Reviews

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

aspencer47's review against another edition

5.0

In one word: Magical.

I haven't been so very entranced and drawn into a story in years. The characters are all very well fleshed out, the writing beautiful, and George Guidall's narration is nothing short of fantastic. I can honestly say that I am in love with this fantastic story.

againanew's review

5.0

Enjoyed every minute of this book.

jmrprice's review

4.0

Intriguing and rather absorbing story of supernatural beings interacting with other immigrants at the turn of the 19th to 20th century New York City.

the_escape_artist_'s review

3.0

This book was well write , but wasn’t great and wasn’t terrible, but I have complaints. First off, this book is too long, there is for sure one character that is totally unnecessary, creating a 100 page story arc that could be fully left out, and at least two others that don’t really need to be there. Secondly, the book is so busy protecting the twist and c story arc that the a and b story arc are somewhat boring. This book should have been 350 pages and would have been great. I am giving it a 3 because it overall is an original and intriguing story, but can’t give it any higher.

tablereader234's review against another edition

5.0

A beautiful and engaging story that is at once a fantasy novel and an immigrant story. Watching Chava and Ahmad adapt and exist in the new world and find commonalities between themselves is intimate and made me care deeply for them both as well as the everyday people they interacted with. Pair that with a terrifying antagonist and you've got a fantastic book that I spent a good month recommending to all my friends after finishing it. And now I'm recommending it to you!

jewelleryjen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

acyborski's review

reflective slow-paced

3.0

frannieman's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jasminebitsakaki's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

4.25

silvermadeleine's review

hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A thoughtful and gentle fantasy, set in late 19th century New York, that brings together a curious and self-aware female golem and a recently released djinn from 7th century Syria. Accountability and social relationships are two strong themes. The writer clearly loves New York. There's a lot of metalsmithing in the book, which I enjoyed, though a scene in which someone throws a silver object on a fire and it melts made me wince – the flames wouldn't be hot enough.