Reviews for The Prophetess
Scroll below for reviews from Kirkus, Hadassah Magazine, Midwest Book Review, Association of Jewish Libraries, authors, Jewish educators, bloggers and more!
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Kirkus Reviews
“Toggling between Rachel’s daily life and her visions, this story exquisitely accomplishes a partnership between the divine and the quotidian. Debut author Marzouk integrates Jewish practice, philosophy, and mysticism into a complex yet accessible coming-of-age story…. Fuses the mystical past with a teenager’s complicated present through a richly rendered world of Jewish prayer and ritual.”
Full review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/evonne-marzouk/the-prophetess-marzouk/
“Complex and ambitious…. Marzouk ably fleshes out Rachel’s friends and their complicated families, including non-Jewish pal Chris, who understands Rachel’s prophetic destiny; her Jewish friend Jake, tormented by drug use; and her sister Beth, whose life is saved because Rachel can see the future. Marzouk is equally familiar with the landscape of Israel and the complicated personalities of Holocaust survivors who are powerfully linked to Rachel’s prophecies.” (November 2019)
Full review by Gloria Goldreich: https://www.hadassahmagazine.org/2019/11/04/dragons-artists-prophets-tales-tweens-teens/
Hadassah Magazine
Midwest Book Review
"A deftly crafted, unique and thoroughly entertaining novel by an author with a genuine flair for a distinctive and reader engaging narrative storytelling style, 'The Prophetess' is very highly recommended, especially for school and community library YA Fiction collections."
Full Review: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/dec_19.htm#GeneralFiction
“There is an interesting mix of ‘YA content’ (fitting in, but trying to define one’s uniqueness, boys, clothes, etc.) and Jewish content (Israel, Holocaust, observances and customs), with Rachel learning more about Judaism and eventually observing mitzvot like Shabbat and kashrut…. A good choice for most Jewish libraries with teen patrons (some may object to the idea of modern-day prophecy).” - News and Reviews, Feb/Mar 2020 (Fiction - Teen Readers, page 47)
Association of Jewish Libraries
LA Jewish Home
“Given the dearth of YA fantasy novels in Jewish literature, I was excited to learn of the upcoming publication of The Prophetess, by Evonne Marzouk. This new novel—more magic realism than fantasy, really—hits all the right YA notes while remaining entrenched in a Jewish worldview.”
Full Review: https://jewishhomela.com/2019/08/01/book-review-the-prophetess-by-evonne-marzouk-bancroft-press-2019/
“An engaging young adult story that embraces mysticism, religion and faith… a great book for the YA audience or any person struggling with faith (of any religion). I hope that this ends up in the library of Jewish congregations.”
Full review: https://www.goodbookfairy.com/the-prophetess-by-evonne-marzouk/
Good Book Fairy
Praise from Authors
“This extraordinary novel is a wondrous gift for all spiritually searching individuals looking to grow into their gifts.” —Bracha Goetz, Harvard-educated author of 39 books for children
“The Prophetess is a deep and affecting spiritual page-turner. This very specific coming-of-age story about a Jewish teen’s blossoming relationship with G-d explores universal themes of love, purpose, family, identity, commitment, tradition, and faith. Tender, refreshing, luminous, and thoroughly immersive.” ―Michelle Brafman, author of Washing the Dead and Bertrand Court
"A story that straddles the ancient and modern worlds, that's both timeless and imminent, and that’s full of legends but speaks of true things … The Prophetess masterfully captures the age when everything is strange and new and dangerous—the emotional instability of being a teenager and the spiritual instability of―spoiler alert―finding out you're a prophet. Evonne Marzouk’s The Prophetess is a story that begs to be read." ―Matthue Roth, Never Mind the Goldbergs
“Exquisitely crafted. Evonne uses her imaginative skills to create a world for a modern prophetess … and she describes brilliantly the very real struggles of adolescence to navigate relationships and to claim, and reclaim, her authentic Jewish heritage.” ― Ruthie Feldman, author of The Green Bubbie, as well as a Jewish educator and artist
“Evonne Marzouk's The Prophetess is a beautiful story of spiritual searching and coming of age. With an expert hand, she manages to meld the ancient and the modern to create a compelling story of growing up both spiritually and emotionally.” ― Adina Rishe Gewirtz, author of Zebra Forest and Blue Window
"A unique, spiritual fantasy about a modern teenager called upon to fulfill an ancient Divine calling. Marzouk's masterful weaving of mysticism, modernity, and magic creates a truly original and unforgettable coming-of-age story." ―Leah Cypess, author of Mistwood and other YA novels
“An intriguing, mysterious, and engrossing combination of mysticism, Jewish observance, and concerns any typical teenager might have: family dynamics, school, romance, and friendship. Daily life and mystical experience combine in ways that drew me in and made me want to keep reading. New twists keep appearing, making it hard to put the book down. The Prophetess is easy to read and, at the same time, filled with compelling emotions and ideas.” —Stephanie Wellen Levine, Author of Mystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey Among Hasidic Girls
