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A Meeting of Two Prophets
'Mo', a bright, young Muslim from Manchester, has battled depression his entire life. As he takes tentative steps toward healing, he finds himself on a journey of self-discovery that surprises everyone - including himself.
Moishe, an eighteen-year-old Chasidic Jew from London, has always known where his life will lead. As he studies religious texts in Jerusalem, he eagerly awaits the day he will marry and start a family, but tough questions force him to confront what’s he’s long ignored and to consider an alternative path in life.
When a chance meeting introduces Mo and Moishe, their separate journeys to self-discovery collide in unimaginable ways and with unavoidable consequences that force them to traverse political, religious, and social barriers.
Follow this YA LGBTQ coming of age story that speaks to the power of the human spirit, the bravery of two young men from different walks of life, and the often difficult plight for countless people across the globe whose hearts crave something their family, friends, and neighbours may not yet, or indeed ever, understand.
Moishe, an eighteen-year-old Chasidic Jew from London, has always known where his life will lead. As he studies religious texts in Jerusalem, he eagerly awaits the day he will marry and start a family, but tough questions force him to confront what’s he’s long ignored and to consider an alternative path in life.
When a chance meeting introduces Mo and Moishe, their separate journeys to self-discovery collide in unimaginable ways and with unavoidable consequences that force them to traverse political, religious, and social barriers.
Follow this YA LGBTQ coming of age story that speaks to the power of the human spirit, the bravery of two young men from different walks of life, and the often difficult plight for countless people across the globe whose hearts crave something their family, friends, and neighbours may not yet, or indeed ever, understand.
388 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 10, 2021
Beautiful and special! Ever read a queer YA story between a Chasidic Jew and a Muslim?
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict was horrendous, but we weren’t two ideologies, we were two people.
This story is so unique and compelling. Two religious boys, one Muslim, the other a Chasidic Jew, meet in Jerusalem where the divide is clear: one is either Israeli or Arab, and the two don’t mix. And still, the boys keep meeting, both curious about the other, becoming friends and more, and knowing at the same time that, at home, this wouldn’t be possible. I love the way Judah Tasa interweaves the religious and the political parts into the story without making those themes too big. Sometimes it’s very informative and every time when I started to think: okay, now it’s enough, Judah returned back to Mo and Moishe. The setting in Jerusalem is just fantastic.
From the first pages, I fell in love with Mo, this sweet, smart, and insecure guy who is clinically depressed as he says himself. I grinned when I read he set himself a reading challenge on Goodreads, so recognizable 😆. He has red flags, but he ignores them at first: an 18 yo boy with zero interest in girls-and not even in boys; the constant hum of sadness and lack of self-worth within him; and the thought of death:
”Do you ever have thoughts of suicide?” “Define suicide,” I stammer...It’s not as though I want to be dead,” I began slowly. “Just sometimes I need a break.
At the same time, he’s strong and persistent and shows an enormous growth in the story.
Connecting to Moishe was more difficult for me, the conservative guy who only reads and learns about his religion yet picks up the friendship with Mo. Although his conservatism, he’s the one who initiates their dates, even a short vacation. He’s talkative, especially when he’s nervous, and slowly opens up more and becomes less distant, more human, showing his emotions and his doubts.
I regret having crossed lines I had drawn for myself and going against everything I hold dear. I regret the fact that none of this regret is real regret, because real regret would mean I wished that none of it had ever happened.
Overall, I loved the story and the premise. This book is an important addition to all of the queer ya stories that already have been written. I have a tiny little thing to nag about: why writing Mo’s chapters in the past tense and Moishe’s in the present tense? It is a chronological story, after all. To distinguish Mo and Moishe? If that’s the case, it was not necessary, to my opinion.
I regret having crossed lines I had drawn for myself and going against everything I hold dear. I regret the fact that none of this regret is real regret, because real regret would mean I wished that none of it had ever happened.
Overall, I loved the story and the premise. This book is an important addition to all of the queer ya stories that already have been written. I have a tiny little thing to nag about: why writing Mo’s chapters in the past tense and Moishe’s in the present tense? It is a chronological story, after all. To distinguish Mo and Moishe? If that’s the case, it was not necessary, to my opinion.
March 2, 2021
4.5 stars.
Judah Tasa's A Meeting of Two Prophets is a beautifully written, poignant story of a connection between two young men who recognize that beyond their vast differences they share some real similarities.
Moishe is an 18-year-old Hasidic Jew from London. He dreams of a lifetime of study, of marrying and being a good father and provider. But there’s also a part of him that has feelings he’s fought to ignore, feelings he doesn’t quite understand.
Mo (short for Muhammad) is a young Muslim man living in Manchester with his family. He is smart, devout, and has been struggling with depression. He, too, can’t seem to reconcile the feelings he has with the commandments and customs of his religion.
The two young men meet on a plane to Jerusalem, where Moishe plans to spend the summer studying and Mo will be visiting his grandmother, in the hopes a change of scenery might help with his depression. Another chance encounter encourages their friendship despite their differences.
“Moishe, the greatest prophet in Judaism, and Muhammad the greatest prophet in Islam are our namesakes. Looking out the window, I wonder what my neighbors would think about this scandalous meeting of two prophets.”
The more time they spend with one another, the more their feelings deepen and yet still worry and confuse them. They talk about everything—their religions, their families, the political climate toward both Muslims and Jews—except how they feel.
A short vacation helps both crystallize and confuse things further. Ultimately, both have to decide whether they can reconcile their hearts with their family and their religion, or whether they should follow the path they’ve always been expected to.
I really enjoyed this emotional story. To find a book like A Meeting of Two Prophets , which confronts issues like homosexuality and depression against a backdrop of Judaism and Muslim customs is so rare, and even rarer is that Tasa never forces you to take a side or confront some of the more dramatic issues I expected to arise in a book like this.
This was a find, a sweet story I won’t soon forget. I loved this kind of representation and can’t wait to see what Tasa does next!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Judah Tasa's A Meeting of Two Prophets is a beautifully written, poignant story of a connection between two young men who recognize that beyond their vast differences they share some real similarities.
Moishe is an 18-year-old Hasidic Jew from London. He dreams of a lifetime of study, of marrying and being a good father and provider. But there’s also a part of him that has feelings he’s fought to ignore, feelings he doesn’t quite understand.
Mo (short for Muhammad) is a young Muslim man living in Manchester with his family. He is smart, devout, and has been struggling with depression. He, too, can’t seem to reconcile the feelings he has with the commandments and customs of his religion.
The two young men meet on a plane to Jerusalem, where Moishe plans to spend the summer studying and Mo will be visiting his grandmother, in the hopes a change of scenery might help with his depression. Another chance encounter encourages their friendship despite their differences.
“Moishe, the greatest prophet in Judaism, and Muhammad the greatest prophet in Islam are our namesakes. Looking out the window, I wonder what my neighbors would think about this scandalous meeting of two prophets.”
The more time they spend with one another, the more their feelings deepen and yet still worry and confuse them. They talk about everything—their religions, their families, the political climate toward both Muslims and Jews—except how they feel.
A short vacation helps both crystallize and confuse things further. Ultimately, both have to decide whether they can reconcile their hearts with their family and their religion, or whether they should follow the path they’ve always been expected to.
I really enjoyed this emotional story. To find a book like A Meeting of Two Prophets , which confronts issues like homosexuality and depression against a backdrop of Judaism and Muslim customs is so rare, and even rarer is that Tasa never forces you to take a side or confront some of the more dramatic issues I expected to arise in a book like this.
This was a find, a sweet story I won’t soon forget. I loved this kind of representation and can’t wait to see what Tasa does next!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 16, 2020
A Meeting of Two Prophets is a wonderful book about finding yourself when different aspects of your life clash. Mo and Moishe are both religious, Mo a Muslim and Moishe a Jew. Their religion is a huge part of their lives, but everything gets turned upside down when they meet on a hot day in Jerusalem. During the novel we see how Mo and Moishe navigate the complicated waters of queerness (Mo is gay and Moishe is bi) while not falling off their religious boats.
I would categorize this as a NA book based on the characters ages, but I do not believe there is anything explicit in it that would completely remove it from a YA category.
For anyone afraid that they might not connect to these characters or understand anything in the text because of a lack of understanding of Muslim or Jewish faith I want to destroy those ideas right now! You will completely understand what is happening. Judah does not shy away from using specific terminology that might isolate people, but he weaves in explanations and definitions that doesn’t pull the reader out of the story. You might not be able to pronounce every word, but you will feel like you are Mo and Moishe learning about the other one along with them.
This is not a story that villanaizes religion. Our two MCs are wonderful because they don’t ever feel like they have to pick between their sexual identity or their religion. It’s a complicated story of discovering how to live our authentic selves without giving up what is most important to us.
Judah tackles topics of religion, sexuality, depression, sex, family obligations, all with a beautiful grace. I guarantee you will fall in love with Mo and Moishe by the end of this novel. The delicate slow burn romance in this book is not boring, and I typically find slow burn romances boring. We see them not just climb over religious barriers that divide them, we watch as they fabulously fall in love.
Even the side characters, like Mo’s grandma and his cousin Hamood, feel fleshed out and like they have stories just waiting to be told. I found myself wanting to know their stories and what their books would teach is.
This is queer romance book unlike any I have ever read before. Judah stole my heart with these lovely boys and I can’t wait to read what he writes next.
*I received and earc from the author for my honest review
I would categorize this as a NA book based on the characters ages, but I do not believe there is anything explicit in it that would completely remove it from a YA category.
For anyone afraid that they might not connect to these characters or understand anything in the text because of a lack of understanding of Muslim or Jewish faith I want to destroy those ideas right now! You will completely understand what is happening. Judah does not shy away from using specific terminology that might isolate people, but he weaves in explanations and definitions that doesn’t pull the reader out of the story. You might not be able to pronounce every word, but you will feel like you are Mo and Moishe learning about the other one along with them.
This is not a story that villanaizes religion. Our two MCs are wonderful because they don’t ever feel like they have to pick between their sexual identity or their religion. It’s a complicated story of discovering how to live our authentic selves without giving up what is most important to us.
Judah tackles topics of religion, sexuality, depression, sex, family obligations, all with a beautiful grace. I guarantee you will fall in love with Mo and Moishe by the end of this novel. The delicate slow burn romance in this book is not boring, and I typically find slow burn romances boring. We see them not just climb over religious barriers that divide them, we watch as they fabulously fall in love.
Even the side characters, like Mo’s grandma and his cousin Hamood, feel fleshed out and like they have stories just waiting to be told. I found myself wanting to know their stories and what their books would teach is.
This is queer romance book unlike any I have ever read before. Judah stole my heart with these lovely boys and I can’t wait to read what he writes next.
*I received and earc from the author for my honest review
January 31, 2021
Thank you to Judah Tasa for sending me a copy of his book!
