Witch of the Black Circle

by Maria DeVivo

When it comes to witchcraft, it's never just a teenage phase...

For as long as she can remember, high school senior Joephie Turner's mother has told her she is cursed by a witch. As she settles into her new hometown of Northport, Long Island at the height of the 1980s Satanic Panic era, Joephie is accepted into a circle of friends obsessed with the occult. Demonic messages on cassette tapes, shady youth group leaders, and passionate sexual encounters push the teen into a thrilling world that lends a deeper meaning to the proverbial mantra: "sex, drugs, and rock and roll." Until it all goes wrong.

A decade later, haunted by nightmares of cults and rituals, formidable burgeoning witch Joephie pieces her memories together in search of answers about the small group of suburban teens that meddled with dark forces. As an adult, Joephie will have to decide what, or who, she is willing to sacrifice from her past in order to claw her way back to sanity.

Inspired by true events, Witch of the Black Circle is a deliciously wicked and nostalgic journey through time where the lines of reality and the supernatural blur. Content warning: satanic rituals; sex; graphic violence; language; drug use

Genres: Horror

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2022

About the author

Maria DeVivo writes horror and dark fantasy for both a YA and adult audience. Each of her series has been Amazon best-sellers and have won multiple awards since 2012. A lover of all things dark and demented, the worlds she creates are fantastical and immersive. Get swept away in the lands of elves, zombies, angels, demons, and witches (but not all in the same place). Maria takes great pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds – just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.

Reviews

[Erica Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: Gore, emotional manipulation, VERY sexual scenes, satanic panic

If you thought your current horror erotica, or Horrotica as Ms. Maria puts it, was a bit too tame or blasé, give Witch of the Black Circle a try. You're gonna be both engrossed and grossed out.

Joephie is our fmc and boy is she one of a kind. Having grown up packing up her life at a moment's notice, she's a bit jaded and never one to put down roots where her mother temporarily plants her. When the two arrive in Long Island, Joephie is 6 months away from graduating high school and moving out west on her own terms. But then she meets the local goth kids, who are all desperate to join the enigmatic and disturbing Knights of the Black Circle. Joephie plays along, hoping for some excitement all the while rolling her eyes at the drugged out leaders of the Black Circle, not sharing that while these guys may have the gusto, they lack the power that Joephie hears ringing at the back of her mind. This power begs to be let out, whispers about how easily Joephie could disembowel these pretenders, how she deserves the power she feels pounding through her blood every time a vision of dark rituals bombards her.

This is a story built on making you question everything, from Joephie's memories and perceptions to the intentions of her mother and friends. At no point does it give it to you straight. You are supposed to piece it together as best you can using what Joephie gives you and your own VERY MUCH challenged ideas of good vs. evil, power struggles, and companionship.

I think that's why I knew about halfway through that this was a 5 star read and why I knew I'd be reading the rest of the series. The writing is so straightforward and unpretentious. DeVivo gives it to you straight and says, "Figure it out," which i LOVE. The story moves at a breakneck pace with characters you will not forget. Joephie is a brat, and she doesn't apologize for it. She is a take it or leave it type who exudes confidence in a way that makes more and more sense as the book goes on.

If you are okay with diving in headfirst to a horror erotica that really makes your toes curl with OH MY GAWD and discomfort, this is the one for you. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!!!

[BAM xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely in love with this book.
First off, the modern day, realistic acknowledgements in this book had me hooked from the start.
I related with the main descriptions in this story, I absolutely love metal. Slayer and Black Sabbath are right up there in my most played music.
The characters all had a theme, that theme was metalhead/the darkness within/cultish desires.

My favourite character in this story has to be Trent. His creepy, all knowing presence was fun to read. I wish I could have gotten more historical knowledge of his life, but I have a feeling that will be covered at a later date. Until then, I shall ponder the questions I have, and get excited for book 2.

The magic system in this book, was full of dark, spooky, witchy, otherworldly presences, that seemed to only affect a scarce few of the characters. I'm talking ouija, otherworldly voices, Curses, possession, mind control vibes. Just like a good supernatural story requires. The main focus of the story has the MFC, and new friends, seeking to join a creepy supernatural cult. Messing with unseen forces, with resulting chaos all round.

