In an alternate history where the Church rules Europe through the Holy Roman Empire, a young woman is hunted for witchcraft as she seeks the purpose of her family’s dark powers.
When second-year Dresden University student Nell Blythe is accused of witchcraft, not even the Holy Office knows just how guilty she is. She may not believe in spells, but she does have frightening abilities she keeps hidden and can’t explain. The same abilities that made her mother infamous, then got her killed.
Forced to flee, Nell meets a powerful stranger with abilities like hers. He can answer questions about her mother and their dark gifts that she has spent her whole life asking. But she is not nearly prepared for what he will show her. No one is.
As the Holy Office closes in on her, how far will Nell go to uncover the secrets her mother died for? Secrets that could cut to the heart of the Church itself.
About the author:
Matthew was born in South Africa and grew up there, but now lives in the Netherlands with his wife, new-ish daughter, and two terrible/wonderful cats. He spends much of his time working in a part of the investment world focused on social impact, and the rest writing novels that have nothing to do with that. Matthew is drawn to dark stories told with hope and humour, and can often be found trying to convince people to listen to The Offspring and watch Lord of the Rings movie marathons. The novel will also be published in Armenian translation.
Praise for The Tilted Pentagram
"Every once in a while, dark stars align and a book is birthed in a fiery nebula as if it has been written just for me. The Tilted Pentagram is such a book." - Nerine Dorman, author of The Company of Birds
The Tilted Pentagram | Matthew MacDevette
ISBNs
Hardcover: 978-1-0672242-0-2
Paperback: 978-1-0672242-1-9
Ebook: 978-1-0672242-2-6
A good book is one that leaves you wanting more. The ending leaves you satisfied, but always there is the wanting. Another chapter, another book- for the story to continue with you, always.
The Tilted Pentagram is one of those books.
Initially, I was a bit wary. TTP isn't my first occult fiction, but it also isn't one of my usual genres, and then added to the fact that the main character is female and written by a male... there was some apprehension. No biases, of course- I've read some great books from a female's perspective by many male authors- but still, I've been burnt before.
All that said, Nell Blythe is a wonderfully flawed, well thought-out character. She's smart, but naive, and young, but wise beyond her years. Most of all, Nell aches in a way that makes her human in the way we all are.
We follow Nell as she does what's expected of her even though her past tragedies slowly threaten to consume her, and new enemies reveal themselves, and we see her fall in love and grow as a person- and as a witch- through trials and tribulations. Unsure of who to trust and finding herself increasingly alone, she discovers more and more of herself as she discovers her history- and what a history it is.
So much of TTP feels especially relevant today, in this very tumultuous world we find ourselves living in, and so much of it had me remembering old English lessons and discussions about George Orwell and his works. It's a scary thought, but even today, it's plainly obvious that controlling the narrative can equate to controlling the masses. Scary, but thought-provoking.
My one gripe, I'll have to admit, is that I still have so many questions, and so many things I still wish I could have seen- like a little comeuppance, for one.
Regardless, there were many things about TTP that I loved- the diary entries, Nell's sharp tongue and quick wit, and the kindness extended to her by those around her. By far, it's one of the best reads of the year for me, and I am so grateful to @miraripress for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Tilted Pentagram is set to be one of my top favourites for 2025.
In an alternative history where the church is in power and witchcraft is banned, we follow the protagonist Nell as she delves deeply into her past to discover who she really is. The story is engaging, fast paced, twisty and a little dark with characters that keep you reading way past your bedtime. I did not want to leave this world and I cannot wait for the sequel to be released.
For fans of The Discovery of Witches and Ninth House, The Tilted Pentagram stands it own ground with a compelling story of persecution, power and the lengths we go to to know who we are and where we come from in this witchy dark academia. Michael weaves an intricate tale of belonging, loss, friendship and family all through the eyes of our badass FMC.
I highly recommend this novel.
I have had The Tilted Pentagram on my radar since it was first published. It lived up to all the hopes I had for it and then some! The author has a fantastic sense of pacing. Although the worldbuilding was complex at times, he managed to convey a lot of information succinctly and efficiently without ever infodumping. This book is a masterclass in drawing the reader in and allowing them to absorb everything they need to know while the characters explore and learn themselves. It makes for an eminently bingeable read.
I'm not always a witchy kind of reader, so I really appreciated how dark the magic in this is, verging more on occult rituals and religious mysticism. This story is also very raw in how mental health comes into play. The way it was dealt with felt realistic given the oppressive society the characters are living in and the peril they're taking on in trying to break it all down. The main antagonist is chilling. The danger he presents is not dampened. I NEVER felt like Nell had plot armour. There were some genuine risks being taken.
Perfect for fans of Slewfoot by Brom, James Herbert, and Mitchell Luthi's Pilgrim.
Thanks to Mirari Press for providing me with a copy for review through their Luminary Programme.
The story had its strong moments and then it lost me. Many scenes felt like they were setting up for something exciting but that never quiet happened. I wish the book had more emotional depth. This made it hard to connect to the character.
What disappointed me most was the lack of tension. A story centered on witchcraft and rebellion against religious oppression should feel dangerous, urgent but it didn't. While the writing was good, it lacked emotional punch.
My favorite part was when Nell discovered her mother’s journal. It added a much needed emotional layer to the story, giving Nell a real connection to her past and a deeper understanding of her heritage. For the first time, she wasn’t just reacting, she was learning, questioning, and starting to take control of her path. The journal made the world feel more personal and gave the plot a moment of quiet impact that really stood out.
I appreciated that it ended with hope and the hint of change.
I enjoyed reading this immensely, finding it difficult to put down in the last 30 pages. I would highly recommend the read, though I am hoping that the Author has a follow up book in the works? It feels like Nells story is not yet done.