Even as I write this review I am unsure of whether I actually liked this book. Honestly it took me quite a while to get through it and because of this I found it very hard to connect with the story. Well that and because of the violence against women, this is not an easy read. Don’t get me wrong this book is very well written and often it read like poetry but don’t go into it thinking you will finish it feeling happy, you will definitely feel emotion, but not one of happiness.

Extasia is definitely an interesting read. The storyline is one of reclaiming power and finding your true family. This sounds very endearing and at times it was, but the journey to get there was very dark and extremely violent. Which I have no problem with but if you are someone that dislikes gore and graphic descriptions of violence then this is not the book for you.

I knew this story was based around religion but I didn’t realise just how deep it would go. Because of this I was often lost on what was happening as I didn’t understand some of the terminology used. If you are someone that is put off by religion in books then I suggest you keep a wide berth of Extasia. Religion is it’s main theme and it is not one born of kindness.

Women are treated especially badly, obviously this does not reflect the author's views nor does it make this a bad book, but it was quite unsettling. Once chosen to be a saint a woman will spend the rest of her days atoning for her neighbours sins through the form of physical abuse. Honestly it was shocking that these women could take so much abuse and never question their beliefs.

One part I did like was that even though this book is heavily steeped in religion it did have a few LGBTQ+ characters. These were not accepted by most, including the main character to begin with, but the inclusion of these characters were imperative to the story and lit the spark of “rebellion” that was desperately needed in Haven.

Surprisingly I had little to no interest in the ‘witches’ of this book. Usually magic is my favourite part of any book, but it didn’t excite me in any way. All magic used in this book was a form of violence. Again nothing against the violence but it did get a bit much at times.

There were a few instances of sexual acts by characters which I am 99% sure are minors. I know the main character is 16 which is legal in the UK but it made me uncomfortable nonetheless. Especially when some of these acts were committed by her younger sister. I do understand that these are used to show the corruption of men and how rigid their society is but it just didn’t sit right with me.

Honestly if it wasn’t for these scenes I probably would have enjoyed Extasia more, but they made me so uncomfortable and the fact they are minors is not something I can look past.

For this reason I will be rating Extasia a very generous three stars. It was very well written and the story had a lot of promise despite a slightly lacklustre ending.

I loved this so much and have nothing but praise for it. It was so haunting and well done. Bloody and raw and honest. The early copy I received describes this as a searing tale, and I absolutely agree. It was very difficult for me to put down because Claire Legrand's writing is both stunning and evocative. So many scenes felt visceral in how they were described and made me feel so wholeheartedly for these poor girls. It has excellent The VVitch vibes that will appeal to a lot of readers.

Amity is a character that goes through an incredible journey of self-discovery. When we first meet her, she is meek and desperate to fit into her village as a God-chosen Saint. Doubt has been cast on her family for years, ever since her mother brought the devil into Haven and coerced one of the elders into her marriage bed. And Amity believes every awful word said about her mother. As the story progresses, however, and Amity meets those responsible for the terrible deaths of the men in the village, her eyes are opened to the other paths she could take as a young woman. While told solely from her POV, there are other characters, such as the three Saints and Amity's little sister, that make this a lush story.

Religion has a huge role in this story, and it is bleak. It is very much male-centric and quite dark, so it is good to be aware of trigger warnings. The misogyny in this village is rampant and hard to swallow sometimes. Girls are betrothed to boys, are good only as wives and mothers, and cannot go anywhere alone. They cannot read, cannot write. The Saints have it the worst of all, but it takes Amity some time to understand this. For example, there is a regular gathering where the citizens of Haven physically take out their sins and frustrations on those poor girls. They are treated as tools, objects, to be used as the others please, and it can be quite upsetting. But all of this makes the ending so much more satisfying.

