The Hidden Palace: A Novel of the Golem and the Jinni
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- Create Date：2021-06-26 11:31:28
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Helene Wecker
- ISBN：1665096012
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Summary
In this enthralling historical epic， set in New York City and the Middle East in the years leading to World War I— the long-awaited follow-up to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Golem and the Jinni—Helene Wecker revisits her beloved characters Chava and Ahmad as they confront unexpected new challenges in a rapidly changing human world。
Chava is a golem， a woman made of clay， able to hear the thoughts and longings of the people around her and compelled by her nature to help them。 Ahmad is a jinni， a perpetually restless and free-spirited creature of fire， imprisoned in the shape of a man。 Fearing they’ll be exposed as monsters， these magical beings hide their true selves and pretend to be human—just two more immigrants in the bustling world of 1900s Manhattan。 Having encountered each other under calamitous circumstances， Chava and Ahmad’s lives are now entwined—but they’re not yet certain of what they mean to each other。
Each has unwittingly affected the humans around them。 Park Avenue heiress Sophia Winston， whose brief encounter with Ahmad left her with a strange illness that makes her shiver with cold， travels to the Middle East to seek a cure。 There she meets a tempestuous female jinni who’s been banished from her tribe。 Back in New York， in a tenement on the Lower East Side， a little girl named Kreindel helps her rabbi father build a golem they name Yossele—not knowing that she’s about to be sent to an orphanage uptown， where the hulking Yossele will become her only friend and protector。
Spanning the tumultuous years from the turn of the twentieth century to the beginning of World War I， The Hidden Palace follows these lives and others as they collide and interleave。 Can Chava and Ahmad find their places in the human world while remaining true to each other？ Or will their opposing natures and desires eventually tear them apart—especially once they encounter， thrillingly， other beings like themselves？
Chava is a golem， a woman made of clay， able to hear the thoughts and longings of the people around her and compelled by her nature to help them。 Ahmad is a jinni， a perpetually restless and free-spirited creature of fire， imprisoned in the shape of a man。 Fearing they’ll be exposed as monsters， these magical beings hide their true selves and pretend to be human—just two more immigrants in the bustling world of 1900s Manhattan。 Having encountered each other under calamitous circumstances， Chava and Ahmad’s lives are now entwined—but they’re not yet certain of what they mean to each other。
Each has unwittingly affected the humans around them。 Park Avenue heiress Sophia Winston， whose brief encounter with Ahmad left her with a strange illness that makes her shiver with cold， travels to the Middle East to seek a cure。 There she meets a tempestuous female jinni who’s been banished from her tribe。 Back in New York， in a tenement on the Lower East Side， a little girl named Kreindel helps her rabbi father build a golem they name Yossele—not knowing that she’s about to be sent to an orphanage uptown， where the hulking Yossele will become her only friend and protector。
Spanning the tumultuous years from the turn of the twentieth century to the beginning of World War I， The Hidden Palace follows these lives and others as they collide and interleave。 Can Chava and Ahmad find their places in the human world while remaining true to each other？ Or will their opposing natures and desires eventually tear them apart—especially once they encounter， thrillingly， other beings like themselves？
Reviews
Scott
，
A worthy sequel to 'The Golem and the Jinni'， following the two main characters as they continue to search for their place in the world of humans。 I counted nine points of view， so be patient and know that all POV characters will bring the story to its conclusion in different roles。 A worthy sequel to 'The Golem and the Jinni'， following the two main characters as they continue to search for their place in the world of humans。 I counted nine points of view， so be patient and know that all POV characters will bring the story to its conclusion in different roles。 。。。more
Bookworm
，
Like many others， I was *very* excited to read the sequel to Wecker's hit book。 The first installment was really enjoyable， stuck in my head， and while I was pleased with how the story ended in the first book， （it ends with potential but can be read as a standalone） it was still cool to see where we'd go next and what next adventures we'd see。 I was curious to see what a golem and a a jinni could do and how they'd survive in the years leading up to WWI and where'd this story would go next。Unfort Like many others， I was *very* excited to read the sequel to Wecker's hit book。 The first installment was really enjoyable， stuck in my head， and while I was pleased with how the story ended in the first book， （it ends with potential but can be read as a standalone） it was still cool to see where we'd go next and what next adventures we'd see。 I was curious to see what a golem and a a jinni could do and how they'd survive in the years leading up to WWI and where'd this story would go next。Unfortunately， I have to agree with the negative reviews。 