Rep: Jewish culture and tradition

Genre: Jewish folklore, Young Adult, Horror, monsters vs. villains

Wrath Becomes Her ticked many boxes on my reading checklist due to my fascination with the golem concept and discovering a new author in my book list! 

Vera, a golem and main FC, becomes more than a pawn in the book. She embodied an entity beyond revenge and justice, which was an unexpected outcome by its creator. This book felt like a "coming of age" for Vera, who continues on Chaya's life but also "starts to pave her future" with her later decisions. She exposes herself to humans (more humanoid than her other counterparts) in a more vulnerable way than typical golems with a superiority complex. Her most distinctive characteristic is having a "soul" and being emphatic to all - humans and others. She had her creator's daughter's memories, thoughts, and feelings that made her unique and able to "outwit" her rivals. But given this "advantage," it is also the source of much internal conflict that makes her relatable versus just a "weapon." Her human side made the nuances she represents (especially to the Jewish community) urgent, current, and valuable. I cried during those times.

This book is character-driven versus plot-centered, wherein the actions and scenes happen because of the characters' decisions. Vera will make readers think, reassess, and want to fight for truth and justice! 

The plot may sound simple - a grieving parent seeking revenge against the Nazis who killed his daughter and thought of using a golem to exact his revenge. But due to the reimagined and new nuances of this particular golem and a few new "food-for-thoughts" on Jewish ideologies infused. 

The characters were complex and with a lot of internal and external conflicts. It wasn't only Vera, but all of the characters had to decide and weigh in what is important to them in the end and how they see their future. Vera came into this world as an innocent. Granted, she had Chaya's thoughts and mannerisms, but she is still an individual with her opinions and innocence. She needed to find a purpose after being "left behind," so that was something that anyone would relate to. It gives a "coming of age" feeling since any child will go through this - wanting to please parents while still being true to what they would want for themselves. It is not unreasonable to be selfish in a scenario one might not see tomorrow.

The book had many emotional segments, but the author provided a counterbalance of suspenseful action scenes and many "rage revenge" moments that made me cheer for Vera. I was stunned by how happy my reaction was to the bloody fight scenes after reading through so much of the injustices and cruelty succumbed by the Jews just because of their heritage. If you have a weak stomach for deadly fight scenes and gory details, readers can skip these but note that some get pretty vivid. 

Overall, I found Wrath Becomes Her insightful and enlightening. There is the usual revenge aspect entailed with the folklore, but I was in it for the mystics and nuances of family, love, and compassion. Even with all the violence in a few scenes, I would encourage young readers to read this book since it gives a lot of new nuances on humanity, life, and hope. 

The emotions and empathy spring out in the pages from the beginning, and even after the last chapter, these things lingered in me and were impossible to forget. This book impacted me and will be considered one of the most memorable ones I have encountered. Based on the initial letter to readers by the author in this book, I will look through the author's past books to learn more about Jewish culture and traditions.