Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
In the wake of an eco-catastrophe, civilization has risen again in a form at once familiar and horrific. It is an age that has elevated Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents into a sacrament, justifying hideous death with the blessings of a twisted faith. All life is sacred until it is born. A woman's place is to submit, to obey. A woman's place is to give over her newborn for exposure on a hillside if the child is flawed in any way, even if it sborn the wrong sex. A woman's place is not to decide these things. One woman, Becca of Wiseways Stead, will not accept her place. Becca's desire for change forces her to ultimately confront her vision of herself as she was raised. But thought she is name a vessel of miracles by Gilber Livvy of the hidden tribes, will the secret she carries by miracle enough to redeem a world?
Tags
The Psalms of Herod: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This satirical dystopian novel contains disturbing themes of institutionalized infanticide, gender-based oppression, and twisted religious doctrine that mandates killing newborns deemed 'flawed.' The violence is conceptually intense despite humorous framing.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include child harm, death of child, and infanticide (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers interested in feminist SF and social commentary will appreciate this darkly satirical exploration of reproductive rights and religious extremism.