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craftymxlibrarian's review
5.0
This book was absolutely stunning!!! Based heavily in Jewish culture and mysticism, it captures so well how trauma can be passed down through the generations and how interwoven all our stories are, connecting us inextricably to the people in our lives. I also love how Hannah's queer identity is left open with no solid label. It is completely authentic to many queer people's stories... That time between realizing we're queer and then, as Hannah puts it, "choosing a letter." I just love everything about this book!!
bek_p87's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
I found this fascinating. Interweaving family drama over multiple generations and Jewish lore and mythology, which is a topic I knew nothing about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Xenophobia and Violence
shksprsis's review
dark
emotional
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? No
4.25
kmartbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
A compelling and multi-layered young adult sapphic contemporary fantasy, this story immerses readers in a world rich with Jewish folklore and history. It is an emotionally resonant exploration of family, identity, and transformation.
This is the story of a young woman named Hannah who has spent her life in constant motion, along with her adopted brother Gabe, under the care of their enigmatic mother. This nomadic existence leaves them with no roots, no history, and no connections beyond their small family unit. However, on Hannah's seventeenth birthday, her life takes an unexpected turn when she wakes up with a startling physical and monstrous transformation. This transformation is just the beginning of a series of impossible mutations that both intrigue and terrify her.
When their mother abruptly leaves to get answers, Hannah and Gabe are left to fend for themselves. As days turn into weeks without their mother's return, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth about their family's history and the mysterious curse that now haunts them. The narrative skillfully weaves together past and present, taking readers on a journey from Hannah's contemporary struggles to her grandmother's experiences, to her mother's experiences at Hannah's age. Through Jewish mysticism and legend, the story unveils a tragic and fantastical family history that holds the key to breaking the curse.
One of the standout elements of the novel is the complexities of familial relationships and the importance of both found family and blood ties that are central to the narrative. The sibling dynamic between Gabe and Hannah is particularly well-developed, adding depth and authenticity to their bond. Gabe's story matters just as much as Hannah's.
This is a story about finding belonging in unexpected places and unearthing the hidden secrets of one's heritage. It beautifully combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and family drama, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally powerful. This narrative delves deep into themes of family, identity, isolation, and the quest for truth and cultural understanding. It's a story about the power of stories and how they shape our sense of self.
This is the story of a young woman named Hannah who has spent her life in constant motion, along with her adopted brother Gabe, under the care of their enigmatic mother. This nomadic existence leaves them with no roots, no history, and no connections beyond their small family unit. However, on Hannah's seventeenth birthday, her life takes an unexpected turn when she wakes up with a startling physical and monstrous transformation. This transformation is just the beginning of a series of impossible mutations that both intrigue and terrify her.
When their mother abruptly leaves to get answers, Hannah and Gabe are left to fend for themselves. As days turn into weeks without their mother's return, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth about their family's history and the mysterious curse that now haunts them. The narrative skillfully weaves together past and present, taking readers on a journey from Hannah's contemporary struggles to her grandmother's experiences, to her mother's experiences at Hannah's age. Through Jewish mysticism and legend, the story unveils a tragic and fantastical family history that holds the key to breaking the curse.
One of the standout elements of the novel is the complexities of familial relationships and the importance of both found family and blood ties that are central to the narrative. The sibling dynamic between Gabe and Hannah is particularly well-developed, adding depth and authenticity to their bond. Gabe's story matters just as much as Hannah's.
This is a story about finding belonging in unexpected places and unearthing the hidden secrets of one's heritage. It beautifully combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and family drama, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally powerful. This narrative delves deep into themes of family, identity, isolation, and the quest for truth and cultural understanding. It's a story about the power of stories and how they shape our sense of self.
gidsreadsthings's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
valvallie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
- 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
4.0
there's something so comforting about Rebecca Podos' writing
sewlikeafox's review
4.0
I haven't read a supernatural book quite like this one before. I liked how well the real and the magical were mixed in this story. It was an entertaining read, and something different than what I have been reading the last few weeks.
The story centers around a teenage girl who wakes up on her 17th birthday to find she's been cursed. Each day she wakes to find her body has a different animal mutation (scales one day, wings on another day, a forked tongue on another day). I found that part of the story very fresh & different! The girl & her brother delve deep into their family roots after their mother goes missing and find out they are Jewish, and have a whole huge family they never knew about. It is also slowly revealed that their mother & grandmother were full of secrets.
There is a lot of Jewish ideology & folklore mixed into the book, along with LGBTQ+ representation.
My rating system:
5 ⭐ = Great story, loved it, would definitely recommend
4 ⭐ = Good story, enjoyed it, worth the read
3 ⭐ = Okay story, some predictable parts, it was fine
2 ⭐ = Lame story, boring, kept losing interest
1 ⭐ = Terrible story, couldn't finish
The story centers around a teenage girl who wakes up on her 17th birthday to find she's been cursed. Each day she wakes to find her body has a different animal mutation (scales one day, wings on another day, a forked tongue on another day). I found that part of the story very fresh & different! The girl & her brother delve deep into their family roots after their mother goes missing and find out they are Jewish, and have a whole huge family they never knew about. It is also slowly revealed that their mother & grandmother were full of secrets.
There is a lot of Jewish ideology & folklore mixed into the book, along with LGBTQ+ representation.
My rating system:
5 ⭐ = Great story, loved it, would definitely recommend
4 ⭐ = Good story, enjoyed it, worth the read
3 ⭐ = Okay story, some predictable parts, it was fine
2 ⭐ = Lame story, boring, kept losing interest
1 ⭐ = Terrible story, couldn't finish
devrose's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.75
This book had just the right mix of contemporary YA and Jewish mythology. The narrator got all the Hebrew right, which I greatly appreciated after the last book I read. I want Hannah and Ari to decide to go to the same college now!
thesustainablebookshelf's review
4.0
It's always just been Hannah, her brother, and her mom moving from state to state. Yet something has always felt off with her nomadic mother. It turns out there is so much more to her mom's past than Hannah ever bargained for. And when she starts growing mythical body parts, Hannah goes on a journey to hell and back to save her family from it.