What attracted me most to this book was that it was another standalone horror. I read Sawkill Girls before this and found myself a little disappointed. Extasia exceeded all my expectations. The setting this story takes place in, along with the historical feel, gives it the perfect atmosphere for an intense novel. It's certainly not for someone looking for a light-hearted read, and it is much darker than Sawkill. There are vicious murders, terrifying ghosts, and seething witches that Legrand does not hold back from utilizing to their full extent.

My feelings about Extasia are complicated, though the more that I think about it the more I realize just how brilliant it is. This will not be the book for everyone. It is much darker and more violent than I had anticipated. There are some truly horrifying moments. I felt so many emotions while reading this book and I thought Claire Legrand handled it well. I loved Sawkill Girls, but Extasia felt like something completely different. I was so intrigued by the magic in here and there is some great commentary. I will say that I had a few issues with the pacing and felt that the story dragged in some places, but it was worth it. This is a book that I had to take my time with. It was too overwhelming. I definitely won't forget Extasia any time soon!

I had to request this book after seeing it presented at HccFrenzy presents. This was my first “YA horror” novel, and I really enjoyed it! This story was definitely dystopian meets witch and cult vibes. I loved reading something so different than my usual go-tos. The creepy descriptions were really well done and I felt the frustrations of all the characters. Would definitely read from this author again!

The beginning of this book immediately drew me in and started the book off super strong. The setting and world the book is set in is dark and much of the ways of this world are very twisted, especially towards women - as they are essentially punished for what has happened to the world.

The writing was super atmospheric and perfectly illustrated the world and characters. That being said, not everyone is going to like it. There are times that certain characters and their behavior don't exactly match with their personalities, but it wasn't quite enough to detract from the story itself.

Be aware that this story very much takes on themes of religion and misogyny. Women in some ways are treated as objects, nothing more and for many that may be hard to read.

If you're looking for dark horror that has a touch of weird, this will definitely fit the bill.

Extasia follows a girl on the cusp of becoming the saint Amity in a tight-knit oppressive community named Haven that formed after an apocalyptic event. Together with her three sisters, she will stand against the evil power that lives beneath the black mountain by serving as a vessel for the Elders to take their sins out on so they won’t hurt anyone else. But the community has been plagued by unnatural deaths that lead Amity to learn that there’s much more to Haven—and the Saints—than she thought. As Amity struggles with her new Sainthood and strange creatures start to haunt her every step, it’s up to Amity to either save her community— or burn it to the ground.

This was my first Legrand novel and I definitely get the hype about her writing now. For years, people have told me how atmospheric and downright chilling Legrand’s prose is and after reading Extasia, I can only agree: this woman knows what she’s doing.

What I love about these types of stories set in religious cults and what Legrand delivers on is the journey of self-discovery and disillusionment the protagonist goes through. Initially anticipating becoming a saint, Amity experiences tremendous disillusionment as she realises the victimisation (and violent glorification) of women, the abuse and misogyny they have to go through in the name of God—or what the community’s elders deem to be God’s will. These pages are filled with trauma, disillusionment, anger, and questioning everything you’ve ever learned in your life and it’s captivating to read about the protagonist going through all of it in part thanks to a string of killings that targets abusive men and women—and there are plenty of those in the community.

This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (and I deeply encourage you to read the trigger warnings, especially if religious trauma is one of those triggers) but even if you’re not in it for the topic (or, like me, are atheist and not too big on anything that involves religion in writing), there’s still so much to gain from this story. It’s hard following Amity and her blind faith, watching her be excited about becoming a vessel elders take out their violent aggression and devious deeds out on only to then be completely disillusioned. But this, of course, is also when the story gets interesting. The rage and disbelief Amity experiences and the way witchcraft and friendship are interwoven into the narrative as Amity tries to not only save herself from escaping abuse but helping others escape the oppressive nature of the cult that is Haven, is downright chilling.

