Phoning Faust

by Sophie Mutiara Nova, Sophie Whittemore (Contributor)

Queer mixed Indonesian college student Dian Faust attempts to call the suicide hotline only to dial the wrong number, her finger slipping and typing in six three times (the mark of the Devil). The mysterious voice on the other end of the line is revealed to be a charming scam caller named Memphis with a penchant for chattiness, trapped in a dingy bus stop bathroom, wanting to learn a concerning amount about the lonely Dian’s life.

But this scam caller is more than just a Mr. Robot hacker wannabe—a sinister presence lurks in the pixels on Dian’s laptop screen in the shadows of her apartment. The Devil themself has come to collect Dian’s soul, and “Memphis” is actually Mephistopheles—Hell’s foremost golden-tongued agent and notorious liar.

In this loose retelling of Goethe’s Faust, will Dian save her soul before time runs out—or will she fall prey to the renowned storytelling deception of the infamous Mephistopheles?

Genres: Horror, Queer

ebook

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Sophie Mutiara Nova is a Queer, half-Indonesian, immunocompromised Writer-Director and butterfly-loving garden goth. They’re the Writing Fellow of Lambda Literary and the ACEX TV Initiative. They’ve won the Launchpad Pilot Competition, ScreenCraft Horror Competition, and over eighty other awards. Their fantastical short films have screened internationally— most recently at Cheryl Dunye’s and Madeline Lim’s QWOCFF. Originally from Chicago, Sophie's now based in Los Angeles (Dartmouth College BFA & MFA Film Directing CalArts). They are managed in filmmaking by the wonderful Patricia Court Entertainment. Find them telling ghost stories or on socials @thesophiewhit.

Reviews

[The Reading Frog (Less online ATM, sorry if I miss a notif) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sophie Mutiara Nova, NineStar Press & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐ rounded up to 4-stars for Goodreads.
CW: Nothing too graphic is described. It does, however, go in depth when it comes to mental health and suicide. Check the CWs if you need them.
Explicit | Depression, drowning, suicidal ideation.
Moderate | Pandemic, past loss of loved ones, homophobia, suicide attempt, religious bigotry.
Mild | Suicide, dissociation, involuntary outing, weed, blood, vomit, murder of a pregnant woman, murder in general, overdose.
My chosen soundtrack: Soft - Iress | Hell Is Round The Corner - Tricky, Martina Topley-Bird | Lilith - Saint Avangeline

"Was it a sin? To live? To love? Was it a sin just to exist?

For some, the answer was yes."

Dian intends to call the suicide hotline, but a slipped finger leads to an unexpected recipient of her call for help.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ For when one dials 666, a devil might answer.


Representation
╰┈➤ Queer, Lesbian, Demisexual MC, Dian
╰┈➤ Bi/Pan MC, Memphis
╰┈➤ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Memphis, is described as having brown skin
╰┈➤ Southeast asian characters, including the MC Dian (half Indonesian, half German-American) and an SC Talia (half Filipina, half Black)
╰┈➤ WLW dynamic, Dian & Memphis
╰┈➤ Trans woman SC, Talia
╰┈➤ Genderqueer MC, Luce, switches pronouns around

Themes
Isolation, loneliness, COVID/pandemic/quarantine, Faustian bargain, the philosophical concept of 'the problem of evil/the problem of suffering', digital age, finding meaning in the senseless, inevitability, invisibility/being seen, agency, being an active or passive participant in one's own life, mental health, sacrifice, wanting to be 'normal' vs wanting acceptance, mental health and suicidal ideation, rebirth.


What I liked/loved
‎ ‎ ✧ I wasn't familiar with Goethe's Faust, but that didn't seem to impact my reading experience.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Calling out the American healthcare system on the first page is a 10/10 move.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is kind of crazy to look back on now. Certainly brought back some memories.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Probably no one cares about this except for me, but as someone who is immunocompromised, I appreciate that this group was addressed in the context of a pandemic.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on comparative suffering/self-invalidation/emotional minimization.
‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on martyrdom and how female suffering/sacrifice is viewed.

