael pushing him out of heaven, literally.
So my question is, Why are we so deserving of endless times to be forgiven no matter what we've done, but he is refused that same forgiveness for anything, including that first use of his free will?
You won't find the answer to that question in this book, or maybe you will. But you'll definitely have a better understanding of the angel that's been renamed Satan.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws.
Most of us know Lucifer was the only angel to use his free will in opposition to God, which caused Lucifer to be cast out of God's presence by way of Michael pushing him out of heaven, literally.
So my question is, Why are we so deserving of endless times to be forgiven no matter what we've done, but he is refused that same forgiveness for anything, including that first use of his free will?
You won't find the answer to that question in this book, or maybe you will. But you'll definitely have a better understanding of the angel that's been renamed Satan.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws.
May 24, 2025
Amazing
Leaving a review for a masterpiece such as this isn’t easy without giving away too much of the story. What Matt has done through his writing here is to present a whole new perspective of the ancient battle between good and evil, and I simply couldn’t put it down.
On one side, we have a young priest named Dan. Strong in his faith, his view seems unshakable, that is until he’s presented with Lucifer’s version of history. We soon find out there’s more to Dan than what meets the eye. When Lucifer tells his side of the story, he comes across as a more complicated character than the devil who is said to be pure evil.
The words fly from the page to the reader’s mind, a story that is compelling no matter your view on religion.
Leaving a review for a masterpiece such as this isn’t easy without giving away too much of the story. What Matt has done through his writing here is to present a whole new perspective of the ancient battle between good and evil, and I simply couldn’t put it down.
On one side, we have a young priest named Dan. Strong in his faith, his view seems unshakable, that is until he’s presented with Lucifer’s version of history. We soon find out there’s more to Dan than what meets the eye. When Lucifer tells his side of the story, he comes across as a more complicated character than the devil who is said to be pure evil.
The words fly from the page to the reader’s mind, a story that is compelling no matter your view on religion.
January 3, 2026
What if the Devil confessed to a priest and told his side of the story?
Matt weaves an intriguing, thought-provoking tale that forces the reader to reexamine any beliefs they may hold about conservative Christian doctrine, God, the Old and New Testament, and traditional belief systems surrounding sin, morality, and right versus wrong.
All the classic tales found in the Bible—Adam and Eve, Jesus on the cross, and many others. What if they happened differently.
What if the essence of evil isn’t the Devil’s temptations, what if it’s man’s actions.
Lutton places your moral code on a platter and compels you to inspect it closely, dissect it, and answer for it.
I guarantee you’ll look at life through a different lens after reading The Morningstar Confession.
Matt weaves an intriguing, thought-provoking tale that forces the reader to reexamine any beliefs they may hold about conservative Christian doctrine, God, the Old and New Testament, and traditional belief systems surrounding sin, morality, and right versus wrong.
All the classic tales found in the Bible—Adam and Eve, Jesus on the cross, and many others. What if they happened differently.
What if the essence of evil isn’t the Devil’s temptations, what if it’s man’s actions.
Lutton places your moral code on a platter and compels you to inspect it closely, dissect it, and answer for it.
I guarantee you’ll look at life through a different lens after reading The Morningstar Confession.
November 5, 2024
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have a conversation with Lucifer himself?
The dichotomy of man is put on full display in this dark narrative.
It wrestles with religion, humanity, morality, isolation, and one’s purpose. The gray area of good and evil is challenged through the human experience. Demons are inside of us all as well as on the outside and our main character grapples with both. Satan tells his tale from his fall to grace to his position in sin.
This phenomenal read is for anyone who has struggled with religion in their lives, and if it makes you uncomfortable, it’s horror.
Matt just keeps developing as a writer, and I love to see it!
5/5 will read again ✨💕
The dichotomy of man is put on full display in this dark narrative.
It wrestles with religion, humanity, morality, isolation, and one’s purpose. The gray area of good and evil is challenged through the human experience. Demons are inside of us all as well as on the outside and our main character grapples with both. Satan tells his tale from his fall to grace to his position in sin.
This phenomenal read is for anyone who has struggled with religion in their lives, and if it makes you uncomfortable, it’s horror.
Matt just keeps developing as a writer, and I love to see it!
5/5 will read again ✨💕
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