The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez is a mesmerizing fantasy retelling that skillfully blends Jewish folklore, intricate world-building, and an unforgettable exploration of power, identity, and love. From the very first chapter, Martinez draws readers into a world where history and myth converge, creating a setting that is both vividly immersive and deeply resonant.

Malka, the protagonist, is a duty-bound daughter navigating the expectations of her family and community. Her journey is one of gradual self-discovery as she confronts the boundaries of her upbringing and learns to embrace her own strength. Nimrah, the enigmatic and misunderstood protector, is equally compelling—a creature weighed down by guilt and bound by purpose. Their relationship unfolds with a slow-burning intensity, layered with tension and vulnerability that makes every moment between them feel earned and authentic.

Martinez’s prose is both lyrical and precise, evoking a world where the environment feels as alive as the characters themselves. The sentient forest, steeped in ancient magic, pulses with a quiet menace that mirrors the dangers Malka and Nimrah face beyond its borders. The inclusion of Hebrew language and folklore, combined with the realistic portrayal of different dialects reminiscent of Balto-Slavic languages, adds a richness and authenticity that makes the world feel fully realized. These linguistic nuances not only enhance the setting but also serve as a subtle reflection of the diverse cultures and histories that shape the characters’ lives.

The pacing of the novel is deliberate, allowing for moments of introspection and tension to build organically. While the narrative can feel dense at times, this complexity is part of its charm. The layers of mythology, political intrigue, and deeply personal stakes create a reading experience that rewards patience and close attention. Martinez excels at balancing these elements, ensuring that each contributes meaningfully to the story’s emotional depth.

For those who relish:
- Retellings that breathe new life into folklore
- Complex protagonists discovering their agency
- Slow-burn, emotionally charged romances
- Political intrigue and tangled alliances
- Immersive settings where magic pulses beneath the surface

The Maiden and Her Monster is a great debut that offers both heart and substance. The story’s conclusion is breathtaking—a perfect blend of resolution and lingering questions that leave the reader yearning for more. Maddie Martinez has crafted a tale that is destined to leave a lasting impression, and I eagerly await whatever she chooses to write next.

4.5/5 stars

This started off as a bit of an information dump, specifically with the different phrases for the forest and time before the monster. However this world building was so elaborate if you just stick it out and put in the work it pays off significantly! This was so atmospheric and rooted in Jewish culture, I loved it. Sometimes I got quite uncomfortable thinking about how things look today and how tyrannically parallel it is in the book. this is what makes it so impactful, you can get lost in this absolutely stunning world but still connect it to today.

The pacing was fantastic, there was a bit of an information dump at the start but it leveled out really quickly to show off masterful world building. The character arcs were FANTASTIC and had you feeling so many things at once. I highly HIGHLY recommend this!

"Not only have you failed to meet your tithe, but you have taken an Ozmini woman to sacrifice. May she be with Triorzay now. You'll die a death worthy of your sin and have no one left but the devil to beg for mercy."

It's with a heavy heart that I say this is absolutely one of the hardest books I've ever had to read. The Maiden and Her Monster is a sapphic retelling of the legend of the Golem of Prague.

The forest has been eating girls who wander out after dark, and Malka—our protagonist and the village's healer—is determined to figure out why.

From the beginning, I had assumed there would be words in other languages, simply because it's a cultural retelling, and that's a given! I was prepared to not know things, and to have to research while reading to fully comprehend the story.

I was, arguably, very excited to read about the parts the author had weaved into the story from her own life or lived experiences. My struggles began when the author would use real words in Hebrew, while also conjuring up a seemingly fantasy language for storytelling purposes. This made the book damn near impossible to read.

Imagine this: races, religions, dishes, clothing, buildings, settings, characters: all in a made-up language that simply... is not elaborated on! There's not even a glossary! Is this normal in fantasy? Presumably so, but using 3 fictional words in one sentence without any definition or previous context clues?

I thought maybe I was just ignorant—so every time there was a word I didn't know or was simply in a different language—I'd look it up. That's when I realized that the author had created her own language alongside using real ones. To say I was fighting for my life is an understatement.

I fell down a rabbit hole of reading the (to be frank, surprisingly scarce) low ratings. Specifically one from someone whose native tongue isn't English. She stated that this book was impossible for her to read because of the language barrier.

Dear Reader, when I tell you that I have never been more frustrated with myself while reading a novel—I mean that. I had to take my own notes. Every time a new term would appear, I'd want to cry. Whenever there was a word in a real language (Hebrew or Czech)... I heard angels singing. I wanted to love this book so bad, and I tried so very hard to!

I got to a point in the middle of the novel where I didn't even care about the sapphic romance anymore. A butch golem who saves the protagonist from a monster in the forest? I should've been sat! Instead I felt zero connection to Malka nor Nimrah. The story dragged on, and on, and on. I never thought I'd finish it.

"'And I told you I would always be the monster you hate. And that was fine, as long as you knew the truth.'"

TLDR: Was this book good? I have no idea. Perhaps I would've liked it more had I been able to understand it a little better. Am I in any way, shape, or form saying the author is a bad writer? Absolutely not. However, I do think that this book could've benefited from a glossary at the beginning, or at least a page in the back for reference!

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest, and... much too long review!

Incredible fantasy retelling! Writing was very descriptive and pleasant to read. I love a good retelling and was gripped from the start. I did have to take my time with this one; it felt dense but in the best way due to all of the history and politics and mythology woven into the story. The environment was continuously shown while reading, making me feel very immersed in the story!

There was a mix of Hebrew and fantasy language which was awesome to see. I especially loved the inclusion of different dialects in the world, it felt very realistic in regard to Balto-Slavic languages! Overall I really enjoyed this book!

ARC provided for an honest review.

A dark and lyrical fairy tale grounded in Jewish history and mysticism that feels both timeless and timely, “The Maiden and Her Monster” explores queerness, duty, and the terrible cost of bigotry in an unforgettable way.

The Maiden and Her Monster is a breathtaking tale of identity, power, and love, woven with rich Jewish folklore and stunning prose. Maddie Martinez creates a world that feels both timeless and urgent, where history, magic, and politics intertwine seamlessly. Malka’s journey—from duty-bound daughter to a woman discovering her own agency—is deeply moving, while Nimrah, the so-called monster, is a fiercely complex protector weighed down by guilt and purpose. Their relationship is electric, a slow-burning connection that grows with every beautifully crafted page. The novel brims with haunting mythology, tangled alliances, and a sentient forest that feels as alive as the characters themselves. Every element builds toward an unforgettable conclusion that left me breathless, its impact lingering long after the final page

The Maiden and Her Monster is the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish reading. The worldbuilding is intricately crafted, the characters are well-fleshed out and fascinating, and the relationships, which make up the true heart of the story, absolutely shine. Malka is a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a lover—sometimes wearing multiple roles at the same time—and her journey finding herself and her agency beyond her role in other people's life is incredible to watch.

Nimrah is a protector and a monster, a warrior and a servant, and her snarky, stoic, guilt-ridden and purpose-driven personality makes for such a delightful contrast with duty-bound Malka. I love how the author wove history, politics, religion, and magic together to create a world wholly original but still recognizably Jewish. I love the writing on a line-by-line level; it's the kind of gorgeous you want to highlight on kindle or maybe turn into a poster. I love the twisted creatures, human or otherwise, and I love how everything came together in the ending.

Basically, I love this book, and I'm so happy I got to read it early!