"The Pomegranate Gate" is a fantasy novel that will transport you to a world of magic, mystery, and danger. The story follows Toba Peres, a young woman who can speak but not shout, sleep but not dream, and write with both hands at once. When Toba's family is forced to flee Spain during the Inquisition, she and her friend Naftaly Cresques find themselves caught up in a race against time to save a magical realm from destruction.

Kaplan's writing is witty and engaging, and she brings her characters to life with vivid detail. Toba and Naftaly are both likable and relatable, and their journey is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The book is also full of Jewish folklore and history, which adds a unique and fascinating layer to the story.

If you're looking for a fantasy novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, then I highly recommend "The Pomegranate Gate." It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and leave you with a long book hangover.

thank you both to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of one of my most anticipated reads of 2023!

the pomegranate gate is a scream of a book, and fills a gap i've been missing wholeheartedly within my reading, which specifically is sefardic jewish literature. it's not shocking that white, american jewishness tends to get the most attention in books, and while we are seeing a lot more (wonderful) slavic and ashkenazi works coming out, the acknowledgement that jews are not just in eastern europe, america, or the middle east is amazing. we have always been everywhere, and will continue to be so, and fantasy that reflects that is amazing.

i want you to close your eyes and not look at the marketing of this book though because i feel like it does it a disservice. this book reminds me far less of katherine arden and naomi novik and far more of shannon chakraborty's work, specifically the city of brass series (especially kingdom of copper, which is my favourite in that series!) and i wonder why the publisher didn't make that comparison instead. the worldbuilding, especially of the mazik realm, is lush, detailed, and evocative, and also wholly jewish. even in the mortal world, the love for jewish culture and traditions (including religious ones!) is so fantastic to read, and was without a doubt my favourite part of the book.

this being said, i think there were some major areas for me that could have been subject to edits which would have made the book much stronger. while this is more subjective for me, certain characters plotlines and dilemmas felt disjointed or unnecessary. asmel specifically was incapable of communication with toba, to points where the reasons for this did not feel justified and instead were annoying, making it difficult to empathize with their relationship or get any sense these characters had a bond. there is a specific character who i will not say too much about, but whose goals and treatment from the narrative felt entirely out of line with where the character ended up in the final 10% of the book, while many other plotlines seemed to be set up and lead to nowhere. naftaly, too, felt entirely irrelevant until the last 80% of the book, and many of the plotlines in the mortal world felt like backdrop instead of like they were being invested in. the inquisition and their struggle to pengoa felt like an afterthought, around the 50% mark, which was really disappointing as it was something i was looking forward to most. i believe many of these problems could be fixed by giving the characters more tangible relationships and showing us their individual personalities instead of relying on comparisons to one another, especially for the unnamed character i mentioned previously, because there is times where this is done perfectly. naftaly and barsilay, for example, have a subplot which feels natural and entirely bonded, and i want to see that more with other characters rather than simply being told they talked.

i'm sitting somewhere on the fence between a 3.75 and a 4.25 for this book, which i will probably have to sit with for some time and mull over the plot before i feel i can make a more public post than my goodreads. thank you once again to the publisher for this arc!

• 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 •
Jewish mythology is the foundation of the epic fantasy novel The Pomegranate Gate. The two main characters, Naftaly and Toba, who are both forced to leave their homes because Inquisition officials threaten Jews in their country with forced conversion or death, tell the tale from their respective points of view. This journey takes them to a different country, entered through a pomegranate gate, whose citizens also suffer from the same kind of oppression. Despite contradictory commands, they both leave with valued belongings and eventually discover how their stories are related. The author really did build a whole realm that the reader could get lost in; this novel is highly rich and comprehensive. The tale did seem to go a little slowly at times, and overall, I'd say it was a slow burn. It took some time to set up and get into the action, but I'm pleased I stuck with it and read on. The biggest advantage of this slow-burning style of story was that it let me develop a strong attachment to the main characters and a sense of empathy for them. Additionally, I thought the conclusion was well-set up and piqued my curiosity about what would happen to the characters. I'd suggest this book to fantasy lovers, especially those who enjoy folklore a lot!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Erewhom Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an E-Arc of this book!!

