Has a classic setup but updates the olde puritanical tale to deal with issues of racism and sexism."-- The Washington Post

he has also caused his youngest wife leah to die in an absolutely HORRENDOUS graphic birth scene in which a midwife is forced to cut her baby out of her womb while she dies screaming -- because he wanted to keep it a secret that he was boinking her while underage and not married. A haunting, unique read I couldn't put down—a story that cuts to the heart.”—Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter Adark, dramatic tale of oppression and rebellion, ideology and morality, with a complicated, appealing protagonist caught in a Handmaid’s Talenightmare.”-Louisa Morgan, Author of The Age of Witches This novel is a gripping work of fiction that deserves a place on every horror reader’s bookshelf. It isn’t only the writing, however, that sets it apart. It is the subject matter itself.

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Bone-chilling and breathtakingly beautiful…storytelling at its finest.”– Rena Barron, author of Kingdom of Souls The Year of the Witching is set in the deeply patriarchal and puritanical land of Bethel, where the word of the Prophet is law. Our protagonist, Immanuelle Moore, lives on the fringes of acceptability. Her father was burned on a pyre as a heretic. Her mother is known throughout Bethel as a witch and a traitor. Immanuelle is determined to live as uneventful a life as possible. But then she discovers her mother’s journal, and accidentally unleashes a plague upon Bethel. She must use all the cleverness and magic at her disposal to stop the plague, but the question is – does she want to? Our main character Immanuelle is a strong realistic character here with her traits and development. She starts off vulnerable and flawed by her Mother's choices and lives in the shadows. She grows into a multi-layered strong character with conflicts of her own and ones she must overcome to save her family, community and home. Not only is Immanuelle a complex, fascinating character, the dynamics between her and the other characters are also. This was such an enjoyable book to read. Starting from the gothic atmosphere, the sinister dark vibe, the relevant theme, the feminism, the cute love story, and the relatable realistic topics. I really liked both the main characters, even though they were kinda basic, I was still cheering for them the whole time. The pacing was so good making the book so readable.

and the text even explicitly asks the question if ‘innocents’ are truly good people if they continually turn a blind eye. it’s wild! methinks false equivalence is at play, and that left a decidedly sour taste in my mouth. Creepy, compelling, and compulsively readable…blends the terror of the supernatural with the all-too-recognizable human evils of power and dogma.”— Fonda Lee, Award-winning author of the Green Bone Saga If there is one way in which the novel falters, it comes in pacing toward the end. Immanuelle finds herself in several circular arguments with her grandmothers Martha and with Ezra, the handsome chosen heir of the Prophet with a rebellious streak. As those four phases start to occur, Immanuelle tries to find a way to save the society even though it may coast her own life but what if her sacrifice doesn’t change anything? What if the government system they accepted and the holly rules declared by their Prophet were corrupted, distorted and unhealthy for those women’s lives who have been massacred without fair judgment. Sometimes to build something new, you need to tear down everything apart! The Year of the Witching was pitched as being inspired by The VVitch, so perhaps it's on me for allowing my expectations to climb sky-high due to the association with one of my favorite movies of all time. The VVitch is disturbing and unsettling and claustrophobic; The Year of the Witching is standard YA fantasy fare, and this despite the fact that it is not YA fantasy, but adult.The Year of the Witching is a very, very good book. It’s unsettling and horrifying, beautiful and incisive, and ultimately, radiantly triumphant… I was torn between wanting to tear through the chapters as fast as possible to see how things resolved and savoring every sentence.”– Smart Bitches, Trashy Books Immanuelle lay by the river's edge with her friend, Leah, shoulder to shoulder, both of them drunk off the warmth of the midday sun. Yards away, the rest of the congregation gathered in fellowship. For most, the shadow of the Sabbath slaughter had already faded to a distant memory. All was peaceful and the congregation was content to abide in that. It'll be enough," said Leah hollowly. Then, more firmly, as though she was trying to convince herself: "It will have to be enough. Even if I'm forced to ride the roads on the Prophet's own horse, I'll find a way to see you. I won't let things change. I swear." Leah laughed, a loud, pretty sound that drew gazes. She had a way of doing that. "And what if a man offers his hand?" True evil wore the skin of good men. It uttered prayers, not curses. It feigned mercy where there was only malice. It studied scriptures only to spit out lies.”- This quote sums up the book. I could just leave it here, but let’s be realistic.