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Inquisitor’s Apprentice #1
The Inquisitor’s Apprentice
The day Sacha found out he could see witches was the worst day of his life. . . .
Being an Inquisitor is no job for a nice Jewish boy. But when Sacha Kessler learns he can see witches, he’s yanked out of everyday life on Hester Street and apprenticed to the New York Police Department’s star Inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf.
The Inquisitor’s mission is to stop magical crime. And New York at the beginning of the twentieth century is a magical melting pot where each ethnic group has its own brand of homegrown witchcraft and magical gangs rule the streets from Hell’s Kitchen to Chinatown.
Soon Sacha has teamed up with fellow apprentice Lily Astral, daughter of one of the city’s richest Wall Street Wizards—and a spoiled snob, if you ask Sacha. Their first job is to find out who’s trying to kill Thomas Edison.
Edison has invented a mechanical witch detector that could unleash the worst witch-hunt in American history. Every magician in town has a motive to kill him. But as the investigation unfolds, all the clues lead back to the Lower East Side. And Sacha soon realizes that his own family could be accused of murder!
Being an Inquisitor is no job for a nice Jewish boy. But when Sacha Kessler learns he can see witches, he’s yanked out of everyday life on Hester Street and apprenticed to the New York Police Department’s star Inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf.
The Inquisitor’s mission is to stop magical crime. And New York at the beginning of the twentieth century is a magical melting pot where each ethnic group has its own brand of homegrown witchcraft and magical gangs rule the streets from Hell’s Kitchen to Chinatown.
Soon Sacha has teamed up with fellow apprentice Lily Astral, daughter of one of the city’s richest Wall Street Wizards—and a spoiled snob, if you ask Sacha. Their first job is to find out who’s trying to kill Thomas Edison.
Edison has invented a mechanical witch detector that could unleash the worst witch-hunt in American history. Every magician in town has a motive to kill him. But as the investigation unfolds, all the clues lead back to the Lower East Side. And Sacha soon realizes that his own family could be accused of murder!
348 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
49 people are currently reading
2126 people want to read
About the author
Chris Moriarty
8 books190 followersI am the author of SF novels SPIN STATE and SPIN CONTROL, and winner of the 2006 Philip K. Dick Award. Upcoming books include GHOST SPIN and THE INQUISITOR'S APPRENTICE, a middle grade fantasy set on New York's Lower East Side, circa 1900. I also have a regular book review column in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
May 29, 2022
New York, Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts: Hier lebt der 13-jährige Sascha in eher ärmlichen Verhältnissen. Eines Tages aber ändert sich sein Leben von Grund auf, denn man wird darauf aufmerksam, dass er Magie sehen kann. Und so kommt Sascha als Lehrling zur Polizei, denn Magie ist verboten, und durch seine besondere Fähigkeit könnte Sascha der Polizei eine große Hilfe sein.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Leider muss ich sagen, dass mich dieses Buch enttäuscht hat. Der Klappentext klang so interessant, und ich liebe generell Geschichten, die zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts spielen. Es ist so eine interessante und spannende Zeit, aber leider kam das für mich in diesem Buch gar nicht so rüber.
*
Auch die Figuren blieben mir fremd. Ich konnte zu keiner einzigen Figur irgendeine Bindung aufbauen. Sie wirkten alle so oberflächlich und emotionslos.
Die Geschichte an sich hat mich dann leider auch nicht mehr fesseln können. Manchmal hatte ich ein paar Seiten gelesen und habe mich dann dabei ertappt, gar nicht mehr zu wissen, was ich gerade erst gelesen hatte. Das spricht nicht unbedingt für das Buch. Meinen Lesegeschmack hat es daher leider nicht getroffen.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Leider muss ich sagen, dass mich dieses Buch enttäuscht hat. Der Klappentext klang so interessant, und ich liebe generell Geschichten, die zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts spielen. Es ist so eine interessante und spannende Zeit, aber leider kam das für mich in diesem Buch gar nicht so rüber.
*
Auch die Figuren blieben mir fremd. Ich konnte zu keiner einzigen Figur irgendeine Bindung aufbauen. Sie wirkten alle so oberflächlich und emotionslos.
Die Geschichte an sich hat mich dann leider auch nicht mehr fesseln können. Manchmal hatte ich ein paar Seiten gelesen und habe mich dann dabei ertappt, gar nicht mehr zu wissen, was ich gerade erst gelesen hatte. Das spricht nicht unbedingt für das Buch. Meinen Lesegeschmack hat es daher leider nicht getroffen.
June 1, 2011
More complete review/pondering on the blog: http://laurelsnyder.com/?p=1111
This book is admirably well plotted, really tight and compelling. The pace is brisk, but well detailed too--and characters are nicely developed. Just generally well written.
I am in LOVE with the setting and the premise. The idea of magic-as-replaced-by-machines, of capitalists as the villains behind the end of "old world" magic. It's brilliant. The way all of these historical characters and institutions (Edison, Houdini, the IWW, Morgan Library, etc) are incorporated and "magicalized" is smart, and never feels arbitrary. And the author appears to have done her research! Reading, I really did feel submerged in the building of the subways, the dingy tenements, Coney Island sideshows, etc.
The biggest issue for me, as I read, was this nagging sense that there was an incongruity to the use of Judaism (and maybe other identities too) as the cultural/religious basis for magic. In the book, some rabbis are understood to be Kabbalists, though mysticism is illegal. As are basic conjuring, spells, hexes, etc. This is INTERESTING. Especially as faith/magic are then replaced by the industrial/capitalistic world. Interesting.
And as a Jewish reader, I liked references to dybbuks. I liked that Yiddish was tossed around.
But there's something off, maybe-- because all the while there was still the "real" Jewish world in the background. Hester Street is the same, and people are running around, trying to get to market before Shabbos. Rabbis are davening in storefront shuls. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly bothered me about this duality of Jewish lives, but something did. Some sense that the author never made clear how these two worlds coexisted. The "magic" world isn't, as it is in Harry Potter, a secret. That would have made more sense to me, Instead, the mothers dashing off to market to make Shabbos before sundown KNOW about the magic world. But it isn't incorporated into their faith or practice, and it doesn't seem to make them question their faith.
I know this may seem like nitpicking, and I certainly wouldn't want this idea to keep a kid from reading and loving this book (which they will). But I wondered how the author understood the theology (not the cultural trappings, but the actual beliefs) of an orthodox Jewish world that happens to be full of magic. Jewish mysticism isn't something most Jews practice (and it wasn't on the LES at the turn of the 20th century either). I couldn't help thinking that if the average frum housewife had experience with magic and mysticism, it might have changed her life.
Also, some points of order bugged me. In the opening scene of the book, much is made about the mother needing to get to market in time for Shabbat, but then she's still out wandering around after sundown. Why she's bothered to rush from work to the market, to buy a whole herring, if she doesn't plan to go home and make dinner in time-- I'm not clear on it. I have a hard time believing that her Rabbi Brother-in-law who lives with her wouldn't be upset about this infraction. But this is minor. It just happened to be on page 3, so set off alarms of Judaism as gimmick. Though other lines, like the one about the MC "memorizing" his bar mitzvah Torah portion, also made me wonder.
I'm also a little confused about when exactly the book is set-- can't be earlier than 1913 because Roosevelt has gone to DC, but the "Pentacle" shirtwaist factory is still in business. The author has used an unusual mix of historical figures/institutions (Edison, Houdini, etc) but then a bunch of people have been reimagined (Astor has become "Astral" and the Morgan Library is the "Morgaunt." Triangle is Pentacle, etc.) I understand that this is a "parallel" world, but I'm not sure why things have to be inconsistant this way. I'm not sure what purpose it served.
Now, I've spent way too much time picking the book apart. In truth, it's a wildly fun read, but in attempting the hybrid/historical/religious novel, Moriarty kind of opened herself up for questions.
And as I'm sure she well knows, Jews tend to ask questions!
Illustrations remind me of All of a Kind Family!
This book is admirably well plotted, really tight and compelling. The pace is brisk, but well detailed too--and characters are nicely developed. Just generally well written.
