The Tithe

by Elle Hill

“Every seven years, seven persons from each of the ten towns must go into the desert, where they will enter into the realm of Elovah, their God.”

No one knows exactly what happens to these seventy Tithes, but everyone knows who: the “unworkables,” those with differing physical and mental capacities. Joshua Barstow, raised for twenty years among her town’s holy women, is one of these seventy Tithes. She is joined by the effervescent Lynna, the scholarly Avery, and the amoral Blue, a man who has spent most of his life in total solitude.

Each night, an angel swoops down to take one of their numbers. Each night, that is, except the first, when the angel touches Josh… and leaves her. What is so special about Josh? She doesn’t feel special; she feels like a woman trying to survive while finally learning the meanings of friendship, community, and love.

How funny that she had to be sacrificed to find reasons to live.

Genres: Fantasy, Amazon, Ebooks, Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2014

About the author

Born in Idaho during the height of disco, Elle Hill now pens novels while rocking out to Donna Summer and KC and the Sunshine Band. She worked in Idaho for several years as a secretary and journalist before moving to California and selling her soul to academia. After receiving her PhD in Sociology, Elle Hill became a not-so-mild-mannered college instructor by night and a community activist during the remainder of her waking hours. Always a journalist and writer at heart, one of her favorite pastimes includes publishing satires on the political state of the world; some of her thoughts are posted on her blog at ellehillauthor.blogspot.com/.

Finally, Elle urges everyone to become a superhero and adopt their next non-human companion from a local animal shelter.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. It has a message to it, but I didn't find it at all preachy. Instead, it seemed, like Josh herself, compassionate. And curious. And thought-provoking. Would definitely read a sequel.

[Janice Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Never before have I read anything like this wonderful book. As a "disabled" ABLE woman it was a balm on my heart. I had polio at two years of age, and as a result will wear braces the rest of my life. Now I am 64 years old. Thank God for your encouragement. The compassion of those who live with pain everyday for those who are just coming to the understanding of their OWN limitations. All I can say is WOW and THANK YOU for giving us a voice through this book.

[Preili Pipar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ei teagi, millest kohe alustada. Põhimõtteliselt on lugu sellest, kuidas on 10 linna, kes iga aasta peavad annetama ühe inimese oma jumalale Elovah’ile. Need annetused tehakse iga 7 aasta järel (ehk siis kokku 70 inimest), et olla jumalale meelepärane ja et tema viha ei tabaks neid nii nagu juhtus kunagi ammu Kaheteistkümnega. Kaheteistkümne loo alusel on kirjutatud ka nende linnade püha raamat Bitoran, mis on kogu elukorralduse aluseks. Mis teeb loo huvitavaks on see, et inimesed, kes ohverdatakse on kas puudega või hälbega või tööks mitte kõlbulikud (vähemalt siis selle linna arvates). Lugu lähebki õite käima sellest kohast, kus need 70 inimest viiakse kõrbesse, kus nad arvasid, et neid ootab põhimõtteliselt suremine kas kuumuse või janu kätte. Tegelikult viiakse nad aga hoopis maa-alusesse punkrisse, kus neid hakkab iga õhtu külastama ingel, kes viib ühe isiku ära. Isikute hulgast kerkib esile tütarlaps Josh, kelle puue seisneb üksnes jalgades (raskused liikumisel), kuid kes on muidu väga tark ja kaastundlik. Kui inimesed saavad aru, et neil on siiski jäänud veel mõned päevad, nädalad või paar kuud elada (kellel kui palju olenevalt, millal ingel ta kaasa viib), hakkavad nende väärtushinnangutes toimuma muutused nt elada tuleb kohe ja miks mitte olla õnnelik nüüd ja praegu jne. Autoril on see väga põnevasti lahendatud, kuidas selle ingli töö hakkab mõjutama inimeste omavahelisi suhteid, psüühikat ja kuidas saadakse hakkama sellistes piiratud tingimustes nagu neil seal punkris on.
Igatahes on lõpp väga huvitav, kui selgub, et kõik on tegelikult üksnes meie enda mõtetes kinni ja Bitoran, püha raamat, mis kandis endas ultimaatset tõde, on tegelikult üksnes vahend sotsiaalse kontrolli hoidmiseks. Ütleme siis nii, et Josh saab valgustatud ja sealt edasi tuleb juba huvitav lahendus, mille ette ütlemisega ei tahaks raamatu lõppu ära rikkuda.

