Very thought provoking

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Novel is set in present time somewhere in the desert between California and Nevada, in a secluded settlement called New Jerusalem. Daniel, a self-proclaimed leader and a prophet, declared that God communicates directly through him and his visions. Through the decades of preaching, he was able to gather around a set of very devoted followers who never question anything he says or does. Eventually, Daniel brought his followers to New Jerusalem, to live by God's word and by the Bible, and to completely shut out the "Outside" with all it's sins, violence, greed, etc.

This is the world in which our main character, Miriam, was born and grew up. She's never been outside of the New Jerusalem, she doesn't know what's outside of it's walls, all she knows is that "Outside" is be feared and that she should never ever do anything that will get her banished to said "Outside". Right now she is a happy 16-year old, who is awaiting her Marriage Ceremony. All her life she was told that God will tell her who her husband will be, she will see him in her dreams. And Miriam saw Caleb, a boy who "talked" to her (communication between different sexes is strictly prohibited in this community, unless it's your own family members. However, Caleb found a way to send her sweet messages and Miriam is positive he is meant for her and she is meant for him). During a Marriage Ceremony a man (actually, a boy) calls a girl's name and that's who will become his wife (girls do not have a choice). Miriam is sure Caleb will call her name and they will be married in no time. However, something goes wrong, and another boy, Aaron, calls her name. Aaron and his family are still considered to be outsiders, since they joined their community only recently. Miriam is shocked and confused. Is it possible that God made a mistake by showing Caleb in her dreams? Will Daniel realize this is a mistake and stop the ceremony? Will Caleb now pick a different girl to be her wife? Why did Aaron call her name? Who Aaron really is?

The plot thickens as Miriam slowly start finding answers to those questions. Not everything is nice and peachy in their utopian community. It is possible that Miriam was lied to all her life?

This was a very interesting read. It is told from two perspectives: Caleb and Miriam. New Jerusalem is a very patriarchal community with clearly defined gender roles. So, it was a great choice, in my opinion, to give us both, a male and a female narratives. You can see how different their roles and responsibilities within community are, and at the same time you can see how similar their lives are. Despite the fact that women have absolutely no voice in Daniel's cult, men do not have that much freedom either.