I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While it's not primarily a time travel novel, it cleverly weaves together historical changes that highlight fascinating traditions. I discovered intriguing aspects of Jewish customs that piqued my interest. The storyline was so captivating that I found myself eagerly turning the pages. Just a heads up—make sure to have some tissues handy for the ending; it truly moved me to tears! Overall, it was a delightful and memorable read.

Jewish tradition and magical elements intertwine masterfully in this novel, offering an original and captivating perspective on the theme of the occult. A key strength lies in the author’s ability to make Jewish customs and terms accessible even to readers unfamiliar with this culture, broadening the book’s appeal and fostering a deeper understanding of the traditions depicted.

Despite the story’s charm, the precision of its writing, and its informative value that make it stimulating for many readers, certain issues arise that hinder its full enjoyment. In particular, the explicit association between Judaism and Zionism, subtly present in the narrative, can be problematic and controversial, sparking both reflection and discomfort.

Overall, the novel represents a fascinating work capable of opening a window into a unique cultural and magical dimension but calls for a mindful and critical reading of its underlying implications.

I absolutely loved the concept of this book! The seamless blend of history and time-travel fantasy made for an enchanting read. I especially enjoyed the small but meaningful insights into the Jewish religion, which added depth to the story for me.

Esther Luna's determination to solve the mystery of the Rosenfeld family, paired with the adorably shy yet resourceful Rabbi Meir Poppers, was a delight to follow. Their dynamic added heart and humour to the narrative as they worked to uncover what happened over 100 years ago.

The story masterfully jumps between 2017 and various moments in time from 1917 onwards, without adding confusion. Mickey Dubrow's storytelling is rich and captivating - I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish.

Highly recommend for those who enjoy historical fiction with a tough a magic and mystery!

I really struggled with that book. I felt I was in a hallway while a party was taking place in some apartment I couldn't find while hearing the music all along. I felt like I was given bits and pieces of a world while kept at a distance at the same time. Is it the vocabulary ? The strange rhythm ? the repetitions? I don't know. But I was hyped by the premice and cover and... I just couldn't get in.

It's a great piece of literature, and I can't believe I put it off for so long. It's not that I didn't like the idea of a Jewish magic maker was not interesting; I guess I just couldn't admit I didn't know and understand something. The first few chapters overwhelmed me with Jewish words and traditions. Luckily, the text is written well enough for non-Jews to pick up what's happening and fully immerse into the story. I want to thank the author for introducing me to all the interesting things I didn't know about Jews.

Thank NetGalley, publisher and author for providing me with ARC copy

A beautiful read with a mix of humor, mystery and a tinge of sadness. The book kept me engrossed right from the first page.
The characters are extremely lovable and created a feeling of warmth, as their stories unraveled. While some of the specific terms used in the book unique to Judaism were new to me, they blended in perfectly into the setting of the tale.
The author deserves praise for managing to keep the pace between history and present and seamlessly blending both.
All in all, I can totally recommend this book for fans of cozy fantasy and magical realism.

**Disclaimer:** I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley in return for a review. This is that review.

The idea of Jewish occultism and magic was something that really captured me and made me want to read this book. It is not a subject that I have prior familiarity with, and I was interested in seeing how it would work out and in what manner it diverts from, say, Christian/Satanist occultism/magic.

Unfortunately, the author seemed to insist on making a point about advancing the antisemitic notion of equating Jews and Judaism with the genocidal settler‐colonial apartheid state of “Israel”, and doing this at the height of their ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population of Palestine since the Nakba. This book is finished now, late 2024, and set to be released January 2025. This means that it has almost certainly been at least partially written and edited during this most aggressive onslaught of the indigenous population in the land that “Israel” currently has occupied, yet the author still feels perfectly fine with only mentioning Palestine once, as one of the characters of the story exclaims that “Palestine is now Israel. The Jews have a homeland again!”

This statement would have been fine, if the protagonist then followed up by dismantling the Zionist propaganda, and explaining how Zionists are now the ones committing a present‐day Holocaust—but no, it goes completely unchallenged. I am disgusted with the obvious erasure of the Palestinian people and genocide‐denial/erasure being put forth here. Additionally, the author uses the presence of books about “Israel” on various characters’ bookshelves to emphasise them being Jewish, again working to equate Jews and Judaism with the genocidal racist ideology of Zionism.

All in all, I will be steering way clear of this author going forward, and recommending that people check out books published by the various [Publishers for Palestine](https://publishersforpalestine.org/) or one of their affiliated groups instead. I would love to one day find a non‐Zionist (or anti‐Zionist!) novel covering the same ideas/material, but alas, not a fan of using it to manufacture consent for genocide.

Well, I finished this blubbering at the end so keep a tissue box nearby. I adored the characters and felt it was an amazing read. 10/10 would recommend.

It was okay. Could have been better but I did not necessarily hate it. The premise had a lot of potential but I didn't feel like it lived completely up to it. Still would recommend tho

Excellent book, love it! Looking forward to more from this author! This was right up my alley! I will be following this author from now on (on socials not IRL 😅)

I tend to read mostly realistic fiction but I really enjoyed this story. The characters were kind of caricatures of themselves. The fantasy part was not so way out there so that it was enjoyable for someone who doesn't really like fantasy/sci fi. There was some comedic relief also.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in January. I wanted to love this and the writing itself was not bad but it just had too much elements that kept pulling you out of the story. It was not for me.

Magic Maker is a delight; a fast-moving, warm-hearted mix of historical fiction, time-travel fantasy, and Judaica that's welcoming to all readers. The Rosenfeld family feels so real, and Meir Popper's struggles to release them from a random act of mystical entrapment kept me enthralled.

In The Magic Maker, Mickey Dubrow crafts a captivating tale set in early 20th-century New York City. The story revolves around Baruch Rosenfeld’s family, who are mysteriously trapped in their apartment after a good deed goes awry. As time stands still for them, their individual ways of coping with their confinement add depth to their characters.

The modern-day aspect introduces Esther Luna and magician Meir Poppers, who team up to unravel the mystery behind the Rosenfeld family's predicament. Dubrow’s rich storytelling and the enchanting blend of magic and realism create a compelling narrative, though the resolution could have been more drawn out. Overall, it’s a charming and imaginative read that engages with its magical premise and heartfelt moments.