I reframe my time alone here as a martyr's sacrifice, a saintly retreat, like all those macabre stories I learned from Sunday school. Like Joan of Arc burning in her armor, cursing out the enemies of Satan and giving up her life for all of France. Or maybe she was crazy like I'm crazy. Maybe I'm just as bad as her, continuing a cycle of women who thought they had to die rather than live and be "too much."

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Very introspective and character-driven, which I appreciate.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ This amazing Demi representation couldn't have come at a better time! I needed it after recently reading some bad rep in another book. As a demisexual, I felt like the rep was written incredibly well. I also appreciate that it wasn't just something mentioned once or twice; it is an important part of our MC's character.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ There is some essence of 'camp' to this, but it was still able to go serious and deep. I think Sophie Mutiara Nova shines when switching effortlessly from deep philosophical to lighthearted comedy, back to emotional turmoil. This book threw me around in the bedroom, and unexpectedly, I didn't mind it.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ I appreciated how this book represented suicidal ideation. The end of your life feels different when you're the one in control of it; meanwhile, death happening to you feels different. I loved the discourse about choice, that choice being taken away, and agency.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Without spoiling anything, there is an amazing chapter called Rose that almost reads like folklore or a fairy tale.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Some chapters were so (emotionally) descriptive and immersive that I felt like I was there. I love when writing can completely suck me into a character's headspace as it did here.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ I don't know a lot about Indonesia, but I know enough about the culture and language to catch many of the references, which was really cool. I can imagine this could hit different to someone who is (partly) Indonesian.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ There was some amazing bird symbolism and imagery.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on which creatures should be loved and which should be dammned, and if those distinctions even matter or are sound to make.
‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on centering oneself as the source of a problem vs centering it on the lack of kindness/sympathy from those around.
‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on homophobia and religion-based bigotry.
‎ ‎ ✧ Discourse on 'The problem of evil/The problem of suffering.' (The philosophical and theological dilemma questioning how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God can coexist with the existence of suffering and evil.)
‎ ‎ ✧ There are some BANGER quotes in this book. I made lots of annotations because of it. Example:

They're called wear patterns. Like grooves in a wall where weary travelers rest their heads. Or indentations on steps where pilgrims walked in prayer. They're well-worn areas that prove humans used something and used it often. To be loved into oblivion.

What I didn't like/felt lackluster about
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ I'm unsure if this happened because I was having some bad reading days, but I felt a bit disconnected from the story in the last third of the book. The last few percent grabbed me again, though.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ Some things felt a little unexplained/underdeveloped and too fast-paced, which made me feel lost at times.
‎ ✦ All the pop-culture references will probably only hit for a specific demographic. I read it as camp and could thus enjoy it, but I can imagine that it might be a bit much or a miss for some readers.


Conclusion/Notes
There were many things I loved about this book: the philosophical dilemmas, the examination of religion, amazing queer rep, the feminist takes, the themes of loneliness and isolation, and respectful yet relatable depictions of mental health/suicidal ideation.

Yet I somehow lost some of my motivation to read during the last third of the book. Once again, this might be because of the bad reading mood I was in, so take this with a grain of salt. Still, it impacted my reading experience, which is why I rated it 3.75/5

Regardless, I think this book felt unique and took an interesting approach to breaching these heavy topics. It wrapped them in levity and comedy without diminishing or brushing over them. This wasn't a writing style I thought I'd enjoy, but somehow it really worked for me here specifically.

If you love reading about relatable queer characters, mental health struggles, philosophical think pieces, and the concept of religious guilt, you should definitely give this one a try once it is published on June 02 2026.


⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆



Want to buddy read this book now or in the future? You can do so on Storygraph.

Follow me on Spotify for specific reading playlists like this one: 📚 This Connection Is Muddled With Rot | Overview of all playlists

[Gia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoning Faust by Sophie Mutiara Nova is a queer urban fantasy that's a loose retelling of Goethe's Faust. Bitterly sweet, our story follows a college student who finds herself ensnared by the beauty and allure of an ethereal being by the name of Memphis unaware of the dangerous consequences to come.

