Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this advanced reader copy!

I personally love retellings so I was really looking forward to this one! I was hoping for a book similar to Circe that would make me feel empowered but also validated in hardship. In some ways this book did but there was definitely some flaws and overall I didn’t love the execution of this book. The character development was seriously lacking. I think the story had so much potential and unfortunately it was lackluster.

I never knew I needed a story about Lilith until I picked up this incredible novel from Nikki Marmery! So engrossing -- don't miss out on this one!

One of my favorite subgenres are retellings-- I always find it refreshing when an author explores stories that haven't had their time in the light. Lilith is a creative retelling of the old Hebrew myth of Adam's first wife, Lilith-- who refused to be anything other than Adam's equal. Because of this insubordination, Lilith is punished and is forced to watch as God creates Eve.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and I think people who have enjoyed the works of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint may enjoy this read. While I do believe in the overall message of the book, it can be a little heavy-handed.

This book has a consistent voice and is inventive. That being said, I found this extremely preachy and uninteresting. Reclaiming Lilith as a symbol of feminist liberation is all well and good, and I like historical fiction, but the Lilith in these pages is so very twenty-first century in the way she expresses her beliefs it made the whole book less credible in character.

READ THIS BOOK. Seriously. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but instead of feeling like I was in a sermon, it was so well done.

Lilith by Nikki Marmery is an incredible feminist retelling that breathes new life into an ancient myth. I absolutely loved this book. The story of Lilith, Adam’s first wife, unfolds with such lyrical beauty, drawing you into her journey from Paradise to a quest for justice that spans centuries.

Marmery's portrayal of Lilith is powerful and complex. She's fierce, wise, and determined to reclaim her place in a world dominated by inequality. I was completely captivated by her story, from her refusal to submit to Adam to her mission to rescue Eve and restore balance to the world. The way Marmery weaves together mythology and history, bringing in figures like Jezebel and Mary Magdalene, adds depth and richness to the narrative. I loved the prose used in this book and as a big fan of retellings this is one I find myself thinking of often! Big thanks to Alcove Press as well as NetGalley for the ARC provided!

"Lilith" by Nikki Marmery is a mesmerizing and unsettling novel that delves into the complexities of identity, desire, and the human psyche. This dark and haunting tale follows the protagonist, Lilith, as she navigates a world of blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Marmery's writing is evocative and immersive, conjuring a sense of unease and discomfort from the very beginning. The author's use of language creates a sense of atmosphere that is both eerie and hypnotic. The setting, a decaying mansion on the outskirts of town, is vividly described, drawing readers into the world of the story.

At the heart of the novel is Lilith's journey, as she grapples with her own identity and desires. Her character is complex and multifaceted, with a rich inner life that is slowly revealed throughout the narrative. Marmery's portrayal of Lilith's inner turmoil is both heartbreaking and fascinating, making it easy to become invested in her story.

TRIGGER WARNING: The novel delves into topics such as trauma, abuse, and desire, often blurring the lines between what is acceptable and what is not. This moral ambiguity will resonate with readers who appreciate complex moral dilemmas. Some readers may find the novel's dark and graphic content challenging to stomach. The themes of abuse and trauma are handled with sensitivity, but the subject matter may be triggering for some readers.

"Lilith" by Nikki Marmery is a compelling reimagining of the ancient myth, bringing the character of Lilith to life with depth and nuance. Marmery's writing is both lyrical and powerful, capturing the essence of a woman defying the conventions of her time. I've always been fascinated by the character of Lilith and was excited to read Nikki Marmery's take on her. This novel offers a fresh perspective on a classic tale, making it a must-read for fans of mythological retellings and strong female protagonists.

Book Review:
Title: Lilith
Author: Nikki Marmery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

I was super excited to see the title of this book because I've always been intrigued with learning more about Lilith and her story. I "read" this one as an audiobook while at work, so I probably missed some of the details. It wasn't too bad of a read, but it was a little difficult to understand some of the characters.

This is the story of Lilith, the first woman in creation, who was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Lilith is determined to get revenge. Women are not inferior, and she will do whatever she can to prove this! God then creates Eve, which ticks Lilith off even more. Eve accepts her fate and succumbs to the power of men. Lilith is on a mission to save Eve and step into her rightful place in paradise.

Published: October 10th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley and @alcovepress, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a very interesting read that gave a feminist alternative to the perspectives preached in Christianity.

Lilith by Nikki Marmery WAS BEAUTIFUL! I was truly thankful to have gotten to read this before most people! I would like to purchase this one for my physical library!

