The Kingdom of Almonds

The Mirror Realm Cycle #3

by Ariel Kaplan

In the enchanting conclusion to the Mirror Realm Cycle, the fate of all three realms hangs in the balance as Toba, Naftaly, and their companions must settle the question of Luz once and for all. . .

Toba and Naftaly have stepped through the Gate of Luz into the mythic world of Aravoth, home to the Ziz, the bird of legend capable of raising the sea. Aravoth—the fabled third realm—is more dizzying and terrifying than Toba or Naftaly could have imagined. Nor had they expected to find someone already there, waiting for them.

After barely escaping the burning city of Zayit, Elena and the old woman have a new problem: Barsilay, heir of Luz, is being held for an exorbitant ransom by the paranoid Queen of P'ri Hadar. As Barsilay sits in his dark, demon-inhabited prison cell, he begins to realize the queen is guarding an ancient secret that might be the key to his release.

And the tyrant Tarses continues to close in on P’ri Hadar, wielding an army that spans the Mazik and mortal worlds and newly-powerful visions that reveal his most longed-for future—visions that he and Naftaly seem to share.

In this triumphant finale, the mirror realms must find their balance, or risk being lost altogether.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Queer, Jewish, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, LGBT

496 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kingdom of Almonds by Ariel Kaplan is the final volume in the “Mirror Realm Cycle.” The story sends protagonists Toba and Naftaly (along with other characters) through the Gate of Luz into the mythic world of Aravoth, home to legendary beings and the final confrontation that will determine the fate of all three realms.

I absolutely hope that Kaplan will deliver in this finale. Looking forward to the book's release!

[mattea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this e-ARC!

The Kingdom of Almonds picks up after the events of the last book, with Barsilay, Asmel, Elena, and the old woman travelling to P'ri Hadar to ask the queen for her help against Tarses. Toba and Naftaly, meanwhile, have travelled to Aravoth in search of the Ziz, hoping she will help them raise the city of Luz from beneath the sea.

This was a good end to the Mirror Realm Cycle series, concluding Tarses's campaign against all of Mazikdom. I loved some of the twists and turns this plot took, particularly with Queen Kasfia as well as the old woman's witchery.

Because these plots are so intricate, I wish that the front of the book had a summary of everything that had happened in the last two installments. It's been almost two years since I read Republic of Salt, and even with the dramatis personae, I struggled to remember details or side characters that were referenced. I also wish that we had a map. Because the world is directly inspired by ours, it was easier in my mind once I found one online and realized that Zayit = Rome, Anab = Athens, and Habush = Istanbul.

Overall, this is an excellent hidden gem of a historical fantasy series, with jewish and queer representation, and the Kingdom of Almonds was a worthy conclusion. I highly recommend it!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute perfect end to the Mirror Realm Cycle. The whole gang is back, Toba, Tsifra, Elena, Barsilay, Naftaly, the old woman and the Tarses.
I really enjoyed the demons in this book, the old woman and them add some delightful levity to a tense and very adventurous tale.
The stakes are so high, and I was very curious to see what would happen and if Tarses would succeed.
The Mazik, Aravoth, human world and the dream world are so well fleshed out.
I also really enjoyed the character development in the whole trilogy. Everyone is so well rounded.
The Ziz was delightful as were the newer characters. It’s like a beautiful 3D puzzle that all came together. I laughed, I cried. I highly recommend this Jewish fantasy novel. The entire trilogy is one of the best and well crafted trilogies I have ever read. I would give this 5.5 stars if I could.

[Mimi Schweid]

Making a note, this book comes out at the end of March, 2026 so Sarah (@Cheesecat777) and I have a bit more time to read book 2!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was impeccable, beginning to end!

I had no idea how it was all going to play out. As in real war, everyone is making plans that contradict everyone else's strategies. Everyone is making guesses on what everyone else's plans and strategies are based on whatever information they can get and you can never really know who's going to end up on top.

I highly recommend this series to everyone!

[T Davidovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It almost didn't stick the landing, but I think it got there eventually, or at least close enough to satisfy me.

