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Satan's Diary

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OUT JULY 1, 2025 - PREORDER TODAY

We’ve all heard God’s side of the story—but Satan has a story too.


Heaven has been modernized. Angels carry iPads. God is taking antidepressants and seeing a therapist in London. The Devil lives in the East Bay, serves coffee to Berkeley students, and flies kites at the Berkeley Marina. A retelling of the fall of Satan from the point of view of the Prince of Darkness himself, Satan’s Diary follows Lucifer from ancient Mesopotamia to 21st century America in his quest to understand the human race.

Lucifer is God’s attempt at perfection. But Lucifer betrays God to live among the mortals on Earth, making enemies of God and God’s many followers. Lucifer is just like you and me, looking for love in all the wrong places and trying to eke out a living on a quickly evolving planet. But when Lucifer falls head-over-heels for a mortal girl amid the seventeenth century witch trial madness, he must risk everything for a shot at true love. Instead of bolting, as he has been doing for thousands of years, he must stay and face his true nature.

This irreverent retelling of a well-known tale will find an eager audience among readers who enjoy a witty story of love and loss across the ages—great for fans of the Song of Achilles, Interview with the Vampire, and Outlander.

319 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

29 people are currently reading
1384 people want to read

About the author

Nicholas Ponticello

10 books40 followers
Nicholas Ponticello is an educator and writer in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley with degrees in mathematics and astrophysics and later earned his masters in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ponticello is interested in exploring the intersection of science, sustainability, mental health, and education, and hopes to encourage more systems thinking and sustainability-themed curricula at the secondary school level.

Mr. Ponticello is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. In 2020, he was awarded the Sue Alexander Grant for his work on a YA novel provisionally titled WHAT IF I DID? What If I Did? is based on his experience coping with debilitating OCD and his struggle to overcome it through years of cognitive behavioral therapy. Mr. Ponticello completed the six-week intensive outpatient clinic at UCLA and went on to become an advocate for the International OCD Foundation. He has written for the IOCDF blog and has spoken on a panel about relationships and OCD at the annual IOCDF Conference.

Mr. Ponticello grew up in Northern California and began his career as the operations manager at KOMENAR Publishing in Oakland, CA. He is a longtime runner, and has coached champion cross-country and track & field teams at the high school level. Mr. Ponticello is also the author of Do Not Resuscitate, a fictional biography that considers transhumanism and the intersection of technology and sustainability. He has studied writing under Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Zombie Tales 2061) and Bruce Miller (Handmaid's Tale, ER). Do Not Resuscitate won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award, an INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award, and a CIPA EVVY Award. His second novel, The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown, also won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and was listed as one of 100 Notable Books from the Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Haly Hoards Books.
177 reviews20 followers
May 24, 2025
*If you are offended by irreverent portrayals of God, Jesus and Satan then this may not be the novel for you. 

A humorous history of Satan's life, his relationship with God and his fall to earth as told by Satan himself. But, can you believe what the Father of Lies tells you?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author, Booksirens and the publisher for this opportunity. 

According to Lucifer, he was not cast out of heaven...he walked out on God, and he took nine other angels with him. Lucifer couldn't take God's depression and neediness any longer, so he staged a walkout. 

Lucifer wanted to live among the mortals on earth. He had a fascination with how ingenious, curious and industrious humans are, and Satan had a deep need to be a part of the world humans were creating. According to Satan, he helped man build the first great cities, discover important sciences and develop writing. 

Satan also proclaimed to have a very close relationship with the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Satan's thoughts about Jesus were quite funny.

The novel spends a lot of time in the 17th century. Satan finds his one true love and endures a terrible "death" due to his love. After four years of separation Satan and his love reunite, run away to the American colonies and live happily until his loves death. And, this is were the story of Satan's life on earth ends.

