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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
Unnecessary. Possible subtitle could be "Relationship Issues between Immortal Beings".
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book that I've saved for a long while, because I knew that I wanted to savor it. That 4-star rating is definitely at least 4.5—really probably 4.75. I didn't give it 5 because it's only merely wonderful, whereas the original novel was extraordinary.
That said, this is really a terrific follow-up, and I applaud its ambition, even if I think that the solid instinct to take the world further led to a story that was a bit more shapeless and not as exquisitely paced. But again, this is far from a disappointment or a sophomore slump. One of the delights of the first novel is how pleasant and nice it is. Those sound like lukewarm, damning-with-faint-praise words, but they're sincere. In an era—particularly of so-called "genre fiction"—where everyone seems to want to "outdark" one another, the first novel was warm and innocent in its way while still having compelling stakes.
The events here are necessarily less "nice," and it would be in authentic to the main characters' nature and relationships if that were not the case. But nothing feels gratuitous and the author's commitment to having no real villain, but instead characters who are driven by the pain they feel and the gaps in their experience is, on the whole, really gratifying.
That said, this is really a terrific follow-up, and I applaud its ambition, even if I think that the solid instinct to take the world further led to a story that was a bit more shapeless and not as exquisitely paced. But again, this is far from a disappointment or a sophomore slump. One of the delights of the first novel is how pleasant and nice it is. Those sound like lukewarm, damning-with-faint-praise words, but they're sincere. In an era—particularly of so-called "genre fiction"—where everyone seems to want to "outdark" one another, the first novel was warm and innocent in its way while still having compelling stakes.
The events here are necessarily less "nice," and it would be in authentic to the main characters' nature and relationships if that were not the case. But nothing feels gratuitous and the author's commitment to having no real villain, but instead characters who are driven by the pain they feel and the gaps in their experience is, on the whole, really gratifying.
The first book was brilliant but this one not so much. Was disappointed and thought it relied too much on dream sequences. It’s still worth a read but doesn’t meet The Golem and the Jinni’s magic.
Very imaginative and introspective. Sadly the ending fell a bit flat for me. A wonderful blend of history and fantasy.
Just a beautiful book. I fell in love with these characters in her first book, and I love them even more, now. I didn’t want the book to end.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored 'The Golem and the Djinni' when it was published and have waited (im)patiently for a sequel and Ms Wecker did not disappoint. This an immersive novel, picking up where the last one left off, and quickly drawing us back into Ahmad and Chava's world. We are reunited with beloved characters and introduced to fabulous new ones (Toby was my favourite) as they all face a changing and evolving world. These books beautifully and seamlessly blend historical fiction with mythology and magic to create enthralling and engaging novels whose characters creep into your heart and make themselves at home. I cannot recommend them highly enough to anyone who appreciates well told original stories. I really hope the author doesn't wait quite as long to write her next book as I really can't wait!