Bethel Series by Alexis Henderson

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... moreA 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. less

In her new role as Bethel's warden, Immanuelle struggles to unify her people and reckon with the strange new gifts she's wielded since the Slaughter; the community seethes with unrest. Worse still, Immanuelle's nights are haunted with gruesome dreams of Bethel's violent destruction.When a band of wounded refugees from beyond the Wall comes to Bethel seeking sanctuary, Immanuelle realises that her nightmares of fire and blood are more than figments . . moreIn her new role as Bethel's warden, Immanuelle struggles to unify her people and reckon with the strange new gifts she's wielded since the Slaughter; the community seethes with unrest. Worse still, Immanuelle's nights are haunted with gruesome dreams of Bethel's violent destruction.When a band of wounded refugees from beyond the Wall comes to Bethel seeking sanctuary, Immanuelle realises that her nightmares of fire and blood are more than figments . . . they're prophecies of a coming war so brutal, it will make the horrors of the Slaughter seem tame in comparison.Desperate to prevent these visions from becoming reality, Immanuelle embarks on a secret mission beyond the Wall, hoping to negotiate peace with the atheistic city-state of Hebron before the war can begin in earnest. Her quest takes her through war-ravaged wilds, ruined cities, and mountains teeming with hostile tribes . . . all the way to Hebron, where she meets two ruthless Grand Magisters - brother and sister - who are beind this war on superstition and mysticism.Welcomed as a guest of the Grand Magisters' court, Immanuelle enters a dangerous world of politics and intrigue, where reason is prised, religion feared, and magic is outlawed on penalty of death. But as she works to stop the war, her powers continue to manifest, threatening to expose her true nature to the Grand Magisters, who would see her burned. Then negotiations fall apart, and Immanuelle realises that the only way she can end the war is to win it. less