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This Rebel Heart
A tale set amid the 1956 Hungarian revolution in post-WWII Communist Budapest.
In the middle of Budapest, there is a river. Csilla knows the river is magic. During WWII, the river kept her family safe when they needed it most--safe from the Holocaust. But that was before the Communists seized power. Before her parents were murdered by the Soviet police. Before Csilla knew things about her father's legacy that she wishes she could forget.
Now Csilla keeps her head down, planning her escape from this country that has never loved her the way she loves it. But her carefully laid plans fall to pieces when her parents are unexpectedly, publicly exonerated. As the protests in other countries spur talk of a larger revolution in Hungary, Csilla must decide if she believes in the promise and magic of her deeply flawed country enough to risk her life to help save it, or if she should let it burn to the ground.
In the middle of Budapest, there is a river. Csilla knows the river is magic. During WWII, the river kept her family safe when they needed it most--safe from the Holocaust. But that was before the Communists seized power. Before her parents were murdered by the Soviet police. Before Csilla knew things about her father's legacy that she wishes she could forget.
Now Csilla keeps her head down, planning her escape from this country that has never loved her the way she loves it. But her carefully laid plans fall to pieces when her parents are unexpectedly, publicly exonerated. As the protests in other countries spur talk of a larger revolution in Hungary, Csilla must decide if she believes in the promise and magic of her deeply flawed country enough to risk her life to help save it, or if she should let it burn to the ground.
433 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2022
65 people are currently reading
7323 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Locke
15 books517 followersKatherine Locke lives and writes in a small town outside Philadelphia, where she’s ruled by her feline overlords and her addiction to chai lattes. She writes about that which she cannot do: ballet, magic, and time travel. She secretly believes all stories are fairytales in disguise. Her YA debut, THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON, arrives September 2017 from Albert Whitman & Comapny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
April 5, 2022
3/5 stars, this had important history and diversity, but I didn’t know what was going on a lot of the time
Thank you Knopf Books for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This book was honestly very hard for me to read, and it's supposed to be a young adult book. It wasn't hard in the sense of the content really, though looking at trigger warnings for that is extremely important, it was just the pacing and the content. There were some redeeming qualities about this book that make me put it right in the middle of my rating scale, but overall I felt really meh. It wasn't horrible but it also never had me desperately turning to the next page.
My favorite part of this book was learning more about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, as it's something that hasn't been touched on in any of the history classes I have taken. It was the moment when the Hungarians revolted against the Soviet Communists in power, following the Polish people. While the revolution was unsuccessful, it just showed the strength that people can have in the face of adversity and danger. As the author says, the protests were very important for history even if they were unsuccessful at the time.
"Whoever can protest and does not is responsible for what happens without the protest" (155)
The characters, mainly Csilla, Tamas, and Azriel were the most interesting but only in the last third of the book. Before that, it had felt like nothing really happened, and the pacing was drastically off. I think that a good portion of the book could have been cut out, as the first one-third was really just Csilla going to work and being followed home. One could argue that this time was for the reader to get used to her character and see the growth, but there really wasn't growth either. If there was, it was so small it was barely noticeable, leaving Csilla looking like a flat character. However, the polyamorous romance between Csilla, Tamas, and Azriel was some great representation and totally caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it but I was delighted.
As for the rest of the story, it was a bit, confusing some of the elements put in. There may be MINOR SPOILERS in this section but totally out of context and not directly stated. The whole river ordeal was strange for the story though, it runs through Budapest naturally but it was magic in this story. It whispers to Csilla, it turns to stone, silver, and more than that and I don't really understand the point. I'm sure there was some symbolism but it was so muddled I couldn't quite grasp what was trying to be said. There was also an angel of death and a thing from Jewish folklore and I just don't understand. I know this was magical realism but I don't see anything that it really brought to the story, as even in the last third of the book so many things felt glanced over.
The ending is just as open-ended as the whole story, which is both good and bad in my opinion. It allows the reader to form their own thoughts on what could have happened, both positively and negatively. But with the whole story sort of being, not well put together in a sense, it left me really disappointed. In a way it was good, but I wanted something more concrete to really wrap up this story that seemed too broad.
[TW: antisemitism, war themes, guns and shootings, stalking, loss of loved ones, trauma and PTSD depiction, oppression, mobs, physical beatings]
Thank you Knopf Books for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This book was honestly very hard for me to read, and it's supposed to be a young adult book. It wasn't hard in the sense of the content really, though looking at trigger warnings for that is extremely important, it was just the pacing and the content. There were some redeeming qualities about this book that make me put it right in the middle of my rating scale, but overall I felt really meh. It wasn't horrible but it also never had me desperately turning to the next page.
My favorite part of this book was learning more about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, as it's something that hasn't been touched on in any of the history classes I have taken. It was the moment when the Hungarians revolted against the Soviet Communists in power, following the Polish people. While the revolution was unsuccessful, it just showed the strength that people can have in the face of adversity and danger. As the author says, the protests were very important for history even if they were unsuccessful at the time.
"Whoever can protest and does not is responsible for what happens without the protest" (155)
The characters, mainly Csilla, Tamas, and Azriel were the most interesting but only in the last third of the book. Before that, it had felt like nothing really happened, and the pacing was drastically off. I think that a good portion of the book could have been cut out, as the first one-third was really just Csilla going to work and being followed home. One could argue that this time was for the reader to get used to her character and see the growth, but there really wasn't growth either. If there was, it was so small it was barely noticeable, leaving Csilla looking like a flat character. However, the polyamorous romance between Csilla, Tamas, and Azriel was some great representation and totally caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it but I was delighted.
As for the rest of the story, it was a bit, confusing some of the elements put in. There may be MINOR SPOILERS in this section but totally out of context and not directly stated. The whole river ordeal was strange for the story though, it runs through Budapest naturally but it was magic in this story. It whispers to Csilla, it turns to stone, silver, and more than that and I don't really understand the point. I'm sure there was some symbolism but it was so muddled I couldn't quite grasp what was trying to be said. There was also an angel of death and a thing from Jewish folklore and I just don't understand. I know this was magical realism but I don't see anything that it really brought to the story, as even in the last third of the book so many things felt glanced over.
The ending is just as open-ended as the whole story, which is both good and bad in my opinion. It allows the reader to form their own thoughts on what could have happened, both positively and negatively. But with the whole story sort of being, not well put together in a sense, it left me really disappointed. In a way it was good, but I wanted something more concrete to really wrap up this story that seemed too broad.
[TW: antisemitism, war themes, guns and shootings, stalking, loss of loved ones, trauma and PTSD depiction, oppression, mobs, physical beatings]
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March 10, 2022Well, that was absolutely gorgeous and devastating and so full of perfect lines I could combust just thinking about it. So, pretty good.
April 15, 2022
Thank you so much to Knopf and GetUnderlined for sending me a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!
My family is not only Jewish, but from Hungary, and though they left Hungary long before this book takes place, I still felt like I was making my ancestors proud by reading a book about the shared history and trauma of Hungarian Jews.
What a beautiful use of magical realism. For those who do not know, magical realism isn’t just low fantasy, but is actually the use of fantastical elements to discuss oppressive systems, most often used in Latine and Jewish literature. here’s a fantastic article on the subject: http://www.diversityinya.com/2015/09/... And this book uses its magic to link stories across time. It’s used to discuss the idea of the importance of retelling stories, and it’s used to emulate the beating heart of hope and survival that has permeated Jewish cultures and communities across the world and throughout history.
To be honest with you, I usually don’t read Jewish historical fiction set around the Holocaust because it’s just so very heavy and often really hinges itself on trauma. But the lens of this book was one of love and hope and revolution. The main character, Csilla, was the perfect narrative window - a girl born with the river in her veins and a rebel heart. The love interests Támas and Azriel were so well balanced, Támas as a grounding force towards a new Hungarian future and Azriel as a mythical connection to her storied past and heritage.
Any one of the incredible elements in this book would’ve been enough to make me love it: a magical Jewish MC, a balanced and heartwarming polyamorous relationship, a golem, a world long without color slowly turning rainbow with hope, a Jewish angel LI, and so on, but I’m so grateful we got to have all of them. Dayenu.
This is a story the world needs and one I hope I find myself returning to, for my own enjoyment and for the sake of my own history.
CW/TW: parental death (past), grief, antisemitism, war, holocaust discussion, child death, suicide (mention), homophobia, violence, death, torture (mention), sexual harassment, gun violence
My family is not only Jewish, but from Hungary, and though they left Hungary long before this book takes place, I still felt like I was making my ancestors proud by reading a book about the shared history and trauma of Hungarian Jews.
What a beautiful use of magical realism. For those who do not know, magical realism isn’t just low fantasy, but is actually the use of fantastical elements to discuss oppressive systems, most often used in Latine and Jewish literature. here’s a fantastic article on the subject: http://www.diversityinya.com/2015/09/... And this book uses its magic to link stories across time. It’s used to discuss the idea of the importance of retelling stories, and it’s used to emulate the beating heart of hope and survival that has permeated Jewish cultures and communities across the world and throughout history.
To be honest with you, I usually don’t read Jewish historical fiction set around the Holocaust because it’s just so very heavy and often really hinges itself on trauma. But the lens of this book was one of love and hope and revolution. The main character, Csilla, was the perfect narrative window - a girl born with the river in her veins and a rebel heart. The love interests Támas and Azriel were so well balanced, Támas as a grounding force towards a new Hungarian future and Azriel as a mythical connection to her storied past and heritage.
Any one of the incredible elements in this book would’ve been enough to make me love it: a magical Jewish MC, a balanced and heartwarming polyamorous relationship, a golem, a world long without color slowly turning rainbow with hope, a Jewish angel LI, and so on, but I’m so grateful we got to have all of them. Dayenu.
This is a story the world needs and one I hope I find myself returning to, for my own enjoyment and for the sake of my own history.
CW/TW: parental death (past), grief, antisemitism, war, holocaust discussion, child death, suicide (mention), homophobia, violence, death, torture (mention), sexual harassment, gun violence
December 10, 2021
This was just STUNNING. Even as someone interested in history, I'd never come across much about twentieth century Hungary before and this was a fascinating look at the 1956 Revolution and how memories of WWII affected people's feelings during the Cold War in ways I hadn't necessarily thought about before. It's fully of great, complicated characters - Csilla is definitely a new favorite YA heroine for me - and gorgeous, lyrical writing. I loved the way Csilla's magic was rooted in her Judaism and her complicated feelings about the city and country she was trying to save. Also great LGBTQ+ rep of various kinds across the characters and I adored the central relationship. Highly highly recommended!
April 9, 2022
Initially, two things attracted me to This Rebel Heart: that gorgeous cover, and the fact that it was set in a part of history I'd read little about. I've read so many historical fiction novels regarding World War II and the Holocaust, but never any about the aftermath of the war, or any of Hungary's struggles. Because of this, there were a few times I became confused about the sequences of events, but it inspired me to do my own research about the time period, and I hope to read it again one day with new knowledge.
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking read. The world in This Rebel Heart is completely devoid of color. There are so many metaphors and symbolism this choice provides, and it added an interesting and unique look to the world. It helped tell the narrative of the time period and the struggles of Hungary and its people. This choice was so smart, and I cannot praise it enough. There's so much I could say about this plot point, but I don't want to go into too much detail in fear of spoiling.
Something interesting about This Rebel Heart was a lot of the events that took place were either historically accurate or heavily based on real life events; however, it also incorporated magical realism. The main character, Csilla, was heavily connected to the magic showcased in the book, as well as with the angel of death Azriel, who's a big part of the plot. Magical realism is usually hit or miss for me, but for this one, I'm happy to say it was a hit! The incorporation of the river’s magic added even more layers and depth to an otherwise already intricate and detailed plot. And even though without the incorporation of this, it still would have been effective, the magical undertones really brought home the point of the story.
Csilla, Azriel, and Tamás, the three main characters, are very compelling and so interesting to read about. Even though the three of them are brought together through tragedy and political unrest, you can't help but root for them and wish for a happy ending, even if it seems impossible. Their dynamic was so endearing and sweet. At first, I thought it was going to be a love triangle, which I was upset about, because I am not a fan of that trope. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the three of them came together romantically! It made perfect sense for them, even in the time period they lived in. They were all drawn to each other, connected by fate, and so it made sense that they all fell in love with each other. I do, however, wish we'd gotten Tamás's point of view. I know most of the chapters were written in Csilla's perspective with only a few sections from Azriel here and there, but I would've loved to personally experience Tamás's thoughts and motivations, especially surrounding Csilla and Azriel.
There are so many wonderful plot lines and character arcs in This Rebel Heart, but one of my favorite parts of the story is how much of a slow burn it is. It would've been so easy to make this a non-stop action book, depicting different parts of the war, but the use of strong emotions and the development of the people's will slowly building was so much more effective. We got to know these characters intimately and see how the state of the world was affecting their lives. We watched as their resolve crumbled, then built itself back up again, until they could no longer be complacent and had to push back in whatever way they could.
This Rebel Heart is such a powerful and beautiful novel, and I truly treasured my time with it. This is one I read at a slower pace, because I really wanted time to digest everything and think about it as I read. Ultimately, I feel that made my enjoyment even more palpable. I'm so glad I read this one, and I can't recommend it enough!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking read. The world in This Rebel Heart is completely devoid of color. There are so many metaphors and symbolism this choice provides, and it added an interesting and unique look to the world. It helped tell the narrative of the time period and the struggles of Hungary and its people. This choice was so smart, and I cannot praise it enough. There's so much I could say about this plot point, but I don't want to go into too much detail in fear of spoiling.
Something interesting about This Rebel Heart was a lot of the events that took place were either historically accurate or heavily based on real life events; however, it also incorporated magical realism. The main character, Csilla, was heavily connected to the magic showcased in the book, as well as with the angel of death Azriel, who's a big part of the plot. Magical realism is usually hit or miss for me, but for this one, I'm happy to say it was a hit! The incorporation of the river’s magic added even more layers and depth to an otherwise already intricate and detailed plot. And even though without the incorporation of this, it still would have been effective, the magical undertones really brought home the point of the story.
Csilla, Azriel, and Tamás, the three main characters, are very compelling and so interesting to read about. Even though the three of them are brought together through tragedy and political unrest, you can't help but root for them and wish for a happy ending, even if it seems impossible. Their dynamic was so endearing and sweet. At first, I thought it was going to be a love triangle, which I was upset about, because I am not a fan of that trope. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the three of them came together romantically! It made perfect sense for them, even in the time period they lived in. They were all drawn to each other, connected by fate, and so it made sense that they all fell in love with each other. I do, however, wish we'd gotten Tamás's point of view. I know most of the chapters were written in Csilla's perspective with only a few sections from Azriel here and there, but I would've loved to personally experience Tamás's thoughts and motivations, especially surrounding Csilla and Azriel.
There are so many wonderful plot lines and character arcs in This Rebel Heart, but one of my favorite parts of the story is how much of a slow burn it is. It would've been so easy to make this a non-stop action book, depicting different parts of the war, but the use of strong emotions and the development of the people's will slowly building was so much more effective. We got to know these characters intimately and see how the state of the world was affecting their lives. We watched as their resolve crumbled, then built itself back up again, until they could no longer be complacent and had to push back in whatever way they could.
This Rebel Heart is such a powerful and beautiful novel, and I truly treasured my time with it. This is one I read at a slower pace, because I really wanted time to digest everything and think about it as I read. Ultimately, I feel that made my enjoyment even more palpable. I'm so glad I read this one, and I can't recommend it enough!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 17, 2022
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This book was everything I hoped for in a story that promised a historical fantasy narrative centering queer and Jewish characters. Set in 1956 Hungary during the short-lived (and ultimately failed) Hungarian Revolution against the Soviets, it follows teenage Csilla, a Jew and Holocaust survivor who lives with her aunt Ilona, her only extended relative to have survived the camps. Csilla is grappling with the recent exoneration of her parents who were executed under false pretenses a few years earlier. She and her aunt are secretly planning to defect Hungary to Israel. While Csilla loves her country, she feels like it's never loved her back and she's ready to leave it all behind for a new life somewhere she and her aunt will be wanted and welcomed.
Yet a seemingly chance encounter with a mysterious figure who is oddly familiar to Csilla and a run-in with a university student who needs Csilla's help to get answers of his own launch Csilla on a journey that she may not have anticipated but ultimately begins to feel is inevitable, like something she was always meant to take.
This story is a dual narrative between Csilla and an angel of death, interspersed with media like Csilla's father's journal entries from the 1930s to the early 1950s, contemporaneous newspaper snippets, and more. But largely, the story is Csilla's and her actions drive the plot in beautiful, twisting ways to its heart-wrenching conclusion.
While this story is based on true historical events, it's also infused with fantasy elements. The Danube River "speaks" to Csilla; it kept her and her family safe during the Shoah. There are also scenes that relate to creating a golem. This story is thoroughly Jewish in the best possible way and feels very relevant to current events, despite having taken place almost 70 years ago. An author's note at the beginning of the ARC stresses the importance of taking action in the face of injustice, that immediate failure can still have an impact that ripples into the future. It sets the tone of the story and is worth revisiting once you've finished reading.
Ultimately, this book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, historical fantasy, Jewish history, and anything involving queer characters. Consider pre-ordering so you have it the moment it releases later this spring.
This book was everything I hoped for in a story that promised a historical fantasy narrative centering queer and Jewish characters. Set in 1956 Hungary during the short-lived (and ultimately failed) Hungarian Revolution against the Soviets, it follows teenage Csilla, a Jew and Holocaust survivor who lives with her aunt Ilona, her only extended relative to have survived the camps. Csilla is grappling with the recent exoneration of her parents who were executed under false pretenses a few years earlier. She and her aunt are secretly planning to defect Hungary to Israel. While Csilla loves her country, she feels like it's never loved her back and she's ready to leave it all behind for a new life somewhere she and her aunt will be wanted and welcomed.
Yet a seemingly chance encounter with a mysterious figure who is oddly familiar to Csilla and a run-in with a university student who needs Csilla's help to get answers of his own launch Csilla on a journey that she may not have anticipated but ultimately begins to feel is inevitable, like something she was always meant to take.
This story is a dual narrative between Csilla and an angel of death, interspersed with media like Csilla's father's journal entries from the 1930s to the early 1950s, contemporaneous newspaper snippets, and more. But largely, the story is Csilla's and her actions drive the plot in beautiful, twisting ways to its heart-wrenching conclusion.
While this story is based on true historical events, it's also infused with fantasy elements. The Danube River "speaks" to Csilla; it kept her and her family safe during the Shoah. There are also scenes that relate to creating a golem. This story is thoroughly Jewish in the best possible way and feels very relevant to current events, despite having taken place almost 70 years ago. An author's note at the beginning of the ARC stresses the importance of taking action in the face of injustice, that immediate failure can still have an impact that ripples into the future. It sets the tone of the story and is worth revisiting once you've finished reading.
Ultimately, this book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, historical fantasy, Jewish history, and anything involving queer characters. Consider pre-ordering so you have it the moment it releases later this spring.
