"Belief is not meant to be wielded as a political weapon."
"Then why is it the most powerful sword, and the sharpest knife?"
I am in debt to NetGalley for providing me with an opportunity to read this incredible debut novel. Realistically, it's more around a 4.25-4.3 star read for me, but it is so strong as a debut that I feel compelled to give Maddie Martinez her due. I don't think I've read a debut I liked so much since The Wolf and the Woodsman, and I am so excited to see what she does next.
This is a book with conflict that grows in scale and stakes in a very satisfying way, the romance subtly growing alongside it. It balances political and religious machinations with horror and emotional gut punches. My only complaint with the book is that you're truly only in the woods for about half of it, and I missed the lovely descriptions of eldritch creatures once we were in the city. I've seen a couple reviews saying that the words in different languages were hard to follow, but I had absolutely no problem with them, and the author has a helpful glossary here: https://www.maddiemartinez.com/books/the-maiden-and-her-monster/glossary.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book due to not being able to understand what was going on with the language and the characters from the very beginning of the book. It was very dry and not what I was anticipating at all, the cover of the book was very beautiful and drew me in but the content did not match.

Reminiscent of the Winternight Trilogy and Spinning Silver, The Maiden and her Monster weaves a rich folkloric fantasy steeped in Jewish tradition and mysticism. Malka lives in a village that borders a monstrous forest, a forest that swallows Yahidi women and spits out their mangled corpses. When her mother is accused of murdering an Ozmini woman Malka ventures into the forest to find the creature within and prove her mother's innocence. Malka's quest will take her into the heart of the forest and beyond, where she discovers schemes even crueler than the evil hiding amidst the trees.

My only real critique is the somewhat clumsily handled enemies-to-lovers romance between Malka and Nimrah. The enemies-to-lovers trope really has to toe the line when it comes to true hatred and disgust and that transition to attraction, and I wasn't entirely compelled by its deployment here. The early connection between Nimrah and Malka seems to rely purely on physical attraction - an "I hate you but my heart races when you touch me" sort of situation that I have a hard time buying into. Fortunately, that connection does change in meaningful ways and the back half of "The Maiden and Her Monster" finishes strong.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy in September!

This book is filled with grief and hope; Jewish folklore; sapphic romance, political intrigue; and some interesting magic. I very much enjoyed this read.


*Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for the eARC.

I’m such a lover of lush folklore tales, and this did not disappoint! This is a book I know I can easily recommend to lovers of Ava Reid or A B Poranek.

Slow burn enemies to lovers romance set before the backdrop of a horror/fantasy. The writing was very beautiful, matching the exquisite cover.

This is a dark, emotionally weighty story rooted in folklore and political allegory. Suspenseful and densely written, it draws clear influence from Jewish storytelling traditions, with themes of persecution, identity, and survival. The monster character is human enough to appeal even to readers who aren’t usually drawn to the monster romance genre.

The romantic connection at the heart of the story didn’t feel fully developed, and the magical bond between the characters lacked emotional grounding. While there are brief romantic and sensual elements, they’re extremely minimal in my opinion. A secondary male character felt unnecessary to the plot and was so detached from the central narrative that I occasionally forgot he was even present in scenes.

As someone outside of the Jewish faith, I can’t speak to which elements are traditional and which are original, but the allegorical layer is prominent and clearly draws on historical oppression. That said, some of the conflict felt a bit one-note, with antagonists whose motivations read as flat and overly evil.
Overall, this will likely resonate most with readers who appreciate dark themes, allegorical storytelling, and political or religious subtext woven through a suspenseful folklore tale.

4/5

In The Maiden and Her Monster, Maddie Martinez reimagines the Jewish myth of The Golem of Prague, connecting the power of folklore, memory, and faith in one transformative fantasy debut. Now I know I am not the only one that has been eagerly awaiting this novel ever since Maddie Martinez first announced it. Sapphic romance intimately connected to folklore, a monstrous forest, and romantic yearning is like Cupid’s arrow aimed directly at my heart. Martinez more than delivers with The Maiden and Her Monster, as a Yahadi healer and a monstrous Golem bargain to save their people and uncover a love they will risk everything for. The Maiden and Her Monster intricately lays bare the conflicting facets of storytelling, from those that connect a larger community and its struggles, to those built, in effect, to justify violence and oppression. Scattered across the narrative, these folktales expand upon Martinez’s inquiry into identity and the long-lasting endurance of a people. Enveloped in history and folklore, The Maiden and Her Monster hides much behind the overgrowth of one twisted forest, if one is courageous enough to venture into its gaping maw.