Anyway, overall, The Mirror Realm Cycle is an exciting and delightful series. It takes a lot of the usual tropes around folklore and fairy tales, and puts a Jewish spin on it. The story itself is fun, and the characters and prose feel like a hug from an adoring Jewish grandmother.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uhh, what an ending. 🥹 will need some time to think of what to write for the review!

(FINAL REVIEW:)

Wow. Just wow for this conclusion to a phenomenal trilogy based off of (Sephardic) Jewish folklore set in an alternate 1492 Spain setting. While there were a few little things here and there that I thought were a bit odd or could have gone a bit smoother, this is for sure one of my all time favorite series out there and one that EVERYONE is sleeping on. 🤯

Please know that review is going to be MAJOR spoilers for the first and second book of the trilogy, so if you are someone who hates things being revealed early, please step away now and see if you can track down my reviews of The Pomegranate Gate and The Republic of Salt in this mess that is my bookstagram account. ‼️

The book picks up pretty much right after the events of The Republic of Salt, and the group has once again been split up into smaller ones: Elena and the Old Woman are in P’ri Hadar with a suspicious and devious queen, Naftaly and Toba Bet are off on their own adventure saving a mythical creature, and Barsilay is once again in prison. Each mini group has loads to go through and the things that got up to by themselves deserves novels by themselves. 🤭

Once again, the banter between the Old Woman and Elena was fantastic to read and had me cackling a few times because of how petty they could get with one another. The Old Woman once again shines in this book as both the most sound of mind as well as the funniest of the bunch. Elena goes through some deep introspective work as she comes to realize that the child that she raised doesn’t really need her anymore. And the Old Woman’s ending? . . . Perfect. No freaking notes! 🥹

Naftaly and Toba’s adventure is fascinating because it dives even deeper into Jewish mysticism, which of course made my academic heart so excited. It’s been such a fun time seeing something I studied as a passion project in my undergrad get used in a fantasy book and the way in which Kaplan incorporates it is just *chef’s kiss*. Toba’s character arc was awesome to get to and I really enjoyed the complexity that came with it and the events that surrounded it. 🐦‍🔥

And Barsilay. Oh buddy do you get tossed around like a doll. Again, his progression from a rather snooty side character to the caring and considerate man that he is now is how you do character development, and his continued relationship with Naftaly? Ooh man, Kaplan had me stressing for a good while there. 😮‍💨

The character that probably gets the wow factor for me in this book will have to be Tsifra. She is incredibly unlikable but manages to worm her way into your heart when you realize just how desperate she is to get even an inkling of approval and love. ❤️‍🩹

God what else can I say about this book without spoiling the whole series??? All in all, I had another fantastic time with this book, and while yes there was a point where the drama was getting a bit much and the main problem seemed to be fixed a little too easily for my liking, I’m glad I trusted the process of it all. I think this book will do incredibly well with fans of the Devabad Trilogy what with the political intrigue and otherworldly beings to boot with characters you both love and would love to slap some sense into here and there. 🤣

HUGE thank you goes to Solaris Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review! I had the time of my life with this series and hope that Kaplan writes more within this world. Maybe a spin off or two or a compilation of short stories please? 🥺

And thank you to @lookma.i.read for being the greatest reading buddy I could ask for this series (and being so patient with my slow ass). Love that we both got to stan the Old Woman together. 🫶🏼

Publication day: March 26, so you have no reason to not pick this up now that it is a completed trilogy! ❤️

Overall: 4.5/5⭐️

[Jamie Feuerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Overall an enjoyable conclusion to the series! Loved the addition of Nehema, that made me so happy. Also the old woman doing something plot-relevant for maybe the first time was a slay. I really enjoyed how this series ties in the more kind of esoteric parts of Judaism that I had never even heard of, it made this very unique among Jewish fantasies I’ve read.

