A runaway bride, a dybbuk, and long-buried magic in a small city in the Pale of Settlement. I was a bit disappointed after Lamb's debut novel, the excellent When the Angels Left the Old Country. This one moves more slowly, and Sorel spends a lot of time flailing around without much to show for it. But it is nonetheless a joy to read queer Jewish fantasy that is clearly written for us, with liberal use of Yiddish terms and perfectly integrated Jewish custom and ritual. And there are some lovely character moments. I will buy this book when it comes out, because I expect I'll want to re-read it more than once.
[Review copy via Netgalley]

I really enjoyed When the Angels Left the Old Country, particularly for the way in which the book was written. I love Sacha Lamb's writing style, and the elements that I loved from When the Angels Left the Old Country carried through to The Forbidden Book as well. The characters felt well-developed and realistic, and while it is a quick read, the pace didn't feel unnecessarily rushed. Overall, if you enjoyed When the Angels Left the Old Country, you'll likely enjoy The Forbidden Book as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I received an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a very enjoyable quick read. I liked the characters and the pace, but the magical elements were my favourite parts. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

I really enjoyed the book, thank you for the ARC copy I. Exchange for my honest opinion!

Our main character Sorel leaps from her window o
To avoid her impending marriage to a rabbis son, dressing in male clothes while on the run and calling herself Isser Jacobs.

The details of life under Russian rule are well described.

I was really invested in these characters and wish I got to know more about what happens to them after the truth about Isser becomes known.

Overall this was an enjoyable read, definitely unique and the writing style kept me engaged

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.

Soreh (or Sorel) is the daughter of a wealthy Jewish businessman in a Russian shtetl. Unwilling to marry the rabbi's son, she leaps from her bedroom window and runs away, dressing male clothes and calling herself Isser Jacobs. But soon she learns that the real Isser Jacobs is being sought after by nefarious people. Joining with a peddler and the real Isser's female friend, Soreh and her companions begin a search for Isser, that is, until he makes himself known as a dybbuk inhabiting Soreh's body.

The book in the title of this novel isn't mentioned until the second half. Most of the book is devoted to trying to find Isser and then figuring out who killed him. The gender-bending aspect of the book involves Soreh herself as a non-feminine female and the melding of Soreh and Isser together, which of course necessitates the use of the pronoun, they.

The details of shtetl life and life under Russian rule are well researched and described. The book is possibly a bit too short since the reader is invested in these characters and wants to know more about what happens to them after the truth about Isser becomes known. The Epilogue provides some info but not really enough.

This is a great adventure! The book focuses on a Jewish community and a girl that doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage. In her attempt to escape that fate she encounters a dybbuk, and sets out to discover how he died, where his body is located, and the location of a secret and powerful book that he stole from the rebbe of the community.

There is a lot of Jewish folklore included in this book, as well as some Yiddish (thank goodness for Google, lol).

It’s a different premise than I usually read, and the story kept me captivated. It is well written with some truly wonderful characters. I loved Sorel’s character, but I think I really enjoyed the dybbuk that shared her body the most.

If you are looking for a great book that will keep you guessing about what happens next, check this one out!

"The Forbidden Book" by Sacha Lamb is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that expertly blends historical fantasy with themes of love, identity, and courage. Set in a richly imagined world inspired by Jewish folklore, the story follows the journey of two young protagonists who discover a mysterious book with the power to alter their destinies. Lamb's writing is lyrical and evocative, bringing to life a setting that is both enchanting and perilous. The characters are deeply developed, their struggles and triumphs resonating with authenticity and emotional depth. "The Forbidden Book" is not just a tale of adventure and magic, but a profound exploration of self-discovery and the power of knowledge. It's a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and anyone seeking a story that is both heartwarming and intellectually stimulating.

Following up the Angels of the old Country was always going to be difficult, but I think readers are likely to enjoy The Forbidden Book just as much. I do think marketing the main character as a lesbian does the book a disservice because it will draw in readers expecting romance. There really isn't any romance in this book. I'm fine with that, but the marketing should be adjusted, maybe? Sorel is certainly queer-coded and her genderfluidity is a key part of the story, but eh, again, might just disappoint some readers. I was Waiting for romance based on that description, or at least more interrogation of the queer coding of Sorel.

But that's all nit-picking. Really this book was great! I LOVED the twists at the end of the book and did not see them coming. Highly recommend as a queer historical mystery!

An adventurous and interesting read. Reminded me of a lighter version of Lisa See’s Peony in love with the afterlife elements. Read like an epic adventure without the fight scenes, and the Jewish politics were an interesting element. Overall not for me, but not because there was anything wrong with the writing or the storyline. The ending did wrap up a little abruptly compared to the pace of the rest of the novel, but it was a very good ending!

This book blew all of my expectations out of the water. I loved the character development, the overall reflective quality of the plot, and the natural dialogue that happened between characters. Overall, this was a fast read and a book that I will definitely be purchasing a hardback copy of once it releases.