In the present Lucifer returns to heaven to find things very much changed. God is seeing a therapist, taking antidepressants and playing golf. On earth Lucifer is working in a coffee shop in Berkeley and flying kites on the beach. 
Profile Image for That Horror Chick.
34 reviews75 followers
dnf
July 16, 2025
While the writing is good and I am sure there are people out there that will love this, this did not give me the horror that it promised. It simply is not my cup of tea. That being said, if you like dark religious humor, you might enjoy this book!
Profile Image for KDub.
273 reviews12 followers
October 22, 2025
4.5 🌟

I was not expecting to find a book called Satan's Diary to be so delightful, but here we are.

Lucifer decides to live amongst mortals on Earth, much to God's dismay. Satan's Diary takes us through these years, from Mesopotamia to the present day. A significant portion of the book is set in 17th-century London, where Lucifer falls in love with a mortal human. Based on the blurb, I thought the book would showcase more of the 21st century, but I ended up loving the story regardless. It's funny, heartbreaking, poignant, and thought-provoking. Satan's Diary was an unexpected page-turner for me.

Ponticello is a talented writer. I appreciated that Lucifer was such a unique and layered character. He wasn't perfect, like you might expect an angel would be. Lucifer grapples with his immortality, what it means to live with (and fall in love with) humans, his tenuous relationship with God, and more, all without the book becoming heavy-handed.

I would love to read a sequel to this. I want to hear more about Lucifer's travels and tales, as well as what becomes of the other angels who followed him to Earth.

"You have no idea how fortunate you are to be mortal. To have the freedom to die."

Recommended for anyone with a sense of humor who enjoys reading character-driven fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley & Nicholas Ponticello for the ARC.
Profile Image for Kayla.
30 reviews
May 31, 2025
Santan's Diary is a great read that takes you in a world of fun and fantasy.
Profile Image for cadiecat.
71 reviews
May 20, 2025
Jesus is schizophrenic.
God takes antidepressants.
Satan flies kites.
…and so much more!

Satan’s Diary is incredibly clever. It is humorous, well-researched, and well-written. Nicholas Ponticello offers his own version of the Fall of Lucifer. Rather, it is not a fall, but a journey of self-discovery through time and history (without giving away too much).

The combination of religious mythology with modern rhetoric is delightful. The author’s interpretation of the theme of good vs. evil is philosophically rich while simultaneously making light of many extreme religious beliefs.

This book recalls Milton’s Paradise Lost, Bulgakov’s The Master and the Margarita, La Vey’s Satanic Bible, The Bible (obviously) and many other literary classics. Ponticello provides a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience, with many laughs throughout various fascinating plot lines. Squires is perhaps my favorite character, recalling, of course, Eliza Doolittle. Thank you to the author for my first 5 star read in a while.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly Diener.
39 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2025
Satan's Diary was an interesting retelling of the fall of Lucifer and the other angels from Lucifer's point of view. I loved how the big ancient cities were the byproduct of the fallen being the rulers, and how it's hinted they fell due to them leaving for one reason or another (bored, chased out, invaders, etc.)

To learn the serpent, wasn't an actual snake, but a chosen name...as was Satan or Satanael (amongst many, many others.) All in all a cheeky, irreverent but enjoyable story. It makes the devil and the rest of his compatriots seem...well.. human.

Learning more about Adam and Eve and a mention of Lilith. Cain and Abel (or were there...guess you need to read and see..) Michael is great, especially near the end when we see him again after so long. I honestly think he was my favorite of them all. Gave me laid back hippy gardener vibes all throughout the times we see him.

If you love a good irreverent book, this is for you!

