The book had me in the beginning and then lost me about a 1/4 of the way in. I didn’t like the writing, the language style. It felt disjointed.
I love Lilith lore so much so I was excited about it but it just wasn’t for me, love the idea though and would like to see this story done again in the future.

An excellent retelling that digs deep into the myth of Lilith but makes the story so approachable. With some modern inflections, it gives it a relatable feel. The story of her origin, and the origin of “man” as told by Lilith will equal parts infuriate and validate anyone with an inkling of feminist sympathies. Adam has nothing on the mother.

A little disappointing as I had extremely high hopes. This was a moment to really tell a story about Lilith who has gotten the short end of the stick throughout the years.. did not meet that mark.

As soon as Yahweh said "and if the woman told you to jumpeth off a cliff, would you?" I knew I had to put it down.

I was already pretty sure I was going to dnf this but that was the final straw. Only made it 10% of the way into the ARC. I love retellings, especially ones that take a "misunderstood" female character from literature/folklore/mythology/etc and expand upon her story -- Circe and Kaikeyi were absolutely riveting to me. but Lilith had none of the intrigue, character development, and beautiful writing that made those stories great. Lilith conveniently grows wings because of Asherah's blessing. Except that Asherah is missing and Lilith has to find her so how is she being blessed by her??? Eve is to blame for her subservience and also she's not as pretty as Lilith -- don't forget that. The fact that Adam invents patriarchy, capitalism, and rape casually and Lilith is just like Bummer. WHAT. Also, I don't know, this felt very modernly anti-Christianity in a way that is weird to do with a figure of Jewish and Mesopotamian mythologies. It just felt out of place.

This read like a baby's first feminism take on Lilith and also was so grossly equating motherhood, birth, and menstruation with womanhood. Not only is that transphobic but it's so reductive and demonstrates a woeful misunderstanding of what should be the fundamental priorities of feminism.

Disappointing.

Lilith, Adam's first wife. She was there before Eve, and she was there after. Who is the real mother of all humankind?

I didn't know much about Lilith before I read this book, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to read it. I thought it would be about what I knew--Lilith and Adam's relationship in the Garden of Eden--but it was so much more beyond that. Marmery wound Lilith into many of our most popular Bible stories like Noah, Jezebel, and Mary Magdalene. I loved hearing these well-known stories from a completely different perspective, and it was clear Marmery had done an extensive amount of research.

Above all, Lilith is about history and legacy. Who gets to decide what someone's legacy is, how they're remembered? Why do we remember Lilith as a demon, a killer of babies? Who wrote these tales, and how might they be wrong?

If you like feminist retellings in the vein of Clytemnestra or Circe, you'll want to read Lilith.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Pub Date: October 17, 2023

~3.5 stars. I really struggled at the start of this one but I think I had to get used to the writing style. It was written more in a "telling" style than a "showing" style that I am more familiar with (at least that is how I have seen others explain it). I also struggled a bit with not knowing where the story was really going in the beginning. I felt there was more of a goal a little later in the book which was easier for me to get behind. There wasn't a ton of description but this book also covers the timeline from the Garden of Eden to present day so that is to be expected to keep the book at a reasonable length.

I loved the ideas and themes in this book and that kept me going and I really enjoyed the last 50/60%.

This is the story of Lilith, Adam's woman before Eve. Fascinating retelling of the religious stories I grew up with, and enticing food for thought. The beginning was a little slow for me, but the second half was riveting. I love deconstructing the stories of mythologies and religions that our cultures are based on. Absolutely loved this!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a little hard to review and rate. The message and meaning of this book was an absolute 5 star for me. I found myself saying out loud to the book numerous times, "YES!! All of this!!". I did really enjoy the writing but did feel like there were a couple of moments where the conversation was more modern day linguistically that would pull me out of the story. I think since this story of Lilith spans thousands of years, it made the story, for me, feel long at times and also sped up at times. However, I'm so happy I read this book and will look for other works by this author. I loved the character of Lilith and her mission but didn't connect to certain aspects of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book!

As a fan of mythological retellings especially told from a villified woman's perspective, I thought Lilith would be right up my alley. Having known her from fantasy stories as the mother of all demons, I was excited to see another portrayl of her.