This book hit home for me for a lot of reasons. I grew up in a Jewish home and was religious until about six years ago. I was considered Conservative in terms of my level of practice. I wore a kippah every day, was shomer kashrut, and shomer shabbos, but the type of synagogue I was most comfortable praying in was one that had mixed seating (men and women together) and allowed women to chant from Torah or have active roles in the services. My mom taught me how to chant Torah when I was eight years old, and one of my sisters helped me prepare my Bar Mitzvah portion. While I didn’t grow up Chasidic, having a strong Jewish background and knowing some Yiddish and Hebrew, I understood a lot of what Judah was talking about and I could easily identify with Moishe. Having also spent time in a yeshiva in Jerusalem, I also know what kind of learning Moishe was doing. While I am less familiar with Islam, I can still understand Mo’s internal struggle between being his true self and his relationship with religion as that is something that I have struggled with as well.
I have been to Israel several times. The first time I went to Israel was the summer of 1999, I was eight years old and it was my only trip with my family. The last time I was there was the winter of 2014. I have been wanting to go back so badly. It is so easy for me to feel at home in Israel. A Meeting of Two Prophets brought me right back. I’ve prayed at the Kotel, I’ve walked up and down Ben Yehudah Street, I’ve swam in the Kinneret, I’ve even eaten at the Pizza Hut that’s mentioned in the book. Through Mo and Moishe, Judah does a great job of showing the negatives and positives of Israel. Judah brings the rich history of Jerusalem to life, as well as the diversity of the city. The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a very complex topic, and no one book can encompass every aspect of it. Judah makes this point clear that this book is meant to highlight some of aspects of the conflict to introduce readers to a culture that they wouldn’t be familiar with.
The queerness! Through this entire book Mo and Moishe are discovering themselves and trying to come to terms with their identities and how it impacts their beliefs, something that many religious people, especially young religious people, have to deal with. Judah has excellently portrayed that inner struggle of religion and sexuality and the confusing emotions that come with it. This is so important because many coming out stories don’t have a religious focus. Judaism isn’t free of prejudices or homophobia. Many queer Jews don’t come out because of fear of rejection from their families and communities. Organizations, like Jewish Queer Youth, exist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth in the Jewish Community, with particular focus on those in the Orthodox, Chassidic, and Sephardic communities.
Ultimately what Judah does with this story is expose readers to cultures and lifestyles that are seldom seen in YA literature.
In keeping with Jewish tradition, I will end this review with a Jewish teaching, from Pirkei Avot chapter 4. “Who is wise? One who learns from everyone.”
This book hit home for me for a lot of reasons. I grew up in a Jewish home and was religious until about six years ago. I was considered Conservative in terms of my level of practice. I wore a kippah every day, was shomer kashrut, and shomer shabbos, but the type of synagogue I was most comfortable praying in was one that had mixed seating (men and women together) and allowed women to chant from Torah or have active roles in the services. My mom taught me how to chant Torah when I was eight years old, and one of my sisters helped me prepare my Bar Mitzvah portion. While I didn’t grow up Chasidic, having a strong Jewish background and knowing some Yiddish and Hebrew, I understood a lot of what Judah was talking about and I could easily identify with Moishe. Having also spent time in a yeshiva in Jerusalem, I also know what kind of learning Moishe was doing. While I am less familiar with Islam, I can still understand Mo’s internal struggle between being his true self and his relationship with religion as that is something that I have struggled with as well.
I have been to Israel several times. The first time I went to Israel was the summer of 1999, I was eight years old and it was my only trip with my family. The last time I was there was the winter of 2014. I have been wanting to go back so badly. It is so easy for me to feel at home in Israel. A Meeting of Two Prophets brought me right back. I’ve prayed at the Kotel, I’ve walked up and down Ben Yehudah Street, I’ve swam in the Kinneret, I’ve even eaten at the Pizza Hut that’s mentioned in the book. Through Mo and Moishe, Judah does a great job of showing the negatives and positives of Israel. Judah brings the rich history of Jerusalem to life, as well as the diversity of the city. The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a very complex topic, and no one book can encompass every aspect of it. Judah makes this point clear that this book is meant to highlight some of aspects of the conflict to introduce readers to a culture that they wouldn’t be familiar with.
The queerness! Through this entire book Mo and Moishe are discovering themselves and trying to come to terms with their identities and how it impacts their beliefs, something that many religious people, especially young religious people, have to deal with. Judah has excellently portrayed that inner struggle of religion and sexuality and the confusing emotions that come with it. This is so important because many coming out stories don’t have a religious focus. Judaism isn’t free of prejudices or homophobia. Many queer Jews don’t come out because of fear of rejection from their families and communities. Organizations, like Jewish Queer Youth, exist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth in the Jewish Community, with particular focus on those in the Orthodox, Chassidic, and Sephardic communities.
Ultimately what Judah does with this story is expose readers to cultures and lifestyles that are seldom seen in YA literature.
In keeping with Jewish tradition, I will end this review with a Jewish teaching, from Pirkei Avot chapter 4. “Who is wise? One who learns from everyone.”
May 19, 2022
I don’t often read YA, but I can not recommend this book highly enough!
I was enthralled by how beautifully the author captured the vast differences between the two protagonists: Mo, a Muslim from Manchester, and Moishe, a Chasidic Jew from London. These young men are on very different journeys toward self-discovery and end up meeting by chance, finding themselves irreversibly transformed by the end of the novel. The author skillfully allows the reader to see and understand the ways that queerness can intersect with religion and other social barriers, and the perspectives offered are so unique as to be totally vital to the current literary landscape.
The most poignant moments of the novel are reserved for the end, in which the two protagonists, after a few weeks of discovering and exploring their sexuality, are placed at crossroads in their individual lives and must part ways. Each then experiences the catharsis of being shocked into becoming, the transformative Event whereby the forked path becomes a singular, definitive direction, a truth unveiled and the human heart irrevocably altered for the better, having dared to see past the proscriptions of religion, which has served as North Star all their lives.
There is a great deal of theological discussion in the book, and it beautifully underscores the deep intimacy developing between Mo and Moishe, and highlights their own burgeoning awareness of this intimacy and what shape it may take in lives whose fulcrum is religion. However, despite the wonderfully nuanced discussions that take place, the novel is not a religious text. The author always returns to the humanity of these characters, showing their flaws, their desires and vulnerability, their shame and joy, beautifully encapsulated early on in the book: “we weren’t two ideologies, we were two people.”
I was enthralled by how beautifully the author captured the vast differences between the two protagonists: Mo, a Muslim from Manchester, and Moishe, a Chasidic Jew from London. These young men are on very different journeys toward self-discovery and end up meeting by chance, finding themselves irreversibly transformed by the end of the novel. The author skillfully allows the reader to see and understand the ways that queerness can intersect with religion and other social barriers, and the perspectives offered are so unique as to be totally vital to the current literary landscape.
The most poignant moments of the novel are reserved for the end, in which the two protagonists, after a few weeks of discovering and exploring their sexuality, are placed at crossroads in their individual lives and must part ways. Each then experiences the catharsis of being shocked into becoming, the transformative Event whereby the forked path becomes a singular, definitive direction, a truth unveiled and the human heart irrevocably altered for the better, having dared to see past the proscriptions of religion, which has served as North Star all their lives.
There is a great deal of theological discussion in the book, and it beautifully underscores the deep intimacy developing between Mo and Moishe, and highlights their own burgeoning awareness of this intimacy and what shape it may take in lives whose fulcrum is religion. However, despite the wonderfully nuanced discussions that take place, the novel is not a religious text. The author always returns to the humanity of these characters, showing their flaws, their desires and vulnerability, their shame and joy, beautifully encapsulated early on in the book: “we weren’t two ideologies, we were two people.”
February 3, 2021
Every once in a while a book comes along that you don't read; it reads you.
A Meeting of Two Prophets is such a book.
This is a story of first love that is nuanced and yet visionary, the story of two young men who travel from their native England one summer to Jerusalem. One is Muslim, the other a Hasidic Jew. What flows between these two believers seems as inevitable as a river.
Yet this is not just their story.
Mo and Moishe are you, as you first discover how it is that another human being inhabits then takes over your universe, as together you undress the stars and moon the world.
Buy this book to remember or relearn how it first felt to fall and be in love.
And let it read you.
A Meeting of Two Prophets is such a book.
This is a story of first love that is nuanced and yet visionary, the story of two young men who travel from their native England one summer to Jerusalem. One is Muslim, the other a Hasidic Jew. What flows between these two believers seems as inevitable as a river.
Yet this is not just their story.
Mo and Moishe are you, as you first discover how it is that another human being inhabits then takes over your universe, as together you undress the stars and moon the world.
Buy this book to remember or relearn how it first felt to fall and be in love.
And let it read you.
January 26, 2021
DRC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: gay Muslim protagonist, bisexual Jewish protagonist, Muslim and Jewish secondary and tertiary characters, queer Muslim tertiary character, queer Jewish tertiary character.
Content Warning: depression, islamophobia, homophobia, internalised homophobia, cancer, death.
A Meeting of Two Prophets by Judah Tasa is a contemporary queer novel, an introspective journey through sexuality and religion. It dwells on the ways Judaism and Islam approach homosexuality and queerness and in particular, on the ways Mo and Moishe try to conciliate their feelings and their faith without alienating either.
Moishe is a devout Jewish eighteen-year-old. The youngest of fourteen and as is the custom, the spoiled one. While his brothers did their learning in England, Moishe had the chance to learn in Israel. On his flight to Jerusalem he meets for the first of many times, the cute and fit Mo, whom he mistakes for a secular Jew, but who is really a dedicated Muslim boy visiting Jerusalem and his maternal grandmother for the first time. Their meeting will result in a world-changing, emotional and spiritual, inner odyssey.
When I first heard about “A Meeting of Two Prophets” I thought it would be a cutesy love story with a happily ever after and it somewhat happened, just not the way I imagined it. I liked the alternating points of view and the sharp contrast of the more hesitant and conservative Moishe to the more liberal and keener Mo. They are two complex and opinionated characters, but I found Mo more to my liking: his journey to self-discovery and acceptance; how. even if at first, he is afraid of what being gay would entail for his family and his faith, he manages to make peace between those very important aspects of his life.
My favourite part of the book was the yearning, though. I loved the build-up. The small steps and touches. Slow-burn romances are majestic in the way they make suffer both characters and readers at the same time.
PS (just for Judah if he ever happens to read this): Garlic bread is not Italian, haha.
Representation: gay Muslim protagonist, bisexual Jewish protagonist, Muslim and Jewish secondary and tertiary characters, queer Muslim tertiary character, queer Jewish tertiary character.
Content Warning: depression, islamophobia, homophobia, internalised homophobia, cancer, death.