I am in LOVE with the setting and the premise. The idea of magic-as-replaced-by-machines, of capitalists as the villains behind the end of "old world" magic. It's brilliant. The way all of these historical characters and institutions (Edison, Houdini, the IWW, Morgan Library, etc) are incorporated and "magicalized" is smart, and never feels arbitrary. And the author appears to have done her research! Reading, I really did feel submerged in the building of the subways, the dingy tenements, Coney Island sideshows, etc.
The biggest issue for me, as I read, was this nagging sense that there was an incongruity to the use of Judaism (and maybe other identities too) as the cultural/religious basis for magic. In the book, some rabbis are understood to be Kabbalists, though mysticism is illegal. As are basic conjuring, spells, hexes, etc. This is INTERESTING. Especially as faith/magic are then replaced by the industrial/capitalistic world. Interesting.
And as a Jewish reader, I liked references to dybbuks. I liked that Yiddish was tossed around.
But there's something off, maybe-- because all the while there was still the "real" Jewish world in the background. Hester Street is the same, and people are running around, trying to get to market before Shabbos. Rabbis are davening in storefront shuls. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly bothered me about this duality of Jewish lives, but something did. Some sense that the author never made clear how these two worlds coexisted. The "magic" world isn't, as it is in Harry Potter, a secret. That would have made more sense to me, Instead, the mothers dashing off to market to make Shabbos before sundown KNOW about the magic world. But it isn't incorporated into their faith or practice, and it doesn't seem to make them question their faith.
I know this may seem like nitpicking, and I certainly wouldn't want this idea to keep a kid from reading and loving this book (which they will). But I wondered how the author understood the theology (not the cultural trappings, but the actual beliefs) of an orthodox Jewish world that happens to be full of magic. Jewish mysticism isn't something most Jews practice (and it wasn't on the LES at the turn of the 20th century either). I couldn't help thinking that if the average frum housewife had experience with magic and mysticism, it might have changed her life.
Also, some points of order bugged me. In the opening scene of the book, much is made about the mother needing to get to market in time for Shabbat, but then she's still out wandering around after sundown. Why she's bothered to rush from work to the market, to buy a whole herring, if she doesn't plan to go home and make dinner in time-- I'm not clear on it. I have a hard time believing that her Rabbi Brother-in-law who lives with her wouldn't be upset about this infraction. But this is minor. It just happened to be on page 3, so set off alarms of Judaism as gimmick. Though other lines, like the one about the MC "memorizing" his bar mitzvah Torah portion, also made me wonder.
I'm also a little confused about when exactly the book is set-- can't be earlier than 1913 because Roosevelt has gone to DC, but the "Pentacle" shirtwaist factory is still in business. The author has used an unusual mix of historical figures/institutions (Edison, Houdini, etc) but then a bunch of people have been reimagined (Astor has become "Astral" and the Morgan Library is the "Morgaunt." Triangle is Pentacle, etc.) I understand that this is a "parallel" world, but I'm not sure why things have to be inconsistant this way. I'm not sure what purpose it served.
Now, I've spent way too much time picking the book apart. In truth, it's a wildly fun read, but in attempting the hybrid/historical/religious novel, Moriarty kind of opened herself up for questions.
And as I'm sure she well knows, Jews tend to ask questions!
Illustrations remind me of All of a Kind Family!
January 2, 2012
To be completely honest: I don’t know a kid who would want to read this. The witchcraft aspect, which is supposedly the major storyline, is very quickly buried in the history of New York. Fans of historical fiction (like the American Girls series) keep reading for characters they can identify with and care about.
I think the book is trying to be too many things, and therefore does none of them well. The plot bumbles around and spins its wheels, the witchcraft is given very short shrift, the characters aren’t developed well enough for the reader to really care about them… but overall, it is the feeling of being force fed history that is the biggest turnoff.
I think the book is trying to be too many things, and therefore does none of them well. The plot bumbles around and spins its wheels, the witchcraft is given very short shrift, the characters aren’t developed well enough for the reader to really care about them… but overall, it is the feeling of being force fed history that is the biggest turnoff.
October 12, 2011
So much potential led to so much confusion. It's a book about a Jewish kid in the tenements in the early 1900s mixed with magic. You can recognize all the inspiration from our world--if you're an adult. There are too many layers of stuff going on here, and it takes a really long time to explain. Plus, the ending is totally just a set up for another book. I recommend this one to alternate history geeks (who are mostly adults, in my experience). Lots of politics, too. Just too much going on for me to really enjoy this one.
July 1, 2012
I was given an Advance Copy. As an educator who is always looking for new YA lit, I read it.
I give Moriarty two stars for character development and accurate historical references to 1900 New York and tenement living. The story moved at a fine pace and was somewhat engaging. The remaining 3 stars?
1. The story ended abruptly - too abruptly for my liking. While I do believe that the genre of YA lit always needs to grow, this book does NOT have a universal quality that I could give to any reader.
2. While the tribute to Moriarty's son and culture is heartwarming, without the realization of deeper name play and an accurate knowledge of history, this book will be lost on many, if not most readers. I shudder to think that the average kid will get a few pages in and drop it because of the cultural references and bigger words, moreover that some children will construct the name play as reality.
I do believe there is a shortage of Jewish literature in America for children (not just Jewish children), however this novel does nothing to fill that need. I do realize that sci fi can be a form of speculative fiction (which this novel clearly is), but I sincerely believe the author needs to quit trying so hard. Not everyone is J.K. Rowling.
3. What I truly found offensive though, was the inaccurate portrayal of Yiddish lore throughout the book. While kitchy and cute (knishes that will bring boys), etc., as a Jew, I feel Moriarty did more damage to her culture and her faith than anything. Any book that feeds negative cultural stereotypes is off my list and that of classroom recommendations.
Will I read the other books as they come out? Of course, for it is my job to be a well-informed educator. I can only hope they improve in tone and social acceptance.
I give Moriarty two stars for character development and accurate historical references to 1900 New York and tenement living. The story moved at a fine pace and was somewhat engaging. The remaining 3 stars?
1. The story ended abruptly - too abruptly for my liking. While I do believe that the genre of YA lit always needs to grow, this book does NOT have a universal quality that I could give to any reader.
2. While the tribute to Moriarty's son and culture is heartwarming, without the realization of deeper name play and an accurate knowledge of history, this book will be lost on many, if not most readers. I shudder to think that the average kid will get a few pages in and drop it because of the cultural references and bigger words, moreover that some children will construct the name play as reality.
I do believe there is a shortage of Jewish literature in America for children (not just Jewish children), however this novel does nothing to fill that need. I do realize that sci fi can be a form of speculative fiction (which this novel clearly is), but I sincerely believe the author needs to quit trying so hard. Not everyone is J.K. Rowling.
3. What I truly found offensive though, was the inaccurate portrayal of Yiddish lore throughout the book. While kitchy and cute (knishes that will bring boys), etc., as a Jew, I feel Moriarty did more damage to her culture and her faith than anything. Any book that feeds negative cultural stereotypes is off my list and that of classroom recommendations.
Will I read the other books as they come out? Of course, for it is my job to be a well-informed educator. I can only hope they improve in tone and social acceptance.
November 8, 2011
This book started out strong and with a neat concept (a blend of fantasy and alternate historical fiction set near the turn of the century in New York). However, there was such a multitude of concepts and plotlines introduced that it seemed to spin in greater and greater circles until it got stuck. The ending lacked the pizazz of the introduction... although quite clearly this was set up for a sequel. Sigh. What happened to stand-alone books?
March 31, 2012
This didn't work for me at all- from the cute, slightly changed names (VanderBilk, JP Morgaunt & etc.) to the almost claustrophobic Jewish arcana that filled every page- it simply didn't grab me, and I'm wondering how it is faring with the middle grade audience it's aimed at. I never quite got a sense of how Sascha's magic worked, or how, exactly, the Inquisitors work. Lily was also predictable, I thought- plucky rich girl who has an unhappy home life and has unsuspected depths. The story arc was reminiscent of A Wizard of Earthsea, at least as far as the dybbuk went. I liked Teddy Roosevelt's character (TR is right as rain!) and Inquisitor Wolf, but I won't be back for the sequel.
October 5, 2011
Most people seem to love this. Me, I thought it was a lot like The Yiddish Policeman's Union for kids in a lot of ways. The problem here is that the book is very, very slow and is so steeped in Jewish culture and mythology that it almost completely misses the mark. This may have a very direct audience, one that I am not a part of, but this book didn't do it for me at all - the pacing in particular made it very, very difficult to stick with.