While reading this I was thinking about how this book was essentially entirely divorced from any plotlines in the mortal world. I liked how in book one there was stuff with the inquisition going on, but I feel like the author lowkey forgot that was happening by book two and in this book it was brought up for like two sentences at the very end. I think it would’ve been interesting to tie that back in with this book. Another thing is this series is LONG and there is just so much character lore and world building. Not everything actually paid off in the end which is fine, but also by this book there were just so many details about this world that I was forgetting. I kind of wish there had been more editing bc there is just far too much to keep up with and it felt a bit rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third and final installment of the fantasy series based on Jewish mythology, the Mirror Realm Cycle, which begins with the Pomegranate Gate. I felt that this was a really nice conclusion overall to the three books - we revisit the always likeable characters of Toba, Naftaly, Barsilay and their by now large group of friends, as they battle to restore equilibrium to the mirror realm - which has been in an environmental crisis since one of the magical gates connecting mortal and mazik realms was torn from the firmament centuries previously, by the ancestors of Toba and Naftaly. They inherited the task of putting the realms back in balance before terrible consequences ensue. I liked the use of the different versions of Toba and their names with the two great beasts, the Leviathan of the sea and the Ziz of the sky, coming together to play a role in the return of the gate. I did however feel like there were small plot holes or unresolved storylines occasionally, though - for example Tarses is meant to be pursuing his agenda to avoid some terrible future he has forseen - but this terrible future is never really explained. There were a couple of other small niggles but these were small things in the grand scheme of a well crafted plot - the revelations surrounding Ayleth for example were well done. Other things I really enjoyed in this one were the addition of Nehama, who was a really interesting character, and the demons, who are originally thought of as ‘evil’ and in this book morph into fickle but helpful aids, often in the guise of cats.

My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Rebellion, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Avigail Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finishing this book made me cry. This is one of the best series I have read in a long time. The story was so well conceived and developed. The world building and characters so rich and vivid. And the Jewish representation was so powerful and beautiful, it made me feel seen in a way that fantasy and speculative fiction rarely permits. Kingdom of Almonds was a beautiful end to this series. The pacing was urgent and made it impossible to put down.

My only issue as I was reading was that, while every other city name aligned with the trees in its grove (pomegranates in Rimon, Citrons in Pri Hadar, Olives in Zayit, etc), Luz didn’t follow that rule - either it should have been hazelnuts or the city should have been Shaked.. and while I tried to look past this or find a reason for it that would make sense, I couldn’t and the mistranslation just bothers me. I know it’s petty all things considered.

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥹

(Wo)Man, Kaplin continues to surprise me with her truly unique world building. It’s fantasy with mix of folklore and mythological elements.

And even though this is the end of this trilogy, I’m so curious what she’ll create next.

But trying to explain this multi-world, multi-magic system intricately woven is harder than I expected.* Just jump in & you’ll see what I mean.

Side note: I definitely leaned hard into the audiobook when I could. Highly recommended.

So yes, while the pacing clunkiness of books 1 & 2 requires patience from even the most seasoned readers, the character builds worm themselves easily into your heart. Like the Old Woman- just 👩‍🍳💋- I’d recommend this series just off of her character arc alone.

By the end, I was so emotionally attached to the characters- I was shedding tears.

It might have been a flight with some turbulence but Kaplin absolutely knew how to land the plane. And tbh, the overall next-level creativity makes it a worthwhile series recommendation in your TBR. (Plus- these covers are so pretty. 😍)

I’m so glad I buddy read this with @mythslleniouslibrary - this series is honesty better with a friend because there’s a lot of conspiracies to unwind. And because the politics get a little convoluted sometimes- I was grateful for the sounding board. * She does an ahhhhmazing job breaking down books, so look for her review for more details later.

📸: As a foodie- I loved how salt and lentils were used in this book.
One grain can be transformed into a meal & the other grain can kill.

Thank you for this ARC @netgalley & Kensington Publishing.

This baby hits shelves 31 March 2026

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sobbing. I’m so happy with the way it ended but so sad to be leaving the world. Thank you Ariel Kaplan, for writing an incredible series.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most epic fantasy series, you absolutely need to read the previous two books – The Pomegranate Gate and The Republic of Salt – to make sense of this sprawling, action-packed tome. While Kaplan has done an excellent job of providing appropriate reminders for those of us whose recall is failing as to who is doing what to whom – given the sheer amount of plot, you’ll be floundering far too much to gain a fair idea of the story.

The two main protagonists who started the whole adventure are Toba and Naftaly, young people caught up in an attack against their neighbourhood by an anti-Sematic ruler of a city state. On the road as refugees, they fall into an adventure where they meet the Maziks, immortal beings who can wield magic but can’t tolerate salt. All sorts of events overtake them and the last book left everyone in a bit of a pickle, facing a dire threat.

Tarses is the villain everyone loves to hate, as he feels sure that his plan to become the total ruler of both the human and Mazik worlds will be the best outcome for everyone. Those who survive his savage conquests, that is. I was glad that we were offered a bit more insight into what motivated him to want to take such control as up to now, he was the main character who I felt was under-developed to the point that it was slightly impacting my enjoyment of the story.

Other than that slight niggle – and set against the sheer breadth of the narrative, it is slight – I became thoroughly caught up once again in the various adventures of not just Toba and Naftaly, but the people they’d befriended along the way. One of the strengths of this book for me, is the inclusion of older, frailer characters, who don’t often appear in such stories. The old woman, a former begger who lived on her wits, was rescued by Naftaly in the first book and provides most of the comic relief. This is the book in which she comes into her own by coming up with a cunning plan that saves the day.

There is also an extraordinary story surrounding Toba, who has a magical shadow copy of herself that doesn’t fade. So we have two versions, who go out and have all sorts of extreme adventures. Along the way, we find the reason why Toba is someone different. I found the sub-plot regarding her during this book very moving, to the point that I was on the verge of tears. That doesn’t happen very often, these days.

It’s all very well setting a story in motion with so much going on. It’s another thing entirely bringing such an epic to a satisfying conclusion with every plotpoint adequately addressed and each character arc sufficiently resolved so that readers set the book down with that complicated mix of happiness and sadness that can only be evoked by the end of a wonderful story. That Kaplan’s ending is so very accomplished is a testament to the author’s talent and skill. While I obtained an arc of The Kingdom of Almonds from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75 stars)
Thank you to Erewhon Books and Recorded Books for the opportunity read and listen to a review copy of The Kingdom of Almonds by Ariel Kaplan, via NetGalley. This book is the final book in the Mirror Realm Cycle trilogy, an epic fantasy based on Jewish mythology, which makes the whole series pretty unique, in my opinion.

It’s hard to review the final book in a fantasy trilogy without spoilers, so I’ll restrict myself to general comments about the series. This is a very complex, complicated story, so you really do need to pay attention or you’ll get lost quickly. The author has provided a detailed list of characters and places, as well as a glossary of terms, all of which are very helpful. I understand that a map is included in physical copies of the book, but my digital advance copy didn’t have that, unfortunately (and obviously the audiobook didn’t have that either). I found an image of the map online and that was helpful, to add to what I had already imagined.

It would have been very helpful if a summary of previous events had been included at the beginning of the book, especially if it had been a while since the reader had read books one and/or two. That was an issue for me with book two, because it had been quite a while, but this time I read book three shortly after reading book two. I was still a bit lost at times.

The series itself: the story involves a fantasy-Spain during the Inquisition and features Jewish protagonists. In the second and third book, the main characters travel all over the fantasy Mediterranean world, to various cities: Zayit, P’ri Hadar, and Habush, to name a few. Some of them also enter a third realm, Aravoth, a sort of desolate but special place where time is hard to quantify. A lot of aspects of the story are based on Jewish mythology, and the author knows a LOT more about that than I do. Even with my limited knowledge, I was able to recognize some of those aspects and loved how Kaplan brought them into the storyline. In addition to the “real” fantasy world, Kaplan envisions a mirror realm, which is largely inhabited by Maziks, who look mostly human but possess different kinds of magic. There are “gates” between the real world and the mirror realm and one of the main themes of the story involves a book which contains one of these gates, a book which has been handed down from generation to generation, and must be guarded and kept safe. Another major goal throughout is to figure out how to raise the drowned city of Luz. Salt is poisonous to Maziks so that’s a continuing theme throughout the trilogy. There are also some fantastical creatures, which I found really interesting.

The narrator, Vivienne Leheny, did a great job again with the various voices and accents.

This series should appeal to all who enjoy complex, epic fantasy stories.

[Svea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this trilogy. It's very unique, I love the writing style and the characters truly stole my heart. The Kingdom of Almonds is a worthy conclusion to the series that surprised me many times again.
I loved following Toba, Naftaly, Barsilay and the rest of them to the big finale. It was at times beautifully weird, the plot progression made sense, the pacing kept me on my toes and I did enjoy where everyone ended up. The writing is, no surprise there, once again superb and I will absolutely devour anything Ariel Kaplan releases from this day on. Also, would I read an entire book about the old woman and her shenanigans? Yeah, yes I would.
The first book in the trilogy is still my favourite and neither sequel did quite manage to achieve that perfect balance of humour and serious thematic depth, but it fit with the story told in them. I also sadly felt that Naftaly as a character grew more and more passive through his journey and was losing his voice, and while he has some stuff to do in this final book, that feeling never quite left me. He sometimes reacts to reveals that should absolutely shatter him in a weirdly detached way that doesn't work with what we've learned about him, but maybe I'm too critical because I absolutely adore that little man. The romances were wonderful, though Naftaly and Barsilay were much more prominent and kind of overshadowing. My surprise favourite romance was a side character one.
I also think that some ideas weren't brought to their conclusion in a wholly satisfying way and we didn't get answers to some questions that were built up before, but not in a way that made this book any less enjoyable.

So yes, wonderful conclusion to a wonderful trilogy and everyone who loves fantasy should pick this one up.

Many thanks to Solaris and Netgalley for the arc!

[Hannah Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great conclusion to the most complex and unique fantasy series I’ve ever read! This series has some of my favorite aspects: great characters, found family, political intrigue, and Jewish mythology. What surprised me most about this series is the humor! It’s not necessarily a funny book, but it has its humorous moments that made me laugh out loud. It certainly broke my heart tension a few times. The characters and terminology can be confusing at times but luckily the author includes a list of characters and glossary! I wish more authors did this. One thing I wish was included is a small recap at the beginning of the book. So much happens in the series and there are so many characters that it took me awhile to get back into the world. This could easily be helped by reading the books back to back or just having a better memory than me! I recommend not waiting too long between books or doing a reread. One of my only complaints with this book and the previous one is how confusing it is that some characters have the same name. (Luckily this is where the character list & glossary comes in handy!) The series can be intimidating with its complexity but it’s so worth it. You may feel like you don’t know what’s going but you just have to stick with it. It will all make sense in the end. I had such a good time with this series. I will miss all the characters, but especially the old woman. (Yes that is her name in the series!) Could the this book and the previous one have been shorter? Yes. But the length did not deter me from my enjoyment!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*

[Mindy Schaper · Rating 4 out of 5]

While retaining the beautiful writing of the previous two books, this book was not as satisfying, and it took me until reading Tsifra's concluding arc to understand why.

None of the characters change in this novel.

Whatever emotional/relational situation they start out with, they end up with.

Naftali and Barsilay are together. Barsilay continues to be a reluctant king, and Naftali continues to be helpful.

The old woman is still funny and grouchy, and Elana is still inventive and loyal to her granddaughters.

Toba and Amsel continue to cooperate together, and Toba has a journey in Aravoth that doesn't seem to have much internal impact.

Literally no one we care about dies, which is a massive no-no to me. There need to be consequences, and there are so many deux ex machinas in this conclusion.

The only person who has an arc is Tsifra, and I found her conclusion fitting and moving.

It's a shame, because I obsessed over the other two so much that I purchased them, which I rarely do, and reread them, something else I only reserve for my very favorite books. I really had to force myself to finish this.