A Meeting of Two Prophets by Judah Tasa is a contemporary queer novel, an introspective journey through sexuality and religion. It dwells on the ways Judaism and Islam approach homosexuality and queerness and in particular, on the ways Mo and Moishe try to conciliate their feelings and their faith without alienating either.
Moishe is a devout Jewish eighteen-year-old. The youngest of fourteen and as is the custom, the spoiled one. While his brothers did their learning in England, Moishe had the chance to learn in Israel. On his flight to Jerusalem he meets for the first of many times, the cute and fit Mo, whom he mistakes for a secular Jew, but who is really a dedicated Muslim boy visiting Jerusalem and his maternal grandmother for the first time. Their meeting will result in a world-changing, emotional and spiritual, inner odyssey.
When I first heard about “A Meeting of Two Prophets” I thought it would be a cutesy love story with a happily ever after and it somewhat happened, just not the way I imagined it. I liked the alternating points of view and the sharp contrast of the more hesitant and conservative Moishe to the more liberal and keener Mo. They are two complex and opinionated characters, but I found Mo more to my liking: his journey to self-discovery and acceptance; how. even if at first, he is afraid of what being gay would entail for his family and his faith, he manages to make peace between those very important aspects of his life.
My favourite part of the book was the yearning, though. I loved the build-up. The small steps and touches. Slow-burn romances are majestic in the way they make suffer both characters and readers at the same time.
PS (just for Judah if he ever happens to read this): Garlic bread is not Italian, haha.
December 29, 2020
JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It's been a long time since I have read a book that really affected me in a meaningful and personal way. In most ways, the book is simple: two boys fall in love in the sprawling, curious city of Jerusalem while trying to navigate their own personal, religious beliefs that they thought contradict the way that they love.
The author gave me a copy online and there has never been a finished ARC in my lifetime as a reader until this one. I have this stigma in my head that 90% of the time, ARCs are just books looking for good reviews because they're bad and they're trying to workshop it. Like why would you give a random stranger with no credibility to talk about your precious work of art? And 100% of the time, I politely agree and tell these bestselling-author-hopefuls that I would read them, thank them for the trust they're giving me, and attempt to read a couple pages of their book because I'd like the universe to do the same for me if I ever write a book. I have never finished an ARC and I honestly feel ashamed of not finishing their books until this book because, BECAUSE!! this book A Meeting of Two Prophets is actually good. After I read it last night, I felt honored to read this before the rest of the world. I will probably take ARCs more seriously now.
First of all, let's talk about that gorgeous book cover. Whoever designed it is a goddess. Two boys? A Jewish boy with a payos and a dark-skinned boy... a love story??? On the cover?? Get out of here.
One of Tasa's many strength is really being unafraid of writing down specific Jewish terms or places. I appreciate that. I hate vague places, vague descrptions of things. I am one of those people who are oblivious to the life they lead. I found myself one day in a rainy New York city suburb lost in the shuffle of men wearing this extremely formal clothes and a top hat. (excuse my ignorance on the terms) and always wondered what lives do they lead? Who are they? I found the answer in this book.
One of the magical powers of a book is information. Information that leads to understanding. When you are able to understand a person, that, my friends, is magic. And this book while mainly a love story in the context of two people of different religions, is a lesson on other people's traditions, customs, and beliefs. Some history too.
Another thing I'd like to point out is how vivid these two characters are. By the last third of the book, I see these two characters clearly than I have read this year. Like I don't even remember the characters I've read from three books ago. But these characters Mo and Moishe become really someone special to me. I actually stopped myself from finishing the book because I felt a little sad to leave their world. I don't want to live in a world without a Moishe and a Mo. Right now, my thoughts are wandering what are they up to now? What could they be doing? Tasa really has a talent: his characters are so simply written and yet they are complex and well fleshed out at the same time. He really thought about who these two are. These are characters that were thought about.
I identify with Mo a lot maybe that's why I was really into this book. I was that closeted kid who had so much energy, said yes to any boy who asks me to do anything, and looked at everything with wide open eyes. I think the author used the first POVs to master this technique of sympathizing with the characters and really living in the book. Maybe because I'm gay too and I'm young, and I can relate to what the characters are going through. I grew up Catholic and then in high school, I went into a really intense Born Again Christian School where we read the Bible, sing praise and worship songs, pray everyday. Then, I went to college and denounced religion and became an atheist. And now, I'm sort of agnostic. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I had a hard time trying to reconcile my sexuality and my religious upbringing and surrounding. All my life and sometimes these days--I felt like something was wrong with me. This book was a reminder that there was not. This book was a reminder that there are people from different places of the world who felt the same way as I did. Ultimately, this book made me feel connected to a person or a character. As I immerse myself with work, and busy myself with everyday life, Instagram, and as I grow further away from the literary world that was college four years ago, I feel like my relationship with books has weakened. But this book pulled back in it. So thank you, Judah.
I'm rushing through this review because I have to go. Sorry if this review is a little messy/ unedited. Judah, I like you a lot, please don't stop talking to me. Everyone, read this book! READ IT! BUY IT!!!
The author gave me a copy online and there has never been a finished ARC in my lifetime as a reader until this one. I have this stigma in my head that 90% of the time, ARCs are just books looking for good reviews because they're bad and they're trying to workshop it. Like why would you give a random stranger with no credibility to talk about your precious work of art? And 100% of the time, I politely agree and tell these bestselling-author-hopefuls that I would read them, thank them for the trust they're giving me, and attempt to read a couple pages of their book because I'd like the universe to do the same for me if I ever write a book. I have never finished an ARC and I honestly feel ashamed of not finishing their books until this book because, BECAUSE!! this book A Meeting of Two Prophets is actually good. After I read it last night, I felt honored to read this before the rest of the world. I will probably take ARCs more seriously now.
First of all, let's talk about that gorgeous book cover. Whoever designed it is a goddess. Two boys? A Jewish boy with a payos and a dark-skinned boy... a love story??? On the cover?? Get out of here.
One of Tasa's many strength is really being unafraid of writing down specific Jewish terms or places. I appreciate that. I hate vague places, vague descrptions of things. I am one of those people who are oblivious to the life they lead. I found myself one day in a rainy New York city suburb lost in the shuffle of men wearing this extremely formal clothes and a top hat. (excuse my ignorance on the terms) and always wondered what lives do they lead? Who are they? I found the answer in this book.
One of the magical powers of a book is information. Information that leads to understanding. When you are able to understand a person, that, my friends, is magic. And this book while mainly a love story in the context of two people of different religions, is a lesson on other people's traditions, customs, and beliefs. Some history too.
Another thing I'd like to point out is how vivid these two characters are. By the last third of the book, I see these two characters clearly than I have read this year. Like I don't even remember the characters I've read from three books ago. But these characters Mo and Moishe become really someone special to me. I actually stopped myself from finishing the book because I felt a little sad to leave their world. I don't want to live in a world without a Moishe and a Mo. Right now, my thoughts are wandering what are they up to now? What could they be doing? Tasa really has a talent: his characters are so simply written and yet they are complex and well fleshed out at the same time. He really thought about who these two are. These are characters that were thought about.
I identify with Mo a lot maybe that's why I was really into this book. I was that closeted kid who had so much energy, said yes to any boy who asks me to do anything, and looked at everything with wide open eyes. I think the author used the first POVs to master this technique of sympathizing with the characters and really living in the book. Maybe because I'm gay too and I'm young, and I can relate to what the characters are going through. I grew up Catholic and then in high school, I went into a really intense Born Again Christian School where we read the Bible, sing praise and worship songs, pray everyday. Then, I went to college and denounced religion and became an atheist. And now, I'm sort of agnostic. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I had a hard time trying to reconcile my sexuality and my religious upbringing and surrounding. All my life and sometimes these days--I felt like something was wrong with me. This book was a reminder that there was not. This book was a reminder that there are people from different places of the world who felt the same way as I did. Ultimately, this book made me feel connected to a person or a character. As I immerse myself with work, and busy myself with everyday life, Instagram, and as I grow further away from the literary world that was college four years ago, I feel like my relationship with books has weakened. But this book pulled back in it. So thank you, Judah.
I'm rushing through this review because I have to go. Sorry if this review is a little messy/ unedited. Judah, I like you a lot, please don't stop talking to me. Everyone, read this book! READ IT! BUY IT!!!
October 25, 2022
Reread - God, I love this book so much 💖
A million stars, always
Original review -
Where do I even begin with this incredible book?
A Meeting of Two Prophets is a messy love story between two young men, Moishe, who is bisexual and member of the Chasidic Jewish community, and Mo, a gay, Muslim man just beginning to find himself after years grappling with depression.
This is a messy book. There were several times when it felt like information was being dropped in that hadn't appeared before, or that it skipped ahead in time in places that didn't feel quite natural. But the essence of this book was so powerful there was never any doubt in my mind that it was a five star book. Actually, a more than five star book. I'd award A Meeting of Two Prophets a million stars if it were possible.
I have never read a queer book before that dealt with religion in such a positive, beautiful, and complex manner. Religion is often portrayed in queer books as a painful oppressor that the mc must break away from in order to become fully themselves. And this is for good reason: religion, especially Christianity, has so often taken horrific action against queer people, denying their humanity and attempting to torture the queerness out of them in conversion camps, which are still legal in many US states. I wasn't raised religious, and when I realized I was queer, when I read all of the stories about the pain religion has caused queer people, I struggled to view religion as anything other than an oppressive, terrifying entity that I wanted nothing to do with.
This book changed that for me. It let me imagine a future for myself that could be both queer and spiritual, and let me open my heart to the feelings of spirituality that I had suppressed for so long out of fear of the inherent queerphobia of religion. A Meeting of Two Prophets was one of those books that left me completely raw, the kind of book that pulled thoughts and emotions out of me that I didn't even know existed.
So, anyway. Read. This. Book.
I could go on forever about this novel, but the last thing I wanted to write about was how the author spent time going into the ways Mo's depression impacted his sexuality. It was so beautiful to read about how he hadn't felt/understood his sexuality because of his depression and how, for him, he went from childhood to a state of catatonic depression, with no time in between for him to feel anything towards anyone. I've never read a book before that discussed the ways mental illness affect sexuality, and it was a really powerful addition to the narrative. A Meeting of Two Prophets had so many incredible nuances like this, and they were ultimately what made it such an impactful read. I HIGHLY recommend this book to, well, anyone.
Also, PSA to any publishers on the off chance you stumble onto my review: this book deserves to be more than just a self published novel!!! This book needs to be in bookstores!!! You'd have to be an idiot to not want to publish this book under your publishing company.
A million stars, always
Original review -
Where do I even begin with this incredible book?
A Meeting of Two Prophets is a messy love story between two young men, Moishe, who is bisexual and member of the Chasidic Jewish community, and Mo, a gay, Muslim man just beginning to find himself after years grappling with depression.
