I had great hopes for this one. The cover looks pretty and the blurb sounded promising. But unfortunately the story didn’t grab me.

I found it very slow paced, which often made it boring.
This book just wasn’t my cup of tea…

Part comedy of errors, part supernatural-tinged mystery, The Forbidden Book is all fun. It starts the night before Sorel Kalman's wedding, when she realizes that she can under no circumstances be a wife, and jumps out her window to go start a new life, cutting her hair off to pass as a boy. Upon being asked her name, she chooses a normal Jewish name at random: Israel Jacobs. Unfortunately, there's already an Isser Jacobs, and he's a wanted man. With the help of one of Isser's old companions, a random peddler, and what very well could be a ghost, Sorel sets off across her city on a quest to solve the mystery of what happened to Isser and the book he had stolen, a book that's been keeping their city safe from the very angel of death.
I loved it. Fast-paced and chaotic, it kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages. The Jewish folklore was interesting and educational, shedding light on a setting that doesn't get much attention: turn of the twentieth century Jewish Russia. The novel toys with ideas of censorship and modernization vs tradition in a way that is accessible to teenagers. As a whole, I really enjoyed it. Angels in the Old Country is moving up my TBR list because this one was so great. Can't wait to see what Sacha Lamb does next.

this was good!! it gets points for being jewish to the bone, which was great. the plot could be a little confusing at times (i definitely wish i had an isser chapter to start) and there was one plot twist i didn’t love. that being said the way it all weaved together was fabulous and the atmosphere of the book was palpable.

SPOILERY STUFF AHEAD:
man i wish sorel/altman and isser didn’t have to remain in the same body. like why couldn’t we have just given him is body back. also i wish adena and sorel/altman had gotten to have some more moments it felt like half there and i certainly would have wanted to explore that dynamic and potential romance more!!

Sacha Lamb is a master at those kind of quietly magical books, that conjure up a sense of time and place with a mere few sentences. The Forbidden Book is no different in that respect. It's a book that sucks you into its tale, replete with characters you'll love from the very first page. You'll pick this one up and won't be able to put it down again until you reach the end. One not to be missed!

While cute and delightful in it’s unique setting, the forbidden book felt painfully fast-paced in a way that left me feeling like there was no real time to breath while reading it.

I liked the Jewish aspect of this book, especially the links to the Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism.

However, I felt that the book was a bit rushed and didn't fully engage me. It didn't feel completely developed, at times, especially with Sam's character, for example. I would have also liked to have seen more of Sorel's backstory.

The chronology was also a bit confusing, at first, as well, and it took me a bit to work out what was happening.

This novel follows Sorel, a Jewish girl who changes her entire identity to escape an arrange relationship and closely discusses jewish communities in the 1900s.. I found the flow a tad confusing to follow due to the chronology of the book however Sacha did a wonderful job of helping me (a non jewish reader), understand a small part of jewish history whilst still appealing to fiction fantasy readers.
3.5 ⭐️

This book had roots in Jewish culture and magic that were wonderfully written, vivid, and let you see the dynamics between the different Jewish communities that exist as well as letting Sorel learn and figure out her gender identity. I loved this part of the book.

However, I feel like there should've been a bit more to character development as the book felt a bit rushed, especially at the beginning, which made it hard for me to latch on and really understand the characters.

It was such an interesting read. I enyoyed lots of the folklore that there are in this book. And love how is handled the genderqueer aspect, a new view to it with fantasy elements.
The story was simple and full of adventures and with lots of divers characters so it was entertaining.
The characters were good and I loved more the sides characters instead of the main one but that is just taste, i'm not gonna lie i thought it will end with some kind of romance and at first a bit disappointend but now i think it was better off like that.

Fellow queer Jews this is something to read! This is a fantastical exploration of history, Jewish mysticism, and queer identity that felt so relatable to me as a queer woman in the Jewish community. The setting feels rich, the characters have actual depth to them, and the mystical elements are chefs kiss so good. I wish the story would have been longer. I don't know if I'd call it rushed but giving Sorel a bit more time to breathe in the last 50 or so pages would have bumped this up higher. It felt like the ending was good fast paced and could have slowed down to really let the reader digest it.

When the Angels Left the Old Country is one of my favorite reads from last year, so I was very excited to hear about this! This book uses Jewish fantasy and (Ashkenazi) culture in such a great way and I had so much fun reading it. Sorel's discovery of herself and the way that gender is so prevalent in society and the way people interact was so interesting.

The use of Yiddish throughout the book was also great and I liked that it was used unashamedly. Not that readers should be left lost, but the book doesn't stop every time there's a Yiddish word to explain what it means. If you don't know you can use context clues or look it up. This is my own personal opinion, but when I read books that use other languages like Spanish or Chinese, it's like a fun little side quest to find out the meanings.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

A well paced and worthy followup to Lamb's first novel, this standalone book delves deep into questions of identity and community.

3.5 rounded up.

The night before she is due to be married, Sorel runs away from her life, along the way accidentally assuming the identity of Isser Jacobs and dropping herself into a murder mystery involving Jewish mysticism, political pamphlets, and a power struggle the real Isser Jacobs was caught in the middle of.

This is one of those books that is absolutely rooted in Jewishness in a very satisfying way. I absolutely loved all of the Jewish magic. Sorel's world was very richly imagined and described, particularly the inter-community dynamics between the groups of more religious and more secular Jews and the way Sorel navigates her new gender presentation. The writing is enticing and efficient, and I enjoyed following Sorel as she discovers the world outside her father's estate.

