The world is really cool! I just had a hard time getting a grip on the plot.

Everything was really fleshed out, and it really felt like a full world. And the characters are well thought out.

The historical tie ins are really good, and definitely serves their purpose of making this seem like an old folk tale, which add a fun little spin on the book.

I however lost the plot a bit after about a third. I think this book would be better served reading a little bit at a time and then taking time in between to digest and understand what happened.

The mazik are really cool, and the way the two main character ties in to that I really enjoy!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Keeping in mind that this was an ARC and not an official publication I let a few things slide that I assume will be cleaned up by publication. This book felt like the most lush fairytale woven through a beautiful web of history and mythology. I was so spellbound by the atmosphere that was created, which reminded me a bit of Nghi Vo's worldbuilding. This was a sly and smart story that I was completely enchanted by. I loved the dynamics between characters as well as the magic system in place. Hesitant as I am to name favorite tropes of mine, as it often hinges on writing ability, I love the way the reluctant mentor trope played out within this story. It was so magical and I sincerely hope that there is a sequel coming, and absolutely will be invested in what the author does next.

This first book in the Mirror Realm series is a whirlwind! Imagine only being able to use your voice at one volume, never able to run and being bound to a book that can never leave you but you can’t read it! One must be strong willed. A gate holds two completely different worlds together while a queen commands the Jewish community to convert or run. What a punch in the gut this book was.

The first half of this book had so much promise. I loved the writing style and was getting invested in Toba's and Naftaly's lives. I was even more excited when Toba went through the gate, and I really liked her initial explorations into the Mazik world. I also loved the old woman that Naftaly was traveling with.
However, the plot really started to drag in the second half. I ended up getting disinterested. I felt like a lot of Naftaly's perspective in particular was lost in favor of Elena's, and the presence of two Tobas made everything more confusing.

An enchanting tale of multiple perspectives, filled with lush Jewish folklore and incredible worldbuilding

3.5 stars. Overall, I really enjoyed this! Toba and the old woman reminded me alot of Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle with all the grumbling they did, though I will confess that Toba got annoying especially with Toba Bet included. The writing style and depth of the world makes me think fans of Catherynne M. Valente will enjoy this.

While all the characters were lovely, I didn't feel like alot of them were given of depth outside of their dialog. I would have liked more internal thoughts, feelings, and distinct voices from all of them. Elena was definitely one of the highlights as I felt she was one of the better developed characters.

I loved the historical and Jewish depth to the story - it was done really well while still able to be followed along for those who don't have much knowledge of either. The glossary was very helpful and needed.

It was a solid 4 stars up until the 65% mark. After that, I started feeling like it was dragging too much for my liking and was just a bit too long.

The pomegranate marks leaving your old world behind and stepping into a new one—for better or worse. It is not always the loss of innocence, but it is always the gain of knowledge. So, it should be no surprise that any reader who steps through the pages of Ariel Kaplan’s The Pomegranate Gate will leave changed. Thankfully for the reader, this new world is breathtaking in its enchantment and profound in the questions it asks of us.

I didn’t expect to be transported to a world where I wouldn’t want to leave, yearning for these characters and their heartaches as if they were my own. The plot is intricate and utterly unique. Kaplan succeeds in painting us a gripping portrait of historical Sefarad. Yet, with equal skill and attention, she creates an expansive and opulent world of the Mazik with equal attention and reverence.
Ariel Kaplan weaves a breathtaking fantasy debut in The Pomegranate Gate. This series will appeal to fans of Naomi Novik and S.A. Chakraborty’s The Daevabad trilogy, as readers can prepare to be fully immersed in a captivating setting rife with magical conflicts that mirror real-world history and politics. This book fits neatly in the Adult Fantasy genre due to the scope of its themes, but the more intense content is condensed and handled with enough care that it could easily fit onto the YA shelf. The writing is positively transportive and the mirror world is mystifying and seductive in its beauty. Kaplan seamlessly integrates figures from Jewish folklore with the historical aspects of the story and expands our knowledge of both Jewish culture, mythos, and history. The characters are so wonderfully complex in their desires and internal conflicts that they seem to breathe off the page; their hearts beat into ours.

