The book opens with a dedication to the readers who have agonized over the abrupt ending of What the River Knows, and I think more authors should respect a reader's plight because darn right this is dedicated to me! As it should be! About time someone noticed! You can’t just leave me hanging like that with a final twist that stabs you in the gut! That’s right—this week, we’re talking all about the epic conclusion to the historical fantasy mystery, Where the Library Hides. Careful, though; ...
reading
WOMS: The Republic of Salt
It's been almost a year since we explored the Mirror Realm, and—at last—it's time to return with Ariel Kaplan's latest installment in her Jewish-inspired epic fantasy series, The Republic of Salt. But reader beware! Spoilers are ahead! Events start immediately after the first book's conclusion without missing any beats. Asmel and Toba Bet are on the run on the mortal side of the gate as Naftaly, Elana, a severely wounded Barsilay, and the old woman are trapped on the Mazik side in the ...
WOMS: The Spellshop
My uncle died earlier this month. I know that’s an odd way to begin a book review, but his death is intrinsically linked to this book I want to share. This will be a bit unorthodox. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I'm flooded with memories in my mourning. I've sat down trying to write this review as strictly a review for the past month, but each time I can't help but circle back to my uncle and his death. I seem incapable of separating the two. You see, after I first learned he was dying ...
WOMS: Marry Me by Midnight
This historical romance has been on my TBR list for a while; since the moment I saw a hunky kippah-wearing man on the front cover. I don't know about you, but most of the time, I forget what's even on my TBR. I'm so glad I remembered this gem and actually picked it up to read because it was so much more than I expected. This week, it's Felicia Grossman's Marry Me by Midnight, a Jewish gender-swapped retelling of Cinderella. Similar to Jean Meltzer's Jewish pride and joy in her romcoms, ...
WOMS: Magical Meet Cute
We're back this week with another Jean Meltzer special, this time in the form of a hunky golem (maybe). It's Magical Meet Cute! After an antisemitic attack, Faye---a former lawyer turned ceramicist living in Upstate New York---gets drunk and makes her perfect man out of clay inspired by the golem stories of old. But when a stranger walks in front of her bicycle the next day, leading to a horrible crash and amnesia for the poor guy, she wonders just how much magic she conjured the night ...