Deep in the Hungarian woods, the sacred magic of King Solomon lives on in his descendants who perform small miracles, including the gifted Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters. But an anti-semitic darkness is creeping across Europe, and sisters will have to make an impossible choice in an effort to survive.
... a complex meditation on tragedy and tradition ... With deceptively simple prose, Rossner creates a lush, immersive world through which the sprawling plot meanders, punctuated by moments of intense grief. The result is as lovely as it is heartbreaking.
... a masterful tale blending Jewish mysticism, fairy tales, and history in this story about three girls who wield the sacred magic of King Solomon’s descendants ... This spectacular coming-of-age story shows the evolution that each of the sisters moves through to find their ending.
enough of the fantastical to satisfy the most ardent Grimm fan. But just because a story starts with Once-upon-a-time doesn’t mean that we are guaranteed a fairytale happily-ever-after ending. It is the sense of suspense — and the fragility of the world the book explores — that will keep readers’ imaginations churning ... Rossner skilfully weaves history into the fantastical here, and throughout the book ... Magical powers, religious freedom, a woman’s place in society, these are the novel’s concerns. Readers will feel a connection to the time and place, as it serves as a constant reminder of what we fight for daily—freedom to be ourselves and to choose our own destinies.
