I have mixed feelings about this book, mostly because I feel like I was expecting something different than what I got. Wrath Becomes Her follows Vera, who is a golem created to avenge Chaya’s death by her father. And I guess that with that title and with the description mentioning Inglorious Basterds, I was expecting something more vengeful, and this is not really what I feel I got.

The story does bring Jewish folklore and mixes it up with the history of World War II, and I think there is something to say about Vera’s humanity through the story, which shines in a way that felt interesting, but contradictory to what I was sold. And I think that’s where I felt a little let down, because I was in the mood for a story of vengeance. And I guess, it is in the book description that there is that part about her confronting what it means to be human. But you cannot expect me to read Frankenstein meets Inglorious Basterds without expecting a little more vengeful actions.

Still, I think it is an interesting read, and I don’t regret reading it. I simply wish I had different expectations, as I think it would have led me to enjoy it more.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

This was a well-written story with lots of focus on Jewish mythology and the Holocaust. However, I would've liked to see more of Vera's "wrath." She was not as badass as she could've been, especially since she was created for the sole purpose of killing Nazis. I felt like she ran around a lot and trailed after Akiva way too often. The romance should've definitely taken a backseat to the actual storyline.

A modern twist on Frankenstein and the World War II era set in Lithuania with the mythological Golem, protector of the Jewish people. This was an excellent story, with action and heart wrenching emotion that keeps you on the edge of your seat and rooting for the MC.

A father who is consumed by grief for his daughter killed by Nazis. He uses Kishuf- an ancient profane magic- to create a Golem in her image to exact Vengeance.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, and it exceeded my expectations. I felt the despair, the heartache, the immense grief, and the anger as it just flowed from the author’s writing. This is by far one of my favorite reads of 2023! The creativity of this story is next level, and is definitely a book I recommend to all.

I throughly enjoyed this book, the premise of this book is fascinating. It is extremely thought invoking and powerful. It was a great yet sorrowful read.

I felt the strength of this book’s voice by the first chapter, and by the second I was enthralled. The language is vivid, the pacing is urgent, and I loved the internal conflict of the narrator. I have never read a story like this before. I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you to Inkyard Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! My review will be posted on Instagram @rivalreads in the next week.

“Humans were capable of the same brutality and violence. My rage was simply a reflection of their own.”

This book was really well executed in my opinion. The premise of a Nazi killing Frankenstein of vengeance really pulled me in. It’s hard to pull together my opinion on this book because I felt a lot of things. It brought in a lot of self questioning of humanity and how cruel and unfair humanity really is. I was left stunned and sad in a lot of these charters as we followed Vera in her journey to find purpose and what personhood really is.

This is the first book by Aden Polydoros that I’ve read. I started BONE WEAVER, but got pulled away from the book before I could finish it. I knew from that that I liked the writing style, so I felt pretty confident that I would like this book– and I did!

The subject is pretty dark, and the story takes place in winter in Lithuania, so it’s freezing cold in the middle of a war in which the Jews aren’t guaranteed to be safe even from the soldiers fighting against the Germans.Vera’s exploration of her identity and her desperation to understand humanity reminded me a lot of the book FRANKENSTEIN. She knows she’s other, but she has such deep human impulses and desires, and at first, she idolizes humans. The more she sees war and how people treat one another, the less enamored she is with people.

I thought the story might follow a well-established pattern in which the idea of personhood is explored and romance happens between a created being and a human. There are some hints of romance, especially on Vera’s side, but the story doesn’t center around romantic love.

I really liked the ending of the book. It wasn’t simple, but it felt right to me. I think readers who enjoyed THIS REBEL HEART by Katherine Locke will like this one, too.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

I started reading Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros the day after Hamas led that surprise attack on Israel. That attack and the subsequent counterattacks impacted my approach to Ms. Polydoros' novel. Suddenly, Vera's ideas about humanity and what it means to be human carry more weight.

