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The Golem and the Jinni #3
The Gates of Midnight
The long-awaited final installment in the award-winning, bestselling Golem and the Jinni trilogy.
At the beginning of The Hidden Palace, the second book in Helene Wecker’s Golem and Jinni trilogy, Ahmad the jinni travels to Syria with the copper flask that holds the captured wizard Yehudah Schaalman. There in the desert he buries the flask for all time . . . or so he thinks.
In The Gates of Midnight, the riveting conclusion to the saga of the Golem and teh Jinni, it’s 1930 and three decades have passed since Schaalman’s defeat. Chava the golem quietly tends to her house and garden in Brooklyn, hoping to create a refuge for other magical beings. Meanwhile, Ahmad has found employment as an architect in Chicago, helping to build its towering skyline above the prairie.
But all is not well in the desert. Schaalman has managed to trick an unsuspecting passerby into digging up the flask, and now it passes from hand to hand as the wizard possesses his victims -- first a French soldier traveling to New York, then a small-time mobster—all in an effort to get to Chava, the only one who can release him from his prison.
Meanwhile others are gravitating to New York as well: Ahmad, who has lost his job following the 1929 stock market crash; the mysterious Thomas Beshara, a riveter on the rising Empire State Building, who also has hidden ties to Chava and Ahmad; and Kreindel Altschul, who still grieves her own destroyed golem Yossele. Does the reluctant Kreindel hold the key to saving Chava from Schaalman’s revenge? Will Schaalman succeed in escaping the flask, binding Chava to his will, and re-enslaving Ahmad? Or can they find a way to finally defeat him and free themselves from his power? An earth-shaking finale to the brilliant trilogy.
At the beginning of The Hidden Palace, the second book in Helene Wecker’s Golem and Jinni trilogy, Ahmad the jinni travels to Syria with the copper flask that holds the captured wizard Yehudah Schaalman. There in the desert he buries the flask for all time . . . or so he thinks.
In The Gates of Midnight, the riveting conclusion to the saga of the Golem and teh Jinni, it’s 1930 and three decades have passed since Schaalman’s defeat. Chava the golem quietly tends to her house and garden in Brooklyn, hoping to create a refuge for other magical beings. Meanwhile, Ahmad has found employment as an architect in Chicago, helping to build its towering skyline above the prairie.
But all is not well in the desert. Schaalman has managed to trick an unsuspecting passerby into digging up the flask, and now it passes from hand to hand as the wizard possesses his victims -- first a French soldier traveling to New York, then a small-time mobster—all in an effort to get to Chava, the only one who can release him from his prison.
Meanwhile others are gravitating to New York as well: Ahmad, who has lost his job following the 1929 stock market crash; the mysterious Thomas Beshara, a riveter on the rising Empire State Building, who also has hidden ties to Chava and Ahmad; and Kreindel Altschul, who still grieves her own destroyed golem Yossele. Does the reluctant Kreindel hold the key to saving Chava from Schaalman’s revenge? Will Schaalman succeed in escaping the flask, binding Chava to his will, and re-enslaving Ahmad? Or can they find a way to finally defeat him and free themselves from his power? An earth-shaking finale to the brilliant trilogy.
16 pages, Audiobook
First published September 15, 2026
About the author
Helene Wecker
12 books4,245 followersHelene Wecker is the author of the historical fantasy novels The Golem and the Jinni, The Hidden Palace, and The Gates of Midnight. Her books have won awards including the Mythopoeic Award for Adult Literature, the VCU Cabell Award for First Novel, a National Jewish Book Award, and a Golden Poppy Award, and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Her work has appeared in literary journals such as Paper Brigade, Joyland, and Catamaran, as well as the fantasy anthology The Djinn Falls in Love and Other Stories. A Midwest native, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am something of a completist in that I like to finish books or series that I have started. As I have gotten older I have abandoned a lot more books mid read that I used to. I say this because I have mixed feelings about this series. I loved the first book (The Golem and the Jinni) but didn't love the second (The Hidden Palace). So I was interested to read the third (The Gates of Midnight) and see if it was more like the first or second.
It turned out to fall closer to the second. I enjoyed it but didn't love it. The story just takes a while to find its momentum. Partly because it is telling the story from multiple character's perspective (Chava, Ahmad, Kreindel, Schaalman, Thomas, Willy, etc.) and partly because it is not really a thriller or action type story. The more you enjoy the characters and their stories the more you will enjoy this book. For me, there was a little too much going on at times. The near constant shifting of perspectives undermines pace and the psychologizing of everyone's life wore thin.
I think if you like historical fiction with a fantastical element and you enjoyed the first two books you will appreciate this concluding volume. I am glad I was able to read it but it didn't wow me like the first book did.
It turned out to fall closer to the second. I enjoyed it but didn't love it. The story just takes a while to find its momentum. Partly because it is telling the story from multiple character's perspective (Chava, Ahmad, Kreindel, Schaalman, Thomas, Willy, etc.) and partly because it is not really a thriller or action type story. The more you enjoy the characters and their stories the more you will enjoy this book. For me, there was a little too much going on at times. The near constant shifting of perspectives undermines pace and the psychologizing of everyone's life wore thin.
I think if you like historical fiction with a fantastical element and you enjoyed the first two books you will appreciate this concluding volume. I am glad I was able to read it but it didn't wow me like the first book did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautiful, immersive, and thoroughly enchanting continuation of Chava and Ahmad’s story.
There’s just something about Wecker’s writing that completely draws me into this world, and The Gates of Midnight was no exception. I loved returning to Chava and Ahmad and getting to spend more time in the wonderfully strange, magical world Wecker has created.
Once again, Wecker effortlessly blends historical fiction, fantasy, and folklore into something that feels both familiar and completely original. The richly imagined setting, fascinating mythology, and atmospheric storytelling made this such a captivating read. I especially loved how seamlessly she weaves together historical New York, Jewish and Middle Eastern folklore, magic, and mythology. There’s a wonderful sense of magic and possibility throughout the story, but there’s also something darker and more mysterious lurking beneath the surface. I found myself completely immersed and wishing I could linger in this world just a little longer every time I picked up the book.