What was great, aside for the tremendously beautiful writing:
The old woman. Her ending. Hilarious. Also, I called it.
I also thought the relationship between Tsifra and Tarsis continued to be fantastic.
I also loved how Elana and the old woman were essential to the journey all along. Fantasy characters are so often 17 and it's refreshing to have some old folks along, creaky bones and all. Though frankly these are some incredibly hale old people.

[Ryan Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kingdom of Almonds is the final installment of Kaplan's Mirror Realm series of novels. Reading both of the earlier installments, The Pomegranate Gate and The Republic of Salt are absolutely essential to understanding and deriving the meaning of the conclusion of the trilogy. I read both prior installments a year ago and although there is a brief synopsis of the events from those novels as a bit of a prologue in the first couple of chapters, this series is best read in a series all at one time.

Steeped in Jewish mythology, this fantasy novel is engaging and filled with nuggets early on that end up being critically important as the storyline progresses. Some are predictable, most are not. With new characters, and new insights into existing characters from the prior novels, there is significant character development and world-building, but at the same time significant plot movement and at no time was there ever a point where the story felt as if it were stalling. To the contrary, the span of the worlds and characters involved is vast (as it was in the prior novels) and requires concentration and sometimes look-backs to prevent confusion or outright missing important details. The fact that there is both a glossary at the end of the novel (likely helpful to those not familiar with Jewish mythology) and both a cast of characters list and a list of important geographical elements at the front of the book is telling to the complexity of the saga.

Really exceptional finale to a fantastic trilogy. Five stars.

[Jensen Potrykus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please give The Mirror Realm Cycle series a well-deserved chance. The amount of hopelessness here that is transformed into faith in a better tomorrow is truly wonderful. This story of maziks, inquisitions, heirs to drowned cities, and mortals with tricks of their own has been on my mind since I first picked up The Pomegranate Gate in 2023.

This neatly ties up many of the storylines from the previous two books, leaving us in a world healing from so many years of fighting. I do truly believe this series is about grace and second chances, most characters have the chance for redemption and are not stuck as purely evil beings. But also, knowing when to draw a line for yourself and protect those you hold close.

Time is a funny thing that gets played with a bit here in a way I thought was really interesting. What happens with Toba (original, not buchuk) after being killed by Tsifra was satisfying and not something I was expecting to see.

This series will have always have a fond place in my heart. I fell in love so quickly with the characters, and The Pomegranate Gate being one of the first ARCs I ever received made this something even more ascendant for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Erewhon Books for providing an eARC of The Kingdom of Almonds in exchange for this honest review.

[Bethany J · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*

It's quite difficult to write a review for the last book in a trilogy without giving spoilers, but I'll do my best.

The one thing I appreciate the most about this series (besides the creativity) is the way that humor is blended throughout. It always adds nice moments of levity and keeps things from getting too dense. I also like the various characters and the way they've all become a patchwork family. I still think Toba's romance still doesn't work for me, but I love the friendships between all the characters. To me, that's where the book truly shines.

Unfortunately, while I am sad to see this series end, the pacing for this one felt way too rushed, in my opinion. There's a lot of plot that has to be resolved, reveals to be made, character arcs to complete--I just don't think it all wrapped up in a satisfying way. As a result, some of those moments really didn't hit as hard as they could have and I felt like the ending wrapped things up way too quickly and neatly.

Still, I did enjoy my time with this series and will miss the characters dearly. I just wish that it was a smoother ending.