November 14, 2021
5/5 stars
Recommended to people who like: revolution, historical fiction, fantasy, magical realism, multiple POVs, rebellion, LBTQ+ characters
Big thanks to Netgalley, Random House, and Katherine Locke for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This might actually be my favorite book of the year. It has revolution and change and social justice all wrapped up in a nice historical fantasy/magical realism bow with LGBTQ+ characters (yes, multiple) and set in a country that often doesn't get attention, particularly in YA fiction. Locke says so many good things about change and revolution in this book and I love it.
This book is set in Cold War Hungary, which has, like so many other European countries, not dealt with its role in WWII and the Holocaust. It's a haunting story to be telling, and so familiar to ones that come out of countries that are perhaps more familiar to people, like Poland and East Germany, but it is unique as well. I liked learning Hungary through Csilla's eyes, both its sins and its beauties. The AVH, or the secret police, has been tearing families apart and has played the active role of suppressing freedom of expression. Yet at the same time there is still this place where a revolution is possible. Where it was possible. Locke wrote the city well, I think, and that powder keg is a palpable undercurrent throughout the book, at times more obvious than others.
I also thought the metaphors and motifs Locke included were poignant. Truth vs. lies is a major part of the book. The Nazis utilized propaganda, the Soviets lie again and again, and everyone living under the fear of the AVH lies daily to protect themselves and to gloss over the things that happened. Because it's easier, because they're afraid, because it's what works. I like that we as readers get to work out with Csilla what the truth, or rather, truths, is. Another powerful metaphor running through the book is personal choice. People choose each day how they react to things, and sometimes that choice does include keeping your head down to keep yourself safe, and sometimes that means deciding to stand up because doing nothing hasn't gotten anyone anywhere. Csilla 100% starts out as a character who does nothing to protect herself and her aunt, and sometimes this means staying quiet, but she's also forced to reckon with this choice in the book and whether that's the choice she wants to be making when it means condemning others.
The way Locke deals with the Holocaust is important as well. I think in general there's this glossing over of what happened after. After the Allies won. After the concentration camps were liberated. After the Nazi officials were round up. The fact of the matter is, most Nazis were left free without reprimand or punishment. The people who informed on their neighbors or who guarded the ghettoes went on with their lives as if nothing had happened. In Eastern Europe, a lot of concentration camp guards and Nazi officials worked with the secret police in their respective countries. This book acknowledges that and really grapples with what that means for a country and for people personally.
The colorless city was a nice touch too. This is a bit where the magical realism comes into play, since I hadn't really thought Locke meant it literally when she said Budapest had turned gray. But, no, the city and its people have literally been painted in monochrome, with no color peeking through. Does it come from people's passivity or from the active acceptance of violence against others? That question isn't really answered in the book, but I can see it going either way, or both ways. I like that this was sort of left up for interpretation.
For the characters themselves, Csilla is definitely the main character. She gets the most POV chapters and most of the story centers around her and her story. Csilla survived the Holocaust, largely thanks to the Danube, which she and her parents jumped into when they were being deported. When the rubble settled, it was just the three of them and her aunt left. At the start of the story, her parents have been dead for four years and it is down to just two. Suffice to say, the crimes of the city have shaped Csilla into the person she is. Someone who is careful and keeps her head down, giving her party lines (literally) and doing her best not to attract more notice than necessary. Csilla essentially becomes another person over the course of this book. She becomes louder and more sure of herself, decides to fight for what she thinks is right and not just for survival. She comes into herself in other ways, too, not just with the revolution, but also with her parents and the legacy her father has left behind. Csilla's story, both past and present, directly ties into the major metaphors of this book, and it's interesting to see how she decides to tackle them. I, for one, very much love revolutionary!Csilla.
Azriel is the other main POV character, though there are a couple others sprinkled in in some places. Azriel is a bit of a mysterious character at first, though it's fairly easy to figure out why, to the point where I'm not sure if it's a spoiler or not, but I won't mention it in case it is. Azriel carries such a heavy burden, but he's also invested in what happens. He has a big heart for those around him and doesn't like to see suffering, though like Csilla, he's also seen plenty of it. His transformation in the book is less intense and involves preparing for what seems like the inevitable while also accepting that there are points where things can change depending on human action. Also, for those wondering where the LBGTQ+ comes in, Azriel is genderfluid or genderqueer, among other things.
Tamas is the final main character, though he doesn't get a POV, likely because he's often with Csilla and Azriel anyway and also likely because he can't be used to tell the same sorts of stories they can. Tamas is, in part, what kicks off this whole revolution and triggers Csilla's need to decide whether to continue on the road she's on or change course. He becomes somewhat of the face and leader of the revolution, being one of the first students to decide to stand up against the Soviets and the regime of terror. Tamas grows over the course of the book from someone who's wary of catching the AVH's eye, even for someone he cares about, to being someone equally happy being diplomatic as he is holding a gun and fighting for his freedoms.
Csilla, Azriel, and Tamas are in a polyamorous relationship, which starts right around the time the revolution begins. Considering the Hungarian Revolution/Uprising began Oct. 23rd and lasted until the beginning of November, the three have really only known each other for maybe three weeks, possibly a month, by the end of the book. While the numbers read like it's instalove, and there is certainly that connection between the three of them from the start, with the intensity of everything that happens in the book and the way war and shared trauma can bond people, it doesn't read or feel like instalove. Csilla, Azriel, and Tamas genuinely read like they care about and want to be with one another, no matter what comes. I'm really glad that Locke went with that triad since it's very clear on-page that there's romantic possibilities between the three main characters and so many authors just brush off what could be a perfectly good polyamorous relationship for a love triangle instead.
Aside from our three main characters, there is also Ilona, Csilla's aunt who survived the war. I liked Ilona for a couple of reasons. For one, she so clearly cares about Csilla. She's willing to do things that she might not otherwise want to do if it weren't for her, and her love also comes through in her worry for Csilla. I also like Ilona because she has some very clear markers of trauma that I liked that Locke explored. With Ilona there is no, 'oh it's over and I'm all good now and ignoring what happened,' instead it's 'that happened and it sucked and I will probably never collect the pieces of myself.'
There is also Zsu, Csilla's friend from her job. Zsu actually came across as pretty annoying to me at first and I kind of preferred their other friend, Aliz, but over the course of the book Zsu grows alongside Csilla and I ended up really liking the person she became. She showed a lot of grit and leadership in the book, and I liked that along with her ingenuity.
Marton is the final major side-character, and he also works with Csilla (are you catching a theme here?). He's a character that grows into the story as events unfold, though he is present from the beginning. Marton ends up having some interesting depths to him and I think his character, too, plays into the metaphors of lies and truths and history.
The ending to the book is left open, able to be interpreted in whichever way the reader desires. If you read textually, or if you know the history behind the revolution, then the ending is perhaps obvious. But the fact of the matter is, Locke did create the possibility for more than one ending. I want to believe the positive one, even if the realist in me is pulling me the other way. There is so much hope and so much love, and I think the open ending is really the only way the book could have ended.
Recommended to people who like: revolution, historical fiction, fantasy, magical realism, multiple POVs, rebellion, LBTQ+ characters
Big thanks to Netgalley, Random House, and Katherine Locke for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
They accepted all the truths and all the lies and weighed them equally against each other. But some lies outweighed some truths. Some lies were so egregious that refusing to acknowledge them was akin to committing the crime over and over again, every day.
This might actually be my favorite book of the year. It has revolution and change and social justice all wrapped up in a nice historical fantasy/magical realism bow with LGBTQ+ characters (yes, multiple) and set in a country that often doesn't get attention, particularly in YA fiction. Locke says so many good things about change and revolution in this book and I love it.
This book is set in Cold War Hungary, which has, like so many other European countries, not dealt with its role in WWII and the Holocaust. It's a haunting story to be telling, and so familiar to ones that come out of countries that are perhaps more familiar to people, like Poland and East Germany, but it is unique as well. I liked learning Hungary through Csilla's eyes, both its sins and its beauties. The AVH, or the secret police, has been tearing families apart and has played the active role of suppressing freedom of expression. Yet at the same time there is still this place where a revolution is possible. Where it was possible. Locke wrote the city well, I think, and that powder keg is a palpable undercurrent throughout the book, at times more obvious than others.
I also thought the metaphors and motifs Locke included were poignant. Truth vs. lies is a major part of the book. The Nazis utilized propaganda, the Soviets lie again and again, and everyone living under the fear of the AVH lies daily to protect themselves and to gloss over the things that happened. Because it's easier, because they're afraid, because it's what works. I like that we as readers get to work out with Csilla what the truth, or rather, truths, is. Another powerful metaphor running through the book is personal choice. People choose each day how they react to things, and sometimes that choice does include keeping your head down to keep yourself safe, and sometimes that means deciding to stand up because doing nothing hasn't gotten anyone anywhere. Csilla 100% starts out as a character who does nothing to protect herself and her aunt, and sometimes this means staying quiet, but she's also forced to reckon with this choice in the book and whether that's the choice she wants to be making when it means condemning others.
The way Locke deals with the Holocaust is important as well. I think in general there's this glossing over of what happened after. After the Allies won. After the concentration camps were liberated. After the Nazi officials were round up. The fact of the matter is, most Nazis were left free without reprimand or punishment. The people who informed on their neighbors or who guarded the ghettoes went on with their lives as if nothing had happened. In Eastern Europe, a lot of concentration camp guards and Nazi officials worked with the secret police in their respective countries. This book acknowledges that and really grapples with what that means for a country and for people personally.
The colorless city was a nice touch too. This is a bit where the magical realism comes into play, since I hadn't really thought Locke meant it literally when she said Budapest had turned gray. But, no, the city and its people have literally been painted in monochrome, with no color peeking through. Does it come from people's passivity or from the active acceptance of violence against others? That question isn't really answered in the book, but I can see it going either way, or both ways. I like that this was sort of left up for interpretation.
They were all important, the people who were disappeared and taken. They were all important to someone.
