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A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy debut.

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.

yikes. my library book is already past due - looks like I'll have to start this one early!

Starting this now!

The Beast: (view spoiler)[Okayyyyy, I'm intrigued. (hide spoiler)]

Darn, I'll be late!
My book won't be here until tomorrow!

Trisha wrote: "Darn, I'll be late!
My book won't be here until tomorrow!"

Aw :( Well a day late isn't that bad.

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Wow. A lot happened in this part. I most definitely do not like the preacher. Yeah, he sucks ass and needs to go. I do like Immanuelle so far and she has great chemistry with Ezra too. I just think finding out about herself while still following the lows of the church.. might be difficult. Still interested though. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[This village will never be a destination point for me. Nope. I hate it so much. I also wasn't expecting that betrayal either. Why is Martha being so cruel? SHE IS FAMILY!

ALSO why is having books treason?!?! This place sucks. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[I'm glad that Ezra has stepped up but dang, he is at risk. She is at risk. Now we got a witch trial. Color me shocked but I still don't like the Prophet. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 it's about time these people stand up to the dumb ass Prophet. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Okay! This was a lot of fun and flew by. Hot damn! I loved the fight with Lilith and the epilogue has left me wanting more. Definitely need the next book whenever that comes out. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

oooh this one is SO good so far
(view spoiler)[ OMG these plagues are disturbing right? the blood water, UGH and now these kids smashing their heads. Wild stuff!

and the witches or women in the water and the things she's seen/experienced in the wood. It's wild and I'm not 100% sure where this is going

I agree, the chemistry between these two is good and I'm enjoying it
but I can't help but think Immanuelle is going to rise up as a witch and be a rival as opposed to ally with Ezra, only because he won't actually be able to change much, even as the new prophet..... (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

oooh this one is SO good so far..."

You have some good points but I’m not going to spoil anything

Alaina wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]

OOOOH man(view spoiler)[ I didn't think it was possible to like Ezra more but I really do. he's just so good

but that prophet guy, he's gross
and I agree with Immanuelle. It's really hard not to wish the wraths of these plagues on these a-holes..... Their past of killing women and using them is just awful

and Martha. what a horrible person she is. How could she do that? She didn't even ask where she was going. With all the curses and blight - how can she not just communicate? why can no one communicate?! lol I'm really liking it so far. Darkness sounds like it's going to be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. I hope Ezra's okay

oh and I'm sad about Leah. what a horrible way and reason to die. the prophet sucks and I hope he gets his due by the time this is done..... (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]

OOOOH man..."

Plagues for everyone.

I am loving this story so very very much
I can feel Immanuelle's rage at her discoveries and I am SO. HERE. FOR. IT.

(view spoiler)[ I hope she pushes these plagues out to all these shifty crappy prophets and men that hurt, doom and destroy these women, young girls - all the females of their flock.
So tired of men doing this to us - through all the histories.

and Ezra. Ugh, don't let him die. If he dies, this book gets a 1 star and a floor spike lol (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

OMG I loved this one too!!!(view spoiler)[ I absolutely loved Immanuelle and yes, I will definitely be re-reading this before we get book 2.

I wonder how this town will play out - waiting for the next year. Will they learn? or will they seek Blood for Blood again? Can they truly let women be an equal in the town? Or will they need to squash them again, so men can rise up? Ugh, so many interesting questions
I love Ezra and am so glad it lived. lol

and the prophet - I can't believe in the end he tried to STILL blame her for it. So glad that some...or most of them saw through it....although did they just want blood and revenge for those they'd lost? ooooh can't wait for book 2!! (hide spoiler)]

Year of the Dawn. I'm sooo ready for it!

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RESTARTING OCTOBER 26TH, 2023

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I overcommitted to buddy reads, but I do intend to start this one soon.

Will be reading this after finishing my planned reads.

This was amazing!

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[This is a strange one ngl, I am intrigued but also a bit uncomfortable - it all reads like a straight up cult fiction and those scare me to say the least. The prophet immediately gave off evil vibes to me and I am guessing the two women in the forest may have been the lover witches? I am curious to see how everyone was completely brainwashed into believing in the Prophet and following all these strict rules (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[Ezra and Immanuelle's partnership is peculiar imo considering he is the Prophet's son and Immanuelle is doing everything that is considered a sin in Bethel. The Blood plague is such a strange phenomenon and I am wondering if the ram was the blood sacrifice needed to bring it about. Immanuelle getting her bleeds right after visiting Lilith in the forest is suspicious too. I am completely enthralled by the book (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[This is getting even mysterious with every chapter and I am loving every second of it. It is unlike any witch book I have read before, The blight is upon Bethel and Immanuelle has no idea how to make the plagues stop. The revelation about her mother is bound to be hurtful although I am not inclined to believe she was evil. The Prophet on the other hand is very much so, him getting Leah pregnant is absolutely disgusting. I feel bad for Ezra because he is stuck being the heir (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33: (view spoiler)[Yikes why is everyone so brainwashed about the prophet, I am not saying what Immanuelle's mom did to her was right but it seems like she was fighting against the evil people who spread the propaganda about witches and put them on trials. Ezra has fallen in love with Immanuelle definitely otherwise why would he defend her at the trial. I am excited to see how she manages to save him (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ WOW this was such a good book and has left me pumped for the sequel. I wonder if the town has truly accepted Immanuelle or would they rebel against her once evrything settles down. I was afraid for a second that Ezra wouldn't make it however it was a breath of relief when he survived. I especially liked how Immanuelle was ready to sacrifice herself for him. the Prophet was one weak human, so happy that the world is rid of him at last (hide spoiler)]

Starting this one after I finish my current read.

Okay whoa this is so good, once again laughing at myself for delaying this one, but so glad I had this overdue buddy read to push me to finally read it.
Chapter Seven
(view spoiler)[ I'm worried about Leah with the Prophet he seems like a horrible human being. The religion in this is fascinating and I'm very curious to understand what Imanuelle will bring, what exactly it is her mother knew. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twelve
(view spoiler)[ Oh wow, this is not good. I feel really bad for Imanuelle, she didn't intend that blood sacrifice and I am very certain that another one is not going to fix this and will only make it worse, maybe bringing on the next one. I'm wondering whether these gods truly are evil or if in actuality the dominant religion is the oppressive sinful one. Very curious to see where this goes. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty-Four
(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Immanuelle, her mother made her into the curse like wtf. Way to mtake away her autonomy. Now what is she supposed to do? Also I know this would be too easy but I would really like it if slaughter was just her slaughtering the prophet, he deserves it. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Okay, whoa I was not expectign where that went but it was so good. Yes for Immanuelle slaughtering the evil gods. Showing mercy to the prophet was totally the right call even thought I would have enjoyed if she killed him, he was dying anyway and they are trying to usher in a new era. (hide spoiler)]
What a fantastic read. Horror is not my thing at all but this was the right blend for me to enjoy it.