While I would say that this book isn’t so much scary as it is gruesome, I still loved all the horror-esque vibes Extasia delivered. You can feel the underlying sense of dread and despair seeping from the pages and even the more grotesque aspects are described so lyrically that it’s hard to turn away from the writing even if you’re in need of a break from this dreary world. Speaking of, a welcome reprieve from the very dark elements of the story is the romance between the protagonist and a fellow saint. While I won’t spoil anything, I loved the vibes surrounding that slow build-up and it enhanced the immediacy of the stakes for me while reading.

Filled with a harrowing journey of disillusionment that will wreak havoc on your emotions, atmospheric writing, tons of female rage and a touch of magic, Extasia is perfect for fans of women-fight-back-narratives and Szpara’s First Become Ashes!

Extasia immediately excited me, while also simultaneously terrified me. There's something eerie from the very beginning. In this world deeply immersed in patriarchy and sexism, our heroine is trapped in a world where everything is either a test or deliverance. Extasia explores when we are firmly rooted in a belief, in a community, and one where questions and exploration is punished. A world in our future which has sprung into place, insidious and alluring.

The world building inspires fear, obedience, and rage all at once. Like so much of the echoes of our current world, it uses censure and stories to inspire fear and to silence women. Haven a word that is supposed to invoke shelter, becomes a story about unraveling the logs that form our fences. As our heroine must unravel the stories and lies around her, the action of Extasia sweeps you away in a frenzy. But what I loved most were the characters.

I'm not going to stop thinking about this one for awhile.

Part horror, part dystopia, part meditation on the cult of the patriarchy, the obsession with nostalgia for simpler times, and the harm that religion can do. This was way more than the cover blurb gives away. I really loved this.

Content warnings include but are not limited to: sexual assault, physical and mental abuse, violence, gore, gaslighting, religious trauma, etc.

Set in a world where the local religion controls everything, the protagonist is desperate to get her family's reputation back. Though she keeps being tempted by a power that seems out of reach, and easily caught. The writing is lyrical and the emotional turmoil of the characters are keenly felt.

I really loved this! No surprise here. I adore Claire Legrand's books. Incredible writing and world-building. I was definitely surprised by the twist though and am not sure how I feel about it.

Extasia
by Claire Legrand

In a village, Haven, the only one that God had spared lives a community where men rule and women are blamed for destroying the world, and thus are forbidden to do much of anything except serve their husbands/fathers, etc. They are forbidden to read, to speak their mind. And of the young girls who have not received their first blood four are chosen to be the saints, those who the villagers, teenager to adults, male and female, are free to abuse every visitation day, to slap, punch, kick, grope and spit at, so to punish all women for their supposed sins of the past and to free the villagers of their own sins and dark thoughts so they would not abuse others. 

This is an honor Amity, the MC, dreams of, because if chosen it would mean God has forgiven her family for the sins of her mother, and she hopes that her anointing will put an end to the horrendous murders of the village's men, their bodies left in vulgar displays outside the walls.

Within the first few pages I couldn't help but compare this story with the movie, “The Village”, but the movie was better. The religious cult abuse was irritating. If this had been in the blurb, I probably wouldn’t have requested an ARC copy from NetGalley. And for me, the blurb didn't really match up with the story.

The first-person writing wasn't bad, but the ramblings of the MC made for a very slow read. The monsters, the witches, all were so basic they were flat and I felt no connection with them. There was hardly any action and the descriptions were also basic, and the 'twist', which I was expecting, was so poorly presented it felt meaningless.

The story was left open enough that there could be another, but I would not be interested in reading it.

A very low 2 stars.

Claire Legrand has done it again with a fantastic horror book that deals with complex female relationships, especially mothers and their daughters. You are rooting for the young women of Haven and unsure what will happen next. The twists and turns intertwined with world-building make this a must-read and one you won't be able to put down.

Witches are real, and they have come to Haven to take revenge on men. Extasia follows a girl with many names as she faces the reality of her home, filled with deeply rooted misogynistic beliefs and practices, and discovers the power of Extasia and the witches who have been using it’s power to kill the men who have wronged them or any woman.

