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tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
One of the rare books that made me wish I got along better with audiobooks. It has the cadence and flow of a folk tale or fable and would probably be lovely to hear. That's not to say that reading the printed book wasn't a delight, because it was. I just would've loved to have it in my ears as well as my eyes. It's a love letter to the Jewish immigrants to the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s and the fierce, devoted, rabble-rousing spirt they brought with them. I can never get enough of those - especially the ones written with as much warmth, heart, and spirit as this one is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Ableism and Pregnancy
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book so much I can’t talk about it because my thoughts inevitably devolve into unintelligible noise. From the first page (figuratively, because I read the audiobook) it was like the story vibrated at the same frequency as my brain.
It’s a fundamentally queer, neurodivergent and Jewish story with love, kindness and humour at its core. I want to read it a thousand more times!
It’s a fundamentally queer, neurodivergent and Jewish story with love, kindness and humour at its core. I want to read it a thousand more times!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Deportation
marywahlmeierbracciano's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When the Angels Left the Old Country draws from traditional Judaism juxtaposed with beautiful, sacred, inevitable queerness. In the era of Ellis Island, Uriel and Little Ash—an angel and a demon—sail to America to solve a mystery, joining forces with a plucky girl named Rose along the way. There’s much good-natured bickering, soul-searching, and heart-pounding action, and did I mention it’s gay? Donald Corren’s narration is nothing short of perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gore and Blood
displacedcactus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
What an absolutely delightful read! This book is very Jewish and sweetly queer. While pogroms are mentioned and there are instances of antisemitism, it is overall a very hopeful and even joyful read, I think, with characters trying to do good (with maybe a little wickedness on the side if they're a demon). It definitely has similar vibes to Good Omens, but on a smaller scale and of course as I said, very Jewish as opposed to Christian. Note: There is a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terminology in the back. I was able to figure out most of the ones I didn't know by context, but this could be very helpful if you're not really familiar with Jewish culture.
I read this on a trip and I have to say it's just really fun to read a book where characters are traveling while I'm traveling -- especially when we were both going to NY. But I'm glad I took a plane instead of riding steerage in a boat.
I read this on a trip and I have to say it's just really fun to read a book where characters are traveling while I'm traveling -- especially when we were both going to NY. But I'm glad I took a plane instead of riding steerage in a boat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Violence, and Antisemitism
Minor: Gun violence and Fire/Fire injury
razzberry_pi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excellent story weaving themes of queer love and identity with a story of immigration and strike making/breaking in New York
Sprinkled with many references to jewish culture, folklore and experiences in both the "old country" as well as the lower east side
Sprinkled with many references to jewish culture, folklore and experiences in both the "old country" as well as the lower east side
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
rorikae's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'When the Angels Left the Old Country' by Sacha Lamb is a charming historical fantasy following an angel and a demon who travel to America to find a missing member of their community.
The angel and Little Ash live in their shtetl, studying together and looking after their community. Many of the younger generation have been leaving the shtetl due to pogroms and seeking new opportunities. When one of the girls from their shtetl disappears while traveling to America, the angel and Little Ash decide to head to America to find her. Along the way, they befriend a young girl leaving her town after her best friend becomes engaged.
Steeped in Jewish folklore, this story soars because of its characters and the world that Lamb paints. Their writing is clear but evocative in a way that meant the story was always moving forward while also painting a rich picture at the same time. Aspects of the story (mainly the two main characters) are reminiscent of Good Omens but the characters stand out in a unique story. There are themes of identity, belonging, and community. The audiobook was fantastic and added to my enjoyment. I cannot wait to read what Lamb writes next.
The angel and Little Ash live in their shtetl, studying together and looking after their community. Many of the younger generation have been leaving the shtetl due to pogroms and seeking new opportunities. When one of the girls from their shtetl disappears while traveling to America, the angel and Little Ash decide to head to America to find her. Along the way, they befriend a young girl leaving her town after her best friend becomes engaged.
Steeped in Jewish folklore, this story soars because of its characters and the world that Lamb paints. Their writing is clear but evocative in a way that meant the story was always moving forward while also painting a rich picture at the same time. Aspects of the story (mainly the two main characters) are reminiscent of Good Omens but the characters stand out in a unique story. There are themes of identity, belonging, and community. The audiobook was fantastic and added to my enjoyment. I cannot wait to read what Lamb writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Genocide and Fire/Fire injury
amandaplease50's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The one “issue” I had was that I’m not Jewish and in the beginning there I was a lot of words I found myself googling to better understand (or just getting through context clues) but I kept thinking I wish there was a glossary. But about 3/4ths through the book I realized there is one at the back! So don’t be me use that thing!
But even if there was not I’d still give this book 5 stars. Just such an amazing book and discusses things like gender dysphoria and what I took to be impostor syndrome and used great I guess metaphors (I’m I STEM person forgive me if that’s not the right term) to help explain someone who doesn’t experience those things.
And the characters loved everyone of them 😊. There are so many things I wish I could explain in this review but I’m terrible at words and reviews. But gives this book a try it won’t disappoint!
But even if there was not I’d still give this book 5 stars. Just such an amazing book and discusses things like gender dysphoria and what I took to be impostor syndrome and used great I guess metaphors (I’m I STEM person forgive me if that’s not the right term) to help explain someone who doesn’t experience those things.