This tale is masterfully told. Though there are things I wish for the characters (because I’ve come to care for them so), there is not one thing I would change in terms of storytelling. I wait with as much bated breath to hold a solid copy of this epic in my hands as I do for the second installment. If you read to be spirited away to faraway places and mythical lands, I hope you walk through The Pomegranate Gate.

I requested this ARC through NetGalley and was thrilled to receive it!
There is so much to love about this book.
I got Hayao Miyazaki (spirited away) & spinning silver vibes mixed in with a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

The Jewish lore was riveting! Demons, curses, amulets, magical books, and the Maziks! By far my favorite aspect since the name in Hebrew implies mischief, which is terrific.
I loved the biblical spin on this unique fantasy.

But I admit there was a tad too much political intrigue woven in, while I would have loved to have settled on the magical elements.
As a Hebrew speaker, it was fun getting the hidden meaning, although when it came to the Sefardic words, I was lost. Still, I admit all the details and the variety of characters confused me. I had to reread the glossary a few more times throughout. The author must have relied on intelligent readers, which is wonderfully rare!
AlasI, I need more hand-holding and explanations as I go.

To summarise, I found this book to be cozy and refreshing! I have never read anything quite like it and would love to read more by the author.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a bit uneven in its pacing and narrative tone, vacillating between charming irreverence/dark humor and unrequited love and genocide, so I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first, but the characters were wonderful and I learned quite a bit that I didn't know before about Jewish folklore and mysticism.

"The Pomegranate Gate" is the first in a series about the adventures of a girl named Toba whose grandmother is hiding her secret of her half-Mazik (a type of immortal being with magic) identity with the use of a sapphire amulet that she can never take off. The amulet renders her unable to scream and unable to run. These traits are not useful when all Jews are evicted from their homeland or forced to convert to Christianity. Toba and her family elect to flee.

On the journey, Toba stumbles into a gate between worlds, a realm where the Mazik live that can only be accessed by them on the full moon, and becomes lost in that other realm, where she discovers the truth of who she is and complications ensue. In the mortal plane, Toba's grandmother Elena joins forces with Naftaly, the fumbling son of a tailor who has visions and dreams of the Mazik realm.

The universe was so intriguing and a fresh take on the tired fairy tale/mythology retelling genre, and that kept me reading. The characters were also compelling and well-developed, with thoughtful motivations and complexities.

This was a fascinating story of love, loyalty, family and faith, and I'd pick up the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Pomegranate Gate
By Ariel Kaplan

aaaaaAAAAHHHH

For some reason I didn’t realize this was going to be a series and I was not emotionally prepared for the end of the book! I’m going to go faint dramatically on a couch and have my little one fetch my smelling salts.

Ugh.

It was fantastic, ok.

Our setting is the Inquisition and our characters are all Jewish. We get to delve into Jewish fable/lore which was really cool. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand. Our main characters are complex and interesting. Elena terrifies me a bit with how far she’ll go for her granddaughter. The magic and the plot are intriguing.

For my romance people, there’s an infatuation from one character and there’s a super sweet blossoming of something between two of the main male characters.

This might be in my top books of the year. And I want the next one please. Go read the synopsis and add it to your TBR.

Excuse me as I wander aimlessly around the house with a feather duster.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks @erewhonbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interestingly detailed read full of Jewish mythological lore and incredible world building. Going into this book I didn't know much about Jewish culture or their myths so I struggled a bit in the learning of certain things however the glossary's did help a lot but once I learned about everything I was absorbed by the book and the two narrations. This is definitely going to be a re-read especially before the sequel comes out but I highly recommend for fantasy lovers as this is highly unique and a wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read rage and review this arc which is available Sept 26,2023.

Come with me and enjoy a world of pure imagaination!