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Amanda.
143 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2025
If you are easily offended don't read. But I thoroughly enjoyed this take on God, Lucifer and the creation of mankind. I was rooting for my man Satan the whole time. A fascinating look at how belief can spread like wildfire.
Profile Image for Elizabeth White.
11 reviews
July 29, 2025
I am not sure what I expected from this book, but I can assure you I was pleasantly surprised. My rating is probably closer to 4.5 stars, but we round up. :) I thought this was very well written, I loved the characters and character development. Most of all, I loved the completely unique story line. Having all feel such strong emotions throughout the book was wonderful, and the opposite of what I thought this would be. Very human characteristics given to inhuman characters just made it that much more relatable. I would LOVE to read the next diary!
Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,758 reviews333 followers
July 25, 2025
Satan’s Diary by Nicholas Ponticello was an intriguing, creative retelling of the tale of Lucifer. Using humor and exceptional ties to major historical events, Ponticello has given us a new perspective on the traditional tales of Satan and God, and subtly invites the audience to consider whether this type of deception may apply to more than just one area of their life.

In Satan’s Diary, our main character demonstrates to those reading his diaries that, despite popular belief, he was, in fact, not cast out of Heaven: he willingly and eagerly left and has a host of tales to share. Lucifer compares living with God to being in an emotionally abusive relationship that he finally finds the strength to walk away from, and then his story truly begins.

From his influence in Mesopotamia and Athens to falling in love, the Devil had a profound but different impact on the world than we’ve been told. Lucifer catalogues his entire life thus far, and in his diaries, we are allowed to big twists on popular beliefs, such as Lucifer allowing Eve to witness the beauty of life on Earth for herself, and consequently persuading Adam that there is more for them than being locked away in Eden. The audience is taken on a journey that spans over five thousand years, and it is truly beautifully written! This book is similar to Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in that it completely restructures accounts of the most well-known version of events.

This work is strong in several areas: the characters are well fleshed out, the pacing is smooth, and there are no grammatical or structural errors. The dialogue is natural and engaging, and the narrative voice remains consistent throughout. All this, combined with a clever, stimulating, and unconventional plot that I’ve rarely encountered, made it a joy to read. We are allowed to see Lucifer not just as the immortal, fallen angel that he is, but also all the human qualities that make him relatable. This nuanced portrayal adds emotional depth to the story and invites readers to reflect on larger themes of morality, identity, and redemption.

While the mid-story interludes offered an interesting shift, the transition felt a bit jarring – smoothing it out would strengthen the reader’s emotional connection with the main character. That said, the final portion of the book – particularly the last quarter – felt a bit fast-paced. Further development of the relationship between the love interests during this section could provide greater emotional depth and lead to a more satisfying and resonant conclusion. Using a stream-of-consciousness narrative allowed this story to resonate and truly made it hard to put down. As expected from a narrator who is immortal, there are strong themes of morality and mortality.

Despite these quibbles (because they’re so minor it feels almost silly to even mention them), Satan’s Diary by Nicholas Ponticello deserves five stars. Familiar events unfold in entirely new ways – it is original, inventive, and as much as I keep saying it, different! Readers of fiction and mythology would love this hot take on the one man everyone has heard of, but no one really “knows.”

Profile Image for Jude.
10 reviews12 followers
June 18, 2025
4.5⭐️ (rounded up for goodreads)

Firstly, I want to put my own bookish sins in order here: I am absolutely guilty of judging a book by its cover, and that almost caused me to miss out on this amazing read. I will also be the first to admit that as someone who mostly reads queer books, I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to enjoy a book advertised as being about Satan falling in love with a woman. I was completely wrong!

"Satan's Diary" is truly like taking a walk with this incredibly complex and human character that you think you know, but you certainly do not. From his beginnings and toxic relationship with God, to finding himself on Earth through the years, the whole story is incredibly character driven, and the large cast that Lucifer meets in his many years are slowly and easily introduced in a way that isn't overwhelming or hard to keep track of.

I read a lot of biblical retellings, and this book still found ways to change up the narrative that felt unique and surprising to me. I wouldn't dare spoil them, but I find myself giggling while I look through my notes. Some of them are incredibly funny, and some are incredibly heartbreaking.

I don't see this book currently getting a lot of attention and I truly hope that changes. I will absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of biblical retellings and subverting the traditional good angel vs. evil demon trope. No one in this book is truly good or bad, the characters, even the non-human ones, are incredibly human.

