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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Fantastic!!! It was really fascinating to learn so much about not only Jewish culture, but Jewish mythology as well, especially in a historical context like this (I’m starting to think that maybe historical fantasy is my new favorite genre). I LOVE FRANKIE. That is all.
Just kidding, this book was so genuinely incredible that I don’t even really know what else to say about it. The tough issues were tackled really well, the horror aspect was unsettling without being too over the top for the tone, and the pacing was very well done. I would also highly recommend the audiobook just for that accent.
Just kidding, this book was so genuinely incredible that I don’t even really know what else to say about it. The tough issues were tackled really well, the horror aspect was unsettling without being too over the top for the tone, and the pacing was very well done. I would also highly recommend the audiobook just for that accent.
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
In 1890s, teenage immigrant Alter struggles to earn enough money to survive in Chicago and bring his mother and sisters over from Romania while trying to repress the fact that he feels drawn more to other men than to anyone the matchmaker might find for him—and to get to the bottom of why young Jewish men keep turning up dead in the midst of the World’s Fair. Aden Polydoros conjures up with great vividness life in a working class Jewish neighbourhood in fin de siècle Chicago, and Alter is a sympathetic main character. There are some problems with the pacing and I thought Alter’s romantic relationships needed more heft to them, but this is a book of promise and I’d read more by Polydoros in the future.
adventurous
challenging
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
Queer Jewish historical fantasy? Yes please!
Aden Polydoros wows in this gripping tale about the demons inside all of us, and the consequences of guilt.
Set in Chicago in the 1890s Alter works himself to the bone, numbers running through his head all day as he saves up to bring his Mother and sisters over from Romania. His plans become derailed when his best friend is found dead, and soon he finds himself embroiled in the mystery of missing and dead Jewish boys. To make matters worse he has become possessed by Yakov's dybbuk, his past has come back to haunt him, and it seems his only solution is to ask his ex friend Frankie for help. (Frankie who is doing very well for himself with his mini crime empire, overall attractiveness, and assimilation into "American ways")
Please check your trigger warnings, as this does go to dark places. (It's worth it, I promise!)
I loved how incredibly honest and angry this book was. Every page just felt raw, not in an unpolished and unedited way, but as if the author was baring his heart and soul for us to see, his emotions bleeding through every page and character. (Seriously y'all, you can feel the rage and injustice) I saw so much of myself in so many of the characters, but most of all Frankie. I wanted to scream at the police officers who refused to help, and when it is revealed what Mr. Katz has been doing to young boys, and Frankie, I cried. I wish such lengths could be taken for every person who has committed such despicable and inhumane acts.
I honestly went in with pretty low expectations after reading The Bone Weaver, and to say this book blew me away was an understatement. The City Beautiful has won a ton of awards, and rightfully so.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me is I felt it kinda slowed down near the end. It was all going so well and great and then with multiple different bad guys it was a bit hard to keep up with and I just felt like it lost steam for me.
I highly recommend this book, and with a renewed interest in the author, I look forward to what he will write next.
Aden Polydoros wows in this gripping tale about the demons inside all of us, and the consequences of guilt.
Set in Chicago in the 1890s Alter works himself to the bone, numbers running through his head all day as he saves up to bring his Mother and sisters over from Romania. His plans become derailed when his best friend is found dead, and soon he finds himself embroiled in the mystery of missing and dead Jewish boys. To make matters worse he has become possessed by Yakov's dybbuk, his past has come back to haunt him, and it seems his only solution is to ask his ex friend Frankie for help. (Frankie who is doing very well for himself with his mini crime empire, overall attractiveness, and assimilation into "American ways")
Please check your trigger warnings, as this does go to dark places. (It's worth it, I promise!)
I loved how incredibly honest and angry this book was. Every page just felt raw, not in an unpolished and unedited way, but as if the author was baring his heart and soul for us to see, his emotions bleeding through every page and character. (Seriously y'all, you can feel the rage and injustice) I saw so much of myself in so many of the characters, but most of all Frankie. I wanted to scream at the police officers who refused to help, and when
I honestly went in with pretty low expectations after reading The Bone Weaver, and to say this book blew me away was an understatement. The City Beautiful has won a ton of awards, and rightfully so.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me is I felt it kinda slowed down near the end. It was all going so well and great and then
I highly recommend this book, and with a renewed interest in the author, I look forward to what he will write next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault
dark
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
It was a good book, and I can appreciate just how much research was put into writing it, but I just don’t think mystery/thriller books are for me. I never can seem to get into them. That’s the only reason I rate this so low. Other than that, not a bad book.
I'm all for more books like this! I'm not much of a historical fiction or fantasy reader but it turns out I like both those genres much better when the history in question is Jewish and the fantasy is based on Jewish folklore instead of the usual Western European fairy tale bores.
The main thing about this book in particular though was that it wasn't super engaging. It was way too long and certain parts really dragged and even the murder mystery aspect of it, which is one genre that I actually do enjoy, seemed to be trite and anti-climactic.
As far as Jewish YA lit goes, I did enjoy that this one had a glossary in the back so the narrative didn't have to spend extra time explaining what I already know.
The main thing about this book in particular though was that it wasn't super engaging. It was way too long and certain parts really dragged and even the murder mystery aspect of it, which is one genre that I actually do enjoy, seemed to be trite and anti-climactic.
As far as Jewish YA lit goes, I did enjoy that this one had a glossary in the back so the narrative didn't have to spend extra time explaining what I already know.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
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:
Yes
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes