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Mangoverse #2
Climbing the Date Palm
Prince Kaveh, the youngest son of the king of the City of Red Clay, is bisexual and completely besotted with Farzin, the engineer his father hired to oversee the improvements to the city's roads and bridges. However, the king doesn't share his positive feelings. After Farzin ends up at the head of the protest that ensues when the workers are only paid a third of their promised wages, he's thrown in prison and is scheduled to be executed.
Queen Shulamit, who rules over the neighboring nation of Perach, is eager to assist the desperate prince. She, too, loves justice and has a same-sex partner. She's also hoping Kaveh, with his royal blood, is willing to give her and her sweetheart a legitimate heir in exchange. But can she find a peaceful solution that will pacify the king next door, get his workers fairly paid, and free Farzin? Or will she and her dragon-riding bodyguard Rivka have to go to war?
Queen Shulamit, who rules over the neighboring nation of Perach, is eager to assist the desperate prince. She, too, loves justice and has a same-sex partner. She's also hoping Kaveh, with his royal blood, is willing to give her and her sweetheart a legitimate heir in exchange. But can she find a peaceful solution that will pacify the king next door, get his workers fairly paid, and free Farzin? Or will she and her dragon-riding bodyguard Rivka have to go to war?
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
7 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
About the author
Shira Glassman
20 books525 followersShira Glassman is a bisexual Jewish violinist passionately inspired by German and French opera and Agatha Christie novels.
She lives in north central Florida, where the alligators are mostly harmless because they're too lazy to be bothered.
A note on my reviewing style: I read lots of books, but writing reviews is work and I only really do them to endorse books that I enjoyed enough to signal boost. That's why my reviews are mostly positive. It's not that I like every book ever :P
She lives in north central Florida, where the alligators are mostly harmless because they're too lazy to be bothered.
A note on my reviewing style: I read lots of books, but writing reviews is work and I only really do them to endorse books that I enjoyed enough to signal boost. That's why my reviews are mostly positive. It's not that I like every book ever :P
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 15, 2016
So. These books. I already adored the first two in the Mangoverse series, so I knew I was heading for more amazing writing from Shira when I got CLIMBING THE DATE PALM. I started it on a flight to Wellington, and was completely sucked in. I absolutely adored this book. The overall message is one that I can totally get behind, which is that being yourself is brave in an of itself. I loved the characters. I especially loved the entire arc with Farzin's mother. Loved it. Basically, I wanted to start cheering and applauding I loved it that much.
Per usual, the banter between Rivka and basically everyone didn't let me down. Her relationship with Isaac makes me grin. I adore them both. Isaac kind of reminds me of one of my favorite wizard characters, Ingold Inglorion from Barbara Hambly's THE TIME OF THE DARK. I'm grateful to my mother for introducing me to fantasy at a young age so I was able to recall said character. Anyway, Isaac reminds me a bit of Ingold. It's awesome. The connection to these characters is no doubt bolstered by the fact that my mom introduced me to fantasy as a genre, but that makes Shira's writing all the better. What I loved about CLIMBING THE DATE PALM was that it has its traditional fantasy elements, magic, redemption arcs, action, adventure--but there's also the fact that there's a lesbian couple at the center of the book, and we meet Farzin and Kaveh as well.
I don't usually relate to pairings with two cisgender men in them, but I enjoyed Farzin and Kaveh so much more than I thought I would, because of how wonderfully Shira wrote their relationship and their own personal arcs. Each of them had their own things to address, overcome, and deal with apart from their relationship. More than anything, the Mangoverse series is a testament to how well-rounded characters can really transform literature.
Anyway. You should get this book. It's fantastic. Seriously.
Per usual, the banter between Rivka and basically everyone didn't let me down. Her relationship with Isaac makes me grin. I adore them both. Isaac kind of reminds me of one of my favorite wizard characters, Ingold Inglorion from Barbara Hambly's THE TIME OF THE DARK. I'm grateful to my mother for introducing me to fantasy at a young age so I was able to recall said character. Anyway, Isaac reminds me a bit of Ingold. It's awesome. The connection to these characters is no doubt bolstered by the fact that my mom introduced me to fantasy as a genre, but that makes Shira's writing all the better. What I loved about CLIMBING THE DATE PALM was that it has its traditional fantasy elements, magic, redemption arcs, action, adventure--but there's also the fact that there's a lesbian couple at the center of the book, and we meet Farzin and Kaveh as well.
I don't usually relate to pairings with two cisgender men in them, but I enjoyed Farzin and Kaveh so much more than I thought I would, because of how wonderfully Shira wrote their relationship and their own personal arcs. Each of them had their own things to address, overcome, and deal with apart from their relationship. More than anything, the Mangoverse series is a testament to how well-rounded characters can really transform literature.
Anyway. You should get this book. It's fantastic. Seriously.
April 13, 2017
"My heart is completely consumed, and recreated to exist within you.”
“I’ll tend it well and keep it safe, here -- with my own."
* * *
I loved this, let's just start with that. I've loved the entire Mangoverse/The Second Mango series consistently since starting it - very out of order, as Book 2 is the latest one I've read. (Which is fine, because the books and stories really stand on their own very well, and you can probably start at any point you want and never get lost.) I can't really pick favorites with the Mangoverse, since they're all lovely, validating, orientation- and identity-affirming fantasy, but if I could, this would be up there.