I have conflicting opinions on this book, but for the most part, I enjoyed it! Right off the bat, I think this book is very reminiscent of Spinning Silver meets The City of Brass, & I think it represented folklore & history beautifully, & at times tragically. This book was an incredibly slow-moving story with little central plot to direct it. Sometimes that worked really beautifully & effortlessly, while other times, the pacing struggled to keep me invested. The characters were very interesting. However, it felt like it was constantly leading to reveals that never really fully came. Almost causing the characters to fall flat in some ways. In many ways, this book feels like a prequel to what is going to come next, & I’m interested to see where this trilogy goes, but at the same time worry that this book on its own didn’t do enough to capture my attention & by the time the next book comes out, I’m unsure of if I will be continuing or not.

The writing of this story was gorgeous, with folkloric prose that lent itself to a fairy-tale atmosphere. However, as pleasing as this was to the eyes, it made me feel like an observer several stages removed from the characters. I struggled to connect with them in the same way that I don't feel much for characters in Brothers Grimm stories, knowing that they are moreso a vehicle for the meaning of the story than people who might actually exist. I did really enjoy the Jewish influences on the story, and was appreciate of how my culture was woven into the fabric of the narrative and celebrated as something magical and beautiful. However, none of this was enough for me to feel truly connected to the characters, which is my main criteria for liking or not liking a book.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- unfortunately, i did not find myself enjoying this story. the plot itself wasn’t bad, and could be really engaging, but the time period in the story jumped around so much that i got whiplash trying to understand what was going on. additionally, the writing style furthered this disjointed narrative by describing the events of the story with either lackluster detail or dumping of information, which really confused me.

- it was unfortunate that i did not enjoy this story, as it has potential. the writing style just drew me out of enjoying it.

Wow. What an incredible work! I have not enjoyed a book as much as this one in quite a time! Richly woven and steeped in Judaic culture, I was enthralled and delighted by the story and customs, and I deeply wish others would have the courage to include the Judaic culture without fearing censure in such an antisemitic world.
The characters were well crafted, and seemed alive and very much their own entities, not following a script at all. Barsiley was my favourite, as I'm sure was intended, and his character was well faceted.
I do have to say I wasn't a fan of the gay relationship that started to show itself in the second half of the book, but I am grateful that it did not develop outright. I don't really wish to follow that further if the author intends to pursue that in more detail. I thought their friendship was excellent and simple, awkward but trusting, and did not think it had to veer towards the romantic-- heaven knows, there's not enough healthy, platonic friendships between men in media or literature.
But that aside, I was smitten by the craftsmanship of the world, the characters, and the settings. There were a lot of questions left unanswered, but I anticipate their answer in the coming books.
I also appreciated the disclosure at the start to the book regarding sensitive content. I was appropriately for-warned!

I really wanted to finish the book but it just put me in a slump! I was excited to read it based on the description but it just felt like a long boring essay I had to write instead.

DNF- I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

So I didn’t finish this book. I tried. I got a little more than halfway. I spent weeks forcing myself to continue reading and really trying to connect with the characters and I just…couldn’t. I’ll explain-


PLOT- honestly, what plot? I kept waiting for the big problem that needed to be solved, and all I got was Naftaly trying to save a girl he has literally never met and Toba failing to do magic for 150 pages. I just felt the stakes should have been higher and who knows, maybe it does get better father into the book but if I’m on page 225 and there is still no point, I can’t finish.

CHARACTERS- there’s nothing objectively wrong with any character, it’s just flat. There is glimmers of depth that peek out, but are immediately thrown out the window and the POV switches. Speaking of which, what the heck is the point of The Courser?! I couldn’t see how she would become relevant until probably book 2. I’m sorry.

WORLD BUILDING- I will say the world building is very good. I liked the tie in between the Spanish Inquisition and fantasy. The potential for a great story is 100% there, I just think this current story wasn’t great but I’d be interested in spin offs.