If you don't love satan, I would advise you to steer clear, this book is not for the faint hearted. There is some epic orgy, violent deaths, smutty moments, that a good Christian should definitely back away slowly from.

But to all my creepy satan/dark magic/gore fans, you will love this book. You will worship it's devilish goodness.
I will add this one to my recommended reads list, and I hope that I can share the love around.

My verdict: 5 epic shimmering stars, for this witchy dark fantasy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

TW: death, murder, gore, sexual scenes (some FF), orgies, cults, disturbed characters, mental illness

P.s. Definitely recommend that you give it a read, I'm a new fan to Maria De Vivos work, and I look forward to gobbling up the rest of her books. I hope others will enjoy her 'crazy train' of thoughts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first time author for me and I am blown away!

It took me a while to get into the book as I was reading it at work but as soon as I could really concentrate it drew me in like a moth to a flame!

You get to see and hear everything from Sophia’s point of view from when she arrived in Northport for her last couple of months of school and how she befriended the kids that were obsessed with a satanic cult!

As the story progresses intensely it eventually lulls you into a safe security but near the end it suddenly gets more darker and twisted and you are not sure if it all is a drug induced high……

If you liked the eighties where heavy metal was in and satanic panics was rife then this is the story for you!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookishme_lisamarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulled me in from page 1. It kept me interested, reading and not wanting to stop or take breaks.

I keep thinking about the main character Joephie and how she really created a dilemma for my brain. I found some of her teenage aspects to be relatable and found other aspects to be completely horrific. On one hand, I wanted to like this person and on the other, her dark parts were beyond my comprehension. It created this sharp division in how I felt about her, which I still find incredibly interesting.

This is a horror novel that contains some body horror and satanic rituals. There is some blood and gore that is just disgusting enough but not overdone. There are also some graphic sexual situations that tied into the plot and didn't feel like it was just added for spice or to keep your interest.

This book is part of an upcoming series but had a pretty solid ending. So, while it felt like there could be more of Joephie's story to tell, it also tied up most loose ends.

I really enjoyed this one! I gave it 4.5⭐ but rounded it up to 5. I'm definitely interested in reading more of this series and more of the author's work in general.

Thank you to author Maria DeVivo for gifting me a copy of her ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice Wehrle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to thank Maria DeVivo and Booksprout for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very very well written book. Maria DeVivo has a way of making you feel like you are right there, witnessing everything. And I say that with the confidence of someone who got truly spooked by this book lol. It was very dark, the horror done just right.
If that's your trope, you're in for an amazing treat!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeViVo does a great job providing you with the timeline. Make sure you are reading the headers at the start of each chapter for details of the year and location because it helps you to keep track of what’s going on.

I was really intrigued with the plot, and while there isn’t full closure, it’s a series, so I’m excited for the rest!

[Book Babe of Tampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story blew me away. I was hooked from the first page. Some of the scenes were so graphic that I thought I was there. A few pages even got me excited, I'll say no more. I'm looking forward to reading the second book. Awesome read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I could barely put it down, and when I did have to put it down, all I could think about was how I wanted to finish this book. Personally this hit a lot of my fav horror tropes, I’m a sucker for a good ol’ santanic cult story. Very much looking forward to the next installment.

[Holly Dimitrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

wickedly good book.
love how it is based on true events.
interesting characters

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Bartosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give WITCH OF THE BLACK CIRCLE ⭐⭐⭐⭐!

My favorite thing about this book is that it's set in the 80s, which was fun reminiscing about that time period. Though I was in middle school during this time I still remember these bands, playing the Ouija board, Aqua Net hairspray, flavored lip gloss, and listening to tapes on my boom box. Good times!

I must admit this story was a little slow for me at the beginning. But when the plot thickened and the action began I couldn't put the book down. I didn't care for the main character Joephie but that's okay. Because I'm not sure if the story would work if I liked her. You'll see as you get closer to the end.