July 21, 2011
Less than stellar. Too confusing for the intended audience and although the characters were well depicted, the world-building was awkward.
January 17, 2015
Just personally found it boring
June 11, 2017
Love the characters, the plot, the world-building, the magic system, and the prose style. If you have any love at all for fantastical mysteries at the turn of the century, get this book. It is INCREDIBLE.
July 22, 2013
Gah. I wanted to like this book.
It was so promising! New York! Magic! Jewish Mysticism! Historical Fiction! Thomas Edison! It could have been so cool. Instead....it was just kind of boring.
The plot was slower than slow.
The premise has potential. A young Jewish boy named Sacha live in New York at the turn of the century. He learns that he can see when people work magic. This is a very important gift in a time when police are patrolling looking for illegal magic. Due to his ability, Sacha is quickly picked up by Inquisitor Wolf as his apprentice.
You see? The potential for awesomeness is limitless. However, it falls flat on it's face. We never really get to see Sacha use his gift. Sacha and Lilly (his co-apprentice) instead waltz all over New York and nothing really happens. They take one martial arts lesson. And they visit Thomas Edison. And Harry Houdini makes an appearance, as do many of the well known New York Robber Barons. But that's really all that happens. There's some additional action in the ending, but it's too little too late.
Instead, the author seems to be obsessed with recreating historical New York, but not in a way that's interesting. This New York is confusing and often times lackluster.
That said, I did like the character of Sacha and his family. They felt true to life and believable. I loved the character of Lilly Astral, as the rich girl who has spunk. They were the reason I stayed with the book.
I kept hoping the plot would pick up, but it never did. I unfortunately recommend that you pass this one by.
You can read more reviews like this at: http://www.pageturnersblog.com/
It was so promising! New York! Magic! Jewish Mysticism! Historical Fiction! Thomas Edison! It could have been so cool. Instead....it was just kind of boring.
The plot was slower than slow.
The premise has potential. A young Jewish boy named Sacha live in New York at the turn of the century. He learns that he can see when people work magic. This is a very important gift in a time when police are patrolling looking for illegal magic. Due to his ability, Sacha is quickly picked up by Inquisitor Wolf as his apprentice.
You see? The potential for awesomeness is limitless. However, it falls flat on it's face. We never really get to see Sacha use his gift. Sacha and Lilly (his co-apprentice) instead waltz all over New York and nothing really happens. They take one martial arts lesson. And they visit Thomas Edison. And Harry Houdini makes an appearance, as do many of the well known New York Robber Barons. But that's really all that happens. There's some additional action in the ending, but it's too little too late.
Instead, the author seems to be obsessed with recreating historical New York, but not in a way that's interesting. This New York is confusing and often times lackluster.
That said, I did like the character of Sacha and his family. They felt true to life and believable. I loved the character of Lilly Astral, as the rich girl who has spunk. They were the reason I stayed with the book.
I kept hoping the plot would pick up, but it never did. I unfortunately recommend that you pass this one by.
You can read more reviews like this at: http://www.pageturnersblog.com/
January 31, 2014
I'm not sure how this ended up on my "to read" list, but after finishing Walden and before tackling Hawking, I wanted something light and fluffy.
It is kind of cute and the alternate history setting of NYC at turn of the century with magic as the norm was entertaining.
The plot itself was rather thin and predictable; the magical elements were nothing very special. As most things, it suffered a bit from convenience and contradiction (Sacha tells his mom he is going to shul and then waits outside until his Grandpa leave shul and breaks in. But isn't his Grandpa going home and won't his mom then ask about Sacha's whereabouts?). A few of the plot transitions were nonsensical as well; for instance, why does Sacha suddenly not mind that Lily comes to his neighborhood? and what exactly prevents him from confessing all to Wolf once he has confessed to the girls?
I found some of the anachronistic language to be amusing ("hopped-up spell fiend") and I understand hat Moriarty was attempting to make some class and racial (ethnic) arguments, but overall it was just an okay read. Mildly entertaining, but nothing special.
It is kind of cute and the alternate history setting of NYC at turn of the century with magic as the norm was entertaining.
The plot itself was rather thin and predictable; the magical elements were nothing very special. As most things, it suffered a bit from convenience and contradiction (Sacha tells his mom he is going to shul and then waits outside until his Grandpa leave shul and breaks in. But isn't his Grandpa going home and won't his mom then ask about Sacha's whereabouts?). A few of the plot transitions were nonsensical as well; for instance, why does Sacha suddenly not mind that Lily comes to his neighborhood? and what exactly prevents him from confessing all to Wolf once he has confessed to the girls?
I found some of the anachronistic language to be amusing ("hopped-up spell fiend") and I understand hat Moriarty was attempting to make some class and racial (ethnic) arguments, but overall it was just an okay read. Mildly entertaining, but nothing special.
June 6, 2012
Enjoyable for a middle aged Jewish woman who was raised in the Bronx, who has read a good deal of history, and recognizes all the references.
For kids?
Maybe if they live in NY and have a fair grasp of Jewish history and culture.
Otherwise, they are going to get hopelessly ferschimmelled amidst all the mishegosse in this book. Nu?
For kids?
Maybe if they live in NY and have a fair grasp of Jewish history and culture.
Otherwise, they are going to get hopelessly ferschimmelled amidst all the mishegosse in this book. Nu?
June 23, 2013
Couldn't finish. The characters are bland and boring and the writing doubly so.
October 3, 2011
This is just a charming, fun book. I've been a huge fan of Chris Moriarty's ever since I read Spin State; it was one of the first books I gave five stars to, I remember just loving it. I read Spin Control as soon as I could and waited anxiously to hear about the third book in the series. And waited and waited. I was thrilled to see Chris appear on Goodreads and to find out that she was writing both this book an the long awaited third book in the Spin series (coming soon!). But I was curious as to how this book would turn out as it's such a huge departure from the hard science fiction of Spin. And I'm happy to report that it turned out great!
The experience starts with the great investment the publisher made in the the book, it's just beautiful. The cover has a big engraved centerpiece and four engraved pictures in each corner. The back cover has addition artwork, as do the inside covers. Best of all are the full page illustrations that pop up throughout the book that really set the tone and establish the time and place beautifully. In addition, the font is just perfect, it's a bit quirky and a bit old fashioned, it also sets the tone for the book perfectly.
But most importantly, the story is great. It's an alternate history of New York, magic, Jewish culture and mysticism, growing up, politics, big business, inventions, show biz, and more. There are levels to the story that will appeal to kids and adults. It's a really smart story that doesn't talk down to kids but I think will still be fun for them. If you can't resist a story about Edison, Houdini, J.P. "Morgaunt", nice Jewish boys roped into being police Inspectors, slightly tomboy rich girls, mysterious police Inspectors, scary dybbuks, and so much more, then you have to read this book. The only thing I wonder about his how the heavy focus on Jewish culture will play to non-Jews. I loved it, but I wonder if it will feel confusing or overwhelming to people who are unfamiliar with some of the terms or practices. But I hope it people will find it as interesting as I did. Anyway, it was just super fun and charming, and it turned into a real page turner at the end. There wasn't anything about the book that I didn't like except that it ended too soon and that I can't wait to see more about these characters and this version of New York that Chris has created. This is a book that is actually worth the price, and would be a great gift as well.
The experience starts with the great investment the publisher made in the the book, it's just beautiful. The cover has a big engraved centerpiece and four engraved pictures in each corner. The back cover has addition artwork, as do the inside covers. Best of all are the full page illustrations that pop up throughout the book that really set the tone and establish the time and place beautifully. In addition, the font is just perfect, it's a bit quirky and a bit old fashioned, it also sets the tone for the book perfectly.
But most importantly, the story is great. It's an alternate history of New York, magic, Jewish culture and mysticism, growing up, politics, big business, inventions, show biz, and more. There are levels to the story that will appeal to kids and adults. It's a really smart story that doesn't talk down to kids but I think will still be fun for them. If you can't resist a story about Edison, Houdini, J.P. "Morgaunt", nice Jewish boys roped into being police Inspectors, slightly tomboy rich girls, mysterious police Inspectors, scary dybbuks, and so much more, then you have to read this book. The only thing I wonder about his how the heavy focus on Jewish culture will play to non-Jews. I loved it, but I wonder if it will feel confusing or overwhelming to people who are unfamiliar with some of the terms or practices. But I hope it people will find it as interesting as I did. Anyway, it was just super fun and charming, and it turned into a real page turner at the end. There wasn't anything about the book that I didn't like except that it ended too soon and that I can't wait to see more about these characters and this version of New York that Chris has created. This is a book that is actually worth the price, and would be a great gift as well.
September 20, 2020
2019
2 - 2.5 stars
This book isn't tough to read, by any means. However, I struggled reading it. Mostly because I was bored almost consistently (I think a major part of that was because I hadn't realized how young this book was. It's made more for middle schoolers, I think. I love reading Young Adult, but I don't really enjoy something that is meant for a younger crowd).
Some of it, though, was that I just couldn't relate to the main protagonist, Sacha. He's a young Jewish boy, first generation American, who lives in the slums of New York. And he lies. Like a lot. He gets a new job and basically everything out of his mouth (pertaining to himself) is a lie.
Plus, in a world where magic is outlawed but it's still being used, you would think the story would be more interesting. But we hardly see any magic at all. Wolf just goes around questioning people (and there is a big emphasis on how he changes tactics with different people) while Sacha and Lily follow along. Also, why is Lily there? Literally, it is never explained. I think it relates to her being rich, but she doesn't actually seem to have any talent (like Sasha who can see magic as it's being performed). It's almost like the author wanted a female character but then didn't know what to do with her.
2 - 2.5 stars
This book isn't tough to read, by any means. However, I struggled reading it. Mostly because I was bored almost consistently (I think a major part of that was because I hadn't realized how young this book was. It's made more for middle schoolers, I think. I love reading Young Adult, but I don't really enjoy something that is meant for a younger crowd).
Some of it, though, was that I just couldn't relate to the main protagonist, Sacha. He's a young Jewish boy, first generation American, who lives in the slums of New York. And he lies. Like a lot. He gets a new job and basically everything out of his mouth (pertaining to himself) is a lie.
Plus, in a world where magic is outlawed but it's still being used, you would think the story would be more interesting. But we hardly see any magic at all. Wolf just goes around questioning people (and there is a big emphasis on how he changes tactics with different people) while Sacha and Lily follow along. Also, why is Lily there? Literally, it is never explained. I think it relates to her being rich, but she doesn't actually seem to have any talent (like Sasha who can see magic as it's being performed). It's almost like the author wanted a female character but then didn't know what to do with her.
February 4, 2012
I thought this was one of the better juvenile chapter books about magic that I have read. The author was not afraid to use colorful language and to dig into class differences and ignorance. The story focuses on a 13 year old Jewish boy who discovers he has the power to see magic happening and is immediately drafted into the NYPD, as a magical inquisitor's apprentice. The setting is an alternate New York, around the turn of the century, where magic is real, but outlawed. Thomas Edison, J.P. "Morgaunt" and the "Astral" (read: Astor) family are characters. It was clever and funny and I thought the mixing of jewish humor and mysticism with more traditional magic stories was interesting.
As a criticism, I would say that the author probably should have done a bit more world-building. She just throws you into the setting and doesn't provide a lot of background info on the various kinds of magic that exist in this world. Yet, the story is interesting enough that you want to know more.
Overall, a good recommendation for middle school boys and girls. Especially Harry Potter or Lightening Thief fans who enjoy a bit of humor with their fantasy.
As a criticism, I would say that the author probably should have done a bit more world-building. She just throws you into the setting and doesn't provide a lot of background info on the various kinds of magic that exist in this world. Yet, the story is interesting enough that you want to know more.
Overall, a good recommendation for middle school boys and girls. Especially Harry Potter or Lightening Thief fans who enjoy a bit of humor with their fantasy.
September 28, 2011
This books was excellent and a really fun read. Echoes of Holly Black's "White Cat" and Michael Chabon's "Yiddish Policeman's Union" this book reimagines a turn-of-the-century New York City where magic is as common and diverse as the growing immigrant population. The main character is Sascha, a Russian Jewish immigrant who discovers that he has the ability to see magic, and is recruited by the magic-crimes police division, the Inquisitors. This book was funny, tongue-in-cheek, inventive, and at moments, event haunting. It seems to set itself up for sequels of which I hope there will be several.
Shelftalker:
Imagine an early 20th century New York City bubbling with magic that is as common and diverse as the people that live there! Sascha is a Russian Jewish immigrant who has always taken magic for granted (though he can't do it himself) until it's discovered he can see it in action. That's when he's whisked away to become an Inquisitor and finds himself mixed up in crime-solving, evil spirits, and the battle between magic and machines!
Shelftalker:
Imagine an early 20th century New York City bubbling with magic that is as common and diverse as the people that live there! Sascha is a Russian Jewish immigrant who has always taken magic for granted (though he can't do it himself) until it's discovered he can see it in action. That's when he's whisked away to become an Inquisitor and finds himself mixed up in crime-solving, evil spirits, and the battle between magic and machines!
September 29, 2011
I received my copy thru Firstread and I appreciate getting the opportunity to review it.
This was such a fun read! Sacha is a Jewish boy living in a New York where magic is the norm and he has discovered that he can see magic. Recruited by the police department that works against magical crime he finds himself embroiled in a mystery that could result in his demise or worse. This book is full of interesting characters, fun history and unusual sci-fiction. It definitely draws you in from the begining and keeps you hanging on every word. The ending definitely leaves room for a sequel and I certainly hope that there is one.
This was such a fun read! Sacha is a Jewish boy living in a New York where magic is the norm and he has discovered that he can see magic. Recruited by the police department that works against magical crime he finds himself embroiled in a mystery that could result in his demise or worse. This book is full of interesting characters, fun history and unusual sci-fiction. It definitely draws you in from the begining and keeps you hanging on every word. The ending definitely leaves room for a sequel and I certainly hope that there is one.
January 20, 2012
I enjoyed the first part of this book. I got bored and the writing got bogged down toward the end. This book was involved and you had to pay attention to every line. I am afraid it may be over some children's heads and they may become bored quickly. Moriarity has good ideas but it seems like too many are used in this novel. Maybe he should have saved some for the next book as it seems like he left it open for a sequel. Not terrible but not worthy of a second look.
December 8, 2011
I really enjoyed this story and it was a solidly written adventure, but could have benefited from a glossary of the Yiddish terms and phrases that were interspersed throughout the book. It centers around Jewish mythology and Kabbalism, and will reach a very limited audience of readers, but those who pick it up will find a unique adventure.
May 9, 2012
Fun little alternative history in New York City ... but somehow I'm still disappointed that it wasn't the Inquisition I was expecting. (Cue Monty Python sketch.)
October 17, 2022
So far I am intrigued by this book. I see the existence of magic through its ubiquity in the culture and daily lives of Sacha Kessler's Jewish family and other immigrant families from the Old World. The women, especially are noted for practising magic but everyone is forbidden to practise it even though many people, including Sacha's mother, Ruthie Kessler, continues to practise magic when no one is around. Magic, actual or superstition within the culture, seems to represent the difference of the Jews and immigrant families in New York. The women, especially being singled out, amplifies magic representing Othering in this book, as women are already an oppressed group; and these are female immigrants which makes their oppression doubled.
You really get a sense of the difficulties that immigrants face, such as poverty and how they really cling to the myth of the American dream which really makes them into invisible cogs in the capitalist machine. There is a small chance that someone like Sacha can make it, but it is a long shot and from such a situation it is hard. Everyone goes there with a dream that American continues to propagate as the American dream. It is a lovely myth but it that is all it is - a myth. It is not fact. Just because you go there and work hard does not mean that you will make it. Your chance of success is minimized by your situation which can vary because of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, class etc. At some point Sacha recognizes this. His family, as abnormal, as Sacha thinks they are, really seem close and I think it is a strength and evocative of the Old World where there is less individualism.