WRITING STYLE- I will say it is very well written. Even for an unproofed copy it was very clean and no noticeable trip ups in the writing. Well done 👏🏼

Overall opinion- I wanted to love it. Everyone else seemed to love it. Maybe I’m weird 🤷‍♀️. I would like to see this world expanded, just not this story.

What first drew me to this book was the promise of a rich story of a magical world rooted in jewish mythology. The book definitely delivered.

The main focus of the book is the two characters Toba and Nathaly. Their long journey starts with them fleeing from religious prosecution, yet continues into a wonderful tale of exploring and discovering new parts of themselves.

Throughout the book, multiple stories are told that are interconnected and woven together in a satisfying way. You could find puzzle pieces from one story and then another from the next. It also helped with understanding the scope of events that were happening.

I deeply enjoyed reading this book. I went into this book very unfamiliar with Jewish folkfore. Luckily, the book contained a glossary at the end of the book, yet I did find this glossary to be lacking. I regularly found myself googling terms that weren't covered by the glossary, but it didn't really negatively impact my experience. The book also has a summary of characters and cities, which were occasionally helpful as well. I wish more books had this.

Sometimes it was hard to get a good feeling of how time had passed between passages, but when continuing reading it did not disturb me all that much.

I really enjoyed this book, and am grateful for the opportunity of reading it through Netgalley. I look forward to what's more to come!

Thank you to the publisher Kensington Books, the author, and Netgalley for access to an eARC!

The Pomegranate Gate stands out from any fantasy I've read recently due to its influences from Jewish folklore and the setting in the era of the Spanish Inquisition.

The main POV characters Toba and Naftaly are not your typical heroes of fantasy (i.e. chosen ones). In fact, these two are misfits in their society. Toba is a peculiar spinster, and Naftaly is an unskilled weakling. The Inquisition drives them and their family, friends, and neighbors out of town. Everything changes when strange men abduct Toba, an event which Naftaly witnesses. From then on, Toba learns that her grandmother Elena was keeping colossal secrets about Toba's very identity. Toba must learn to navigate her new circumstances in a new world, while Naftaly continues his journey in exile with Elena in order to survive and find Toba.

The only drawback of this book was possibly the characterizations. I consider The Pomegranate Gate to be a more plot-focused book than a character-focused one. The characters are not poorly written, but TPG does not dive deep into the emotions and intimate thoughts of the characters. The characters act and think largely in reaction to the shifting circumstances and dangers that develop as the story unfolds. Due to my unfamiliarity with Jewish folklore, I found the majority of the book to be quite fresh. I could not guess where the plot was going and am intrigued where the sequel and rest of the series might lead.

This book melded historical fiction with fantasy adventure. While I'd hoped for more of a conclusion, the journey of the main character was both surprising and inventive.

Jewish folklore, trials and magic!
Toba cannot run, shout or dream while Naftaly dreams frequently and vividly but must keep it to himself. As they are driven from their homes by the inquisition their paths cross and they each embark on an adventurous journey which brings them more trouble than they signed up for as well as with a dash of self discovery.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It has been such a joy to read this book. Somehow I have never encountered Jewish lore before and I was so pleased to read a book that checked all of my boxes for magic and fairytales and a different world and romance and and and…. And yet was somehow still new and refreshing to me. Wow. I felt educated on religion, lore and historical themes which left me inspired to Google and learn more while being completely entertained.

The characters have depth and are likable and relatable. As a reader I became so invested in their experiences and was really excited to see what came next all the way throughout the book. Of course this leaves me excited for any sequels!!! Can’t wait.

The world is really cool! I just had a hard time getting a grip on the plot.

Everything was really fleshed out, and it really felt like a full world. And the characters are well thought out.

The historical tie ins are really good, and definitely serves their purpose of making this seem like an old folk tale, which add a fun little spin on the book.

I however lost the plot a bit after about a third. I think this book would be better served reading a little bit at a time and then taking time in between to digest and understand what happened.

