The Sanhedrin Chronicles

by J.S. Gold

Overview

A Modern Fantasy Where Ancient Hebrew Mysticism Comes Alive On The Streets Of New York

College student and certified nerd Arthur Rose has issues: he's estranged from his Jewish faith, needs a recommendation for grad school, and getting back with his ex, Lynn, is going to take more than an apology and chocolate. He's trying to balance it all when he starts seeing shapes in the dark. Soon after, a mysterious young woman approaches him, claiming she killed his father and is searching for a stone blessed by God Himself.

What follows is a tale ripped from Arthur's wildest fantasies: to protect the world from evil, he must join a secret order of Jewish demon-hunters that has spanned millennia. He'll need to master Hebrew magic, uncover the secrets of his past, and embrace his heritage. In doing so, he won't just reclaim his faith but become...

SANHEDRIN.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781961511880
Publisher:	Histria Books
Publication date:	11/19/2024
Series:	The Sanhedrin Chronicles , #1
Pages:	420
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

J.S. Gold has been a fantasy enthusiast for as long as he can remember and has been writing for over a decade. By day, he teaches history to high schoolers who (hopefully) remember it. He lives (and jokes, and dances, and sings) with his wife, daughter, son, and two cats on Long Island, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Feels at once real and mythological, effortlessly drawing readers in from the very first page and never letting them go.

BookTrib

"I loved the Sanhedrin Chronicles, not only for its unique cultural twist on the urban fantasy genre, but because it has all the elements I enjoy in a story—secret societies, ancient enemies, and clever magic. J.S. Gold writes an engaging tale, and I can’t wait for the next book!”

Steve Ruskin

2024-12-16
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.

Kirkus Reviews