The storyline is timeless - and that's not necessarily a good thing. We shouldn't still be familiar with queer lovers being separated and threatened with violence and death. Likewise, stories about unjust/greedy/thoughtlessly cruel rulers who forgo fairness and responsibility in favor of advantage-taking 'patriotism' shouldn't still be relevant and increasingly universal, at least among marginalized populations. But they are, and that's what we have here. The setting may be a fictional fantasy land with dragons and magic, but virtually any reader even vaguely aware of real-life history and current events will find the social-economical disparities pointedly familiar.
(Translation: Those in power have always abused those not, and *we see them.*)
However, that's where the grimness ends. The rest, as is always true of Mangoverse stories, is hope, survival through solidarity, and powerful love - of others, of self, and of culture/home. If our world is sick with the same poisons of cruel intolerance and malignant greed, books like these are the antidote. A mirror that does not shy away from revealing frightening realities - but also reflects possibilities where suffering eases, love of many kinds prevails, and those abused or rejected find themselves alive, healed, and whole.
...All that thoughtful socio-cultural-commentary analysis done, Farzin is the freaking best, oh my gosh. Oh my gosh the best. A book hasn't made me actually LOL, Out Loud For Real, in a very long time, I can't even remember when. (This, by the way, is also *so very needed.* We don't laugh nearly enough anymore.) And as well as being hilarious, he's warm, brave, perceptive as hell, and *right.* In a world where marginalized people and underpaid workers are routinely taken advantage of, somebody has to stand up and refuse to take it. I just love that the face of the revolution is this sweet, funny, chubby, determinedly-just, gay nerd. And as Kaveh would feel compelled to say, it's a handsome and adorable face as well. Prince Kaveh himself is endearing and intensely Relatable with his anxiety/panic-moments, and I just loved seeing this nervous bi cutie come to terms with himself and his life - then fight with everything he has to save the man he loves, and his kingdom of people his father's wronged.
And as always, the returning cast is amazing - I love Rivka and Isaac forever, and Shulamit/Aviva are incredibly sweet and I wanted them to succeed in having a baby without putting Shulamit through anything that would hurt/scare her so much - and of course they do and it's affirming as heck because this is the Mangoverse and it's just. Good. This book is good and the people in it are good, and I'm running out of words, but Date Palm and the whole Mangoverse are so, so very recommended. Like a good meal, it'll give you strength to face another tough day.
“I’ll tend it well and keep it safe, here -- with my own."
* * *
I loved this, let's just start with that. I've loved the entire Mangoverse/The Second Mango series consistently since starting it - very out of order, as Book 2 is the latest one I've read. (Which is fine, because the books and stories really stand on their own very well, and you can probably start at any point you want and never get lost.) I can't really pick favorites with the Mangoverse, since they're all lovely, validating, orientation- and identity-affirming fantasy, but if I could, this would be up there.
The storyline is timeless - and that's not necessarily a good thing. We shouldn't still be familiar with queer lovers being separated and threatened with violence and death. Likewise, stories about unjust/greedy/thoughtlessly cruel rulers who forgo fairness and responsibility in favor of advantage-taking 'patriotism' shouldn't still be relevant and increasingly universal, at least among marginalized populations. But they are, and that's what we have here. The setting may be a fictional fantasy land with dragons and magic, but virtually any reader even vaguely aware of real-life history and current events will find the social-economical disparities pointedly familiar.
(Translation: Those in power have always abused those not, and *we see them.*)
However, that's where the grimness ends. The rest, as is always true of Mangoverse stories, is hope, survival through solidarity, and powerful love - of others, of self, and of culture/home. If our world is sick with the same poisons of cruel intolerance and malignant greed, books like these are the antidote. A mirror that does not shy away from revealing frightening realities - but also reflects possibilities where suffering eases, love of many kinds prevails, and those abused or rejected find themselves alive, healed, and whole.
...All that thoughtful socio-cultural-commentary analysis done, Farzin is the freaking best, oh my gosh. Oh my gosh the best. A book hasn't made me actually LOL, Out Loud For Real, in a very long time, I can't even remember when. (This, by the way, is also *so very needed.* We don't laugh nearly enough anymore.) And as well as being hilarious, he's warm, brave, perceptive as hell, and *right.* In a world where marginalized people and underpaid workers are routinely taken advantage of, somebody has to stand up and refuse to take it. I just love that the face of the revolution is this sweet, funny, chubby, determinedly-just, gay nerd. And as Kaveh would feel compelled to say, it's a handsome and adorable face as well. Prince Kaveh himself is endearing and intensely Relatable with his anxiety/panic-moments, and I just loved seeing this nervous bi cutie come to terms with himself and his life - then fight with everything he has to save the man he loves, and his kingdom of people his father's wronged.
And as always, the returning cast is amazing - I love Rivka and Isaac forever, and Shulamit/Aviva are incredibly sweet and I wanted them to succeed in having a baby without putting Shulamit through anything that would hurt/scare her so much - and of course they do and it's affirming as heck because this is the Mangoverse and it's just. Good. This book is good and the people in it are good, and I'm running out of words, but Date Palm and the whole Mangoverse are so, so very recommended. Like a good meal, it'll give you strength to face another tough day.
