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bandysbooks's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
Do you ever pick up a book that you know nothing about completely based on the cover? That's exactly how I wound up reading When The Angels Left The Old Country. I was scanning Netgalley and the cover just really called to me. I'm so glad I requested this book because this was such a unique and interesting book.
Angels follows an angel and a demon as they try to protect a member of their shtetl who immigrates to the United States. It sounds bizarre and in some ways it is, but oh my goodness did I enjoy this book. The characters were unique, the plot was engaging, and it was a good balance of mystery, humor, and suspense.
First of all, both the angel and the demon were such interesting characters. I loved their unexplainable bond and the humor they share throughout the story. I was invested in who they were and what their purpose was. I also found the human characters well thought out and realistic.
The immigration process through Ellis Island was both unique for the Angel and Demon, but oddly realistic too. We see people arbitrarily trapped for being a single woman, for potential illness, or just because a guard didn't like them. It echoes a lot of the stories I learned about when I visited the Ellis Island museum.
I also really enjoyed the Jewish cultural elements in this story. I felt like I learned a handful of things and it made the story feel so rich and real.
All in all, this was a wonderfully interesting story with memorable characters. I would recommend it if you want a unique adventure of immigration from one continent to another or if you enjoy contemporary fiction with a splash of humor. I will definitely read future books by Sacha Lamb in the future.
Angels follows an angel and a demon as they try to protect a member of their shtetl who immigrates to the United States. It sounds bizarre and in some ways it is, but oh my goodness did I enjoy this book. The characters were unique, the plot was engaging, and it was a good balance of mystery, humor, and suspense.
First of all, both the angel and the demon were such interesting characters. I loved their unexplainable bond and the humor they share throughout the story. I was invested in who they were and what their purpose was. I also found the human characters well thought out and realistic.
The immigration process through Ellis Island was both unique for the Angel and Demon, but oddly realistic too. We see people arbitrarily trapped for being a single woman, for potential illness, or just because a guard didn't like them. It echoes a lot of the stories I learned about when I visited the Ellis Island museum.
I also really enjoyed the Jewish cultural elements in this story. I felt like I learned a handful of things and it made the story feel so rich and real.
All in all, this was a wonderfully interesting story with memorable characters. I would recommend it if you want a unique adventure of immigration from one continent to another or if you enjoy contemporary fiction with a splash of humor. I will definitely read future books by Sacha Lamb in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Racism, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
displacedcactus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
What an absolutely delightful read! This book is very Jewish and sweetly queer. While pogroms are mentioned and there are instances of antisemitism, it is overall a very hopeful and even joyful read, I think, with characters trying to do good (with maybe a little wickedness on the side if they're a demon). It definitely has similar vibes to Good Omens, but on a smaller scale and of course as I said, very Jewish as opposed to Christian. Note: There is a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terminology in the back. I was able to figure out most of the ones I didn't know by context, but this could be very helpful if you're not really familiar with Jewish culture.
I read this on a trip and I have to say it's just really fun to read a book where characters are traveling while I'm traveling -- especially when we were both going to NY. But I'm glad I took a plane instead of riding steerage in a boat.
I read this on a trip and I have to say it's just really fun to read a book where characters are traveling while I'm traveling -- especially when we were both going to NY. But I'm glad I took a plane instead of riding steerage in a boat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Violence, and Antisemitism
Minor: Gun violence and Fire/Fire injury
razzberry_pi's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excellent story weaving themes of queer love and identity with a story of immigration and strike making/breaking in New York
Sprinkled with many references to jewish culture, folklore and experiences in both the "old country" as well as the lower east side
Sprinkled with many references to jewish culture, folklore and experiences in both the "old country" as well as the lower east side
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
'When the Angels Left the Old Country' by Sacha Lamb is a charming historical fantasy following an angel and a demon who travel to America to find a missing member of their community.
The angel and Little Ash live in their shtetl, studying together and looking after their community. Many of the younger generation have been leaving the shtetl due to pogroms and seeking new opportunities. When one of the girls from their shtetl disappears while traveling to America, the angel and Little Ash decide to head to America to find her. Along the way, they befriend a young girl leaving her town after her best friend becomes engaged.
Steeped in Jewish folklore, this story soars because of its characters and the world that Lamb paints. Their writing is clear but evocative in a way that meant the story was always moving forward while also painting a rich picture at the same time. Aspects of the story (mainly the two main characters) are reminiscent of Good Omens but the characters stand out in a unique story. There are themes of identity, belonging, and community. The audiobook was fantastic and added to my enjoyment. I cannot wait to read what Lamb writes next.
The angel and Little Ash live in their shtetl, studying together and looking after their community. Many of the younger generation have been leaving the shtetl due to pogroms and seeking new opportunities. When one of the girls from their shtetl disappears while traveling to America, the angel and Little Ash decide to head to America to find her. Along the way, they befriend a young girl leaving her town after her best friend becomes engaged.