While Wrath Becomes Her occurs during World War II and Latvia's fight to oust Nazi Germany from its borders, Vera's story could occur during today's ongoing tragedy. While she is a golem and the story is from a Jewish perspective, what she sees and experiences applies to any people facing genocide.

Since Vera is not human, she is uniquely qualified to observe human behavior. Her criticisms of those who choose hate rather than love and destruction rather than creation are powerful and, sadly, timely. It is a powerful statement against the insanity that is the destruction of any life for any reason.

There are people who will read Wrath Becomes Her and form certain opinions about what it means to be Jewish and what the Jewish people deserve after all the atrocities done to them over the centuries. However, to do so, I feel, is to miss Ms. Polydoros's point. Vera speaks out about all human behavior, not limiting her observations to the Nazis and Soviets. All life is beautiful, and no one deserves to have their life cut short by someone else.

When I found out this was Frankenstein-esque with a focus on Nazi WWII era, I was sold. I knew I had to read this book. The premise of a golem created to seek vengeance for a girl's murder during WWII was innovative and nice to read. The fusion of magical realism with early 1940's history and Jewish culture was an intriguing combination. I like how the author was able to educate me on this time period in a natural way.
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Vera was an interesting character, but I found her very unlikeable and weak. I was growing rather tired of the author telling me how strong she is or what she feels, instead of showing me with her actions. Vera was created for "vengeance" but I really didn't feel it was executed well. Instead, what I got was a golem who was more of a puppy dog following men around and taking orders from them. I also wish I would've gotten more "wrath" from Vera, since that's how this was pitched and because of the time period it was set in.
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Overall, this was a nice Frankenstein-esque story that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a refreshing take on the WWII era.

This book was everything I could have asked for - Jewish MC, Jewish resistance, and a golem? I am so glad that it lived up to my expectations.

After Ezra's daughter is killed by Nazis, he uses ancient magic to create a golem in her image with the sole purpose of vengeance. That is the set-up that got me hooked on reading the book. I love a good vengeance story, particularly when that vengeance is against Nazis.

What I loved about the story was the uniqueness of it. I've read many books with golems, but this was the first time I read one that used this kind of profane magic to create a golem in someone's image. I also really loved the way Vera wrestled with what she was - desperately wanting to find her humanity. I also appreciated that this book focused mostly on resistance rather than concentration camps. I feel like that's something we need more of and this book did it very well.

I also loved all of the Jewish culture and folklore - the author even mentioned an old Yiddish song that I remember my mother singing to me when I was a small child. I hadn't thought of that song in years!

My only issue overall was the pacing felt a little off. The middle of the book was a bit of a slog at times, but once the story picked up again it flew. But that's just me looking for something to nitpick. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it for ages 14+

I quite enjoyed Wrath Becomes Her with its Frankenstein feeling with folklore entwined. It wasn’t quite what I expected with the cover/title/summary in the way that I did feel Vera came off a bit like a YA character vs NA or adult. All in all I did enjoy the storytelling and world building.

In 1943 Lithuania, a grieving and revenge filled father resurrects a golem in the image and flesh of his daughter. His sole purpose for this creature, that he finds repulsive, is to revenge his daughter who was killed by the Nazi's. He embeds Vera with memories from a past life that both guide and haunt her.

Vera's perspective on the acts of WWII offer a unique perspective and look into what was going on in civilain life during the war. Through Vera's eyes, we witness the emotional turmoil and harrowing experiences of those struggling to survive in an unforgiving landscape. There was a lot of emotion behind the story and all of the characters we were introduced to play a significant roll in painting a picture of what life looked during the war. It was a unique perspective to be focused on the civillians and their part in the war versus just the action of war.

The sporadic action scenes, although brief, are juxtaposed with extensive passages of reflection and contemplation, which may disrupt the pacing of the plot. Nevertheless, the characters' motivations remain clear, driving the narrative forward.

