If you like historical fiction filled with elements of mysticism that introduce you to interesting cultures and lesser-known historical perspectives, this is the book for you! This book slowly unfolds the story of Csilla, a Hungarian Jew living in Budapest in 1956. The country has been torn apart by the war, by Stalin, by the Soviets, and by its own people and yet she loves her city and the river that flows through it. Her past is complicated as her beloved father was persecuted for sins he didn't commit as a Jew and then exonerated despite sins he did commit as a Communist Party leader. Elements of Jewish mysticism and other fantastical religious figures are woven into this very gripping and grounded story about rebellion, cultural identity, and one's life purpose. Richly drawn characters, unexpected plot twists, and an overall Kundera-esque vibe made me devour this book quickly.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't familiar with this time in history and loved the way the author wove a touch of fantasy into this significant event in history. Fans of historical fiction and heart wrenching stories of love, friendship, and family should not sleep on this book. It's a must read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love historical fiction because I learn so much about the world and other people's experiences and histories.

I appreciated the author bringing in. so many elements and tying in magical realism.

I felt so emotionally attached to Csilla. Her pain and loss were relatable not just to the post-World War II era but reflective of loss and plain in current war-torn countries.

I find this book powerful for young adults who are searching for strength for advocacy and caring for individual needs in our current world.

**At the time of this review/publishing- reviewer was going through much personal loss and reviewing felt heavy. Chose to focus on positives in the story and how it can inspire reflection and action.

I could not finish this book. It was just not the style of writing I enjoy. I found the descriptions stilted and forced. So much so that I couldn’t get into the plot of the book.

I was terribly excited when I saw this, especially being LGBTQ+. It didn’t disappoint! I have already bought a copy

Slow-moving yet gripping story about an event in history that I wish we had more books about! In a genre overstuffed with WWII narratives, the characters' (past) memories and experiences of war and the holocaust are particularly nuanced and impactful. At times the story can get a bit muddied by the many magical happenings, but this is a special book that will have a devoted following.

Unfortunately this book just didn't do it for me. The plot was captivating but the writing left a lot to be desired. I felt like there were a lot of elements that needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

For the current landscape of 2022, and all the challenges our county has faced during the pandemic, this is an extremely poignant novel. Locke's language is both wistful and fanciful but will still pack a gut punch. I found myself constantly writing down quotes from this novel, which is something I rarely do, but everything felt important and succinctly conveyed. We not only get to read about an interesting time period & place (Hungary, post WWII and concentration camps, focused upon a Jewish main character, but also a county dealing with German occupation during the way then Soviet "liberation") but we also get an air of magical realism & actual magic. The Danube river almost becomes a character in and of itself, in the vein of the ecological fantasy novels by N.K. Jemison. There is also queer/polymerous representation within this novel and it is such a joy to watch the relationships develop. Even if historical fiction is not you typical genre (because it certainly is not my go-to) this glorious novel deserves a shot. It will easily be in my top books of 2022!

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2022, and it did not disappoint me. I love discovering historical fiction about time periods I've never read about before. Katherine Locke set their story during the Hungarian Revolution of the 1950s, and I love that they centered a Jewish girl. I can trace my family's heritage to Hungary, though they either left before the Holocaust or perished during it. So I'm always interested in reading more about Hungary, and I really enjoyed learning more about this time period.

The story is beautifully written, and very lyrical - it had moments that felt almost like a fairy tale. I really enjoyed the fantastical elements as well - Csilla has a connection to the river. It saved her during the Holocaust, and she hears it whispering to her frequently. There is also an Angel of Death, a Golem, and the way the author creates a colorless world to symbolize Soviet-controlled Hungary, only introducing color as the people begin to revolt.

I will say that I had issues with the pacing of the story. The first third of the book was very slow, and then all of the action happens in the last third. I think that the last third was also the best part of the story - it's when the characters really get to shine and you see the relationships blossom.

I loved just how Jewish the story was as well - the golem, the Angel of Death, discussions of antisemitism, the Holocaust, it was really well done. There were also several queer characters, and I always enjoy seeing queer people just living their lives in different eras of history. They existed then just as they do now.

Overall, I really liked the story and I recommend reading it if you are interested in reading about protest and revolution in history.

Challenging, imperfect, sometimes confusing historical fantasy about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Some elements (character, historical) are much stronger than others (fantasy elements) and one of the characters owes a considerable debt to Marcus Zusak's "The Book Thief". Even so, it's quite timely given the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the main characters are well-drawn and sympathetic. Recommend young readers take at least a few minutes to read Wikipedia's entry on The Hungarian Revolution or similar.

This novel tells about the events of the Hungarian Revolution. This novel focused on a little known period that I knew nothing about. Therefore, it made for an enthralling read! The characters are all very likable. The story was very well written and meticulously researched. I recommend this fans of The Night Witches!

This book gave perspective to the time period in an empowering way. The characters were well thoughht out.

What makes this book stand out is the author’s use of color and its absence, as well as the use of the river. The author has created a 1950s Hungary and Budapest were following the Nazi invasion in WWII and the Soviet occupation afterwards, the country has been drained of color — everything is gray, except for the silver of the Danube and the silver hair of Csilla, the main character. As revolution starts to unfold in Budapest, color slowly starts to return, a sign of change and beacon of hope. It is a beautiful scene when color really starts appearing and adults are explaining and giving words to colors their children have never seen.

