hannah_grillo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
chantale's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hannahollihan's review against another edition
I wanted to give this book a chance and read outside my comfort zone, but as an atheist I’m just really uncomfortable with the sheer amount of actually religion in this book. If this was more inspired by the authors Jewish faith I may have been more inclined to continue. It’s just not for me.
zluke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly moving, beautifully written, but also really sad.
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Rape
Minor: War
faehistory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
This was the book I didn't know I needed. It embeds magic into Judaism, threading it into prayer and practice so they become one and the same. It's a perspective not seen often (The Golem and the Djinn is the only example I can think of). I loved it.
I was especially appreciative of Sarah. Initially, I didn't like her character. I found her impetuous, thoughtless, and frustrating. But over the course of the book, she changed, evolving as the best characters do, and became one of my favorites.
One quibble with the book was with Laptitza's poetry chapters. I don't have much patience for poetry and I wish her voice hadn't changed from prose. My other quibble was with the dying. I know that's historically accurate: Jews were killed and expelled throughout history. But I didn't want to read it. I wanted a true fantasy where everything worked out for the characters I had come to love.
I was especially appreciative of Sarah. Initially, I didn't like her character. I found her impetuous, thoughtless, and frustrating. But over the course of the book, she changed, evolving as the best characters do, and became one of my favorites.
One quibble with the book was with Laptitza's poetry chapters. I don't have much patience for poetry and I wish her voice hadn't changed from prose. My other quibble was with the dying. I know that's historically accurate: Jews were killed and expelled throughout history. But I didn't want to read it. I wanted a true fantasy where everything worked out for the characters I had come to love.
onceuponasarah's review against another edition
2.0
Got halfway through, and then I lost interest. Did skim the ending, but I just wasn't feeling this I suppose.
krishnak's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
phiffle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
fauxpunk's review against another edition
4.0
I typed up a whole long review. I had like 5 paragraphs. I accidentally closed the review screen. I did this twice. I give up. Four stars.