[Eugenie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started to read this but did not appreciate all the apparently bibical references which have absolutely nothing to do with the Bible or the Christian faith so it is not for me and I won't be continuing.

[Traci Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in so completely that I found myself getting irritated that I had other things to do instead of reading. As it was, there were a few nights when we usually would have watched TV, but I asked if I could read instead. :)

I found a number of themes in this book: What it means to be an "unworkable" (and why did the townsfolk cast them off when they seemed to function just fine?), explaining social norms, developing friendships and love, interpreting religion, dealing with pain on a daily basis, and (most importantly for me) dealing with impending death. How people react in that situation always fascinates me and makes me wonder how I would react. Would I be whiny and beg, like the woman in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson? If I was aboard the Titanic, would I pick up my violin and start playing again or push people behind me so I would have a better chance at getting on the lifeboat? If I was in the underground bunker in The Tithe, which of the characters would I be like? I'd like to think I'd be like Josh, because she says out loud stuff I could imagine me thinking and has tons of questions about everything.

I really like that the author wrote this from the perspective of someone who is in pain all the time. I'm in pain quite a bit and have seen how my daily activities have declined, and I'm sometimes despondent over it. I've been getting better about it, and I think this book will help me continue to (mentally) heal.

I usually don't discuss what I read with my husband unless a book is really good, really bad, or otherwise notable. We have had several discussions about The Tithe, and I like sharing this with him.

This is a book I will read again and again, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book but think it is more of a sci-fi/fantasy story. There is a strong relationship between characters but the thing that grips me as a reader is the situation the characters find themselves in and their growth. It is a thinky story. Examining belief systems and how societies are created.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complex work, “The Tithe” is a dystopia centered on tithes thrown into a bunker as a sacrifice.

Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow! What a spectacular and profound story! Their was such complexity yet simplicity to the storyline all in one. The society of humanity as a whole was and is completely flawed and man made to control the masses. It's always been that way. The religious beliefs of the story was typical of any religious society and their beliefs. But the storyline of Joshua's becoming of self awareness, and divine enlightenment of knowing more and wanting more. Blue the angel was such a teaching moment, and his interaction with one selfless woman changed the course of his existence. Joshua's sacrifices, and Blue's protective went hand in hand. It was ethical and moral for her to continue to be protected and to live as long as possible. Joshua continued to pray to her Elovah for people she barely knew, she was persecuted for just being a good person. The people she had the most faith in turned against her, and in the end she saved them. She gave up the life after of no more pain to go back and suffer the unkown with some ungrateful folks. I especially liked the fact in conclusion that the elevator worked in the end. No one tried it after the first time, and was told it would be shutdown. They were so trained to believe whatever that they gave not one second thought they could leave at anytime. Yes, the sacrifice were real,the angels real,but the right to choose their own fate was always their. Most of those people who were considered different were suffering, but most probably didn't have much longer to live but they shouldn't have been sacrifices. This book had many layers, and I enjoyed the introspective and retrospective partaking of it all!

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the time to enter the world of The Tithe and you will not be disappointed. This is a story about sacrifice although it is a forced sacrifice it is still just that. In order to appease a god it has been decided that a tithe must be paid every 7 years and the town leaders chose who will go. This book will take you on a journey into self discovery both of the characters and if you are lucky yourself. It is a solid story about faith, love and friendships. Oh, and let us not forget those who would bring harm to others in order to control the outcome. There is a lesson within these pages. It will be different for each of us as for me the lesson is that each of us are given the ability to control and shape the world that we chose to be a part of. We can either be wholly a part of it and give the best of us or be removed from it only watching from a distance never knowing the fullness of life. Highly recommend that this be on your “to be read” list. Thank you Ellie Hill for inspiring me to think.

[Hurdie Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I read this book

I love the premise. How agonizing would it be to be locked in a bunker waiting for an angel to come for you? But hope springs eternal and love can be found in the most dire situation.
Some details needed addressing such as what did you do with the dead bodies for thirty day in this closed environment? But I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading and I found myself praying for a happy ending for Josh and Blue. I will look for more from this author.

[Kei · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh man, this started off SO WELL. An interesting dystopian storyline with decent world building and an unusual heroine. About half way in things moved steadily from predictable through boring to 'will finish this purely to see how bad she messes up the ending' --- which she did. Won't say more because spoilers, but - what a cop out. Author has potential but still has a way to go.

