It’s been a while since I’ve read truly good paranormal fiction, and The Year of the Witching is exactly the kind of fast-paced, terrifying, and witchy story I needed. The premise promises a deliciously dark and twisted tale of social revolution set in a dystopian world, and Henderson does not disappoint.
The child born of an illicit union between a dark-skinned Outskirter and the daughter of one of the apostles, Immanuelle Moore has kept her head down for years, quietly following the Holy Protocol like all the women in Bethel, and doing her best not to follow in the footsteps of her mother. However, during an accidental (or was it?) trip into the mysterious Darkwood, Immanuelle receives a gift from the witches residing there- her long dead mother’s diary. Immanuelle finds out that her mother had once sought the help of the witches to wreak vengeance on the Prophet for sending her lover to the pyre. As she discovers grim truths about the Church, for the first time, Immanuelle begins to really question the Scriptures and the rules people in Bethel have always put blind faith upon, and the religion that has led to the merciless killings of generations of innocent women.
Henderson blends the supernatural with the real, expertly and ingeniously using dark witchcraft, sigils, and magical plagues to weave in real world themes and issues like racism, the oppression and silencing of women, and religious abuse. Her prose is bewitching in itself, I just couldn’t get enough of her words. The narrative pulls you in right from the beginning and doesn’t leave any room for other thoughts in your head the entire time you spend reading this book. Even though the chapters are kept short, Henderson knows just where to end a chapter to keep you turning pages in nail-biting anticipation as you keep expecting the worst to happen.
The Year of the Witching is the best kind of horror/paranormal fiction, and not just because the bleak, eerie setup and the graphic depiction of the horrors of the Darkwood will haunt your dreams for days to come. The true horror of this story lies in the brutally honest way Henderson describes the atrocities committed in the name of religion and the cruelties of the society that’s complicit for never questioning or opposing the system, and in the somewhat detached way she talks of Bethel’s regular life surrounded by blood sacrifices and slaughters, of people being burned alive on pyres, young girls dying in childbirth, and the Prophet carving his mark on the forehead of every bride he takes; because these things are entirely commonplace for those living in Bethel.
The best thing about Henderson’s debut, however, is its iron-willed, multi-layered heroine. All her life, Immanuelle Moore has been abused and looked down upon for the dark colour of her skin that’s considered unholy, and she’s so real and human in a way not a lot of protagonists in fiction manage to be. As a female main character, Immanuelle is a breath of fresh air since she doesn’t begin as tough, rebellious, or gutsy and doesn’t reinforce the strong female character stereotype that makes you want to tear all your hair out. Yes, she sees the flaws in her society and yes, she’s dauntless in her quest to find the power within herself and free Bethel from the clutches of the true evil, but she’s also kind and introspective and vulnerable and deeply caring. I also loved the way Henderson handles complex family dynamics and explores Immanuelle’s various relationships, whether it’s the bumpy one she has with her grandmother or the budding friendship between her and the Prophet’s son, Ezra. There’s also a beautifully rendered and very well fleshed-out romance that you can’t help rooting for!
In conclusion, if you’re on the lookout for a strong, dark, and unapologetically feminist witchy story, this is a book you definitely want on your bookshelf! And if you’ve read and loved Moïra Fowley-Doyle’s All the Bad Apples and since finishing the book been in a state of utter despair because no other book will ever be that good (you’re not alone), I’m pretty sure The Year of the Witching is going to be your cure.
The Year of the Witching is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 21st 2020.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