This is a messy book. There were several times when it felt like information was being dropped in that hadn't appeared before, or that it skipped ahead in time in places that didn't feel quite natural. But the essence of this book was so powerful there was never any doubt in my mind that it was a five star book. Actually, a more than five star book. I'd award A Meeting of Two Prophets a million stars if it were possible.
I have never read a queer book before that dealt with religion in such a positive, beautiful, and complex manner. Religion is often portrayed in queer books as a painful oppressor that the mc must break away from in order to become fully themselves. And this is for good reason: religion, especially Christianity, has so often taken horrific action against queer people, denying their humanity and attempting to torture the queerness out of them in conversion camps, which are still legal in many US states. I wasn't raised religious, and when I realized I was queer, when I read all of the stories about the pain religion has caused queer people, I struggled to view religion as anything other than an oppressive, terrifying entity that I wanted nothing to do with.
This book changed that for me. It let me imagine a future for myself that could be both queer and spiritual, and let me open my heart to the feelings of spirituality that I had suppressed for so long out of fear of the inherent queerphobia of religion. A Meeting of Two Prophets was one of those books that left me completely raw, the kind of book that pulled thoughts and emotions out of me that I didn't even know existed.
So, anyway. Read. This. Book.
I could go on forever about this novel, but the last thing I wanted to write about was how the author spent time going into the ways Mo's depression impacted his sexuality. It was so beautiful to read about how he hadn't felt/understood his sexuality because of his depression and how, for him, he went from childhood to a state of catatonic depression, with no time in between for him to feel anything towards anyone. I've never read a book before that discussed the ways mental illness affect sexuality, and it was a really powerful addition to the narrative. A Meeting of Two Prophets had so many incredible nuances like this, and they were ultimately what made it such an impactful read. I HIGHLY recommend this book to, well, anyone.
Also, PSA to any publishers on the off chance you stumble onto my review: this book deserves to be more than just a self published novel!!! This book needs to be in bookstores!!! You'd have to be an idiot to not want to publish this book under your publishing company.
August 25, 2020
**Received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review**
This book was a breath of fresh air. Quite a few books have been written about religious Christians and their experiences with conversion camps, or oppressive families/communities, but I have never found anything which addresses these issues from a Jewish or Muslim perspective - let alone both in one novel!
A Meeting of Two Prophets deals with some big concepts - depression; religion; Israeli/Palestinian conflict (from perspectives you may not have heard before - including Satmar stance, which is controversial in the Jewish world); LGBT teens in orthodox environments; sex and a whole bunch more.
On a simple level I loved the time the two guys spent together getting to know each other, running around Jerusalem and other parts of Israel/Palestine - jumping social and religious barriers with a big romantic leaps. On a deeper level I love how the author didn't hold any punches when it came to the guilt and other difficult emotions they experienced because of their beliefs.
I saw on Instagram that @rapunzellovesbooks (she's so cool) worked with the author to ensure that the Muslim POV and Islamic perspective is both realistic and respectful - this really impressed me and I think the hard work on the part of the author and @rapunzellovesbooks shines through.
I learnt a lot reading this book - even though I don't belong to either of these communities, I feel as though there was message in there for me also. As a secular Jew I don't have all the rules and dogma when it comes to these things, but it really opened up my eyes to what other people go through.
Def worth a read!
This book was a breath of fresh air. Quite a few books have been written about religious Christians and their experiences with conversion camps, or oppressive families/communities, but I have never found anything which addresses these issues from a Jewish or Muslim perspective - let alone both in one novel!
A Meeting of Two Prophets deals with some big concepts - depression; religion; Israeli/Palestinian conflict (from perspectives you may not have heard before - including Satmar stance, which is controversial in the Jewish world); LGBT teens in orthodox environments; sex and a whole bunch more.
On a simple level I loved the time the two guys spent together getting to know each other, running around Jerusalem and other parts of Israel/Palestine - jumping social and religious barriers with a big romantic leaps. On a deeper level I love how the author didn't hold any punches when it came to the guilt and other difficult emotions they experienced because of their beliefs.
I saw on Instagram that @rapunzellovesbooks (she's so cool) worked with the author to ensure that the Muslim POV and Islamic perspective is both realistic and respectful - this really impressed me and I think the hard work on the part of the author and @rapunzellovesbooks shines through.
I learnt a lot reading this book - even though I don't belong to either of these communities, I feel as though there was message in there for me also. As a secular Jew I don't have all the rules and dogma when it comes to these things, but it really opened up my eyes to what other people go through.
Def worth a read!
January 21, 2021
People love to attack others who post negative reviews about indie books, especially when they're based on LGBTQ+ and diverse characters. So I'm just going to keep the one-star and erase my review, because I'm tired of the mob coming after me. It's exhausting. Who knew differing opinions and subjective ideas about books were so frowned upon in a public reviewing space?
January 7, 2023
A meeting of two prophets is a Heartbreaking and beautiful YA LGBTQ coming of age story. Mo and Moishe are a beautiful couple. Mental health rep, Jewish Rep, Muslim rep and LGBTQ representation mixed together.
January 28, 2021
Full review to come, but for now I’ll just say that this book was so special and beautiful.
February 15, 2021
(I received an advanced copy of A Meeting of Two Prophets in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Judah Tasa and Rainbow Crate Book Box for this opportunity!)
A Meeting of Two Prophets takes a simple, but bold concept—two queer boys from different religious backgrounds falling for each other hard and fast against the conflict-rife backdrop of Palestine/Israel—and examines and discusses the differences and similarities of each boy's faith, and how those faiths conflict with their burgeoning sexualities with intelligence, grace, and nuance.
The Good
– Easy, approachable writing style
– Bold, timely concept
– Tackles multiple sensitive issues
– Intelligent and nuanced discussions on religion and conflict
– Chassidic (Ultra-Orthodox) Jewish rep and Muslim rep
– Palestinian/Israeli rep
– Gay and Bisexual rep
– Ending fits perfectly
The Bad
– Slow start
– Twice as long as it should be
– Telling over showing issues
– Weak word choices
– Dropped commas
– Some loose ends
– Struggles to blend cutesy YA and Literary YA
[Note: This is the second review I’ve written for A Meeting of Two Prophets. A Meeting of Two Prophets is a nuanced book that encapsulates multiple ideas and discussions, and I spent a week writing a review I hoped reflected those things. Then, WordPress ate it. I don’t know what happened; I’ve used WP as a blogging platform for various things for nearly a decade, and I know how not to screw up saving a post. Unfortunately, that review was kilometres better than this one. Tons better. Gallons better. Oodles better, even. Please accept this one regardless.]
Story—★★★☆☆
Moishe is an eighteen-year-old Chassidic Jew who travels to Jerusalem to study the Torah. Mo is an eighteen-year-old devout Muslim boy visiting family members in Israel for the first time. Since capturing a glimpse of a pornographic magazine some years ago, Moishe has shunted his arousal for both the exposed man and woman to the back of his mind. Months prior to his trip, Mo began taking medication and receiving therapy to treat the depression he’s struggled with for years. Treatment has awakened him to the world and also awakened his dormant feelings of sexual attraction.
The boys meet on the plane to Israel, and then again in Jerusalem. They find themselves fast friends, finding an ease and joy in talking to the other despite—and because of—their differences. When Moishe books a brief vacation for them by the Kinneret, the bud of their friendship blossoms into romance.
But their romance goes against the words of both the Torah and the Quran, and the summer can’t go on forever.
A Meeting of Two Prophets' crowning achievement was how it handled the incredibly difficult subjects encompassed in its narrative. By default, A Meeting of Two Prophets presents complicated situations and asks hard questions with no easy answers. (Sometimes with no answers.) The narrative itself is essentially an ongoing discussion about the nature of complex conflicts of love, family, friends, culture, religion, and all the obligations, duties and ties holding everything together—or occasionally, drawing them apart. Most of the discussions are between Mo and Moishe, and sometimes with family, friends, or religious/spiritual leaders. The best part? There is no moralizing, no black and white mentality, no fighting, or one-upping. Characters present what they know to be true and what they value, and the other character will reply in kind, noting where they are similar or where their views depart. We see Moishe's family's opinion on Israel (viewed separately as the holy land of Israel and the state of Israel) as members of the Jewish diaspora; we get Mo's grandmother's opinion as a woman who grew up there and his cousin's opinions on the Muslims who will continue to live there in the future. Nothing is ever perfect; there is no easy answer.
However, I struggled with how A Meeting of Two Prophets is executed. The story beats are at the right place and aim for the right emotions, but overall, the narrative is weighed down with a slow start, unnecessary details, overlong and rambling internal monologues, and an indecisiveness and general lack of precision in the execution of chapters and scenes. In short, A Meeting of Two Prophets is bloated. A good deal of the opening chapter's content can be condensed, cut out, or referred back to from a future chapter and have the same impact on the story. Scenes should always have a point; a character should enter and leave a scene changed in some small way. There are lots of overlong "transition" moments, usually at the beginning of a scene, with an overabundance of rambling details about waking up, going to the bathroom, eating breakfast, etc. It's unnecessary to know every single time a character eats and it's almost never necessary to know when a character pees. (Please note, not every food scene. Food and cooking are huge touchstones for relationships: between lovers, between family members, between one and their culture. Cooking for someone is an expression of love and I really enjoyed those scenes, such as when Mo buys breakfast for Moishe; when Mo buys breakfast for his grandmother; when Moishe helps cook Shabbos dinner and ensures the broth is clear, the way his mother likes it. Those moments speak to love.) A lot of scenes are very similar in terms of content when the boys are together (and sometimes when they aren't) and unfortunately, this means they lean toward the forgettable side. Example: Mo and Moishe cuddled a lot, but only rode a banana boat and fell asleep together by the beach once, so that's the scene that sticks out more.
Tasa concludes A Meeting of Two Prophets on a bittersweet note, which matches the overall theme and tone of the narrative, and closes both boys' stories in a way that suits their individual character arcs. Again: Nothing is ever perfect; there is no easy answer.
Some loose ends and elements bothered me. Mostly, the cat in Mo’s first chapter who is pointed out and described immediately, then never appears again. Why spend so much time on an element that's never mentioned again, especially at a key point in the book? Second, the rift that grew between Mo’s mother and her family back home. It’s hinted at a few times. His grandmother says it’s his mother’s story to tell, Mo meets back up with his mother, and... nothing. It’s a shame, because it would make such a great parallel subplot to the one with Moishe’s mother.
I also found A Meeting of Two Prophets came down with a sub-genre identity crisis. Now, YA romances can include literary elements and Literary YA can include soft moments, but here A Meeting of Two Prophets bounces between each, struggling to balance the two and become tonally cohesive.
As for the setting, Tasa’s insight into Israel was one of the highlights for me. Solid descriptions, tons of information on individual places, and I enjoyed learning about things like different kosher labels. (Especially paired with moments like Moishe trying Pizza Hut for the first time!)
