I am a member of the American Library Association Sophie Brody Medal Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2025 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners, honorable mentions and noteworthy titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2025/01/jozsef-debreczeni-named-winner-of-2025-sophie-brody-medal/">

Sorel, a lesbian about to be forcibly married to a man, decides that, on balance, she'd rather not, jumps out her window and desperately hunts down a new way to live her life.

Supernatural and political hijinks ensue.

Well? What's the hold-up? Have you one-clicked yet? Just go get the blessèd thing already! You need a chuckle or two, and a high-stakes plot to keep you flippin' the pages. Absent the very interesting and unfamiliar-to-me cast of Jewish folkloric creatures of majgickq, this might have been three-and-a-half stars; the dybbuk alone crests over the four line and we're not even into the head of a woman who so absolutely rejects her cultural and societal repressions across multiple axes; repression so inimical to her that she does the extreme thing of becoming something and someone she chooses for herself. That this happens to land her in deep waters she'd never so much as heard of before made me root for her even harder.

Lesbian or not, give this book to every tween girl you know. More particularly the ones being raised in repressive god-ridden hate cults. Sorel, whose one flaw as a character that I found a bit itchy is that she springs out that window as herself and remains unchanged by the end of the story, is an archetype I wish more young women saw themselves in. (This is also why my stars stop at four.) She is not deeply shaded, but brightly, loudly limned. This kind of person is exciting to meet, often difficult to know well; still more often than that, troublesome.

We badly need that kind of woman in 2025.

Grow a few more, gift this amusing, edifying look into the magical corners of Jewishness widely.

I was such a huge fan of WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY that I couldn't wait to dig into Sacha Lamb's newest book. I will say, while I didn't like this book quite as much, they were trying to do very different things. I thought the characters were incredibly well drawn and each had their own voice which is hard to do when two of them are living in the same body! I loved that each character got a chance to choose their own paths in the end. I'm still eagerly awaiting Sacha Lamb's next book!

Genderqueer lesbian with a knife is possessed by a dyybuk and solves a murder mystery. Yes of course that's a yes from me.

Sacha Lamb's second book soars with incredible prose and well explored characters. The way they weave Jewish identity into their stories always feels like coming home.

Rounded to 3.5 stars.

I couldn’t possibly love When the Angels Left the Old Country more than I did after discovering it as an ARC. However, that book left my expectations super high for Lamb’s latest book, and while it wasn’t a bad story, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations.

Simply the idea of a book set in the Pale of Settlement featuring dybbuks, illegal printing, and a genderqueer lesbian with a knife was enough to make me want to read this book. Dybbuks are souls that have unfinished business, and can possess people in an attempt to wrap up the loose ends of their life that are causing them to not move onto the world to come. In case you aren’t familiar with the Pale of Settlement, it was basically a huge ghetto spanning parts of the Russian Empire for Jewish people to be limited to. Most Jews were poor because they were restricted from most trades and couldn’t own property, farm, or trade with gentiles, and experienced pogroms by gentiles and the police themselves. The example that most people will be most familiar with is the setting from Fiddler on the Roof, which was set in the Pale of Settlement.


While there were some factors that didn’t work for me, I want to share my favorite thing about this book—its overt Jewishness. My grandfather lived in the Pale of Settlement, and I was so intrigued not only to picture what it looked like, but to get to see the dark underside of the shtetl (village), as opposed to Fiddler’s heavy emphasis on people who were just living their lives and abiding by the rules. The idea of dybbuks has been around in Jewish mysticism since medieval times, while the changing political climate and growing interest in the chapbooks printed and distributed makes me think that this was a later development.

The majority of the characters are Jewish, and there is a biased education system reflective of Russia’s longstanding suppression of Jewish communities. Children were required to attend Russian schools, unless they could sponsor some other child to attend the Russian school and allow their own to attend a yeshiva, or Jewish school, where they’d learn Hebrew and more about Jewish history, customs, and practices. The Jewishness of this book just feels so natural and realistic—so many characters quietly say the blessing for anything they consume, like observant Jews do in regular life to this day. However, the Jewishness isn’t overwhelming: Jewish mysticism and folklore inform the plot, but it isn’t so much to the point where someone who isn’t familiar with Jewishness wouldn’t be able to understand what is happening in the story.

Whenever I’m reading a book, I always want to see growth in the character. And since there was so much of that growth in When the Angels Left the Old Country, I was kind of expecting something that gets to dive deep into the characters and the story itself. However, the idea is fantastic but fell a little flat for me in execution. I was disappointed to see that the characters in this book weren’t as well-rendered, and they came across as relatively flat.