For the characters themselves, Csilla is definitely the main character. She gets the most POV chapters and most of the story centers around her and her story. Csilla survived the Holocaust, largely thanks to the Danube, which she and her parents jumped into when they were being deported. When the rubble settled, it was just the three of them and her aunt left. At the start of the story, her parents have been dead for four years and it is down to just two. Suffice to say, the crimes of the city have shaped Csilla into the person she is. Someone who is careful and keeps her head down, giving her party lines (literally) and doing her best not to attract more notice than necessary. Csilla essentially becomes another person over the course of this book. She becomes louder and more sure of herself, decides to fight for what she thinks is right and not just for survival. She comes into herself in other ways, too, not just with the revolution, but also with her parents and the legacy her father has left behind. Csilla's story, both past and present, directly ties into the major metaphors of this book, and it's interesting to see how she decides to tackle them. I, for one, very much love revolutionary!Csilla.
Azriel is the other main POV character, though there are a couple others sprinkled in in some places. Azriel is a bit of a mysterious character at first, though it's fairly easy to figure out why, to the point where I'm not sure if it's a spoiler or not, but I won't mention it in case it is. Azriel carries such a heavy burden, but he's also invested in what happens. He has a big heart for those around him and doesn't like to see suffering, though like Csilla, he's also seen plenty of it. His transformation in the book is less intense and involves preparing for what seems like the inevitable while also accepting that there are points where things can change depending on human action. Also, for those wondering where the LBGTQ+ comes in, Azriel is genderfluid or genderqueer, among other things.
Tamas is the final main character, though he doesn't get a POV, likely because he's often with Csilla and Azriel anyway and also likely because he can't be used to tell the same sorts of stories they can. Tamas is, in part, what kicks off this whole revolution and triggers Csilla's need to decide whether to continue on the road she's on or change course. He becomes somewhat of the face and leader of the revolution, being one of the first students to decide to stand up against the Soviets and the regime of terror. Tamas grows over the course of the book from someone who's wary of catching the AVH's eye, even for someone he cares about, to being someone equally happy being diplomatic as he is holding a gun and fighting for his freedoms.
Csilla, Azriel, and Tamas are in a polyamorous relationship, which starts right around the time the revolution begins. Considering the Hungarian Revolution/Uprising began Oct. 23rd and lasted until the beginning of November, the three have really only known each other for maybe three weeks, possibly a month, by the end of the book. While the numbers read like it's instalove, and there is certainly that connection between the three of them from the start, with the intensity of everything that happens in the book and the way war and shared trauma can bond people, it doesn't read or feel like instalove. Csilla, Azriel, and Tamas genuinely read like they care about and want to be with one another, no matter what comes. I'm really glad that Locke went with that triad since it's very clear on-page that there's romantic possibilities between the three main characters and so many authors just brush off what could be a perfectly good polyamorous relationship for a love triangle instead.
Aside from our three main characters, there is also Ilona, Csilla's aunt who survived the war. I liked Ilona for a couple of reasons. For one, she so clearly cares about Csilla. She's willing to do things that she might not otherwise want to do if it weren't for her, and her love also comes through in her worry for Csilla. I also like Ilona because she has some very clear markers of trauma that I liked that Locke explored. With Ilona there is no, 'oh it's over and I'm all good now and ignoring what happened,' instead it's 'that happened and it sucked and I will probably never collect the pieces of myself.'
There is also Zsu, Csilla's friend from her job. Zsu actually came across as pretty annoying to me at first and I kind of preferred their other friend, Aliz, but over the course of the book Zsu grows alongside Csilla and I ended up really liking the person she became. She showed a lot of grit and leadership in the book, and I liked that along with her ingenuity.
Marton is the final major side-character, and he also works with Csilla (are you catching a theme here?). He's a character that grows into the story as events unfold, though he is present from the beginning. Marton ends up having some interesting depths to him and I think his character, too, plays into the metaphors of lies and truths and history.
No one is held responsible. Not for that, not for the crimes that have come after. When are we going to talk about what happened? When are we going to deal in truth and not lies? When will people be held responsible for their choices?
The ending to the book is left open, able to be interpreted in whichever way the reader desires. If you read textually, or if you know the history behind the revolution, then the ending is perhaps obvious. But the fact of the matter is, Locke did create the possibility for more than one ending. I want to believe the positive one, even if the realist in me is pulling me the other way. There is so much hope and so much love, and I think the open ending is really the only way the book could have ended.
did-not-finish
February 18, 2023DNF @10%
I just don’t think the writing was for me. I didn’t love the style of writing and I’m not sure if magical realism is for me. The portion that I read only had a small introduction to the fantastical elements but I could already see myself getting confused by them later on in the book.
I don’t think this would be a bad book for anyone who’s interested in it, I just don’t think it was a good fit for me.
I just don’t think the writing was for me. I didn’t love the style of writing and I’m not sure if magical realism is for me. The portion that I read only had a small introduction to the fantastical elements but I could already see myself getting confused by them later on in the book.
I don’t think this would be a bad book for anyone who’s interested in it, I just don’t think it was a good fit for me.
April 7, 2022
This book was beautifully written and epic. There was such lovely imagery and I didn’t realize that a new author would be this darn good. Please give this a chance people. Special thanks to the author and the publisher for this arc all opinions are my own.
Read
May 6, 2022I AM AGGRESSIVELY EXCITED ABOUT THIS EVEN THOUGH IT WILL PROBABLY MAKE ME CRY
April 5, 2022
(2 1/2, rounded to 3)
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Knopf Books for allowing me to read this ARC!
Content Warning: death (including that of children), murder, violence, war, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, torture.
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Csilla was born in Hungary, but now, she's ready to leave. It's October of 1956, and she's finally made plans to escape Budapest with her aunt, the only living member of her family left. Her parents were murdered by the Soviet government, but when they're unexpectedly rehabilitated by the State, Csilla's world is once again turned upside down. She's always loved her country, but it hasn't loved her back -- evidenced by the Hungarian participation in atrocities against the Jewish community. There's magic in the city, though, particularly in the Danube, something Csilla has always been aware of, and as Csilla decides whether to stay or go, she grows closer to the magic as well as to the truth of who her parents were and who she can become -- and what this revolution might mean not only for Hungary, but for the world.
If you have any knowledge of my previous reviews, you'll probably be aware that I have a huge interest in the history of Communism and the Soviet regime. Whether or not to request an early release copy of This Rebel Heart was not even a question in my mind. Not only does it blend historical fiction with magical realism, but it also tells the story of a young Jewish woman fighting for freedom and hope in a country where repression has (attempted) to crush the human spirit. I was also excited by the inclusion of LGBT characters and stories, so it seemed like a perfect match for me. As this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, I'm sad to say that in the end, I was left disappointed and slightly confused by what the summary promised and the book ended up delivering.
You aren't required to have prior knowledge concerning the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, and I do want to applaud Locke's subtle way of telling us about the lives these people have been living under Communist oppression without feeling as if they're hitting us over the head with information. My absolute favorite part of this book is the beautiful weaving in of Jewish culture and history, and how seamlessly Locke incorporates not only those elements into the story and plotline, but also how they give the story a uniquely Jewish type of magic. It's equally devastating and moving to read about the history of Csilla's family, as she grapples with her own losses and those she experiences through her surviving family, and the memories she has of her community before the Holocaust. All of these aspects were heartening, beautiful, and felt fully realized.
My main issues are plotline and pace. The Revolution that drives this story takes a very, very long time to come to life, and while typically I wouldn't mind the tension building before the event, there was actually little tension to speak of (in spite of the fact that we are constantly reminded of how fragile Csilla's existence is, and how easily she could end up dead or in a gulag somewhere). There's a repetitiveness to her days, as well as to her inner monologues, that kept me from ever feeling as if the plot or characters were actually moving forward. There's so much that, in my opinion, could've and should've been cut -- especially because despite the extra time we're allowed to spend with Csilla, I was never able to connect with her. I think this has a lot to do with the rather abstract, overwrought style of writing, which makes simple actions and conversations into overly complicated, lengthy ordeals. Throughout the novel, I had the feeling that because everything is meant to be so meaningful, and because the characters constantly spout lines that feel poetic rather than genuine, it actually ends up losing its meaning. No one talks like this. Not even people in the midst of uprisings or revolutions.
There are two other main characters, Azriel and Tamás, who feel equally as distant as Csilla. Their chapters did little to help me understand their feelings, thoughts, or motivations. Tamás is the one who tells Csilla that she has the titular rebel heart, but the problem is, before this moment, we never see it. I found myself wondering, where is he seeing this in her? She felt almost one-dimensional, a sort of springboard for us to use to put ourselves into the story, but ends up losing her own personality or characteristics because of this. The relationship that ends up developing between her, Azriel and Tamás was intriguing, but again, I kept thinking, what are they feeling for each other? Why do they feel connected to one another, out of all the other people in Budapest, in Hungary, in the world?
In spite of this, I did like them, and I wanted to root for them and care about them. I also want to comment on the LGBT elements of the story. For me, it was rushed and half-formed, and it seemed to me that it had very little impact on the story or even the characters who identify that way. I am not accusing the author of being disingenuous or anything of that sort, but I was disappointed by the parts of the story that dealt with the LGBT characters and storylines. I hate to say this, but it was as if it was more an afterthought than a well-developed inclusion.
I found myself warming to them all as we approached the end of the tale, but then, the sudden and abrupt conclusion threw me off-guard once more. I'll say for certain that I didn't like the ending, or its ambiguity, or the way it insinuated hopelessness in a story that, for me, was all about hope. Others probably have better, more thoughtful things to say on it than I do, but it certainly was something that influenced my rating. The magical realism also didn't capture my attention, and just further muddled the story and its plotlines.