My only critique is that a few things felt a bit unresolved in the end for me, and there is a bit of a gap between the end of Satan's Diary and the modern point of time he is recounting it from. I would love to read a second Satan's Diary recounting his time on Earth from the end of this story until modern day!
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 3 books6 followers
December 3, 2025
I loved the ending! I didn’t want to put down Satan’s Diary as I was nearing the final pages. I got worried toward the end but then, fortunately, things fell into place. The beginning was slow for me, but it was good to learn the history of Lucifer and the other angels departing Heaven for Earth.

The book made me laugh. God regrets making humans able to breed. They’re a huge disappointment. And he’s annoyed by the constant din of people praying to him. He’s lost interest in humankind. Satan’s retelling has a different take on whose son Jesus really is. Take one guess.

From the blurb, I expected much more book time in the 21st century. Much of the story took place in the 17th century, including Lucifer’s main love interest, Olivia. I liked this part of the story but was unhappy when they became separated in a tragic way. Having watched the TV show Lucifer, I didn’t understand how he was overpowered so easily by mere mortals. Doesn’t he have any powers? I didn’t like that Lucifer had certain human traits, seemed odd to me for an angel.

The plot took some positive turns and became a page turning adventure til the ending. In the epilogue, Lucifer returns to his birthplace, The Garden of Eden and reunites with God, who’s built a huge golf resort for his own entertainment. God finally visited Earth and realized humans are actually pretty clever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristi Porter.
91 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2025
Satan’s Diary offers a bold and unconventional take on classic religious themes. To fully appreciate this book, you have to set aside traditional portrayals of God, Jesus, and Satan. Here, Satan steps into the role of an observer—a celestial being who leaves heaven in search of freedom and understanding. Accompanied by other angels, he journeys through the human world, experiencing life, loss, and the rawness of mortality.

The narrative blends elements of historical fiction, shifting through various time periods, and is presented in a diary-like, stream-of-consciousness style. It’s also an LGBTQIA-affirming story, with a philosophical angle that leans away from judgment and toward the idea of God as a creator rather than a punisher.

While I appreciated the unique voice and existential depth, I found myself wishing for more detail and a deeper dive into the eras and events Satan witnesses. A fuller exploration could have strengthened the emotional impact and helped readers connect more with Satan as a character.

I received this book as an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.
373 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2025
"What really went down in the garden of Eden and also in the time of Jesus and the Jews??". This story tells the events in monologue format from the point of view of Lucifer (Satan) and how he came into being as well as his early life up to his adult life throughout the centuries (whether in Heaven, on Earth or in the damp, dark depths of Hell).
The book had me enthralled from start to finish and I powered through it in two sittings- the main character of Lucifer (Satan) was intriguing and well written, the other characters of God, the fallen angels, Adam, Eve, Mary, Jesus as well as the humans on earth were cleverly described and added a good depth to the story and the plot was immersive throughout the book as well as the ethereal and realistically crafted settings of the three planes of existence being Heaven, Earth and Hell.
I also enjoyed the timeline aspect to the story which was executed really well along with the events within the timelines and the leaders as a whole.
I look forward to reading other works by Nicholas in the future.
A huge thankyou to Net galley and Books Go Social for the early arc copy of this wonderful book.
Profile Image for Quinn McCutchan.
2 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2025
Engaging stories let us effortlessly suspend our disbelief, and Satan’s Diary made me a believer from the first pages! Satan is a surprisingly affable narrator whom you find yourself rooting for despite your previous programming. The story’s tone is not mocking or satirical but something like earnest irreverence. You care about Satan’s feelings and what happens to him because this “alternative history” from the author’s imagination is so immersive; you won’t spend much time thinking back to your Sunday school days and noticing how much this account differs from church doctrine because you’ll be caught up in the story and lying to yourself that you’ll read “just one more chapter” tonight.

