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mikeelik's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
jackofcats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
ninja_nin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.75
toniak's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! I was worried it wouldn't be as good as the first one, but it was definitely worth the wait.
I liked the theme of how silence and the things left unsaid can destroy relationships- between friends, between lovers, between parent and child. I don't think I've seen this tackled in a book before, but I thought it was so well done. After all, a book is about words, and she was writing about their absence.
I liked the theme of how silence and the things left unsaid can destroy relationships- between friends, between lovers, between parent and child. I don't think I've seen this tackled in a book before, but I thought it was so well done. After all, a book is about words, and she was writing about their absence.
heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
4.0
Fun novel, based around Jewish and Islamic folk legends of golems and genies / djinn / jinnis. The second volume in a series.
bekahb101's review
4.0
A lovely blend of historical fiction and fantasy, well-written and filled with interesting characters. Personally, I did not find the plot of this story to be nearly as compelling as plot of The Golem and the Jinni, but it was nonetheless a very good read.
alliesannotation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
⭐️: 3.25/5
🌶️: spice-free
Format: 📖 (Physical TBR #3 for 2024)
I came into this book having absolutely loved the first book, "The Golem and the Jinni." And I just didn't love this one as much. I really, really wanted to, but Wecker's writing was too slowly paced for me to be able to get into this one as much.
I do have to say, the last, like, ten pages were where I really wanted more. The last interaction between Chava and Ahmad was so sad to me, and really tugged my heartstrings. And I really love Wecker's description--it's so vivid, and you can tell exactly how well-researched it is. I truly felt like I was weaving the streets of WW1 New York. I also really appreciated, especially given the current state of the world, the glimpse into historic Syria.
What I struggled with was that, since this book really embraced an ensemble cast, the lengthy description was often too long, and it took a very long time to really get into the meat of what was happening. I ultimately didn't feel like there was a super-clear rising action, and only recognized the major climax of the story toward the end of it. I didn't get a mounting feeling of engagement as the book built.
The human characters were very well fleshed-out and developed, and really, the supernatural characters were as well, but it was just harder to relate to them...which I guess is the point--they're not human! The only thing I struggled with for Chava and Ahmad's development was that I didn't truly understand their motivation for their decisions at the end of the book. It was written in a way that made me think it ought to have been clear, but I'm still a bit lost!
At the end of the day, this series is so original, with beautiful imagery, I just had trouble getting through this installment!
🌶️: spice-free
Format: 📖 (Physical TBR #3 for 2024)
I came into this book having absolutely loved the first book, "The Golem and the Jinni." And I just didn't love this one as much. I really, really wanted to, but Wecker's writing was too slowly paced for me to be able to get into this one as much.
I do have to say, the last, like, ten pages were where I really wanted more. The last interaction between Chava and Ahmad was so sad to me, and really tugged my heartstrings. And I really love Wecker's description--it's so vivid, and you can tell exactly how well-researched it is. I truly felt like I was weaving the streets of WW1 New York. I also really appreciated, especially given the current state of the world, the glimpse into historic Syria.
What I struggled with was that, since this book really embraced an ensemble cast, the lengthy description was often too long, and it took a very long time to really get into the meat of what was happening. I ultimately didn't feel like there was a super-clear rising action, and only recognized the major climax of the story toward the end of it. I didn't get a mounting feeling of engagement as the book built.
The human characters were very well fleshed-out and developed, and really, the supernatural characters were as well, but it was just harder to relate to them...which I guess is the point--they're not human! The only thing I struggled with for Chava and Ahmad's development was that I didn't truly understand their motivation for their decisions at the end of the book. It was written in a way that made me think it ought to have been clear, but I'm still a bit lost!
At the end of the day, this series is so original, with beautiful imagery, I just had trouble getting through this installment!
shimauchiha's review against another edition
4.0
Pre-publication:
2016: Is there hope that this book will see the light of day?
Because I feel like as long as there is, I can handle whatever life throws at me.
2021: Coronavirus, but also a release date. So I guess I was right.
Post-publication:
2024: It's here.
Where the Golem and Jinny had a more traditional villain and plotline, this book is a quieter story, where the antagonists are the character's own flaws more than any outside force.
In other words, compared to the first book, it's less myth and magic and more fears and insecurities.
If you loved the first book because of the magical plot, epic confrontations and mythological creatures, you might be a little disappointed.
If you loved the first book because at its heart, it was about immigrants finding their place in New York City, or because of its flawed and beautifully drawn characters, then you'll be right at home here. (If you loved it because of the romance, well, you have a tumultuous road ahead with this book).
I loved it, though where the first book was a comfort read for me, this one left me feeling a little melancholy.
I loved Golem and Jinny's relationship, though this book is the definition of giving the reader crumbs.(CRUMBS).
I loved spending more time with Sophia, and liked the new characters, though I felt bereft of time with Chava and Ahmad.
P.S. If you read the first one years ago, don't worry, this book talks you through the most important bits and pieces in the first few chapters and you can hit the ground running.
2016: Is there hope that this book will see the light of day?
Because I feel like as long as there is, I can handle whatever life throws at me.
2021: Coronavirus, but also a release date. So I guess I was right.
Post-publication:
2024: It's here.
Where the Golem and Jinny had a more traditional villain and plotline, this book is a quieter story, where the antagonists are the character's own flaws more than any outside force.
In other words, compared to the first book, it's less myth and magic and more fears and insecurities.
If you loved the first book because of the magical plot, epic confrontations and mythological creatures, you might be a little disappointed.
If you loved the first book because at its heart, it was about immigrants finding their place in New York City, or because of its flawed and beautifully drawn characters, then you'll be right at home here. (If you loved it because of the romance, well, you have a tumultuous road ahead with this book).
I loved it, though where the first book was a comfort read for me, this one left me feeling a little melancholy.
I loved Golem and Jinny's relationship, though this book is the definition of giving the reader crumbs.(CRUMBS).
I loved spending more time with Sophia, and liked the new characters, though I felt bereft of time with Chava and Ahmad.
P.S. If you read the first one years ago, don't worry, this book talks you through the most important bits and pieces in the first few chapters and you can hit the ground running.
bookishnookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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