BENEATH A BETHEL BY APRIL-JANE ROWAN : BOOK REVIEW



BLURB 


Every youth of Elbridge remembers their Floris, the holy ceremony where their teeth are pulled out with pliers. It marks their ascension into adulthood and their right to have new porcelain teeth, ones that are embedded with magic, that grant the ability to make wishes.


Angora's Floris will be upon the banks of the Eldwen river, the communal ceremony befitting his station. However he longs to remember his ceremony for the splendour of the Bethel, wreathed in candle light, drooping flowers and holy hymns.


Seeking to fulfil his dream leaves him the victim of violence and an outcast from society, living on its fringes until a chance meeting brings him to the heart of the Masters Guild, the place teeth are made. Learning secrets he never thought he’d be privy too, he eventually discovers the dark cost of their tradition.


Beneath A Bethel is a dark horror fantasy, set in a harsh, snow-covered city that hides its brutality with pageantry.


REVIEW 


This story follows a young man named Angora, who was brutally tricked and robbed of his teeth by his lover, Gillis. But not just any teeth, but teeth infused with magic that he was  to be gifted at his Floris, a coming of age holy ceremony.


The world building was unique and spun very beautifully. It touched upon gothic, horror and macabre themes.

The creatures are beings of a magical  world with fur and ram like horns.

I was captivated by Angora's journey of overcoming betrayal to acceptance and to finding a way to fit in. But soon he stumbles upon a web of dark secrets that opens a can of worms that shouldn't have been opened.


The overall storyline was compelling and I was quickly engaged in the beautiful universe spun by this author.

The characters, though fantasy were relatable and well fleshed out. The author's writing style was compelling and appealed to me.

I also loved the beautiful illustrations included in the book.


If you like a gothic, dark, coming of age fantasy novella with a beautifully spun universe, this is for you.







Grab yours here



 

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