Unfortunately, I couldn't finish this book.
I love myth and folklore, but this book mainly about culture (which I appreciated) and religion (which I did not). Not a bad read, just not for me.

What can I even say about this book? I absolutely loved the deep dive into Jewish lore. I remember being fascinated by golems as a kid so much that I even pestered my Rabbi about them. As an adult retellings of the story of Lilith, the first woman caught my attention. Getting to exist in a place where golems come to life and imps run amok while reading this book was awesome. It made me feel seen in a way I hadn't known was missing from literature. Especially fantasy. I really hope more books like The hidden saint are published and that I have the opportunity to read them.

“Lilith had become a shiny, slimy thing of scabs and disease. She was as dreadful as she had just been beautiful, her evil fully manifest. She leapt like an animal, a gigantic springing insect, across the clearing and onto Adam, pressing her moth down violently on his, sucking his soul from him, ripping it out, undeterred by the meagre resistance he could muster."

The Hidden Saint is the Jewish folklore version of Lord of the Rings or Journey to the West. An honourable quest, plagued by traditional demons from holy books including imps, yedonis and of course, the first woman ever made - Lilith, the mother of demons. Every challenge that is overcome is subtly laced with moral and deeper meaning, and the book indirectly explores the concept of what is a soul and who really has the capacity to give them.

The story is filled to the brim with insightful takeaways of religious books in an accessible and enjoyable manner, without preaching, really giving a platform to Judaism in a way that books typically written about the religion do not.

The Hidden Saint is the perfect combination of Jewish mythology and fantasy. The author used the epilogue to recall how the inaugural issue of The Jewish Review of Books flagged the absence of fantasy books related to the religion and they were right to do so. This book, I hope, will be the first of many to explore Golems, dybbuks and Lilith.

I want more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.

What a way to be introduced (in my case) to Jewish lore. Worth it.

This read is thrilling and exciting for the amount of things it teaches you in the way (if like me you're a bit out of Jewish references). It felt didactic, the touch of fantasy and magic intertwined with the lore was great. The way the struggle of Rabi Adam (our main character) was at reach was in the same proportion incredible and exhausting. The way this book wears you out is something that I do look out for when I read about a journey and this book gave it to me. I may reread this and look for more Jewish-inspired fantasy novels.

If you want to realte this to the religious/mythos of whats around it, this is a "second round" between Adam and Lilith, because yes: we have Lilith here.

Probably the only thing that didn't connect with me (much) is how vilified womanhood/femeninity appears to be portrayed precisely through Lilith, but there are two characters that actually redeem this condition of the sotrytelling and I appreciate that.

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The Hidden Saint by Mark Levenson is a fantasy novel steeped in Jewish mysticism. Mr. Levenson is an award-winning writer, journalist, and screenwriter.

Rabbi Adam is anxiously awaiting a family wedding, when Lilith, an ancient evil, abducts his children. To save them, Rabbi Adam must create a golem and find his way to the underworld.

Accompanied by a sarcastic mentor, a hidden saint (lamed-vavnik), Adam realizes that there’s more at stake. Not only the life of his children but the key to the lost memories of his youth, as well as the fate of the world.

This book was certainly an unexpected delight. I had no idea what to expect and found a very creative, inventive book that takes Jewish folklore, old tales, history, as well as theology to combine them into a coherent, creative, and original work.

One of the aspects of Jewish stories that I always enjoy is the sarcastic, self-deprecating humor. My favorite character, a mentor to the protagonist, Rabbi Adam, is just that. Believe you me, for a few chapters I was worried I wouldn’t get that sort of entertainment.

The author wrote of well-known Jewish mystic creatures, Lilith, the lamed-vavs (36 righteous persons living in the world in every generation), and, of course, the golem. However, he also included some that even I haven’t heard of before like imps, a city of immortal Jews, spirits, and other creatures. Moreover, Mr. Levenson included several retellings of Jewish folk tales, from far and wide. While I only recognized a few, I certainly enjoyed the homage.

The Hidden Saint by Mark Levenson had bewildering aspects to it which I found surprising. While I knew about Jewish myths, I didn’t expect the story to go into the fantasy/horror realm. Not that it’s bad, just that I don’t generally associate these genres with Judaism.
Maybe because we lived it out throughout the centuries, we don’t need to invent anything else

The author’s note, in the end, tells a bit about his research. The explanations of where, and when, in Judaism’s lore he got his creatures were as fascinating as the stories themselves.

This was such an enjoyable read. It was well written with a fascinating storyline that is full of jewish mythlogy and folklore and well developed characters. I didn't know much Jewish mythology/folklore before I read this book but it has made me want to look more into it. I really enjoyed it.

Loved this unusual fantasy: excellent world building, character development, and storytelling.
I found it fascinating and engrossing
Recommended
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

This book is not something I would normally read as I do not typically read a lot of fantasy, but I LOVED this! It was such a brilliant marriage of Jewish myths/culture with fantasy. Beautifully done! Mazel.

The Hidden Saint is a fantasy novel that takes its inspiration from Jewish culture and folklore. Adam,a Rabbi and father, undertakes a quest to save the lives of those he loves. He meets supernatural creatures and faces sinister threats and deeply troubling revelations about himself. Adam's journey is a hero's journey.

I very much enjoyed this book. It taught me some things I didn't know, made me think about some things in different ways, and was very entertaining.

I have really struggled with writing this review, because I really enjoyed the concept of this book - Jewish myth is so deep and rich, and is such a cool world to explore... that said I did not connect with this book and could not for the life of me get into it.

I didn't really connect with this book. It was interesting, but not quite what I was expecting. The tone was very traditional and very different from the typical sci-fi/fantasy I usually enjoy. That said, I'm thankful to NetGalley for the ARC!I didn't really connect with this book. It was interesting, but not quite what I was expecting. The tone was very traditional and very different from the typical sci-fi/fantasy I usually enjoy. That said, I'm thankful to NetGalley for the ARC!

1stly -- big thanks to Markenson & Netgalley for this free Arc!

I have always enjoyed fantasy but its nice and refreshing for a little different take. I absolutely enjoyed the mystery created by adams quick disappearance, where nooone knew where he was....
The prose has a nice flow and its an easy read...nothing overly complicated or complex.

Introducing jewish myth into the story was intriguing...

I hope to see more from this Author!

Thanks

Loved this book so much. Adam is an unconventional (and quite unassuming) person to be thrust into the role of a hero/saviour. Without memories of his youth, he is drifting through life and his relationship with his wife. But the theft on his daughter's soul, and the disappearance of his son force him to act. And grow and change along the way.

This has overtones of dark European fairy tales (the kind with Baba Yaga or a witch in the forest that eats children). Plus it was rich with Jewish culture and mythology, something that I wasn't familiar with, but which captured my interest and resonated with me on a deep level.

4.5 out of 5 stars.