THE SANHEDRIN CHRONICLES (VOLUME 1)

In Gold’s debut novel, a young man must come to terms with his Jewish identity as he finds his place in New York City’s hidden world of demons and secret religious orders.

Arthur Rose, born Aaron, is a college student at Excelsior State Universitywho loves heavy metal and epic adventure stories and pines for his ex-girlfriend. He also deeply resents his Jewish background and has dyed his hair blond and changed his first name to craft a new identity. At a young age, his mother was murdered by a skinhead, and he was sent by his Hasidic father to live with his uncle. Arthur’s estrangement from his Jewish heritage runs deep: “As far as he sees it, the only thing bequeathed to Arthur’s people is the title of loser in a battle that doesn’t end.” When his father dies, however, the young man is involuntarily given “the Sight so that you may gaze beyond flesh and through spirit” and inducted into Sanhedrin, a secret organization of Jewish mages charged with protecting the world from evil spiritual forces. Before long, a powerful, sluglike demon named Igrat appears, intent on resurrecting her even more powerful demonic spouse, and Arthur is thrust into a high-stakes adventure in which his desire to use physical violence to protect those he loves clashes with the Sanhedrin’s opposition to killing. Gold’s novel boasts an impressive suite of characters, and the Sanhedrin members present a range of approaches to Jewish practice. The worldbuilding is elaborate and engaging, setting the stage for what could easily become a compelling and gritty fantasy series. Although some of the pacing is a bit uneven—some of Arthur’s many interior passages drag a bit—the narrative gradually reveals characters’ backstories in surprising ways. There’s much ground here that’s been covered in other stories, but Gold (and even Arthur himself) are clearly aware of the genre’s conventions. The novel is at its strongest when it explores whether and how the stories of the Jewish people map onto the classic tale of the hero’s journey.

An exciting and magical Jewish urban fantasy novel.