I first must admit that I have zero knowledge of the Goethe's Faust story. The only thing that came to mind while reading this was the 1000 days and nights (Arabian Nights) folk tales. With that said readers who are also unfamiliar with the inspiration piece will not have any trouble diving into Phoning Faust.

When we meet our main character, Dian, she's feeling lost, alone and extremely sad. In the mist of the global pandemic, she's isolated from family, the world and her heart is broken. She has a plan; one she's been struggling not to give into. In a last attempt not to give into that pain she tries to reach out for help but accidentally dials a wrong number.

Even when Dian tries to get away from the mysterious caller who's picked up on the other end, she can't seem to get away from them. What's more troubling is that Dian finds that she doesn't really want to. The mystery of Memphis hooks her and distracts her from her sadness and pain.

The attraction between them feels mutual as well as unexpected. And Memphis's ulterior motives towards Dian melt away the more she gets to know her. Feeling for once in a long time that she could do something positive and good for another person. Even in the span of a single night, I could feel the yearning between these two. Like they knew each other from a different time.

That's what really moved me about this story. Accidental or not, the call kind of saved Dian in a moment of need. Their growing relationship and feelings empower Dian and give her this glimmer of motivation to fight back. The situation isn't as direct as I feel like I am describing it but you know, spoilers.

I think readers who have been where Dian is in the beginning of the book will appreciate Nova's care and transparency of her thoughts and feelings. Depression and mental illness are heavy burdens to navigate. They aren't switches that can be turned on or off. And sometimes only with a little time or change of perspective can that weight shift.

With a little bit of dark humor and magical realism Phoning Faust challenges readers to consider what it's like on the inside of depression and ideations verses the hopeful possibilities that wait on the other side.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Finding the words to describe how this book made me feel has been difficult, to be honest, because I went into it expecting a queer monster romance type of thing and what I got... wasn't that, at least not in it's entirety. It's so, so much more.

Full disclosure I'm not all too familiar with Goethe's Faust, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.

A lot of this story covers suicide, mental health, religious trauma, being queer in a community where it's not accepted, loneliness, and trying to find oneself in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, where you feel like you have no one to call and no one to turn to. Dian, our main character, was so relatable but the book also had me feeling so empathetic toward her and just wanting to give her a hug and tell her that she isn't alone.

Nova's writing is, frankly, beautiful. There were so many passages I highlighted, quotes that stuck out to me, and moments that made me both laugh and tear up depending on the context. I had a few small gripes with how it felt like the tone changed fast enough to give me whiplash and sometimes it felt like there wasn't a reason given, but overall the writing drew me in and kept me there.

This book is one that I'll be rereading in the future because it feels like a book that needs a reread, to fully immerse yourself and see things that you missed the first time around; as you're just trying to get your bearings and figure out what's happening.

This book made me feel so many emotions involving my own mental health that I've kept bottled up for ages, and it reminded me of my own experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how I, too, as a college student, struggled with the isolation and how empty everything felt.

There were a few parts I felt weren't the best explained and things moved incredibly fast; but I also feel like that was a plot choice. I definitely felt like it could've used maybe another 100 pages of fleshing things out, developing our main relationship more and setting us up in the world.

Overall this book was a 4.25/5 stars, and I'll be looking into Nova's other works, as I think their writing style lends really well to a contemporary setting!

[Audrey Rutkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface level, Phoning Faust is a romance as much as horror story. As with a lot of queer art, it is delicate balance of both, made the more beautiful with the duality. The story begins just as the summary describes, with Dian, the MC, locked away in quarantine during the pandemic trying to reach the suicide prevention hotline and reaching a Devil named Memphis instead. Through questions and conversations, some more honest than the others, Dian and Memphis get to know each other. Once Dian is visited by the Devil and certain lies are revealed, their online conversations becomes an IRL action packed evening of trying to outsmart The Devil. Dian and Memphis work together to try and do the impossible, using everything in their arsenal, including Dian’s abandoned faith.

