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zydecovivo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The review for this book shows why it’s better to wait and digest a book before reviewing it. I discovered this book through a collection of Jewish YA made by my library on Libby. The title itself deserves an A+ because I want it on my tombstone. However, we all know books are more than their titles.
The story follows a golem named Vera who was created during WWII by a Jewish man (named Ezra) grieving his daughter’s death. However, Vera is not a normal golem. She was made with pieces of Ezra’s daughter, Chaya. Vera still contains some of Chaya’s memories and struggles to separate who she is now from the person who came before her. However, Ezra also imbued her with a need for vengeance against the people who murdered Chaya and the Nazis in general.
The concept of the novel is intriguing to me as an enjoyer of paranormal stories. I was already aware of golems and a few folk tales they feature in, but this is a new perspective. It is also very plausible, at least to me as an outsider, that Jewish people enduring the Holocaust alongside the war would’ve searched for ways to create a golem to fight on their behalf. Vera’s inner turmoil is the conflict I empathized with the most and found the most interesting. Discovering who you are is difficult enough, but imagine trying to do it with someone else’s memories in your head and everyone around you calling you a monster.
Some reviews mentioned the plot essentially being characters running from one place to the next, which is a valid criticism. I found the overall plot somewhat predictable, and I don’t think Vera learned all the necessary lessons she needed to by the end of the novel. The ending does not feel resolved to me. This may be the beginning of a series, but it could have been a stand-alone with 20 fewer pages or 50-100 more.
When I initially finished the book, I rated it 4.5 stars. However, after digesting and reflecting, I think it deserves more of a 3.75. I still think the story itself is unique, but its resolution is missing and, consequently, I will not be coming back to it without a sequel. I also feel like there were layers to the story I may be missing as someone who is not Jewish or with Jewish ancestry. If any Jewish readers are willing to share, I would appreciate some cultural thoughts on the ethics & creation of golems and how vengeance is viewed, even in extreme circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Grief, Racial slurs, Self harm, Blood, Gun violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
ezwolf's review
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have a lot emotions about this book. Starting first with the letter from the author:
"The first books I read featuring Jewish characters were Holocaust books. Desperate to see myself reflected on the page, I clung to those crumbs of representation. At least, until the fourth grade, when my class read a Holocaust book and everyone in the room turned to look at me - the only Jewish student. That was one of the first times I sensed I didn't quite belong."
Without even having started the book I was already so attached. This experience of otherness I know other Jews experienced as children. Since starting to read again, I've enthusiastically devoured any books with Jewish characters that don't focus on the Holocaust simply those books were all I had as a child and reading them now has only gotten harder.
There's also the dedication, "Dedicated to every reader who's ever wanted to punch a Nazi." which this book very much embodies. Vera punches so many Nazis and it is so satisfying. This story doesn't shy away from the horrors of the Holocaust, but it has a strong focus is on vengeance and retribution in a way that I loved. I could have read another 300 pages of Vera just crushing Nazis with her bare hands.
I also have very strong feelings about the choice to name Ezra's daughter Chaya, a name that means life, and with her death, Ezra brought Vera to life.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
"The first books I read featuring Jewish characters were Holocaust books. Desperate to see myself reflected on the page, I clung to those crumbs of representation. At least, until the fourth grade, when my class read a Holocaust book and everyone in the room turned to look at me - the only Jewish student. That was one of the first times I sensed I didn't quite belong."
Without even having started the book I was already so attached. This experience of otherness I know other Jews experienced as children. Since starting to read again, I've enthusiastically devoured any books with Jewish characters that don't focus on the Holocaust simply those books were all I had as a child and reading them now has only gotten harder.
There's also the dedication, "Dedicated to every reader who's ever wanted to punch a Nazi." which this book very much embodies. Vera punches so many Nazis and it is so satisfying. This story doesn't shy away from the horrors of the Holocaust, but it has a strong focus is on vengeance and retribution in a way that I loved. I could have read another 300 pages of Vera just crushing Nazis with her bare hands.
I also have very strong feelings about the choice to name Ezra's daughter Chaya, a name that means life, and with her death, Ezra brought Vera to life.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, War, Body horror, Death, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Gore, and Hate crime
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
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