I think that, in the end, this just wasn't for me. Many people will love this book, and speaking honestly, it pains me to put out a review that is not very positive. If you're interested in This Rebel Heart, I hope you will still give it a chance, and form your own opinions on it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Knopf Books for allowing me to read this ARC!
Content Warning: death (including that of children), murder, violence, war, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, torture.
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Csilla was born in Hungary, but now, she's ready to leave. It's October of 1956, and she's finally made plans to escape Budapest with her aunt, the only living member of her family left. Her parents were murdered by the Soviet government, but when they're unexpectedly rehabilitated by the State, Csilla's world is once again turned upside down. She's always loved her country, but it hasn't loved her back -- evidenced by the Hungarian participation in atrocities against the Jewish community. There's magic in the city, though, particularly in the Danube, something Csilla has always been aware of, and as Csilla decides whether to stay or go, she grows closer to the magic as well as to the truth of who her parents were and who she can become -- and what this revolution might mean not only for Hungary, but for the world.
If you have any knowledge of my previous reviews, you'll probably be aware that I have a huge interest in the history of Communism and the Soviet regime. Whether or not to request an early release copy of This Rebel Heart was not even a question in my mind. Not only does it blend historical fiction with magical realism, but it also tells the story of a young Jewish woman fighting for freedom and hope in a country where repression has (attempted) to crush the human spirit. I was also excited by the inclusion of LGBT characters and stories, so it seemed like a perfect match for me. As this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, I'm sad to say that in the end, I was left disappointed and slightly confused by what the summary promised and the book ended up delivering.
You aren't required to have prior knowledge concerning the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, and I do want to applaud Locke's subtle way of telling us about the lives these people have been living under Communist oppression without feeling as if they're hitting us over the head with information. My absolute favorite part of this book is the beautiful weaving in of Jewish culture and history, and how seamlessly Locke incorporates not only those elements into the story and plotline, but also how they give the story a uniquely Jewish type of magic. It's equally devastating and moving to read about the history of Csilla's family, as she grapples with her own losses and those she experiences through her surviving family, and the memories she has of her community before the Holocaust. All of these aspects were heartening, beautiful, and felt fully realized.
My main issues are plotline and pace. The Revolution that drives this story takes a very, very long time to come to life, and while typically I wouldn't mind the tension building before the event, there was actually little tension to speak of (in spite of the fact that we are constantly reminded of how fragile Csilla's existence is, and how easily she could end up dead or in a gulag somewhere). There's a repetitiveness to her days, as well as to her inner monologues, that kept me from ever feeling as if the plot or characters were actually moving forward. There's so much that, in my opinion, could've and should've been cut -- especially because despite the extra time we're allowed to spend with Csilla, I was never able to connect with her. I think this has a lot to do with the rather abstract, overwrought style of writing, which makes simple actions and conversations into overly complicated, lengthy ordeals. Throughout the novel, I had the feeling that because everything is meant to be so meaningful, and because the characters constantly spout lines that feel poetic rather than genuine, it actually ends up losing its meaning. No one talks like this. Not even people in the midst of uprisings or revolutions.
There are two other main characters, Azriel and Tamás, who feel equally as distant as Csilla. Their chapters did little to help me understand their feelings, thoughts, or motivations. Tamás is the one who tells Csilla that she has the titular rebel heart, but the problem is, before this moment, we never see it. I found myself wondering, where is he seeing this in her? She felt almost one-dimensional, a sort of springboard for us to use to put ourselves into the story, but ends up losing her own personality or characteristics because of this. The relationship that ends up developing between her, Azriel and Tamás was intriguing, but again, I kept thinking, what are they feeling for each other? Why do they feel connected to one another, out of all the other people in Budapest, in Hungary, in the world?
In spite of this, I did like them, and I wanted to root for them and care about them. I also want to comment on the LGBT elements of the story. For me, it was rushed and half-formed, and it seemed to me that it had very little impact on the story or even the characters who identify that way. I am not accusing the author of being disingenuous or anything of that sort, but I was disappointed by the parts of the story that dealt with the LGBT characters and storylines. I hate to say this, but it was as if it was more an afterthought than a well-developed inclusion.
I found myself warming to them all as we approached the end of the tale, but then, the sudden and abrupt conclusion threw me off-guard once more. I'll say for certain that I didn't like the ending, or its ambiguity, or the way it insinuated hopelessness in a story that, for me, was all about hope. Others probably have better, more thoughtful things to say on it than I do, but it certainly was something that influenced my rating. The magical realism also didn't capture my attention, and just further muddled the story and its plotlines.
I think that, in the end, this just wasn't for me. Many people will love this book, and speaking honestly, it pains me to put out a review that is not very positive. If you're interested in This Rebel Heart, I hope you will still give it a chance, and form your own opinions on it!
December 31, 2022
Synopsis: A tale set amid the 1956 Hungarian revolution in post-WWII Communist Budapest.
In the middle of Budapest, there is a river. Csilla knows the river is magic. During WWII, the river kept her family safe when they needed it most–safe from the Holocaust. But that was before the Communists seized power. Before her parents were murdered by the Soviet police. Before Csilla knew things about her father’s legacy that she wishes she could forget.
Now Csilla keeps her head down, planning her escape from this country that has never loved her the way she loves it. But her carefully laid plans fall to pieces when her parents are unexpectedly, publicly exonerated. As the protests in other countries spur talk of a larger revolution in Hungary, Csilla must decide if she believes in the promise and magic of her deeply flawed country enough to risk her life to help save it, or if she should let it burn to the ground.
This was a favorite of 2022. I loved the personification of the river. I enjoyed the three different characters(Csilla, Azriel,Tamas). I knew a little about this period of history but I feel I know much more after reading this book. I even liked the ending. Maybe others will find me a little sentimental and generous in handing out 5 stars at the end of the year, but this book certainly stands out in a year where I have read almost 200 books.
Goodreads review published 30/12/22
In the middle of Budapest, there is a river. Csilla knows the river is magic. During WWII, the river kept her family safe when they needed it most–safe from the Holocaust. But that was before the Communists seized power. Before her parents were murdered by the Soviet police. Before Csilla knew things about her father’s legacy that she wishes she could forget.
Now Csilla keeps her head down, planning her escape from this country that has never loved her the way she loves it. But her carefully laid plans fall to pieces when her parents are unexpectedly, publicly exonerated. As the protests in other countries spur talk of a larger revolution in Hungary, Csilla must decide if she believes in the promise and magic of her deeply flawed country enough to risk her life to help save it, or if she should let it burn to the ground.
This was a favorite of 2022. I loved the personification of the river. I enjoyed the three different characters(Csilla, Azriel,Tamas). I knew a little about this period of history but I feel I know much more after reading this book. I even liked the ending. Maybe others will find me a little sentimental and generous in handing out 5 stars at the end of the year, but this book certainly stands out in a year where I have read almost 200 books.
Goodreads review published 30/12/22
September 13, 2023
4,5 ⭐
Příběh Rebelského srdce se odehrává v poválečné Budapešti musím říci, že atmosféra, historie a styl psaní této knihy si mě vážně získaly. Hodně mi to sedlo 😊💕. Musím ale také dodat, že Rebelské srdce je alespoň podle mě čtení poněkud… psychicky náročnější. První cca čtvrtinu jsem zhltla na jeden zátah a pak jsem se dostala do fáze kdy jsem začala mít potřebu si čtení dávkovat, abych to všechno postupně zpracovala. U jistých pasáží se mi totiž kompletně svíralo srdce. Například když hrdinčina teta píše do Polska, protože chce za všechny které v Osvětimi ztratila pohřbít alespoň kusy půdy z toho strašného místa. Žádnou veselou záležitost tedy nečekejte 💔. Něco vám o knížce ještě níže povím, ale ve finále z ní dostanete co největší zážitek čím méně toho budete o ději a vlastně i průběhu maďarského povstání/revoluce z 1956 vědět.
Rebelské srdce by mohlo sednout čtenářům, kteří vyhledávají poetičtěji napsané příběhy s dávkou pochmurnosti a ne úplně jasné a kompletně vysvětlené magie. Najdete tu totiž město ze kterého zmizely barvy, město ve kterém se stříbrná řeka mění v kámen, město kde má smrt nečekanou podobu a hlína se mění v bojovníka za svobodu lidu 😀. Konec je pak spíše otevřený a poněkud hořkosladký.
Rebelské srdce se mi jako celek moc líbilo 👍. Užívala jsem si krásný styl psaní, magické popisy, magické prvky inspirované židovským náboženstvím, folklorem a mytologií ze které autorka čerpala, a zamilovala si jeho tři hlavní hrdiny - židovkou dívku Scillu, tajemného Azraela a odvážného studenta Tamáse ❤️. Navíc bylo super nakouknout do maďarské historie. Tuto knihu vám nedoporučuji snad akorát v případě, když opravdu hodně nesnášíte buď historické čtení nebo magický realismus.
‼️ Trigger Warnings: válečná témata (holocaust/šoa, ghetto & koncentrační tábory) smrt (zmínky o smrti dětí), smrt rodiny, sebevražda (zmínka), zobrazení smutku a ztráty, zmínky o mučení, násilí (zbraně, střílení, tanky), trauma a PTSD, stalking, antisemitismus, útlak, davy, bití
Příběh Rebelského srdce se odehrává v poválečné Budapešti musím říci, že atmosféra, historie a styl psaní této knihy si mě vážně získaly. Hodně mi to sedlo 😊💕. Musím ale také dodat, že Rebelské srdce je alespoň podle mě čtení poněkud… psychicky náročnější. První cca čtvrtinu jsem zhltla na jeden zátah a pak jsem se dostala do fáze kdy jsem začala mít potřebu si čtení dávkovat, abych to všechno postupně zpracovala. U jistých pasáží se mi totiž kompletně svíralo srdce. Například když hrdinčina teta píše do Polska, protože chce za všechny které v Osvětimi ztratila pohřbít alespoň kusy půdy z toho strašného místa. Žádnou veselou záležitost tedy nečekejte 💔. Něco vám o knížce ještě níže povím, ale ve finále z ní dostanete co největší zážitek čím méně toho budete o ději a vlastně i průběhu maďarského povstání/revoluce z 1956 vědět.