Overall, the book was creepy and scary!! If you like mysterious, dark, and bloody gore then buy a copy of THE WITCH OF THE BLACK CIRCLE today. It won't disappoint! Find out more on my blog: https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...

[Evelyn V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a group of friends who delve into the world of the occult. At first they believe it's just something cool to explore but one of them has a feeling that she needs to take things beyond a Ouija board. I really like the flashback of when the witchcraft started and would like to learn more about what happened. Josephine is a girl who has always been haunted by her mother's belief that she was cursed by a witch. That belief has shaped her life and given her more than a passing interest with the occult. This book takes a disturbing turn in the end and left me wondering if it was real or an imagination. This is a good,spooky read just in time for this season. Trigger warnings: drug use,sexual situations,mental issues,satanic cults.

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josephine (Joephie) is a teenager who was cursed by a witch before she was born. Her mother has moved the two of them often. They never really stay anywhere long enough for them to set down roots, and thus Joephie expects that this town will be no different than any other location where they have lived so far. In each town, her mother sends Joephie to a private school and a church youth group, hoping that evil influences can be kept away from her daughter. But in the 1980s, during the height of the “Satanic Panic” and the “sex, drugs, and rock & roll” era, that’s all but an impossible task, when one was already cursed.

I received a review copy of this book and enjoyed reading it. I was in high school during this time period. And as someone who played Dungeons & Dragons at the time, I can’t tell you how often I had to explain to people that it was just a game; it wasn't going to influence me to go out & kill anyone. Having lived through that time period as a teenager, I couldn't resist seeing this author's representation of a group of teenagers in the 1980s.

I enjoyed reading this book. While I was a little disappointed that there was no mention of the game Dungeons & Dragons, MTV, or a myriad of other 1980s specific items, this story was focused primarily on other aspects of the 1980s Satanic Panic. So I do understand why such things were not included in this book, though I would have like to have seen them mentioned. There was still more than enough of the other parental fears and teenage activities that were common back then; some of which went much farther than most teens did back then when it came to exploring the occult. These teenagers sought to actually open a portal and summon Satan

This is a horror novel with all the sex, drugs, and rock & roll that one might expect from a book set during that time period. Throw in some teenagers learning About the occult, the forces of Satan, and some graphic sex, violence, death, and gore, and you've described this book. Be warned that it is not a book meant for younger readers as it does contain some very graphic sex and a fair amount of violence and bloodshed. But for those who enjoy horror novels set in the 1980s, you should enjoy this one. I certainly did.

[PlotTwist&Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Wednesday Addams and Joan Jett had a love child who accidentally summoned a demon in youth group—Witch of the Black Circle would be her origin story. Set in 1980s Long Island (because nothing says “summon Satan” like fringe bangs and a Slayer tee), Maria DeVivo gifts us with a delightfully unhinged narrator, Joephie, whose hobbies include sarcasm, black lipstick, and surviving her mother’s God-fearing delusions. Oh, and maybe cracking open the gates of hell by accident. Casual.

This isn’t your average “teens dabble in darkness” tale. It’s laced with existential dread, hormonal chaos, suspicious church leaders, questionable friendships, and exactly the kind of inner monologue you’d expect from a goth girl fed up with fake smiles and frosted cookies. There are moments of real eeriness—like hearing a dead language inside your skull from a Norwegian metal record—and moments of pure chaos, like being guilt-tripped into church cookies while contemplating necromancy.

Dan and Kit, her closest allies (maybe), are either ride-or-die weirdos or future cult members—jury’s still out. The Acid King looms like a drug-fueled, leather-clad boogeyman, and you can practically smell the Aqua Net and spiritual doom in the air.

Honestly, the book slaps harder than a youth pastor’s pamphlet on abstinence.

Perfect for readers who like their paranormal horror with a side of teen angst, a smidge of Satan, and a full-bodied pour of “WTF just happened?”