Ponticello has crafted Satan and his detailed adventures with all the care any deft fiction writer employs. What would be a fun epic tale about even without the familiar cast of characters is made more special in the way this story subverts our expectations. Satan’s Diary will delightfully challenge your expectations about Satan and your preconceived notions about a book called Satan’s Diary. It was fun, thought-provoking, and well written.
Profile Image for Charlotte French.
4 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2025
I was intrigued by the title of the book but honestly I did not expect to enjoy it so much. I would agree that it would be great for fans of Interview with the Vampire. Maybe even for fans of Nosferatu! While this book focuses on the devil instead of vampires I just think that anyone who loves a villain backstory will love this book. Weirdly I felt sympathy for Lucifer which could be kind of concerning but the story was so interesting that I could not put it down. The twists and turns in the plot keep me turning the pages as quickly as I could. While I did notice a couple grammatical errors I think that I will be highly anticipating the authors next book and I would love to be one of the first readers. If you are looking for something truly unique and aren’t put off by the religious context you should absolutely pick this up!
Profile Image for Rezky Sy.
25 reviews
June 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I hadn't had page turner book in a while. I mean i usually just take a look and lost interest but not with this book

It had me hooked not only since page one and it carry me along till the last page.

It has unusual theme. The main character is not all perfect guy, he got flaws too. So whenever i read this, i feel like i don't need to cheer the protagonist but i don't want him to suffer too. Overall i have fun reading this, as if i read some kind of diary.

Looking forward to see another diary of the Satan guy.
2,480 reviews18 followers
July 1, 2025
What an interesting idea to consider…. The story of Lucifer as told from his POV. With so many familiar names and events portrayed in a different way, I really enjoyed how this story unfolded. I think having many of the immortal characters display human emotions, behaviours and vulnerabilities made them much more relatable. This did however challenge many long held ideas or perspectives that many Christians dearly hold. Still, it does make one pause and think …. I found I was pulled in into the story right from the beginning,enjoying each different twist and turn along the way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for John.
16 reviews
September 5, 2025
Not the kind of blasphemy one might think

It’s good writing and a good story. It’s worth five stars for that alone.
Additionally, I would say that the philosophical and religious ideas here aren’t incompatible with a religious person’s enjoyment of the book, as long as they’re not so hidebound as to hear-no-evil tendencies I see in so many churches. Really, what are you afraid of? Questioning your beliefs? I would say that a belief unquestioned isn’t a belief I would call it blind obedience, and no valid belief at all.
Highly recommend this story. I read more of his work, and thank you for this.
Profile Image for Conny.
1,137 reviews35 followers
August 3, 2025
I was a First Read winner of this Book and it was not exactly what I expected but it turned out to be a fun read. I did not loose myself in the book as much as I like while reading, and it took me a bit longer to finish the it, but I like the originality of it and I will be looking for more books by this Author.
It might not be everybody's cup of tea, especially like another reader pointed out if you are easily offended by God and Satan etc, but just remember this is fiction and good entertainment
Profile Image for Grace Hennessy.
59 reviews
June 30, 2025
Huge thank you to Goodreads and Nicholas Ponticello for this eARC copy of Satan’s Diary! This was a compelling reimagining of Lucifer’s fall from grace, following his life, loves, and self discovery all the way up through the to 21st century. We get to see how he and God impact the present, as well as the influences of the mortal world on the Garden of Eden. Well written and engaging all the way through, Satan’s Diary is definitely a book worth reading!
Fair warning: if you’re a person who doesn’t enjoy a satiric reimagining of biblical events, this book probably isn’t for you.
Profile Image for Lacey Green.
61 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2025
This book puts a human spin on God, Jesus, and Satan. God takes antidepressants, Jesus has schizophrenia, and Satan flies kites. Along with so much more! This is an amazing twist on Lucifer’s Fall turned into personal discovery. I enjoyed every minute!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
119 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Satan's Diary by Nicholas Ponticello was an entertaining spin-off of "The Good Book". Being agnostic, I look at this book with a much deference as I would the Bible. By mortalizing God, Lucifer, angels, etc. it actually makes this book so much more relatable and believable than the Bible!
This story was amusing and enjoyable all while casting a different light on a story we all know too well. It was written in a way to explain from Lucifer's POV and the product was a charming diversion that gave me pause and instigated some reflection and questions.
This was written in a way that flowed well and was not stuffy and difficult to interpret. As is the Bible. In my opinion, both works of fiction.
This was an engaging tale that takes you for a walk in Satan's shoes. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the story and the spin. The main critique I would have would be the expectation of a more salacious story coming from Lucifer. I mean, come on! He is Satan! Give me the good stuff!
This is by no means a masterpiece but it was a witty, humorous, entertaining and satirical story.
502 reviews16 followers
July 1, 2025
Nicholas Ponticello’s Satan’s Diary is a wildly inventive, darkly comedic, and surprisingly tender retelling of the fall of Lucifer, flipping biblical lore on its head and offering a fresh, irreverent take on the age-old battle between Heaven and Hell. Told from the point of view of the Devil himself, this genre-blurring novel is as much a philosophical meditation on humanity as it is a love story—albeit one told through the eyes of the most misunderstood outcast in the universe.

