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jmrprice's review
4.0
Intriguing and rather absorbing story of supernatural beings interacting with other immigrants at the turn of the 19th to 20th century New York City.
the_escape_artist_'s review
3.0
This book was well write , but wasn’t great and wasn’t terrible, but I have complaints. First off, this book is too long, there is for sure one character that is totally unnecessary, creating a 100 page story arc that could be fully left out, and at least two others that don’t really need to be there. Secondly, the book is so busy protecting the twist and c story arc that the a and b story arc are somewhat boring. This book should have been 350 pages and would have been great. I am giving it a 3 because it overall is an original and intriguing story, but can’t give it any higher.
tablereader234's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and engaging story that is at once a fantasy novel and an immigrant story. Watching Chava and Ahmad adapt and exist in the new world and find commonalities between themselves is intimate and made me care deeply for them both as well as the everyday people they interacted with. Pair that with a terrifying antagonist and you've got a fantastic book that I spent a good month recommending to all my friends after finishing it. And now I'm recommending it to you!
jewelleryjen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
frannieman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jasminebitsakaki's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.25
silvermadeleine's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A thoughtful and gentle fantasy, set in late 19th century New York, that brings together a curious and self-aware female golem and a recently released djinn from 7th century Syria. Accountability and social relationships are two strong themes. The writer clearly loves New York. There's a lot of metalsmithing in the book, which I enjoyed, though a scene in which someone throws a silver object on a fire and it melts made me wince – the flames wouldn't be hot enough.
alivaster's review
3.0
Perfect for those who love a good historical story infused with a healthy dose of folklore and mythology, and love it when two engaging storylines converge. No time travel here, friends, just a golem - made to be the companion of a man who met an unfortunate end - and a jinni - enslaved with no memory of why - who find each other and try to hide their true natures. They forge a connection, soldered by the ability to be their true selves with each other and no one else, however, they part ways and must find their way in a world where humans would rather see them destroyed, where they are ‘othered’ much like the immigrants around them. Surprisingly it goes quite well, until they are faced with someone who is all too familiar, someone neither of them expected.
Engaging from the very first page, it’s a book that pulls you in and may keep you reading late into the night (I've warned you!). If audiobooks are more your speed, the narrator for the audiobook was absolutely amazing. He set the right voice, tone, and mood throughout the book. It is done so well that you might find yourself reaching to hit ‘play’ on the audiobook more often than reading the words on a book page.
The thing that I really wanted from the book was wanting more of the golem and jinni to be together more often, not as a couple, but as friends navigating the world together rather than a part. But it was still a great read and I would recommend it.
Engaging from the very first page, it’s a book that pulls you in and may keep you reading late into the night (I've warned you!). If audiobooks are more your speed, the narrator for the audiobook was absolutely amazing. He set the right voice, tone, and mood throughout the book. It is done so well that you might find yourself reaching to hit ‘play’ on the audiobook more often than reading the words on a book page.
The thing that I really wanted from the book was wanting more of the golem and jinni to be together more often, not as a couple, but as friends navigating the world together rather than a part. But it was still a great read and I would recommend it.