I wondered if I had made a mistake in not reading the original again to refresh my memory and whether it had been too long for me to read a sequel to the original。 As others say， the story meanders too much and it feels like there are too many characters。 Some are more interesting than others， with some plotlines that made more sense and were easier to follow。 Others， not so much。I'm not saying there wasn't a story to tell， but this feels a bit half-formed and it's not really clear to me how the characters were all supposed to fit together in the overall tale。 In the end， I think I had been satisfied with the first book and was content to let the story end with one installment。 If I had done a "binge read，" though I wonder if I'd feel differently （ie the second not so good but still enjoyable vs。 me really not thinking this was a good follow-up）。I'd still be open to read more in this series （if it becomes one） but I might re-read the first book to refresh my memory next time。Borrowed from the library and that was best for me。 。。。more
Mike
，
I think that this is the very rare sequel that's better than the original。 I really liked The Golem and the Jinni but this book continues the story with the same characters and a more complex plot。 The descriptions and the dialog are great， the conflicts and their resolutions keep your attention。 The Hidden Palace is set in New York City in the early 1900s and the reader feels like they're really there。 I strongly recommend reading both novels。 I think that this is the very rare sequel that's better than the original。 I really liked The Golem and the Jinni but this book continues the story with the same characters and a more complex plot。 The descriptions and the dialog are great， the conflicts and their resolutions keep your attention。 The Hidden Palace is set in New York City in the early 1900s and the reader feels like they're really there。 I strongly recommend reading both novels。 。。。more
Cheralyn Runkle
，
2。5
Claudia
，
I loved the golem and the jinni so much。 I’m so happy to had to chance to meet all the glorious characters again in this sequel。 They are wrote so so so well， I’m amazed really！ I’m so happy to have read this serie！
Yisroel Markov
，
This second installment feels a bit looser than the first。 Not as fast-paced， and some plot devices seemed less than 100% believable （in a fantasy novel， right？）。 But it's still a very solid， high-quality work， even though written in the time of Covid。 This second installment feels a bit looser than the first。 Not as fast-paced， and some plot devices seemed less than 100% believable （in a fantasy novel， right？）。 But it's still a very solid， high-quality work， even though written in the time of Covid。 。。。more
Mary
，
I really enjoyed this novel， the characters are deeper than the first book I think， although I can't remember it well， it's been such a long wait， so I may be mistaken。 One thing is certain the writing is even better than the first book， and I enjoyed that。 I really enjoyed this novel， the characters are deeper than the first book I think， although I can't remember it well， it's been such a long wait， so I may be mistaken。 One thing is certain the writing is even better than the first book， and I enjoyed that。 。。。more
Nick
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Great follow up book that has a real sense of mystery and romance in the writing。 Loved it， hope theres more as good as this。
Luke
，
I’m sorry…my allergies… just terrible today。 I’ll be ok！
Linda Branham Greenwell
，
Great sequel to The Golem and the Jinni。 It was a beautiful and amazing story
Donna Bijas
，
4。5 stars for the sequel to The Golem and The Jinni which I loved。 The continuation of Chava and Ahmed and the addition of another Golem， coupled with Sophia Winston made this a fascinating and fast paced story。 What great Jewish stories and folklore， the foibles of close living spaces， misunderstandings and new love。 If you liked the first， then this one is for you。
Susan
，
Thoroughly enjoyed the first book， and this one was the same。 Lots of character development， interesting new characters， great historical backdrop — all around really good。
Shelly Harris
，
Sad to have the story end。 Looking forward to more from Helene Wecker。 Lovely story telling and creativity。
Hedgehog
，
Just like "The Golem and the Jinni" but moreso。 More locations， more world events， more characters， more twists and turns。 And more pages to enjoy。 The golem and the jinni grow more interesting as they struggle with life among the humans， which reflects on humans as well。 I'm hoping there is a third。 Just like "The Golem and the Jinni" but moreso。 More locations， more world events， more characters， more twists and turns。 And more pages to enjoy。 The golem and the jinni grow more interesting as they struggle with life among the humans， which reflects on humans as well。 I'm hoping there is a third。 。。。more
Nicole
，
The first 2/3 was quite dull and could have been edited down a lot。 The final third was fantastic and just as good as the previous book。 Wecker did a terrific job introducing new characters and building our attachments to them。
Steve
，
