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: Violence and Gun 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: Antisemitism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Grief, and Homophobia
Minor: Genocide and Fire/Fire injury
sarahav47's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
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: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism and Murder
shadowspinner's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Antisemitism
dananana's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Gun violence
Minor: Pregnancy and Deportation
kathryn51's review against another edition
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
This was such a nice book-- the wholesome parts were very wholesome, and the action parts were fast-paced and attention-grabbing. Overall, I really really liked this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
jaan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
I LOVED the audiobook narrator, Donald Corren, who narrates with kindness and a sense of dry humor, though I did think he could have been a leetle more stressed during the tense, action-filled parts. I think the book suffers from being VERY long, but I liked the story, and was able to keep pace with it over three weeks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Gun violence
Moderate: Deportation
rblue7's review against another edition
Eh just wasn't for me. I couldn't get invested in the characters and the plot moved too slowly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Murder, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
5.0
Really good. I love how fun it starts, but then as the characters become more involved with world the more serious the story gets. Ending was not as good as the rest of the book, but is still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Xenophobia