One of the reasons this story was harder for me to get through is how much religion was apart of the plot. However, I think how expertly and emotionally raw this trauma was represented made the story more relatable. For many queer people, this is part of our stories. In this story, Dian has to accept and heal some of that trauma to become a more realized version of herself.


Phoning Faust deals with a lot of heavier topics (suicide, homophobia, and religious trauma being the main ones.) However, Nova handles these topics with respect and a bit of dark humor. Nova takes the time to speak life into these issues so that even with the potential to be triggering, the resulting feeling for the reader is that of pride in Dian and comfort that her story will have a happy ending.

If you are looking to read a queer, sapphic love story then this is the perfect book for you! There is no spice, but plenty of sweetness and a bit of sparkle, too. You will fall in love with both MC’s, rooting for both of them to have the happy ending they deserve. Officially out on June 2nd, I can think of no better way to kick off Pride month than giving this book a read!

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoning Faust by Sophie Mutiara Nova follows Dian, a young person dealing with identity and isolation in the height of the Covid pandemic. When they try to call for help, they end up calling Hell instead and begins a conversation that will change their life forever.

This is one of those books that feels uniquely written for me. The writing was beautiful and thought provoking. I felt like the characters were well rounded and realized. This book had heavy themes but also some bits of comedic relief that helped had some levity to the story.

I loved Dian as a character. The struggles they are going through with trying to figure out their identity and what to do next felt very relatable. I feel like the desire to tell a stranger all your secrets just to get them off of your chest is something we can all relate to at least a little so when Dian is monologuing about their feelings, it felt very natural.

As someone who identifies as demisexual, this book meant so much to me. I feel like it is such a strange identity to try to explain to people. A lot of people don’t understand but reading Dian’s thoughts about it helped me quite a bit.

This is a short book and to me is best read in a single sitting if you can to fully feel absorbed. It is comped to “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” which I think is a great comp. There is something about this book that feels very liminal and I loved it!

[Just_wanttoread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc.

I went into this expecting something very different which had undoubtedly affected my enjoyment of it and, honestly after rereading the blurb I don’t know why I didn’t understand what I was going to be reading. I had thought this was going to be a lighthearted funny/sexy/horror and it was absolutely not. This was more a philosophical wondering of a book with themes of suicide, mental health problems, religious trauma and self help. The backdrop of the covid pandemic added to the sense of isolation and claustrophobia throughout.

I definitely came away feeling I wasn’t intelligent enough to enjoy this book. It’s confusing and dream like at times, but mostly I was just bored. It felt incredibly long and was a slog to get through, particularly the middle section where it felt like nothing was happening. I didn’t feel like I got to know or like the main characters, and I just didn’t care about them or their love story, if it was one? My favourite parts were the chapters sharing the history with Rose and Talia, so I think I would enjoy the author’s writing, just not in this book unfortunately.

[Cyri T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be given access by the author to to read an ARC of Phoning Faust, and gods am I glad I did!! I wish I could give this more stars, truly... As many as Memphis has scattered across her skin.

This story was phenomenal.
Not only does the language and writing style flow beautifully amidst the tale as it unfolds, but the characters resonated deeply with me (as an equally traumatized religious queer person,) and I found this story to touch places deep in my heart that I have only found in one other book.

If I had to compare the poetic writing style that Sophie displays in this story, it would be akin to someone like Ibi Zoboi (though Sophie is clearly a master of her own accord in this book!) Phoning Faust was lyrical, poetic, raw, deeply profound, & full of feeling. Dian's character and how she spoke of herself and her surroundings, along with her experiences through this tale, quickly pulls you in as a reader watching the chaotic minutes pass in Dian's room.

I can't wait to read more of your work, thank you again so much for sharing this story with us all! Very excited to have the physical copy in our library soon. :)

[Zane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you don’t just sell your soul you accidentally speed dial it?Phoning Faust feels like making a late-night call you instantly regret… except the voice on the other end already knows your secrets.
This book crackles with neon lit chaos think temptation wrapped in glitchy aesthetics, where morality is less a line and more a flickering signal. Nova delivers a story that feels modern, dangerous, and uncomfortably intimate, like your phone is watching… and judging.The prose has this addictive, almost hypnotic rhythm equal parts seductive and sinister. There’s a playful cruelty to the narrative too, like the devil isn’t just making deals… he’s entertained by you.
What worked:
• 🔥 A fresh, tech-twisted take on Faustian bargains
• 💀 Dark humor that bites at the perfect moments
• 📱 A concept that feels too real in our always online world
What lingered:
This book doesn’t just ask what you’d trade for your desires… it asks who’s really listening when you say it out loud.

By the end, I wasn’t sure if the horror was supernatural… or just us.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoning Faust by Sophie Mutiara Nova
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)

An extremely interesting and uniquely deep and dark story. It touches on some deep mental health issues, including suicide, trauma and loneliness.

Dian, a queer college student, trying to deal with life during the pandemic, accidentally mis-dials a phone number and ends up speaking to Memphis. This accidental dial proves to be an interesting connection that is formed. Memphis isn’t a human.
Dian is extremely lonely, so even though frightened by this call, they are also happy to have someone to talk to. Dian and Memphis form a “friendship” and play a game to answer all kinds of personal and life questions. As their talk continues, Dian gets a visit from an unexpected guest and in that moment they realize life will be changed forever.

The book is well written and has great character development! The ending is amazing and surprised me!!
I was lucky to get an arc of this entertaining story!

*It comes out June 2nd and I highly recommend the interesting read!!*

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow... just wow. This book made me feel things that I currently cannot explain and I love it.

I was hooked from the very first page. I'm a sucker for lyrical, introspective writing with a focus on character development and relationships and I got just that. Add in sapphic yearning, deep religious trauma, and mental health struggles and I'm sooo in (in fiction, not real life lol).

I'm going to be honest; I had no idea what was going on half the time but that just added to my enthrallment. Reading this felt like a dream. A nightmare? I don't know.

Do check your TWs for this one. Mental health struggles, COVID isolation, and suicidal ideation are at the forefront of this story.

I'm not all that familiar with Goethe's Faust so that really had no bearing on my enjoyment of this story. I hope to read so much more from Sophie in the future. A very much needed voice in literature.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Mutiara Nova and NineStar Press for an eArc of this book.

[Elysia Rohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to enjoy about this modernized and very sharp retelling of Faust. While it tackles some heavy themes, including mental illness, religious trauma, and suicide, it handles them with care, wit, and a whole lot of love. Since most of the action is confined to a single apartment, the main characters, Dian (a struggling college student) and Memphis (a sexy and mysterious grifter) really shine.

Occasionally the lighting-fast barrage of pop culture and literary references becomes a little overwhelming, but overall the plot is tight, well-paced, and kept me guessing until the end. And BOY what an ending it is.

All in all, Phoning Faust is a fun (and often heart-warming) read.

Thank you to the author for the chance to read this as an ARC.

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC READ**

Dian, in a desperate attempt to call for help, ends up accidentally dialing a devil who has been informed that Dian will end up the prize for their boss - the Devil. As the night presses on, the more Dian realizes 2 things: one, she doesnt want to die, and two, she might have developed feelings for this devil.

What a read!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much. Set in the middle of the COVID pandemic during lockdown, Nova provides amazing representation of mental health and LGBTQIA+ folks during this trying time. It was intense and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I loved the various relationships through this book as well as the character growth provided to Dian.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc received from the author- thank you so much!

I enjoyed reading this so much! It’s different from anything I’ve read so far, but I’m so glad I got to read it. I would totally recommend this, especially to anyone looking for something a bit different(in the best way possible)!

Personally, I don’t know a lot about Faust or deeper parts of Religion, that didn’t take away any of the enjoyment tho and it’s absolutely possible to read without that deeper knowledge, if you’re open to it.

The authors way of describing the scenarios, Humans and non-humans was done so well, words used so perfectly and many many parts worded so so beautifully!

*check the trigger warning before reading please, stay safe and remember, you are seen and loved as you are

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Phoning Faust, Dian dials the suicide hotline to help her through crisis but instead ends up calling the fated number: 666. What she summons sends her through a massive spiral as she connects with a devil, fights the Devil, and gets to the other side. But was any of it even real?

WOW. I loved this story so much with the mental health and queer representation straight from the start, but then it just kept pulling me in more and more. Devoured it in just one day. The romance but also sweet friendship with dark undertones is so intriguing and the characters are so fascinatingly constructed. And the way everything turns on it’s head like 3/4 through??? Wow wow wow. Loved.

[Aspen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you miss dial the suicide hot line and enters the devil's number? What happens when it brings the devil to Dian's door?

When Dian dials 666 while trying to connect with the suicide hot line. When she starts talking to a devil Memphis and is brought into the end of her soul. The strength to fight the devil starts when she finds out she has till morning light before her soul is taken.

I enjoyed this book start to finish. The way the topic of suicide and love where blended together in a respectful manner. The characters are writing well and with depth. The twist of what is and what isn't true kept me on my toes. I will be recommending this to my friends.

[Eule Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am honoured to leave my review.

Wow! This skilled story features the complex character of Mephistopheles (whom I adored as an intense teen), retold by Sophie Mutiara Nova within the veil of mental health, friendship, and attraction. It is really well written and manages to be dark as well as cute; a great combination for most things, including boots. The cover is fab.

5 cool stars! You should definitely buy and read this book if you're in the mood for something classy and different, which might inspire you to buy a pair of new boots, as it did me :)

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

this was a rollercoaster of emotions! this was so well written and handled some heavy topics really well that I could sometimes see myself in dian. the talk about suicide, mental health, dealing with a pandemic, and religious trauma made this book feel so real and it stands out from other books I’ve read. the majority of the plot being set in one room of an apartment made the dream-like state of the book seem all the more interesting and suspenseful as we await dian’s fate. the twist near the end had me thinking about what was real and what wasn’t. a great story!

thank you to the author for giving me the chance of reviewing an ARC. all opinions are my own

[Yulieth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoning Faust was such a unique read and really stood out to me. The writing style felt poetic with a deeper tone that pulled me in.
I enjoyed the characters from the beginning. They were interesting and kept me invested in the story. The book is a fast, fun read but also explores themes like mental health and religious trauma. I loved how the author represented them in such a meaningful way.
The ending was different and left me thinking. It was disturbing in a way, yet fascinating.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend for anyone interested in a modern retelling with a strong story!

Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Mutiara Nova and NineStar Press for this eARC.

[Tashia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a good time reading this one. The author definitely handled the topics in the book very respectfully. The note from the Sophie at the beginning of the book was beautiful as well. For the most part I liked Memphis character a lot. I really liked getting the backstory on her as well. I just felt like I didn’t connect with Dian and wasn’t a fan of the whole instalove thing basically. For me I think I would’ve even preferred just friendship blossoming between them because I felt like the night was just rushed with feelings. I really enjoyed most of the book setting being in the apartment as I feel like I haven’t read that in other books.

[The Atlas of Stars · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

I definitely feel like I should have read Faust before diving into this. I feel like the source material would have given me some much needed context. Even though I went into this with no prior knowledge, I did enjoy this.

The loneliness that the beginning of the pandemic brought on mixed with the fear of returning home where you know you'll be judged and chastised for being who you are. It was relatable. This whole book was extremely heavy but not unenjoyable.

The parts that stuck out where the little moments of intimacy and yearning. The want and need to not be alone and to have someone see you. It’s just part of being human.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 rounded up.

I liked the idea of this book (and found the dedication to be very heartwarming and heartfelt), but it didn't really work for me. It wasn't executed quite how I expected and I think that difference made it less impactful for me.

I found the writing to be a bit awkward and more telling than showing. I think for a story like this, the subtleties would've been so important and meaningful.