And of course, Chava and Ahmad are a huge part of what makes this story so special. Their relationship remains complicated, unconventional, and genuinely moving, and I loved seeing how much they’ve grown while still feeling completely true to themselves. Their struggles with identity, freedom, loneliness, and finding a place where they belong give the story an emotional depth that really resonated with me. I also appreciated the way the book explores what it means to belong, to be free, and to find—or create—a place for yourself when you don’t quite fit into the world around you. Those themes give the story so much more depth and make it feel like far more than a traditional fantasy adventure.
Is it a fast-paced read? Not really. The story takes its time, with a large cast of characters, plenty of details, and multiple storylines to follow. But honestly, I didn’t mind the slower pace. I was invested enough in the characters and the world that I was happy to let the story unfold at its own pace. The deliberate pacing allows Wecker to spend more time developing her characters, exploring the mythology, and adding layers to the world. For me, this is a book meant to be savored rather than rushed through, and that slower pace was ultimately part of its appeal.
Overall, The Gates of Midnight is atmospheric, imaginative, beautifully written, and emotionally satisfying. More than anything, it reminded me why I fell in love with this world and these characters in the first place. It’s a magical, richly layered story filled with folklore, mystery, heart, and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. I wasn’t quite ready to leave this world when I reached the end—and honestly, I could have stayed a little longer.
There’s just something about Wecker’s writing that completely draws me into this world, and The Gates of Midnight was no exception. I loved returning to Chava and Ahmad and getting to spend more time in the wonderfully strange, magical world Wecker has created.
Once again, Wecker effortlessly blends historical fiction, fantasy, and folklore into something that feels both familiar and completely original. The richly imagined setting, fascinating mythology, and atmospheric storytelling made this such a captivating read. I especially loved how seamlessly she weaves together historical New York, Jewish and Middle Eastern folklore, magic, and mythology. There’s a wonderful sense of magic and possibility throughout the story, but there’s also something darker and more mysterious lurking beneath the surface. I found myself completely immersed and wishing I could linger in this world just a little longer every time I picked up the book.
And of course, Chava and Ahmad are a huge part of what makes this story so special. Their relationship remains complicated, unconventional, and genuinely moving, and I loved seeing how much they’ve grown while still feeling completely true to themselves. Their struggles with identity, freedom, loneliness, and finding a place where they belong give the story an emotional depth that really resonated with me. I also appreciated the way the book explores what it means to belong, to be free, and to find—or create—a place for yourself when you don’t quite fit into the world around you. Those themes give the story so much more depth and make it feel like far more than a traditional fantasy adventure.
Is it a fast-paced read? Not really. The story takes its time, with a large cast of characters, plenty of details, and multiple storylines to follow. But honestly, I didn’t mind the slower pace. I was invested enough in the characters and the world that I was happy to let the story unfold at its own pace. The deliberate pacing allows Wecker to spend more time developing her characters, exploring the mythology, and adding layers to the world. For me, this is a book meant to be savored rather than rushed through, and that slower pace was ultimately part of its appeal.
Overall, The Gates of Midnight is atmospheric, imaginative, beautifully written, and emotionally satisfying. More than anything, it reminded me why I fell in love with this world and these characters in the first place. It’s a magical, richly layered story filled with folklore, mystery, heart, and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. I wasn’t quite ready to leave this world when I reached the end—and honestly, I could have stayed a little longer.
September 17, 2026
I don't know how Helene does it 💜
September 19, 2026
Effortless and smooth prose as always. Learnt a little about that New York era, especially riveting.
My regrets (spoilers) :
* Negligible presence of Sophia and Toby.
Very little dialogue, which was the author's strength. Most of the book is inner monologues, because characters are in different locations.
* I understand that for the climax, all characters need to converge to one location but the coincidences that led to that convergence to happen were too far-fetched. Example: Ahmad's first meeting with Thomas
* The book title is indirect. Not a physical entity, not mentioned in the book and frankly not that important
My regrets (spoilers) :
* Negligible presence of Sophia and Toby.
Very little dialogue, which was the author's strength. Most of the book is inner monologues, because characters are in different locations.
* I understand that for the climax, all characters need to converge to one location but the coincidences that led to that convergence to happen were too far-fetched. Example: Ahmad's first meeting with Thomas
* The book title is indirect. Not a physical entity, not mentioned in the book and frankly not that important
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 28, 2026The Gates of Midnight by Helene Wecker is the must-read conclusion to the story that began in The Golem & the Jinni, first published in 2013. While the 2nd book was a bit slow by my own standards, I'm delighted to share that this one had the same compulsive pace, vivid characterization, and gorgeous magic of the first book. In this one, we return to Schaalman, the wizard trapped in his flask deep in the desert...but he doesn't plan to be there for long. As Ahmad (the Jinni) tries to make it as an architect in Chicago, Chava (the Golem) tries to establish a home for other magical creatures like them. Meanwhile, old beloved characters return, from Maryaam and her coffeehouse to grieving Kreindel to the long-awaited return of young Matthew...whose memories have been erased. All of them will have to come together to defeat the evil that's coming from across the sea.
The story of a golem and jinni in the 1900s USA, fighting to find their way in a glorious parallel to the immigrant experience, has and continues to enchant me. Wecker's research, and her glorious ability to wrap it in a coherent narrative starring several compelling characters, makes this a delightful read. Matthew's storyline opens up the story in new ways while feeling very loyal and consistent with the first book. Anyone with a history of people-pleasing or feeling the need to care for people around them will understand Chava deeply—I did in the first book and continued to here, as she fights to become her own person outside of helping others. The Jinni continues to mature, as does their love story, and the entire story is rich, covering the setting of Prohibition, the rising Empire State Building, and the looming Depression. It's magical, a lovely tribute to New York City and its geography, and a rich story of belonging, memory and trauma, and forgiveness (both of others and of oneself). Any fans of the original book should run to get this one, and can feasibly skip the 2nd, as there's a small plot review of that story in this book.
Content warnings for domestic abuse, xenophobia, and suicidal ideation/suicide.
