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A review by alliesannotation
The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
⭐️: 3.25/5
🌶️: spice-free
Format: 📖 (Physical TBR #3 for 2024)
I came into this book having absolutely loved the first book, "The Golem and the Jinni." And I just didn't love this one as much. I really, really wanted to, but Wecker's writing was too slowly paced for me to be able to get into this one as much.
I do have to say, the last, like, ten pages were where I really wanted more. The last interaction between Chava and Ahmad was so sad to me, and really tugged my heartstrings. And I really love Wecker's description--it's so vivid, and you can tell exactly how well-researched it is. I truly felt like I was weaving the streets of WW1 New York. I also really appreciated, especially given the current state of the world, the glimpse into historic Syria.
What I struggled with was that, since this book really embraced an ensemble cast, the lengthy description was often too long, and it took a very long time to really get into the meat of what was happening. I ultimately didn't feel like there was a super-clear rising action, and only recognized the major climax of the story toward the end of it. I didn't get a mounting feeling of engagement as the book built.
The human characters were very well fleshed-out and developed, and really, the supernatural characters were as well, but it was just harder to relate to them...which I guess is the point--they're not human! The only thing I struggled with for Chava and Ahmad's development was that I didn't truly understand their motivation for their decisions at the end of the book. It was written in a way that made me think it ought to have been clear, but I'm still a bit lost!
At the end of the day, this series is so original, with beautiful imagery, I just had trouble getting through this installment!
🌶️: spice-free
Format: 📖 (Physical TBR #3 for 2024)
I came into this book having absolutely loved the first book, "The Golem and the Jinni." And I just didn't love this one as much. I really, really wanted to, but Wecker's writing was too slowly paced for me to be able to get into this one as much.
I do have to say, the last, like, ten pages were where I really wanted more. The last interaction between Chava and Ahmad was so sad to me, and really tugged my heartstrings. And I really love Wecker's description--it's so vivid, and you can tell exactly how well-researched it is. I truly felt like I was weaving the streets of WW1 New York. I also really appreciated, especially given the current state of the world, the glimpse into historic Syria.
What I struggled with was that, since this book really embraced an ensemble cast, the lengthy description was often too long, and it took a very long time to really get into the meat of what was happening. I ultimately didn't feel like there was a super-clear rising action, and only recognized the major climax of the story toward the end of it. I didn't get a mounting feeling of engagement as the book built.
The human characters were very well fleshed-out and developed, and really, the supernatural characters were as well, but it was just harder to relate to them...which I guess is the point--they're not human! The only thing I struggled with for Chava and Ahmad's development was that I didn't truly understand their motivation for their decisions at the end of the book. It was written in a way that made me think it ought to have been clear, but I'm still a bit lost!
At the end of the day, this series is so original, with beautiful imagery, I just had trouble getting through this installment!