Characters—★★★★☆
I felt, at times, Tasa characterizes Mo and Moishe more on what they do rather than who they are. Example: Moishe always losing track of time or Mo loving books. Beneath these, the boys are quite similar. This is tricky because they are supposed to be this way to highlight how similar they are despite their perceived differences. However, this means their time together is (initially) peaceful and conflict-free: cuddling, kissing, swimming. This is more of a Your Mileage May Very instance: you'll either love these moments or find them a little flat.
I enjoyed how their romance was this both this big, undeniable thing for both Mo and Moishe, but they came at it from such different places in their lives. Moishe's life has more or less gone to plan so far and he is certain of his future: he'll look for a fiancee in the near future, he'll marry, he'll continue his learning. Whereas Mo is uncertain: he's only begun treating his depression recently, he's taking days one at a time, he does not know how he wants to proceed with his life. This is reflected, in a way, in the narrative of the boys' familial relationships. Like the curveball of his relationship with Mo, Moishe's family encounters a shock that upsets how their lives have gone so far. The same way his relationship with Moishe helps bridge Mo to a new future, Mo's trip to Jerusalem helps bridges the maternal side of his family back together.
Something I loved for both boys was how authentic their love for Judaism and Islam, respectively, was, and how strong their spirituality and sense of faith were. I feel like a lot of secular authors have tried and failed to capture that magnetic and undeniable pull and devotion the boys feel for their faith, coupled with the impossible situation they've found themselves in, and those depictions pale compared to what Tasa has written in A Meeting of Two Prophets.
Writing Style—★★★☆☆ (2.5 Stars)
A Meeting of Two Prophets is told in alternating points of view between Mo (first person, past tense) and Moishe (first person, present tense.) Both "voices" are fairly distinct: Moishe's "voice" is more formal than Mo's "voice."
Tasa's style is conversational, approachable, and generally readable. It is also unrefined, but not without promise. Paragraph structure, attention to detail, and conversational beats are solid; the problem is in the prose. Like the story, there’s an excess and a lack of precision. Tasa uses more words than necessary—often weak or filter words, like make and feel—to do the job a few, stronger words could. (Example: My mother’s frown made her look older than she was > My mother’s frown aged her / My mother’s frown added ten years.) This results in limp lines lacking the clarity and strength to hit the way the subject matter calls for. This also ties into some telling over showing issues. Now, there’s a bit of leeway in YA, but A Meeting of Two Prophets was heavy on stating emotions—I was glad, I was surprised, I was furious, etc.—and on internal monologues where the characters explained the obvious. Again, these lead to weaker moments in contrast to letting readers experience these emotions through the description of the sensation and in letting the readers experience the plot for themselves.
Also, the matter of “lost” commas. There are places in a sentence where a comma would naturally fall, and those commas simply aren’t there. It’s not always strictly incorrect, but it makes a sentence noticeably awkward.
Themes and Representation—★★★★★
I've largely covered the themes in A Meeting of Two Prophets in the "Story" portion of my review, but I'll reiterate that Tasa tackles complex and delicate subjects like religion, family, societal demands, and the Palestine/Israel conflict with sensitivity, grace, and intelligence.
A Meeting of Two Prophets has #ownvoices Israeli, queer (general), and Chassidic Jewish representation, as well as Palestinian, gay and bisexual (specific), Muslim, and mental health representation. These all seem to be handled exceptionally well—I believe a dearth of sensitivity readers were involved—and particularly liked how Mo's experience with medication was handled in a practical and undramatic way.
Overall—★★★★☆ (3.5 Stars)
Recommended For...
Readers who want an intelligent and thoughtful approach to where religion and sexuality cross paths, along with other complicated subjects; readers looking for uncommon representation; readers looking for authentic insight into Chassidic Judaism.
>>More book reviews at Feathered Turtle Press<<
A Meeting of Two Prophets takes a simple, but bold concept—two queer boys from different religious backgrounds falling for each other hard and fast against the conflict-rife backdrop of Palestine/Israel—and examines and discusses the differences and similarities of each boy's faith, and how those faiths conflict with their burgeoning sexualities with intelligence, grace, and nuance.
The Good
– Easy, approachable writing style
– Bold, timely concept
– Tackles multiple sensitive issues
– Intelligent and nuanced discussions on religion and conflict
– Chassidic (Ultra-Orthodox) Jewish rep and Muslim rep
– Palestinian/Israeli rep
– Gay and Bisexual rep
– Ending fits perfectly
The Bad
– Slow start
– Twice as long as it should be
– Telling over showing issues
– Weak word choices
– Dropped commas
– Some loose ends
– Struggles to blend cutesy YA and Literary YA
[Note: This is the second review I’ve written for A Meeting of Two Prophets. A Meeting of Two Prophets is a nuanced book that encapsulates multiple ideas and discussions, and I spent a week writing a review I hoped reflected those things. Then, WordPress ate it. I don’t know what happened; I’ve used WP as a blogging platform for various things for nearly a decade, and I know how not to screw up saving a post. Unfortunately, that review was kilometres better than this one. Tons better. Gallons better. Oodles better, even. Please accept this one regardless.]
Story—★★★☆☆
Moishe is an eighteen-year-old Chassidic Jew who travels to Jerusalem to study the Torah. Mo is an eighteen-year-old devout Muslim boy visiting family members in Israel for the first time. Since capturing a glimpse of a pornographic magazine some years ago, Moishe has shunted his arousal for both the exposed man and woman to the back of his mind. Months prior to his trip, Mo began taking medication and receiving therapy to treat the depression he’s struggled with for years. Treatment has awakened him to the world and also awakened his dormant feelings of sexual attraction.
The boys meet on the plane to Israel, and then again in Jerusalem. They find themselves fast friends, finding an ease and joy in talking to the other despite—and because of—their differences. When Moishe books a brief vacation for them by the Kinneret, the bud of their friendship blossoms into romance.
But their romance goes against the words of both the Torah and the Quran, and the summer can’t go on forever.
A Meeting of Two Prophets' crowning achievement was how it handled the incredibly difficult subjects encompassed in its narrative. By default, A Meeting of Two Prophets presents complicated situations and asks hard questions with no easy answers. (Sometimes with no answers.) The narrative itself is essentially an ongoing discussion about the nature of complex conflicts of love, family, friends, culture, religion, and all the obligations, duties and ties holding everything together—or occasionally, drawing them apart. Most of the discussions are between Mo and Moishe, and sometimes with family, friends, or religious/spiritual leaders. The best part? There is no moralizing, no black and white mentality, no fighting, or one-upping. Characters present what they know to be true and what they value, and the other character will reply in kind, noting where they are similar or where their views depart. We see Moishe's family's opinion on Israel (viewed separately as the holy land of Israel and the state of Israel) as members of the Jewish diaspora; we get Mo's grandmother's opinion as a woman who grew up there and his cousin's opinions on the Muslims who will continue to live there in the future. Nothing is ever perfect; there is no easy answer.
However, I struggled with how A Meeting of Two Prophets is executed. The story beats are at the right place and aim for the right emotions, but overall, the narrative is weighed down with a slow start, unnecessary details, overlong and rambling internal monologues, and an indecisiveness and general lack of precision in the execution of chapters and scenes. In short, A Meeting of Two Prophets is bloated. A good deal of the opening chapter's content can be condensed, cut out, or referred back to from a future chapter and have the same impact on the story. Scenes should always have a point; a character should enter and leave a scene changed in some small way. There are lots of overlong "transition" moments, usually at the beginning of a scene, with an overabundance of rambling details about waking up, going to the bathroom, eating breakfast, etc. It's unnecessary to know every single time a character eats and it's almost never necessary to know when a character pees. (Please note, not every food scene. Food and cooking are huge touchstones for relationships: between lovers, between family members, between one and their culture. Cooking for someone is an expression of love and I really enjoyed those scenes, such as when Mo buys breakfast for Moishe; when Mo buys breakfast for his grandmother; when Moishe helps cook Shabbos dinner and ensures the broth is clear, the way his mother likes it. Those moments speak to love.) A lot of scenes are very similar in terms of content when the boys are together (and sometimes when they aren't) and unfortunately, this means they lean toward the forgettable side. Example: Mo and Moishe cuddled a lot, but only rode a banana boat and fell asleep together by the beach once, so that's the scene that sticks out more.
Tasa concludes A Meeting of Two Prophets on a bittersweet note, which matches the overall theme and tone of the narrative, and closes both boys' stories in a way that suits their individual character arcs. Again: Nothing is ever perfect; there is no easy answer.
Some loose ends and elements bothered me. Mostly, the cat in Mo’s first chapter who is pointed out and described immediately, then never appears again. Why spend so much time on an element that's never mentioned again, especially at a key point in the book? Second, the rift that grew between Mo’s mother and her family back home. It’s hinted at a few times. His grandmother says it’s his mother’s story to tell, Mo meets back up with his mother, and... nothing. It’s a shame, because it would make such a great parallel subplot to the one with Moishe’s mother.
I also found A Meeting of Two Prophets came down with a sub-genre identity crisis. Now, YA romances can include literary elements and Literary YA can include soft moments, but here A Meeting of Two Prophets bounces between each, struggling to balance the two and become tonally cohesive.
As for the setting, Tasa’s insight into Israel was one of the highlights for me. Solid descriptions, tons of information on individual places, and I enjoyed learning about things like different kosher labels. (Especially paired with moments like Moishe trying Pizza Hut for the first time!)
Characters—★★★★☆
I felt, at times, Tasa characterizes Mo and Moishe more on what they do rather than who they are. Example: Moishe always losing track of time or Mo loving books. Beneath these, the boys are quite similar. This is tricky because they are supposed to be this way to highlight how similar they are despite their perceived differences. However, this means their time together is (initially) peaceful and conflict-free: cuddling, kissing, swimming. This is more of a Your Mileage May Very instance: you'll either love these moments or find them a little flat.
I enjoyed how their romance was this both this big, undeniable thing for both Mo and Moishe, but they came at it from such different places in their lives. Moishe's life has more or less gone to plan so far and he is certain of his future: he'll look for a fiancee in the near future, he'll marry, he'll continue his learning. Whereas Mo is uncertain: he's only begun treating his depression recently, he's taking days one at a time, he does not know how he wants to proceed with his life. This is reflected, in a way, in the narrative of the boys' familial relationships. Like the curveball of his relationship with Mo, Moishe's family encounters a shock that upsets how their lives have gone so far. The same way his relationship with Moishe helps bridge Mo to a new future, Mo's trip to Jerusalem helps bridges the maternal side of his family back together.
Something I loved for both boys was how authentic their love for Judaism and Islam, respectively, was, and how strong their spirituality and sense of faith were. I feel like a lot of secular authors have tried and failed to capture that magnetic and undeniable pull and devotion the boys feel for their faith, coupled with the impossible situation they've found themselves in, and those depictions pale compared to what Tasa has written in A Meeting of Two Prophets.
