A review by bextalksbooks
The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan, is a fantasy story set in a magical, mythical version of Spain during the time of the Inquisition, and based on Jewish Folklore. We follow our two main characters as their separate journeys lead their paths to intertwine with one another. We have Toba Peres who can talk but not shout, walk but not run and who can write simultaneously with both hands in different languages. Then we have Naftaly Cresques who has strange dreams of square-pupiled strangers in a magical world, who sees things that aren’t real while awake and has been passed down a book that has been kept within his family which he must never lose or read. These two unique characters are forced to leave their homes when the Queen forces all Jews to leave or convert. During their travels Toba is driven from the road and stumbles through a magical gate to land in the world of Maziks. After attempting to find Toba and bring her back to the road, and left behind at the gate, Naftaly finds himself fifty miles off course and in the company of a stubborn old woman who followed him into the woods. As Toba’s uncovering the secret of her parentage and newfound magic, Naftaly keeps being pulled into the dreamworld to one particular orange-eyed Mazik. To survive they both must uncover secrets about legend, magic and how a magic book is linked to Naftaly, Toba and a conflict in Mazik history, the lost city of Luz. 

This book is definitely at a slower pace than I usually prefer to read in a fantasy, but Kaplan does an exquisite job of making that pacing seem just right. The introduction of characters and the unfolding of the story is done in a way that you are given just enough at the moment but not feeling overwhelmed by everything you are learning. This delivery, I feel, helps make a book like this that has so many places, characters and phrases that are uncommon, welcoming for readers new to fantasy. 

While this book technically has two worlds, the world of the humans and the world of the Maziks, they are explored equally and the world building is delivered slowly throughout. There is no info dumping in this as the world you’re in or the magic that you’re experiencing is explained as it comes into play within the story. The magic system itself is quite fascinating and while there are influences from magic systems I have read before, they have a unique twist to them in the lands of the Maziks. 

The characters are some of the most fascinating as there are many of them. You are introduced to the characters similar to the way you are the magic, as the story develops. This story is told in multiple POV and not just Toba and Naftaly which adds to the viewing of the worlds in unique takes. Each character is given their own personality and while I did love and enjoy each character, I really enjoyed that you got to know their flaws in full. None of the characters are painted as perfect, especially when it comes to learning or navigating the magic. One of my favorite characters is the Old Lady (you never learn her name), she is a spit fire, smart, sassy, and quick witted. She very much is the comedy relief in some tense moments, which I appreciated. 

This story being based in a version of Spain during the Inquisition and pulling from true historical facts about the treatment of Jewish people during that time was fascinating and extremely eye opening. Kaplan is able to deliver the cruel actions of the crown forcing Jewish people to make the decision to leave their home and seek refuge elsewhere or convert, in a way that you are understanding that this happened to real people but keeping you within this fantasy world she created. I finished this book and wanted to dive into my own research of the true facts that inspired this story.

Overall, I think that this book was well written and very enjoyable. It draws you in deeper and deeper as you read. The characters are enjoyable on their own and together, especially as their journeys start intertwining. The banter between the characters was strongly written and felt genuine and true to their voices. As for complaints about this book I only have one. There is a strange romantic…pining, I believe that’s the best word for it, that takes place between two characters that depending on how it plays out later on, could have gone without. That being said, I very much enjoyed reading another developing romance (and the only queer one). It's very sweet, flirting, and I can’t wait to watch what it becomes.  

This is the first book in the Mirror Realm Cycle trilogy and does leave on a cliffhanger. But I cannot wait to pick up the sequel when it comes out. This was a five star read for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.