July 28, 2017
okay this series is just the best kind of corny? like you know when it's late at night and you watch one of those family movies where you're like 'omg are you kidding me' but then your cold cynical heart is won ever by the sheer earnestness of everything on the screen and you finish the movie like ahhh love is real, please ignore my shedding of a single crystalline tear :')
that's basically the vibe of shira glassman's mango-verse
so in this volume shulamit meets kaveh, a bi prince who is in desperate straits as his father has imprisoned and plans to execute his boyfriend for reasons which boil down to politics and homophobia. shulamit is all about helping kaveh out, both because she's horrified to see someone else suffering due to loving someone of the same gender and because kaveh neatly solves a problem for shulamit; where to find a prince to marry and beget a heir who'd understand that she has a girlfriend and is 0% into ever sharing his bed outside of the necessary baby-making
bonus: this book's central storyline involves labour politics and fighting for fair wages for workers and i am 100% about that life. 3 stars
that's basically the vibe of shira glassman's mango-verse
so in this volume shulamit meets kaveh, a bi prince who is in desperate straits as his father has imprisoned and plans to execute his boyfriend for reasons which boil down to politics and homophobia. shulamit is all about helping kaveh out, both because she's horrified to see someone else suffering due to loving someone of the same gender and because kaveh neatly solves a problem for shulamit; where to find a prince to marry and beget a heir who'd understand that she has a girlfriend and is 0% into ever sharing his bed outside of the necessary baby-making
bonus: this book's central storyline involves labour politics and fighting for fair wages for workers and i am 100% about that life. 3 stars
October 9, 2017
Word of advice: do NOT read this without snacks at hand. Especially of a more middle-eastern nature, if you can get your hands on them.
But please, DO read this book. Gosh is it marvelous. I started the series with The Second Mango, and while thoroughly enjoyable, Climbing the Date Palm feels more ... wholesome? It's a poignant story, with amazing characters (Farzin <3), so-cute-I-might-have-just-squealed-in-the-bus moments, and beautiful imagery.
I love Shira's writing. It has a way to be simultaneously firm, precise, delicate, and just all around charming. DATE is all of these things, and I'm so happy I still have more of the Mangoverse to read!
But please, DO read this book. Gosh is it marvelous. I started the series with The Second Mango, and while thoroughly enjoyable, Climbing the Date Palm feels more ... wholesome? It's a poignant story, with amazing characters (Farzin <3), so-cute-I-might-have-just-squealed-in-the-bus moments, and beautiful imagery.
I love Shira's writing. It has a way to be simultaneously firm, precise, delicate, and just all around charming. DATE is all of these things, and I'm so happy I still have more of the Mangoverse to read!
September 9, 2017
(3.5 stars)
The thing about the Mangoverse books is that the writing tends to be unpolished and sometimes awkward, and they're rather short and therefore a little under-developed, and yet I sort of love them anyway. Can anyone blame me? Gay Jewish fantasy is a very small genre — I don't have many options here!
Anyway, despite the occasionally awkward writing and simplicity of the story, I love Jewish characters and traditions being a basic part of the world building, and that despite there being some homophobia gay characters are actually more common (at least regarding main characters vs minor characters). The main cast involves a lesbian queen and her bisexual sweetheart/cook, a bisexual prince and his gay engineer boyfriend, and a bisexual sorcerer married to a straight guardswoman. It's fluffy and happy and pretty much what you'd expect from a book whose cover is a giant blue swan.
The thing about the Mangoverse books is that the writing tends to be unpolished and sometimes awkward, and they're rather short and therefore a little under-developed, and yet I sort of love them anyway. Can anyone blame me? Gay Jewish fantasy is a very small genre — I don't have many options here!
Anyway, despite the occasionally awkward writing and simplicity of the story, I love Jewish characters and traditions being a basic part of the world building, and that despite there being some homophobia gay characters are actually more common (at least regarding main characters vs minor characters). The main cast involves a lesbian queen and her bisexual sweetheart/cook, a bisexual prince and his gay engineer boyfriend, and a bisexual sorcerer married to a straight guardswoman. It's fluffy and happy and pretty much what you'd expect from a book whose cover is a giant blue swan.
April 28, 2016
Though the writing feels clumsy and lacking in maturity, particularly in the characterization of Aviva, and words like ridiculous, cheesy, and corny often came to mind while reading, I feel a strange affection for this book. The author really does manage to leave you with a distinct impression of the world she's created, and it's very sensual: tied in with food and spices and smells that she describes. It's so nice to see a world that isn't based on medieval europe, to see queer protagonists of color, and religion take such a prominent and positive role in the lives of queer people. After all developing a more nuanced writing style is something one can only do with practice, and to me at least it seems like the worldbuilding foundation here is a solid one.
August 17, 2015
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2015/08...
The second book in Glassman's Mangoverse series is stronger than the first. It takes place a few years later, and finds all the characters from the first one getting involved with a prince from a neighboring kingdom, who has come to find help for his engineer boyfriend, sentenced to death by the king (for both political and homophobic reasons). The writing here is a lot more confident, although some of the dialogue is still awkward, and the engineer's "hilarious" jokes were . . . not. The characters are all likable, though, and I like the use of magic in this world. B/B+.
The second book in Glassman's Mangoverse series is stronger than the first. It takes place a few years later, and finds all the characters from the first one getting involved with a prince from a neighboring kingdom, who has come to find help for his engineer boyfriend, sentenced to death by the king (for both political and homophobic reasons). The writing here is a lot more confident, although some of the dialogue is still awkward, and the engineer's "hilarious" jokes were . . . not. The characters are all likable, though, and I like the use of magic in this world. B/B+.