Writing Style—★★★☆☆ (2.5 Stars)
A Meeting of Two Prophets is told in alternating points of view between Mo (first person, past tense) and Moishe (first person, present tense.) Both "voices" are fairly distinct: Moishe's "voice" is more formal than Mo's "voice."
Tasa's style is conversational, approachable, and generally readable. It is also unrefined, but not without promise. Paragraph structure, attention to detail, and conversational beats are solid; the problem is in the prose. Like the story, there’s an excess and a lack of precision. Tasa uses more words than necessary—often weak or filter words, like make and feel—to do the job a few, stronger words could. (Example: My mother’s frown made her look older than she was > My mother’s frown aged her / My mother’s frown added ten years.) This results in limp lines lacking the clarity and strength to hit the way the subject matter calls for. This also ties into some telling over showing issues. Now, there’s a bit of leeway in YA, but A Meeting of Two Prophets was heavy on stating emotions—I was glad, I was surprised, I was furious, etc.—and on internal monologues where the characters explained the obvious. Again, these lead to weaker moments in contrast to letting readers experience these emotions through the description of the sensation and in letting the readers experience the plot for themselves.
Also, the matter of “lost” commas. There are places in a sentence where a comma would naturally fall, and those commas simply aren’t there. It’s not always strictly incorrect, but it makes a sentence noticeably awkward.
Themes and Representation—★★★★★
I've largely covered the themes in A Meeting of Two Prophets in the "Story" portion of my review, but I'll reiterate that Tasa tackles complex and delicate subjects like religion, family, societal demands, and the Palestine/Israel conflict with sensitivity, grace, and intelligence.
A Meeting of Two Prophets has #ownvoices Israeli, queer (general), and Chassidic Jewish representation, as well as Palestinian, gay and bisexual (specific), Muslim, and mental health representation. These all seem to be handled exceptionally well—I believe a dearth of sensitivity readers were involved—and particularly liked how Mo's experience with medication was handled in a practical and undramatic way.
Overall—★★★★☆ (3.5 Stars)
Recommended For...
Readers who want an intelligent and thoughtful approach to where religion and sexuality cross paths, along with other complicated subjects; readers looking for uncommon representation; readers looking for authentic insight into Chassidic Judaism.
>>More book reviews at Feathered Turtle Press<<
September 16, 2020
Let me start off by saying that I got the chance to work on the book for Mo’s pov and it was such an amazing experience but what I really liked was the fact that the author really did his research when it comes to Muslims and our religious practices. It also made my work easy ngl.
Now let’s talk about the book. Mo decides to visit his grandmother in Palestine where he meets Moishe who is a student and a Jew. Despite their differences they manage to attract each other’s attention and ended up becoming friends. I mean I don’t want to give everything away but that’s the very basic description of how these two characters from very different backgrounds meet each other.
I don’t know a lot about Jewish practices so it was very interesting to see their practices through the eyes of a character that is very firm in his beliefs but also asks question things around him and is open minded. There were times when Moishe said some things he regretted later on but the best part of the character was how he rectified those mistakes.
I could relate to Mo in many ways. He was a very strong character and again, very firm in his beliefs but we also see his struggle of trying to fit in a certain mold that he created for himself.
The book approaches the topic of homosexuality very carefully and perfectly captures the struggle of Moishe and Mo. It’s not easy to reject the things you have been taught and things you know them to be true so two teenagers juggling their beliefs and desires were nicely done. I would 10/10 recommend you to read the book to see what I am really talking about.
January 31, 2021
This has been a book on my radar for quite some time. The premise is fascinating, two worlds distinct from one another colliding, and for a brief moment, we’re witness to their eclipse. We’re presented with Mo and Moishe two young adults on the precipice of internal discovery and wrought with conflict at the implications it has on their lives. Mohammed, a Muslim young adult from Manchester diagnosed with depression, and Moishe a Hasidic Jew from London, find themselves in the same city thousands of miles away from home, in search of something and finding one another.
Most emblematic of the story is the line “but we weren’t two ideologies we were two people”. Tasa does a spectacular job at illustrating these ideologies but staying firm in that the story is not one of geopolitical conflict, it is about two humans and the love they find in one another. On that note, something I must commend Tasa for is the robust religious education stitched into the story. Going into this – I was not well versed as I currently am on the ongoings of religious faiths. The book is presented through a series of back-and-forth character POVs and through the lens of Mo and Moishe we find the unique perspective of two pious men dedicated to their respective faiths. Additionally, discovering the city of Jerusalem, from both of these faiths, and at times the ill-treatment of Mo proves to be a dose of reality threaded throughout.
Tasa does a great job of addressing Mo’s depression. A plotline that we discover early in the book, adds to Mo’s depth as a character. Mo’s depression is never treated as an accessory but rather as an integral part of his identity with which he grapples and reconciles. Mo takes us through the stigma of seeking mental health care in communities of color, he confides in a psychiatrist and even gives his nods toward his CBT treatments and medication trials. While not the main focus of Mo’s story (It is a love story after all) it was wonderfully authentic to see Mo, mentioning his daily dose of medication, or scheduling a call to his psych.
The romance that blossoms between Mo and Moishe is one of queer wholesomeness. The way in which they find each other and the relationship that eventually develops is incredibly realistic to real-life queer stories. The book does not start with either protagonist overtly in search of love. Like many real-life queer stories their romance blossoms from subtleties generally out of view to the heteronormative gaze.
This story leaves a lasting impression on the reader. I’ve completed it several days ago and genuinely had to sit with myself before composing a review. Not to give away spoilers but the ending of the book demands to be thought about and requires some personal introspection on the part of the reader. We join these two characters on this journey of growth and without realizing it, our mindset grows as well. What I’m left with at the end of this tale are empathy and understanding, and I could not be more grateful for the experience.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Most emblematic of the story is the line “but we weren’t two ideologies we were two people”. Tasa does a spectacular job at illustrating these ideologies but staying firm in that the story is not one of geopolitical conflict, it is about two humans and the love they find in one another. On that note, something I must commend Tasa for is the robust religious education stitched into the story. Going into this – I was not well versed as I currently am on the ongoings of religious faiths. The book is presented through a series of back-and-forth character POVs and through the lens of Mo and Moishe we find the unique perspective of two pious men dedicated to their respective faiths. Additionally, discovering the city of Jerusalem, from both of these faiths, and at times the ill-treatment of Mo proves to be a dose of reality threaded throughout.
Tasa does a great job of addressing Mo’s depression. A plotline that we discover early in the book, adds to Mo’s depth as a character. Mo’s depression is never treated as an accessory but rather as an integral part of his identity with which he grapples and reconciles. Mo takes us through the stigma of seeking mental health care in communities of color, he confides in a psychiatrist and even gives his nods toward his CBT treatments and medication trials. While not the main focus of Mo’s story (It is a love story after all) it was wonderfully authentic to see Mo, mentioning his daily dose of medication, or scheduling a call to his psych.
The romance that blossoms between Mo and Moishe is one of queer wholesomeness. The way in which they find each other and the relationship that eventually develops is incredibly realistic to real-life queer stories. The book does not start with either protagonist overtly in search of love. Like many real-life queer stories their romance blossoms from subtleties generally out of view to the heteronormative gaze.
This story leaves a lasting impression on the reader. I’ve completed it several days ago and genuinely had to sit with myself before composing a review. Not to give away spoilers but the ending of the book demands to be thought about and requires some personal introspection on the part of the reader. We join these two characters on this journey of growth and without realizing it, our mindset grows as well. What I’m left with at the end of this tale are empathy and understanding, and I could not be more grateful for the experience.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2021
A MEETING OF TWO PROPHETS by JUDAH TASA
Firstly, thanks to @judahtasa for sending me this arc #gifted. It is such a beautiful book, not just on the outside but on the inside too!
Mo is a Muslim and Moishe is Jewish. They both love God and their faith and religious cultures are very important to them. So when they meet on the plane on the way to Jerusalem, a very interesting set of circumstances unfold. There is no denying that they are attracted to one another, but surely homosexuality is forbidden in both of their religions?
As the boys spend more time together, they realise that they are falling for one another, but is it a love worth sacrificing their family and friends and ways of life?
They have a hot, steamy summer in Tiberius to decide. Luckily there’s a pool, some yummy (Kosher) food and plenty of ancient architecture to help make the decision a little more exciting.
When I read the premise of this book, I knew I was going to love it. The forbidden love trope is one of my favourites and I love learning more about religion, especially Judaism, about which I knew very little, apparently.
The Palestinian conflict is mentioned in this book, but it is not the main event, think of it as a backdrop that puts another pressure on these star crossed lovers. And don’t worry, the writer handles this very well.
In some ways this book was not what I was expecting at all. But in a way that’s really great - it wasn’t predictable at all and it has left scope for a sequel...
Just stop hanging about and buy this book when it comes out in February, yeah?
Firstly, thanks to @judahtasa for sending me this arc #gifted. It is such a beautiful book, not just on the outside but on the inside too!
Mo is a Muslim and Moishe is Jewish. They both love God and their faith and religious cultures are very important to them. So when they meet on the plane on the way to Jerusalem, a very interesting set of circumstances unfold. There is no denying that they are attracted to one another, but surely homosexuality is forbidden in both of their religions?
As the boys spend more time together, they realise that they are falling for one another, but is it a love worth sacrificing their family and friends and ways of life?
They have a hot, steamy summer in Tiberius to decide. Luckily there’s a pool, some yummy (Kosher) food and plenty of ancient architecture to help make the decision a little more exciting.
When I read the premise of this book, I knew I was going to love it. The forbidden love trope is one of my favourites and I love learning more about religion, especially Judaism, about which I knew very little, apparently.
The Palestinian conflict is mentioned in this book, but it is not the main event, think of it as a backdrop that puts another pressure on these star crossed lovers. And don’t worry, the writer handles this very well.
In some ways this book was not what I was expecting at all. But in a way that’s really great - it wasn’t predictable at all and it has left scope for a sequel...
Just stop hanging about and buy this book when it comes out in February, yeah?
November 28, 2020
"If a religious person believes something and at some point is tempted to do the opposite, it doesn't make them a hypocrite. It makes them human"
Culture and religion have been the foundations of numerous civilizations for centuries. We're bound to them, even if we don't agree with the practices. What happens when you find yourself going against your religious beliefs, or rather, your family's beliefs?
'A Meeting of Two Prophets' is the story of an orthodox Muslim and an orthodox Jew, finding themselves bound by fate. Set in London and Israel, the difference in cultures can be easily spotted and the inner conflict in our characters more so. Rather than a story of love, this is a story of discovery.
Why do some people never question their beliefs and follow most practices with blind faith? Because they're afraid of what they'll find on the other side. This is a major component of the book.
