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The Magic Maker
Trapped in time since 1917, the Rosenfelds haunt their tenement home, but as a modern educator and a reluctant magician uncover the dark spell binding them, they risk unleashing an even greater danger.
In 1917, on New York City's Lower East Side, Baruch Rosenfeld invites a beggar to join his family for the Passover Seder. However, his good deed backfires. Baruch, his wife Rebekah, and their children Nathan, Jacob, and Sadie are trapped in time. They don't age, they can't leave their three-room apartment, and the outside world believes they disappeared without a trace.
A hundred years later, the apartment building is now the Tenement Museum. Esther Luna, an educator for the museum, sees Sadie at the window. Esther goes to the apartment but finds it has been empty for decades. She hires Rabbi Meir Poppers, a kishef macher (magician), to solve the mystery of the girl at the window.
Meir's efforts to free the Rosenfelds are blocked by rivals, ancient spells, and his own self-doubt. When Meir finally reaches the trapped family, will his Jewish magic be enough to rescue the Rosenfelds from their eternal prison?
In 1917, on New York City's Lower East Side, Baruch Rosenfeld invites a beggar to join his family for the Passover Seder. However, his good deed backfires. Baruch, his wife Rebekah, and their children Nathan, Jacob, and Sadie are trapped in time. They don't age, they can't leave their three-room apartment, and the outside world believes they disappeared without a trace.
A hundred years later, the apartment building is now the Tenement Museum. Esther Luna, an educator for the museum, sees Sadie at the window. Esther goes to the apartment but finds it has been empty for decades. She hires Rabbi Meir Poppers, a kishef macher (magician), to solve the mystery of the girl at the window.
Meir's efforts to free the Rosenfelds are blocked by rivals, ancient spells, and his own self-doubt. When Meir finally reaches the trapped family, will his Jewish magic be enough to rescue the Rosenfelds from their eternal prison?
- GenresFiction
290 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
31 people want to read
About the author
Mickey Dubrow
7 books26 followersFor over thirty years, Mickey Dubrow wrote television promos, marketing presentations, and scripts for various clients including Cartoon Network, TNT Latin America, and HGTV. His short stories and essays have appeared in Prime Number Magazine, The Good Men Project, The Signal Mountain Review, Full Grown People, and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. His first novel, American Judas, was a Finalist for the 2020 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the category of First Novel. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, author Jessica Handler.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 15, 2025
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
Thank NetGalley, publisher and author for providing me with ARC copy
March 11, 2025
Thank you to Brother Mockingbird, Mindbuck Media, and Mickey Dubrow for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Although I can’t find any contact info saved for the wonderful person who introduced me to this book, I am incredibly grateful to them. This book is a fun and fantastic exploration of the Jewish experience in 1917 and 2017—how things have stayed the same as well as how they have changed. And the author accomplishes this beautifully. This is a book that I’ll be treasuring and sharing with friends and family.
I want to start this out by saying that I found this book to be wonderfully Jewish and gave me a bit of understanding of what life in New York must have been for my own great-grandmother, who was forced to leave everything behind and flee antisemitism in Poland. She navigated her own way from Poland to the UK and then finally to New York City, where she lived in a tenement building as she rebuilt her life from scratch. I’ve always meant to visit the Tenement Museum to see more about the woman for whom I was named.
With that being said, I do want to make readers who are not as familiar with Jewish practices, customs, beliefs, and languages aware that they might need to keep referring to reliable internet sources to make sense of some of the words that come up in the story. Less commonly encountered words like ‘kishef macher’ are clearly defined, although the words that don’t even stand out to me, like shacharis, mincha, and maariv or the three Jewish prayers for morning, afternoon, and evening, wouldn’t make any sense to anyone who doesn’t have exposure to Judaism, while I was able to define those words based on my Hebrew school experiences as well as knowing that these have always been the descriptions for the different services depending on the time of day that we still use today.
There isn’t a glossary, and I would hate to see anyone miss out on this book because of a lack of exposure to Judaism. However, I also know the struggle of really getting into a book and constantly having to pause to look things up, so reading this on an e-reader that provides definitions with the tap of a finger might be a better option.
