Carol, the less said about the other cover, the better. I’m glad that the cover was changed (the one I have up is the final one). When I began reading this, I did see it as first as a version of our world, but with the religious aspects being so different, I realized quickly it wasn’t so switched how i was reading (i.e., less, “oh, this is a version of Europe” and more “oh, this is where the country is in this book.”) One thing I liked about the religion here — Elisa was observant, but because the religion is not a version of a current religion, it allows the reader to enter into Elisa’s experience without bringing bias or expectations into it.

Shayera, I’m with you, pushing as many people to read this book and then get others to read it!

Also really enjoyed the book and appreciate your comments on the role of religion. I struggled a bit with that aspect as I kept making connections to our present world that didn’t fit. I liked the scriptures that she reads and the efficacy of praying for guidance. We have so few books that reflect a spiritual journey, and this clearly is as much a spiritual journey for Elisa as she learns to balance her trust in her religion with her own need for action.