Steeped in Jewish folklore, this story soars because of its characters and the world that Lamb paints. Their writing is clear but evocative in a way that meant the story was always moving forward while also painting a rich picture at the same time. Aspects of the story (mainly the two main characters) are reminiscent of Good Omens but the characters stand out in a unique story. There are themes of identity, belonging, and community. The audiobook was fantastic and added to my enjoyment. I cannot wait to read what Lamb writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Genocide and Fire/Fire injury
dananana's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy and Deportation
purplatypus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Deportation
tamara_joy's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Deportation
tigger89's review
adventurous
reflective
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
5.0
This book was delightfully queer, from start to finish. Rose is depicted as sapphic, with a love story of her own unfolding by the final pages. While the relationship between Ash and Uriel isn't explicitly defined, it's never in doubt that they share an intimate love for one another. Uriel also uses "it" pronouns throughout, rejecting the very concept of gender. Despite the historic setting, there's no homophobia included just for the sake of realism.
As you might be able to guess from the sprinkling of vocabulary above, this book is also very Jewish. That was one of the reasons I picked it up, as I have some ancestry from Eastern Europe who immigrated through Ellis Island. With the aid of the extensive glossary in the back of the book, I had no problem following all of the terms and references sprinkled throughout the text. However, be warned: unlike homophobia, this story doesn't shy away from depicting period-appropriate antisemitism.
This book's greatest strength was absolutely the character interactions between Ash and Uriel. Not only do they grow individually — in Ash's case, coming into power despite his lack of magical ability, and in Uriel's case, determining what its newfound identity means to it — but the relationship between them is also developed. The frequently-cited comparison to Good Omens is apt, here. While this story lacks the apocalypse humor and madcap antics of Gaiman's and Pratchett's work, what they share is a focus on a pair of unlikely allies who mean the world to each other. Yes, even when they occasionally make each other very upset.
What I didn't like was that Rose felt more like a sidekick character, even though she got her own viewpoint chapters and everything. Until the very end, she was kind of just along for the ride, occasionally providing an insight or assist but leaving all the heavy lifting to Ash and Uriel. While I was ultimately happy with how her story turned out, I feel like she spent most of the book just waiting to be amazing. She could have done more.
As you might be able to guess from the sprinkling of vocabulary above, this book is also very Jewish. That was one of the reasons I picked it up, as I have some ancestry from Eastern Europe who immigrated through Ellis Island. With the aid of the extensive glossary in the back of the book, I had no problem following all of the terms and references sprinkled throughout the text. However, be warned: unlike homophobia, this story doesn't shy away from depicting period-appropriate antisemitism.
This book's greatest strength was absolutely the character interactions between Ash and Uriel. Not only do they grow individually — in Ash's case, coming into power despite his lack of magical ability, and in Uriel's case, determining what its newfound identity means to it — but the relationship between them is also developed. The frequently-cited comparison to Good Omens is apt, here. While this story lacks the apocalypse humor and madcap antics of Gaiman's and Pratchett's work, what they share is a focus on a pair of unlikely allies who mean the world to each other. Yes, even when they occasionally make each other very upset.
What I didn't like was that Rose felt more like a sidekick character, even though she got her own viewpoint chapters and everything. Until the very end, she was kind of just along for the ride, occasionally providing an insight or assist but leaving all the heavy lifting to Ash and Uriel. While I was ultimately happy with how her story turned out, I feel like she spent most of the book just waiting to be amazing. She could have done more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
This is different than a lot of YA that's out there, which is both a good and bad thing. It has a bit of a slow start, which means it might take more for its audience to latch onto the story. But let me tell you. Once it gets going, it's such a great, interesting, emotional, engaging story.
The comp title for this is Good Omens, which is a pretty good comparison in overall feel. An angel and a demon partnering together to sort of solve a mystery. However, this book is heavily based in Jewish culture and mythology, which gives it another edge.
The queerness in this book is pretty subtle, which I actually don't mind. It feels authentic and I'm glad they didn't really make a big deal of it in the story. I loved Uriel and Ash's evolving relationship, it was probably my favorite thing about the book overall.
The comp title for this is Good Omens, which is a pretty good comparison in overall feel. An angel and a demon partnering together to sort of solve a mystery. However, this book is heavily based in Jewish culture and mythology, which gives it another edge.
The queerness in this book is pretty subtle, which I actually don't mind. It feels authentic and I'm glad they didn't really make a big deal of it in the story. I loved Uriel and Ash's evolving relationship, it was probably my favorite thing about the book overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Confinement, and Homophobia
beforeviolets's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to Levine Querido for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I heard “Jewish historical fantasy about a disabled demon and a genderless angel” and had high hopes this book would give me Jewish Good Omens vibes. And it absolutely delivered. At times, its charm felt manufactured (due to perhaps an attempt to mimic the voice of Good Omens), but was charming nonetheless, and eventually found its way into a shape of its own and wormed its way into my heart. It was cozy, it was whimsical, it was adventurous, and it was unapologetically queer and Jewish. How could you not fall in love?
CW/TW: death, grief, gun violence, violence, blood, injury, fire, antisemitism, confinement
I heard “Jewish historical fantasy about a disabled demon and a genderless angel” and had high hopes this book would give me Jewish Good Omens vibes. And it absolutely delivered. At times, its charm felt manufactured (due to perhaps an attempt to mimic the voice of Good Omens), but was charming nonetheless, and eventually found its way into a shape of its own and wormed its way into my heart. It was cozy, it was whimsical, it was adventurous, and it was unapologetically queer and Jewish. How could you not fall in love?
CW/TW: death, grief, gun violence, violence, blood, injury, fire, antisemitism, confinement
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Antisemitism