The oppression of magic is mostly restricted to the oppression of magic from the average person, that is, poor people and people who have little to no power or say in society. The wealthy and powerful can do magic and will continue to disregard the laws that they set for the poor and powerless. There is a desire, as spelled out by James Morgaunt, to eradicate magic from America, make people forget how to use it, so that they will buy their silly inventions. In one word, it is CAPITALISM. These inventions will make Sacha who can see magic, obsolete and it will make lots of other people and things obsolete and rich people will get richer building and selling such machinery. Magic is an innate power possessed by all and they are trying to stamp it out in people so that they are in charge of everything and hold all of the power. They want to make the people far more dependent on them than they are. It is a really good metaphor. No doubt, Sacha is viewed by Morgaunt as a problem, especially since he cannot control Sacha's magic or ability to see magic.
With the loss of magic there is a loss of culture too, since magic is tied to the culture and superstitions from the Old World. The loss of magic among the majority of powerless people, controlled by a few, represents a loss of culture and identity for people form the Old World, especially as, being American now means being non-magical.
I somehow did not particularly care very much for the characters. I am not sure why. Also, I really found the book dull at times. It started to hold my interest rather late. However, the way it handled magic and captured important issues was really the best part of the book. I thought that was the best thing about it.
At some point I figured that Sacha was used to create the dybbuk. The locket was really the first clue. Once they said it was a little Jewish boy, I suspected that it was Sacha and over time the suspicions increased until he finally saw it himself and found that it resembled him. The dybbuk is a dark twin, the next villain for Sacha to overcome. It is confronting the darkness within that is manifested in an external being. The narrative slipping into the dybbuk's point of view and showing that it was gaining power, was ominous and a really good ending for this novel and beginning for the second installment.
You really get a sense of the difficulties that immigrants face, such as poverty and how they really cling to the myth of the American dream which really makes them into invisible cogs in the capitalist machine. There is a small chance that someone like Sacha can make it, but it is a long shot and from such a situation it is hard. Everyone goes there with a dream that American continues to propagate as the American dream. It is a lovely myth but it that is all it is - a myth. It is not fact. Just because you go there and work hard does not mean that you will make it. Your chance of success is minimized by your situation which can vary because of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, class etc. At some point Sacha recognizes this. His family, as abnormal, as Sacha thinks they are, really seem close and I think it is a strength and evocative of the Old World where there is less individualism.
The oppression of magic is mostly restricted to the oppression of magic from the average person, that is, poor people and people who have little to no power or say in society. The wealthy and powerful can do magic and will continue to disregard the laws that they set for the poor and powerless. There is a desire, as spelled out by James Morgaunt, to eradicate magic from America, make people forget how to use it, so that they will buy their silly inventions. In one word, it is CAPITALISM. These inventions will make Sacha who can see magic, obsolete and it will make lots of other people and things obsolete and rich people will get richer building and selling such machinery. Magic is an innate power possessed by all and they are trying to stamp it out in people so that they are in charge of everything and hold all of the power. They want to make the people far more dependent on them than they are. It is a really good metaphor. No doubt, Sacha is viewed by Morgaunt as a problem, especially since he cannot control Sacha's magic or ability to see magic.
With the loss of magic there is a loss of culture too, since magic is tied to the culture and superstitions from the Old World. The loss of magic among the majority of powerless people, controlled by a few, represents a loss of culture and identity for people form the Old World, especially as, being American now means being non-magical.
I somehow did not particularly care very much for the characters. I am not sure why. Also, I really found the book dull at times. It started to hold my interest rather late. However, the way it handled magic and captured important issues was really the best part of the book. I thought that was the best thing about it.
At some point I figured that Sacha was used to create the dybbuk. The locket was really the first clue. Once they said it was a little Jewish boy, I suspected that it was Sacha and over time the suspicions increased until he finally saw it himself and found that it resembled him. The dybbuk is a dark twin, the next villain for Sacha to overcome. It is confronting the darkness within that is manifested in an external being. The narrative slipping into the dybbuk's point of view and showing that it was gaining power, was ominous and a really good ending for this novel and beginning for the second installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2011
New York City di awal abad ke-19... tempat segala ras, bangsa, dan etnis berkumpul dan bersaing, disatukan dalam sebuah Mimpi Amerika yang absurd namun diyakini secara teguh. Tempat dimana baseball adalah agama baru ketimbang sepak bola, dan tempat dimana sihir mulai disingkirkan.
Wow, sihir?
Kita tidak bicara NYC membosankan yang kita kenal. Kita bicara New York City yang dikuasai Wall Street Wizards dan pabrik pakaian terbesar di sana bernama Pantacle Shirt Factory. New York dimana sihir gaib menghuni tiap kolong2 jembatannya dan tidak malu2 untuk digunakan. Para ibu rumah tangga berbisik2 mencari tips dan trik sihir sementara suami2 mereka menggelengkan kepala tanda tidak setuju. Dan para Inkuisitor merayahi sudut2 paling gelap dan kotor, berupaya menangkap orang2 yang menyelewengkan sihir.
Sihir dibenci dan dicintai di Dunia Baru. Di satu sisi, para idealis yang merupakan pemimpin2 masa depan Amerika merasa bahwa sudah waktunya mereka berhenti bergantung pada sihir sementara rakyat jelata yang praktis justru berpikiran sebaliknya.
Yup, pendatang2 dari dunia lama ini membawa sihir mereka ke Amerika; para Wiccan, Kabbalis, Streghonia, Druid, Occultist... apapun. Setiap orang bisa menggunakan sihir mereka di rumah masing2; sihir supaya jualannya laris, supaya tampil menarik, sihir untuk merajut kaos kaki dan sihir untuk menolak api. Tapi jika sihirnya semakin kompleks, dibutuhkan pakar untuk melakukannya. Di sinilah para penyihir mendapatkan nafkahnya.
Di sinilah awal kisah The Inquisitor's Aprrentice, dimana seorang bocah keturunan Yahudi bernama Sacha Kessler mendapati dirinya ternyata bisa melihat sihir! MELIHAT! Jadi Sacha memiliki kemampuan synesthesia versi sihir dimana dia bisa melihat, merasakan, dan mengendus sihir ketika bekerja. Tentu saja kemampuan tersebut sangat dibutuhkan bagi kepolisian New York sehingga Sacha kemudian dipekerjakan sebagai murid magang pada seorang inkuisitor paling top... Maxmillian Wolf.
Maxmillian Wolf sama sekali tidak seperti bayangan siapapun mengenai petugas inkuisitor yang hebat, dia pria cupu, ceking, pucat, dan bajunya dipenuhi lemak dan kotoran. Oh well, kebersihan bukanlah hal yang diutamakan saat lo hidup di awal abad ke-19. Satu2nya yang menarik dari Maximillian Wolf adalah matanya yang kelabu seperti cermin dan berkilau misterius dan kemampuannya untuk mengendus kebohongan sebaik anjing menemukan tulang.
Sacha kemudian diperkenalkan pada sesama murid magang lainnya bernama Lily Astral, seorang gadis dari keluarga borju yang kelihatannya sok ngebos meskipun yang sebenarnya terjadi adalah dia tidak ingin dikenal karena nama keluarganya. Persahabatan mereka sulit terjalin, pertama2 karena perbedaan status sosial yang terlalu dalam, Sacha adalah bocah Yahudi miskin dari daerah Lower Side sementara Lily tinggal di Upper Side dalam rumah yang bergelimang kemewahan. Kecurigaan dan rasa minder memenuhi interaksi mereka.
Kasus pertama yang ditangani trio Wolf, Sacha, dan Lily adalah percobaan pembunuhan terhadap Thomas Alva Edison (yep... THAT Edison guy) sewaktu sedang berkunjung di rumah milik J.P Morgaunt, orang kaya arogan yang sangat licik. Lebih dari itu J.P Morgaunt ternyata juga seorang penyihir yang sangat hebat sehingga bahkan Wolf sekalipun tahu untuk tidak berani macam2 dengannya.
Menurut asisten Edison, Rosie, orang yang mencoba membunuh Edison bukanlah manusia melainkan dybbuk, makhluk hasil kreasi sihir Kabbalis (sihir Yahudi) yang teramat mengerikan. Dybbuk hidup dari energi negatif lingkungannya dan makhluk itu diciptakan dari bayang2 korbannya sendiri yang kemudian berkembang semakin solid dan akhirnya menelan orang yang sesungguhnya sehingga tidak ada yang tersisa darinya kecuali kekosongan.