The author's ability to tell a story about life is striking。 This is the story of so many generations of Americans told in the metaphor of these two travelers。 The characters are us and we understand them on a level that is beyond many narratives。 The story is just as good as the first book and does not suffer from sequelitis at all。 So many sequels might have suffered from trying to write that book again。 This book is not the same book。 It is a continuation of a beautiful life story。 The author's ability to tell a story about life is striking。 This is the story of so many generations of Americans told in the metaphor of these two travelers。 The characters are us and we understand them on a level that is beyond many narratives。 The story is just as good as the first book and does not suffer from sequelitis at all。 So many sequels might have suffered from trying to write that book again。 This book is not the same book。 It is a continuation of a beautiful life story。 。。。more
Rachel
，
When I read finished "The Golem and the Jinni，" I didn't think there would be a sequel。 However， Wecker does a wonderful job showing what happened after that book-tying together several plot lines in a satisfying way。 She also gave enough hints to remind me what occurred in the first book so I didn't feel lost。 However， I think readers would do well to read the first book before attempting this one。 When I read finished "The Golem and the Jinni，" I didn't think there would be a sequel。 However， Wecker does a wonderful job showing what happened after that book-tying together several plot lines in a satisfying way。 She also gave enough hints to remind me what occurred in the first book so I didn't feel lost。 However， I think readers would do well to read the first book before attempting this one。 。。。more
What， You Egg！
，
I actually wasn't the biggest fan of The Golem and The Jinni - somehow， I didn't like what their relationship became， how the story ended。 But I loved the writing， the evident effort that had gone into building the world， and decided to give The Hidden Palace a shot。 And am I glad I did。 This time， the story just clicked for me。 I loved watching how the relationship between the Golem and the Jinni evolved， how it splintered and and grew moulded their lives。 I loved the rest of the characters so I actually wasn't the biggest fan of The Golem and The Jinni - somehow， I didn't like what their relationship became， how the story ended。 But I loved the writing， the evident effort that had gone into building the world， and decided to give The Hidden Palace a shot。 And am I glad I did。 This time， the story just clicked for me。 I loved watching how the relationship between the Golem and the Jinni evolved， how it splintered and and grew moulded their lives。 I loved the rest of the characters so much， moving in an elegant dance around each other till their paths collided。 One normally feels defensive when brand new characters take central roles in an older story， but Kreindel and Toby I somehow found extremely compelling。 How artfully the characters interact and navigate their extremely different relationships is so beautiful to behold。 One of my issues with the first book was how New York centric it was - and I definitely see why that was， given that it was portraying an immigrant's story， so this is a very me problem :p。 It felt a little alien， given that I've never really understood the hype about New York。 But here， with Sophia's journeys in the Middle East to cut through the central narrative in New York， I found the story a lot more interesting， with a shifting landscape filled with new interest。 The first book felt incomplete， like the juncture at which the story rested couldn't possibly hold for long。 This book draws it out to a conclusion that feels natural， that feels genuinely satisfying。 （and yet I'd love to see more books in this world， featuring these characters :p） I highly recommend this book for anyone with a hankering to dwell in a world and fascinating character's lives and feel every moment of it。 。。。more
Leah
，
Love the characters which I think carried me farther through the book without getting frustrated， than I normally would with a different book。 The plot moves pretty slow until toward the very end。 In the middle Wecker sets up all these interesting characters that you know are gonna spark once they meet each other。。。。and yet it felt like it kept being put off and delayed because of miscommunication or something else。 And then all of a sudden they all meet and sparks fly and the climax happens and Love the characters which I think carried me farther through the book without getting frustrated， than I normally would with a different book。 The plot moves pretty slow until toward the very end。 In the middle Wecker sets up all these interesting characters that you know are gonna spark once they meet each other。。。。and yet it felt like it kept being put off and delayed because of miscommunication or something else。 And then all of a sudden they all meet and sparks fly and the climax happens and it's a whirlwind。Like I said I love the characters， the setting continues to draw me in and fascinate me， but the actual plot of this book was a bit meh。 （And yet 4 stars， hah。） 。。。more
Garrett
，
The sequel doesn't have the sheer force of the original's unique combination of fantasy and historical novel， but the writing is as exquisite and beautiful as before。 Compelling， deep and heart wrenching， this was another easy read。 I hope there's a third on the way！ The sequel doesn't have the sheer force of the original's unique combination of fantasy and historical novel， but the writing is as exquisite and beautiful as before。 Compelling， deep and heart wrenching， this was another easy read。 I hope there's a third on the way！ 。。。more
Geoff
，