[Debra-ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant is the first word I thought of when I finished this book. Ms. Hill shows compassionate understanding of those who are marginalized, living with pain, differently abled and coping with chronic and terminal conditions. Throw in the psychological control of blind religious beliefs and you have an interesting and fascinating story.

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusually different

This story was pretty good. It starts out as dystopian religious kind of story. It is that kind of story with a little love story. Josh, who is considered an unworkable, is made a tithe to be sacrificed to "appease" God. While waiting to die she ends up living and loving more than any other time in her twenty years. There were some surprises in this story.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking read

I could imagine this happening, unfortunately. I have chronic back pain. So I've seen times where I could picture an unproductive, even if temporarily, person feeling useless.

[Gwen Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

The Author did a magnificent job of character building and how much they grow and develop. I grew to really care about them. This book is not only interesting to read, it also makes you think. Long after you're done reading it.

[Teresa Younce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking. Loved the author's note at the end. Well done.

Engaging and meant to cultivate deep thoughts in the reader. Unique story. Sad to read the final sentence and leave this universe.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose

Elle Hill has taken the time to show us many sides of disabilities . When Josh becomes one of many people who were sacrificed because of being different she, meets a man named Blue. The two of them begin a quest to survive with the group who were with them.

[Pam Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read!

I enjoyed this book very much.
It was different and engaged me right away.
Original premise and beautifully developed characters.

[Christine Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting read.

[Susan Lee Thuener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and interesting interpretation of disabled.

How would you feel if you were discounted as having little or no value because of a disability over which you had no control. Enjoyed this story and especially the knowledge that everyone eventually becomes disabled through age or accident.

[Desiree Putaski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the Goddess Fish Promotions Blog Tour.

The Tithe is very well written and thought-provoking. There isn’t a lot of world building within the book, because it mostly takes place within a bunker. The seven tithes from each of the ten towns are gathered together and put into the bunker to wait for Elovah to come for them. They have no idea how it will all work, but the bunker really isn’t such a bad place to be; if it weren’t for the fact that they were all waiting for death to come to them. We do learn a lot about the world in which the tithes lived from their discussions. Religion rules supreme. Every couple is only allowed to have two children and must petition their town leaders for permission to have them. They do not eat animals (seems they “produce” meat… they call it vat meat). We also learn the history of how the ten towns came to be established and why the rules are what they are.

This book has a message and it’s one that I personally like. You see, the towns pick their “tithes” from the “incaps” or the “unworkables” among them. People who are physically handicapped in some way, or perhaps they have a mental incapacitation… those people who in the eyes of the leaders don’t add anything to society. I think the one that got me the most was Lynna and the twins, who were there because they were overweight! The tithes don’t see themselves as incapable, but their towns evidently do. Hopefully the message that is put out there will be taken to heart, perhaps you will reevaluate how you treat someone who might be different from you in some way.

We don’t get to know all seventy of the tithes, only a handful. Most of them are just mentioned in passing. On their very first night there, they have split up into groups to explore the bunker a little when the lights go out. Elovah or one of her angels has come for the first tithe. Joshua (who happens to be a female, she was named after the Joshua trees), who is an orphan raised in the rab’ri (I htink the closest translation would be like a convent or a monastery – except both sexes lived here) and her group are exploring a hallway with bedrooms with the whooshing of wings causes everyone to flee the hall. Unfortunately, Joshua suffers a physical malady of the lower legs and feet so she can’t run with them. When they almost near the Great Room again she pushes the stragglers out of the hall, right before someone slams the door in her face; essentially locking her in the hall with the angel. But the next morning something happens that has never happened before… Joshua awakens in the hallway… the angel spared her.

The rest of the story deals with the angel(s) coming each night and taking one tithe. The group slowly dwindles down and breaks into smaller groups. After that first night, Blue took it upon himself to protect Josh from the angels every night. He holds her close and covers her with his cloak. Some of the groups cling to their fierce religious belief, some groups believe that Josh must be an angel or is some sort of holy person, and others want her dead.

This is sort of story of self discovery for Josh. Having been raised an orphan she is socially inept, but finds herself caring so deeply about the friends that she has made that she would sacrifice herself to save them.

This was a fantastic read!

