From Dust A Flame: a mystical exploration of Judaism

By Sophia Doshi

During the summer before my senior year of high school, I read so many books that I lost track. From Dust A Flame was one of them. The book took around 50 pages to actually get interesting but it picked up quite soon after. Once it got interesting, I could barely put the book down. Hannah Williams, the main character, is relatable and realistic considering the circumstances that she has been placed in. The storyline is also fascinating, with a saturation of Judaism and Jewish culture. I learned a couple of words in Hebrew and gained insight into the traditions of Judaism. I also loved the 'wokeness' of the book; Hannah's bisexual presentation is introduced early in the book and appreciated, but not oversaturated. The same goes for her older brother Gabe, who is gay and proud of it. The dynamic between Hannah and Gabe is also part of the reason why I loved the book. I am very close with my brother, so seeing that closeness made readable in the book was quite nice. Overall, I'd give the book a 7/10. It's a nice beach read, but it's nothing terribly philosophical or insightful.