A beautiful， thoughtful， intelligent， and compelling follow-up to another outstanding novel。 As much as I loved the first， this feels more grown up。 A very worthy sequel--if it takes eight years to get another book like this， I'll gladly wait。 A beautiful， thoughtful， intelligent， and compelling follow-up to another outstanding novel。 As much as I loved the first， this feels more grown up。 A very worthy sequel--if it takes eight years to get another book like this， I'll gladly wait。 。。。more
Suzi
，
WonderfulI wasn't sure of a sequel to Golem and the Jinni would be as captivating as the original but it really was。 I loved how it tied up some old strings and I introduced us to interesting and sympathetic new characters along the way。 WonderfulI wasn't sure of a sequel to Golem and the Jinni would be as captivating as the original but it really was。 I loved how it tied up some old strings and I introduced us to interesting and sympathetic new characters along the way。 。。。more
Lisa
，
I wasn’t sure where the author was going to be able to take the narrative in a sequel， but she did an excellent job of continuing to follow the main characters from the first installment， and weaving some new fascinating characters into the existing story arcs as well。 As always， appreciate the historical fictional settings of both old money and poor New York， Syria， etc。， as well as glimpses into some actual events like the Triangle Shirt factory fire， the Titanic， WWI， the Lusitania。 Overall， I wasn’t sure where the author was going to be able to take the narrative in a sequel， but she did an excellent job of continuing to follow the main characters from the first installment， and weaving some new fascinating characters into the existing story arcs as well。 As always， appreciate the historical fictional settings of both old money and poor New York， Syria， etc。， as well as glimpses into some actual events like the Triangle Shirt factory fire， the Titanic， WWI， the Lusitania。 Overall， it was just a lovely piece of writing that you can sink into and lose yourself for a few days。Four stars。 PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021:A Genre Hybrid。 。。。more
Kim
，
Very seldom are books in this genre -- novels that deal with the fantastic， the impossible， the wondrous and delightful -- so rich with the highs and lows of the human experience。 I had high expectations， as I loved the previous book in the series。 This did not disappoint。 Beautiful and sad， and at times painfully sweet。 Perfect and exactly what I needed this week。
Caroline Bartels
，
4。5 stars。 I really loved this -/ and was so appreciative that Weckler revisited the first book just enough to remind me of some of the details that I needed refreshed。 I loved how both Ahmad and Chava created community around themselves。 I can’t wait to get this into the hands of fantasy lovers！
Tamara Morrill
，
I really liked this book。 It was very similar to the first and was a great continuation。 It was a slow read， which i found was the same with the golem and the jinni。 It being a slow read was not a negative because Wecker focus on Character development allowing characters from the first book to grow and new characters to be introduced。It also created the building blocks and threads for the main plot， very similar to how she built the plot and story of the first book。overall i would give this read I really liked this book。 It was very similar to the first and was a great continuation。 It was a slow read， which i found was the same with the golem and the jinni。 It being a slow read was not a negative because Wecker focus on Character development allowing characters from the first book to grow and new characters to be introduced。It also created the building blocks and threads for the main plot， very similar to how she built the plot and story of the first book。overall i would give this read a 3。5 ， the only reason i didn't give it a higher rating was I found some of the plot two coincidental ， but I loved the continued development of the Golem and Jinni characters and would love to see more。 I would recommend this book to anyone who like the first。 。。。more
Jaylia3
，
Wow。
Barbara
，
I was a little rusty since I'd read the first book so long ago， but after a few quizzical parts， I caught on again。 This is just a whole other world -- a real epic -- and I kind of like how immersed I became in these lives。 Parts of them remain unexplained， but that makes them people （people？ They're golems and jinnis -- but people） with inexplicable motivations and mysteries。 I just liked following their stories。 I was a little rusty since I'd read the first book so long ago， but after a few quizzical parts， I caught on again。 This is just a whole other world -- a real epic -- and I kind of like how immersed I became in these lives。 Parts of them remain unexplained， but that makes them people （people？ They're golems and jinnis -- but people） with inexplicable motivations and mysteries。 I just liked following their stories。 。。。more
Janelle
，
I can't entirely explain why these books are among my favorites。 I love the characters， their strengths and flaws， the contrasts of Jewish culture and Mideastern， Kaballah and orthodox， rich and poor， water and fire。 So much to love。 For me a little fantasy reveals so much about the real world， reality becomes so vivid。 I can't entirely explain why these books are among my favorites。 I love the characters， their strengths and flaws， the contrasts of Jewish culture and Mideastern， Kaballah and orthodox， rich and poor， water and fire。 So much to love。 For me a little fantasy reveals so much about the real world， reality becomes so vivid。 。。。more
Maggard
，