All our narrator has ever wanted was to be one of Haven’s four saints, four girls who are anointed and hear confession as well as take beatings during visitation, to allow the people of Haven to expel their sins. She has finally achieved her goal, enduring harsh and painful trials, and is about to be anointed Saint Amity, but the night before her anointing an old friend, the Saint Temperance, summons her to a meadow where our narrator witnesses Temperance kissing another of the Saints, Mercy. They warn her that being a Saint is not as glorious as she believes it will be, but believing that this is just on final trial (the other option is to horrible to imagine) she goes forward with her anointing and becomes Saint Amity. Unfortunately, the men of Haven are being brutally murdered, and despite her (and Haven’s) hope that anointing the fourth Saint will bring an end to the deaths, the murders only accelerate after Amity becomes a Saint. The people of Haven already despise Amity (due to the infidelity of her mother) and the deaths make them hate her even more deeply, calling her a child of the devil and evil, but Amity is still determined to stop the killing and save the people of her town. This quest leads her to a coven of witches, whom Mercy and Temperance have been learning from, living in a mysterious, but beautiful, forest called Avazel who she believes will help her, but when she learns they are the ones responsible for killing all the men, in hopes of summoning the devil, Amity decides her only hope is to summon the devil herself, before the witches can finish killing their sixteen men.

This book was long, spanning several parts that felt like they could have each been their own book, but the story was one worth reading. The treatment of women in the novel is very Handmaid’s Tale like, hard to read but not necessarily hard to believe. The elders of Haven claim that women caused the end of the World that Once Was, so they abuse the women of the town in the name of righting that wrong, and preventing the women from causing ruin again, using their religion to brainwash the citizens. It is only through spending time with the coven, and witnessing her friend burn alive, that Amity’s eyes are opened to the injustice of her home. Still she works to save Haven and the people living there, believing that some of them are good. Amity’s continued faith in her people in the face of the horrible things they do and have done to her is truly inspiring. It also provided a nice take on a feminist tale in which the efforts are not to destroy everything and everyone who has contributed to the misogynistic society, but rather to open the people’s eyes to the wrongs that they have been committing all along and rebuild a better society. Though the desire to destroy everything and everyone is still present in the novel through the witches who refuse to give up their vengeance.

Despite such a long book, the ending felt rushed. There was twist that came a bit out of nowhere and really didn’t serve much purpose other than to reveal that people suck even if they didn’t grow up in the twisted Haven. I understand that the girls in the story are headed to this twist the entire time, but it still felt unnecessary. The other twist that is revealed toward the end, which reveals where Extasia (the power the witches as well as Amity and her friends use) comes from, however, is amazing. I was extremely happy with this twist, though it was a bit confusing how Amity came to the conclusion.

Extasia is a book about witches, and a book about sexism taken to the extreme, but it is mostly a book about female relationships. Temperance and Mercy aren’t the only two girls experimenting with their sexuality in this novel. Amity also strikes up a romance with Saint Silence that is wholesome and exciting at the same time. Romantic relationships are not the only important relationships displayed in Extasia, we also see the power of friendship, sisterhood, and the tenuous relationship between mother and daughter. It’s dystopia, it’s witches, it’s LGBTQ+, and it’s Claire Legrand; you can’t really go wrong here.

This title will be featured in Fangoria magazine's Nightmare Library column for the January 2022 issue (#14). Please contact this reviewer directly for a in-house copy of the writeup. Thank you!

I loved some of the ideas at play here (very The Year of the Witching meets Handmaid's Tale) but the execution just didn't match up. Which is especially a shame since I've loved most of what I've read by Claire LeGrand. But the story just dragged and dragged on in the Neo-Puritan cult with Amity trying to figure out her magic powers and the story didn't really get interesting until the last 20%. A shame, but maybe others will feel differently.