The story of a golem and jinni in the 1900s USA, fighting to find their way in a glorious parallel to the immigrant experience, has and continues to enchant me. Wecker's research, and her glorious ability to wrap it in a coherent narrative starring several compelling characters, makes this a delightful read. Matthew's storyline opens up the story in new ways while feeling very loyal and consistent with the first book. Anyone with a history of people-pleasing or feeling the need to care for people around them will understand Chava deeply—I did in the first book and continued to here, as she fights to become her own person outside of helping others. The Jinni continues to mature, as does their love story, and the entire story is rich, covering the setting of Prohibition, the rising Empire State Building, and the looming Depression. It's magical, a lovely tribute to New York City and its geography, and a rich story of belonging, memory and trauma, and forgiveness (both of others and of oneself). Any fans of the original book should run to get this one, and can feasibly skip the 2nd, as there's a small plot review of that story in this book.
Content warnings for domestic abuse, xenophobia, and suicidal ideation/suicide.
October 15, 2026
A wonderful trilogy that I know I will read again. Plot wise, I enjoyed this one more than the second, but missed the dialogue which was significantly decreased due to the characters being separated; how this author wrote dialogue in the first two was so delightful and it was missing in this one. Perhaps the story of book 2 and 3 could’ve been combined, allowing a better explored end to their decades journey.
October 31, 2026
excellent conclusion to one of my all-time favorite trilogies!
October 17, 2026
What a fantastic finish to the series. The 2nd book dragged and felt off, so I was worried about reading this one. But it was great. The characters felt so real and true to themselves. I also appreciated how the beginning summarized the previous book so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. The ending felt right for all of the characters and I’m just sad I won’t have anymore Chava or Ahmad
October 16, 2026
It isn't worth reading. I got about 40% in and quit. Her first one was very good; second one, ok; this, poor.
September 17, 2026
This was a great mix of historical fiction, fantasy, and Jewish and Arab folklore! Loved the atmosphere and excellent world building! I really enjoyed the Chava and Ahmad characters and seeing their relationship evolve over the course of the trilogy. Definitely recommend checking this trilogy out! 👏
Thank you partner Harper for the gifted advance reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Thank you partner Harper for the gifted advance reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
October 26, 2026
The Gates of Midnight is an absorbing and captivating conclusion to the Golem and Jinni series. It’s book three in the series, and I recommend you read the first two books before this one. I’ll be honest, I adored everything about the first book in the series, not so much the second. This book falls somewhere between those two. It’s not as engaging as the first book, but it’s still interesting.
The book does a good job of tying up loose ends from the series. It reunites Chava and Ahmad. Matthew also returns with a new name and missing memories. We learn what happened to him after Ahmad delivered him to his grandmother in the Middle East. History has moved on, and the book keeps up with that. Skyscrapers, airplanes, and speakeasies are included.
Like the earlier books in the series, this book is based on Jewish and Arabic folklore. The legends are intricately meshed together with NY daily life of that era, and make them and the story believable. The writing is excellent, as always from this author, and the narration of the audiobook is beautifully performed. The characters are complex complicated, and as realistic as fantasy characters can be. It was lovely to see so many of them return. I would have liked to see more interaction between many of the characters with Chava and Ahmad, but I’m not complaining. I’m happy that this book allowed me to see the end of the tale.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It’s over fourteen hours long, and I made my way through it in just a few days of listening. If you’re into audiobooks, I strongly suggest listening to this one. It was riveting and delightful. I’m sad to have reached the conclusion of both the book and the series, but I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever Ms. Wecker might offer in the future.
I highly recommend this entire series.
I received a advanced listener copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity in sharing this audiobook with me, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
The book does a good job of tying up loose ends from the series. It reunites Chava and Ahmad. Matthew also returns with a new name and missing memories. We learn what happened to him after Ahmad delivered him to his grandmother in the Middle East. History has moved on, and the book keeps up with that. Skyscrapers, airplanes, and speakeasies are included.
Like the earlier books in the series, this book is based on Jewish and Arabic folklore. The legends are intricately meshed together with NY daily life of that era, and make them and the story believable. The writing is excellent, as always from this author, and the narration of the audiobook is beautifully performed. The characters are complex complicated, and as realistic as fantasy characters can be. It was lovely to see so many of them return. I would have liked to see more interaction between many of the characters with Chava and Ahmad, but I’m not complaining. I’m happy that this book allowed me to see the end of the tale.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It’s over fourteen hours long, and I made my way through it in just a few days of listening. If you’re into audiobooks, I strongly suggest listening to this one. It was riveting and delightful. I’m sad to have reached the conclusion of both the book and the series, but I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever Ms. Wecker might offer in the future.
I highly recommend this entire series.
I received a advanced listener copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity in sharing this audiobook with me, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
September 25, 2026
After 13 years, the last book of the trilogy finally is out! And I loved it. I was relieved I didn't have to re-read the previous books because the author gives a short synopsis of what came before. There are several threads to keep track of, so it takes some time in the beginning to sort things out, but eventually the tapestry unfolds, and the ending is oh so satisfying.
I give this 4.5 stars, rounding up. Only held back the half star because it did take me awhile, sometimes it was a bit of a struggle to get through the first third or so of the story. But it was never difficult to get back into it after putting it down for a short break to gather my thoughts. I was particularly enthralled by the descriptions of Thomas and his gang working the construction of the Empire State Building. The final conflict/struggle/resolution was surprising, especially the roles of Thomas and Kreindel, and I liked how it all tied together in the end. I did wish we could follow Thomas further to see where he ends up, and Selma as well. This has truly become one of my favorite series.
I give this 4.5 stars, rounding up. Only held back the half star because it did take me awhile, sometimes it was a bit of a struggle to get through the first third or so of the story. But it was never difficult to get back into it after putting it down for a short break to gather my thoughts. I was particularly enthralled by the descriptions of Thomas and his gang working the construction of the Empire State Building. The final conflict/struggle/resolution was surprising, especially the roles of Thomas and Kreindel, and I liked how it all tied together in the end. I did wish we could follow Thomas further to see where he ends up, and Selma as well. This has truly become one of my favorite series.
October 3, 2026
I cannot put a finger on one particular aspect of this book that missed the mark for me but I did not enjoy this as much as the first book. I would venture to say that it should not have been a trilogy. The magic of The Golem and the Jenni diminished a bit in book two and even more by book three. It was good. Helene Wecker is a talented writer. I however, grew tired of the story and of the characters.