In Ponticello’s vision, Heaven has been thoroughly modernized: angels scroll through iPads, God takes antidepressants and sees a therapist in London, and Lucifer—our snarky, soulful narrator—slings lattes in Berkeley and flies kites on the weekend. The absurdity is intentional, and brilliant. The tone is playful, but underneath the satire lies a serious exploration of identity, free will, loneliness, and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.

Lucifer is portrayed not as a one-note villain, but as a complex, almost tragically human figure. Once God’s greatest creation, he chooses to leave paradise in order to experience mortality firsthand. His journey from ancient Mesopotamia to 21st-century America is filled with sharp wit, existential reflection, and historical resonance, particularly when he falls for a mortal woman during the hysteria of the 17th-century witch trials. The stakes suddenly feel personal, and the age-old war between Heaven and Hell takes a backseat to one soul’s desire to belong.

Fans of The Song of Achilles and Interview with the Vampire will appreciate the novel’s mythic scope and emotional depth, while readers of Good Omens or American Gods will enjoy its irreverence and theological playfulness. Ponticello balances satire with sincerity, and the result is a surprisingly moving portrayal of love, loss, and what it means to be cast out.

Verdict:
Satans’s Diary is as cheeky as it is profound—a smart, stylish reimagining of celestial drama with heart, humor, and a healthy dose of irreverence. Whether you read it for the laughs or the philosophical undercurrents, it’s a diary worth opening.
Profile Image for Billy Buttons.
Author 19 books192 followers
May 9, 2025
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
8th May 2025
TITLE: SATAN’S DIARY
AUTHOR: Nicholas Ponticello

Star Rating: 5

‘A highly original retelling of Lucifer’s life on Earth and how, even a fallen angel, can fall in love. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
What a fascinating novel this is, the author, Nicholas Ponticello, creating his very own, living amongst us, Lucifer, or, as he’s now called, Todd Rivet – a kit flyer who works three days a week in a student coffee shop. This is his ‘immortal’ story: how he came into being, his attempts to understand humanity, and how he falls in love. And, I must say, I loved it. It’s insightful, accessibly written and, well – different; and I happen to love ‘different’.
So, what did I enjoy the most? Well, I loved how character focused it was; how I got to know every character, even the secondary, so very well. It’s all in the detail, you see. Like how God is particular about his lawns and the angel, Michael, snips every blade to a predetermined length. And that’s just in the first chapter. I also loved the writing style, the author capable of not only developing his characters but keeping a strong pacing all the way till the end. Finally, there’s humour here; the subtle kind, not the fall over and fart kind, and it works; it works really, really well.
So, if you happen to be on the hunt for a character-led, highly original novel in which Lucifer is the protagonist, this book is for you. I think most readers will enjoy getting to know this fallen angel and they’ll be amazed by how very human he is. All in all, a gripping read.

