Hisdadukh is a Jewish sorceress who is continuing to expand
her knowledge of the magical world. She is newly widowed but
wants to attract the attention of Rava, a former suitor who
is also a learned scholar and a master of the secret Torah.
Will Hisdadukh and Rava learn to work together in order to
defeat an evil sorceress?
ENCHANTRESS is the second book in the Rav Hisda's Daughter's
series but can easily be read as a
standalone. Events from the first book are referenced but
Maggie Anton does a great job at giving the reader enough
information to jump straight into ENCHANTRESS. A timeline of
historical events, a list of characters, and a glossary of
Jewish words are also included to help the readers fully
immerse themselvs into Maggie Anton's world.
ENCHANTRESS delves into Jewish lore as we learn of the Evil
Eye, demons, and the undercurrents of magic that permeate
the culture. Maggie Anton meticulously documents the daily
living such a woman as Hisdadukh would experience as we
learn about a side of Jewish history not often depicted.
However, the minutiae can be a bit overwhelming at the time
for someone not as knowledgeable about this time period.
Some of the detailed conversations about how to rule in a
court based on the Talmud are informative but somewhat
detract from the overall storyline. Readers interested in
learning more about the history of magic in the Jewish world
will appreciate ENCHANTRESS, however, as Maggie Anton's
depictions of the daily life and customs of the time are
outstanding.
Fantastic tales of demons and the Evil Eye, magical
incantations, and powerful attractions abound in
Enchantress, a novel that weaves together Talmudic lore,
ancient Jewish magic, and a timeless love story set in
fourth-century Babylonia.
One of the most powerful practitioner of these mysterious
arts is Rav Hisda’s daughter, whose innate awareness allows
her to possess the skills men lack. With her husband,
Rava--whose arcane knowledge of the secret Torah enables him
to create a “man” out of earth and to resurrect another
rabbi from death--the two brave an evil sorceress, Ashmedai
the Demon King, and even the Angel of Death in their quest
to safeguard their people, even while putting their romance
at risk.
The author of the acclaimed Rashi’s Daughters series and the
award-winning Rav Hisda’s Daughter: Apprentice has conjured
literary magic in the land where “abracadabra” originated.
Based on five years of research and populated with
characters from the Talmud, Enchantress brings a pivotal era
of Jewish and Christian history to life from the perspective
of a courageous and passionate woman.