The Pomegranate Gate
By Ariel Kaplan

aaaaaAAAAHHHH

For some reason I didn’t realize this was going to be a series and I was not emotionally prepared for the end of the book! I’m going to go faint dramatically on a couch and have my little one fetch my smelling salts.

Ugh.

It was fantastic, ok.

Our setting is the Inquisition and our characters are all Jewish. We get to delve into Jewish fable/lore which was really cool. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand. Our main characters are complex and interesting. Elena terrifies me a bit with how far she’ll go for her granddaughter. The magic and the plot are intriguing.

For my romance people, there’s an infatuation from one character and there’s a super sweet blossoming of something between two of the main male characters.

This might be in my top books of the year. And I want the next one please. Go read the synopsis and add it to your TBR.

Excuse me as I wander aimlessly around the house with a feather duster.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks @erewhonbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interestingly detailed read full of Jewish mythological lore and incredible world building. Going into this book I didn't know much about Jewish culture or their myths so I struggled a bit in the learning of certain things however the glossary's did help a lot but once I learned about everything I was absorbed by the book and the two narrations. This is definitely going to be a re-read especially before the sequel comes out but I highly recommend for fantasy lovers as this is highly unique and a wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read rage and review this arc which is available Sept 26,2023.

Come with me and enjoy a world of pure imagaination!

This book was beautiful, lyrical and steeped in Jewish folklore during a time period called The Spanish Inquisition. Some parts were devasting but mostly it was simply stunning. Toba the Main character has gifts and they’re the type of gifts she just hide to avoid death torture and other things. Naftaly the male main character is the same as Toba. They both keep one thing as they flee. Toba and amulet and Naftaly a book. These objects open up a mirror realm called Mazik.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is poignant and real and will suck you in

This book was wild. I'll admit that it took a bit for me to get invested, but when I did, the pieces all clicked together and I'm left reeling. I will say that this book isn't super vast in the way that some fantasy books are. It's largely centered around the characters as they try to unravel the mystery of the plot. There's not as much scenery building, is what I'm getting at, but that doesn't really detract from the book.

There are a lot of characters. Ariel Kaplan helpfully includes a "list of important persons" section at the beginning of the book, which--fool that I am--I skipped over entirely. I'd say that while it isn't entirely necessary to read it, it definitely would've eliminated a lot of my confusion at points (a confusion of my own making, but I digress).

I don't really want to say too much more because the synopsis is kept purposefully vague. You're intended to unravel the bits of the the mystery surrounding Toba's condition and Naftaly's dreams alongside the characters. I think Ariel Kaplan did a really good job threading things together. Once I got it, things I'd been confused over in previous chapters immediately made sense. And honestly it was a hell of a ride.

I will say that the writing did feel a bit flat at times. That was mostly when it came to describing the scenery or other things like that. I feel like the character writing was very, very good. There were plenty of dialogue moments that actually had me laugh out loud. And by the end, I really cared about the characters. The scenery-building, on the other hand, probably could've used a bit more... oomph? I don't know how to describe it other than at times it felt almost clinical. That could just be me, but I would've liked to see a bit more care taken to shaping the world in a way that made me feel invested in that as much as I was the characters and the plot.

Other than that, I was really blown away by this. I'm honestly not sure where Ariel Kaplan intends to take this story, but I'm eager to find out.

Thank you to Kensington Books, Erewhon Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this!

Though I am Jewish, I am Ashkenazi and not Sephardi, so this is not an own-voices review. I have some distant half-memory of Mazikim (of hearing the word and hearing them to be some sort of demon), but only that. Due to these facts, the book unfolded with me feeling as if I was learning along with with Tobot and Naftaly. I could recognize some minor things-- who Spain was, Portugal, and the horror of the impending Inquisition.

I really like the other character, who goes only by a moniker, and I look forward to watching her grow and anger. I also enjoyed the old woman and Elena so much. I loved their love and care for their respective youngsters, their concern, and their singlemindedness to keep their loved one safe. The Mazik world seemed fantastical and glorious, and I don't know how many other Jewish references I missed unknowing (all food being lentils, perhaps), but I eagerly await the next book in the series!

I would have absolutely checked this book out from my Hebrew School a thousand times.

The Pomegranate Gate, by Ariel Kaplan, is a compelling fantasy tale set during the Spanish Inquisition and the beginning of the trilogy known as the Mirror Realm Cycle. Toba and Naftaly, the story's two Jewish heroes, are forced to abandon their homeland after the Queen orders all Jews to convert or be expelled. Toba and Naftaly's quest revolves around the precious heirlooms they bring along with them. They learn the connection between their heirlooms and the Mazik realm as they accidentally enter the Mazik's mirror realm, a place full with mythological and fearsome immortals with their own Inquisition.

Kaplan's writing style is superb, and she successfully merges Jewish tradition and the history of the Spanish Inquisition to create a vibrant, mystical universe. Toba and Naftaly's trip is engaging and intriguing, and their development as characters is excellent. The fae-like people thrown into the mix increase the story's air of mystery and magic.

I appreciated how the author included a glossary of religious phrases at the back of the book to help readers unfamiliar with certain Jewish customs and beliefs. This was a great way to learn something new while reading the book.

As a whole, The Pomegranate Gate is a fascinating and exciting book that won't let you relax for a second. I loved this book from cover to cover and think any fan of fantasy, Jewish folklore, or historical fiction would like it.

