Selah: A Novel

by Liana Richmond

A story of religious trauma, hope, and womanhood set against a backdrop of Christian fundamentalism.

Selah Bowman has visions of the Second Coming. She also doesn't legally exist.

Born on the kitchen floor to parents who chose not to file a birth certificate, Selah is homeschooled and raised to be a wife and mother. But she might never get the the rapture is due any minute. When she's not shooting guns in the woods or escaping into daydreams of mythical beasts, she's haunted by terrors of the end. All Selah wants is to grow up before the world burns.

Seizing her chance at adulthood before it's gone forever, teenage Selah agrees to a hasty marriage with Seth, a sheltered farm boy from church. She tries her hardest to be happy, but jarring realities lurk beneath the surface of married life. Selah is shaken in her belief that roles and rules equal blessing and authority figures always mean well. Hamstrung by self-doubt and growing paranoia, Selah must wrestle with her fear, her faith, and the lies she's been told if she is to forge a future of her own.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2025

About the author

I grew up in Pennsylvania where I fell in love with exploring the forest and reading classic literature. I write fantasy and literary fiction marked by a fascination with the natural world, the human experience, and religious symbolism. I now live in the Ozark Mountains with my husband, three sons, and 100 lb. Great Pyrenees.

I also write a monthly newsletter where I share book reviews and nature-related observations (often about about creepy insects).

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liana Richmond's "Selah" is a work of fiction that reads like it could be someone's memoir who lives in a Christian fundamentalist's world. It is extreme and many parts are quite horrifying. The teachings of this "church" (definitely a cult) brainwash these families into practices that are abusive, illegal and immoral; at best, they are socially gray. The author uses the FMC's journey through her teenage/young adult years growing up in such extremism as a way to teach the reader about the fundamentalists' beliefs and practices. Beautiful writing. 4.5 stars! *I received a complimentary e-ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A searing and visceral account of a 16 year old girl's upbringing in fundamental Christianity. Selah has no official identity, as her parents chose not to register her birth and have home schooled Selah and her sister Chalice. They live in poverty, hiding themselves from prying eyes., and being taught by their father how to handle a gun.
When Selah is found to be drawing anatomical pictures, her parents and rhe church confer and books other than the Bible are withdrawn. She is then found a prospective husband, a farm boy from down the road.
Selah takes marriage very seriously, heeding biblical and elders' guidance to always obey her husband. But her husband's parents are even more fundamentalist than her own, and a disturbing incident with her husband's brother damages Selah's relationship with them. Tormented by visions of the Second Coming, and sightings of satyrs and nymphs in the forest, Selena is forced to take action to reclaim her life.
A powerful reminder of how dangerous fundamentalism is in all its guises. Richmond's descriptive yet spare writing is a pleasure to read. You'll find yourself rooting for Selah all the way.

[Maria Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without giving anything away, I could not put the book down. Liana guides readers into the world of fundamental and legalistic Christianity in "Selah". From page one I stayed up as late as I could to see what happened to Selah and every turn was filled with another challenge that kept me turning pages. The story made me laugh, cry, ponder, and even disentangle some legalistic teachings that I had to let go of and replace those with the truth. At some points it is hard to read as Selah faces very authoritative and manipulative antagonists, but her freedom ultimately comes.

This might be a spoiler but I'll try to be vague as possible, even when the book concludes I am often left to wonder, "what about this certain character? Will they get back together one day?" But it is left to the reader's imagination to wonder if they will work through their own religious trauma - and who knows, maybe one day in some masterful way, the characters will get back together. But that will be left to God's will.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy.

4 stars. This book has lovely writing and I see a lot of potential for the author. I found myself eager to pick this up and continue reading each day, and I was quickly heavily invested in the character arc of our MC, Selah.

I do wish the deconstruction of Christianity had gone further, but I suppose that's a matter of personal opinion. I also wish that in the end, there had been more interactions and discussions on the deconstruction with the side characters. A lot of problematic ideologies of Christian fundamentalism were presented in the book, and I think the author could have furthered that conversation quite a bit.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic story, centred around bravery and courage. I loved Selah, she was naive and unknown in the beginning but her determination and strength made for a great lead character. I understood her fears and questions around religion and God, and her desire to do what’s right. The slower pace of the plot really allowed me to understand her and connect with her, and made the ending so much more impactful. I loved the messages of found family and independence, this was a story laced with emotion and strong self worth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Selah #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of this, and fascinated/horrified by so much of what happened- which I imagine is pretty realistic. When the characters talked about god and religion in ways that are clearly fundamentalist (and in my opinion, ludicrous) I was riveted. However when there was discussion of more mainstream ideas about religion, I found myself bored. Perhaps this would appeal a lot more to someone who is religious.


Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

[Aaron Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Land sakes, this girl can write!