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A review by christajls
The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos
3.0
Originally reviewed on @christasbooks
The Chernyavsky family is not like other families. Once wielders of powerful magic, they were forced to flee their home in Russia to escape the men who wanted to destroy them. After years of hiding out in America, many of their old traditions have been lost but one crucial one remains - when the Chernyavsky women come of age they have a vision of how they will die. Ruby has always known her Time was unavoidable, that is until her great-aunt Polina passes away and her death does not match her vision. Suddenly, Ruby has the possibility of a future she never even dreamed of before, as long as she’s willing to dig up some long-buried family secrets to get it.
This novel was a bit of a slow start for me, but the more layers were pulled back on the Chernyavsky family the more I wanted to know. I especially loved Ruby, a girl who believes in both magic and science and who is both fiercely independent but maintains strong relationships with the other women in her life. I also really enjoyed the romance. It kind of sneaks up on you but when Ruby and Dov finally connect I couldn’t imagine the story without him. However, there is a bit of a surprise cliffhanger at the end of this book and with no sequel planned it does seem like the story is unfinished and I have so many unanswered questions. I hope Podos eventually writes another installment so we can spend a little more time with the Chernyavsky clan.
The Chernyavsky family is not like other families. Once wielders of powerful magic, they were forced to flee their home in Russia to escape the men who wanted to destroy them. After years of hiding out in America, many of their old traditions have been lost but one crucial one remains - when the Chernyavsky women come of age they have a vision of how they will die. Ruby has always known her Time was unavoidable, that is until her great-aunt Polina passes away and her death does not match her vision. Suddenly, Ruby has the possibility of a future she never even dreamed of before, as long as she’s willing to dig up some long-buried family secrets to get it.
This novel was a bit of a slow start for me, but the more layers were pulled back on the Chernyavsky family the more I wanted to know. I especially loved Ruby, a girl who believes in both magic and science and who is both fiercely independent but maintains strong relationships with the other women in her life. I also really enjoyed the romance. It kind of sneaks up on you but when Ruby and Dov finally connect I couldn’t imagine the story without him. However, there is a bit of a surprise cliffhanger at the end of this book and with no sequel planned it does seem like the story is unfinished and I have so many unanswered questions. I hope Podos eventually writes another installment so we can spend a little more time with the Chernyavsky clan.