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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
I really wanted to like this book as i do think there should be more ya books with strong Jewish main characters but I was sadly disappointed. The book was too long and there was too much going in which resulted in it lacking depth for much of the plot and characters . This had potential to showcase antisemitism, Jewish culture and beliefs .
Did a combo of audio and book and the audio was not great, took away from the tone and made the characters seem awful.
Did a combo of audio and book and the audio was not great, took away from the tone and made the characters seem awful.
This was so freaking rich, honestly, in detail, in emotion, in character. Much like the author noted, I don't think I have ever read a single book with a Jewish protagonist that didn't relate to the Holocaust and I was shocked to find out how much of this story was historical fact. I really enjoyed every aspect of this and it was so, so, so easy to sink into because it was supported in every direction by the writing, the plot, the characters, the structure, everything.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
The City is Beautiful is described as a queer Jewish historical fantasy, and it definitely delivers there. Featuring a protagonist. This is probably one of the best books I have read in all of 2021 and I would definitely suggest picking up. It delivers everything it claims to and keeps you guessing the entire time.
This was really good! I love historical queer books and the horror/fantasy element was well done too.
It felt a little long but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
4.25/5
It felt a little long but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
4.25/5
I won't lie to you, I'm writing this review like a year or two after reading this. However, I still wouldn't give this book any lower than a four. My love for the characters, especially my boys, is still here.
To be honest, I was always going to love this book, regardless of how good it was. A gay, frum main character? What more could I ask for? But the further I got into the book, the more I loved it. Every part was written with real skill, and the plot was so engaging, I could barely put the book down, and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I did. The writing was captivating, and I felt myself drawn into late nineteenth century Jewish Chicago almost immediately. I'm delighted to have found a new favorite author.
Update: I just read it again, and I love it even more. I don't know how it's possible that I was surprised by how stunning this book is. I first read it only a year ago, and it's one of my favorite books, but my memory of it just didn't capture the intensity of the atmosphere and tension.
Update: I just read it again, and I love it even more. I don't know how it's possible that I was surprised by how stunning this book is. I first read it only a year ago, and it's one of my favorite books, but my memory of it just didn't capture the intensity of the atmosphere and tension.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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:
No
mildly surprised i’ve taken so long to read a jewish-centric fiction book, but this one SLAPPED - i ADORE a revenge plot always and the delicious queer romance on the side was sooooo good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
This will end up being one of the last books I read for my 2023 reading challenge, but might wind up being one of my favorites of the year. The writing is beautiful and the characters were well-drawn and engaging. The story itself was gripping. Some might say the villains seemed almost cartoonishly evil in how they spoke, but that's how those bigots speak. They sound almost goofy (or, rather, they would if what was being said wasn't so monstrous) in how they rant and scream. The setting was inredible and Polydoros did a fantastic job of making the White City, of making Chicago at that time just as much of a character as Alter and Frankie.
Excellent Jewish rep, but I wanted a little more fantasy and more of the politics of this time period. I’ll definitely read more from this author!