October 18, 2026
The good: The writing is beautiful, and she clearly invested time researching the era.
The rest: Wecker's writing is best suited for introspective, character-driven storytelling, but the first 70% of the story flitted between multiple POVs in a long-winded effort to establish setup for the conclusion, and as such no characters were explored in depth. The story felt like a literary novelist trying to draft a mainstream contemporary fantasy novel, and it just didn't work. There wasn't character exploration or narrative tension or comprehensible magical rules.
That's 300 pages of setup, about 150 pages of story. It dragged, and every character, both main character and side character, were given a "conclusion" that felt like author putting her toys away. I genuinely could not care less what happened to Murphy to Selma, yet we learn nothing more of Sophia or Dima? And Thomas arguably becomes the most important character of the story, and I am dismayed that we never learn why he has his ability, nor do we learn anything about his father.
The magic is a soft-magic system, yes, but too many liberties were taken for the conclusion to feel satisfying. These doors are critical to the ending. The doors themselves appear to be hiding places for magical creatures, but the bottle was a prison, not a retreat, and anyway, to presume that Thomas can enter, much less bring Kreindel inside with him, was such a dissatisfying stretch of the imagination.
This is why I think Wecker's writing style didn't suit the story. She should've spent fewer words describing the streets the characters run down, or what the fish looked like in the aquarium, or the flowers in Chava's garden, or giving conclusions to irrelevant characters, and spent more time nailing down the minimal magical rules and foreshadowing necessary to make this conclusion feel earned. As it stands, it felt convenient and contrived.
For example, we briefly have a flashback of Thomas taking his mother's hand and turning them both invisible before he then does the same a few pages later to bring Kreindel into the bottle. That ability could have been planted far, far, sooner and even been a part of another subplot to at least earn its place as a part of the conclusion. Instead, it's just "Oh, yeah, and now he also has THIS power," like it's an episode of Dragon Ball Z to defeat the bad guy in the final episode.
Also - Kreindel never did anything with the spell she learned? Unless, I presume, she used this spell during the scene of the bottle and the author just didn't explicitly state its use.
Also - I really didn't think the Jinni would simply accept an inevitable demise. It felt more like the author just needed him to stand there and wait while the story happened.
Also - Chava hoped to find other magical creatures, which we know for certain exist, but in the end she considers it a fool's errand and abandons the idea. I find that somewhat depressing considering many of these creatures live in hiding from humanity.
Also - We just HAD to know that Murphy is shot and killed. He could have easily just run through the gate, never to be seen again, but instead we must expend words to describe his untimely demise. Why? Why did the author do a better job of foreshadowing Jimmy's hit-and-run than Thomas's buddy-invisibility powers?
Also - Yehudah's death was anti-climatic. I don't know what else it could have been, but it was another disappointment among many.
Also - If Thomas derived his magic from jinni, then why can’t Ahmad also visit doors and leave the bottle? There is no satisfying explanation for why Thomas has powers that a literal djinn does not.
Overall, I loved the first book and moderately enjoyed the second. But this book? It had the charm of neither and none of its own.
The rest: Wecker's writing is best suited for introspective, character-driven storytelling, but the first 70% of the story flitted between multiple POVs in a long-winded effort to establish setup for the conclusion, and as such no characters were explored in depth. The story felt like a literary novelist trying to draft a mainstream contemporary fantasy novel, and it just didn't work. There wasn't character exploration or narrative tension or comprehensible magical rules.
That's 300 pages of setup, about 150 pages of story. It dragged, and every character, both main character and side character, were given a "conclusion" that felt like author putting her toys away. I genuinely could not care less what happened to Murphy to Selma, yet we learn nothing more of Sophia or Dima? And Thomas arguably becomes the most important character of the story, and I am dismayed that we never learn why he has his ability, nor do we learn anything about his father.
The magic is a soft-magic system, yes, but too many liberties were taken for the conclusion to feel satisfying. These doors are critical to the ending. The doors themselves appear to be hiding places for magical creatures, but the bottle was a prison, not a retreat, and anyway, to presume that Thomas can enter, much less bring Kreindel inside with him, was such a dissatisfying stretch of the imagination.
This is why I think Wecker's writing style didn't suit the story. She should've spent fewer words describing the streets the characters run down, or what the fish looked like in the aquarium, or the flowers in Chava's garden, or giving conclusions to irrelevant characters, and spent more time nailing down the minimal magical rules and foreshadowing necessary to make this conclusion feel earned. As it stands, it felt convenient and contrived.
For example, we briefly have a flashback of Thomas taking his mother's hand and turning them both invisible before he then does the same a few pages later to bring Kreindel into the bottle. That ability could have been planted far, far, sooner and even been a part of another subplot to at least earn its place as a part of the conclusion. Instead, it's just "Oh, yeah, and now he also has THIS power," like it's an episode of Dragon Ball Z to defeat the bad guy in the final episode.
Also - Kreindel never did anything with the spell she learned? Unless, I presume, she used this spell during the scene of the bottle and the author just didn't explicitly state its use.
Also - I really didn't think the Jinni would simply accept an inevitable demise. It felt more like the author just needed him to stand there and wait while the story happened.
Also - Chava hoped to find other magical creatures, which we know for certain exist, but in the end she considers it a fool's errand and abandons the idea. I find that somewhat depressing considering many of these creatures live in hiding from humanity.
Also - We just HAD to know that Murphy is shot and killed. He could have easily just run through the gate, never to be seen again, but instead we must expend words to describe his untimely demise. Why? Why did the author do a better job of foreshadowing Jimmy's hit-and-run than Thomas's buddy-invisibility powers?
Also - Yehudah's death was anti-climatic. I don't know what else it could have been, but it was another disappointment among many.
Also - If Thomas derived his magic from jinni, then why can’t Ahmad also visit doors and leave the bottle? There is no satisfying explanation for why Thomas has powers that a literal djinn does not.
Overall, I loved the first book and moderately enjoyed the second. But this book? It had the charm of neither and none of its own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I first read and loved the first book in the trilogy, The Golem and the Jinni when it came out in 2013. I waited so patiently for the second book, The Hidden Palace, in 2021 and this one literally snuck right up on me. I was thrilled to see it as an advanced reader copy, and even more excited to get it. I feel that this entire series has not gotten the attention it deserves.