Trekking through an evil forest responsible for killing dozens of women while falling in love with the monster within is merely the enticing surface to Maddie Martinez’s debut fantasy novel. But like the dense and twisted forest Mavetéh, Martinez’s debut hides much within the background and the only way to uncover it is to brave the forest, and the monsters, within. Through Malka, a young woman desperate to slay the monster and return to a semblance of normalcy, Martinez illustrates a community’s pain as a representation of more deliberate, systemic injustices, than a singular evil that can be defeated with just one blow. A work long endeavored, but no less important in undertaking as this novel draws to a close. The Maiden and Her Monster sees stories take on a life of their own, becoming the extent of a people and the complex tapestry of history reinterpreted and retold. A Jewish fantasy novel abundant in history, politics, and faith, The Maiden and Her Monster is exactly the kind of story that will endure long after its initial telling. Maddie Martinez is the kind of talent that doesn’t emerge often, and I am overwhelmingly feral for anything she writes next.

My full review is now published on my blog!

What a luscious and atmospheric debut! Gorgeously written, beautiful and poetic. Sapphic romance, enchanted forests, and Jewish folklore all mixed into one vibrant story. I cannot wait to see what Maddie Martinez has in store for future tales!

The Maiden and Her Monster is a retelling of the story of the golem of Prague. In this version, our main character Malka has to venture into the magical forest outside her village to slay the monster terrorizing her people. If she brings back the dead monster, her oppressors say they will spare the life of her mother. As the story goes on, the stakes get higher and the scope gets larger.

As a Jewish person, I really loved the large focus on Jewish mythology and found myself entranced by the narrative. I felt really represented reading this book and it helped me feel more connected to my culture in a world constantly trying to make me feel disconnected.

If you liked Ava Reid’s The Wolf and the Woodsman, I’d definitely try this book. They are both some of the best Jewish representation I’ve read in a long time.

The weakest part of this book for me was the romance, which I did not find to be compelling. I knew going in that there would be a sapphic romance between Malka and the golem Nimrah, and I kept waiting for their dynamic to be developed so the romance would make sense, and then suddenly they were in love and I couldn’t see what precipitated it. I wish the book had been longer and they had more scenes together that weren’t just Malka spitting insults at Nimrah.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the ARC of this book.

This was such a highly anticipated story for me, as a huge fan of religious folklore and retellings. Maddie dives deep into the lush and beautiful mysticism with plenty of drama, sapphic romance, and history. Thank you so much to Netgalley for the eARC.

A beautiful story of love, friendship, fierce belief in faith, and how truth can be twisted to become nothing more than folklore. The Maiden and Her Monster is a mix of cultural myths and stories interwound with a new fantasy world. It’s a story of faith and virtue and how our prejudices control our fear.

The daughter of a healer, Malka, enters the woods that have been claiming the lives of women in her village so that she can prove that her mother is innocent of their deaths and to help save her people from an oppressive church. What she finds is more than she bargained for.

This book is atmospheric with a dark fairytale feel. The writing is beautiful and the story gripping. I did give this 4 stars instead of 5 because the languages used and the cultural folklore made the story confusing at times though I still feel it is a great read!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the digital ARC copy of this book.

The maiden and her monster is one of my anticipated reads of 2025, and I regret to say it didn't meet my expectations.

This is a story about grief, religions, and fighting against your oppressors. At first, I thought we'd spend the majority of the book in the forest, but it only took up a small portion, the rest was spent in the capital city. I didn't realize religions played a heavy part in the magic system, and since I’m not religious at all, I found myself bored for the majority of the book.

There's a lot of infodumping and non-English words. Within the context of the book, I could understand most of the words. However, I think the world building needs to be fleshed out more, and there should be a glossary or a list of characters at the end of the book.

The romance is another let down. I couldn't see the chemistry between Malka and Nimrah at all. One minute they're antagonizing each other, the next they're falling in love already. There's no buildup to make their feelings believable, no tension to make me root for them, and no reason for them to fall for each other. Also, Malka was so rude towards Nimrah. I can handle enemies to lovers, but I can't stand it when Malka’s religious views made her look like a bigot. Then towards the end, she suddenly had a change of heart out of nowhere. As for Nimrah, I didn't have any strong opinions about her, and she's definitely not a monster, which is another disappointing aspect, as I was looking forward to a morally grey character.

I think it's an interesting choice to make this world queer norm even though other discriminations exist. Racism, antisemitism, misogyny, and violence against minorities are incorporated in this story, and it's definitely not an easy read. Malka and Nimrah suffered a lot from bigotry, so I think the author didn't want to make them suffer from homophobia as well.

Overall, this book is not for me, but it may work for anyone who is interested in how religion shapes the magic system.