October 12, 2014
This is such a wonderful book. I love being able to visit the world Shira Glassman has created because it's so beautiful and loving. It's so refreshing to have a book with such a diverse cast of characters whose plotline extends beyond the struggles of being diverse. Climbing the Date Palm absolutely lives up to the first book, The Second Mango, so if you haven't read The Second Mango yet, you should do that and then read this book!
February 3, 2015
Shira Glassman has delivered a stunning sequel to her novel The Second Mango in her book Climbing the Date Palm. I didn't think a lgbt fantasy full of Jewish wizards, warriors, and queens could get much better, but then she added a happy ending and I fell in love.
Climbing the Date Palm is a definite must read for all lgbt fantasy lovers.
Climbing the Date Palm is a definite must read for all lgbt fantasy lovers.
March 15, 2016
This book is so heartwarming! All this positivity and her adorable characters bring you instantly a smile on your lips while you're reading. It's refreshing to read a queer and faith positive book set in a fantastic world. I'm going to look for others story by Shira for sure!
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January 7, 2021
September 26, 2017
Thoughts after the review:
There is so much that I love about this book. I stopped reading around 30 pages from the finish and I wish I hadn't. I wish I read it in consecutive days to bask in its brilliance, but I got distracted by reading other books for review. I've gotten better at finishing books now:D
This book, like the first, has more Jewish culture. I'm only familiar with the religious elements not the cultural, so it was a nice, unique experience.
The book also represents a variety of relationships. It's nice. Also, people are trying to conceive, through, shall we say, unconventional means (but not that unconventional!)
Aviva is still Aviva, saying weird things but they make sense. And on my, this book is really for the taste of those gastronomically inclined because the number of puns and double entendres and metaphors that make use of food, is astonishing.
I love Farzin and Kaveh! Body positivity and proving themselves to each other and each other's families. and Farzin is my baby, he fights for workers and working rights and there's a whole conversation on supply chains! As someone that works on these things, it was surprising and 'squee' worthy. Awareness raising through literature for the win!
And that ending, that ending oh! There's a new family member:)
crossposted at the Lesbrary http://lesbrary.com/2016/09/23/marthe...
“Bravery isn’t all swordfighting and riding dragons”
Climbing the Date Palm is the second book in the Mangoverse series by Shira Glassman. This series is a fantasy series with Jewish traditions and has a diverse cast with the main characters being Queen Shulamit and her girlfriend Aviva and Rivka, Shula’s head guard and Isaac, her companion.
The book picks up a little while after the first book ends and starts with Aviva encountering a near-to-death horse rider who turns out to been Prince Kaveh from the city of red clay who came to Riv- who is mistaken by most as a man, who has a male companion- to ask for help as his sweetheart Farzin was imprisoned by his father.
Our group of intrepid heroes, or well Shula’s group of close friends work to save Kaveh’s life. Rivka’s mother also joins the palace while Shulamit, who more than ever has her whole country on her shoulder comes up with a plan to sire and heir with the bisexual prince.
The plot follows the casts’ trials as they try to save Farzin’s life. Farzin, an engineer and old friend of Kaveh’s was imprisoned for siding with his workers when they were not paid as they should; as well as for ‘corrupting’ Kaveh.
More than the plot, the story offers interesting conversations between the characters that allow the readers to think about life and its lessons in a very simplified way. The way that Glassman put things into perspective may sometimes be too simplistic but still very thoughtful. Things like bisexuality- and not being interesting in everyone, stereotypes on women and gay and bisexual people, parenting, being responsibility and insecurity and discussed in a mature but not complex way. Isaac provides very good pointers on how to strike up a conversation, if you ever need to gather intel!
I felt that this book, as mentioned, deals with heavy and exhausting topics – most of which many of us have to repeat over and over- in an interesting, sometimes metaphorical and simple way that almost everyone would be able to get. I felt it was more complex than the first book and the characters are growing into themselves. As it’s the second book, I cannot give much spoilers but the answer to problems in this world is answered with geekery from everyone, charm, persistence, team-work and effort.
The relationships in this book are very mature for the most part. Although there was a lesbian couple, and Shula is the protagonist; the story was more than that and included a lot of flashbacks from Farzin and Kaveh’s time together. The diverse characters work well together and are like a puzzle that fits with the story.
Climbing the Date Palm was a highly enjoyable read and as it’s part of a fantasy series, we get to immerse ourselves in the world for the duration of other books as well! I’ll definitely continue with this series.
There is so much that I love about this book. I stopped reading around 30 pages from the finish and I wish I hadn't. I wish I read it in consecutive days to bask in its brilliance, but I got distracted by reading other books for review. I've gotten better at finishing books now:D
This book, like the first, has more Jewish culture. I'm only familiar with the religious elements not the cultural, so it was a nice, unique experience.
The book also represents a variety of relationships. It's nice. Also, people are trying to conceive, through, shall we say, unconventional means (but not that unconventional!)
Aviva is still Aviva, saying weird things but they make sense. And on my, this book is really for the taste of those gastronomically inclined because the number of puns and double entendres and metaphors that make use of food, is astonishing.
I love Farzin and Kaveh! Body positivity and proving themselves to each other and each other's families. and Farzin is my baby, he fights for workers and working rights and there's a whole conversation on supply chains! As someone that works on these things, it was surprising and 'squee' worthy. Awareness raising through literature for the win!
And that ending, that ending oh! There's a new family member:)
crossposted at the Lesbrary http://lesbrary.com/2016/09/23/marthe...
