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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wanted to like this book so much more. The Jewish mythology and historical context are so intriguing. But it took so long for a plot to develop, I felt like I was reading a sitcom for 70% of the book.
Most of the characters are boring and one dimensional with either no discernible motive behind their actions or a motive that seemed to come from no where.
I most likely won't read the following book(s).
Most of the characters are boring and one dimensional with either no discernible motive behind their actions or a motive that seemed to come from no where.
I most likely won't read the following book(s).
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
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
The Pomegranate Gate is one of those Big Fat Fantasy books with long game plots, sweeping histories, and so many characters, both heroic and dastardly, that they require a glossary at the end. This book is worth the long page count, in my estimation. It’s based on Jewish folklore, and set in a medieval Spanish setting of the expulsion of the Jews during the time of Isabella’s consolidation of power and the Inquisition. The story follows two young friends - Naftaly, a failed tailor who wants to be seen as useless, and Noba, who can translate five languages with both hands, but can’t run or yell. As these two become refugees in the face of the Inquisition, they begin to learn of their connection to a second, magical realm.
I will admit that this book was not an easy read for me. I have tended to avoid “door stoppers” for the past several years, and frankly the first 10% of the book dragged for me, until Naftaly and Toba’s stories were fully underway. After that, however, I was fully invested in the story, and the reading became less a chore and all of a delight. I’m fully invested and will definitely read the next book in the series.
I will admit that this book was not an easy read for me. I have tended to avoid “door stoppers” for the past several years, and frankly the first 10% of the book dragged for me, until Naftaly and Toba’s stories were fully underway. After that, however, I was fully invested in the story, and the reading became less a chore and all of a delight. I’m fully invested and will definitely read the next book in the series.