Scan barcode
busyknitting's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cieralegue's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
I loved the beginning and most of the end except for the very last chapter. The middle however felt extremely slow and just repetitive. The story itself was interesting but just be forewarned their is a lot of sex refrences in the middle of the story that i feel wasn't all necessary. Their is also a good amount of Yiddish and possibly Russian words but most are explained.
maeflower4213's review
4.0
As my October 2022 BotM selection (yes, I'm behind, I know), I was not disappointed. This is the first full-fledged fantasy book I've read and enjoyed and appreciated in years and I was happy with it. It only took so long to read because I had so much else going on the last couple months.
I really enjoyed the story! It's the first thing I've read with any hints of horror/Otherworldly aspects but it wasn't anything crazy.
One of my favorite components of the book was the tie-ins to the folklore and culture of European/Russian Jewish tradition. I enjoy history and am always up for learning more about other people groups.
There's not extensive world building in this fantasy as it takes place majority of the time across various US states with call-backs to a fictional Russian town. But I very much liked having two main characters, a brother and sister and the development that occurred between them.
The villain was new and intriguing and I certainly spent a lot of the book trying to figure out exactly what their role in the grand scheme of the story was.
It was on the simpler side, but no disappointment with the ending or any major gripes. I probably would have enjoyed this book in high school or college as well.
I really enjoyed the story! It's the first thing I've read with any hints of horror/Otherworldly aspects but it wasn't anything crazy.
One of my favorite components of the book was the tie-ins to the folklore and culture of European/Russian Jewish tradition. I enjoy history and am always up for learning more about other people groups.
There's not extensive world building in this fantasy as it takes place majority of the time across various US states with call-backs to a fictional Russian town. But I very much liked having two main characters, a brother and sister and the development that occurred between them.
The villain was new and intriguing and I certainly spent a lot of the book trying to figure out exactly what their role in the grand scheme of the story was.
It was on the simpler side, but no disappointment with the ending or any major gripes. I probably would have enjoyed this book in high school or college as well.
theblondpanda's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
thenymphsvoice's review against another edition
Nothing wrong with it perse just wasn’t grabbing me. I was bored even tho it wasn’t really boring. Felt like we were taking the scenic route to the story.
layflock's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
hoila's review
5.0
I forced all my friends to read this, and one of the few books I've re-read, as I just couldn't shake it.
The prose is hauntingly beautiful, some lines I still can't shake. With this novel as a whole, you feel that the author has a tight grasp on all moving parts - there's meaning in so many details, and nothing is without purpose.
The overarching themes of the importance of stories and who gets to tell them and generational trauma are described in a way that feels vivid and fresh, timeless, and pressing.
The finale had me gripping pages; it's visceral and personal, and, for me, it lingered for days and weeks. Spectacular!
The prose is hauntingly beautiful, some lines I still can't shake. With this novel as a whole, you feel that the author has a tight grasp on all moving parts - there's meaning in so many details, and nothing is without purpose.
The overarching themes of the importance of stories and who gets to tell them and generational trauma are described in a way that feels vivid and fresh, timeless, and pressing.
The finale had me gripping pages; it's visceral and personal, and, for me, it lingered for days and weeks. Spectacular!
muttdawg5's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
caebrown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Self harm, Antisemitism, Death, Genocide, Animal death, Violence, and Hate crime