I love the characters, namely, the unruly come mannered golem, Chava and the arrogant yet generous jinni, Ahmad. The story starts in the first book in 1899 when these two magical creatures find themselves in New York during a period of snug ethnic neighborhoods created by the great wave of immigration. The golem and jinni become cautious friends. By this volume, in 1929, Chava and Ahmad are a bit stuck. Chava, who can hear everyone’s thoughts, has found a way to hide away in plain sight trusting only a few developed friendships while she maintains a lovely home and garden, ever industrious since she does not sleep or eat. She wants to help people, different beings like her while also helping a local orphanage in ways she can. Meanwhile, Ahmad is living in Chicago, but was let go from his architecture firm, collateral damage of the stock market crash. Where do they go from here? The two eventually find themselves unwittingly involved in an adventure that brings them together again. Their honest banter is delightful. Chava, as a golem, cannot be coy or indirect, which apparently, is exactly what a narcissist jinni needs.
I wish I had time to read the first two books again. One day I hope to return to them and make time for this whole world start to finish. I was invested in some of the side stories more than others, in part, because of what I could remember. That said, I think the author does a wonderful job of filling in enough detail from prior volumes to go forward, but I think I could have appreciated the story even more had I remembered more of the characters in detail. the author includes many side stories and characters, some were more vivid than others in my memory. The neighborhoods and friendships are so rich with detail, I am certain I could read them all again and still find more I have missed.
My reading this time around was exceptionally special as I was visiting NYC for the first time, I was able to imagine the immigration at Ellis Island and spot many landmarks mentioned in the book. It lead me to look up the neighborhoods on the 1930’s to clearly imagine Chava and Ahmad’s New York. I spotted Lafayette Street, where Chava built her home and Cortlandt Street where another character had lived. I found walking among my literary memories added another layer for me.
I read this book at a slower pace for several reasons. That said, the author writes so beautifully it requires the reader to slow down and to savor. I felt very satisfied with the ultimate ending of this book, though sad to let these characters go. The epilogue leaves room for the next chapter…though I think mercifully it may be a bit dull as we find the characters may, at last, be able to rest.
I first read and loved the first book in the trilogy, The Golem and the Jinni when it came out in 2013. I waited so patiently for the second book, The Hidden Palace, in 2021 and this one literally snuck right up on me. I was thrilled to see it as an advanced reader copy, and even more excited to get it. I feel that this entire series has not gotten the attention it deserves.
I love the characters, namely, the unruly come mannered golem, Chava and the arrogant yet generous jinni, Ahmad. The story starts in the first book in 1899 when these two magical creatures find themselves in New York during a period of snug ethnic neighborhoods created by the great wave of immigration. The golem and jinni become cautious friends. By this volume, in 1929, Chava and Ahmad are a bit stuck. Chava, who can hear everyone’s thoughts, has found a way to hide away in plain sight trusting only a few developed friendships while she maintains a lovely home and garden, ever industrious since she does not sleep or eat. She wants to help people, different beings like her while also helping a local orphanage in ways she can. Meanwhile, Ahmad is living in Chicago, but was let go from his architecture firm, collateral damage of the stock market crash. Where do they go from here? The two eventually find themselves unwittingly involved in an adventure that brings them together again. Their honest banter is delightful. Chava, as a golem, cannot be coy or indirect, which apparently, is exactly what a narcissist jinni needs.
I wish I had time to read the first two books again. One day I hope to return to them and make time for this whole world start to finish. I was invested in some of the side stories more than others, in part, because of what I could remember. That said, I think the author does a wonderful job of filling in enough detail from prior volumes to go forward, but I think I could have appreciated the story even more had I remembered more of the characters in detail. the author includes many side stories and characters, some were more vivid than others in my memory. The neighborhoods and friendships are so rich with detail, I am certain I could read them all again and still find more I have missed.
My reading this time around was exceptionally special as I was visiting NYC for the first time, I was able to imagine the immigration at Ellis Island and spot many landmarks mentioned in the book. It lead me to look up the neighborhoods on the 1930’s to clearly imagine Chava and Ahmad’s New York. I spotted Lafayette Street, where Chava built her home and Cortlandt Street where another character had lived. I found walking among my literary memories added another layer for me.
I read this book at a slower pace for several reasons. That said, the author writes so beautifully it requires the reader to slow down and to savor. I felt very satisfied with the ultimate ending of this book, though sad to let these characters go. The epilogue leaves room for the next chapter…though I think mercifully it may be a bit dull as we find the characters may, at last, be able to rest.
October 15, 2026
This was very fun and fast paced, with multiple POVs and a good mix of old and new characters. I'm not sure it's the conclusion to the Golem and the Jinni's story, though. There are many questions to be answered yet... and that is not a bad thing.
September 28, 2026
This is the third book in the Golem and the Jinni series, and probably the concluding one. It wraps up the story about the evil sorcerers who kept the two in thrall, and provides a way forward for the two characters. On the way, we get clarity on the possible futures for their human friends.
As much action as there is in the plot, with fast moving changes to the points of view, I enjoyed the descriptions of New York City of a hundred years ago even more. The author is careful to describe the scenery of the city as the characters move through it. The more you know about NYC history and architecture, the more you will enjoy it. For instance, the construction of the Empire State Building steel frame plays a major role.
As the plot progressed the points of view changed more frequently, so that sometimes we were following four or five viewpoints in almost real time. This almost required reading continuously so as not to lose the thread of the plot. Those who like a more leisurely reading experience may be frustrated at having to remember the action after leaving the book for a few days.
As with many sequels, this book will make little sense (despite the prologue recapping the prior action) if you haven't read the previous books, so you should start with the original book, The Golem and the Jinni.
As much action as there is in the plot, with fast moving changes to the points of view, I enjoyed the descriptions of New York City of a hundred years ago even more. The author is careful to describe the scenery of the city as the characters move through it. The more you know about NYC history and architecture, the more you will enjoy it. For instance, the construction of the Empire State Building steel frame plays a major role.
As the plot progressed the points of view changed more frequently, so that sometimes we were following four or five viewpoints in almost real time. This almost required reading continuously so as not to lose the thread of the plot. Those who like a more leisurely reading experience may be frustrated at having to remember the action after leaving the book for a few days.