Such a great set up, but such a disappointing follow through. Two things really irked me. First, the romance was done so lazily. They hate each other, then they’re reluctantly attracted to each other, and then they’re in love. Why? How? When? I couldn’t tell you. It had no heart. Second, when one of the main characters is described (and named in the title) as a monster, I expect them to be monstrous. Spoiler Alert: she was not. Like, not even a little. I wanted this to be an indulgent, complex story, but it ended up being frustratingly conservative.

wow, what a great reintroduction to fantasy for me! i usually don’t reach for fantasy anymore, but i was drawn to this one, and i’m so glad I picked it up! The Maiden and Her Monster is a standout debut, blending politics, magic, Jewish folklore, sapphic romance, and even a sentient forest into an unforgettable story. im not kidding when i say there were moments when i couldn’t take my eyes off the page.
at its core, the book explores faith, grief, and passion in such a relatable way, it’s the kind of story that sticks with you. and the prose is absolutely gorgeous! martinez shares this story in such beautiful way.
it did get a little tricky with the mix of real and fantasy languages, but honestly, the emotional depth of the book makes it totally worth it. in my opinion, The Maiden and Her Monster is definitely a must-read for 2025 for lovers of all genres.
thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have been craving a dark fantasy like this for so long and the fact that is sapphic makes it all the more better. I am amazed by how fantastic this novel is for a debut author and hope I’m lucky enough to read more of her work in the future. The story is so rich in culture and the characters are all so strong individually and compliment each other so well as a team. I found myself getting emotional over certain characters relationships often (especially Malka and Chaia’s love for each other) and the magic system tied to religion was very interesting to me. Overall this was a very enjoyable read with so many cool unique elements and I’m so happy I was given the chance to read it ahead of its release late this year!

I finished this book in 2 days but mused on my review for about a week. That is because it’s a good, solid book with a gorgeous cover. But after a week, nothing feels memorable: the plot, the romance, the characters. Perhaps this was simply too cozy or too historical for me. I also thought the main thrust of the plot would be Malka and the golem in the forest slowing falling in love (like the plot of Where the Dark Stands Still; these books have similar vibes and set-ups). So again, perhaps my own expectations hurt my reading experience.

This was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases, the premise sounded absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wait to devour it so I immediately started reading as soon as it hit my kindle, unfortunately I struggled. The writing style was so hard for me to get into, the world was just so confusing for me and I don’t know if it was just my mindset at the time and I just didn’t understand but I struggled so much with this book, which I hate to say because I was so sure it was going to be a five star read.

I will most likely give it another shot in the future and will update this review.

“It is easy to change history when you wish to forget the truth.”

From the very beginning, this book was a treat to read. The writing is lush and atmospheric, Malka’s village and the cursed woods beyond it were both so clear in my mind. The murder that starts it all had my heart racing, because it was so vivid.
I did not even know this was a retelling of the Golem of Prague, and yet imagined Prague so vividly on my own.

While the characters were likable, for the first three quarters of the story I didn’t find them as complex as I would usually prefer. Malka is stubborn, Nimrah is snarky, and Amnon is sweet, and even once more develops between the three, that doesn’t change as much as I would like.
That was made up for by the world those characters are put into, though. I didn’t expect as much political commentary as there was - which was entirely on me - and i liked the story much better for it.
The religious, political, and social terms being a mix of fantasy and Hebrew was interesting and refreshing, and I never felt lost or out of the loop due to the world being so fleshed out. This book will not talk down to you or hold your hand, because it didn’t need to, which i appreciate.

I would absolutely read more from Maddie Martinez in the future, and look forward to receiving a copy I have already pre-ordered in the mail!

The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez is a mesmerizing fantasy retelling that skillfully blends Jewish folklore, intricate world-building, and an unforgettable exploration of power, identity, and love. From the very first chapter, Martinez draws readers into a world where history and myth converge, creating a setting that is both vividly immersive and deeply resonant.

Malka, the protagonist, is a duty-bound daughter navigating the expectations of her family and community. Her journey is one of gradual self-discovery as she confronts the boundaries of her upbringing and learns to embrace her own strength. Nimrah, the enigmatic and misunderstood protector, is equally compelling—a creature weighed down by guilt and bound by purpose. Their relationship unfolds with a slow-burning intensity, layered with tension and vulnerability that makes every moment between them feel earned and authentic.

Martinez’s prose is both lyrical and precise, evoking a world where the environment feels as alive as the characters themselves. The sentient forest, steeped in ancient magic, pulses with a quiet menace that mirrors the dangers Malka and Nimrah face beyond its borders. The inclusion of Hebrew language and folklore, combined with the realistic portrayal of different dialects reminiscent of Balto-Slavic languages, adds a richness and authenticity that makes the world feel fully realized. These linguistic nuances not only enhance the setting but also serve as a subtle reflection of the diverse cultures and histories that shape the characters’ lives.

The pacing of the novel is deliberate, allowing for moments of introspection and tension to build organically. While the narrative can feel dense at times, this complexity is part of its charm. The layers of mythology, political intrigue, and deeply personal stakes create a reading experience that rewards patience and close attention. Martinez excels at balancing these elements, ensuring that each contributes meaningfully to the story’s emotional depth.

For those who relish:
- Retellings that breathe new life into folklore
- Complex protagonists discovering their agency
- Slow-burn, emotionally charged romances
- Political intrigue and tangled alliances
- Immersive settings where magic pulses beneath the surface

The Maiden and Her Monster is a great debut that offers both heart and substance. The story’s conclusion is breathtaking—a perfect blend of resolution and lingering questions that leave the reader yearning for more. Maddie Martinez has crafted a tale that is destined to leave a lasting impression, and I eagerly await whatever she chooses to write next.