4/5 Stars from me.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.***

Toba - half mazik - brought to the other realm by Barsilay and Asmel. Staying in asmel’s castle.
Naftaly - son of a tailor, a bad tailor himself.
the inquisition tells all jews to convert or leave penniless. He leaves with a convoy, sees Toba disappear and stays with Tobas grandma, Elena and the old woman in a small town untill the next moon.
The book has two narrators Toba and Naftaly, both young I think around 20.
In the Toba part we follow her learning more about the Maziks and their magic and learning more about herself and what she can do.
Naftaly is accompanied by Elena and “The Old Woman” trying to find Toba and getting into trouble.
The book is truly incredible and the first Jewish fantasy book I’ve read. The worldbuilding is SO good and detailed. The book starts with a glossary of people, places and names which is very helpful following everything. The book has taken very real parts of history in the inquisition and the repeated forcing of Jews to convert. While the book is heavy and very sad at times, “The Old Woman” is the true star of jokes and one liners. Every character is so well fleshed out. I cannot wait for the next part of this series. The way this book sucked me in, was just stellar. A true 5 star read for me. The book has two delightful queer characters and hope to read more about them in the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the earc.

This new Jewish fairytale inspired fantasy is so good. It had me hooked from the beginning and I had to know how it ended. Now i can't wait for the next 2 books to come out! Very very good.
I just reviewed The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan. #ThePomegranateGate #NetGalley
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Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Erewhom Books for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Pomegranate Gate is an epic fantasy story that is rooted in Jewish folklore. The story is told from the perspective of the two main characters, Naftaly and Toba, each of whom must flee from their home after leaders of the Inquisition declare a choice between forced conversion or death against Jews in their land. This trip leads them on their path to an alternate land, accessed through a pomegranate gate, whose inhabitants are also experiencing a similar persecution. They also both leave with prized possessions, despite conflicting orders, and ultimately they learn how their stories interconnect.

This story is very intricate and detailed; the author truly created another universe that the reader could get lost in. Many of the elements of Jewish folklore mentioned were unfamiliar to me and I did find myself needing to look up what some of the terms meant but, I don’t think this took anything away from my reading experience and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn.

At times, I did feel that the story moved a bit slowly and overall, I would say it was a slow burn. It took a while to set everything up and move into some of the action but, I’m glad that I persisted and read on. The main benefit of this slow burn type story was that it made me feel very invested in the main characters and I felt like I was able to connect with them. Also, The ending was also set up well, in my opinion, and made me interested to know what would come for the characters.

I would recommend this book to fantasy readers, especially those with a lot penchant for folklore!

The Pomegranate Gate is an instantaneous favorite and one of the easiest five star reviews I have ever given. This first installment of the Mirror Realm Cycle was beautifully written and expertly executed. I could not put this down. I am already hungry for the next installment and I'm not quite sure how I can possibly wait to find out how this tale continues!

In synopsis: Toba and Naftaly make excellent hubs for this complex and exciting tale set in a mythical version of Spain at the apex of the Inquisition. When the order comes for the Jews of Rimon to convert or leave, Toba and Naftaly will be spurred onward towards a destiny neither of them could have ever imagined for themselves.

Ordered to forsake all possessions should they not wish to convert, Toba and Naftaly defy the Inquisition, each smuggling a priceless family heirloom out of Rimon and into the world beyond. When Toba's flight with her grandparents goes awry, it is she who stumbles through the gate in the pomegranate grove and into the world of the Mazik's. (A realm with an Inquisition of it's own. Arguably more deadly and dangerous than that of the human realm.) Meanwhile Naftaly, having witnessed her disappearance, is left behind to try to figure out what has happened and how to bring her back.

As both Toba and Naftaly work to navigate their way through the dangers of the mirror realm and the real world respectively, long kept secrets come to light. Their fates, inextricably tied together by decisions made generations ago, and the future of both realms hangs in the balance. And it is up to them to save them.

After finishing this novel, I can say without a doubt that I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. Ms. Kaplan has done an excellent job of presenting a thrilling and compelling tale with a fully fleshed out world and captivating characters that leave the reader hungry for more. The inclusion of so much Jewish culture and mythology is a refreshing addition to a genre that is too often dominated by the West. She has successfully brought to life a world that is both believable and fantastical, wonderful and dangerous. To Ms. Kaplan I must say, brava! I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

This was such a unique take with the fantasy genre, something that I started to feel was becoming repetitive, but this was exceptional. I loved the historical and fae element combos and I found the Jewish folklore to be intriguing. This was lovely and captivating.

this was a great start to the Mirror Realm Cycle series, it had great elements of Jewish mythology and I'm glad I got to read this. It had what I enjoyed from the fantasy genre. It had great historical elements going on and I was engaged with the whole story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and I was invested in what was going on. I'm excited to read more in this series and from Ariel Kaplan.

"Elena said. “Damn them.” Turning to Naftaly, she said, “Listen, we’ll never make it to Merja without help; we’re too far away. We could sell the donkey, but it wouldn’t be enough to get us to Merja and on a ship. We need to find someone willing to help, and there’s a chance you have a friend here. We’ll go look for him, but remember: if Salomon Machorro lives, it won’t be his name any longer. And we’d best not walk into the middle of town asking for him by his real name.”