This book was beautiful, lyrical and steeped in Jewish folklore during a time period called The Spanish Inquisition. Some parts were devasting but mostly it was simply stunning. Toba the Main character has gifts and they’re the type of gifts she just hide to avoid death torture and other things. Naftaly the male main character is the same as Toba. They both keep one thing as they flee. Toba and amulet and Naftaly a book. These objects open up a mirror realm called Mazik.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is poignant and real and will suck you in

This book was wild. I'll admit that it took a bit for me to get invested, but when I did, the pieces all clicked together and I'm left reeling. I will say that this book isn't super vast in the way that some fantasy books are. It's largely centered around the characters as they try to unravel the mystery of the plot. There's not as much scenery building, is what I'm getting at, but that doesn't really detract from the book.

There are a lot of characters. Ariel Kaplan helpfully includes a "list of important persons" section at the beginning of the book, which--fool that I am--I skipped over entirely. I'd say that while it isn't entirely necessary to read it, it definitely would've eliminated a lot of my confusion at points (a confusion of my own making, but I digress).

I don't really want to say too much more because the synopsis is kept purposefully vague. You're intended to unravel the bits of the the mystery surrounding Toba's condition and Naftaly's dreams alongside the characters. I think Ariel Kaplan did a really good job threading things together. Once I got it, things I'd been confused over in previous chapters immediately made sense. And honestly it was a hell of a ride.

I will say that the writing did feel a bit flat at times. That was mostly when it came to describing the scenery or other things like that. I feel like the character writing was very, very good. There were plenty of dialogue moments that actually had me laugh out loud. And by the end, I really cared about the characters. The scenery-building, on the other hand, probably could've used a bit more... oomph? I don't know how to describe it other than at times it felt almost clinical. That could just be me, but I would've liked to see a bit more care taken to shaping the world in a way that made me feel invested in that as much as I was the characters and the plot.

Other than that, I was really blown away by this. I'm honestly not sure where Ariel Kaplan intends to take this story, but I'm eager to find out.

Thank you to Kensington Books, Erewhon Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this!

Though I am Jewish, I am Ashkenazi and not Sephardi, so this is not an own-voices review. I have some distant half-memory of Mazikim (of hearing the word and hearing them to be some sort of demon), but only that. Due to these facts, the book unfolded with me feeling as if I was learning along with with Tobot and Naftaly. I could recognize some minor things-- who Spain was, Portugal, and the horror of the impending Inquisition.

I really like the other character, who goes only by a moniker, and I look forward to watching her grow and anger. I also enjoyed the old woman and Elena so much. I loved their love and care for their respective youngsters, their concern, and their singlemindedness to keep their loved one safe. The Mazik world seemed fantastical and glorious, and I don't know how many other Jewish references I missed unknowing (all food being lentils, perhaps), but I eagerly await the next book in the series!

I would have absolutely checked this book out from my Hebrew School a thousand times.

The Pomegranate Gate, by Ariel Kaplan, is a compelling fantasy tale set during the Spanish Inquisition and the beginning of the trilogy known as the Mirror Realm Cycle. Toba and Naftaly, the story's two Jewish heroes, are forced to abandon their homeland after the Queen orders all Jews to convert or be expelled. Toba and Naftaly's quest revolves around the precious heirlooms they bring along with them. They learn the connection between their heirlooms and the Mazik realm as they accidentally enter the Mazik's mirror realm, a place full with mythological and fearsome immortals with their own Inquisition.

Kaplan's writing style is superb, and she successfully merges Jewish tradition and the history of the Spanish Inquisition to create a vibrant, mystical universe. Toba and Naftaly's trip is engaging and intriguing, and their development as characters is excellent. The fae-like people thrown into the mix increase the story's air of mystery and magic.

I appreciated how the author included a glossary of religious phrases at the back of the book to help readers unfamiliar with certain Jewish customs and beliefs. This was a great way to learn something new while reading the book.

As a whole, The Pomegranate Gate is a fascinating and exciting book that won't let you relax for a second. I loved this book from cover to cover and think any fan of fantasy, Jewish folklore, or historical fiction would like it.