The chapters were quick reads overall. And once I committed to the book, I was able to finish rather quickly. But I found myself reaching for other books before wanting to delve back into this. There was a disconnection between me ans the character. While I know Lilith comes from Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology, I thought we'd see more of that flowing through the pages. I felt this more of a heavily influenced Christian side.

None of the males in the book were at all likeable. And I'm sorry to say this includes Samael. And while this should have been a strong feminist retelling, I honestly found the female characters...lacking. including Lilith. Which was really disappointing

I'm glad I read it just to have a look into what others think of Lilith, I just think this could've been a stronger depiction of her.

This is a whole new to me spin on the Adam and Eve story. The beginning of the start. The Garden of Eden thing. Even a few other things that were have suppose to of happened according to the book called the Bible. While I question almost all of that book as reality some could have happened. But a flood... No way. And the dove bringing back an Olive branch. From where? It would have taken years for a tree to grow and if they were all flooded then the trees were dead. Yes DEAD! As for Adam and Lilith. Adam ruined all of that Paradise.

In the beginning we actually have no idea who made who or what really happened. Only what a group of "men" want us to believe. That women are beneath them. Women are not as good. Not as smart. Not as strong. Totally dependent on these said men. But what if: What if women and men were equal. What if they would have stayed that way. What if Adam had not of decided he wanted her "beneath" him. Both physically and mentally. What if it too a god and goddess to create or start life. What if people have it all wrong. Since I have so many questions about how things are written in the book called the bible then this is just another possibility. It very well could have happened. Since I have never heard of Lilith then how do I know she did not exist. How do I know there was not a goddess in the beginning. I wasn't there. No one ever told us. Mystical. Myth. Truth.

I believe if women and men would have live in harmony. In total equality. In a balance if you will. Things would be different. I believe if the men didn't want to dominate women things would be way more peaceful. What gives them the right to say we are beneath them. To say we have no brains. To teach us that they are the superior beings. Look at the world and you might take a different stance on that thought. I believe if women and men would have worked together as equals this world would not be tearing itself apart. It would still be just as strong as it was in the beginning. That is my thoughts.

This book was a fun read. It gives a new light to the beginning. Lilith is a very smart woman. Her mother, the creator of life, wanted her to be knowledgeable and strong. Yes the Goddess, Asherah, was there. She was the Heavenly Mother. But Yahweh, the God or Father of Heaven, didn't want her to be equal either. Thus this story. Asherah went through hell for women. God just merely spoke. Man just called women names and that was the end of them. How small is that.

This is also a love story. The love between Maryam and Yeshua. They would be Magdelena and Jesus. The story of what really happened had to be covered up for men to stay in charge of the world. Also the love between Lilith and Samael. I enjoyed these very much. They told a whole different story don't you know. How living and giving will work if done together. How sacrifices are made for the ones you love most in the world work out.

Yes this is a fiction story but it could have happened. It may have. I don't know. I wasn't there. As for Lilith, I loved her. She was good. She was strong. She was loving. She cared. Worked her whole life at bringing a better ending than what we are facing according to men. I honestly did enjoy reading this book. It got a bit preachy in parts but that was needed I think. Lilith lost track of a few years but good grief look at what she was doing. Look at what she did. It could have happened.

Thank you #NetGalley, #NikkiMarmery, #AlcovePress for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

I gave it FIVE big stars because in my opinion it deserved it. This author had to know her bible to be able to write such beauty as this. Thank you for that. I recommend you all read it. Just to see another side.

Absolutely enthralling. I read this book thinking it would merely encompass historical fiction, but it was so much more. The story follows Lilith, first wife of Adam. However, it becomes something more special because it brings in many different world religions, ideas about life, history, politics, and even climate change. I find it hard to categorize it because that is my nature, but it transcended all categories. It was feminist, empowering, interesting, and above all, intricately and amazingly well-researched. The author clearly understood what was being undertaken and rose to the task. I highly recommend this if you have read books about Greek Mythology recently and wanted something different but similar.

HIGHLY recommend.

3⭐️

I owe Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Nikki Marmery for a Digital ARC in return for my honest review.

In Lilith by Nikki Marmery we follow Lilith from the beginning. It starts in the garden of eden, where Lilith and Adam are created by their gods Asherah and Yahweh (4004BC). From the beginning Lilith is set to an almost impossible mission to spread her wisdom and avenge Asherah. We read of her journey of this mission.