Rating: 4/5 stars

Triggers: Religious trauma, drug use, death, parental abuse, occult themes, psychological instability

Genre: Paranormal Horror / Occult Coming-of-Age

Mood: Dark, irreverent, mysterious with teenage bite

Pacing: Medium-fast with sudden bursts of chaos

[Talia C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSprout for sending me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

WHAT I LIKED:
This book is written in the 80's during the "Satanic Panic" era. It really drew me in from the beginning, written all in Joephie's point of view. I didn't know if half of the stuff Joephie was doing was drug induced or if it was of her own free will.. It definitely has a creepy, horror vibe to it which was pleasantly surprising and unexpected.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
This book doesn't explain a whole lot.. I had no idea why she was trying to create this tear in the universe with her un-ritualistic rituals.. Who was Trent to her at the end? There was also this odd couple chapters in the middle of the book, which turned out to be Joephie's mom's point of view while she was pregnant.. but for what purpose? There was no closure at the end of this book either..

OVERALL/RECOMMENDATION:
This starts out as just a creepy book but then has some horror instances at the end. It is not at all what I was expecting and not my kind of read.. If you are into creepy/horror books that leave you with more questions than answers then this book is for you.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page, DeVivo weaves a spellbinding tale that captures the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the very end. The story centers around a powerful witch who must navigate a world of betrayal, danger, and ancient curses. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. The protagonist is not just a powerful witch but a deeply flawed and relatable character whose inner struggles make her journey all the more compelling. DeVivo does an excellent job of exploring themes of redemption, power, and the consequences of past actions, adding depth and emotional weight to the narrative. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter building on the last, leading to a climactic and satisfying conclusion.

I was on the edge of my seat through this whole journey that DeVivo is able to blend elements of horror, fantasy and drama! If you enjoy dark fantasy/horror with rich world building and complex characters. This book is a MUST READ. (Thank you Maria DeVivo for the opportunity to read and enjoy the world that you created! This is an ARC review that I am making of my own thoughts and opinions.)

[Melissa Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤Book Review🖤 Witch of the Black Circle by Maria DeVivo

First of all, I’d like to thank author Maria DeVivo for gifting me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. This is my first time reading a book by DeVivo and let’s just say I’m definitely a fan of her writing.
Witch of the Black Circle is full of 80’s nostalgia which I can relate to having grown up during that decade. I love the music references and overall tone of the “Satanic Panic” era. I did find the main character, Joephie, a bit difficult to figure out at first. She’s dark, moody, and kinda strange. As the book progresses, we see her come into her own. Along with her group of friends, Joephie delves into the darkness and satanic rituals. There’s some gore, blood, and a bit of steamy sex in the story. Just enough of each to keep things flowing nicely.
This is the first book in an upcoming series that I’m really looking forward to reading. Overall, Witch of the Black Circle is a delightfully sinful read!

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I was intrigued and confused by this book. It takes place in the 80’s during the height of the satanic panic. Joephie is the new girl in town and soon makes friends with kids like her. Into sex drugs, rock n’ roll and witchcraft. At first you think these are just kids and it’s a passing phase. Yet as the book progresses I wasn’t sure if things were happening in Joephie head or reality.

There was also this weird change of POV around the middle of the book that threw me and I didn’t realize it was her mom till much later. Unfortunately I found the characters lacking in depth. The plot was eh. I kept reading out of shear confusion wanting to understand what the heck was going on. Even after finishing the book don’t feel like I got closure from it.

[Lauren Blaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan or horror, but I didn’t know “horrotica” was a thing I’d really enjoy until yesterday. I met this author at a comic convention and she was so sweet and I just immediately vibed with her. I purchased book 1 and 2 of this series and holy moly I am a changed woman. This is for sure written for a certain type of person, because this is straight up Satan worshiping, satanic rituals, and Witch Orgies. However, This is written wonderfully, easy to read and organized. Character development is a little slow but in a good way because it all comes together in the end. I am not really a fan of “spicy books” because most of the time it’s so cringy and forced that it turns me off. This however…yes. This is perfect. My only regret is I only got the first 2 books! Excuse me while I order the other 4 from the publisher directly!