The mazik are really cool, and the way the two main character ties in to that I really enjoy!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Keeping in mind that this was an ARC and not an official publication I let a few things slide that I assume will be cleaned up by publication. This book felt like the most lush fairytale woven through a beautiful web of history and mythology. I was so spellbound by the atmosphere that was created, which reminded me a bit of Nghi Vo's worldbuilding. This was a sly and smart story that I was completely enchanted by. I loved the dynamics between characters as well as the magic system in place. Hesitant as I am to name favorite tropes of mine, as it often hinges on writing ability, I love the way the reluctant mentor trope played out within this story. It was so magical and I sincerely hope that there is a sequel coming, and absolutely will be invested in what the author does next.

This first book in the Mirror Realm series is a whirlwind! Imagine only being able to use your voice at one volume, never able to run and being bound to a book that can never leave you but you can’t read it! One must be strong willed. A gate holds two completely different worlds together while a queen commands the Jewish community to convert or run. What a punch in the gut this book was.

The first half of this book had so much promise. I loved the writing style and was getting invested in Toba's and Naftaly's lives. I was even more excited when Toba went through the gate, and I really liked her initial explorations into the Mazik world. I also loved the old woman that Naftaly was traveling with.
However, the plot really started to drag in the second half. I ended up getting disinterested. I felt like a lot of Naftaly's perspective in particular was lost in favor of Elena's, and the presence of two Tobas made everything more confusing.

An enchanting tale of multiple perspectives, filled with lush Jewish folklore and incredible worldbuilding

3.5 stars. Overall, I really enjoyed this! Toba and the old woman reminded me alot of Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle with all the grumbling they did, though I will confess that Toba got annoying especially with Toba Bet included. The writing style and depth of the world makes me think fans of Catherynne M. Valente will enjoy this.

While all the characters were lovely, I didn't feel like alot of them were given of depth outside of their dialog. I would have liked more internal thoughts, feelings, and distinct voices from all of them. Elena was definitely one of the highlights as I felt she was one of the better developed characters.

I loved the historical and Jewish depth to the story - it was done really well while still able to be followed along for those who don't have much knowledge of either. The glossary was very helpful and needed.

It was a solid 4 stars up until the 65% mark. After that, I started feeling like it was dragging too much for my liking and was just a bit too long.

The pomegranate marks leaving your old world behind and stepping into a new one—for better or worse. It is not always the loss of innocence, but it is always the gain of knowledge. So, it should be no surprise that any reader who steps through the pages of Ariel Kaplan’s The Pomegranate Gate will leave changed. Thankfully for the reader, this new world is breathtaking in its enchantment and profound in the questions it asks of us.

I didn’t expect to be transported to a world where I wouldn’t want to leave, yearning for these characters and their heartaches as if they were my own. The plot is intricate and utterly unique. Kaplan succeeds in painting us a gripping portrait of historical Sefarad. Yet, with equal skill and attention, she creates an expansive and opulent world of the Mazik with equal attention and reverence.
Ariel Kaplan weaves a breathtaking fantasy debut in The Pomegranate Gate. This series will appeal to fans of Naomi Novik and S.A. Chakraborty’s The Daevabad trilogy, as readers can prepare to be fully immersed in a captivating setting rife with magical conflicts that mirror real-world history and politics. This book fits neatly in the Adult Fantasy genre due to the scope of its themes, but the more intense content is condensed and handled with enough care that it could easily fit onto the YA shelf. The writing is positively transportive and the mirror world is mystifying and seductive in its beauty. Kaplan seamlessly integrates figures from Jewish folklore with the historical aspects of the story and expands our knowledge of both Jewish culture, mythos, and history. The characters are so wonderfully complex in their desires and internal conflicts that they seem to breathe off the page; their hearts beat into ours.

This tale is masterfully told. Though there are things I wish for the characters (because I’ve come to care for them so), there is not one thing I would change in terms of storytelling. I wait with as much bated breath to hold a solid copy of this epic in my hands as I do for the second installment. If you read to be spirited away to faraway places and mythical lands, I hope you walk through The Pomegranate Gate.