The writing is poetic. There are more scriptures in this than I had wished to read (knowing the context of the book, I did expect a few). I really couldn’t stand any man that was brought into the book, except for Samael.

Tragedy, disappointment, fury, and sometimes love and short lived happiness is all covered in the story of Lilith.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! From the moment I came across this book I was deeply interested in the biblical and mythological elements that would be interwoven throughout the text. I love the idea of a reimagining of Lilith, Adam’s first partner before Eve, and creating a more empathetic version of her as opposed to what is usually portrayed.

Lilith’s character is depicted wonderfully, standing firmly grounded in her beliefs with a clear voice, strong heart, and conscience drawn toward the wrongdoings and injustices committed by the men around her as well as others.

Despite my enthusiasm about this story’s potential, I did struggled to get through many parts as I felt the plot was too drawn out or the dialogue did not feel fluid at times. I also felt that the overall voice of the novel jumped between feeling a bit too antiquated while also being stuck too deeply in modernity from one moment to the next. This was the source of my deepest issue in terms of resonating with the text since, although I felt impassioned by the underlying message of the story, the language, moments of introspection, and the dialogue were elements I struggled to empathize with or connect to on a deeper level. There was a certain level of monotony that overtook the text at one point fairly early on and lingered, making it difficult to focus on the text and truly feel drawn in enough to feel excited through to the end.

I feel that this text had tons of potential but ultimately fell a bit short for me in the end. The overarching message was an extremely valuable and important one to share, but lacked in its voice and emotional resonance. I feel compelled enough to give it another chance in the future but for now am left feeling a bit stranded between like and dislike.

DNF. The cover caught my curiosity, unfortunately the prose did not hold it. Lilith is a ferocious goddess who deserves to have her epic story told, unfortunately, this particular rendition felt shallow and fell flat for me.

Thank you for letting me read this Galley
I really enjoyed it. I love religious retelling.
The was a berry good read it did take a little bit for me to get fully into very much enjoyed the journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for giving me this ARC in return for an honest review.

As a huge fan of Greek mythology retellings, this book was such a treat! It felt very similar to a Greek mythology retelling in the vein of Circe, but introduced me into the world of Hebrew mythology. I adored the main character Lilith and her struggle to empower women was awe inspiring. The theme of feminism was strong without being patronizing or falling prey to corporate or girl boss energy. I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

Thank you NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Nikki Marmery for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I enjoyed this book and it’s one of the most unique ones I’ve read. It follows Lilith, who I learned a little bit about as a child, but from a different perspective. It features a lot of people that I’ve heard about and spans a large period of time. I liked that it was split into sections and that helped to keep my interest throughout. I think people who like feminist retellings, books about Biblical women, and more will like this one. It did remind me of Madeline Miller’s Circe, although I hate saying that because some reviews have mentioned how many people compare it to that book, haha. If you like Circe, though, there is a large chance you will like this one. 3.5 stars!

Well I quit at 60%. I skimmed to the end to see what I would miss and I wasn't super excited as it continued.

This book should've done everything for me - a mythological figure I am fascinated by, and wanted to learn more, the rage of women throughout the millennia... but the writing style couldn't hold me, the story was frustrating, and the entire time it told instead of shown. Which, considering the amount of ground it had to cover, was a lot!!! But still. Super disappointing.

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for a chance to read and review.

I enjoyed Nikki Marmery's LILITH (and such a gorgeous cover!). It's a subversive and feminist retelling of a historically vilified woman. The character's voice is incredibly strong and I was sucked into the story right from the first chapter. That being said, while I hoped to love the rest of the novel, I just liked it. Lilith's voice is strong, but it does sound quite modern, which took me out of the story at times. I was hoping for more of a consistently ancient-sounding voice, like Madeline Miller's CIRCE. The writing, while entertaining, could also be stronger.

Additionally, it needs to be noted that Lilith belongs to Jewish mythology, and this novel felt like it was told through a Christian lens. As much as I enjoyed the story, it did feel a little like appropriation, and perhaps would have been even more interesting had the novel been told through a Jewish lens. That is a story I would definitely read. Ultimately, LILITH feels like an introduction to Jewish mythology--but perhaps not the best.

Fans of Claire North will enjoy this one, I think. That's the most comparable author and storytelling/retelling style I can think of.

I’ve always wanted to read more about Lilith and why she’s been vilified. Very good read and I highly suggest it!