This book was utterly gorgeous. Perfectly paced, entrancing, and exciting -- I am incredibly impressed that this is Wecker's first novel. 
 The Golem and the Jinni is full of rich mythology, difficult choices, and a varied cast of characters that seem to come alive and appear whole before you. Wecker approaches the book with a sense of nuance and an appreciation for the fact that life is not easy or straightforward. Even so, she doesn't lose sight of her sense of adventure. The Golem and the Jinni also provides that satisfaction a novel with a looming evil force that must be defeated can bring, without becoming trite or predictable. 
 I couldn't put this one down, and it is definitely in my top 5 novels of the year.