“Bravery isn’t all swordfighting and riding dragons”
Climbing the Date Palm is the second book in the Mangoverse series by Shira Glassman. This series is a fantasy series with Jewish traditions and has a diverse cast with the main characters being Queen Shulamit and her girlfriend Aviva and Rivka, Shula’s head guard and Isaac, her companion.
The book picks up a little while after the first book ends and starts with Aviva encountering a near-to-death horse rider who turns out to been Prince Kaveh from the city of red clay who came to Riv- who is mistaken by most as a man, who has a male companion- to ask for help as his sweetheart Farzin was imprisoned by his father.
Our group of intrepid heroes, or well Shula’s group of close friends work to save Kaveh’s life. Rivka’s mother also joins the palace while Shulamit, who more than ever has her whole country on her shoulder comes up with a plan to sire and heir with the bisexual prince.
The plot follows the casts’ trials as they try to save Farzin’s life. Farzin, an engineer and old friend of Kaveh’s was imprisoned for siding with his workers when they were not paid as they should; as well as for ‘corrupting’ Kaveh.
More than the plot, the story offers interesting conversations between the characters that allow the readers to think about life and its lessons in a very simplified way. The way that Glassman put things into perspective may sometimes be too simplistic but still very thoughtful. Things like bisexuality- and not being interesting in everyone, stereotypes on women and gay and bisexual people, parenting, being responsibility and insecurity and discussed in a mature but not complex way. Isaac provides very good pointers on how to strike up a conversation, if you ever need to gather intel!
I felt that this book, as mentioned, deals with heavy and exhausting topics – most of which many of us have to repeat over and over- in an interesting, sometimes metaphorical and simple way that almost everyone would be able to get. I felt it was more complex than the first book and the characters are growing into themselves. As it’s the second book, I cannot give much spoilers but the answer to problems in this world is answered with geekery from everyone, charm, persistence, team-work and effort.
The relationships in this book are very mature for the most part. Although there was a lesbian couple, and Shula is the protagonist; the story was more than that and included a lot of flashbacks from Farzin and Kaveh’s time together. The diverse characters work well together and are like a puzzle that fits with the story.
Climbing the Date Palm was a highly enjoyable read and as it’s part of a fantasy series, we get to immerse ourselves in the world for the duration of other books as well! I’ll definitely continue with this series.
February 27, 2023
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite of the Mangoverse books. It still has the humor, the found family supportiveness, the wonderfully natural Judaism, and the fluffy queer escapism that I enjoyed in The Second Mango. The opening paragraphs of this book are one of my favorite beginnings to a book, ever. The general concept of using research to understand your enemy and find a peaceful solution to an impossible problem is interesting. Unfortunately, the so-called peaceful solution is deeply troubling to me.
Climbing the Date Palm hinges on the necessity of finding a woman who can convince a bigoted man to be a better person. This will work because the two are in love, even though he’s an objectively terrible person and the two haven’t interacted in decades. It’s not only implied but outright stated (by the woman herself!) that the man is as bad as he is because this woman left him, placing the weight of his moral failings – his classism, his homophobia, and his abuse of his son – on her shoulders. The woman is also absolutely terrified by the thought of going back to the man, because she knows she will end up stuck with him if she goes back, even though she doesn’t want to end up stuck with him – and she does, in fact, end up marrying him in the end in order to save the day. It’s bizarre to find this kind of amatonormative misogyny here, and it completely turned me off of this book. I don’t feel like the protagonists are being clever or particularly heroic by pursuing this course of action. I jotted down the note “allo nonsense” several times while reading, and I mostly felt grumpy by the end… though the epilogue is a sweet, much-needed return to the queer, Jewish fluffiness.
There’s also a strange fascination with pointing out every female character’s breast size throughout the book, and I kept getting thrown off by it. Perhaps I’m not the target audience for Date Palm. (At the same time, I’d like to praise Glassman for her depiction of sex repulsion in this book. It’s in the context of a lesbian experiencing repulsion to the potential of having sex with a man – but as an asexual reader, I saw myself in that scene in a way I haven’t before in any book.)
In hindsight, it makes sense why I remembered so little of this book from my first readthrough years ago. The rest of the series is so good that it renders it forgettable. The saving grace of this book is that I still love the world and the characters despite the troubling aspects. I don’t plan on reading Date Palm again.
Climbing the Date Palm hinges on the necessity of finding a woman who can convince a bigoted man to be a better person. This will work because the two are in love, even though he’s an objectively terrible person and the two haven’t interacted in decades. It’s not only implied but outright stated (by the woman herself!) that the man is as bad as he is because this woman left him, placing the weight of his moral failings – his classism, his homophobia, and his abuse of his son – on her shoulders. The woman is also absolutely terrified by the thought of going back to the man, because she knows she will end up stuck with him if she goes back, even though she doesn’t want to end up stuck with him – and she does, in fact, end up marrying him in the end in order to save the day. It’s bizarre to find this kind of amatonormative misogyny here, and it completely turned me off of this book. I don’t feel like the protagonists are being clever or particularly heroic by pursuing this course of action. I jotted down the note “allo nonsense” several times while reading, and I mostly felt grumpy by the end… though the epilogue is a sweet, much-needed return to the queer, Jewish fluffiness.
There’s also a strange fascination with pointing out every female character’s breast size throughout the book, and I kept getting thrown off by it. Perhaps I’m not the target audience for Date Palm. (At the same time, I’d like to praise Glassman for her depiction of sex repulsion in this book. It’s in the context of a lesbian experiencing repulsion to the potential of having sex with a man – but as an asexual reader, I saw myself in that scene in a way I haven’t before in any book.)
In hindsight, it makes sense why I remembered so little of this book from my first readthrough years ago. The rest of the series is so good that it renders it forgettable. The saving grace of this book is that I still love the world and the characters despite the troubling aspects. I don’t plan on reading Date Palm again.
May 3, 2020
I'm really enjoying this series! It's just such a comforting read. I've read someone describe it along the lines of the best kind of corny, and I agree. That's not to say that it doesn't deal with some tough stuff but you just feel that things will always work out and they do. In this book one of such issues was
I also love all the little and bigger twists that keep happening, in this book two stand out in particular:
I also love all the little and bigger twists that keep happening, in this book two stand out in particular:
October 16, 2017
This is EXACTLY the book I was hoping to get with "The Second Mango"! With the first one, I enjoyed it, but felt like it was missing something in terms of depth in plot and story development. "Climbing the Date Palm" didn't feel like it was missing anything! The story flowed so well, there was more depth to the plot, and it had me not wanting to put the book down because I was enjoying it so much. I loved seeing the growth in Shulamit and how she became much more mature than she was in the first book. The characters are all interesting, the story's great, the diversity is wonderful, the book is fun- I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series! :)
October 27, 2017
Where the first book was primary m/f and f/f, this book expands a bit more to include a m/m couple. And while the concept of labor rights might not feel quite like the modern struggle, it is still great to see it woven into fantasy stories.
There's a moment late in this book that makes me laugh, because impregnation by magic hairstick is even more ridiculous than a turkey baster. Again, the writing is charming, I recommend it for those seeking fluffy adventure romance without a lot of detail in the intimacy.
There's a moment late in this book that makes me laugh, because impregnation by magic hairstick is even more ridiculous than a turkey baster. Again, the writing is charming, I recommend it for those seeking fluffy adventure romance without a lot of detail in the intimacy.
May 3, 2019
I really liked the first book in this series but I loved the second one even more! What a delightful story. Queers, dragons, fighting for justice...what more could you ask for? I recommend it very much.
cw: brief reference to sexual violence (no details, no instances which take place during the timeline of the book, but mentions it having happened to a character in the past, as well as discussion of a character fearing it happening in the future), homo-antagonist abuse, incarceration, military activity
cw: brief reference to sexual violence (no details, no instances which take place during the timeline of the book, but mentions it having happened to a character in the past, as well as discussion of a character fearing it happening in the future), homo-antagonist abuse, incarceration, military activity
August 29, 2017
I'm so in love with this series...and the characters.... Really, if you like fantasy, or Judaica, or just good writing, you should give it a try.
As I have noted before, I met the author online (on Twitter) through a mutual friend, and figured I'd give her books a try. My only problem is that I can't decide for myself if they are YA or adult. In either case, I love both this and the previous one, and am looking forward to the next three very much!
As I have noted before, I met the author online (on Twitter) through a mutual friend, and figured I'd give her books a try. My only problem is that I can't decide for myself if they are YA or adult. In either case, I love both this and the previous one, and am looking forward to the next three very much!
December 16, 2020
Heartwarming and silly
Glassman continues to be funny and sensitive, with passion for all kinds of loves. The language around labor rights came on a little strong near the end, but it fit into the story. The young prince in this story made me laugh so much - the disaster bisexual is such a fun character, and seeing it as a man is a novelty.
Glassman continues to be funny and sensitive, with passion for all kinds of loves. The language around labor rights came on a little strong near the end, but it fit into the story. The young prince in this story made me laugh so much - the disaster bisexual is such a fun character, and seeing it as a man is a novelty.
July 25, 2018
4.5
I enjoyed this even more than book 1. <3
I enjoyed this even more than book 1. <3
Read
May 5, 2019I can’t read this.
June 12, 2019
As always a pleasant and wholesome crew of queer characters. I quite enjoy Glassman's books
December 20, 2019
A big disappointment - at least the first was a kind of modern fairy tale - this was.....nothing.
March 16, 2017
4.5 stars!
May 16, 2016
Reviewed here: https://mayareadsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This is a short and sweet novel with an opera connection.
Queen Shulamit and her girlfriend, the cook Aviva, need a solution to prevent the lesbian queen from having to marry a man in order to conceive a legitimate heir. Prince Kaveh of a neighboring country needs someone to get his boyfriend out of jail, where he's scheduled to be executed for standing up to Kaveh's father, the king, in a labor dispute. They come to a mutually beneficial arrangement-- Kaveh will be Shulamit's husband-in-name-only, and Shulamit will rescue his boyfriend.
As you can probably guess from the names and synopsis, this is a queer fantasy novel where most of the characters are Jewish. It's published by the small press Prizm, the YA imprint of Torquere, which will be publishing my Walking on Knives. Shira Glassman mentioned that the plot was very loosely inspired by the Verdi opera/Schiller play Don Carlos (in which a tyrannical king kills his son's best friend). That happens to be my favorite opera and my favorite play, so of course I had to check it out.
I liked the characterizations, with the main characters having flaws that made them more lovable than if they were perfect (eg Shulamit is a worrier, Kaveh tends toward hysterics, but both of them try to overcome their flaws). There was a lot of emphasis on the dignity and importance of work, whether it be the initial labor dispute over wage theft or Kaveh learning from Aviva how to cook as a way to be useful and avoid being overcome by his emotions. Also, though this is book two in a series, I was able to understand it easily without having read the first book.
