Description
‘A thrillingly brisk and bracing tale of magic and power . . . it takes the best tropes of horror and witchcraft and gives them a refreshingly feminist twist.’ S.A. CHAKRABORTY, author of The City of Brass
The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Village in this stunning feminist debut . . .
Born on the fringes of Bethel, Immanuelle does her best to obey the Church and follow Holy Protocol. For it was in Bethel that the first Prophet pursued and killed four powerful witches, and so cleansed the land.
And then a chance encounter lures her into the Darkwood that surrounds Bethel. It is a forbidden place, haunted by the spirits of the witches who bestow an extraordinary gift on Immanuelle. The diary of her dead mother . . .
Fascinated by and fearful of the secrets the diary reveals, Immanuelle begins to understand why her mother once consorted with witches.
And as the truth about the Prophets, the Church and their history is revealed, so Immanuelle understands what must be done. For the real threat to Bethel is its own darkness. Bethel must change.
And that change will begin with her . . .
Vicky –
Thought this was a really fun concept. I loved the characters and the world-building. Not sure if it’s the first in a series, but would definitely read a sequel. Recommend for fans of the movie The Witch, or TV series Midnight Mass for combinations of isolated religious communities and dark fantastical aspects.