Wow, this book is a masterpiece.

Aden Polydoros is already well established as one of my favorite authors of all time, and Wrath Becomes Her only solidified him as an absolutely masterful, gut-wrenching storyteller. I don’t quite have the words to adequately describe this book, only that it is something both courageous and vengeful, soft and heartbreaking all at once.

Set in Lithuania in 1943, the story follows Vera, a newly formed golem created in the image of Chaya, a young Jewish girl who’d recently been killed. Amidst working out the purpose of her existence— namely, her creators task of exacting vengeance upon Chaya’s Nazi killers— Vera must also learn what it means to be human, even when she’s not human herself.

Although much of the story is downright harrowing, cataloguing the horrific reality of the Jewish people living in Europe at the time, there were so many beautiful, tender moments like pearls of hope amidst a very bleak situation. I loved Akiva especially— how courageous he was despire unspeakable odds and how he wasn’t afraid to die, but terrified to live where his community wasn’t allowed much of a life to cling to. The exploration of his character in contrast to Vera’s served as a larger portrait of what it means to survive. Akiva didn’t want to think of anything outside of vengeance, outside of living minute by minute. He’d seen the worst of humanity and was simply trying to survive. My heart broke for him and I don’t think his character will be leaving my thoughts for a long time.

As with all Aden’s writing, the emotion and descriptions were extremely visceral and poignant. From the descriptions of Vera’s making to the coldness of a Lithuanian winter, the prose jumped from the page with a lifelike vitality. Wrath Becomes Her is a story that comes from anger and wrath, yes, but it is also a story rooted in humanity. In caring for each other amidst the horror of war and the poison blade of hate. It’s a look at survival and family, and how far we’ll go to memorialise those we love. The easiest 5 stars ever.

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

"But in my short time on earth, I had begun to realize that what we wanted in life was seldom what we got.”

"Wrath Becomes Her" is, in my opinion, a very sad and yet beautiful story about humanity seen through the eyes of a golem. Vera comes to understand the hardships of what it means to be human and that evil takes on a human form as well. Moreover, she comes to experience the beauty of love in the battlefield and its redemptive power.

This is the first book I’ve read by Aden Polydoros and I must say I was very impressed by the story and it’s strong themes. It's also the first book, in general, that has made me literally cry. I absolutely loved the heroism of these Jewish characters and their pride in being Jewish, especially in the face of antisemitism. Truly a profound story!

" Vera was made for vengeance." that line is what drew me in and I'm so glad I read this. It worked with the description, and had great concepts for a horror novel. It was done respectfully and well-written, I'm surprised this hasn't been done before. The characters were what I was hoping for and the horror elements were strong.

"“You’re dead,” he whispered, and the spark of joy I’d felt at the sight of him snuffed out in an instant. Of course, it was Chaya’s emotion. It was her tears that welled in my eyes, her tears that trickled down in my cheeks—so little water, but I was afraid they’d wash my skin away and expose to him that there was nothing beneath."