Book Review: The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

The Year of the Witching Release Date: 21st July 2020
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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.

I was hoping to enjoy The Year of the Witching a whole lot more than I did. I think marketing it as a horror book may be slightly misleading, as I personally feel that it’s more of a fantasy book. Of course, the lines get a bit blurred with stories like this though!

My main issue with The Year of the Witching was the incredibly slow start. The beginning really dragged, and there was nothing to really grip me, no hint of things to come, and I was finding it quite a quiet read for the first 25%. Because I failed to get attached to the book at the start, the last 75% of the book kind of lost me.

I’ve seen the word “meandering” used to describe this book and I have to say I agree.

That said, I was very much intrigued by the themes in this book and also by the idea of a sequel. I think the author could do a great job with it if the writing is tightened up a little and the characters are developed more.