Book Review: The Year of the Witching

 The Year of the Witching takes place in the fictional town of Bethel. The inhabitants visit the cathedral on the Sabbath to confess their sins, sacrifice a lamb (yep), and stay away from the Darkwoods inhabited by evil witches. 

“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.” 

-Penguin Random House publisher blurb

With an influx of witches and witch-imagery flooding popular culture right now, I was skeptical when I picked up The Year of the Witching, Alexis Henderson’s debut novel. I grew up on The Craft, Hocus Pocus, and Harry Potter, so I’m all for some magical mischief but my recent delve into witchy-themed books have felt uninspired. Nothing seemed to stand out and they all felt like the same regurgitated Sabrina the Teenage Witch plot/character/world. 

This book, however, is not that. It is something much darker, gorier, and layered than the other fluff. It felt like a mix between Lords of Salem (but way better and more cohesive) and The VVitch (but with more action and actual witches showing up), with POC for main characters (woo!!). 

The Year of the Witching deals with many themes, such as racism and misogyny in an almost “undercover” way. The story is engrossing, led by strong Immanuelle, so that the reader becomes aware of these themes and issues at the same time as Immanuelle. As she starts to understand her lineage and powers, the reader sees the faults in the treatment of the women of Bethel, the motivation of the dark witches in the woods and the true nature of the Prophet and his followers. It made me think further on my position as a woman, especially in my community, in my beliefs about religion and my personal spiritual practice. 

I enjoyed the plot and adored Immanuelle! Even when her community spited her and wanted to throw her on the pyre, she stood up and fought for them. Also the relationship between her and the Prophet’s son Ezra was my favorite. 

I’m hoping for more information on her family heritage and the origin of her powers in the sequel, The Dawn of the Coven. 

BEWARE! SPOILERS AHEAD!

I’m always sympathetic to the creepy, misunderstood characters and felt that the witches were just in their want for revenge against the prophet. I wanted Immanuelle to be the living counterpart to the witches’ coven and find some mystical power from the woods. Maybe that will show up in the next book?

SPOILER-FREE HERE ON OUT!

Final Verdict:

A great reader for fans of historical, speculative fiction with a spooky side. This would be a perfect read for a cozy fall day with a side of hot apple cider and a black cat in your lap. Read this before the sequel comes out this winter!