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A review by annamickreads
From Dust, A Flame by Rebecca Podos
5.0
From the first few pages I knew this book would be special but I had no idea how much it would resonate with me personally. I am so thankful to Becca Podos for writing this piece that literally brought me to tears because I recognized so much of my family inside these pages. Thank you, thank you thank you.
"From Dust, a Flame" tells the story of Hannah, who has been raised for most of her life by a flighty single mom alongside her adopted brother Gabe. When Hannah receives a family heirloom on her sixteenth birthday, she begins to transform (literally!) in ways she never expected. Hannah's mother goes missing shortly after in search of a cure, leading Hannah and Gabe to seek out distant family they never knew they had.
The mystery of Hannah's transformations drew me in, but Hannah and Gabe learning about their family —specifically their family's Jewish history — really hit home for me. I love the way this book talks about families, acknowledging they can all be messy, but ultimately family is also people you choose. Families can grow apart and weave back together with time and understanding.
I love the historical story we see through Jitka, the family matriarch who passes away shortly before Hannah and Gabe arrive with questions. It's easy to empathize with Malka, Hannah's mother, too, and her frustrations with small town life (been there!). Gabe and Hannah's sibling relationship is very precious to me, and Ari and Hannah's relationship/the exploration of Hannah's sexuality/Ari's surety in herself and her identity were all beautifully executed.
I'm a little overwhelmed because I just finished but without a doubt this is easily one of my best reads of the year and I am so happy I picked it up!!!
"From Dust, a Flame" tells the story of Hannah, who has been raised for most of her life by a flighty single mom alongside her adopted brother Gabe. When Hannah receives a family heirloom on her sixteenth birthday, she begins to transform (literally!) in ways she never expected. Hannah's mother goes missing shortly after in search of a cure, leading Hannah and Gabe to seek out distant family they never knew they had.
The mystery of Hannah's transformations drew me in, but Hannah and Gabe learning about their family —specifically their family's Jewish history — really hit home for me. I love the way this book talks about families, acknowledging they can all be messy, but ultimately family is also people you choose. Families can grow apart and weave back together with time and understanding.
I love the historical story we see through Jitka, the family matriarch who passes away shortly before Hannah and Gabe arrive with questions. It's easy to empathize with Malka, Hannah's mother, too, and her frustrations with small town life (been there!). Gabe and Hannah's sibling relationship is very precious to me, and Ari and Hannah's relationship/the exploration of Hannah's sexuality/Ari's surety in herself and her identity were all beautifully executed.
I'm a little overwhelmed because I just finished but without a doubt this is easily one of my best reads of the year and I am so happy I picked it up!!!