Rebelské srdce by mohlo sednout čtenářům, kteří vyhledávají poetičtěji napsané příběhy s dávkou pochmurnosti a ne úplně jasné a kompletně vysvětlené magie. Najdete tu totiž město ze kterého zmizely barvy, město ve kterém se stříbrná řeka mění v kámen, město kde má smrt nečekanou podobu a hlína se mění v bojovníka za svobodu lidu 😀. Konec je pak spíše otevřený a poněkud hořkosladký.
Rebelské srdce se mi jako celek moc líbilo 👍. Užívala jsem si krásný styl psaní, magické popisy, magické prvky inspirované židovským náboženstvím, folklorem a mytologií ze které autorka čerpala, a zamilovala si jeho tři hlavní hrdiny - židovkou dívku Scillu, tajemného Azraela a odvážného studenta Tamáse ❤️. Navíc bylo super nakouknout do maďarské historie. Tuto knihu vám nedoporučuji snad akorát v případě, když opravdu hodně nesnášíte buď historické čtení nebo magický realismus.
‼️ Trigger Warnings: válečná témata (holocaust/šoa, ghetto & koncentrační tábory) smrt (zmínky o smrti dětí), smrt rodiny, sebevražda (zmínka), zobrazení smutku a ztráty, zmínky o mučení, násilí (zbraně, střílení, tanky), trauma a PTSD, stalking, antisemitismus, útlak, davy, bití
February 28, 2022
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This Rebel Heart was a very interesting read. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked with the characters and the overall story. In it, you will meet Csilla. She is a young Jewish woman living in Hungary during the revolution of 1956. Due to her parents' untimely death, they were executed by the government, she sets off on a unique path with the angel of death by her side.
Now I won't lie. There were some parts of this book that broke my heart and others that gave me joy. The characters and what they go through was definitely a page turner for me. I seriously enjoyed meeting each and every one of them. Then there's the journey that they went on and it was definitely emotional and magical. Even if I was confused as to why certain things did happen throughout it.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed the heck out of this. I feel like I learned something new and fell in love with the representation of the characters. The ending also made me an emotional mess but in a good way. I'll definitely be on the lookout for Katherine's next book!
This Rebel Heart was a very interesting read. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked with the characters and the overall story. In it, you will meet Csilla. She is a young Jewish woman living in Hungary during the revolution of 1956. Due to her parents' untimely death, they were executed by the government, she sets off on a unique path with the angel of death by her side.
Now I won't lie. There were some parts of this book that broke my heart and others that gave me joy. The characters and what they go through was definitely a page turner for me. I seriously enjoyed meeting each and every one of them. Then there's the journey that they went on and it was definitely emotional and magical. Even if I was confused as to why certain things did happen throughout it.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed the heck out of this. I feel like I learned something new and fell in love with the representation of the characters. The ending also made me an emotional mess but in a good way. I'll definitely be on the lookout for Katherine's next book!
April 5, 2023
Tohle byl hodně zvláštní poslech. Nesmírně cením židovskou historii, příběhy a celkově kontext Maďarska v roce 1956. S magickým realismem se vlastně až tak nekamarádím, takže mě nepřekvapuje, že mi to nesedlo... Ale bylo to nádherně napsaný a zvlášť část s barvami mě úplně dojala! Pokud vám to sedne, tak vám to podle mě sedne fakt hodně.
3/5*
3/5*
Want to read
March 5, 2022this cover tho! it looks so good.
August 27, 2022
so i technically didnt finsh i still had ike 150 pgs left but i just cant. its soo bad. if i could give it a zero i would but i cant sooo
July 29, 2022
Poetic, lyrical historical fantasy with seamlessly interwoven diverse representation, set amidst the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
The main characters:
Csilla (star in Hungarian, chee-lah) is Jewish, Tamás is a university student revolutionary, Azriel is an angel of death.
The story revolves around Csilla’s and Azriel’s perspectives and is told in third person. It’s captivating, infused with hope, and beautifully haunting. The author’s writing is magical and gorgeous in its quiet beauty.
Rep: Jewish main character, queer (gay, poly)
This was the truth of Budapest, the river turned silver, the girl with the moon in her hair, the boy with the city in his eyes, the boy with death in his hands.
This river was their pillar of fire, their way through the wilderness. their cloud by day and light by night. She went to the edge and lay down on her stomach, reaching out with her hand.
Ehyeh asher ehveh, she thought to the river. I will return to you.
I will return to you.
I will return to you.
And the river opened to her.
Water has a long memory, and though the river was there before the street and will be there long after, the river holds stories in its silt, carries them far away from where they began.
Before the unsettling quiet blanketed this part of the city, she was just a girl, skipping like a little brook. Her mother, who called for her to walk like a lady. Her father, who chastised her mother for calling for her to walk like a lady. He indulged the girl. The mother curbed her. She needed both. Like a river herself, the girl needed both the rains of her father to nourish her and the banks of her mother to guide her.
It is a river. That is what rivers do. They give.
But the people must remember that they give.
Forgetting. That is what people do.
And remembering.
Well. That's what rivers do.
This is how you build a golem. You believe, you know, you hope, you despair, you determine, you learn, you create. You play God. You build a myth of a person
from the instructions that a myth of a person left for you.
You let go.
There is a river that cuts through the heart of Budapest. It is a street for the magic. But here, they are the magic in the streets. They are the defiance and the rebellion, the hope and the dream, the future and the past, the Party and the People, the forgiveness and the apology. They are all the mistakes this country's ever made and all the potential it's ever had. They are the loved and the hated. The believers and unbelievers. They are the survivors and the victims.
There is a city, and through the middle of the city, there is a river, and running parallel to the river, there is a street. It's crooked like a bent elbow, an outstretched arm. Water has a long memory, and though the river was there before the street, and will be there long after, the river loves the stories the street carries to it, cradles the stories in its silt, and ferries them far away from where they began. The river is a historian, a keeper of stories. This is a story in its silt. Sometimes, though it is very rare, the river runs over its banks twice in a lifetime.
The main characters:
Csilla (star in Hungarian, chee-lah) is Jewish, Tamás is a university student revolutionary, Azriel is an angel of death.
The story revolves around Csilla’s and Azriel’s perspectives and is told in third person. It’s captivating, infused with hope, and beautifully haunting. The author’s writing is magical and gorgeous in its quiet beauty.
Rep: Jewish main character, queer (gay, poly)
This was the truth of Budapest, the river turned silver, the girl with the moon in her hair, the boy with the city in his eyes, the boy with death in his hands.
This river was their pillar of fire, their way through the wilderness. their cloud by day and light by night. She went to the edge and lay down on her stomach, reaching out with her hand.
Ehyeh asher ehveh, she thought to the river. I will return to you.
I will return to you.
I will return to you.
And the river opened to her.
Water has a long memory, and though the river was there before the street and will be there long after, the river holds stories in its silt, carries them far away from where they began.
Before the unsettling quiet blanketed this part of the city, she was just a girl, skipping like a little brook. Her mother, who called for her to walk like a lady. Her father, who chastised her mother for calling for her to walk like a lady. He indulged the girl. The mother curbed her. She needed both. Like a river herself, the girl needed both the rains of her father to nourish her and the banks of her mother to guide her.
It is a river. That is what rivers do. They give.
But the people must remember that they give.
Forgetting. That is what people do.
And remembering.
Well. That's what rivers do.
This is how you build a golem. You believe, you know, you hope, you despair, you determine, you learn, you create. You play God. You build a myth of a person
from the instructions that a myth of a person left for you.
You let go.
There is a river that cuts through the heart of Budapest. It is a street for the magic. But here, they are the magic in the streets. They are the defiance and the rebellion, the hope and the dream, the future and the past, the Party and the People, the forgiveness and the apology. They are all the mistakes this country's ever made and all the potential it's ever had. They are the loved and the hated. The believers and unbelievers. They are the survivors and the victims.
There is a city, and through the middle of the city, there is a river, and running parallel to the river, there is a street. It's crooked like a bent elbow, an outstretched arm. Water has a long memory, and though the river was there before the street, and will be there long after, the river loves the stories the street carries to it, cradles the stories in its silt, and ferries them far away from where they began. The river is a historian, a keeper of stories. This is a story in its silt. Sometimes, though it is very rare, the river runs over its banks twice in a lifetime.
June 28, 2022
This was such a beautiful historical fiction. I love historical fiction books that are set in countries and time periods you maybe haven't learned about in school and this is one of those books. It's set in Hungary during a revulation that happened against the Soviet Union after World War 2. We follow our main character Csilla who's parents were wrongfully killed by the goverment and she lost all her family in the holocaust because she's Jewish except her aunt who she now lives with. She works as a typist at a newspaper and is secretly planning to flee the country with her aunt until she meets some unexpected people and wants to stay and fight for her country.
The book has some magical realism elements that were woven into the story that were all based on Jewish religion, folklore and mythology and it was a great addition to the story. The river that flows through Budapest speaks to the MC and she believes it contains magic. We also meet a character that's an angel of death who comes to help humanity in times of crisis. The story also has LGBTQ+ representation, and a lovely polyamorous relationship starts to blossom which I didn't expect going into the story.
My only complaint is the pacing. I think that the beginning is very slow while in the end a lot happens all at once. I think a lot of the book could've been edited down and it would still be a good book. I think the last third of the book was by far my favourite because you see everything get together and make so much sense and it does make the rest of the book worth it in my opinion!