The story is told in two timelines that eventually converge when Esther looks up one day and sees Sadie at the window of an apartment that should be empty. As an educator for the museum, she recruits a colleague to go up and check it out with her. But instead of finding the girl she saw in the window, the apartment doesn’t appear to have been disturbed in a very long time.
In the Rosenfeld timeline, it starts out with a Passover seder. The author has an outstanding skill at setting a scene—I was able to fully envision myself in the story easily with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels all described so beautifully while avoiding info dumping or overly descriptive writing that can pull me out of the story. Dubrow is able to set a vivid scene within a couple of sentences, and I relished the scene with the Passover Seder, a ritual that has carried on nearly unchanged since the destruction of the second Jewish temple in 70 CE. While each family or diasporic group may have some unique customs practiced, the overall seder is done the same way around the world, as it has been for more than 2,000 years.
The New York of 1917 was full of immigrants: not just Jews, but Italians, Irish, German, and Black people as well. Dubrow sets the Rosenfeld family right at the heart of the building, story, and museum, as we learn about who the Rosenfeld family were in life. I loved that both Baruch and Rebekah are examples of living Jewishly. They may not have much, but Rebekah takes pride in her role as the heart of the home, and the emotional connection for the rest of the family. Baruch may not have much, but as Jews, we are taught to always be generous towards those in need, and to try to make the world a better place than we found it, one kind gesture at a time. So Baruch, unsurprisingly, invites a Jewish man who is on the streets to his family’s seder. And this kind gesture is what ultimately dooms his family to a century of being trapped in time, unable to leave their tiny apartment.
In the 2017 timeline, Esther doesn’t know where else to turn, and finds herself seeking out the assistance of Rabbi Meir Poppers, kishef macher, in getting to the bottom of what is happening at the Tenement Museum. Meir comes to New York City and quickly ascertains some of what is at play, only to keep finding his path blocked in different ways—a rival group to his own, unfamiliar and ancient spells, and fears that he won’t be able to save the family.
Part of what I loved about this story, is that is challenges readers to acknowledge biases that we may not even be aware of. Esther Luna and her husband, Gustavo Ramos, are both Puerto Rican, although Esther has obtained her degree in Jewish studies and can read and understand both Hebrew and Yiddish—two words that use the same alphabet, but are vastly different and mutually incomprehensible. I like that the author challenged the belief that the only people in Jewish studies majors are … Jews. Esther is a fantastic character all-around. She’s funny, super smart, and has a huge heart, and her husband knows exactly how lucky he is to have her.
In addition, this story never veers away from the discussions that I can recall having with my parents. Their experiences were vastly different: my mother was born in New York and was at least two generations away from her nearest ancestor’s experience as an immigrant, while my father was a Holocaust survivor who left a refugee camp (actually a converted death camp) in Austria to make his way to the United States eventually. Talks about what kind of assimilation is okay and encouraged and what kind is unacceptable occur even to this day. In the first seder since the passing of my father, we attempted to have each of my brothers lead the Passover Seder. One refused, the other tried and struggled with it. On the second night, my mother pushed me to take the reins and lead the seder, and I heard a similar sentiment at my own table: you can’t lead a seder if you’re a woman. I calmly pointed out that nowhere did it say that the leader of a seder must have a penis. After I proceeded to make my father proud with that seder, my family no longer has issues with a female leading a holiday dinner.
My apologies, I have gotten slightly derailed. Suffice it to say that I was able to really identify with so many scenes in this book, and found it so enjoyable to see myself within the pages of this book. The fact that it was a Jewish book, written by a Jewish author, already had me primed to like this book, but I honestly wasn’t expecting to fall for all of the characters like I did. Well, there were one or two characters that I didn’t like, but the majority of the characters earned a spot in my heart. The way that Jewish magic was represented, viewed as a responsibility requiring intensive studying made me think of this as kind of the quintessentially thought of school of magic, except that it is for Jewish magicians only, and takes place at a yeshiva (private schools for Jewish students).
Overall, this was the kind of book that I love and then obviously demand that all my loved ones read it, and one of my non-Jewish besties has already told me she wants to read it. Naturally, I offered to help her understand the many Jewish terms if she needs assistance. In my opinion, the fast-moving plot caught my attention, although it was my love for the Yiddishkeit (Jewishness) of this book and nearly all of the characters that kept me invested in the book. I seriously wasn’t able to leave the house without my copy of this book, so I can enthusiastically recommend this to all readers that like fantasy and historical fiction, paired with a healthy dose of Jewish joy and plenty of humor. Is there even maybe a dash of romance? You’d have to ask the shadchanit (woman who is a matchmaker) in charge of finding Rabbi Poppers his bashert (soulmate), or just read the book.
Although I can’t find any contact info saved for the wonderful person who introduced me to this book, I am incredibly grateful to them. This book is a fun and fantastic exploration of the Jewish experience in 1917 and 2017—how things have stayed the same as well as how they have changed. And the author accomplishes this beautifully. This is a book that I’ll be treasuring and sharing with friends and family.
I want to start this out by saying that I found this book to be wonderfully Jewish and gave me a bit of understanding of what life in New York must have been for my own great-grandmother, who was forced to leave everything behind and flee antisemitism in Poland. She navigated her own way from Poland to the UK and then finally to New York City, where she lived in a tenement building as she rebuilt her life from scratch. I’ve always meant to visit the Tenement Museum to see more about the woman for whom I was named.
With that being said, I do want to make readers who are not as familiar with Jewish practices, customs, beliefs, and languages aware that they might need to keep referring to reliable internet sources to make sense of some of the words that come up in the story. Less commonly encountered words like ‘kishef macher’ are clearly defined, although the words that don’t even stand out to me, like shacharis, mincha, and maariv or the three Jewish prayers for morning, afternoon, and evening, wouldn’t make any sense to anyone who doesn’t have exposure to Judaism, while I was able to define those words based on my Hebrew school experiences as well as knowing that these have always been the descriptions for the different services depending on the time of day that we still use today.
There isn’t a glossary, and I would hate to see anyone miss out on this book because of a lack of exposure to Judaism. However, I also know the struggle of really getting into a book and constantly having to pause to look things up, so reading this on an e-reader that provides definitions with the tap of a finger might be a better option.
The story is told in two timelines that eventually converge when Esther looks up one day and sees Sadie at the window of an apartment that should be empty. As an educator for the museum, she recruits a colleague to go up and check it out with her. But instead of finding the girl she saw in the window, the apartment doesn’t appear to have been disturbed in a very long time.
In the Rosenfeld timeline, it starts out with a Passover seder. The author has an outstanding skill at setting a scene—I was able to fully envision myself in the story easily with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels all described so beautifully while avoiding info dumping or overly descriptive writing that can pull me out of the story. Dubrow is able to set a vivid scene within a couple of sentences, and I relished the scene with the Passover Seder, a ritual that has carried on nearly unchanged since the destruction of the second Jewish temple in 70 CE. While each family or diasporic group may have some unique customs practiced, the overall seder is done the same way around the world, as it has been for more than 2,000 years.
The New York of 1917 was full of immigrants: not just Jews, but Italians, Irish, German, and Black people as well. Dubrow sets the Rosenfeld family right at the heart of the building, story, and museum, as we learn about who the Rosenfeld family were in life. I loved that both Baruch and Rebekah are examples of living Jewishly. They may not have much, but Rebekah takes pride in her role as the heart of the home, and the emotional connection for the rest of the family. Baruch may not have much, but as Jews, we are taught to always be generous towards those in need, and to try to make the world a better place than we found it, one kind gesture at a time. So Baruch, unsurprisingly, invites a Jewish man who is on the streets to his family’s seder. And this kind gesture is what ultimately dooms his family to a century of being trapped in time, unable to leave their tiny apartment.
In the 2017 timeline, Esther doesn’t know where else to turn, and finds herself seeking out the assistance of Rabbi Meir Poppers, kishef macher, in getting to the bottom of what is happening at the Tenement Museum. Meir comes to New York City and quickly ascertains some of what is at play, only to keep finding his path blocked in different ways—a rival group to his own, unfamiliar and ancient spells, and fears that he won’t be able to save the family.
Part of what I loved about this story, is that is challenges readers to acknowledge biases that we may not even be aware of. Esther Luna and her husband, Gustavo Ramos, are both Puerto Rican, although Esther has obtained her degree in Jewish studies and can read and understand both Hebrew and Yiddish—two words that use the same alphabet, but are vastly different and mutually incomprehensible. I like that the author challenged the belief that the only people in Jewish studies majors are … Jews. Esther is a fantastic character all-around. She’s funny, super smart, and has a huge heart, and her husband knows exactly how lucky he is to have her.
In addition, this story never veers away from the discussions that I can recall having with my parents. Their experiences were vastly different: my mother was born in New York and was at least two generations away from her nearest ancestor’s experience as an immigrant, while my father was a Holocaust survivor who left a refugee camp (actually a converted death camp) in Austria to make his way to the United States eventually. Talks about what kind of assimilation is okay and encouraged and what kind is unacceptable occur even to this day. In the first seder since the passing of my father, we attempted to have each of my brothers lead the Passover Seder. One refused, the other tried and struggled with it. On the second night, my mother pushed me to take the reins and lead the seder, and I heard a similar sentiment at my own table: you can’t lead a seder if you’re a woman. I calmly pointed out that nowhere did it say that the leader of a seder must have a penis. After I proceeded to make my father proud with that seder, my family no longer has issues with a female leading a holiday dinner.
My apologies, I have gotten slightly derailed. Suffice it to say that I was able to really identify with so many scenes in this book, and found it so enjoyable to see myself within the pages of this book. The fact that it was a Jewish book, written by a Jewish author, already had me primed to like this book, but I honestly wasn’t expecting to fall for all of the characters like I did. Well, there were one or two characters that I didn’t like, but the majority of the characters earned a spot in my heart. The way that Jewish magic was represented, viewed as a responsibility requiring intensive studying made me think of this as kind of the quintessentially thought of school of magic, except that it is for Jewish magicians only, and takes place at a yeshiva (private schools for Jewish students).
Overall, this was the kind of book that I love and then obviously demand that all my loved ones read it, and one of my non-Jewish besties has already told me she wants to read it. Naturally, I offered to help her understand the many Jewish terms if she needs assistance. In my opinion, the fast-moving plot caught my attention, although it was my love for the Yiddishkeit (Jewishness) of this book and nearly all of the characters that kept me invested in the book. I seriously wasn’t able to leave the house without my copy of this book, so I can enthusiastically recommend this to all readers that like fantasy and historical fiction, paired with a healthy dose of Jewish joy and plenty of humor. Is there even maybe a dash of romance? You’d have to ask the shadchanit (woman who is a matchmaker) in charge of finding Rabbi Poppers his bashert (soulmate), or just read the book.
May 24, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Mickey Dubrow’s "The Magic Maker" is a clever, thought-provoking novel that blends dark satire with an intimate exploration of personal ambition, artistic integrity, and the shifting landscape of entertainment. Entertaining yet unsettling, the novel invites readers to question the illusions we create—not just for audiences, but for ourselves.
"The Magic Maker" follows the journey of Nathan, a television writer navigating a world where creativity is as much about survival as it is about expression. His job revolves around crafting illusions for audiences, but as his career faces turbulence, he begins to grapple with the blurred lines between storytelling and self-deception. Dubrow brilliantly explores the pressures of maintaining artistic integrity within industries driven by commercial success, raising questions about the sacrifices creators make in pursuit of recognition.
The novel deftly balances humor and poignancy, using sharp wit and dry humor to dissect issues of identity, reinvention, and the power of perception. It’s a meditation on not only the cost of creative pursuits but also the deeper existential question: Who do we become when the stories we tell start shaping us in return?
Dubrow’s writing is incisive and immersive, offering a layered narrative that blends satire with genuine emotional depth. His portrayal of Nathan’s struggles feels raw and relatable—especially for those familiar with the highs and lows of artistic careers. The novel’s social commentary is biting yet never overwhelming, allowing readers to engage with its themes organically rather than being weighed down by didactic messaging.
"The Magic Maker" is entertaining while remaining deeply introspective. There’s a seamless interplay between the protagonist’s external challenges and internal conflicts, making the book more than just a critique of the entertainment industry. It resonates beyond its immediate setting, tapping into universal themes of reinvention and the quest for meaning.
This is an ideal novel for readers who appreciate satirical fiction with depth—think Kurt Vonnegut or Jonathan Franzen but with a unique voice that is wholly Dubrow’s. Writers, artists, and creatives will find themselves nodding along to its observations, while anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes mechanics of storytelling industries will be drawn into its sharp yet heartfelt perspective.
Dubrow delivers a novel that is equally entertaining and thought-provoking. "The Magic Maker" is a fascinating read about identity, creativity, and the illusions we weave— on screen and in our own lives. It’s witty, compelling, and occasionally unsettling in the best way possible. If you’re looking for a book that makes you reflect while keeping you engaged, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Mickey Dubrow’s "The Magic Maker" is a clever, thought-provoking novel that blends dark satire with an intimate exploration of personal ambition, artistic integrity, and the shifting landscape of entertainment. Entertaining yet unsettling, the novel invites readers to question the illusions we create—not just for audiences, but for ourselves.
"The Magic Maker" follows the journey of Nathan, a television writer navigating a world where creativity is as much about survival as it is about expression. His job revolves around crafting illusions for audiences, but as his career faces turbulence, he begins to grapple with the blurred lines between storytelling and self-deception. Dubrow brilliantly explores the pressures of maintaining artistic integrity within industries driven by commercial success, raising questions about the sacrifices creators make in pursuit of recognition.
The novel deftly balances humor and poignancy, using sharp wit and dry humor to dissect issues of identity, reinvention, and the power of perception. It’s a meditation on not only the cost of creative pursuits but also the deeper existential question: Who do we become when the stories we tell start shaping us in return?
Dubrow’s writing is incisive and immersive, offering a layered narrative that blends satire with genuine emotional depth. His portrayal of Nathan’s struggles feels raw and relatable—especially for those familiar with the highs and lows of artistic careers. The novel’s social commentary is biting yet never overwhelming, allowing readers to engage with its themes organically rather than being weighed down by didactic messaging.
"The Magic Maker" is entertaining while remaining deeply introspective. There’s a seamless interplay between the protagonist’s external challenges and internal conflicts, making the book more than just a critique of the entertainment industry. It resonates beyond its immediate setting, tapping into universal themes of reinvention and the quest for meaning.
This is an ideal novel for readers who appreciate satirical fiction with depth—think Kurt Vonnegut or Jonathan Franzen but with a unique voice that is wholly Dubrow’s. Writers, artists, and creatives will find themselves nodding along to its observations, while anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes mechanics of storytelling industries will be drawn into its sharp yet heartfelt perspective.
Dubrow delivers a novel that is equally entertaining and thought-provoking. "The Magic Maker" is a fascinating read about identity, creativity, and the illusions we weave— on screen and in our own lives. It’s witty, compelling, and occasionally unsettling in the best way possible. If you’re looking for a book that makes you reflect while keeping you engaged, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
December 1, 2024
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 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.
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 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.
January 14, 2025
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 recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with magic and mystery!
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
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 recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with magic and mystery!
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
January 14, 2025
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.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 12, 2025
For a book from an unknown publisher this was surprisingly good. I didn’t love the ending as I hoped for a different result but I enjoyed the book! It felt like a ya or even middle grade book setting up an interesting magical Jewish community but there were just a couple parts that would make me uncomfortable with that audience.
April 16, 2025
A totally engaging read, from start to finish. Dubrow manages to work in all the Judaica a reader needs without it ever feeling like a history lesson or slowing down the pace. The story moves quickly between two timelines, and while I was eager to know how the central mystery would be resolved, what really kept me reading were the characters. Rabbi Meir Poppers and Sadie Rosenfeld both won me over, and the ending hit me even harder emotionally than I expected.