Overall, this book was an interesting and emotional look at WWII in Lithuania and the civilians left behind to take care of each other and fend for themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Brimming with rage, resilience, and deep questions around humanity and creation reminiscent of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Wrath Becomes Her is a genre-blending gem of history, fantasy, and horror. Following the death of his daughter at the hands of the Nazis, a man creates a golem in her likeness using kishuf—ancient magic derided as an abomination against God—in order to avenge her death. Vera is a creation of clay and steel and ink and human teeth designed to be the ultimate Nazi killer... but is that all she is? As she encounters people whom she recognizes from stolen memories and uncovers a plot to channel kishuf to wage war, Vera grapples with the complexities of humanity as well as the nature of her creation and whether she is allowed or deserves to have a life or purpose beyond the one she was given.

Set in Lithuania against the backdrop of World War II, the novel creates an immersive sense of foreboding and the tangible dangers for simply existing as a Jew. Traveling back roads and sneaking through dense forests in the dead of winter, the horrors of clandestine camps for Jewish refugees being found by Nazis or Soviets, the tangible dangers of resistance to the extermination of your people.... These elements all swirl together and fill the reader with the same dread the characters feel with their every move. I am not well-informed enough to know whether the historical elements of this book are entirely accurate, but the world created for this book does feel real and lived-in by these characters. Part of this is likely the writing style, which somehow manages to overwhelm my pet peeve of first-person narration within historical settings and evoke a sense of immersion in the story.

Vera is a stellar character that resonates with the queer experience of being perceived as "monstrous" by others, perhaps even by oneself, and the grappling with identity that comes with existing beyond the traditional roles, experiences and bodies the world demands. I feel a kinship with her: a rage that is both her own and inherited from another, a hunger for more than her assigned role or purpose, a hypervigilance of her own physicality. Her interactions with the various humans she encounters throughout the book are interesting to read; particularly the way that Vera's perception of herself morphs into something greater as her connections and care for the living grow. To see her journey from her creation to creator was deeply compelling.

Deftly pitched as Frankenstein meets Inglorious Basterds, Wrath Becomes Her is a compelling story of Jewish resilience and rage against the Nazi regime during the Second World War that further cements Polydoros as a talented author of young adult fiction.

oh this was. such a solid novel from aden. and so so important right now given the rise of facism not just here in the states but worldwide. but beyond that, it's a look at what makes someone human. is vera human because she has emotions, regardless of their origin? or is she a monster built for vengeance?

thanks to netgalley and inkyard press for the egalley!

"The ability to choose to ignore or fight against evil was a gift of human mortality. I had no such choice."

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros was highly enjoyable. A Jewish historical horror novel about the brutalities of WWII that mixes ancient magic and revenge.

When a father's daughter is killed by Nazi's, he crafts a Golem with pieces of his daughter. What awakens from bits of earth, barbs and body is not his daughter. She is Vera. She feels, has the memories of everything that's a part of her and she has orders written into her skin.

- Vengeance
- Golems and Magical Realism
- WWII Lithuania
- Frankenstein Vibes
- Jewish History

The characters made this novel for me. While the setting is harsh and realistically brutal there is a sense of hope and a growing bond between the characters. Vera in a way reminded me of a mixture of a darker Pinocchio and a deeper feeling Frankenstein. She's surprisingly more human than those she encounters.

That's another aspect that I also enjoyed. The volatile nature of people and the ease at which we can kill each other. Adding this alongside the lines of a character trying to be human was intriguing. This does have a few young adult novel traits in the expression and feelings department. I still really enjoyed having the opportunity to read this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC of this book!

In 1943 Chaya was killed by Nazis. Her father is consumed by grief and makes golem, in her image, to avenge her death. Told through the golem's POV, you see Vera struggle to come to terms with what and who she is. Built as a thing for revenge, but infused with Chaya's memories and feelings, she feels somewhere between human and monster. Her creator Ezra is taken one day by the Nazis, so Vera sets out on a quest to find him and avenge Chaya. On her way she finds Akiva, who at once recognizes her as Chaya... but not. Akiva and Chaya had a relationship and fought together and now Vera is taking up Chaya's mission to fight back. This book tells a side of the war that I haven't read much of before, that of the people fighting and avoiding capture. Beautifully told story.