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
28 reviews
June 29, 2025
I have so much to say about this book that I don't know the best place to start. I guess I'll say first that the cover art immediately stood out. It's so pretty and unique.

To be honest, I had my reservations about this story and wasn't sure what direction it would take. I say this because I am not a religious person whatsoever, and while I am totally fine with what others believe, religion as a whole doesn't always make sense to me. Even as someone with little religious knowledge, I was intrigued and could easily follow what was going on. At no point was I lost while reading passages. I didn't feel like the story was jumping around all over the place from one perspective to the next. It felt focused and clear. Having the storyline be divided into multiple books make me feel like the sections were digestible.

Now on to the characters. Each one seemed so developed to me. I sometimes wish that I had more insight into a character from an author, to better understand why they acted a specific way, but not in this instance. The biggest takeaway I got from this book, without giving too much away, is that any being is far from perfect. This is the case even when someone is immortal. That person, like Mephistopheles for example, still has flaws, can be ruled by emotions, can be hurt etc. I highly recommend that people read this, even if it is something outside of their comfort zone. I am certainly not disappointed, and I have found a new author because I kept reading something that typically wouldn't be for me.

I am voluntarily sharing my honest review and thoughts on this author's work. I received an ARC through BookSirens.

Profile Image for Lana.
2,780 reviews59 followers
July 9, 2025
. I just loved seeing such a well known story but seen from another point of view. God's story is well known or so we think, however hearing Lucifer's angle to the same story is a real eye opener. Lucifer was God's most perfect creation, his name means light bringer, and God loved him and wanted him by his side all the time, so much so that Lucifer started to feel the lack of freedom, and he wanted to go in search of adventure on Earth amongst the humans. God was offended and angry at Lucifer and those who were God's followers started to revile Lucifer calling him Satan instead. However Lucifer had no regrets about leaving as he travelled all over the globe right down the ages, experiencing life and love. This is a great tale, makes for very enjoyable and irreverant reading but turns both God and the devil into characters we can empathise with. Well done Nicholas Ponticello for this excellent read
32 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2025
Running on themes like friendship, loneliness, grief, depression, self-love, and freedom, Satan’s Diary reads like the side of Satan’s story we all have been waiting for. In this book, he is exonerated but finds himself forever linked with God and still, is soiled with the same reputation. Satan is an interesting character, the world’s biggest villain in every religion, it’s no wonder one takes an interest in a book, which paints a different narrative than the one we grew up on. It’s an exciting new outlook on a traditional villain though it’s rooted in fiction, it does what it suppose to, tease the taste buds of our imagination. Satan’s Diary is a look into everything that made Lucifer perfect in God’s eyes yet everything that made him leave his side.
Profile Image for Cindi.
1,493 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2025
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

I have to admit, I loved this book. Those with serious, strict religious beliefs probably wouldn't enjoy it, but I thought it was great. IT felt creative and well researched and crafted. Characters were interesting with very human traits and stories and feelings. Immortals still have everyday human problems. Who knew!

Once I started on this one, I had a hard time putting it down. IT was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone who can see the humor in this religion related story.

4 stars.
Profile Image for Concha.
548 reviews9 followers
May 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial.
This highly entertaining and original novel tells the story of Lucifer. Through his diary we witness the events that led to his fall and everything that happened in his life through the centuries and up to the present day.
Charismatic and peculiar characters come together to create a very human story, where the protagonists do not cease to have feelings and everyday problems because they are immortal.
Of course you won't be able to stop reading until you know the end.
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157 reviews5 followers
July 4, 2025
This was such a fun and refreshing take on the fall of Satan, told by Satan himself. I found it clever, funny, and really entertaining. One of my favorite parts was how God was portrayed, especially his struggles with depression and mood swings. There’s just something fascinating about seeing such a powerful figure with very human emotions. I also really liked how Satan wasn’t cast out of Eden, but left on his own terms. It gave the story a whole new perspective.
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