School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--When the prospect of marrying into a prominent family feels too dire a reality to withstand, 17-year-old Sorel Kalmans leaps from her window and flees into the unknown. Disguising herself in the stable-boy's clothes and stealing a knife for protection and an impromptu haircut, Sorel takes on the name of Isser Jacobs. Her momentary freedom as Isser is short-lived, however, as it turns out that there is a real-life Isser Jacobs and that undertaking his existence also means taking on his significant troubles. As she navigates the world as Isser, Sorel finds that their lives are far more interconnected than she could have ever imagined. Beyond the chilling and enticing first line, this novel presents many hurdles for readers. Undefined Yiddish words are prominent, excluding all but intermediate to advanced students of the language. A disorienting journey is intensified by the presence of two Issers and a protagonist that goes by three first names. The plot lacks a sense of urgency and momentum, and the characters' motives and desires are unclear. VERDICT Despite the promise of "a genderqueer lesbian with a knife," fans of Lamb's previous work will struggle to connect with an uninspired lead character and a dearth of adventure.--Ingrid Conley-Abrams
Publisher's Weekly Review
It's the eve of her wedding night when Sorel Kalmans--the 17-year-old daughter of a wealthy Jewish merchant who, along with the Hasidic rebbe, rules her small Russian town of Esrog--heeding the advice of a mystical "shadowy reflection" in her mirror, disguises herself as a boy and flees. But Isser Jacobs, the new name she chooses for herself, is also the name of a man who printed illegal political pamphlets and had secret dealings with her father. Accompanied by a mysterious young man and Adela, Isser's accomplice--both of whom may or may not be trustworthy--Sorel searches for her namesake, along the way uncovering more about what's going on in her hometown. As the trio delve deeper into their investigations, Sorel also finds herself drawn to Adela. Throughout, Sorel contends with myriad personal challenges surrounding those she left in Esrog, the life she weaves as Isser, and the future she wants for herself, adding sometimes-meandering complications to her and her companions' plight. Lamb (When the Angels Left the Old Country) packs their swift sophomore effort with adventure, folklore, and Jewish mysticism: Sorel and her companions must not only confront people who wish them ill but also face existential questions regarding angels and the future. Ages 12--up. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency. (Oct.)
