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brittrivera's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
soreadssonya's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Kinda dark but interesting story! Loved seeing the cultural similarities and learning about nyc in the turn of the 20th century
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Self harm
glowbunny's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
emiek11's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tsukibunny68's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
peterkeep's review
5.0
I'm really amazed at this book. It's beautifully written, has excellent characters that are all important but also easy to read about, and a great, imaginative plot rooted in historical accuracy and mythology. Following Chava and Ahmad through their lives and experiences in New York really left me with the same sense of wonder and amazement that the characters go through in their new environment. When they triumph over some obstacle, great or small, I felt immensely proud; when they were given some disappointment or had to suffer through some loss, I felt I was grieving with them, as if I had something to do with their successes and had some stake in their losses just by watching and reading along.
The story itself is extremely well done, with lots of suspense and intrigue, a clear direction and ending, but twists and turns along the way. It's as close to a perfectly crafted story as I've read in a while. I'm so happy to have read it, and it will definitely be one of the books I recommend quickly and easily to others.
The story itself is extremely well done, with lots of suspense and intrigue, a clear direction and ending, but twists and turns along the way. It's as close to a perfectly crafted story as I've read in a while. I'm so happy to have read it, and it will definitely be one of the books I recommend quickly and easily to others.
dilchh's review against another edition
5.0
Do you ever have that feeling when you’re watching a movie that is so good that you’re torn between keeping your eyes glued to the screen and to pay attention to every single detail happening before your eyes that you’ve completely stop eating your bucket of popcorn entirely, with the feeling of nervousness about the movie that you didn’t even realise that you’ve been eating your bucket of popcorn nonstop? Well, reading this book is somewhat like that; it was intense that every time I had to put the book down, my mind kept coming back to the story and it made me restless not knowing what’s to happen next.
It was so addictive, intense and more!
It was such a beautiful world that the author was building, it shed light on immigrants coming to America for the first time from all over the world, it shed light on the many interesting and diverse culture. I am pleased to see such beautiful take on diverse culture in this book without seeming like it’s only there for the heck of it and not a substantial presence to the story. This is really the kind of book that you can’t put down once you’ve start reading it; the more you read it, the stronger your bonds are to the story and the characters that you’d feel surge of emotions for their well-being.
The world building was beautiful. The cultural background was written perfectly. Wait until you’ve met the characters!
It was so addictive, intense and more!
It was such a beautiful world that the author was building, it shed light on immigrants coming to America for the first time from all over the world, it shed light on the many interesting and diverse culture. I am pleased to see such beautiful take on diverse culture in this book without seeming like it’s only there for the heck of it and not a substantial presence to the story. This is really the kind of book that you can’t put down once you’ve start reading it; the more you read it, the stronger your bonds are to the story and the characters that you’d feel surge of emotions for their well-being.
The world building was beautiful. The cultural background was written perfectly. Wait until you’ve met the characters!
marscandy37's review
5.0
This book was beautiful. The author was so descriptive that it was as if I was walking the streets with the characters, looking through their eyes. She explained everything so well, and I was never left unsatisfied. All things seemed possible, even the impossible ones. In the hands of a less skilled author this book probably wouldn't shine, but with Helene Wecker this book not only shines it could probably be seen from space.
Very much recommend this book.
Very much recommend this book.
maddie_reads_stuff's review
4.0
A newborn golem and a centuries-old jinni search for their places in New York City at the turn of the century.
The book is a study of contrasts: earth and fire, fear and brazenness, the desire for guidance and that for freedom. The beings' polar natures make their unusual relationship and underlying similarities all the more striking.
The book is a study of contrasts: earth and fire, fear and brazenness, the desire for guidance and that for freedom. The beings' polar natures make their unusual relationship and underlying similarities all the more striking.