A review by courtofsmutandstuff
The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

5.0

The only books I've read that have centered Jewish identity and culture this heavily have been Holocaust novels or memoirs, and I truly loved this book for giving me something outside of those parameters. I love fantasy and historical books, and I loved that this book takes place during the 1893 Chicago's World Fair AND focuses on fantasy elements based on Jewish lore - the possession of a dybbuk. My heart really feels for Alter, who is hurt and scared of the world (and his sexuality) but just so deeply wants to do good. Without spoiling it, I loved the murder mystery element -
especially the two part structure and how it *feels* like they have resolved everything when they catch Katz, only for there to still be a third of the book left
- and how everything flows out. I also loved the little details (like the call out about arsenic green cloth and the oblique HH Holmes reference) while the book is utterly steeped in Jewish culture and identity. 
Highly recommend for those who love books set in Chicago, historical fiction, or are looking for a new type of "world building" for fantasy (particularly urban fantasy).
I did receive a NetGalley ARC, but ended up finishing this as an audiobook since I progress through that much faster.
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