As with many sequels, this book will make little sense (despite the prologue recapping the prior action) if you haven't read the previous books, so you should start with the original book, The Golem and the Jinni.
October 18, 2026
The Golem and the Jinni is one of my favorite books, and I've enjoyed the rest of the trilogy, but neither of them have pulled me in the way the first one did. The writing is undeniably good. The plot is interesting. We're following several characters, many of whom are rarely interacting with each other and some of whom are in different parts of the world, and it still somehow all ties together, and the threads mostly manage to feel relevant. And in the end, I do think this adds something important to the lore of the original story. It ties a few very large threads. My complaint is mostly a matter of taste. I miss the intimacy of the first story. I miss them spending time together in the same city. I'd have loved just a handful more scenes of them in the same room together or of Chava visiting him.
Still, it is really good. It's fun to follow a character building the Empire State Building. It's fun to read about a speakeasy. It's great to reminisce about what happened before (and it's done in a way that's not too heavy handed but also shows grace for those of us who cannot remember the details of the other books). I'm happy with it. I can see myself doing a reread of the whole trilogy at some point.
Still, it is really good. It's fun to follow a character building the Empire State Building. It's fun to read about a speakeasy. It's great to reminisce about what happened before (and it's done in a way that's not too heavy handed but also shows grace for those of us who cannot remember the details of the other books). I'm happy with it. I can see myself doing a reread of the whole trilogy at some point.
September 24, 2026
It's over! I can't believe it's over! I really had such a good time in this world that I didn't want it to end. And I suppose the ending here does leave room for the author to come back and do a novella or some short stories if she wants to. The big story is over though.
Honestly though, this was a pretty good ending to the whole thing. We get closure to basically all of the plot threads, and some real enlightenment into characters that were more minor in the first two books as well. Finally understanding what the deal was with Matthew, or example, was great. And it made sense too.
But yeah, I really had a great time reading this series, and I'm sure I'll revisit again in a few years. It's just such a good read. The romance isn't overbearing in any way. The historical aspects of it are well researched and just cool to experience this way. And the cast is just so lively and fun to be with, even when things aren't at their best. Gah! I'm gonna miss them!
Honestly though, this was a pretty good ending to the whole thing. We get closure to basically all of the plot threads, and some real enlightenment into characters that were more minor in the first two books as well. Finally understanding what the deal was with Matthew, or example, was great. And it made sense too.
But yeah, I really had a great time reading this series, and I'm sure I'll revisit again in a few years. It's just such a good read. The romance isn't overbearing in any way. The historical aspects of it are well researched and just cool to experience this way. And the cast is just so lively and fun to be with, even when things aren't at their best. Gah! I'm gonna miss them!
October 24, 2026
I want this series to continue forever but know that it had to come to an end. This third book had some great twists and turns which I enjoyed. I appreciated that Chava and Ahmad’s relationship had to evolve and I wasn’t mad at where it went. Not everyone got what they wanted or how they wanted it but I was intrigued by how the story explored ideas of power and how we can respect it, let it go and give it space. Highly recommend if you’ve read the other two stories in the series.
September 22, 2026
I liked this better than the second book, but expectedly neither of them really lived up to the first one. This book felt a little slow and overfull of characters, which took away from the main focus, but it was a solid ending to the main duo.
October 17, 2026
I loved the first book in the series so much, but so much time has passed that I was worried about starting the third book. But Wecker gives a nice synopsis at the beginning and I was immersed in the story in no time. It’s a satisfying conclusion to the story.
Did Not Finish
November 3, 2026Loved the first 2 books. Couldn't get into this one though. Perhaps the long hiatus between 2 &3 was the problem as I couldn't recall who some of the characters were. The first 50 pages seemed scattered. Might try again if I can find time to reread book 2.
October 4, 2026
Very confusing book. It often failed to hold my attention. I think much could have been left unwritten and the book would have been so much better.
August 16, 2026
The majority of fantasy novels I’ve read about golems, dybbuks and other supernatural characters have been serious works because the relationships between those creatures and the human ones tend to be fraught and unpleasant. However, that is not the only way to approach the subject: some authors use humor when portraying their supernatural characters. That’s what made two novels – one about a golem and the other featuring a dybbuk – so interesting to read at the same time. The wonderful conclusion to the Golem and Jinni trilogy, “The Gates of Midnight” by Helene Wecker (Harper), is filled with drama, anguish and suspense while the delightful reprint of “The Dyke and the Dybbuk” by Ellen Galford (Sinister Wisdom) was not only funny, but offered a satire of the corporate world.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/book...
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/book...
October 7, 2026
I've never gone back to reread either The Golem and the Jinni or its sequel The Hidden Palace -- each of which I enjoyed at the time! -- so it's possible that this third and purportedly final volume would land better if the events of the first two were fresher in my mind. On the other hand, my biggest complaint about this story is that it feels too repetitive of what we've already seen before, so maybe that impression would only be exacerbated by taking in the whole series in quick succession.
Author Helene Wecker excels as usual at depicting the historic New York City setting, here bringing us up to the early 1930s with the Great Depression, the end of Prohibition, and the construction of the Empire State Building. That period also means it's been over three decades now since the central immortals first arrived in America, leading them to reflect on how their ethnic enclave neighborhoods have changed as well as take steps to mitigate what people might think about their own unchanging appearances.
We've again got a large ensemble cast of both new and returning characters whose connections become clearer as the slow-moving plot unfolds, sometimes with a degree of noticeably unlikely coincidence. The golem and the jinni themselves are separated for more than half the book to start, but eventually their interests come together just like everything else.
This is a quintessential three-star read for me, because none of it is precisely bad, but it doesn't really manage to catch my interest with anything original, either. I'm especially frustrated at the same old villain(s) popping up once more, and while it seems like the protagonists definitively win the day, the fact that that was true on previous occasions but easily undone nonetheless makes it harder to accept the threat and the stakes of the latest skirmish.
Ultimately I haven't minded this as a check-in on how everyone's doing, and I'm happy to leave the saga there, as it's being marketed at the conclusion of a trilogy. Still, it's open-ended enough that I won't be surprised if another installment follows in due course too, and I'd probably return in hopes of the writer recapturing the magic in a way she hasn't quite accomplished for me here.
