Chris Moriarty's The Inquisitor's Apprentice
Wait, wait, wait. A book exists that combines alternate histories, Judaism, and magic? And there's interesting subtext involving class struggles? And it's all wrapped up in an entertaining middle-grade package? YES. Yes, it exists, and this is that book! I scoff in the face of that article from a couple years ago claiming there were no really Jewish fantasy novels.
Anyway. This is the story of Sacha, the child of Russian-Jewish immigrants to an alternate New York back in the times of pogroms and factories and horses. But he's not just any Jewish boy--he can see magic. So of course he ends up apprenticed to an Inquisitor, the branch of the police that monitors magic usage. And also of course, his fellow apprentice is the daughter of one of the most prominent and wealthiest New York families. And soon they're embroiled in a case involving a dybbuk, Thomas Edison, and Harry Houdini. And all of it is awesome. I do wish there was a little less lying/secret-keeping (which seems to be a staple of this genre for some reason--seriously, confide in a grownup already), and the illustrations aren't really necessary, but this is a fascinating look at immigrant life in the craziness of old-time New York. With magic. A/A-.
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An e-galley was provided by the publisher.
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