What readers think of Dominion, plus links to write your own review.

This is a short but powerful novel that begins very (very) sloooowly, but at about 40 percent into the book—so you have to stick with it and read quite a while—it packs a literary sucker punch that left me breathless. And from then on, I could not turn the pages fast enough.

Written by Addie E. Citchens, this is a Southern Black family drama about a revered and respected preacher, his pill-popping/alcohol-drinking wife, and five sons. Sabre J. Winfrey Jr. is not only the head pastor of The Seven Seals Missionary Baptist Church in Dominion, Mississippi, but also owns the town barbershop and radio station. He rules his family. His wife, Priscilla, is held on such a pedestal by the congregation that they call her the First Lady.

The Winfreys have five boys, all of whom except the youngest, Emanuel (nicknamed Wonderboy), are grown. Wonderboy is finishing his junior year in high school when the novel opens. He excels at seemingly everything—from football to academics to music. While the girls just fall all over him—all he has to do is smile—he has one special girlfriend, Diamond. While Wonderboy grew up in a huge home with all the advantages money can buy, Diamond is an orphan with a heartbreaking childhood. Meanwhile, Wonderboy isn't as perfect as he seems. The violent activities that make up his shocking secret life are building to a fever pitch that will eventually strike down this illustrious family in a way they never saw coming.

The novel is creatively structured. The book begins with a history of The Seven Seals Church, and then many chapters start with Sabre's Sunday sermon notes, including a brief scripture passage. Pay attention to this as it foreshadows what will happen in the next pages.

The story, which is primarily told in the alternating first-person voices of Priscilla and Diamond, focuses on the joys and corruption of sex, the pain of misogyny in a patriarchal world, and the fight for women's independence in a society that wants to keep them in their lowly place.

The title of the book, "Dominion," has several meanings in the novel from the name of the town to the way men govern women.

Pay attention! The cover illustration is priceless (and hilarious) once you read a passage on page 25.

Dominion has multiple meanings in this book. It’s the town in Mississippi where it takes place, the rule of a minister over his church, a man over his wife, of men over women, of drugs and alcohol over the broken. It’s a book filled with important messages but also humor. I was especially taken by what Citchens has to say about the use of religion and a patriarchal society.

The story is told from the perspective of Priscilla, the minister’s wife and Diamond, the girlfriend of the minister’s youngest son. Citchens takes her time setting up the premise of the story. Both father and son are good looking men and respected by the community. But in both cases, a good looking exterior covers a rotten core. But the women in their lives continue to support them even as their eyes are opened to the truth. Citchens does a great job with the small town, church community. The ending rocked me.

Rarely do I comment on a book cover, but this one is perfect! “On the evening of February 14, 1976, my husband explained to me that because Eve ate the apple, I would have to eat the snake.” I listened to this and the cast of narrators was perfect. I can’t wait to see what Citchens produces next.

Narrated by Andre Giles, Angel Pean, Bahni Turpin, and Dion Graham

Dominion is a gripping debut set in the summer and fall of 2000 in Dominion, Mississippi. Through the eyes of Priscilla, the reverend’s wife, and Diamond, his son’s girlfriend, the novel shows the darkness concealed behind a seemingly perfect family. Reverend Winfrey is wealthy, influential, and exerts a firm grip over every part of life in Dominion.

On the surface, the Winfreys look righteous, but underneath, secrets and abuse simmer, threatening to emerge. The story exposes how powerful men often escape accountability, while the women who see the truth feel unable—or forbidden—to speak out.

At just over 200 pages, the book packs in complex, deeply flawed characters, true-to-life dialogue, and steady pacing. The emotional and moral heart rests with the women confronting Wonderboy and the reverend.

The audiobook narration is excellent, with a full cast that enhances the story’s tension and emotional impact. I listened to this alongside the book.

Also, the cover art perfectly captures the novel’s dark, simmering tone—it’s spot on.

Addie E. Citchens is a debut author to watch—I look forward to what she writes next.