Review + Excerpt: Candle in the Wind by Kim Baccellia

What if everything you were taught to believe was a lie?

🌟 Welcome!

In Candle in the Wind, Kim Baccellia delivers a thought-provoking young adult dystopian story that explores faith, control, and the dangerous cost of questioning authority. Set in a fractured, post-war America, this is a novel that leans into quiet tension rather than nonstop action—and asks readers to consider how easily safety can become a cage.

---

📖 About the Book

Candle in the Wind
By Kim Baccellia
Published by Independent Author on 01/21/2025
Genres: Young Adult
Formats: eBook
Pages: 300

What if you discovered everything you’ve been taught is a lie?

For most of her life, seventeen-year-old Espie Hernandez’s world revolved around the Branch of Thomas, a cult-like haven in what’s left of a war-ravaged America. Their ruler, Reverent Father, keeps them safe from the Others, those outside the compound who wish to harm them.

Espie questions what she’s been taught and finds herself banished from the compound. She's thrust into the harsh world beyond their walls with the mission to prove the Others actually have a plot against them.

When tensions escalate, Espie must figure out who to trust before everything she loves is torn apart.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

---

 

🛒 Where to Buy + Cozy Reader Extras

If you’re thinking about picking up this book, here are a few easy options — plus a couple cozy extras I love for reading nights.

---

✨ My Thoughts on Candle in the Wind ✨

Candle in the Wind is a testimonial in emotional restraint. This isn’t a dystopian novel that relies on constant action or spectacle. Instead, it builds tension through atmosphere, internal conflict, and the slow unraveling of what Espie thought she knew.

Espie’s journey feels believable and grounded. Her fear of the outside world doesn’t vanish the moment she leaves the compound, and that lingering unease adds weight to every decision she makes. The story explores how deeply indoctrination can shape identity—and how frightening freedom can be when you’ve been taught to fear it.

Readers who enjoy dystopian stories that focus on psychological control, faith-based communities, and personal awakening will find a lot to appreciate here. This is a book that invites reflection long after the final page.

---

⭐ Review at a Glance

• Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
• Setting: Post-apocalyptic America
• Themes: Control, belief, faith, truth, survival
• Tone: Introspective, tense, quietly unsettling
• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 out of 5)
• Quick Take: A thoughtful, character-driven dystopian that examines how belief systems are built—and how hard they are to escape.

---

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review represents my honest and unbiased opinion.

---

📜 Excerpt

Up close, the deserted building looked less threatening. More than a few tiles were missing from the roof. Scattered dry sagebrush littered the path. The low muttering of voices grew louder the closer I got to the door.

I snuck another quick glance over my shoulder, scanning the area. Nothing seemed out of place but that didn’t still the unease that refused to leave. A lone owl soared overhead, and its hoot nearly stopped me in my tracks, the sound reminding me of Reverent Father’s alarms.

I glanced back at the building and took a deep breath. I can do this.

The rotted wooden door squeaked as I pushed through it to walk inside. Mostly women, dressed in dark clothing, hung to the edges of the room, whispering. Their telltale turquoise stone necklaces betraying their former status in the community.

This act alone, of women gathering together was forbidden.

I cast my gaze down, fearing to make contact with any of them. Yellowish haze filled the cramped space along with the burnt scent of smoke from a fire that ravaged the building a few years back.

No, I couldn’t stay here—especially if the Elite Guard got wind of this, which I knew would happen.

I searched the room for Xochi, the urge to grab her and leave growing stronger by the moment. Sure enough, my sister hung over to the side.

“Xochi,” I whispered, glancing furtively around. “I changed my mind.”

---

✍️ Meet the Author: Kim Baccellia

---

🎁 Giveaway

As part of the tour, Kim Baccellia is offering a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to one lucky reader.

Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN gift card

Be sure to follow the tour and visit the Goddess Fish Promotions tour page for more stops and chances to enter.

---

✍️ Closing Notes

Candle in the Wind is a compelling read for fans of thoughtful, faith-focused dystopian stories that prioritize emotional realism over spectacle. Kim Baccellia crafts a world where questioning authority is dangerous—and where discovering the truth may cost everything.

If you enjoy thoughtful dystopian reads, you may also want to explore similar reviews here on my site.

Have you read a dystopian novel that stayed with you because of its ideas rather than its action? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

---

Look for me here ⬇️

Amazon  
Goodreads  
StoryGraph

#BookSky 💙📚

Civil, respectful conversation is always welcome — let’s chat about books, food, or whatever brings you joy.