There's so much to learn from this story and the way the Arab and Jewish culture was represented was so good. Though I found it a bit difficult to get around the Middle Eastern lingo, it was a learning experience for me more than a work of fiction!
I'd highly recommend this to everyone who wants a heartfelt story and those who want to learn more about Israel!
This is getting published in February 2021 and I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on it!
Thank you Judah Tasa for the eARC.
Culture and religion have been the foundations of numerous civilizations for centuries. We're bound to them, even if we don't agree with the practices. What happens when you find yourself going against your religious beliefs, or rather, your family's beliefs?
'A Meeting of Two Prophets' is the story of an orthodox Muslim and an orthodox Jew, finding themselves bound by fate. Set in London and Israel, the difference in cultures can be easily spotted and the inner conflict in our characters more so. Rather than a story of love, this is a story of discovery.
Why do some people never question their beliefs and follow most practices with blind faith? Because they're afraid of what they'll find on the other side. This is a major component of the book.
There's so much to learn from this story and the way the Arab and Jewish culture was represented was so good. Though I found it a bit difficult to get around the Middle Eastern lingo, it was a learning experience for me more than a work of fiction!
I'd highly recommend this to everyone who wants a heartfelt story and those who want to learn more about Israel!
This is getting published in February 2021 and I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on it!
Thank you Judah Tasa for the eARC.
December 13, 2020
*Received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
Ok, so I totally loved this book. I learned a lot from it. I found stuff I agreed with and other things I didn’t. The ending wasn’t the one I wanted, but it did fit perfectly with the book.
I loved Mo and Moishe, they were such a cute couple.
I was crying at the end partly because of heartbreak, but also because of a perfect happy ending that fit well with the book.
The characters were lovable, relatable, and cute.
One thing I really enjoyed was that they had issues in their relationship, but they worked through them. Whether they were religious or because of something else they figured it out and both learned a lot from one another.
It really was a perfect ending. Both characters were got happy endings, just not how you might expect them. Moishe’s was the way he’d always imagined and Mo in a totally different way
Sometimes things don’t work out how we want them to, but I can still be good or even happy.
All in all, I loved this book and its characters. I think the author did an amazing job giving us a happy and realistic ending filled with love and heartbreak.
Ok, so I totally loved this book. I learned a lot from it. I found stuff I agreed with and other things I didn’t. The ending wasn’t the one I wanted, but it did fit perfectly with the book.
I loved Mo and Moishe, they were such a cute couple.
I was crying at the end partly because of heartbreak, but also because of a perfect happy ending that fit well with the book.
The characters were lovable, relatable, and cute.
One thing I really enjoyed was that they had issues in their relationship, but they worked through them. Whether they were religious or because of something else they figured it out and both learned a lot from one another.
It really was a perfect ending. Both characters were got happy endings, just not how you might expect them. Moishe’s was the way he’d always imagined and Mo in a totally different way
Sometimes things don’t work out how we want them to, but I can still be good or even happy.
All in all, I loved this book and its characters. I think the author did an amazing job giving us a happy and realistic ending filled with love and heartbreak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
Full review comes at the end of January
June 9, 2021
I stayed up late to finish reading this bittersweet love story. The two MC's are both deeply religious and are both really grappling with their gay desires for the first time and struggling to figure out how to reconcile them with their faith. The book also gives a real feel of place, though I can't vouch for accuracy, never having been to Israel.
August 25, 2020
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author - before the beautiful cover by www.harrywoodgate.com !!
A Meeting of Two Prophets switches between two characters, Moishe (Moses) an orthodox Jew and Mo (Mohammed) an orthodox Muslim. I had little to no background in either of these faiths and loved being drawn into worlds I have always observed from the outside. I think people tend to judge these communities based on look or media or negative stories, and I enjoyed getting to see past all the external stuff and learning about the people.
Both characters are adorable, although they both do some silly things as they navigate the difficult journies they have been given. The book opens you up to the religious beliefs surrounding LGBT issues (one character is gay and the other is bisexual), and even how different Rabbis/Immans may approach this with their congregants. They both love their families, their Gods, their friends - but they have to figure out how all that fits with who they are. Or, IF it all fits with who they are. These are huge, life-changing questions, but kids, teens AND adults, have to deal with these issues all the time!
The setting is fantastic - I would love to go to Jerusalem now! The author draws you in, and the sights, sounds and smells literally come off the page! It is also such a summer romance (with the obvious twist of both of them not even realising that in the beginning) and spending time with the boys on their adventures was really fun.
I think this book will speak to lots of people from all backgrounds. The author is not scared to touch on controversial subjects, and I think... although I am not sure... but it's probably going to upset a few people, as well as make others very happy!
Only one thing I will say is - have google ready if you're not up on Jewish and Muslim concepts. Sometimes the author leaves you to figure things out for yourself - on occasion I enjoyed this (it kept the story flowing without too much detail or explanation), other times I had to look words up to keep up with what was going on. There isn't too much of that, just a point I wanted to make.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA novel. If you're Jewish, Muslim, Christian, gay, straight, trans, bi or anything else is irrelevant; this is a story that speaks on a very human level. Although there are some intimate scenes - so you have to figure out how comfortable you are with that - nothing explicit and all relevant to the story, but I know it freaks some people.
A Meeting of Two Prophets switches between two characters, Moishe (Moses) an orthodox Jew and Mo (Mohammed) an orthodox Muslim. I had little to no background in either of these faiths and loved being drawn into worlds I have always observed from the outside. I think people tend to judge these communities based on look or media or negative stories, and I enjoyed getting to see past all the external stuff and learning about the people.
Both characters are adorable, although they both do some silly things as they navigate the difficult journies they have been given. The book opens you up to the religious beliefs surrounding LGBT issues (one character is gay and the other is bisexual), and even how different Rabbis/Immans may approach this with their congregants. They both love their families, their Gods, their friends - but they have to figure out how all that fits with who they are. Or, IF it all fits with who they are. These are huge, life-changing questions, but kids, teens AND adults, have to deal with these issues all the time!
The setting is fantastic - I would love to go to Jerusalem now! The author draws you in, and the sights, sounds and smells literally come off the page! It is also such a summer romance (with the obvious twist of both of them not even realising that in the beginning) and spending time with the boys on their adventures was really fun.
I think this book will speak to lots of people from all backgrounds. The author is not scared to touch on controversial subjects, and I think... although I am not sure... but it's probably going to upset a few people, as well as make others very happy!
Only one thing I will say is - have google ready if you're not up on Jewish and Muslim concepts. Sometimes the author leaves you to figure things out for yourself - on occasion I enjoyed this (it kept the story flowing without too much detail or explanation), other times I had to look words up to keep up with what was going on. There isn't too much of that, just a point I wanted to make.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA novel. If you're Jewish, Muslim, Christian, gay, straight, trans, bi or anything else is irrelevant; this is a story that speaks on a very human level. Although there are some intimate scenes - so you have to figure out how comfortable you are with that - nothing explicit and all relevant to the story, but I know it freaks some people.
January 28, 2021
The story follows the lives of two young religious guys who apparently don't have anything in common, except for the fact they're both from the UK. Mo is a bright Muslim who suffers from depression but on his way to healing. Moishe, meanwhile, is an eighteen-year-old Chasidic Jew. He studies religious texts in Jerusalem. After their first encounter on a plane, they meet up again and decide to meet for a coffee. Soon their friendship grows, and their feelings for one another bloom, but so do their fears.
Is it worth building a relationship hanging by a complex historical, political, and religious background, or is love and faith strong enough to break down any barriers?
With reflective dialogues and fluent prose, Judah skillfully intertwines two different views through a self-discovery story, addressing the Palestinian/Israeli conflict's controversial topic admirably.
One of the quotes it broke my heart was: “I know Muslims and Jews have their history and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict was horrendous, but we weren’t two ideologies, we were two people.” 🥺
The author deserves all my respect for writing this wonderful book! 🙌🏽
Is it worth building a relationship hanging by a complex historical, political, and religious background, or is love and faith strong enough to break down any barriers?
With reflective dialogues and fluent prose, Judah skillfully intertwines two different views through a self-discovery story, addressing the Palestinian/Israeli conflict's controversial topic admirably.
One of the quotes it broke my heart was: “I know Muslims and Jews have their history and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict was horrendous, but we weren’t two ideologies, we were two people.” 🥺
The author deserves all my respect for writing this wonderful book! 🙌🏽
June 28, 2021
What a treat! This is the sweetest book, think Nick and Charlie but set in Jerusalem and one is a Chasidic Jew and the other a Muslim.
I adored this book, Mo and Moishe became my friends, I couldn't stop thinking about them and I am genuinely sad that I have finished the book and parted ways with them both.
If you are looking for books to read for #pride month then please add this to your list. It not only covers sexuality it addresses religion, depression, belonging, families and so much more beyond. It will also make you really want Pizza Hut!
TW's - Depression, Death, Homophobia
I adored this book, Mo and Moishe became my friends, I couldn't stop thinking about them and I am genuinely sad that I have finished the book and parted ways with them both.
If you are looking for books to read for #pride month then please add this to your list. It not only covers sexuality it addresses religion, depression, belonging, families and so much more beyond. It will also make you really want Pizza Hut!
TW's - Depression, Death, Homophobia
January 10, 2024
Honestly, it was well written and had a lot of good cultural and spiritual references. It hit right at home as I’ve been dealing with quite the same in my own life. It brings in inner identity crisis as well as a religious crisis all in one! Brings LGBTQ+ love, religion, and identity altogether into one storyline seen by two different points of view and I can admit it’s one of the greatest books I’ve read in a while!
December 1, 2022
SO. SO. GOOD.
I was nervous for the ending but it wrapped everything up so well and so realistically and it had my gay Jewish heart screaming (in a good way, I think). I love that this book exists.
I was nervous for the ending but it wrapped everything up so well and so realistically and it had my gay Jewish heart screaming (in a good way, I think). I love that this book exists.
November 30, 2020
Actual rating: 4,5 stars, rounded down solely because I'm kind of stingy with my five stars.
I will start this review by saying I am pleasantly surprised with this book. Not because I thought I wouldn’t like it, but because it came on the heels of three books in a row that I simply did not care for and I was dreading the idea of a fourth book being another loss. Also, the fact that my “main” genre tends to be SFF, but I was certainly curious rather than sceptical.
Needless to say, this book did not disappoint me. I personally see this as a book about religion, but not religiousness, per se. It’s about a Muslim and a Chasidic Jewish boy meeting in Jerusalem, a place famous for many things, where people of all religions flock to (several years ago, my grandmother was one of those people).
