A review by ehmannky
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

adventurous hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is beautiful and one of the best fantasy books I've read...ever. The book starts off slowly, lovingly building the world of late-19th century New York as experienced by Chava, a masterless golem, and Ahmad, a jinni bound with no knowledge of how he came to be so. Their interactions with their fellow characters are funny and poignant, and the stress of being an Other within a community of Others is spectacularly well done. I was enchanted by these characters. And then Wecker takes it to another level once Chava and Ahmad meet, becoming friends and then developing a deep love and attachment to one another. There's a dancing scene that may be the most romantic shit I've ever read? But! There's also the fear of discovery, learning empathy for fellow beings, finding the middle ground between prudence and spontaneity. While I deeply enjoyed the slower pacing and character-heavy focus of the first half of the novel, I could not put the book down after the second half begins. It's so good, I cannot recommend this book enough.
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The second time I've read this and I love it even more. I felt this time that 1) I picked up on so much more of Ahmad's longing and damn, I am a sucker for that. And 2) I think I glossed over how much both Chava and Ahmad both grow so much in terms of taking responsibility for their actions. Whereas Ahmad refuses to care or accept responsibility until forced, Chava wants to push the responsibility for herself onto someone else. It's so good. 
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