YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

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Date changed. Restarting October 10th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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I’ll join you guys as my hold came in.

Krystal wrote: "I’ll join you guys as my hold came in."

Awesome!

25%(view spoiler)[ Okay this is not what I expected. I didn't think there would be super a strong religious aspect. The society of Bethel gives me the wiles, not a fan. (hide spoiler)]

50%(view spoiler)[ I love how dark the witches are. It seems like Imanuelle's mom might have gone mad when she started using magic like the witches. I'm really sad Leah didn't make it through this book :( (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[I'm really glad Imanuelle found her grandmother! Hearing her family history like that must've been heart breaking. I love that Ezra is on Imanuelle's side too, he's a really good friend to her. I hope he will be okay (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Wow what an ending. I'm sad for Abraham. I really liked him. But I'm also happy the rest of Imanuelle's family is safe. Sucks that the witches had to die, I kind of wish there had been a way for them to survive and become a force of good, even though that's not what they were about. The showdown with Lilith was incredible. Really liked the hopeful ending (hide spoiler)]