The Year of the Witching

A Gothic horror novel with exceptional prose and dystopian elements reminiscent of *The Handmaid’s Tale* — dark, ominous, and magical. Immanuelle draws us into her reality of opression filled with witches, fanaticism, and darkness. The novel starts at a medium, almost slow pace, allowing us to get accustomed to the new social structures and soak up the atmosphere. However, the plot soon picks up speed; events cascade rapidly, pulling us deep into this dark adventure. Numerous twists and turns, along with shocking revelations, await us on the journey alongside Immanuelle. The world is chilling, and the community is cult-like, overshadowed by a fanatical religion preached by a male prophet—a faith that sends many women to dungeons or even at the stake in the name of the Commandments. One can spot parallels—drawn in extreme terms—to contemporary social issues such as misogyny, fanaticism, extremism, prejudice, racism, mental health, and more. Yet, this social commentary is skillfully woven into the narrative, discernible only between the lines; I really appreciated this approach. The author has done an excellent job with character development, and the plot is both exciting and coherent. The atmosphere was eerie, ominous, and thick with tension. Throughout the read, a nagging sense persists that something calamitous and unavoidable is about to happen. My only criticism: the ending felt a bit too abrupt, leaving a few questions unanswered that I would have liked to see resolved. Nevertheless, I am intrigued and look forward to Part 2! Definitely a strong recommendation for fans of "The Handmaid’s Tale" and "The Silence of the Girls"/"The Grace Year". Perfect for curling up with a cosy blanket, candlelight and a hot beverage on dark autumn days and nights.

Alexis Henderson has managed to create an equally interesting and horrifying world, that will leave you speechless. The perfect blend of horror, historical fiction and female rage. Set in a strictly religious puritan society, where blind faith and obedience is expected, the witches of the Darkwood have come to unleash their plagues on the men who have wronged them. A gorgeous rich prose gives this novel the perfect eerie atmosphere and witchy vibes, but the story also ventures into deeper themes such as the oppression of women, racial identity and their struggles in a patriarchal society.