And the characters loved everyone of them 😊. There are so many things I wish I could explain in this review but I’m terrible at words and reviews. But gives this book a try it won’t disappoint!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Antisemitism and Murder
purplatypus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Deportation
tigger89's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was delightfully queer, from start to finish. Rose is depicted as sapphic, with a love story of her own unfolding by the final pages. While the relationship between Ash and Uriel isn't explicitly defined, it's never in doubt that they share an intimate love for one another. Uriel also uses "it" pronouns throughout, rejecting the very concept of gender. Despite the historic setting, there's no homophobia included just for the sake of realism.
As you might be able to guess from the sprinkling of vocabulary above, this book is also very Jewish. That was one of the reasons I picked it up, as I have some ancestry from Eastern Europe who immigrated through Ellis Island. With the aid of the extensive glossary in the back of the book, I had no problem following all of the terms and references sprinkled throughout the text. However, be warned: unlike homophobia, this story doesn't shy away from depicting period-appropriate antisemitism.
This book's greatest strength was absolutely the character interactions between Ash and Uriel. Not only do they grow individually — in Ash's case, coming into power despite his lack of magical ability, and in Uriel's case, determining what its newfound identity means to it — but the relationship between them is also developed. The frequently-cited comparison to Good Omens is apt, here. While this story lacks the apocalypse humor and madcap antics of Gaiman's and Pratchett's work, what they share is a focus on a pair of unlikely allies who mean the world to each other. Yes, even when they occasionally make each other very upset.
What I didn't like was that Rose felt more like a sidekick character, even though she got her own viewpoint chapters and everything. Until the very end, she was kind of just along for the ride, occasionally providing an insight or assist but leaving all the heavy lifting to Ash and Uriel. While I was ultimately happy with how her story turned out, I feel like she spent most of the book just waiting to be amazing. She could have done more.
As you might be able to guess from the sprinkling of vocabulary above, this book is also very Jewish. That was one of the reasons I picked it up, as I have some ancestry from Eastern Europe who immigrated through Ellis Island. With the aid of the extensive glossary in the back of the book, I had no problem following all of the terms and references sprinkled throughout the text. However, be warned: unlike homophobia, this story doesn't shy away from depicting period-appropriate antisemitism.
This book's greatest strength was absolutely the character interactions between Ash and Uriel. Not only do they grow individually — in Ash's case, coming into power despite his lack of magical ability, and in Uriel's case, determining what its newfound identity means to it — but the relationship between them is also developed. The frequently-cited comparison to Good Omens is apt, here. While this story lacks the apocalypse humor and madcap antics of Gaiman's and Pratchett's work, what they share is a focus on a pair of unlikely allies who mean the world to each other. Yes, even when they occasionally make each other very upset.
What I didn't like was that Rose felt more like a sidekick character, even though she got her own viewpoint chapters and everything. Until the very end, she was kind of just along for the ride, occasionally providing an insight or assist but leaving all the heavy lifting to Ash and Uriel. While I was ultimately happy with how her story turned out, I feel like she spent most of the book just waiting to be amazing. She could have done more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
moonytoast's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Levine Querido for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
When the Angels Left the Old Country is even more proof that historical fantasies written by marginalized authors who center the lived historical experiences of people with the same marginalizations are just objectively better!
Jewish Good Omens is an apt comparison for this story about an angel and a demon working together to traverse the Atlantic Ocean in search for a young girl that had left their little shtetl for the New World. I think fans of Neil Gaiman's other works, particularly Neverwhere and Stardust, will enjoy the writing style and tone of this book. It's got a whimsical vibe at many points, but knows precisely when to dial up the tension and intrigue. I think this is clear in Little Ash's confrontation with the gentile demon on Ellis Island and the last ten or so chapters of the book as everything comes to a crescendo.
This may not be for readers who enjoy more fast-paced fantasy stories, but hot take: I think sometimes a slow build is essential for a good story, because you need the chance to grow attached to the characters and see their change before you can genuinely care about whether they achieve their goals by the end of the book. I think this book is a perfect example of that. Seeing Uriel and Little Ash's relationship dynamic shift as they embark on their journey to find Essie is such an integral and standout aspect of When the Angels Left the Old Country, the entire narrative would not be remotely as engaging without it.
When the Angels Left the Old Country is even more proof that historical fantasies written by marginalized authors who center the lived historical experiences of people with the same marginalizations are just objectively better!
Jewish Good Omens is an apt comparison for this story about an angel and a demon working together to traverse the Atlantic Ocean in search for a young girl that had left their little shtetl for the New World. I think fans of Neil Gaiman's other works, particularly Neverwhere and Stardust, will enjoy the writing style and tone of this book. It's got a whimsical vibe at many points, but knows precisely when to dial up the tension and intrigue. I think this is clear in Little Ash's confrontation with the gentile demon on Ellis Island and the last ten or so chapters of the book as everything comes to a crescendo.
This may not be for readers who enjoy more fast-paced fantasy stories, but hot take: I think sometimes a slow build is essential for a good story, because you need the chance to grow attached to the characters and see their change before you can genuinely care about whether they achieve their goals by the end of the book. I think this book is a perfect example of that. Seeing Uriel and Little Ash's relationship dynamic shift as they embark on their journey to find Essie is such an integral and standout aspect of When the Angels Left the Old Country, the entire narrative would not be remotely as engaging without it.
He loved his chevrusa with all of his heart: he'd known it by a hundred names, and he'd loved it always. He could not ask it to give up a name it liked having, not even to keep it safe. "All right," he said. He laced their fingers together and lifted its hand to his lips. kissing its bruised knuckles. "All right. You can be Uriel forever, and save a hundred rebbes. Be an angel or a demon or anything you like. Just don't leave me."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder