southern gothic, sapphic, religious horror…everything an ethel cain girly could want. honestly not surprised at how much i loved this book. There were some parts that I wished were a bit more explored but overall I thought it was so good for such a short book. Anything having to do with religous trauma, queer girlhood, and creepy cultish communities are def for me!!! Thanks for the earc netgalley!!

*Dori Lumpkin’s* *Antenora* is a haunting and beautifully written debut that weaves together Southern gothic horror, forbidden love, and the dark side of religious zeal. The story of Abigail and Nora is as tender as it is terrifying, with richly developed characters and a gripping exploration of community and repression. This novella kept me hooked with its chilling atmosphere and emotional depth—an unforgettable read that lingers long after the last page.

It is nothing short of remarkable when a story completely knocks the air out of your lungs. ANTENORA tells the tale of a young woman who doesn't fit into a small and very religious community from the perspective of someone (the only person really) who cared very much for her. A story that will feel like a familiar old friend for some folks.

A quick read that will grab your attention and not really let it go!

The imagery and connections throughout the book were wonderfully placed! I loved how complex the story was!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

i think this was a good novella, but from my personal perspective it felt slightly lost, i don't think i completely understood what was going on the entire time, and the plot wasn't entirely my thing. maybe that's my mistake as i'm not really a horror reader, but i thought i'd give it a try anyway.

it's not a bad book at all, just lacked a bit of something for me, and the lack of definitiveness isn't my taste. i wanted to enjoy it a lot, but it was a struggle for me to start reading and i think that impacted the rest of my experience overall.

i can however, see the appeal, and if you enjoy horror, especially around religion and the devil, this would definitely be for you.

A short but sharp exploration of faith, coming of age, and the polarising yet powerful role of faith in the American south. Abigail’s conversational tone sets up two pillars of faith - one in the extreme Christian sense, and the other in Nora and her strange happenings and resistance against the church.

Antenora follows two young women living in a secluded, ultra religious town. Born and raised in their Pentecostal beliefs, using venomous snakes to prove the strength of their faith, and trained to keep sweet, we follow rebellious Nora and troubled Abigail.

Things escalate in their 18th year as both struggle with the trajectory of their lives and beliefs, and deepening feelings towards each other. Blood is shed, venom abounds, and fire burns in this strange story.

I wish the story had been split between the two women’s perspectives, instead of just Abigail’s.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Creature Publishing for a copy.

Through Abigail’s vivid retelling, we are drawn into the small church town of Bethel, where an affectionate female friendship blooms amid lurking horrors. I was captivated by the unsettling, cult-like atmosphere and the slithering presence of snakes, but it was the moments of raw vulnerability and tenderness between the two main characters that truly lingered with me. Oh, how I longed to experience their journey in a fully fleshed-out novel, where every nuance could be unraveled.

Abigail’s narrative style, speaking directly to the reader with a teasing "but I haven’t told you everything yet...", creates an intimate tone, making me feel like a confidant. However, this choice also felt like a narrative shortcut to quicken the pace, leaving me yearning for more depth. Nevertheless, it's a well-written short story that I would recommend.

It's not easy to write a novella that reads like book. To take a whole plot but carefully minimize it so it's concise. Love this! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sinister. Gothic. Relevant.

This was the PERFECT novella. Abby's a fantastic narrator, and despite the shorter length, this book packs a PUNCH.

OOOo a little mix of gothic with cults with dantes inferno its perfection. I loved it so much I wish it was longer tbh. Im not typically a fan of novels with southern christianity in it (family history) but this one did it justice and really caught my attention from the beginning to end.

Wow!!! Such a fantastic book. Loved every single second of this book!!! So so good!!! I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

“… maybe the church just wanted to be rid of her altogether and couldn’t think of a better excuse.”

This is probably one of the best book I’ve read this year and great books are always hard for me to review.

This novella is a frank look at our society in a time when we see a national (global even) push to keep women sweet. I think the realness of this will stay with me for a long time.