However, a lot of the other elements of the book felt a little rushed, which I think stems from the fact that while the world-building was beautiful, Sorel herself could've been more developed. She didn't seem to grow as a character in a way that felt natural or fulfilling to the journey she was on, and I never felt I knew her on a deeper level. Also, while the gender and sexuality elements were appropriately period-typical in a way I enjoyed, the book is being marketed with a more overt queer representation, which might disappoint some readers.

This is still a well-written, beautifully Jewish, and entertaining book, which I will be recommending. The character beats just didn't quite hit as successfully as I'd wanted them to.

Overall, I thought the book was well paced, told an interesting story and featured interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it, especially as it was about Jewish characters and culture, which are topics I have not read much about, and thus know far less about than I should.
One part that felt off to me was the end, where everything just happened too fast, in my opinion. The revelation of who Sam is came out of nowhere and could've been set up better. As is, he was just set up to maybe be a bit weird, but hardly any hints at his supernatural nature. Another part that struck me as odd was the times where Sorel, in her disguise, interacted with people she knew from before her escape. While for some, the reasoning that people don't recognise her because it doesn't even enter their minds to think that Sorel could be cross-dressing and living like a homeless person holds, for others it became a bit unbelievable that they would notice nothing. I think it would've also helped believability if Sorel had been at all nervous in these situations, but I didn't really notice that, which kind of took me out of the story.
Lastly, as someone who isn't Jewish and doesn't know much about Jewish culture, I found myself struggling with some of the terms used. Oftentimes I could kinda work out what a word meant from the context, or, in the case of Yiddish words, from being a native German speaker, but I think it could be helpful to have a short glossary of the Jewish cultural and religious terms used.

I loved the Jewish folklore in this story and the historical time period. I enjoyed it, but in general it left me wanting a little bit more — more world building and more consistent pacing. Sometimes the plot felt meandering and I didn’t always know where the story was trying to go.

I did not finish the book... I wasn't graped into it, that was too calm and the way it was written didn't put me in.
Plus there is no chapters but a single big block and that something I really dislike (I can't read and stop at the end of a chapter)

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

DNF @ 42%

This book just wasn't for me. I tried to push through to finish it, but I just couldn't get engaged in the story. I think this book would be more suited for younger teens.

(Content warnings: death, moderate antisemitism, violence)

3.5 stars rounded up!

A charming story, though it did not blow me away as Lamb's When the Angels Left the Old Country did. It's a quick (but well paced!) read that should appeal to fans of both historical fiction and fantasy, with a rich historical setting that feels very much alive and mystical elements that, for me, were the highlight of the story. Angels that are fickle and quarrelsome yet scarily intimidating in all their power, very human in some ways yet completely incomprehensible in others, is something I always find deeply entertaining.

I do think the blurb, which puts the MC's lebsianism and genderqueerness at the forefront, are somewhat misleading, as both of those are quite subtle in the novel (especially the lesbianism) - readers who pick up the book solely for those might be disappointed.

Sacha Lamb’s The Forbidden Book is an intriguing blend of fantasy and history with dual perspectives that enrich the narrative. However, the ending feels abrupt, and key elements are introduced too late, making the conclusion feel rushed and unsatisfying. While the premise is captivating, the pacing issues and sudden wrap-up detract from the overall experience.

**Review of *The Forbidden Book* by [Author’s Name]**

*The Forbidden Book* is a masterful blend of Jewish historical intrigue and magical adventure, delivering a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply moving. As praised by Isaac Blum, Morris Award-winning author of *The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen*, this novel is a compelling read that feels more like a must-have experience rather than merely an option.

Set against the backdrop of Jewish history, *The Forbidden Book* weaves a tale that is rich in cultural heritage and steeped in magical realism. The story centers around a forbidden text that holds secrets crucial to both the protagonist’s personal journey and a broader historical mystery. The narrative unfolds with a captivating pace, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The strength of *The Forbidden Book* lies not only in its suspenseful plot but also in its exploration of identity and the concept of found family. The protagonist’s journey is as much about uncovering hidden truths and unraveling ancient mysteries as it is about understanding themselves and their place in a complex, often tumultuous world. The book delves into themes of belonging and self-discovery, making it a deeply resonant read for anyone who has grappled with questions of identity and heritage.

What sets *The Forbidden Book* apart is its successful fusion of historical depth and magical elements. The historical context is meticulously researched, bringing to life a world that is both familiar and fantastical. The magic in the story is not just an addition but an integral part of the narrative that enhances the historical setting, providing a fresh lens through which to explore age-old conflicts and themes.

The characters in *The Forbidden Book* are richly developed, each one contributing to the tapestry of the story in unique and meaningful ways. Their interactions and evolving relationships highlight the novel's central themes of community and connection, adding emotional weight to the suspenseful and action-packed plot.

Overall, *The Forbidden Book* is a triumph of storytelling that combines historical depth with magical allure. It’s a book that invites readers into a world of mystery and wonder while also offering poignant reflections on identity and belonging. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, fantasy, or both, this novel is an essential read that will leave a lasting impression. As Isaac Blum aptly put it, the only thing that might be more fitting than calling *The Forbidden Book* mandatory is acknowledging it as a profound and unforgettable literary experience.