3.5/5 stars
This was a great book about a girl killed and is then awakened as Vera but still has the previous girl’s memories but she is a weapon of revenge. I loved the entire concept of this book and I the author nailed it with the promising premises. Usually, I don’t go all out on war historical books but I loved the amount of fantasy and the world-building the author has done. Polydoros has a great writing style when it comes to the story filled with Jewish folklore in their writing. I do have to say that it was hard to get into the characters as I author put way too much feeling onto page. It wasn’t bad but also not enjoyable. The romance was not the best I have read and wouldn’t ship the couple but I knew with a different touch it would have been great. Overall a great story!

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Release Date:10.10.2023
Review Date:10.14.2023

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Vera was made for vengeance.
Lithuania, 1943. A father drowns in the all-consuming grief of a daughter killed by the Nazis. He can’t bring Chaya back from the dead, but he can use kishuf — an ancient and profane magic — to create a golem in her image. A Nazi killer, to avenge her death.
When Vera awakens, she can feel her violent purpose thrumming within her. But she can also feel glimpses of a human life lived, of stolen kisses amidst the tragedy, and of a grisly death. And when she meets Akiva, she recognizes the boy with soft lips that gave warm kisses. But these memories aren’t hers, and Vera doesn’t know if she gets—or deserves —to have a life beyond what she was made for.
Vera’s strength feels limitless—until she learns that there are others who would channel kishuf for means far less noble than avenging a daughter’s death. As she confronts the very basest of humanity, Vera will need more than what her creator gave Not just a reason to fight, but a reason to live.

This book was good. I could definitely see it on screen. I will say I felt it should have been longer so it could have been expanded a little bit more. I liked the characters, though I felt they lacked a little bit of depth. I will be recommending this book for the collection at work.

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros is like a punch to the gut. And it keeps punching you as you read. But the writing is so brilliant and the main character Vera is so easy to connect to that you can’t stop reading. You don’t want to stop.

This book is brutal. It takes place in Germany in WWII. It kind of has to be. It holds nothing back and that’s what makes it such an amazing story.

The story revolves around Vera. She is a golem, created of clay and steel rods and brought to life by the Hebrew on her forehead and all along her body. She was created by Ezra.

When Ezra finds out his daughter, Chaya, has been killed by the NaziS, he is set on revenge and Vera literally embodies those feelings. To make Vera, he used Chaya’s eyes and hair. It’s these parts that give Vera some of Chaya’s memories.

I generally avoid WWII/Holocaust books, because as Aden mentions in the forward of the book, that was so often the only stories with Jewish characters. These days as a librarian and a Jewish person I make an effort to find books with Jewish stories that are not centered on the Holocaust. But, I made an exception for this book because it features a story with Jewish mythology/mysticism. Jewish fantasy novels have become one of my favorite genres since reading From Dust a Flame by Rebecca Podos. This story was a combo of fantasy, horror, and historical fiction. The main character is a Golem, brought to life by a Jewish man using mysticism and dark magic. The Golem is created in the image of his recently murdered daughter, Chaya (a rebel fighter), and with the sole purpose of exacting revenge on her murderers. But once Vera is brought to life, she battles with the idea of what it means to be human when she is not, all while carrying Chaya's memories. With the set up of the story I had assumed the story would be similar to the film Inglorious Bastards (its even referenced in the book description), with Vera on the hunt to kill Nazis in the name of revenge. There is some of that but really the story is focused on humanity, the idea that violence begets violence, and the that sometimes more good is done helping then hurting. Overall, while the story was not quite what I was expecting, it was well written and compelling. I plan to add it to my school's