Reminds me of the line from Wicked: are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?

A compact yet powerful novella that delves into themes of power, betrayal, and moral ambiguity with a modern lens. Named after the part of Dante's Inferno where traitors are punished, the story mirrors ancient tales of punishment and redemption, questioning who society brands as a "traitor" and why. Lumpkin’s ability to address such heavy topics in a brief format is impressive, leaving a lasting impact without overstaying its welcome.

The novella’s exploration of societal fractures, betrayal, and the search for truth feels hauntingly relevant. Its poignant moments will likely strike a chord with anyone grappling with the political climate of today. Lumpkin’s portrayal of these themes, combined with her compelling characters, elevates the story beyond its succinct length, making it a thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

This was a brilliantly written novella - Abby's voice was strong as narrator and the story seemed with a sense of rawness and emotion. I loved how it was a recollection, how it jumped between memories and how the ending was alluded to from the start. Just a very strong story about a town with a cult-y Christian energy and two girls caught up in it.

Loved the Southern Gothic atmospheric religious horror of this book! Utterly sinister and great writing!

I'm obsessed with this novella! Antenora is the haunting, atmospheric, sapphic southern gothic story of my dreams that poses the question: what does a sinner deserve? The town of Bethel is sinister in its familiarity, and the tender bond between Abby and Nora is heart wrenching. The prose is beautiful, the town and its leaders are unsettling, and the religious trauma will hit close to home for any queer southerner. Honestly, I could read a full length novel depicting their budding queerness. I'll be recommending this one to anyone and everyone!

very short read witha lot of strong motifs to do with infernos, wickedness, and generally Dante is a main theme. 5 stars. would recommend. fantastic.

I really enjoyed Antenora—it’s impressive how much the author captured in such a short book. This story weaves together friendship, faith, love, guilt, and grief while painting a haunting portrait of Appalachia, a small town steeped in tradition, and the power dynamics of religion and control.

The story is told from Abigail’s perspective, a girl who’s always been eager to please and follow the expectations of her small town. She’s taking us back through the events that led to the loss of her best friend, Nora, and showing how tightly a community can close ranks—even in the worst way. As we learn more about Nora, she emerges as a complex character with a magnetic presence. She’s the outsider who refuses to follow the town’s traditions, and her defiance reveals the risks of being different in a place like this.

Through Abigail’s retelling, we see both the innocent, tender side of these two girls’ friendship and the undercurrents of rebellion, especially in Nora. The author perfectly captures that youthful frustration of feeling misunderstood, alongside the darker, suffocating side of a town that sees difference as a threat. I loved how the author handled the intimate, almost magical moments between Abigail and Nora, as well as the way Nora’s anger burned against a community that didn’t want her. Nora is a character you don’t forget—she makes sure of that. She’s loud, bold, and unapologetically herself, while Abigail, who’s spent her life blending in, can’t help but be drawn to Nora’s rebellious energy.

This book is both violent and vivid, yet tender at the same time. In less than 170 pages, it packs in so many emotions. By the end, I felt deeply for Nora and the sacrifices she was willing to make. I felt for Abigail too, grieving a friend who showed her what it meant to be authentic, even in a town that stifles it. Lumpkin gives a raw, realistic portrayal of how faith and community can be twisted, and how religious structures can sometimes mask the darkest intentions.

While Antenora wasn’t perfect, it’s a strong debut that shows a lot of potential. I’d love to see a collection of short stories from this author, and I’m excited to see what they write next.

'Antenora' ticked multiple boxes for me. I love a horror story, and queer horror and feminist horror are two of my favorite subgenres, as are stories of possession and exorcism.

This book is short (a novella, as opposed to a novel), but packed with emotion and suspense. I also loved the ambiguity this story was imbued with. Was it actually a demonic possession, or a mental health crisis that built up over time due to a number of variables? Could it have been some combination of the two? And what about that ending? It's up to you, the reader, to decide, it seems. I'd definitely recommend giving this book a chance!