Review of Dominion by Addie E. Citchens

Best read in one sitting, this short novel from Addie E. Citchens carries a weighty tale of religion, patriarchy and violence that feels urgent and impressive from the very first page. 

Step into Dominion, Mississippi where local preacher, Reverend Winfrey, head of the Seven Seals Baptist Church, is the pillar of the community. His five sons are also the golden boys of town, but none are favored more than his youngest, literally nicknamed ‘Wonderboy’. 

By their side is the beautiful Priscilla, the model mother and housewife who presents perfection but behind closed doors, the men in her household aren’t as holy as they first may seem. When trouble of the violent kind seems to be coming from Wonderboy, Priscilla and Wonderboy’s girlfriend, Diamond, begin to question everything. The novel is a ping pong match between the two women closest to Wonderboy as his wonder begins to unravel and, from there, we are caught up in a thrumming literary tale of brutality that casts a sobering look at masculinity and Black womanhood.

This debut is a God-fearing horror story that will have you in awe of Citchen’s tight narrative skill. It demands your full attention and it keeps it long after the final page.

Reviewed by Abi

Published on 29/01/26 by Europa Editions

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