Bahkan Sacha sekalipun tahu bahwa Dybbuk adalah sebuah kotak Pandora, seusai dipanggil dari Sisi Lain maka tak ada siapapun atau apapun yang bisa menghentikannya. Dengan kata lain Dybbuk adalah doppelganger jahat milik korbannya sendiri.
Dalam perkembangan cerita, perlahan Sacha menyadari bahwa Dybbuk yang mengejar2 Edison itu bukanlah Dybbuk yang mengambil bentuk si ilmuwan itu, melainkan... Sacha sendiri!!
Bersama Lily dan Rosie dan seorang bocah freemason Sisilia bernama Antonio, Sacha berupaya menghetikan rencana busuk J.P Morgaunt. Tapi apakah pada akhirnya dia akan mati oleh Dybbuk-nya sendiri?
Pertama2, yang membuat cerita ini menarik adalah setting-nya dipenuhi romantika American Dream. Siapa yang tidak cinta dengan New York di awal abad ke-19?!! Chris Moriarty memuaskan pembaca dengan menggambarkan New York City secara hidup dan detail; mulai dari kondisi sosial, sistem transportasi, dan arsitekturnya. Begitu hidupnya deskripsi si pengarang hingga gue bisa merasakan udara NYC yang dipenuhi polusi karbon hasil pembakaran batu bara, aroma jalan2nya yang berbau busuk, sampai perasaan terasing yang muncul akibat pandangan rasialis di era itu.
Saat itu Amerika tidaklah seperti saat ini, orang2nya terbagi2 dalam pengotak2an agama dan etnis dan semua orang berjuang untuk masa depan masing2. Rasialisme, stigma sosial, dan kebencian etnis bukan hal asing di sini. Seseorang harus hati2 melangkah di blok2 New York karena tiap blok dimiliki etnis2 yang berbeda dan tidak semua orang bisa mengaksesnya.
Ada orang2 yang menjadi begitu kaya karena alat ekonomi baru bernama saham di Wall Street, ada yang begitu miskinnya hingga harus hidup berdempetan dengan beberapa keluarga lainnya dalam satu apartemen yang sama. Saat itu Amerika berusaha mencari jati dirinya untuk membedakan diri dari Dunia Lama; dalam hal ini mereka berusaha melenyapkan sihir dari kehidupan mereka. Tentu saja ide ini absurd, sihir sudah melekat begitu lama dalam perikehidupan manusia, pada akhirnya yang kehilangan sihir hanya kalangan tertentu.
Gue juga sedikit banyak jadi tahu gimana rasanya jadi orang Yahudi, ternyata nasib mereka mirip2 orang Cina Indonesia di era Soeharto. Menjadi Yahudi artinya mendapatkan hambatan berkarir di hampir segala bidang dan orang mudah menuduh etnis ini sebagai biang kerok pelbagai masalah. Orang Yahudi juga kerap mendapatkan pelecehan rasial terutama berasal dari kalangan Anglo Saxon. Sulit deh menjadi seorang Yahudi. Mungkin karena itulah mereka pinter2 semua.
Tapi bahkan sekalipun Yahudi menjadi ras yang termarjinalisasikan, tidak ada yang lebih kesian dari orang kulit hitam. Mereka bener2 ga dikasi kesempatan selain jadi budak ato jongos. Asisten Wolf yang bernama Payton adalah seorang remaja kulit hitam dan meskipun Wolf tahu dia punya kemampuan menjadi seorang inkuisitor, keberadaannya sebagai orang kulit hitam menutup segala2nya.
Kalian juga akan dibuat geram dengan ulah J.P Morgaunt dan ucapan2nya yang sangat jahat. Dia bener2 bangsat abis dah di sini, seorang jahat yang penuh perhitungan dan memaparkan ide2nya dengan gamblang di depan lawan2nya yang tak berdaya. Lebih dari itu, dia menguasai sihir rumit. Gue ga tau apakah J.P Morgan di dunia kita itu sama kek J.P Morgaunt di dunia Sacha ini. Yang jelas dia emang kaya dan memonopoli banyak bidang usaha.
Dengan seluruh keanggunan settingnya, buku ini bukannya tanpa masalah. Yang gue sayangkan dari buku ini terbilang cukup fatal; meskipun dia bicara tentang dunia yang dipenuhi sihir, gue justru tidak mendapati bagaimana sihir itu diterapkan. Ibarat bikin buku masak tapi cuman ada foto2 hasil jadi masakannya tanpa memaparkan resepnya. Nggak banget kan?
Hal ini sangat vital bagi pecinta fantasi seperti gue ini, sebab berbeda dengan Harry Potter yang sihirnya sangat universal, dalam The Inquisitor's Apprentice jelas ditekankan bahwa sihir terkotak2an dalam aliran2 dan budaya tersendiri bahkan bisa dijadikan alat politik yang saling serang. Pararel dengan sihir di dunia kita yang bermacam2.
Gue ingin tahu bagaimana penyihir Cina, atau para streghonia Italia, wiccanis Irlandia beraksi meskipun hanya sekali dua kali. Sayangnya si pengarang tidak menampilkan kekayaan budaya sihir di dunianya. Bahkan sihir kabbalis yang digunakan Sacha untuk memanggil Dybbuk-nya pun hanya digambarkan sekelebatan saja.
Buku ini jelas akan punya beberapa sekuel, dilihat dari endingnya yang terbuka dan gue rasa pada sekuel2 berikutnya sebaiknya keberagaman sihirnya diberi sedikit contoh. Ngomong2 gue tidak menemukan satu kata Voodoo-pun dalam buku ini, padahal sihir Voodoo sangat kuat berakar di Amerika lho, dibawa oleh budak2 dari Afrika dan Amerika Latin.
Unsur pandangan rasialisme juga cukup nampak di sini, tapi menurut gue masih dalam taraf wajar. Kita tidak boleh menutup mata terhadap fakta sejarah bahwa dunia di awal abad ke-19 adalah dunia yang sangat rasialis dan tidak adil. Sebab melalui kesalahan kita akan belajar dan bertumbuh.
Karena tokoh utamanya adalah bocah Yahudi, tentu saja sejumlah istilah Yahudi akan membingungkan pembaca, sebab gue juga mengalami hal serupa. Tapi sejauh Google ada di tangan kalian, rasa2nya tidak akan ada halangan.
Wow, sihir?
Kita tidak bicara NYC membosankan yang kita kenal. Kita bicara New York City yang dikuasai Wall Street Wizards dan pabrik pakaian terbesar di sana bernama Pantacle Shirt Factory. New York dimana sihir gaib menghuni tiap kolong2 jembatannya dan tidak malu2 untuk digunakan. Para ibu rumah tangga berbisik2 mencari tips dan trik sihir sementara suami2 mereka menggelengkan kepala tanda tidak setuju. Dan para Inkuisitor merayahi sudut2 paling gelap dan kotor, berupaya menangkap orang2 yang menyelewengkan sihir.
Sihir dibenci dan dicintai di Dunia Baru. Di satu sisi, para idealis yang merupakan pemimpin2 masa depan Amerika merasa bahwa sudah waktunya mereka berhenti bergantung pada sihir sementara rakyat jelata yang praktis justru berpikiran sebaliknya.
Yup, pendatang2 dari dunia lama ini membawa sihir mereka ke Amerika; para Wiccan, Kabbalis, Streghonia, Druid, Occultist... apapun. Setiap orang bisa menggunakan sihir mereka di rumah masing2; sihir supaya jualannya laris, supaya tampil menarik, sihir untuk merajut kaos kaki dan sihir untuk menolak api. Tapi jika sihirnya semakin kompleks, dibutuhkan pakar untuk melakukannya. Di sinilah para penyihir mendapatkan nafkahnya.
Di sinilah awal kisah The Inquisitor's Aprrentice, dimana seorang bocah keturunan Yahudi bernama Sacha Kessler mendapati dirinya ternyata bisa melihat sihir! MELIHAT! Jadi Sacha memiliki kemampuan synesthesia versi sihir dimana dia bisa melihat, merasakan, dan mengendus sihir ketika bekerja. Tentu saja kemampuan tersebut sangat dibutuhkan bagi kepolisian New York sehingga Sacha kemudian dipekerjakan sebagai murid magang pada seorang inkuisitor paling top... Maxmillian Wolf.