Also the writing was absolutely beautiful !! Will pick up other books by Katherine Locke
Would recommend this for people who love books by Ruta Sepetys and/ or who love The Invisible Life of Addie Larue
The book has some magical realism elements that were woven into the story that were all based on Jewish religion, folklore and mythology and it was a great addition to the story. The river that flows through Budapest speaks to the MC and she believes it contains magic. We also meet a character that's an angel of death who comes to help humanity in times of crisis. The story also has LGBTQ+ representation, and a lovely polyamorous relationship starts to blossom which I didn't expect going into the story.
My only complaint is the pacing. I think that the beginning is very slow while in the end a lot happens all at once. I think a lot of the book could've been edited down and it would still be a good book. I think the last third of the book was by far my favourite because you see everything get together and make so much sense and it does make the rest of the book worth it in my opinion!
Also the writing was absolutely beautiful !! Will pick up other books by Katherine Locke
Would recommend this for people who love books by Ruta Sepetys and/ or who love The Invisible Life of Addie Larue
May 3, 2022
Rating: 4
This is one of those books that as soon as you see the cover you will be instantly intrigued. The cover is absolutely beautiful and looks even better in person. I really enjoyed this YA historical fiction that had some fantasy elements mixed in. If you plan on reading this one be prepared. This one definitely deals with a heavy topic that will make you emotional and might even make you cry. I think the author took inspiration from “The Book Thief” because the story along with the writing felt very similar. So if you liked that book then I would definitely recommend this book!
One thing that really stood out to me about this book was the writing. It was so beautifully written and had such a nice flow to it. The reader can literally feel the emotion. Don’t even get me started on the characters. They were so well written and they all became so important to me. Each character grew and showed their strength in their own way. I didn’t agree with certain actions/events that occurred in the book but that's just me looking for something. I also loved how diverse this book was! I had no idea it was LGBTQ until I read it and was pleasantly surprised. I definitely think they should market that more.
Overall, I would really recommend this book especially to teens. I think they could definitely benefit from reading this one.
Thank you so much @getunderlined & @penguinrandomhouse for the #gifted copy, #partner , #GetUnderlinedPartner
This is one of those books that as soon as you see the cover you will be instantly intrigued. The cover is absolutely beautiful and looks even better in person. I really enjoyed this YA historical fiction that had some fantasy elements mixed in. If you plan on reading this one be prepared. This one definitely deals with a heavy topic that will make you emotional and might even make you cry. I think the author took inspiration from “The Book Thief” because the story along with the writing felt very similar. So if you liked that book then I would definitely recommend this book!
One thing that really stood out to me about this book was the writing. It was so beautifully written and had such a nice flow to it. The reader can literally feel the emotion. Don’t even get me started on the characters. They were so well written and they all became so important to me. Each character grew and showed their strength in their own way. I didn’t agree with certain actions/events that occurred in the book but that's just me looking for something. I also loved how diverse this book was! I had no idea it was LGBTQ until I read it and was pleasantly surprised. I definitely think they should market that more.
Overall, I would really recommend this book especially to teens. I think they could definitely benefit from reading this one.
Thank you so much @getunderlined & @penguinrandomhouse for the #gifted copy, #partner , #GetUnderlinedPartner
July 16, 2023
This was an ok story. For once in my life I kinda wish the fantasy element hadn't been in it. But still ok.
April 7, 2022
This book was beautifully written and epic. There was such lovely imagery and I didn’t realize that a new author would be this darn good. Please give this a chance people
June 23, 2023
*sigh*
The first 70% of this book was absolute perfection. I loved learning about a piece of Budapest, Hungary's history from post-WWII when, in 1956, the students rebelled against the Soviet government and pushed them out (temporarily). Locke's writing style was effortlessly poignant and full of layers and meaning. Her use of colors, the River and other fantastical elements made this historical fiction novel stand out as well as bring home the themes she was trying to get across. It was a beautiful way to show (rather than tell) what trauma and communism and how it all comes together is actually like to experience.
The themes of truth vs. lie, individualism vs. groups, past mistakes vs. future choices, etc., was so well done. If Locke had just stayed with these themes and exploration and kept with the original plot - how communism was just as oppressive as Nazism and needed to be pushed out of Hungary - how our parents can have many sides and ultimately be unknowable, but we don't have to make their same mistakes - how we do have a voice and we can use it - this book would have become my favorite of the year.
But alas. The last 30% happened.
I won't go into too much detail, but what Locke hinted at in the first 70% came full force in the last 30% and I had to skip about 5 scenes of explicit content concerning queer relationships. Almost every character in this book was queer/non-binary/genderless. Throw in a throuple and I think you understand my level of shock and disturb. I was too far to turn back now, but needless to say, because of those details, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.
Even though I wanted to see how the rebellion would end, and even taking the queer relations aside, the ending was anti-climactic at best. The end-end was vague and disappointing. There were several pieces to the story that felt like cop-outs or like the writer wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted her to commit to an ending, especially in regards to Azriel, but she really didn't. I really enjoyed the author's note where she explains her inspiration for the book, where she strayed from history for fictional purposes and where she didn't and her trip to Hungary for research.
Overall, I'm still glad I read this book because it changed the way I see historical fiction as a genre and I look forward to taking inspiration from it and using fantastical elements to elevate themes in my future stories - with straight characters. :)
The first 70% of this book was absolute perfection. I loved learning about a piece of Budapest, Hungary's history from post-WWII when, in 1956, the students rebelled against the Soviet government and pushed them out (temporarily). Locke's writing style was effortlessly poignant and full of layers and meaning. Her use of colors, the River and other fantastical elements made this historical fiction novel stand out as well as bring home the themes she was trying to get across. It was a beautiful way to show (rather than tell) what trauma and communism and how it all comes together is actually like to experience.
The themes of truth vs. lie, individualism vs. groups, past mistakes vs. future choices, etc., was so well done. If Locke had just stayed with these themes and exploration and kept with the original plot - how communism was just as oppressive as Nazism and needed to be pushed out of Hungary - how our parents can have many sides and ultimately be unknowable, but we don't have to make their same mistakes - how we do have a voice and we can use it - this book would have become my favorite of the year.
But alas. The last 30% happened.
I won't go into too much detail, but what Locke hinted at in the first 70% came full force in the last 30% and I had to skip about 5 scenes of explicit content concerning queer relationships. Almost every character in this book was queer/non-binary/genderless. Throw in a throuple and I think you understand my level of shock and disturb. I was too far to turn back now, but needless to say, because of those details, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.
Even though I wanted to see how the rebellion would end, and even taking the queer relations aside, the ending was anti-climactic at best. The end-end was vague and disappointing. There were several pieces to the story that felt like cop-outs or like the writer wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted her to commit to an ending, especially in regards to Azriel, but she really didn't. I really enjoyed the author's note where she explains her inspiration for the book, where she strayed from history for fictional purposes and where she didn't and her trip to Hungary for research.
Overall, I'm still glad I read this book because it changed the way I see historical fiction as a genre and I look forward to taking inspiration from it and using fantastical elements to elevate themes in my future stories - with straight characters. :)
June 5, 2022
This was a book club pick for a YA book club I'm a part of at my favorite local Indie bookstore. I have been very lucky that (so far) every book I’ve read for this book club I have ended up LOVING and This Rebel Heart was no exception!! I was really blown away by this story, it’s almost like if Ruta Sepetys wrote The Book Thief? Like it has the magical realism and poetic writing of TBT, but also the historical research and focuses on a forgotten historical event which Sepetys is known for.
Not many people may know about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Communist Regime, which at the time was backed by the USSR. If you are ever in Budapest, there is an AMAZING museum for the victims of the Communist Purges that is incredibly informative, but be warned it is HEAVY. Having visited this museum a few years ago, I knew about the atrocities committed under Hungary's Communist Regime during this time period and knew the fate of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. However, the way this story unfolds was so incredibly moving.
Katherine Locke's writing was beautiful, they have a talent for weaving magical realism into a story where you wouldn't expect it to work so well. However, a warning that not all of the magical realism elements make sense as there is some ambiguity to certain aspects of it. Nevertheless, I think the symbolism behind the magical realism used worked well for me and at times the magical realism really added nuance to the story. The characters felt well-developed, although I think the story could have benefitted from Tamás's perspective as he felt a bit less fleshed-out than Csilla and Azriel. Overall, this was such a great read with a slow build up that will have you flying through the pages to find out what happens next!
Not many people may know about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Communist Regime, which at the time was backed by the USSR. If you are ever in Budapest, there is an AMAZING museum for the victims of the Communist Purges that is incredibly informative, but be warned it is HEAVY. Having visited this museum a few years ago, I knew about the atrocities committed under Hungary's Communist Regime during this time period and knew the fate of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. However, the way this story unfolds was so incredibly moving.
Katherine Locke's writing was beautiful, they have a talent for weaving magical realism into a story where you wouldn't expect it to work so well. However, a warning that not all of the magical realism elements make sense as there is some ambiguity to certain aspects of it. Nevertheless, I think the symbolism behind the magical realism used worked well for me and at times the magical realism really added nuance to the story. The characters felt well-developed, although I think the story could have benefitted from Tamás's perspective as he felt a bit less fleshed-out than Csilla and Azriel. Overall, this was such a great read with a slow build up that will have you flying through the pages to find out what happens next!
April 4, 2022
I've read all of Katherine Locke's books so far, and I think this is their best one yet. This book absolutely swept me away, it was so stunning. The writing was thoroughly beautiful, and I'm going to have to reread this for sure.
I can't speak for the Jewish representation, but I can recognize how history, trauma, religion and mythology were seeped into every letter of the story, and it left me really touched. This is a story of deep grief, but also one of deep hope.