“Evonne Marzouk's YA novel is in a class all by itself. It features teens challenged to find the best versions of themselves, but the spotlight is on Rachel, growing into her frightening gift of prophecy. The first symptoms are painful, mentally and physically. In short order, they become more frequent and more debilitating. She tells her friends, baffled by her behavior, that these are simply severe migraines. Though she adores the prophet-mentor who supports her in understanding her ‘gift,’ she still worries that she will not take timely enough action to avert disasters she can foresee. The mélange of prophetic lore (not exactly biblical), Jewish mysticism, and journeys into Israeli culture and Jewish tradition all serve to make this a truly unique reading experience.” — Faye Silton, Author and Jewish Educator
Praise from Teens
"This book is truly life changing. It gives me a different perspective on my Judaism and how to look at problems. I talked to my librarian about getting the book for the library and she said that it would help other people have different perspectives on Judaism. I recommend this book to anyone who likes books about people discovering their true selves and how they see their religion." —Jenessa, age 12, Livermore, California (Jewish-Reform)
“The Prophetess, a coming-of-age novel written by Evonne Marzouk, is an enthralling story for people of all ages. It has an easy-to-follow plot that appeals to young readers, offers a relatable
lifestyle for young adults, and provides a new perspective on life as a young Jewish girl who benefits her society.” —Olivia, age 14, Great Falls, VA (raised atheist)
“Evonne Marzouk’s The Prophetess is an amazing coming-of-age tale set in the modern world. Rachel’s journey has so many twists and turns; there is a surprise every chapter. It is a story of love, loss, redemption, and finding yourself, all while navigating high school. This book will help you find your purpose in life. As a teen, I related to the characters and their daily struggles. I think that this novel is a must read. It has a great plot with interesting characters, and it always has you coming back for more. I couldn’t put it down.”—Ayelet, age 13, Silver Spring, MD (Jewish-Modern Orthodox)
Praise from Jewish Leaders and Educators
“The Prophetess is an absorbing novel about an American teenage girl called to join a secret community of Jewish prophets. It weaves Jewish tradition, mysticism, modern Jewish-American life, and discovery of Israel into a coming-of-age story about a girl discovering her power and purpose in life. I found it hard to put down, and grabbed every free minute to see what happened next. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this superb novel."―Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, author of Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul, and winner of the JBC’s National Jewish Book Award
"This is a beautiful book. It gently unfolds and blossoms. As the book evolves, the reader is drawn deeper and deeper into thought and emotion, mimicking the journey of the young heroine. The relationships feel authentic and challenge us to examine our own family and friendship dynamics."—Lisa Litman, Director, PJ Goes to School (a program of PJ Library)
“Rachel's fascinating, beautifully-written story definitely resonates with me. It opened my eyes to a fresh perspective on the effects of prophecy. It created a narrative for me to understand how this Divine gift could change familial and social relationships forever. And it made me appreciate those willing to hear this calling despite the personal sacrifice they must endure.”―Elana Weinberg, Jewish educator, Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy
“What would happen if an American teenager began receiving visions from God? How would it affect her relationships, her education, her self-conception? In The Prophetess, Evonne Marzouk answers these questions with empathy and insight. As the journey of the main character (Rachel) expands out from her family, friends, and community into mysticism, prophecy, and trips to Israel, Marzouk brings her relationships, along with the reader, into Rachel’s new and surprising realities. A gripping read with many resources at the end of the book to learn more about the ideas and rituals introduced in the engaging story.”― Rabbi Dorothy Richman, Makor Or: Jewish Meditation Center, San Francisco, California
“Everyone experiences the trials of maturing into adulthood. We examine our values, our religion, our place in the world, our place in our family, and our goals in life. We choose a path leading to our future. The Prophetess by Evonne Marzouk is an engrossing story of a young woman, Rachel, on the cusp of adulthood grappling with the issues facing all high school seniors…. Rachel's story, though told from an American-Jewish perspective, is a universal one and affords readers at any age, especially young adults, an opportunity to reflect on their own gifts, choices, and goals. Reading The Prophetess is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking experience. Delving into its pages is highly recommended for anyone living among other people and travelling through life—basically all of us!” — Michele Glazer Ben, English Language Educator, Yavneh Israel
“What a compelling story! Bringing the ancient concept of prophecy into modern day?! The author opened a world of possibility — that anyone could be “divinely gifted,” that each of us has a role here on earth that is larger than we can see, that the ancient can still be relevant, and that the unfathomable can be attainable. This was a beautiful story — one I am excited to share with my middle schooler and discuss at length... as we eagerly await its sequel!”
—Ariele Mortkowitz, Director of SVIVAH
"The Prophetess will appeal to young girls grappling with coming-of-age challenges, women of all ages wrestling with questions of observance, spirituality, and the Divine, and anyone simply in the market for a good, cannot-put-it-down read. It is an engrossing page-turner.” —Sharon Freundel, Managing Director, Jewish Education Innovation Challenge