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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5. Nice to read a historical Jewish book that’s not about the Holocaust.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Kind of fell below my high expectations but I still enjoyed it overall… the first half dragged a bit, but the end was pretty interesting, and I liked that the author obviously did a fair bit of research about the historical setting.
The only books I've read that have centered Jewish identity and culture this heavily have been Holocaust novels or memoirs, and I truly loved this book for giving me something outside of those parameters. I love fantasy and historical books, and I loved that this book takes place during the 1893 Chicago's World Fair AND focuses on fantasy elements based on Jewish lore - the possession of a dybbuk. My heart really feels for Alter, who is hurt and scared of the world (and his sexuality) but just so deeply wants to do good. Without spoiling it, I loved the murder mystery element - especially the two part structure and how it *feels* like they have resolved everything when they catch Katz, only for there to still be a third of the book left - and how everything flows out. I also loved the little details (like the call out about arsenic green cloth and the oblique HH Holmes reference) while the book is utterly steeped in Jewish culture and identity.
Highly recommend for those who love books set in Chicago, historical fiction, or are looking for a new type of "world building" for fantasy (particularly urban fantasy).
I did receive a NetGalley ARC, but ended up finishing this as an audiobook since I progress through that much faster.
Highly recommend for those who love books set in Chicago, historical fiction, or are looking for a new type of "world building" for fantasy (particularly urban fantasy).
I did receive a NetGalley ARC, but ended up finishing this as an audiobook since I progress through that much faster.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Antisemitism
Though I finished this book almost 4 months ago, I have not forgotten my Need to write a review for it.
Not a fast read, nor a particularly light one at times, The City Beautiful really stuck with me in how its world became true through the characters. Seamless in its tone, the trials and tribulations our protagonist Alter faces while living with the Dybbuk inside felt absolutely plausible. And for a historical fiction story with mythological elements? A little spooky!
I loved following Alter: his ups and downs, his evolving connection to his faith, the external battle with his old pal Frankie and the wavering internal battle with his personhood, it all tied together to make a really memorable story. And incredibly researched! I felt as though I learned more Jewish history reading this YA novel than I did in any of my public school classrooms.
If, like me, you like connecting with complex characters, a little pinch of magic, a new bit of history, lgbtqa+ experience, all blended into a well-thought mystery—Do read The City Beautiful!!
Not a fast read, nor a particularly light one at times, The City Beautiful really stuck with me in how its world became true through the characters. Seamless in its tone, the trials and tribulations our protagonist Alter faces while living with the Dybbuk inside felt absolutely plausible. And for a historical fiction story with mythological elements? A little spooky!
I loved following Alter: his ups and downs, his evolving connection to his faith, the external battle with his old pal Frankie and the wavering internal battle with his personhood, it all tied together to make a really memorable story. And incredibly researched! I felt as though I learned more Jewish history reading this YA novel than I did in any of my public school classrooms.
If, like me, you like connecting with complex characters, a little pinch of magic, a new bit of history, lgbtqa+ experience, all blended into a well-thought mystery—Do read The City Beautiful!!