On to the not-so-good: this book really could have used another line-edit, as many sentences had very awkward constructions. Also,
Overall, a light and charming read.
This is a short and sweet novel with an opera connection.
Queen Shulamit and her girlfriend, the cook Aviva, need a solution to prevent the lesbian queen from having to marry a man in order to conceive a legitimate heir. Prince Kaveh of a neighboring country needs someone to get his boyfriend out of jail, where he's scheduled to be executed for standing up to Kaveh's father, the king, in a labor dispute. They come to a mutually beneficial arrangement-- Kaveh will be Shulamit's husband-in-name-only, and Shulamit will rescue his boyfriend.
As you can probably guess from the names and synopsis, this is a queer fantasy novel where most of the characters are Jewish. It's published by the small press Prizm, the YA imprint of Torquere, which will be publishing my Walking on Knives. Shira Glassman mentioned that the plot was very loosely inspired by the Verdi opera/Schiller play Don Carlos (in which a tyrannical king kills his son's best friend). That happens to be my favorite opera and my favorite play, so of course I had to check it out.
I liked the characterizations, with the main characters having flaws that made them more lovable than if they were perfect (eg Shulamit is a worrier, Kaveh tends toward hysterics, but both of them try to overcome their flaws). There was a lot of emphasis on the dignity and importance of work, whether it be the initial labor dispute over wage theft or Kaveh learning from Aviva how to cook as a way to be useful and avoid being overcome by his emotions. Also, though this is book two in a series, I was able to understand it easily without having read the first book.
On to the not-so-good: this book really could have used another line-edit, as many sentences had very awkward constructions. Also,
Overall, a light and charming read.
June 7, 2015
If I liked the first book in Glassman's Mangoverse series, I absolutely love this one! I felt that it was better paced, had more fleshed-out characters, and strengthened the bond between all of the characters, making a wonderfully queer little found family ruling a kingdom and making happy memories together.
Climbing the Date Palm takes place a couple years after the first book, with Shulamit settling into her queenhood with her partner/personal chef Aviva, her bodyguard and best friend Rivka and Rivka's husband Isaac, who has become a father figure for Shulamit. This book introduces Prince Kaveh from the City of Red Clay, who finds himself half-dead outside the walls of Perach after running away from his queerphobic, tyrannical father, King Jahandar. After hearing of the strong, powerful Captain Riv, who he and the nation believe is a gay man in a relationship with Isaac, Kaveh seeks her assistance in proving to King Jahandar that he is not wrong or sick--and to free his social-justice-seeking lover, Farzin, from his death sentence. Kaveh is such a sweet character, and his romance with Farzin is cozy, blossoming from a friendship into something more.
Meanwhile, Shulamit frets over her desire to have a child with Aviva and an heir for the kingdom. This was one of my favorite parts of the book because it addresses queerness as a part of the bigger picture within Shulamit's life. My heart breaks for little Shulamit when she realizes she cannot sleep with a man, even for an heir--her body just doesn't work like that. She chooses the similarly inclined, bisexual Kaveh as her consort, conspiring for him to live happily with Farzin while she lives with Aviva in Perach, but she knows who she is and what she can do, and she cannot have sex with a man. She can't share this with Kaveh or even Aviva, since they are both bisexual--but I think she may be quite close with Farzin in later books since I think he's gay. I just grow more and more in love with nervous, headstrong Shulamit, who grows so much into herself as these books progress.
I love that I can find high-quality fantasy books with great plots, great characters, and strong queer themes. This series is proving to be one of my summer favorites!
Climbing the Date Palm takes place a couple years after the first book, with Shulamit settling into her queenhood with her partner/personal chef Aviva, her bodyguard and best friend Rivka and Rivka's husband Isaac, who has become a father figure for Shulamit. This book introduces Prince Kaveh from the City of Red Clay, who finds himself half-dead outside the walls of Perach after running away from his queerphobic, tyrannical father, King Jahandar. After hearing of the strong, powerful Captain Riv, who he and the nation believe is a gay man in a relationship with Isaac, Kaveh seeks her assistance in proving to King Jahandar that he is not wrong or sick--and to free his social-justice-seeking lover, Farzin, from his death sentence. Kaveh is such a sweet character, and his romance with Farzin is cozy, blossoming from a friendship into something more.
Meanwhile, Shulamit frets over her desire to have a child with Aviva and an heir for the kingdom. This was one of my favorite parts of the book because it addresses queerness as a part of the bigger picture within Shulamit's life. My heart breaks for little Shulamit when she realizes she cannot sleep with a man, even for an heir--her body just doesn't work like that. She chooses the similarly inclined, bisexual Kaveh as her consort, conspiring for him to live happily with Farzin while she lives with Aviva in Perach, but she knows who she is and what she can do, and she cannot have sex with a man. She can't share this with Kaveh or even Aviva, since they are both bisexual--but I think she may be quite close with Farzin in later books since I think he's gay. I just grow more and more in love with nervous, headstrong Shulamit, who grows so much into herself as these books progress.
I love that I can find high-quality fantasy books with great plots, great characters, and strong queer themes. This series is proving to be one of my summer favorites!