[Hannah Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch of the Black Circle is a dark, nostalgic dive into obsession, identity, and the dangerous pull of belief. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s Satanic Panic, the story captures the era’s paranoia and rebellion with unsettling authenticity.
Joephie is a compelling protagonist, vulnerable, curious, and slowly unraveling as her teenage fascination with the occult bleeds into real consequences. The dual timeline works well, showing how trauma, guilt, and unanswered questions can echo into adulthood. The novel balances coming-of-age tension with psychological horror, blurring the line between supernatural influence and human choice.
Uncomfortable, provocative, and atmospheric, this book won’t be for everyone, but readers who enjoy dark literary horror with emotional depth and cultural bite will find it haunting and memorable.

[JulieAnn Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise. First of all, I was not prepared for how the portal needed to be opened—that was a genuine shock to the system. But even more unexpected was how quickly I became engrossed. I couldn’t stop reading, and I’ve already started the second book in the series.

Joephie is a one-of-a-kind main character, with a quiet, chill energy that borders uncertainty. Watching her evaluate her relationships and her world—then seeing how that perspective shifts —was handled beautifully. The author has a cinematic command of words—moments felt vivid and intensional. The plot was propulsive. I felt engaged in the story from start to finish.

If you love coming-of-age witch stories with a fresh twist, this book is absolutely worth a read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terri McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 80's took the term sex, drugs and rock and roll to new heights with the satanic panic of heavy metal music. A group of teens dabble in witchcraft ,opening up the depths of mental health mixed with drugs can reach. This is a book for mature readers.Maria DeVivo drags you through the book like a person on the edge of an accident, you know you shouldn't stare but you can't help it. You read this and feel as if you are evesdropping and spying on this group of teens, that you should turn away, but you can't help but turn the pages to see what is going to happen. It will definitely be interesting to see how she weaves this into the next part of the story.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book – DeVivo took me on a wild ride, and I loved every twist and turn of it. Joephie is a great heroine, caught in the middle of forces she doesn’t totally understand as a teen, then as an adult trying to get a handle on everything. The setting really comes to life around the reader, and it’s so easy to forget a time when cell phones and the internet weren’t a part of everyday life, but this book made it easy to slip back there. The story moves along at a nice pace, and there are plenty of twists to keep you reading and on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store!

[Diana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria DeVivo hooks you from the first chapter to the last !! Joephie’s story brings you to the forefront of “Satanic Panic” of the 80’s and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way !! It is definitely for 18+ mature readers as well as those without triggers for sex, drugs or cults. In this case true life is stranger than fiction. 5🌟’s . I received a copy of the book from the publisher and am choosing to leave a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong start to the Dawn of the Blood Witch series, it had that element that I was looking for in this type of book. I thought it worked that it took the true events and made a story about this. It had that horror element that I was hoping for and glad I got to read this. Maria DeVivo wrote this perfectly and was excited for more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlotte Steinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wild adventure, and definitely NOT for the faint of heart! I absolutely loved this story. This is my second read-through after reading the rest of the series (that’s currently completed, give us more!!!!). It was fun to go back and look for clues and references to the other books.
Our main girl, Joephie, is a badass that takes the reader on a witchy, surprising roller coaster of a ride.

[Steve Altier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Devivo's words captivated me from the first page and held my attention until the end. The main character Joephie, struggles to find herself as a teen, and when she does, everything goes wrong. A decade later she tries to remember what happened when she meddled with the dark forces. If you like stories about witchcraft, this is a must-read.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have suspense, horror, magic, cults and more. Follow Joephie journey as she finally has some friends after being moved from place to place. But are they the right friends? What will she do years later to figure how to survive these nightmares.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PrettyBookish13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deliciously dark and twisted!
It starts off seemingly innocent, but as the story continues, I really enjoyed the parallels of Jophie’s (Josephine’s) sexual lust and the dark murderous lust.
The jump in time to adult Jo was a surprise but it was well executed and I enjoyed the concept of her losing memories and slowly regaining herself.

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch of the Black Circle is book one in the Dawn of thr Blood Witch series. This book was slow-paced and did take a few chapters to pick up. Secrets, deception and surprises.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a horror novel with all the sex, drugs, and gore that one might expect. Black Circle had me hooked from the first page. The book is creepy and scary. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series brings. For 18+ mature readers. Check TWs.