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popthebutterfly 's review for:
The Year of the Witching
by Alexis Henderson
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Year of the Witching
Author: Alexis Henderson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mixed race main character (it’s a bit fuzzy on what she’s mixed with but it does describe her as having darker skin)
Recommended For...: witches, historical fiction, paranormal, fantasy, horror
Publication Date: July 21, 2020
Genre: YA Paranormal
Recommended Age: 17+ (menstrual cycles, gore, animal death/slaughter, torture, death, sex mentions, domestic abuse, child sex abuse)
Publisher: Ace
Pages: 368
Synopsis: 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 Immanuelle 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 really loved this book! The story was intriguing and kept me hooked from the first page. The character development was well done for most of the characters, and I loved message behind the book. The book is basically commentary on how toxic communities can become if there is a leader left with unchecked power (sound like something familiar? Good). The book was also very open about the slight racism the main character faced (without calling it racism) and was open about menstrual cycles (win!). The book also touches slightly on whitewashing history, but it’s more like “hiding that our history comes from the very thing we are trying to kill”. The book also is very feminist!
However, I did feel like the pacing was a bit too slow for me and I wish that there was a bit more world building in the book. The book also didn’t paint either side as good or evil, which works for the book but leaves the reader a bit weird on siding with either side.
Verdict: It was a well done book! Highly recommend.
Book: The Year of the Witching
Author: Alexis Henderson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mixed race main character (it’s a bit fuzzy on what she’s mixed with but it does describe her as having darker skin)
Recommended For...: witches, historical fiction, paranormal, fantasy, horror
Publication Date: July 21, 2020
Genre: YA Paranormal
Recommended Age: 17+ (menstrual cycles, gore, animal death/slaughter, torture, death, sex mentions, domestic abuse, child sex abuse)
Publisher: Ace
Pages: 368
Synopsis: 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 Immanuelle 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 really loved this book! The story was intriguing and kept me hooked from the first page. The character development was well done for most of the characters, and I loved message behind the book. The book is basically commentary on how toxic communities can become if there is a leader left with unchecked power (sound like something familiar? Good). The book was also very open about the slight racism the main character faced (without calling it racism) and was open about menstrual cycles (win!). The book also touches slightly on whitewashing history, but it’s more like “hiding that our history comes from the very thing we are trying to kill”. The book also is very feminist!
However, I did feel like the pacing was a bit too slow for me and I wish that there was a bit more world building in the book. The book also didn’t paint either side as good or evil, which works for the book but leaves the reader a bit weird on siding with either side.
Verdict: It was a well done book! Highly recommend.