I can't speak for the Jewish representation, but I can recognize how history, trauma, religion and mythology were seeped into every letter of the story, and it left me really touched. This is a story of deep grief, but also one of deep hope.
April 28, 2022
Wow. This book was breathtaking.
May 25, 2022
holy shit my feelings
there are not enough stars for this book and it is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. 10/10 would recommend having it seared into your soul.
there are not enough stars for this book and it is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. 10/10 would recommend having it seared into your soul.
June 5, 2022
Rather slow to start but the last third was excellent; melancholy but also hopeful. The historical details and general messiness of the Hungarian Revolution is well-realised, and I liked the acknowledgment that queer people existed in this period.
My main criticism is that I’m not sure the magical realism elements warranted their inclusion in this story. As metaphors they didn’t really add anything that we couldn’t get from the story itself, and as plot devices they weren’t as neatly integrated as they could be (it took me way too long to realise that the whole city had been leached of colour and that ‘grey’ wasn’t just a reference to Soviet architecture).
My main criticism is that I’m not sure the magical realism elements warranted their inclusion in this story. As metaphors they didn’t really add anything that we couldn’t get from the story itself, and as plot devices they weren’t as neatly integrated as they could be (it took me way too long to realise that the whole city had been leached of colour and that ‘grey’ wasn’t just a reference to Soviet architecture).
November 16, 2021
*Spoiler free*
I've been looking forward to Katherine's next YA since it was announced! They are one of my favorite authors, and I was siked to see what their next historical fiction would bring. And a story about a magic river, an angel of death, and a city that is deeply flawed, with a girl struggling to figure out if it is worth fighting for.
I wasn't sure about this book for awhile, and I think that is part of the beauty of it. It's very, very steadfast in what it is. Bleak, gut-wrenching, and something that settles heavily. It places exactly what it is and doesn't try to make anything else out of it. This made me unsure of how I was going to like where it went, where ever it went. But, I ended up really, really liking.
First off, the writing just oozes pure talent. It feels like the steel gray of an overcast sky, and it lends it so well to exactly what this book is trying to do. It's a book that is a slow burn, one that seems to come from coals and they begin to heat and heat and heat. It's done so, so well.
One of the biggest things for me were the pockets of love that were tucked into the corners of this book. A lot of it is about heavy things, but there are still instances that made my heart clench because of the love that was infused in them. There is a lot of pain throughout the book, but the little moments were just as important and held just as much weight. The love was still there, even amongst the fighting and the weight of everything else.
This book does have magic, but it was a lot more subtle than I thought. But, the way it was done was incredible. It makes it feel like it was just another part of the world, like it was pulled from what actually happens. And the way that the city is colorless, and the way that color regained, oh it was so brilliant. And the magic river, oh gosh, that's another thing that feels like a punch to the chest.
I wasn't sure if I was going to end up liking the characters, and I did end up liking them a lot more than I thought I was going to. Csilla is complicated, in what she is trying to figure out, both inside her and in her city. She's trying to find her footing, and that is something quite dangerous. There's this determination in her, the kind that pushes her. I loved her a whole lot. There were side characters I thought wasn't going to like either, but also fell in love with. They were sweeter, and funnier, and a lot more than I expected.
This book was also queer! I was not expecting it to be as queer as it was, but I really really loved that it ended up being as queer as it was.
This book is also very Jewish. I can't say more than that since I am not Jewish myself, but I felt it was important to note.
Overall, I ended up really, really liking this book. It burns in a way that is unexpected, and it is written so spectacularly. It's so, so good.
I've been looking forward to Katherine's next YA since it was announced! They are one of my favorite authors, and I was siked to see what their next historical fiction would bring. And a story about a magic river, an angel of death, and a city that is deeply flawed, with a girl struggling to figure out if it is worth fighting for.
I wasn't sure about this book for awhile, and I think that is part of the beauty of it. It's very, very steadfast in what it is. Bleak, gut-wrenching, and something that settles heavily. It places exactly what it is and doesn't try to make anything else out of it. This made me unsure of how I was going to like where it went, where ever it went. But, I ended up really, really liking.
First off, the writing just oozes pure talent. It feels like the steel gray of an overcast sky, and it lends it so well to exactly what this book is trying to do. It's a book that is a slow burn, one that seems to come from coals and they begin to heat and heat and heat. It's done so, so well.
One of the biggest things for me were the pockets of love that were tucked into the corners of this book. A lot of it is about heavy things, but there are still instances that made my heart clench because of the love that was infused in them. There is a lot of pain throughout the book, but the little moments were just as important and held just as much weight. The love was still there, even amongst the fighting and the weight of everything else.
This book does have magic, but it was a lot more subtle than I thought. But, the way it was done was incredible. It makes it feel like it was just another part of the world, like it was pulled from what actually happens. And the way that the city is colorless, and the way that color regained, oh it was so brilliant. And the magic river, oh gosh, that's another thing that feels like a punch to the chest.
I wasn't sure if I was going to end up liking the characters, and I did end up liking them a lot more than I thought I was going to. Csilla is complicated, in what she is trying to figure out, both inside her and in her city. She's trying to find her footing, and that is something quite dangerous. There's this determination in her, the kind that pushes her. I loved her a whole lot. There were side characters I thought wasn't going to like either, but also fell in love with. They were sweeter, and funnier, and a lot more than I expected.
This book was also queer! I was not expecting it to be as queer as it was, but I really really loved that it ended up being as queer as it was.
This book is also very Jewish. I can't say more than that since I am not Jewish myself, but I felt it was important to note.
Overall, I ended up really, really liking this book. It burns in a way that is unexpected, and it is written so spectacularly. It's so, so good.
December 6, 2021
Katherine Locke's This Rebel Heart is a beautiful story about revolution, love, and identity.
It is set during the 1956 revolution in Hungary, and it follows Csilla, a young jewish woman whose parents were executed by the government, and Azriel, an angel of death. The revolution begins to unfold around them, and they take part in it.
There are so many things that I loved about this story. First, it really hit home for me because it represented me on a truly personal level. I am an Ashkenazi jew. Some of my family comes from Budapest, where this story is set, and I lost all of my family in Europe to the Holocaust. Csilla's experiences and surroundings really touched me because I felt like I was looking through a window at my ancestors and my past. Furthermore, this book features a lot of queer characters and deals with queerness during this time. As a queer woman, I loved that as well.
I would like to note, however, that when this book was marketed as queer to me, I thought it was going to be sapphic. It's not sapphic. There are no WLW characters, but there are other queer characters.
Second, the magic in this book is beautiful. It is a more subtle kind of magic, blended with realism. Principally, the river is magic, and the story of its magic continues throughout the story. There are also jewish myths that come to light, which I loved.
Third, this book really succeeded in pulling at my emotions. I found myself tearing up quite a bit, and I really cared about the characters, every single one of them. I even cared about the city. It's pretty easy to fall in love with this book.
Fourth, the prose is stunning. This book is so well-written and so introspective. Almost every sentence is absolutely beautiful.
That being said, I do have a couple of a complaints. I thought the motivations for the characters were a little hard to grasp, so there were times when it was hard to understand why a character was taking a certain action. Furthermore, the role that the characters played in the revolution sometimes did not make sense, which hindered a little bit of my enjoyment. Finally, there were certain scenes that were just glazed over (or literally slept through) that I thought were pretty important for the book and probably should have made it into full writing.
Overall, I still really loved this book. It is definitely more historical fiction than fantasy, so if you're a historical fiction reader or are interested in either jewish history or the 1956 revolution in Hungary, I would definitely recommend this book. Furthermore, I loved the way that it involved the queer community, so lovers of queer history should read this book too. And if you like books with beautiful writing, this is one for you.
**Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children's, for providing me with an ARC of this book**
It is set during the 1956 revolution in Hungary, and it follows Csilla, a young jewish woman whose parents were executed by the government, and Azriel, an angel of death. The revolution begins to unfold around them, and they take part in it.
There are so many things that I loved about this story. First, it really hit home for me because it represented me on a truly personal level. I am an Ashkenazi jew. Some of my family comes from Budapest, where this story is set, and I lost all of my family in Europe to the Holocaust. Csilla's experiences and surroundings really touched me because I felt like I was looking through a window at my ancestors and my past. Furthermore, this book features a lot of queer characters and deals with queerness during this time. As a queer woman, I loved that as well.
I would like to note, however, that when this book was marketed as queer to me, I thought it was going to be sapphic. It's not sapphic. There are no WLW characters, but there are other queer characters.
Second, the magic in this book is beautiful. It is a more subtle kind of magic, blended with realism. Principally, the river is magic, and the story of its magic continues throughout the story. There are also jewish myths that come to light, which I loved.
Third, this book really succeeded in pulling at my emotions. I found myself tearing up quite a bit, and I really cared about the characters, every single one of them. I even cared about the city. It's pretty easy to fall in love with this book.
Fourth, the prose is stunning. This book is so well-written and so introspective. Almost every sentence is absolutely beautiful.
That being said, I do have a couple of a complaints. I thought the motivations for the characters were a little hard to grasp, so there were times when it was hard to understand why a character was taking a certain action. Furthermore, the role that the characters played in the revolution sometimes did not make sense, which hindered a little bit of my enjoyment. Finally, there were certain scenes that were just glazed over (or literally slept through) that I thought were pretty important for the book and probably should have made it into full writing.
Overall, I still really loved this book. It is definitely more historical fiction than fantasy, so if you're a historical fiction reader or are interested in either jewish history or the 1956 revolution in Hungary, I would definitely recommend this book. Furthermore, I loved the way that it involved the queer community, so lovers of queer history should read this book too. And if you like books with beautiful writing, this is one for you.
**Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children's, for providing me with an ARC of this book**
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