Peace In The Margins

Gorgeous cover – check. Historical fiction – check. Jewish folklore – check. A sprinkling of dark magic with the feel of a Frankenstein retelling written in first-person and from the POV of the “monster” – check. Sounds amazing, right!?

Polydoros lines up his crosshairs on the WWII narrative that the Jews were like sheep led to the slaughter. When he pulls the trigger, we learn that there indeed was a resistance, and in the end the fight was worth it.

I loved this young adult novel. Additionally, the themes throughout will make for a great book club discussion – for teen and adult alike:

• Not all people/beings are as they seem.
• You are more than your parts.
• What constitutes being a person? A monster?
• Is vengeance ever justified?
• Can you ever un-see your experiences?
• What makes a life worth living?

My one issue is that this is a tale of revenge – of wrath – yet as a reader, I didn’t have the visceral reaction I was hoping for. Don’t get me wrong, the sadness and grief is quite poignant and well-written. And I give a slight pass on the execution of the revenge feelings, only because the main character is a golem – traditionally created out of clay and bound to a master. Clay doesn’t feel per se, yet this golem is different…more human. I wanted to be angry with her, instead Polydoros “told” us how she felt instead of showing us.

Otherwise, this is a unique WWII story with a fresh perspective told by a Jewish writer. If a “sometimes they come back” gothic horror trope tops your reading list, then don’t pass by Wrath Becomes Her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this tale in exchange for an honest review. It is set to be released in October of 2023.