Dybbuk stories have been present in Jewish folklore, and the most recent one I read was The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros. Between that book and Lamb’s prior book, I’m sure you can understand why my expectations were sky-high. The dybbuk aspect of this book was one of my favorite elements, and how it contributed to the mystery. Even the magic in this story just felt natural, the way that it was threaded through the whole book—the possession, the nature of the titular forbidden book, and some unusual dreams were all central to the story, and it never felt forced.

Overall, this left me feeling as though there wasn’t enough book to fully flesh everything out, yet the story was rushed and didn’t feel like every loose end got tied up in a satisfying way. Despite the things that I didn’t love about this book, the fact that it was such a Jewish story kept me reading it. I did really love the setting of the story, and it was written so well that I could easily picture the places the characters were going to. While this wasn’t my favorite of the Lamb books that I’ve read, I’m still really curious to see what they’ve got in store for us, and I will absolutely be checking out their next book as well. This might be a good fit for you if you like historical fiction, Jewish stories, reading books where romance doesn’t overshadow the story itself, stories featuring queer characters, a good mystery, or even learning about some Jewish folklore and mysticism.

I enjoyed The Forbidden Book for sure, although it did not quite live up to the author's debut novel When the Angels Left the Old Country. The story did some cool things with gender and social power and created room for different types of faith within a faith. But it was bit hard for me to get into to begin with and while I found the ending satisfying, it also felt very wrapped in a bow. This might be more of a me problem - because I prefer books that are more about the characters than the mystery. And while I enjoyed the cast of characters, I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, I didn't feel like we spent much time getting to know them.

This book is super inventive and creative. I was completely drawn in to the world and couldn't put it down.

A magical exploration of identity through the girl-disguised-as-boy trope, combined with a dybbuk possession; a Jewish fairy-tale, a historical fantasy, and a murder mystery. Sacha Lamb never fails to deliver! They have a talent for simple, precise language that hits directly at the heart of things.

I DNF'd this. I really think this author is one I need the audiobook version for. I wanted to read this so much, especially with how much I loved Lamb's first book. I'm going to try reading this again but the audiobook version.

The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb is a spellbinding queer historical fantasy that effortlessly weaves magic, mystery, and Jewish folklore into a captivating narrative. With richly drawn characters and a story steeped in culture and heart, Lamb delivers a tale that feels both timeless and refreshingly unique. Perfect for fans of layered world-building and deeply resonant themes, this book is an enchanting exploration of identity, love, and the power of stories.

I think I would have enjoyed THE FORBIDDEN BOOK more if I hadn't already read (and LOVED) WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY. But unfortunately for me, this one just doesn't hold the same magic so I was a little disappointed.

This is a slow moving story, which I struggled with at times - for the page number this took me longer than it should have to read. And like Lamb's previous novel, I'm not entirely sold on this being a YA book. I can't think of a teen patron who would check this out, but I can think of a handful of adult patrons who would really enjoy it.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Levine Querido in exchange for an honest review.

Sorel, a 17-year-old bride-to-be, escapes her wedding by disguising herself as Isser Jacobs, only to discover that Isser is a wanted man in the criminal underworld. Caught in a dangerous web of deception, Sorel must uncover the truth about Isser while confronting her own identity and survival in the gritty depths of her city.

This is my first book by Sasha Lamb (though When Angels Left the Old City - I think is the title - is pretty high on my TBR). I have something of a penchant for books steeped in folklore. Add queer characters, a ghost MC and the mystery of who killed him, and mistaken identity hijinks? This book is a wild ride from start to finish and I loved every minute. The characters are all fantastic, the plot takes wildly fun and unexpected turns. This was such fun and I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Levine Querido for a copy of this book. This review is honest and my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.

The Forbidden Book's strength is its Jewish representation. The setting and the characters come to life. It immediately hooks your attention with a jaw-dropping scene. But at a certain point my interest in the plot waned. It took me over a week to get through the story. And given a premise that promises dybbuks and a forbidden book, I expected more fantasy, more mystery, more excitement. I was a bit let down by the resolution. What was the book trying to say? I'm not sure.

So I thought this was good, not great. But I'm always down for a Jewish historical fantasy.

Thank you to Levine Querido and NetGalley for the ARC.

I generally love any books dealing with Yiddish myth and folklore so this was a really exciting find! I loved the authors first book as well. However this one did not click with me. I think there was some disconnect between the description of the book and what the actual substance of the plot was. I really wanted to like it, and I did like parts of it, but unfortunately I did not love it like I was expecting to.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a bit different than I expected, but I loved the mix of history and fantasy. I did struggle a bit early in the story with understanding how the MC's shared identity was established but it became more clear as the story went on. If I could offer one critique, it would be that I think non-Jewish readers would benefit from a glossary or a bit more exposition of the Jewish terms and framework used. I found myself stopping to google things fairly often which worked fine, but I think interrupted the story just a bit. Really good overall, though!