June 2, 2015
Climbing the Date Palm is the second book in Shira Glassman’s Mangoverse, furthering the adventures of Queen Shulamit, Aviva, Rivka, and Isaac and bringing in a handful of delightful new characters from a city to the west of Perach. Prince Kaveh comes to beg Rivka’s aid in saving his lover, an engineer who is set to be executed for the dual crime of fighting for his workers’ rights and being a man in love with the prince. When Shulamit learns of his predicament, she commits herself, her friends, and her country to making things right, tumbling off on an adventure rife with excitement and emotion.
One of the most compelling things about this book – and, I would presume, the books which follow in the Mangoverse – is the ability to watch Shulamit’s growth, both as a queen and as a human being. She has grown more competent since The Second Mango, and over the course of this book, she gains a more nuanced understanding of what it means to do right by her country and by herself. She learns from herself as well as from her friends (or more aptly, her family of choice), and while the magic in the story occasionally seems to fix problems a little too conveniently, it’s difficult to begrudge someone as sweet as Shulamit her happy endings.
As is the case with The Second Mango, Glassman does not shy away from plentiful queer representation, introducing a bisexual man and a gay man to her cast. While the residents of the city to the west are not Jewish, the citizens of Perach continue to celebrate Jewish holidays and draw meaning and strength from their faith. It is wonderful to see such positive, nuanced representation of LGB characters and Jewish characters, as well as a main character with a serious food allergy.
Overall, this is a fun and compelling book, in which Glassman seamlessly integrates important social issues with engaging characters, adventure with romance, and joyful moments with sobering ones. While Glassman says that the Mangoverse books stand alone sufficiently to be read in any order, I would highly recommend starting with The Second Mango and working through them in chronological order to get the most out of them.
One of the most compelling things about this book – and, I would presume, the books which follow in the Mangoverse – is the ability to watch Shulamit’s growth, both as a queen and as a human being. She has grown more competent since The Second Mango, and over the course of this book, she gains a more nuanced understanding of what it means to do right by her country and by herself. She learns from herself as well as from her friends (or more aptly, her family of choice), and while the magic in the story occasionally seems to fix problems a little too conveniently, it’s difficult to begrudge someone as sweet as Shulamit her happy endings.
As is the case with The Second Mango, Glassman does not shy away from plentiful queer representation, introducing a bisexual man and a gay man to her cast. While the residents of the city to the west are not Jewish, the citizens of Perach continue to celebrate Jewish holidays and draw meaning and strength from their faith. It is wonderful to see such positive, nuanced representation of LGB characters and Jewish characters, as well as a main character with a serious food allergy.
Overall, this is a fun and compelling book, in which Glassman seamlessly integrates important social issues with engaging characters, adventure with romance, and joyful moments with sobering ones. While Glassman says that the Mangoverse books stand alone sufficiently to be read in any order, I would highly recommend starting with The Second Mango and working through them in chronological order to get the most out of them.
May 27, 2017
What I loved:
Firstly, the worldbuilding. LOVE IT. I will freely admit that I know very little about Jewish culture, but it infuses the fantasy setting in the Mangoverse series and I can’t get enough. I am used to a fantasy diet of “standard fantasy setting” - pseudomedieval European style places - and the kingdom of Perach is a breath of fresh air and sunshine in my TBR pile. Seriously, I hope Shira Glassman carries on writing these books for years and years and years.
Second - I still love Shulamit and her dietary issues. I had a tiny fear, after they were covered so well and in detail in ‘The Second Mango’ that they might disappear from the sequel. Reading this character means a lot to me, due to my own food intolerances - I’ve never read a main character (or come to think of it a secondary character) who deals with the same as I do. My fears were (thankfully) unfounded - while Shulamit’s diet is not as heavily featured in this book, it still pops up now and again (as does her sweetheart’s care and compassion around these issues, which just makes me melt!).
Third - positive bi representation. A novel that deals with biphobia in a very honest way, but celebrates positive (and different) representations of bi characters. After reading what I felt was less good bi rep recently, I needed Prince Kaveh and Akiva in my life.
What I wanted: I’m struggling to think of anything, to be honest. The mangoverse books are fluffy adventures - that’s what I wanted, and the author delivered (again).
What it made me want to read next? More from Shira Glassman, certainly.
Firstly, the worldbuilding. LOVE IT. I will freely admit that I know very little about Jewish culture, but it infuses the fantasy setting in the Mangoverse series and I can’t get enough. I am used to a fantasy diet of “standard fantasy setting” - pseudomedieval European style places - and the kingdom of Perach is a breath of fresh air and sunshine in my TBR pile. Seriously, I hope Shira Glassman carries on writing these books for years and years and years.
Second - I still love Shulamit and her dietary issues. I had a tiny fear, after they were covered so well and in detail in ‘The Second Mango’ that they might disappear from the sequel. Reading this character means a lot to me, due to my own food intolerances - I’ve never read a main character (or come to think of it a secondary character) who deals with the same as I do. My fears were (thankfully) unfounded - while Shulamit’s diet is not as heavily featured in this book, it still pops up now and again (as does her sweetheart’s care and compassion around these issues, which just makes me melt!).
Third - positive bi representation. A novel that deals with biphobia in a very honest way, but celebrates positive (and different) representations of bi characters. After reading what I felt was less good bi rep recently, I needed Prince Kaveh and Akiva in my life.
What I wanted: I’m struggling to think of anything, to be honest. The mangoverse books are fluffy adventures - that’s what I wanted, and the author delivered (again).
What it made me want to read next? More from Shira Glassman, certainly.
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