Maxmillian Wolf sama sekali tidak seperti bayangan siapapun mengenai petugas inkuisitor yang hebat, dia pria cupu, ceking, pucat, dan bajunya dipenuhi lemak dan kotoran. Oh well, kebersihan bukanlah hal yang diutamakan saat lo hidup di awal abad ke-19. Satu2nya yang menarik dari Maximillian Wolf adalah matanya yang kelabu seperti cermin dan berkilau misterius dan kemampuannya untuk mengendus kebohongan sebaik anjing menemukan tulang.
Sacha kemudian diperkenalkan pada sesama murid magang lainnya bernama Lily Astral, seorang gadis dari keluarga borju yang kelihatannya sok ngebos meskipun yang sebenarnya terjadi adalah dia tidak ingin dikenal karena nama keluarganya. Persahabatan mereka sulit terjalin, pertama2 karena perbedaan status sosial yang terlalu dalam, Sacha adalah bocah Yahudi miskin dari daerah Lower Side sementara Lily tinggal di Upper Side dalam rumah yang bergelimang kemewahan. Kecurigaan dan rasa minder memenuhi interaksi mereka.
Kasus pertama yang ditangani trio Wolf, Sacha, dan Lily adalah percobaan pembunuhan terhadap Thomas Alva Edison (yep... THAT Edison guy) sewaktu sedang berkunjung di rumah milik J.P Morgaunt, orang kaya arogan yang sangat licik. Lebih dari itu J.P Morgaunt ternyata juga seorang penyihir yang sangat hebat sehingga bahkan Wolf sekalipun tahu untuk tidak berani macam2 dengannya.
Menurut asisten Edison, Rosie, orang yang mencoba membunuh Edison bukanlah manusia melainkan dybbuk, makhluk hasil kreasi sihir Kabbalis (sihir Yahudi) yang teramat mengerikan. Dybbuk hidup dari energi negatif lingkungannya dan makhluk itu diciptakan dari bayang2 korbannya sendiri yang kemudian berkembang semakin solid dan akhirnya menelan orang yang sesungguhnya sehingga tidak ada yang tersisa darinya kecuali kekosongan.
Bahkan Sacha sekalipun tahu bahwa Dybbuk adalah sebuah kotak Pandora, seusai dipanggil dari Sisi Lain maka tak ada siapapun atau apapun yang bisa menghentikannya. Dengan kata lain Dybbuk adalah doppelganger jahat milik korbannya sendiri.
Dalam perkembangan cerita, perlahan Sacha menyadari bahwa Dybbuk yang mengejar2 Edison itu bukanlah Dybbuk yang mengambil bentuk si ilmuwan itu, melainkan... Sacha sendiri!!
Bersama Lily dan Rosie dan seorang bocah freemason Sisilia bernama Antonio, Sacha berupaya menghetikan rencana busuk J.P Morgaunt. Tapi apakah pada akhirnya dia akan mati oleh Dybbuk-nya sendiri?
Pertama2, yang membuat cerita ini menarik adalah setting-nya dipenuhi romantika American Dream. Siapa yang tidak cinta dengan New York di awal abad ke-19?!! Chris Moriarty memuaskan pembaca dengan menggambarkan New York City secara hidup dan detail; mulai dari kondisi sosial, sistem transportasi, dan arsitekturnya. Begitu hidupnya deskripsi si pengarang hingga gue bisa merasakan udara NYC yang dipenuhi polusi karbon hasil pembakaran batu bara, aroma jalan2nya yang berbau busuk, sampai perasaan terasing yang muncul akibat pandangan rasialis di era itu.
Saat itu Amerika tidaklah seperti saat ini, orang2nya terbagi2 dalam pengotak2an agama dan etnis dan semua orang berjuang untuk masa depan masing2. Rasialisme, stigma sosial, dan kebencian etnis bukan hal asing di sini. Seseorang harus hati2 melangkah di blok2 New York karena tiap blok dimiliki etnis2 yang berbeda dan tidak semua orang bisa mengaksesnya.
Ada orang2 yang menjadi begitu kaya karena alat ekonomi baru bernama saham di Wall Street, ada yang begitu miskinnya hingga harus hidup berdempetan dengan beberapa keluarga lainnya dalam satu apartemen yang sama. Saat itu Amerika berusaha mencari jati dirinya untuk membedakan diri dari Dunia Lama; dalam hal ini mereka berusaha melenyapkan sihir dari kehidupan mereka. Tentu saja ide ini absurd, sihir sudah melekat begitu lama dalam perikehidupan manusia, pada akhirnya yang kehilangan sihir hanya kalangan tertentu.
Gue juga sedikit banyak jadi tahu gimana rasanya jadi orang Yahudi, ternyata nasib mereka mirip2 orang Cina Indonesia di era Soeharto. Menjadi Yahudi artinya mendapatkan hambatan berkarir di hampir segala bidang dan orang mudah menuduh etnis ini sebagai biang kerok pelbagai masalah. Orang Yahudi juga kerap mendapatkan pelecehan rasial terutama berasal dari kalangan Anglo Saxon. Sulit deh menjadi seorang Yahudi. Mungkin karena itulah mereka pinter2 semua.
Tapi bahkan sekalipun Yahudi menjadi ras yang termarjinalisasikan, tidak ada yang lebih kesian dari orang kulit hitam. Mereka bener2 ga dikasi kesempatan selain jadi budak ato jongos. Asisten Wolf yang bernama Payton adalah seorang remaja kulit hitam dan meskipun Wolf tahu dia punya kemampuan menjadi seorang inkuisitor, keberadaannya sebagai orang kulit hitam menutup segala2nya.
Kalian juga akan dibuat geram dengan ulah J.P Morgaunt dan ucapan2nya yang sangat jahat. Dia bener2 bangsat abis dah di sini, seorang jahat yang penuh perhitungan dan memaparkan ide2nya dengan gamblang di depan lawan2nya yang tak berdaya. Lebih dari itu, dia menguasai sihir rumit. Gue ga tau apakah J.P Morgan di dunia kita itu sama kek J.P Morgaunt di dunia Sacha ini. Yang jelas dia emang kaya dan memonopoli banyak bidang usaha.
Dengan seluruh keanggunan settingnya, buku ini bukannya tanpa masalah. Yang gue sayangkan dari buku ini terbilang cukup fatal; meskipun dia bicara tentang dunia yang dipenuhi sihir, gue justru tidak mendapati bagaimana sihir itu diterapkan. Ibarat bikin buku masak tapi cuman ada foto2 hasil jadi masakannya tanpa memaparkan resepnya. Nggak banget kan?
Hal ini sangat vital bagi pecinta fantasi seperti gue ini, sebab berbeda dengan Harry Potter yang sihirnya sangat universal, dalam The Inquisitor's Apprentice jelas ditekankan bahwa sihir terkotak2an dalam aliran2 dan budaya tersendiri bahkan bisa dijadikan alat politik yang saling serang. Pararel dengan sihir di dunia kita yang bermacam2.
Gue ingin tahu bagaimana penyihir Cina, atau para streghonia Italia, wiccanis Irlandia beraksi meskipun hanya sekali dua kali. Sayangnya si pengarang tidak menampilkan kekayaan budaya sihir di dunianya. Bahkan sihir kabbalis yang digunakan Sacha untuk memanggil Dybbuk-nya pun hanya digambarkan sekelebatan saja.
Buku ini jelas akan punya beberapa sekuel, dilihat dari endingnya yang terbuka dan gue rasa pada sekuel2 berikutnya sebaiknya keberagaman sihirnya diberi sedikit contoh. Ngomong2 gue tidak menemukan satu kata Voodoo-pun dalam buku ini, padahal sihir Voodoo sangat kuat berakar di Amerika lho, dibawa oleh budak2 dari Afrika dan Amerika Latin.
Unsur pandangan rasialisme juga cukup nampak di sini, tapi menurut gue masih dalam taraf wajar. Kita tidak boleh menutup mata terhadap fakta sejarah bahwa dunia di awal abad ke-19 adalah dunia yang sangat rasialis dan tidak adil. Sebab melalui kesalahan kita akan belajar dan bertumbuh.
