Title: The Year of the Witching
Author: Alexis
Henderson
Synopsis: “A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical
society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy
debut.
“In the lands of
Bethel, where the Prophet’s word is law, Immanuelle Moore’s very existence is
blasphemy. Her mother’s union with an
outsider of a different race cast her once-proud family into disgrace, so
Immanuelle does her best to worship the Father, follow Holy Protocol, and lead
a life of submission, devotion, and absolute conformity, like all the other
women in the settlement.
“But a mishap lures
her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the first prophet
once chased and killed four powerful witches.
Their spirits are still lurking there, and they bestow a gift on
Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanualle is shocked to learn
once sought sanctuary in the wood.
“Fascinated by
the secrets in the diary, Immanuelle finds herself struggling to understand how
her mother could have consorted with the witches. But when she begins to learn grim truths
about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its
own darkness. And she starts to understand
that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.”
Review: I both loved
and hated this book. What I loved: The Year of the Witching is extremely well
written. It’s like I was right there,
with Immanuelle, whom I really started to care about. What I hated: The Year of the Witching is
extremely well written. It’s like I was
right there, with Immanuelle, whom I really started to care about. Remember, this is a horror novel, set in a dystopian,
puritanical, secluded society… I spent most of the time battling feelings of
anger and terror. At one point I had to
put down the book for over a week to work out my emotions.
I love the idea
of a secluded, low tech, mostly agricultural society. The Village is one of my favorite movies, please
don’t judge me. The idea of a simpler life is very appealing to me. However, you add in a crazy, blood thirsty Prophet
who is also a sexual predator, evil witches who live in the dark ominous woods,
and a bloody curse, and it’s no longer the idyllic place I would imagine. I loved it.
I hated it. I wanted to throw it
against the wall. I had to put it in
time out. And that is how you know it’s
a fabulous book. I highly recommend The
Year of the Witching for any fans of horror, and I just cannot wait for the
next book in the Bethel series.
Publisher: Ace
If you like this book you may want to read:
The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow
Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