Sacha Lamb's The Forbidden Book presents a captivating tale set against the rich tapestry of the Pale of Settlement, intertwining themes of identity, survival, and hope within a backdrop of literary censorship. The narrative follows 17-year-old Sorel as she escapes her impending wedding, adopting the male identity of Isser Jacobs to evade detection. This premise is compelling, and Sorel’s journey through the murky world of smugglers and forgers offers a unique lens on the struggles of marginalized identities.

Lamb's prose is vivid and immersive, effectively capturing the tension of Sorel’s dual existence. The exploration of gender identity is particularly poignant, and Sorel’s evolution throughout the novel resonates with anyone grappling with self-discovery. However, the pacing can sometimes feel uneven, particularly in the middle sections, where the narrative occasionally meanders, losing some of its initial momentum.

While the stakes are high, the plot relies heavily on coincidence, which can stretch credibility at times. Additionally, while the secondary characters are interesting, they sometimes feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more depth and connection.

Overall, The Forbidden Book is an ambitious exploration of identity and belonging. It shines in its portrayal of resilience in the face of societal pressures, making it a worthwhile read, even if it doesn’t fully hit every mark. A solid three stars for its imaginative premise and thematic depth.

This book could do with a marketing overhaul. I was suspicious from the start given that the blunt, booktokish description felt at odds with Lamb's talent for depth and subtlety demonstrated in When the Angels Left the Old Country. I fear that description will lead readers to seek out - and miss - Lamb's more nuanced explorations of gender, sexuality, and identity. Lamb presents a unique take on nonbinary identity situated in the context of real (and imagined) history as Sorel flees their impending marriage, unable to articulate their need to flee yet hellbent on avoiding the gendered life set forward for them. I enjoyed puzzling out the supernatural mystery at the center of the story but wish it had taken more time to ramp up. 3/4s of the novel are spent with the main cast going back and forth between various duplicitous sources, a tedious process that get old quickly. I wish more of the supernatural elements had been introduced explicitly early on so that the ending didn't feel as much like a landslide of sudden revelations. My greatest criticism of the book is a more passive observation that this story and characters aren't likely to stick with me beyond the final page. Lamb has created something thoughtful but not not nearly as memorable as their debut.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!
I was extremely intrigued about this book when I first saw it! I have read Lamb's other work, and I really enjoyed it, so when I saw that there was a new book coming out with queer characters and a really interesting premise, I was very excited. Not gonna lie, a of a genderqueer Lesbian with a Knife was all I needed to hear to want to read the story and this delivers.
This was a complex and detailed book with the same level of care in the themes and metaphors that I loved from the author's previous work When the Angels left the Old Country. I would love an audiobook of this story as, for some reason, I think these books are so perfect to listen to. The folklore combined with the themes of identity, gender, and tradition just make this such an interesting and thoughtful read.

Full confession: I balked, briefly, at the opening line: I urgently wanted to cut the words "and left her life behind," because to my ear they weakened that arresting "On a full moon night, after a day of fasting, the young bride Sorel Kalmans leapt from a window." But When the Angels Left the Old Country was among the best novels I read in 2022, so I persevered, and even if The Forbidden Book's first sentence was a misstep, it was pretty much the last one.

Who are you? is the question at the heart of this novel, and it presents itself almost at once: Sorel, caught like a fox (watch that metaphor as you read this book) in the trappings of a wealthy Eastern European Jewish bride, looks in the mirror:

She might have found the face pretty, had she not been trying to see it as her own, and beneath the plucked brows and lip and the delicate brush of powder over her freckles, she couldn’t find any trace of herself.

But even after she bolts, dresses herself in the clothes she has stolen from a stableboy, and cuts her hair, she's not quite herself, or she's more than herself. Can I tempt readers if I remark that The Forbidden Book is in part a murder mystery, and that it may not always be desirable to get rid of a dybbuk?

I can't discuss what for me was the most intriguing aspect of The Forbidden Book without a major spoiler, so: What shall we make of the (implied) future relationship between Sorel and Adela, considering that Isaac's spirit has taken up permanent residence in Sorel's head? Sorel is clearly smitten with Adela; Adela looks at Sorel heatedly more than once, but Sorel believes those heated looks are really for Isaac. And Sorel's appearance seems to shift subtly from time to time, depending on how front-and-center Isaac is.

So identities are mutable and so are desires. Even the Angel of Death turns out to be not one but two, and each Angel is both destructive and salvific in nature.

The Forbidden Book, like When the Angels Left the Old Country, is a road-trip novel, although this time the characters travel back and forth within narrow bounds -- until the end, when, to put it as vaguely as possible, they're about to break free.

What else can I say except that you should hurry off and read this. Thanks to NetGalley and Levine Querido for the ARC: I feel lucky.