Karena tokoh utamanya adalah bocah Yahudi, tentu saja sejumlah istilah Yahudi akan membingungkan pembaca, sebab gue juga mengalami hal serupa. Tapi sejauh Google ada di tangan kalian, rasa2nya tidak akan ada halangan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
I didn't know it, but I was waiting my entire life to read this book.
It's urban fantasy, turn of the century melting pot New York abouts Jews. A Jewish main character, a healthy sprinkle of Yiddish, even a Dybbuk (a Jewish soul demon)!!!!!
In this alt history novel, magic is real and acknowledged - but illegal. Inquisitors police America looking for malicious use od magic while those in power can cast spells with impunity. Each culture has their own method of magic. At first I was concerned about the portrayal of a Jewish inquisitor, as historically witch hunts were target aggressively towards Jews and many of the stereotypical "witch" elements are based off historic Jewish traits and stereotypes.
But Moriarty wonderfully balanced commentary with story to create this amazing narrative. As a middle grade book, the surface may not be such a deep plot but there are a lot of ideas to unpack here, from historical American prejudices and racism to the way we view witches and communism and the "otherness" of immigration in America today. I look forward to reading this novel again in the future to look for even more depth!
Of course I highly recommend this book. This was the New York of my great grandparents and I loved being able to take a step in while still playing in one of my favorite genres.
And if anyone was disappointed in the inept anti-Semitism/racism in the Fantastic Beasts films, this may be a good alternative.
My copy had a significant amount of typos, but I also know it was a smaller press edition. I'm happy to let it slide, though, for how much fun I had reading this book.
It's urban fantasy, turn of the century melting pot New York abouts Jews. A Jewish main character, a healthy sprinkle of Yiddish, even a Dybbuk (a Jewish soul demon)!!!!!
In this alt history novel, magic is real and acknowledged - but illegal. Inquisitors police America looking for malicious use od magic while those in power can cast spells with impunity. Each culture has their own method of magic. At first I was concerned about the portrayal of a Jewish inquisitor, as historically witch hunts were target aggressively towards Jews and many of the stereotypical "witch" elements are based off historic Jewish traits and stereotypes.
But Moriarty wonderfully balanced commentary with story to create this amazing narrative. As a middle grade book, the surface may not be such a deep plot but there are a lot of ideas to unpack here, from historical American prejudices and racism to the way we view witches and communism and the "otherness" of immigration in America today. I look forward to reading this novel again in the future to look for even more depth!
Of course I highly recommend this book. This was the New York of my great grandparents and I loved being able to take a step in while still playing in one of my favorite genres.
And if anyone was disappointed in the inept anti-Semitism/racism in the Fantastic Beasts films, this may be a good alternative.
My copy had a significant amount of typos, but I also know it was a smaller press edition. I'm happy to let it slide, though, for how much fun I had reading this book.
July 16, 2021
I’m seeing a lot of people asking which child would want to read this book, and your answer is: this child.
I found The Inquisitor’s Apprentice at my JCC’s book fair in 2011 and knocked the thing out in about a week. I was a kid who finished books as quickly as I got them, and they never stuck with me long, but this book was different—namely because it wasn’t about the Holocaust.
I have to emphasize how much Jewish reading I had access to at the time was about the Holocaust. My synagogue has a library with a section for children entirely comprised of picture books about our various holidays and a section for young adults, which is what I was reading at the time. Each and every book in that section was either about the Holocaust or was about a Jewish teenager feeling alienated from society at large and resenting her stereotypical family for it. The Inquisitor’s Apprentice was the first book I found that was Jewish and not about the senseless murder of our people.
Enough about my nostalgia, onto the actual stuff that I liked. I thought the magic system was unique and fit in well with the setting (I’m always such a sucker for urban fantasy). I understand criticism about the references and how kids might not understand the historical figures that feature, but as a nine year old, I never had much of a problem with it? The plot was sufficiently exciting and had stakes that made sense for Sacha, and I genuinely enjoyed how each of the three main characters started coming together as a team. It was a legitimately fun book for me, and I really should reread it. Hoping Mrs. Moriarty comes back with the third book soon.
I found The Inquisitor’s Apprentice at my JCC’s book fair in 2011 and knocked the thing out in about a week. I was a kid who finished books as quickly as I got them, and they never stuck with me long, but this book was different—namely because it wasn’t about the Holocaust.
I have to emphasize how much Jewish reading I had access to at the time was about the Holocaust. My synagogue has a library with a section for children entirely comprised of picture books about our various holidays and a section for young adults, which is what I was reading at the time. Each and every book in that section was either about the Holocaust or was about a Jewish teenager feeling alienated from society at large and resenting her stereotypical family for it. The Inquisitor’s Apprentice was the first book I found that was Jewish and not about the senseless murder of our people.
Enough about my nostalgia, onto the actual stuff that I liked. I thought the magic system was unique and fit in well with the setting (I’m always such a sucker for urban fantasy). I understand criticism about the references and how kids might not understand the historical figures that feature, but as a nine year old, I never had much of a problem with it? The plot was sufficiently exciting and had stakes that made sense for Sacha, and I genuinely enjoyed how each of the three main characters started coming together as a team. It was a legitimately fun book for me, and I really should reread it. Hoping Mrs. Moriarty comes back with the third book soon.
April 5, 2025
I can appreciate a good middle grade novel now and again, and I will automatically read any book about Jewish magic I get my hands on. This book was one of the better Jewish magic books I've read, frankly. All you goyim giving it one star reviews need to shut up about how it was "too Jewish and would lose people not steeped in Jewish mythos" or whatever. When I was a kid the only books about other Jewish kids were Holocaust books! I had to read middle grade stuff about the most bland all-American goyim to ever curse the printing press. Now those bland all-American goyim can read about Jews. I think more bland all-American goyim should be forced to read about Jews. Call that reparations.
The worldbuilding was one of the high points. I love the way the author played with Jewish magical tradition as well as incorporating other culture's magic into the world. The way different things were made magic was always fun to read. (I especially love that Marxism/communism is Wiccanism, and how Uncle Mordechai is a Trotskyite Anarcho-Wiccanist... finally Jewish commie rep.)
The pacing wasn't great, unfortunately, but such is the curse of middle grade. A lot of the not-great parts of the book can be chalked up to being middle grade. Alas, middle grade isn't well known for fantastic books. I maintain that books written for children can be good, but can never truly be great. (This is why I hate people who are adults and still obsessed with H*rry P*tter. Read a better book :3). Three and half stars, rounded to four!
The worldbuilding was one of the high points. I love the way the author played with Jewish magical tradition as well as incorporating other culture's magic into the world. The way different things were made magic was always fun to read. (I especially love that Marxism/communism is Wiccanism, and how Uncle Mordechai is a Trotskyite Anarcho-Wiccanist... finally Jewish commie rep.)
The pacing wasn't great, unfortunately, but such is the curse of middle grade. A lot of the not-great parts of the book can be chalked up to being middle grade. Alas, middle grade isn't well known for fantastic books. I maintain that books written for children can be good, but can never truly be great. (This is why I hate people who are adults and still obsessed with H*rry P*tter. Read a better book :3). Three and half stars, rounded to four!
October 22, 2023
Not sure I fully understand what I read. The magic system was vague and not really descriptive. The main character can “see” magic. The streets of New York ripple and move like magic. As a few other reviews pointed out the system of magic is not well defined, which is kind of a major drawback for a book focused on magic. Not sure why it was so important to set it in an alt history setting of New York, other than to have fun with a few famous names. Really not fully aware of the bad guys motives other than to destroy magic. And a few other examples of things that transpired that didn’t really seem to have much purpose to the story. Could be that it was just more intended for a Jewish audience because a lot of the religious references and sayings went over my head as well. There was also no character that you really wanted to root for.
August 1, 2017
Aside from the fact that this book is pretty clearly for 12 year olds, I was extremely impressed. It was well written (for the target age group), and touched on issues of class and race in gritty, practical ways. I love that the author found a way to incorporate issues of capitalism, racism, and issues of class seamlessly into a narrative for pre-teens. The story was nuanced enough for younger readers, but as a adult, I definitely breezed through this. So perhaps I'm not suggesting this to adults, but I am suggesting this to every adult who knows someone 12 years old. :)
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