The author also uses the Danube River, which separates Buda and Pest, as an important symbol in the story. When Csilla was born, the Danube overran its banks in Budapest, but even where the water found open doors and windows, it did not enter. The river has been connected to Csilla since her birth and helped save her and her family during WWII. However, Csilla does not realize and understand the extent and power of that connection. Events in October 1956 will force her to finally listen to and understand the river.

The author makes good use of Jewish mythology (golems), and Azril (the angel of death). And in a time of revolution, the author explores, and breaks established cultural and social norms and expectations to display the essence of humanity in all of us.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

A stunning mix of historical fiction and mind-bending fantastical elements. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't stop until I had worked my way through the tangled mystery of this book. It felt startlingly relevant and deeply historical at the same time.

While the subject matter was heavy and the ending heartwrenching, this was a hopeful story full of ferocity and idealism and a search for balance. I loved the inclusion of magic in this story, which wasn't so much as to overturn or rewrite the real historical events the story covers, but just enough to lend flavor and spirit and metaphor to everything. I also appreciated that the story was told from the perspective of a Jewish character, and that she was both the hero of her own story and also contended with her Judaism and how it affected her life in a grounded way. It was also the first time I've ever seen a healthy, loving polyamorous relationship on the page in a YA novel of any genre, which was beautiful and sweet.

I suppose the only criticism I can offer is that I wish the book had had a happy ending. I understand why it didn't, and I applaud Locke's determination to tell a hopeful story without altering history, leaving the tragic ending intact. I think their message in the author's note and the story itself is very powerful. While I would have been more satisfied with a happy ending, the tragic ending leaves more food for thought, more to consider. Are struggles and fights for justice rendered completely pointless if they fail? Is there not something to be said about showing up and trying your hardest to do the right thing? Does that not speak for itself? There is worth in doing the right thing, whether you get results. Something changed as a result of the rebellion portrayed in this story. Maybe it was not as much change as there should have been. But it was more than would have changed if no one had taken a stand at all. I'll be thinking about what this book taught me for a long time.

i'm not usually a fan of historical fiction but this was such a delightful read! i loved the jewish aspects and it was very interesting to read about. the queer representation was also amazing and i loved it! overall this was a very good hook id recommend to everyone! .

This book was not at all what I expected, and like very little else I have ever read - and I mean both in the best way! While novels set during World War II are widely made, a story like this, that takes place with the war not so far at all in the rearview mirror, is a much more unique take. I found the way in which the trauma of surviving such an event, for both Csilla and Budapest itself, was handled to be deft, yet still extremely impactful. The folklore-esque elements present in the book are masterful, not taking you out of the narrative at all. The return of color is of particularly high symbolic value. (Insert hair on fire emoji here) This is a definite recommendation for older/more advanced YA readers, and any and all adults who appreciate a captivating story.

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke is a beautifully written novel set amid the backdrop of the 1956 Hungarian revolution in the post-WWII Communist Budapest.

It is a paean for the citizens of Hungary who fought to free their country from a foreign power. Locke poignantly describes Hungary’s condition under the rule of Stalinist Russia. I loved the fact how she played with colors to describe the transition of Hungary from a country listlessly following the Party diktat to a country revolting for its rights.

Locke seamlessly blends historical fiction with magical realism to craft a powerful story about hope and resilience of human spirit in face of great adversity. The Danube River “speaks” to Csilla; the story features an angel of death, and Csilla tries to bring to life a golem. While it may seem absurd to hear of these, Locke has done a phenomenal job of integrating these elements into the story impeccably.

Moreover, all the characters are three-dimensional and add depth to the story. Not a single character seemed unnecessary to me. I loved all the three central characters: Csilla, Azriel, and Tamas. All are people with flaws, aspirations, and desires. Yet, all battle their insecurities and come together to fight for their country. I loved how Locke portrayed the tenderness and vulnerability of the relationship amongst the three people.

I loved the characters of Csilla’s father, her mother, and her aunt equally. These are complex characters impeccably brought to life by Locke.

This Rebel Heart does not shy away from asking difficult questions such as were the perpetrators of the Holocaust really brought to justice. How could people after reporting on their Jewish neighbors carry on with their lives as if nothing ever happened. Most importantly, it sheds light on the plight of the Jews who survived the Nazi concentration camps and came back.

After a long time, I highlighted several passages in a book which is a testament to the powerful prose of this book. Further, it inspired me to learn about Hungary’s tryst with revolution about which I knew nothing.

However, what stops me from rating this book 5 stars is the magical realism of the tale. While it does make for an original tale, I personally prefer my historical fiction to be grounded in reality. However, this is a personal preference.

I would heartily recommend This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke to fans of historical and literary fiction.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion on the book.

A beautiful story, but it did unfortunately fall short with its confusing magical elements.

I had no expectations for it to involve magical elements, which were so implicit and very confusing. It did ruin my reading experience a bit, until I got used to it. Moreover, the first two parts were agony to get through. The plot moved too slowly at the start, which was the reason why it took my nearly two months to get through it. Immediately when it came to the last half, I managed to complete reading it in one sitting for 1-2 hours.

The ending half was really what made the book redeemable. It was really inspirational at the end, and I really loved to learn about the Hungarian revolution! It did really give an interesting insight in the timeframe.

Overall, it may not be among my favourite books, but it was a solid read. Bit of a shame it took so long to get through.

Over & out. -Nora<3

I enjoy historical fiction books that immerse you in a different time and place. This book definitely did that. After reading I wanted to learn more about the Hungarian Revolution. I loved the heroine and the LGBTQ+ representation that is important for teens today to see in novels.