The Year of the Witching
The Year of the Witching follows Immanuelle, a young woman whose very existence is blasphemous. In the lands of Bethel, the Prophet’s word is law. 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 spirits of four powerful witches linger. They bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood. When she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. She starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.
Bethel highlights the darkness that exists in our society. Although it’s extreme, what Immanuelle is taught, what she witnesses happen to other women, happens to us. She was taught to ignore injustice, to be meek and submissive, but she just couldn’t do that. Immanuelle wanted to create a better world for the Outsiders, women, and children in her community that were being abused by the Church and its oppressive power. She stood up not only for herself, but for those she loved. Like Immanuelle, we need to do the same.
This book also addresses race. As a biracial woman, Immanuelle doesn’t fit into Bethel’s predominately white community, nor does she belong with the other Outsiders, whom her biological father was a part of. Immanuelle deals with people seeing her as less than, as “other.” It’s something that readers who are also biracial will be able to relate to.
The Darkwood and its four witches are a major part of Immanuelle’s story. Her connection to the Darkwood and its power leads her down a path that brings a reckoning to Bethel, one that is long overdue. The Darkwood’s magic called to Immanuelle’s mother Miriam the same way it does to her, and although Miriam went down the darker path of revenge, Immanuelle chooses redemption. The cost of using that magic is unknown to Immanuelle, and she may not find out for years to come.
Lovers of dark, feminist fantasies will love Alexis Henderson’s debut.
The Year of the Witching Rating: ★★★★
But a mishap lures her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the spirits of four powerful witches linger. They bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood. When she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. She starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.
Bethel highlights the darkness that exists in our society. Although it’s extreme, what Immanuelle is taught, what she witnesses happen to other women, happens to us. She was taught to ignore injustice, to be meek and submissive, but she just couldn’t do that. Immanuelle wanted to create a better world for the Outsiders, women, and children in her community that were being abused by the Church and its oppressive power. She stood up not only for herself, but for those she loved. Like Immanuelle, we need to do the same.
This book also addresses race. As a biracial woman, Immanuelle doesn’t fit into Bethel’s predominately white community, nor does she belong with the other Outsiders, whom her biological father was a part of. Immanuelle deals with people seeing her as less than, as “other.” It’s something that readers who are also biracial will be able to relate to.
The Darkwood and its four witches are a major part of Immanuelle’s story. Her connection to the Darkwood and its power leads her down a path that brings a reckoning to Bethel, one that is long overdue. The Darkwood’s magic called to Immanuelle’s mother Miriam the same way it does to her, and although Miriam went down the darker path of revenge, Immanuelle chooses redemption. The cost of using that magic is unknown to Immanuelle, and she may not find out for years to come.
Lovers of dark, feminist fantasies will love Alexis Henderson’s debut.
The Year of the Witching Rating: ★★★★