[Jayla Metzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid 3-star read for me. As the final book in the Mirror Realm Cycle, it definitely brings everything together, but it didn’t fully wow me the way I was hoping it would.
The story picks up with Toba and Naftaly entering the mysterious world of Aravoth, which was easily one of the most intriguing parts of the book. The world-building here is vivid and imaginative, with high stakes as all three realms hang in the balance. I really liked the darker tone and the tension surrounding Luz, Barsilay, and the secrets tied to the queen of P’ri Hadar.
That said, the plot felt a bit overwhelming at times with so many moving pieces and perspectives. While everything does connect in the end, some parts dragged for me, and I found myself wishing for a little more emotional depth with the characters—especially in what should have been a powerful finale.
Overall, it’s a decent conclusion to the series. Fans who’ve followed the journey will likely appreciate how everything wraps up, but for me, it landed more in the “good, not great” range.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction, myths, and mysticism blend together in the final entry of The Mirror Realm Cycle. The last book of this intriguing trilogy starts with the central characters, Toba and Naftaly, going through the Gate of Luz into the mythic world of Aravoth, the fabled third realm. Everyone that we have encountered in the prior books, and even a new character or two has a part to play in the finale and in finding the balance to the realms. The world building and character development have only gotten stronger through this story and this last book leaves us with a fitting conclusion. For readers who enjoy mysticism and magic with a touch of history and are looking for a completed series, The Mirror Realm Cycle is an excellent adventure.
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing -Erewhon Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Ergative Absolutive · Rating 4 out of 5]

In part this might be because it's been two years since I read the second book in the trilogy, so I've forgotten a lot of the characters, but even so this didn't quite gel for me. Some of the clever magical elements felt either ad-hoc, or else not held in reserve long enough before being deployed. Other elements that felt really important in previous books -- e.g., the politics of Jewish expulsion in human Europe, or the obligatory (??) mirroring of human and Mazik realms -- were walked back or disregarded or otherwise removed from consideration. Overall, it's a wonderful, imaginative tale that just sprawled a little too wildly to be fully coherent.

[Sadie E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the ARC

Disclaimer: I haven't read the first two entries, but even coming in for the finale I didn't feel out of my depth. But! I'll definitely be going back and reading books 1 and 2.

First, the Jewish mythology. Angels. Secret wisdom. Mirrors. Divine shenanigans. It's all woven in so naturally and adds to the world. Speaking of... the worldbuilding's insane with stakes that made me unsure whether to hold my breath or scream.

The lore is deep. But so worth it. And it all matters. Every detail and every chaotic moment is so important. It's pure chaos and I loved every second of it.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

an amazing end to this wonderful series. i hope ariel kaplan writes many more books. the level of magic, plot, enchantment, intricate world-building... and the jewish-inspired folklore and culture are so unique.

i absolutely loved the first 2/3s of this, but felt too much was happening towards end. the very short sections and constantly changing perspective didn't work for me - especially considering that some of them drastically lowered the tension (such as the history of the bridge of habush. i put the book down at that one)

there is one reveal near the end that is absolutely amazing and completely changes the ending if you happen to know a midrash related to it. i loved that reveal.

[Emily Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars, rounded up because I still feel like the series as a whole was five stars for me. So much to love here. The characters and prose continue to be top tier, and I loved where the plot took us! My two small complaints: The romance is so sedate in this last book. Toba and Asmel especially lacked the romantic urgency I wanted. Also, Tarses was such a fearsome villain in the previous books, but then he just isn't anymore? I feel like the protags didn't exactly outsmart him; He just stopped being brilliant and became more maniacal and sloppy.

[BookishKB]

📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

What to Expect
• Portal fantasy
• Jewish inspired folklore
• Multi realm
• Mythic creatures
• Imprisoned heir
• Series finale
_ _ _
🎧 Narration Style: Solo (Vivienne Leheny)
📅 Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Thank you to RBmedia, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Kyra Boisseree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me actually cry. You’re telling me that’s been the Old Woman’s name this whole time? Ariel Kaplan. ARIEL KAPLAN. You absolute legend. I literally have to tell a rabbi about this. I am never going to get over this book series. It is literally treasure. I will never be okay about any of it.

[Kogiopsis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, and I think this was a satisfying resolution to the series, but I'm still mulling over whether I will reread this trilogy in the future (and therefore, whether I keep The Pomegranate Gate on my shelf.) Full review to come.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third and final book was so amazing. I especially loved what they did with Tobas story. I'm not normally even a big fantasy reader but I've enjoyed this sooooo much.