[Content warning for gun violence, domestic abuse, and suicide.]
This volume: ★★★☆☆
Overall series: ★★★★☆
Volumes ranked: 2 > 1 > 3
Like this review? Find more of my writing on:
--https://www.goodreads.com/lesserjoke
--https://letterboxd.com/lesserjoke
--https://lesserjoke.home.blog
Or check out these ways to support me, if you'd like:
--https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
Author Helene Wecker excels as usual at depicting the historic New York City setting, here bringing us up to the early 1930s with the Great Depression, the end of Prohibition, and the construction of the Empire State Building. That period also means it's been over three decades now since the central immortals first arrived in America, leading them to reflect on how their ethnic enclave neighborhoods have changed as well as take steps to mitigate what people might think about their own unchanging appearances.
We've again got a large ensemble cast of both new and returning characters whose connections become clearer as the slow-moving plot unfolds, sometimes with a degree of noticeably unlikely coincidence. The golem and the jinni themselves are separated for more than half the book to start, but eventually their interests come together just like everything else.
This is a quintessential three-star read for me, because none of it is precisely bad, but it doesn't really manage to catch my interest with anything original, either. I'm especially frustrated at the same old villain(s) popping up once more, and while it seems like the protagonists definitively win the day, the fact that that was true on previous occasions but easily undone nonetheless makes it harder to accept the threat and the stakes of the latest skirmish.
Ultimately I haven't minded this as a check-in on how everyone's doing, and I'm happy to leave the saga there, as it's being marketed at the conclusion of a trilogy. Still, it's open-ended enough that I won't be surprised if another installment follows in due course too, and I'd probably return in hopes of the writer recapturing the magic in a way she hasn't quite accomplished for me here.
[Content warning for gun violence, domestic abuse, and suicide.]
This volume: ★★★☆☆
Overall series: ★★★★☆
Volumes ranked: 2 > 1 > 3
Like this review? Find more of my writing on:
--https://www.goodreads.com/lesserjoke
--https://letterboxd.com/lesserjoke
--https://lesserjoke.home.blog
Or check out these ways to support me, if you'd like:
--https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"For as long as the world lets us."
I had honestly forgotten entirely about this series until I was ordering books for my library this month and saw it on the preorder list. Book one of this series was one of the first books I read on my very first Kindle, so long ago that I don't even have a review up for it. When I saw that the author had put out a third book in this series, I absolutely had to read it. No regrets.
Time passes and the world changes. We're now 30 years beyond the events of The Hidden Palace, and both Chava and Ahmad have made their own lives in separate places, her in Brooklyn tending her property and providing for an orphanage and him in Chicago being an architect and designing buildings. Their old enemies were bound in the bottle and left in the desert and have now discovered how to escape their prison. But it's been so long and the two of them have seen so much that it's hard for them to separate themselves from the lives they've constructed around themselves and see the danger before it strikes.
I think the first book is still the strongest in this series, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Like the other two, this is more of an emphasis on historical fiction and less on fantasy than you might expect, but at the end of the day this is still about a golem and a jinni. Alongside these two though are a whole host of secondary POV characters that we get chapters for, so just when you're getting invested in one person's plot, you're pulled away for someone else. It felt a bit jarring in places, to be honest. I feel like the whole story could have been tightened up a bit to use fewer characters and still land just as satisfyingly. As it is, the plot wheels feel like they're spinning a bit in the early- to mid-game of the book while we get all these characters set up and pointed at the buildup to the end.
I did like the author spending time with Chava and Ahmad in the beginning and showing how they both are acclimating (or not) to pretending to be human. The quiet moments we get in this book with these two very different people are some of the best of the series, I think. I dig introspection.
Hangups aside, I still really enjoyed this book. I'm sort of sad this is billed as a final installment, because I really think we could do more in this universe.
I had honestly forgotten entirely about this series until I was ordering books for my library this month and saw it on the preorder list. Book one of this series was one of the first books I read on my very first Kindle, so long ago that I don't even have a review up for it. When I saw that the author had put out a third book in this series, I absolutely had to read it. No regrets.
Time passes and the world changes. We're now 30 years beyond the events of The Hidden Palace, and both Chava and Ahmad have made their own lives in separate places, her in Brooklyn tending her property and providing for an orphanage and him in Chicago being an architect and designing buildings. Their old enemies were bound in the bottle and left in the desert and have now discovered how to escape their prison. But it's been so long and the two of them have seen so much that it's hard for them to separate themselves from the lives they've constructed around themselves and see the danger before it strikes.
I think the first book is still the strongest in this series, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Like the other two, this is more of an emphasis on historical fiction and less on fantasy than you might expect, but at the end of the day this is still about a golem and a jinni. Alongside these two though are a whole host of secondary POV characters that we get chapters for, so just when you're getting invested in one person's plot, you're pulled away for someone else. It felt a bit jarring in places, to be honest. I feel like the whole story could have been tightened up a bit to use fewer characters and still land just as satisfyingly. As it is, the plot wheels feel like they're spinning a bit in the early- to mid-game of the book while we get all these characters set up and pointed at the buildup to the end.
I did like the author spending time with Chava and Ahmad in the beginning and showing how they both are acclimating (or not) to pretending to be human. The quiet moments we get in this book with these two very different people are some of the best of the series, I think. I dig introspection.
Hangups aside, I still really enjoyed this book. I'm sort of sad this is billed as a final installment, because I really think we could do more in this universe.
October 26, 2026
I settled in with my morning coffee and The Gates of Midnight by Helene Wecker, ready to see how Chava and Ahmad’s story would end. Thank you to Harper Books for the gifted copy. Finishing a trilogy is such a strange little bargain, isn’t it—you want answers, but you’re not quite ready to say goodbye?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s 1930, and Chava is tending her Brooklyn home and garden, hoping to offer other magical beings somewhere to belong. Ahmad has been building a life as an architect in Chicago. Meanwhile, Schaalman is proving that burying your problems in the desert is apparently not a permanent solution. Sir, these two have earned some peace. Find a hobby.
What stayed with me most was Chava’s wish to create a refuge. There’s something tender about someone who has struggled to belong deciding to make room for others. Her quiet determination drew me in, and Ahmad’s restlessness gave me plenty to think about. They’re such different beings, yet their loneliness and longing for freedom feel familiar.
