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Cover of The Psalms of Herod

The Psalms of Herod

Esther M. Friesner (1995)

SubgenreHumorous Sci-Fi
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Standard (250-400))
SeriesPsalms of Herod #1
Setting
CSM age18+
Goodreads3.92

Content levels

ViolenceStrong
Sexual contentMild
LanguageModerate

Trigger warnings

Child HarmDeath of ChildInfanticideReligious ExtremismMisogynyForced BirthChild AbandonmentTheocratic OppressionGender-Based Violence

Positive tags

Redemption ArcSelf-DiscoveryHopeful EndingFound Family

Tropes

Post-ApocalypticDystopiaReluctant HeroMorally Gray ProtagonistRebellionSocial SFReligious DystopiaFeminist Resistance

Themes

Religious ExtremismReproductive RightsGender OppressionResistance and RebellionFaith vs MoralityAutonomyMaternal ChoiceClass StrugglePower and Corruption

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

Feminist SFSocial CommentaryDark SatireDystopian