[Elissa Mahler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. It had a deeper meaning ingrained in it, regarding how society treats those with disabilities. I liked the book, except the ending was not well-aligned with the rest of the book. I do not agree with the book's premise of God, but I was able to find some value in the allegory regarding the tithes.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mix of philosophy, love, friendship, and life

Elle Hill has done a masterful job of creating a cast of characters and placing them in a situation which lends itself to asking big questions.

The main highlight in this novel is the cast of characters which Hill develops. Each one feels as if they could be real. They all have their quirks and individual personality traits. I actually remembered their names, which is something I don't normally bother to do. It's actually with some disdain that I put down the book knowing that I won't be able to share in the experiences of the characters any longer.

The worldbuilding which Hill does is also done in a nice fashion. The actual location of the main action is inconsequential and only serves to have the characters separated from society. It is the creation of the mythology of the society. Their social structure, their religion, their laws. It all makes for compelling interactions between the characters.

Finally, the quality of the writing was superb. Hill has truly mastered the art of "show, don't tell." She uses her writing to full effect in order to breath life and emotion into her cast. The arguments, the peaceful times together, and especially the intimate scenes between characters all had a visceral realism to them which engrossed me in the world of the story.

All in all, this was a wonderful read. If you enjoy good characters and good writing, you will enjoy this book. I would highly recommend it.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can see this book is still free on Amazon, I highly recommend that run out and get it while it lasts this was honestly the best free book I have read in ages (I would even buy it after reading it).

The book focus's on Joshua (a physically handicapped girl) but is really a story about how we as society look for excuses such as religion (if not that there is always something else) to abuse those we deem less than us. I really loved this book Joshua despite her circumstances doesn't let anybody put her down or accept what society says as fact - she sees the hypocrisy for what it is, just an excuse to justify unacceptable behavior and comes across as very mature young lady.

There is a few nice twists in the tail some you see coming some you don't but I just loved Blue "the Love interest", and the fact he is blind yet he sees - sigh!! if only love was truly blind. I also enjoyed the tension created in the underground bunker by the interpersonal conflicts and the "angels" appearing every night as each person faces their mortality.

The religious element was also great because it represents all that is going wrong on in the world today, with people using their faith to create gods in our own selfish images rather than actually applying the true ethics at the core of their beliefs.

Highly recommend this book and would be nice if there was another but I don't think there will be, but who knows :)

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book. I got it through Kindle Unlimited, and subsequently bought it because I know that at some future date I will want to read it again.

This books was set in a post apocalyptic world and the people are sacrifices to their god in order to keep their society safe and protected. I liked the dynamics of, "how would you act if you knew you were going to die?" But not only that. There was so many other levels to the story. I found myself having strong reactions to their dilemmas and extrapolating how I would react in their place. Would I be complacent? Would I be defiant? (First thing I would do is try to find a flashlight!)

By the end of the book, I was very much in love with the main characters. The ending of the story is like watching two friends walk off into the sunset, sad but sweet.

[Precious Adekoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Blind but strong and capable, you just never expect that. Wonky legs, but a leader, you don't expect that either. Although I am a Christian, This book was totally awesome. It was detail filled and I loved all about the characters in this book. Every single one of them. Also, this book deserves a 5 star rating simply because it's the most un cliche book I've ever read. So many unexpected paths you actually don't see coming.
Thank you to the author for letting us enjoy such a book.

[Virginia Boylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the stranger books I've read. It becomes apparent early on that its partial purpose is to advocate for the handicapped, as well as non-traditional marriage. Some of the blending of words to make new ones was clever. The explanation of how and why the world ends up so dystopian was weak, and the world, itself, is definitely weird. The writing is excellent and kept me entertained despite the sick, almost claustrophobic setting.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read, even with the weird theology. The Tithes are brought together to the pace of the "sacrifice," where everything is provided for them, but each night ad angel takes one of the Tithes. The story focuses on the relationship between josh and Blue as they attempt to figure out what exactly is going on.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and allegorical!

A good read that is reminiscent of "The Lottery" but with a happy ending. Raises a lot of questions about beliefs and their impact on reality and what constitutes disability. I will be thinking of this for a long time.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved It!

This was one of the most interesting book I've read on my Kindle. I loved the philosophical nature of it. I loved that it left me with more questions than answers. I really hope there's a sequel and even more. I'll buy them as soon as possible.