Thank you for this arc!

I don’t want to go into too much detail but there’s a few notes:

1. this feels anti-religion
2. The plot was constantly lost
3. I got to the end and I was like……… what was the point?

In the beginning. . . .Eden had a few more parts than 3 (Adam, Eve and Snake). And who knew Eve was a stand-in? Not this reader.

For all the myths I do know and have studied, this one has been carefully kept from me. . .although it may be less intentional than it feels. So for those who are in my same boat, Lilith comes from books older than our Genesis, with an original story that is more original than the ones we learned in Sunday School. Lilith was Adam's original date (tasked with fertility, newborns and mothers), created from her own dust as was Adam (tasked with naming things). The notorious Tree (hung with pomegranates?) was part of the set, as per usual, with the original warning to Not Partake. At this point Eve is not only not offstage, she 's still a rib. Adam's, of course, just doing rib stuff in the beginning. Father God checks in now and again (he's busy), while Mother God's been boots on the ground, as mothers do (handing out recipes, answering questions, etc), to ensure A Team success - wanting everyone to be happy.

I'd say time goes on, but time isn't a thing yet, so Events Happen especially sex (cuz that's fun), and as with all couples things that bug show up - like Adam always wants the last word, and favors a missionary position that just isn't working for Lilith. She suggests a variation on that theme (she's on top), and it all goes south. From there with the admission of nakedness (?!who told you that?!), and a new road is forged for the creation story - Characters are tossed outta Eden, and Adam has surgery. Man on Top becomes The Position. (PS: Snake was just a snake, no whispering wickedness. You'll never guess who spills the beans.)

From there the story is a March from Eden to New Humans, to Naked Noah, to Babes in Babylon (new wicked, evil women gods), to Baby Y in the manger, hitting all the historical high spots, through today and passing beyond us to the cold empty ruined earth - a Howl against the path of the patriarchy. I get rage, but for this reader all that new info bundled together with a new origin story that explains mansplaining (and more) from a new and different beginning. . . .it was a lot. I'm still pondering, and will continue to hear and consider the howl, but will suffice with an admission of leaving the read a little shook up. It's like Sleeping Beauty couldn't get by without adding Cinderella AND Snow White to the tale.

So for me and my house? 3 mostly neutral stars, reserving the right to Read Again.

*A sincere thank you to Nikki Marmery, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #Lilith #NetGalley

Excellent premise, not as excellent of an execution. I didn't expect a book like this to be so bioessentialist. This had the potential to be another excellent feminist retelling of a myth and it sadly was not.

A beautifully written retelling of the first woman, Lilith. It's a story of how women came to be controlled by men, Lilith is not the only biblical woman we meet and the story really covers how women came to be subjugation by men

Lilith is a historical character; she is said to be the first wife of Adam. She was rebellious from the beginning and didn't comply with Adam's wishes to be submissive to him. For that act of rebellion, she was ousted from paradise. She used her tenacity to try to save other women. The story is well written and gives historical background on Lilith. Lilith comes to life in this story and the author makes the reader root for her.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was really hoping to love this one. It wasn't bad. The premise was interesting and the cover is gorgeous, but the beginning of the story is really slow and hard to get into. Overall this isn't a quick read, but once it gets going it is a little easier to stick with. Still, I am not sure many readers will since it takes so long to captivate the reader.

This book was a DNF for me. It was slow-paced, and not my style. Additionally, I felt that the narrative that womanhood is centered on the ability to give birth was reductive and transphobic.

I don’t really feel like it’s fair to rate this book because when I had requested this book off of Netgalley I thought it was more of a fantasy - romance type book. This is not that. It’s very heavily themed around the Bible and the events of Adam Eve and Lilith. That was a complete misunderstanding on my part and if you feel like this book might be for you I would give it a try. The writing is good and I will look into other books from this author. Again it was only a mistake on my part.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC for exchange of my honest review.

"Lilith" by Nikki Marmery is a historical novel that reimagines the biblical figure of Lilith, exploring her life and struggles in a patriarchal society. Marmery's prose is evocative, transporting readers to ancient times and immersing them in Lilith's world. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about gender, power, and autonomy, challenging traditional narratives. However, some readers may find the pacing slow, and the plot lacks sufficient momentum to sustain interest throughout. Additionally, while the character of Lilith is intriguing, other characters may feel underdeveloped. Overall, "Lilith" offers a unique perspective on a well-known mythological figure but falls short in execution, earning a modest 2.5/5 rating.