This review originally posted at Christa's Hooked on Books 
 This was an extremely powerful book. 
 The story itself is a familiar one. Not only does it borrow from The Scarlet Letter, there are strong influences from The Handmaid's Tale here as well. Regardless of its familiarity it is told in a way that in unique and shocking. It takes those stories and it re-enforces their messages in a whole new light. 
 This book made me FURIOUS. Like throw it against a wall and scream furious (although I promise I am never that mean to my books). I just wanted to grab Hannah Payne by the shoulders and shake her. Her attitude and decisions did not make any sense to me (personally). That's not to say they weren't realistic. They totally were. But they weren't something I myself would do or support. They were decisions that I found ludicrous at the best of times. Let's start with the fact that she constantly puts the Reverend Dale's needs before her own, completly throwing her life away for someone who's married and, oh yeah, her reverend (a huge abuse of power). But the especially sad part is that she seems to have no value or respect for her own life. She takes on all the guilt hereself (when there's definitely blame to share) and falls on a sword that she doesn't deserve. It drove me nuts. 
 Now that I got all of that off my chest, I want to clarify that none of the above was a criticism of this novel. I love novels that can get me angry and worked up - as long as they're going somewhere with it. I'm talking about novels that make me want to run around and debate people about. When She Woke is one of those novels. It is a novel that will provoke a reaction from you. It'll make you furious and frustrated but will also throw so much insight and sentiment your way that you'll be re-reading passages and staying up into the wee hours just to see what happens. 
 Obviously since Hannah drove me so crazy, I needed to see what happens to her and what her future will be like. I can't tell you anything about her future without giving key points of the book away, but I can assure you that this book just keeps getting better and better. As you keep reading more and more layers are reaveled. Your assumptions about characters, and society at large, are definitely going to be challenged. 
 Hillary Jordan has gifted us with an incredible book. It's one that points out the dangers of allowing politics and faith to interact so closely with one another. But more importantly it's a novel that reaches deep down inside you, stirs up your emotions and questions ideas that are so often taken for granted.