A young girl has finally been anointed to sainthood. Though she is young, a prepubescent teenager, it has been her life's goal to be anointed. Amity is her new name. Saint Amity. She is one of four saints in a small town called Haven. It's the only town left in the world after wars and famine, all caused by women, destroyed the world. Only the four saints can keep Haven safe from the evil that plagues the town, killing the men one by one. Or so everyone has been taught. Amity learns that she has been lied to when she encounters a group of women who have gathered from around the world. What's more, they can perform magic by drawing on the power of Extasia. Extasia has great things planned for Amity and her friends, and the power never lies.

Haven is a small town that is built on extreme religious beliefs. Beliefs that are rooted in misogyny. The saints of Haven must endure terrible, horrifying ordeals at the hands from the community. Though the saints must always be young girls, they hold no power. The power of Haven lies with the elders, all men. The world that Legrand crafted could have easily felt tired and over-wrought, another attempt to a recreate Puritanical community, but the richness in details surrounding the community's religious beliefs breathe new life into the world.

Amity's development as a character is not linear. She grows and regresses. She has doubts that she sometimes leans into and sometimes rejects. The entire time though she learns to rely on herself, to trust herself. That process is not an easy one for anybody, let alone a teenager who is being forced to reevaluate her entire worldview; I appreciated that Amity didn't have a clear character progression. Though Amity was all over the place, the characterization never felt wishy washy. I was engaged with Amity's journey the entire novel.

The narration, however, was difficult to engage with. The style of language was vaguely Old-World-y. Instances of "'tis" and a lack of contractions, for example. However, this stylistic language choice wasn't present enough to fully fall into. There were just enough quirks from modern English to notice but not enough to envelope me.

I am very sorry, but I was very unhappy with this book. It was painful to read with so many triggers I could not even get through the first 30% without having to put it down and give up. The way the women are treated and blamed, how severely Amity is brainwashed and abused. It was painful and almost unreadable. I understand that it is a horror book and so I suppose that’s the point, but that did not make it any easier to get through. It made me uncomfortable and uneasy, and well, if you are a Christian, it is frankly offensive. I understand that religion can be a tool to control others, but that does not mean I want to read a book that submerges itself in anger and hatred against religion. What I read was skillfully written and related (hence two stars), but it was just not something enjoyable-- even as a horror novel. It was claustrophobic and painful to read. Once I put the book down after the first third, I didn't want to pick it back up.

Where does one begin with this hauntingly beautiful tale of a girl, her faith, her power and her desire to save those she loves? Extasia is magic, born from the suffering, pain and blood of women who have died. The girl who will be named Saint Amity is one of four girls in the small village of Haven who have been chosen by god and the elders of the community to be symbols of piety and faith to those who live there. But being a saint has a darker side. They must endure the fists and scorn of those encouraged to purge their anger upon these girls to rid themselves of their impure thoughts.
The townsfolk of Haven have been taught for generations that they are the last surviving people of Earth. Chosen by God to learn from the past and live pious lives to appease the Lord. But something sinister is afoot in Haven, several men have been killed in horrific, un-natural ways and the town believes it is the power of Satan at the root of this evil. Amity soon discovers another power outside their small village, a power knowns as Extasia. Amity decides she will do whatever it takes to protect her village, even if it means taking on Satan himself.
This book was phenomenal, I loved the world building, the characters, the magic system is fascinating and the surprise twist in the storyline was fantastic! I loved it and I cannot wait for the next book! It certainly left off with more twists to come. Highly recommend!

This novel had so much promise, but I just fell flat. The narrative was disjointed and emotionless. It was incredibly difficult to relate to any of the characters. By the end of the book.,i didn't care what happened to Amity/Rage.

Thank you for the advanced copy!

I found the plot compelling, but the writing itself was a little challenging for me - particularly the protagonist's inner monologue.