I did wish we had more time with them together. With so many people getting their turn, I occasionally wanted to gently redirect everyone back to the two whose names brought me here. The early chapters also took some settling into; this was a book I enjoyed more when I could give it a proper stretch of uninterrupted attention.
Thomas surprised me, though. I would not have predicted that men riveting steel on the Empire State Building would compete with ancient magic for my attention, but here we are. The danger of that work and the trust it required made those scenes feel wonderfully alive.
The blend of Jewish and Middle Eastern folklore with everyday city life remained the draw for me. Beneath the magic are people trying to decide what they owe each other and what they want for themselves. By the end, I felt satisfied, even while wishing for a little more time in their company.
What makes a trilogy’s ending satisfying to you?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s 1930, and Chava is tending her Brooklyn home and garden, hoping to offer other magical beings somewhere to belong. Ahmad has been building a life as an architect in Chicago. Meanwhile, Schaalman is proving that burying your problems in the desert is apparently not a permanent solution. Sir, these two have earned some peace. Find a hobby.
What stayed with me most was Chava’s wish to create a refuge. There’s something tender about someone who has struggled to belong deciding to make room for others. Her quiet determination drew me in, and Ahmad’s restlessness gave me plenty to think about. They’re such different beings, yet their loneliness and longing for freedom feel familiar.
I did wish we had more time with them together. With so many people getting their turn, I occasionally wanted to gently redirect everyone back to the two whose names brought me here. The early chapters also took some settling into; this was a book I enjoyed more when I could give it a proper stretch of uninterrupted attention.
Thomas surprised me, though. I would not have predicted that men riveting steel on the Empire State Building would compete with ancient magic for my attention, but here we are. The danger of that work and the trust it required made those scenes feel wonderfully alive.
The blend of Jewish and Middle Eastern folklore with everyday city life remained the draw for me. Beneath the magic are people trying to decide what they owe each other and what they want for themselves. By the end, I felt satisfied, even while wishing for a little more time in their company.
What makes a trilogy’s ending satisfying to you?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to HarperCollins for this ARC.
The Golem and the Jinni is my favorite book of all time, and this finale was fittingly poignant, well-written, and entertaining. I loved reading about Chava and Ahmad continuing to evolve their outlooks on life and slowly figuring out what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go. The writing was as lyrical and layered as ever, and I enjoyed the almost misty settings as the story came to its satisfying conclusion.
Thomas Beshara was the standout of the book for me. His storyline was incredible and heart wrenching, and I really loved him as a character. I wouldn't mind reading a novella exclusively about him.
I think this book was what really allowed Kreindel to come into her own as a character; she fell somewhat flat for me in The Hidden Palace, but I liked watching her develop her perspective on her religious study and how to help her students as well as herself.
I also found myself enjoying the exchanges between Schaalman and ibn Malik; I liked their opposing views, and doubts, and I liked seeing Schaalman's emotional journey as well.
I feel the weakest part of the book was Selma Radzin's plot line. I didn't feel any particular way about her or her story, and often her sections went very slow. I was also disappointed in Sophia and Dima's limited role in the book, far smaller than in The Hidden Palace, and would've liked to have seen more from them. In some ways, Chava and Ahmad's sections were very slow and at times unsatsifying; I found myself looking forward to Thomas's chapters more than theirs.
Overall, I think this was a great ending to the trilogy, if not a very strong entry in it. I can see myself reading many of its parts over and over, and if there are any more stories waiting in this world, I'm really looking forward to them.
The Golem and the Jinni is my favorite book of all time, and this finale was fittingly poignant, well-written, and entertaining. I loved reading about Chava and Ahmad continuing to evolve their outlooks on life and slowly figuring out what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go. The writing was as lyrical and layered as ever, and I enjoyed the almost misty settings as the story came to its satisfying conclusion.
Thomas Beshara was the standout of the book for me. His storyline was incredible and heart wrenching, and I really loved him as a character. I wouldn't mind reading a novella exclusively about him.
I think this book was what really allowed Kreindel to come into her own as a character; she fell somewhat flat for me in The Hidden Palace, but I liked watching her develop her perspective on her religious study and how to help her students as well as herself.
I also found myself enjoying the exchanges between Schaalman and ibn Malik; I liked their opposing views, and doubts, and I liked seeing Schaalman's emotional journey as well.
I feel the weakest part of the book was Selma Radzin's plot line. I didn't feel any particular way about her or her story, and often her sections went very slow. I was also disappointed in Sophia and Dima's limited role in the book, far smaller than in The Hidden Palace, and would've liked to have seen more from them. In some ways, Chava and Ahmad's sections were very slow and at times unsatsifying; I found myself looking forward to Thomas's chapters more than theirs.
Overall, I think this was a great ending to the trilogy, if not a very strong entry in it. I can see myself reading many of its parts over and over, and if there are any more stories waiting in this world, I'm really looking forward to them.
October 4, 2026
The Gates of Midnight by Helene Wecker is a timeless piece that crosses over into many generations. A villain who can reincarnate over time causes many deaths and chaos over the decades. Both Ahmad the jinni and Chava the golem want the villian gone. Ahmad buries the villain in a trapped lamp hoping no-one will disturb it and that eventually after enough time passes, that the villain, Schaalman, will finally die and never to return. But nothing ever goes the way it's planned. The chapters introduce readers to each of these characters and how they are connected to each other. Schaalman is indeed a very bad character causing destruction wherever he is. While the other two are trying to not worry about him and living their lives out in peace. The book also demonstrates humanity, good versus evil, and how two supernatural beings adapt and survive. Both beings have suffered control from the bad wizard, Schaalman. They also suffer a type of loneliness, too. I was super happy to follow along as both Chava and Ahmad faced their fears together and overcome that thing that has been haunting and ruining their lives over decades. They deserved the ending they were given. That's all I will say on the ending! Helene Wecker writes a story that one gets invited deeply into and enjoys as it unfolds with multilayers of decades and a mission that still needed to be finished. Overall, this is definitely a new classic all will enjoy. Slow, deeply emotional, and wonderful characterizations readers will want to read this novel.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
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