This is super short and I did speed through it in about one sitting (if I remember correctly).

This concept was just so unique and could be taken in so many different ways.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Jinx_Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an advance reviewer copy of this book and am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Mutiara Nova and the publisher for the opportunity.

This book was a little heavy for me. It was an interesting story and a clever framing device to use to explore a lot of very traumatic topics. It’s very clear the author has passionate opinions they wanted to express.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised by was the demisexual representation.

Overall this might have been a case of wrong book at the wrong time for me. While it was interesting, it didn’t catch or hook me.

[Mourning Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from the author and am, of course, leaving this review for free

~~

“I had not wanted to die—I had only wanted to stop hurting. Why was I being punished for hurting?”

~~

I am not a poet nor philosopher. I took a singular philosophy class in college and it damn near destroyed my GPA.

There is something fascinating about blending pop culture, religious trauma, and metaphysical philosophy into a singular story. Most times, it shouldn't work.

But it so does with Phoning Faust.

The story is one of acknowledging when we need help. It's also one of acceptance and love. I cannot claim to understand every part of this book. I don't even think I quite know how to process the ending.

It did, however, enrapture me and I read it in one sitting.

I think Nova's writing style is fun to read and doesn't treat the reader like an idiot. There's moments of asides and one-liners tucked into every paragraph that keeps you wondering about what happens next.

And Memphis? Woof.

A definitive 5/5.

(Below quotes aren't spoilers, but are precious and I couldn't not highlight them.

~~

“Hold me, please,” I beg. “Please hold me so I feel safe.”

~~

“Thank you for seeing me, Memphis.”

[Sova Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm suprised I don't know the original Faust story that much so I don't know what the original telling entailed, but an accidental dial to a demon is a solid way to catch my focus. I'm gonna be honest, I was not ready for the twists and turns at the end though. Memphis was a great sweet talker, Dian was a heartbreakingly relatable character, especially for me. Some of the references made me roll my eyes a bit but no more than Dian was rolling hers, so it worked great for the story. A solid read for sure

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is one of those gorgeous books where the writing is beyond poetic, where reading it feels like bathing in song, where... I just feel confused by the storyline. The vibes? Immaculate. My understanding of the plot? Nope.

I understand the idea of a Faustian story - or at least I really think I do - but parts of this just had me lost. I've still rated it highly because it was a stunning piece of queer art, even if it wasn't exactly right for me. I am certain that other readers will be obsessed with this interpretation.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin i'm going to say that this book destroyed me in the west way. This was the first arc read that I have read so I was super excited. There were multiple times during the book where I had to close my kindle and breathe before going back to reading. I don't normally read books like this, but I was not disappointed with the outcome. If you enjoy horror with some romance, I would definitely check out this book when it is published.

[CafecitoBookLounge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoning Faust - a sapphic journey.
Finding one’s self and finding love. Accepting who you are and learning what that means FOR YOU. Nothing more fulfilling than learning more about yourself. Phoning a devil who works for THE devil. Will they fall in love? Is this all a game?

Honored to have been asked by Sophie to read their ARC.
It was fun.

And the curtains are……. what?!?!??!

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got invested. I may have cried a little. Sophie Mutiara owned me. If you haven’t figured it out yet: I loved this freaking little novel.

“Thank you, NineStar Press, for providing this book for review consideration via Indigo Marketing & Design. All opinions are my own.”

[literarily.ryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you very much to the author for the e-ARC!

I'll admit, I wasn't sure how this one would go for me. BUT I FREAKING SOBBED AT THE END. Also...Memphis...mkay. That's all. An excellent Faust-retelling if you ask me. I recommend if you want a fast, but great read!

[Evangeline🧡🤍🩷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to go back and reread before I felt comfortable posting a review. The book itself didn’t resonate with me personally, but that by no means does that mean it wasn’t a good book. It very much was a good book. I just wasn’t able to get lost in the story. I don’t want to deter anyone from reading this book it was very good and honestly, you definitely should give it a read.