4/5 Stars from me.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.***

Toba - half mazik - brought to the other realm by Barsilay and Asmel. Staying in asmel’s castle.
Naftaly - son of a tailor, a bad tailor himself.
the inquisition tells all jews to convert or leave penniless. He leaves with a convoy, sees Toba disappear and stays with Tobas grandma, Elena and the old woman in a small town untill the next moon.
The book has two narrators Toba and Naftaly, both young I think around 20.
In the Toba part we follow her learning more about the Maziks and their magic and learning more about herself and what she can do.
Naftaly is accompanied by Elena and “The Old Woman” trying to find Toba and getting into trouble.
The book is truly incredible and the first Jewish fantasy book I’ve read. The worldbuilding is SO good and detailed. The book starts with a glossary of people, places and names which is very helpful following everything. The book has taken very real parts of history in the inquisition and the repeated forcing of Jews to convert. While the book is heavy and very sad at times, “The Old Woman” is the true star of jokes and one liners. Every character is so well fleshed out. I cannot wait for the next part of this series. The way this book sucked me in, was just stellar. A true 5 star read for me. The book has two delightful queer characters and hope to read more about them in the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the earc.

This new Jewish fairytale inspired fantasy is so good. It had me hooked from the beginning and I had to know how it ended. Now i can't wait for the next 2 books to come out! Very very good.
I just reviewed The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan. #ThePomegranateGate #NetGalley
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Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Erewhom Books for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Pomegranate Gate is an epic fantasy story that is rooted in Jewish folklore. The story is told from the perspective of the two main characters, Naftaly and Toba, each of whom must flee from their home after leaders of the Inquisition declare a choice between forced conversion or death against Jews in their land. This trip leads them on their path to an alternate land, accessed through a pomegranate gate, whose inhabitants are also experiencing a similar persecution. They also both leave with prized possessions, despite conflicting orders, and ultimately they learn how their stories interconnect.

This story is very intricate and detailed; the author truly created another universe that the reader could get lost in. Many of the elements of Jewish folklore mentioned were unfamiliar to me and I did find myself needing to look up what some of the terms meant but, I don’t think this took anything away from my reading experience and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn.

At times, I did feel that the story moved a bit slowly and overall, I would say it was a slow burn. It took a while to set everything up and move into some of the action but, I’m glad that I persisted and read on. The main benefit of this slow burn type story was that it made me feel very invested in the main characters and I felt like I was able to connect with them. Also, The ending was also set up well, in my opinion, and made me interested to know what would come for the characters.

I would recommend this book to fantasy readers, especially those with a lot penchant for folklore!

The Pomegranate Gate is an instantaneous favorite and one of the easiest five star reviews I have ever given. This first installment of the Mirror Realm Cycle was beautifully written and expertly executed. I could not put this down. I am already hungry for the next installment and I'm not quite sure how I can possibly wait to find out how this tale continues!

In synopsis: Toba and Naftaly make excellent hubs for this complex and exciting tale set in a mythical version of Spain at the apex of the Inquisition. When the order comes for the Jews of Rimon to convert or leave, Toba and Naftaly will be spurred onward towards a destiny neither of them could have ever imagined for themselves.

Ordered to forsake all possessions should they not wish to convert, Toba and Naftaly defy the Inquisition, each smuggling a priceless family heirloom out of Rimon and into the world beyond. When Toba's flight with her grandparents goes awry, it is she who stumbles through the gate in the pomegranate grove and into the world of the Mazik's. (A realm with an Inquisition of it's own. Arguably more deadly and dangerous than that of the human realm.) Meanwhile Naftaly, having witnessed her disappearance, is left behind to try to figure out what has happened and how to bring her back.

As both Toba and Naftaly work to navigate their way through the dangers of the mirror realm and the real world respectively, long kept secrets come to light. Their fates, inextricably tied together by decisions made generations ago, and the future of both realms hangs in the balance. And it is up to them to save them.

After finishing this novel, I can say without a doubt that I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. Ms. Kaplan has done an excellent job of presenting a thrilling and compelling tale with a fully fleshed out world and captivating characters that leave the reader hungry for more. The inclusion of so much Jewish culture and mythology is a refreshing addition to a genre that is too often dominated by the West. She has successfully brought to life a world that is both believable and fantastical, wonderful and dangerous. To Ms. Kaplan I must say, brava! I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

This was such a unique take with the fantasy genre, something that I started to feel was becoming repetitive, but this was exceptional. I loved the historical and fae element combos and I found the Jewish folklore to be intriguing. This was lovely and captivating.