Let me further state that I am not any sort of religious, but I am in fact very into theology and highly enjoy learning more about such things, so while this book was definitely not SFF, it ended up being exactly up my alley, because I learned so much while reading it. The main characters were also very likeable people, true to their beliefs and never rude about them, and it was fascinating. My favourite part of their entire relationship was their communication. Yes, they occasionally had missteps, but for the most part whenever a miscommunication happened the two of them were quick to step forward and clear the air. It was such a refreshing thing to see!
Now, there were some things that faltered for me. There was a subplot with Mo’s (distant) cousin that I was just not into and was a little unsettled by, but I am in fact a westerner from America, so this could be taken differently by other people. For me, it just didn’t work for a multitude of reasons, but it didn’t deter me too much from the rest of the story.
I don’t want to spoil too much (or anything, really), but I will say I was actually satisfied with the ending, which took me by surprise. I went into it with the idea that I wouldn’t, but lo and behold I was proven wrong.
Overall, the entire book was just a nice, calm experience, and the writing had a sort of poetic flow to it that I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend it even if you aren’t into religion or theology, because at its core it’s about two people meeting each other, and honestly, it’s beautiful.
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I will start this review by saying I am pleasantly surprised with this book. Not because I thought I wouldn’t like it, but because it came on the heels of three books in a row that I simply did not care for and I was dreading the idea of a fourth book being another loss. Also, the fact that my “main” genre tends to be SFF, but I was certainly curious rather than sceptical.
Needless to say, this book did not disappoint me. I personally see this as a book about religion, but not religiousness, per se. It’s about a Muslim and a Chasidic Jewish boy meeting in Jerusalem, a place famous for many things, where people of all religions flock to (several years ago, my grandmother was one of those people).
Let me further state that I am not any sort of religious, but I am in fact very into theology and highly enjoy learning more about such things, so while this book was definitely not SFF, it ended up being exactly up my alley, because I learned so much while reading it. The main characters were also very likeable people, true to their beliefs and never rude about them, and it was fascinating. My favourite part of their entire relationship was their communication. Yes, they occasionally had missteps, but for the most part whenever a miscommunication happened the two of them were quick to step forward and clear the air. It was such a refreshing thing to see!
Now, there were some things that faltered for me. There was a subplot with Mo’s (distant) cousin that I was just not into and was a little unsettled by, but I am in fact a westerner from America, so this could be taken differently by other people. For me, it just didn’t work for a multitude of reasons, but it didn’t deter me too much from the rest of the story.
I don’t want to spoil too much (or anything, really), but I will say I was actually satisfied with the ending, which took me by surprise. I went into it with the idea that I wouldn’t, but lo and behold I was proven wrong.
Overall, the entire book was just a nice, calm experience, and the writing had a sort of poetic flow to it that I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend it even if you aren’t into religion or theology, because at its core it’s about two people meeting each other, and honestly, it’s beautiful.
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
January 10, 2021
First book of 2021! What a roller coaster.
This book caught my eye IMMEDIATELY - why? I am an Israeli secular Jew with a brother who became a hasidic ultra orthodox - "charedi" as we say.
I am Israeli born and proud Israeli. But that doesn't mean that I do not recognise we have good and bad things here. My brother joined an anti-zionist religious group, like the Jewish character in this book. It was very hard for my family and they still argue about it all the time. For me I have always been torn by understanding both his and my parents point of view. This book articulated a lot of what I wanted to say and have never found the words - it's OK to be opposed to certain things about your country but still love the country and the people.
Mo is a Muslim - he visits Jerusalem and his family are Israeli Arabs. Israeli Arabs is an interesting concept - they are legal residents, but not everything is the same - the majority are not permitted to serve in the army for example. Some Israeli Arabs choose to call themselves "Palestinian Arabs of Israel" meaning they also not feeling totally Israeli. It's a very complex situation. Also their lives are different in different parts of the country. In Jerusalem life is very different for Israeli Arabs from a city like Haifa where there is much less hostility, I liked how this was shown in the book. In Jerusalem the character feels uncomfortable in certain places - this is how it is there. But when he visits the kinneret area, he doesn't experience these feelings.
I also liked seeing the charedi charachter, Moishe, and his Jewish life in London, something I haven't experienced personally. I liked seeing his relationship with his family, parents, rabbis, etc.
I related to Mo in terms of music, books, running. I liked this charachter a lot. I related to Moishe through my brother and it actually helped me to understand his reasoning on some things which before used to annoy me. I wish my brother would read this book but rest assured this will never be happening.
From my personal perspective I would love to see this story through the eyes of a secular Israeli and an Arab - I think it would very different in terms of the barriers and things the boys would have to over come. There are a few stories like this in both movies and books, but not many.
So happy this was my first read of 2021, I felt I could relate and I am happy the writer is giving people a look into my country and these different communities.
This book caught my eye IMMEDIATELY - why? I am an Israeli secular Jew with a brother who became a hasidic ultra orthodox - "charedi" as we say.
I am Israeli born and proud Israeli. But that doesn't mean that I do not recognise we have good and bad things here. My brother joined an anti-zionist religious group, like the Jewish character in this book. It was very hard for my family and they still argue about it all the time. For me I have always been torn by understanding both his and my parents point of view. This book articulated a lot of what I wanted to say and have never found the words - it's OK to be opposed to certain things about your country but still love the country and the people.
Mo is a Muslim - he visits Jerusalem and his family are Israeli Arabs. Israeli Arabs is an interesting concept - they are legal residents, but not everything is the same - the majority are not permitted to serve in the army for example. Some Israeli Arabs choose to call themselves "Palestinian Arabs of Israel" meaning they also not feeling totally Israeli. It's a very complex situation. Also their lives are different in different parts of the country. In Jerusalem life is very different for Israeli Arabs from a city like Haifa where there is much less hostility, I liked how this was shown in the book. In Jerusalem the character feels uncomfortable in certain places - this is how it is there. But when he visits the kinneret area, he doesn't experience these feelings.
I also liked seeing the charedi charachter, Moishe, and his Jewish life in London, something I haven't experienced personally. I liked seeing his relationship with his family, parents, rabbis, etc.
I related to Mo in terms of music, books, running. I liked this charachter a lot. I related to Moishe through my brother and it actually helped me to understand his reasoning on some things which before used to annoy me. I wish my brother would read this book but rest assured this will never be happening.
From my personal perspective I would love to see this story through the eyes of a secular Israeli and an Arab - I think it would very different in terms of the barriers and things the boys would have to over come. There are a few stories like this in both movies and books, but not many.
So happy this was my first read of 2021, I felt I could relate and I am happy the writer is giving people a look into my country and these different communities.
December 4, 2020
Mmmmm this book GUYS. I never thought id say that but '' i got this book arc for an honest review'' and wow im so glad this one is my first.
We follow Moishe, a Hassidic Jewish boy and Mo, a religious Muslim both from UK. They first met on the plane to the holy land thinking they will never meet again. But life had other plans for them. During their vacations there they meet again near the Western Wall deciding to meet for a coffee.
From there a surprisal connection start between them, their love for each other grow and each one is fully themselves when together.
But with that there is lot of social differences, political conflict, and most of all for them, religion. How to be attracted to a man and love him and still be on the same side of the Quran and the Torah. How their belief can forbidden their love? Something so beautiful and natural. Can god had made a mistake by making them love each other? We will see all their struggle and beliefs questioning and as reader we gonna think about more questions with probably no answers.
I think its so powerful how not one decide to loose their religion and turn 180 degrees. We can see in a lot of media how they just abandon their beliefs. But the two character still believes and maybe will try to accept themselves in the process?
I waited for so long for a book like that where i can relate and learn, as I myself come from a religious jewish family. I love MO so much and relate to him so much but come from Moshe background. I hope not only Jewish and Muslim people are gonna learn and love that book as much as I did. AN ART MASTERPIECE.
We follow Moishe, a Hassidic Jewish boy and Mo, a religious Muslim both from UK. They first met on the plane to the holy land thinking they will never meet again. But life had other plans for them. During their vacations there they meet again near the Western Wall deciding to meet for a coffee.
From there a surprisal connection start between them, their love for each other grow and each one is fully themselves when together.
But with that there is lot of social differences, political conflict, and most of all for them, religion. How to be attracted to a man and love him and still be on the same side of the Quran and the Torah. How their belief can forbidden their love? Something so beautiful and natural. Can god had made a mistake by making them love each other? We will see all their struggle and beliefs questioning and as reader we gonna think about more questions with probably no answers.
I think its so powerful how not one decide to loose their religion and turn 180 degrees. We can see in a lot of media how they just abandon their beliefs. But the two character still believes and maybe will try to accept themselves in the process?
I waited for so long for a book like that where i can relate and learn, as I myself come from a religious jewish family. I love MO so much and relate to him so much but come from Moshe background. I hope not only Jewish and Muslim people are gonna learn and love that book as much as I did. AN ART MASTERPIECE.
December 31, 2020
I would like to thank Judah for giving me an ARC of this book to read and review.
I finished this book this morning and I had to take some time to sit down and think through what I had read as it left me with an abundance of emotions. Mo and Moishe are organic, raw and very real characters who have their respective struggles and fears. For a reader, it is welcoming and comforting to read about personalities that are relatable and endearing. I was intrigued to learn more about the respective religious institutions that Mo and Moishe are a part of and appreciated the amount I learnt about them without it being preachy or difficult to understand. The story navigates the waters of how one balances the practices and traditions they are raised to believe, in the light of their own feelings and calling. For many of us in society, we often face the same difficulties and there comes many times in life where we are forced to make a decision about following our heart or the duties and responsibilities that are expected of us. As Mo and Moishe explore their relationship romantically in the streets of Jerusalem, they feel guilty at times of their commitment towards their faith, which to me spoke great volumes of how tumultuous the journey was for both of them. Judah does an incredible job of piecing this book together with a grace and beauty and that left me feeling touched and moved in ways that I couldn’t imagine possible. I can guarantee you will fall in love with Mo and Moishe and their poignant and fabulous love story!
I finished this book this morning and I had to take some time to sit down and think through what I had read as it left me with an abundance of emotions. Mo and Moishe are organic, raw and very real characters who have their respective struggles and fears. For a reader, it is welcoming and comforting to read about personalities that are relatable and endearing. I was intrigued to learn more about the respective religious institutions that Mo and Moishe are a part of and appreciated the amount I learnt about them without it being preachy or difficult to understand. The story navigates the waters of how one balances the practices and traditions they are raised to believe, in the light of their own feelings and calling. For many of us in society, we often face the same difficulties and there comes many times in life where we are forced to make a decision about following our heart or the duties and responsibilities that are expected of us. As Mo and Moishe explore their relationship romantically in the streets of Jerusalem, they feel guilty at times of their commitment towards their faith, which to me spoke great volumes of how tumultuous the journey was for both of them. Judah does an incredible job of piecing this book together with a grace and beauty and that left me feeling touched and moved in ways that I couldn’t imagine possible. I can guarantee you will fall in love with Mo and Moishe and their poignant and fabulous love story!
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