November 13, 2025
A fascinating look at Jewish life and culture wrapped in a mystery and laced with magic. I loved this story about family, friendship, loyalty, and simply trying to ease someone’s suffering. I could not put it down.
October 30, 2024
I don't usually read anything but realistic fiction, but this book intrigued me. I enjoyed the historical aspect and the characters and it was a sweet story.
November 19, 2024
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.
Read
December 11, 2025When I was talking to a non-Jewish friend this summer about a Jewish fantasy novel that I was reading, he expressed surprise that there was such a thing as Jewish fantasy. The elements of these works can be found as far back as talmudic times: the belief in demons, dybbuks, golems, angels and more have been part of Jewish culture for centuries. They were treated as real creatures, something that changed as many Jews focused more on the rational aspects of the religion. However, writers of fantasy now include them in their works – whether or not they believe the creatures are real – and combine tales of them with aspects of Western culture.
Two novels of the five novels in this review take place in imaginary variations of our world: The first offers a kingdom where Judaism reigns supreme, while the other features more uncomfortable aspects of the Jewish past. The third novel takes place in a world similar to ours, but which offers an alternate view of Jewish history and theology. The fourth uses Jewish magic in the midst of an otherwise ordinary version of our world. The last features a Jewish character as a jumping point for a fantasy with little other Jewish content. Lovers of fantasy are certain to find something of interest in these novels.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/book...
Two novels of the five novels in this review take place in imaginary variations of our world: The first offers a kingdom where Judaism reigns supreme, while the other features more uncomfortable aspects of the Jewish past. The third novel takes place in a world similar to ours, but which offers an alternate view of Jewish history and theology. The fourth uses Jewish magic in the midst of an otherwise ordinary version of our world. The last features a Jewish character as a jumping point for a fantasy with little other Jewish content. Lovers of fantasy are certain to find something of interest in these novels.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/book...
February 13, 2025
Esther knows what she saw—and Meir (a kishef macher, or magic maker) is the only person who seems willing to believe her.
This story was so quirky and fun, in a way, with an underlying dark and sad story about the Rosenfeld family being trapped for a century. The characters were all compelling and mostly likable, and the Jewish history and tradition shared was enlightening.
The book was also well told and the side-plots were amusing. While Meir did his calling, and the job he was being paid to do and risking his life for, he also had to keep in mind that he was of marrying age and should be trying to meet a wife. Esther had moved on from her job at the museum. She was ready to move on in her life with her husband, but felt the only right thing to do was figure out the mystery of the girl she saw in the window, and free her. Her husband was drawn way more into the drama than he wanted to be, while he just wanted to be a supportive husband and thought he was indulging Esther’s illusion.
Overall, the story was intricate and earned 5 out of 5 stars. The characters were engaging and the dual timelines in the book made for an interesting reading experience. Those who like cozy books about Jewish and New York characters, both contemporary and early 1900s, would enjoy The Magic Maker.
This story was so quirky and fun, in a way, with an underlying dark and sad story about the Rosenfeld family being trapped for a century. The characters were all compelling and mostly likable, and the Jewish history and tradition shared was enlightening.
The book was also well told and the side-plots were amusing. While Meir did his calling, and the job he was being paid to do and risking his life for, he also had to keep in mind that he was of marrying age and should be trying to meet a wife. Esther had moved on from her job at the museum. She was ready to move on in her life with her husband, but felt the only right thing to do was figure out the mystery of the girl she saw in the window, and free her. Her husband was drawn way more into the drama than he wanted to be, while he just wanted to be a supportive husband and thought he was indulging Esther’s illusion.
Overall, the story was intricate and earned 5 out of 5 stars. The characters were engaging and the dual timelines in the book made for an interesting reading experience. Those who like cozy books about Jewish and New York characters, both contemporary and early 1900s, would enjoy The Magic Maker.
January 16, 2025
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.
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