As far as historical fiction goes, I've read better and I've read worse. I liked some elements of the book, particularly the witchcraft and Inquisition angle. However, this book had a romance novel feel about it that I just wasn't that fond of. Maybe it was the way it was written or maybe I'm just not a fan of romance novels; I'm not really sure. Tobsha Learner is kind of like Philippa Gregory Lite. Similar style but not as compelling. I'd give this one 3/5.

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A disappointment. The historically-based events kept me turning pages, but the prose has no charm, the characters' development is not nuanced and their motivations sometimes completely nonsensical. The author's depiction of Jewish life at the time is extremely weak, a huge drawback, since the main character is a Jewish woman who finds "the love of her life" in a Catholic canon. The main characters are anachronisms; modern people plunked into the 17th Century setting. Although the time periods are different, if you compare this book to Philippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool" which follows a Jewish woman at the Elizabethan court (also something of a "bodice ripper" with an unusually modern Jewish woman heroine) you can see the difference it makes to follow a well-developed character. Jewish life described in the Witch of Cologne is so stereotyped and incomplete it really amazed me. Elements of this book I would have thought would make it good: kabbala, the demon Lilith, midwifery, era in history, iconoclastic main characters, sex - but, despite these...cannot recommend.

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A simple tale, simply told. A step up from a beach read - think a well-researched historical romance.

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Ignore the silly cover on this book. What was the publisher thinking? This is a well-written, tragicthough ultimately hopeful story of star-crossed lovers during a particularly brutal period in history. The kind of story that haunts you. It is romantic--but not light, with great historical detail. Wonderful.

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Very intetesting story. Drags in certain areas, but worth the read

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This is a fictionalized account of the Spanish Inquisition. However, it is much more than that. Some of the characters that play a major role in the book are true historical figures, but the main character is a creation of the author. The story of a Jewish midwife practicing in the 1600's is both entertaining and informative. The author educated the reader about practices of midwifery and also politics of the 17th century. The story spans the life of Ruth, the main character and takes us through the many experiences of a woman who is unconventional for her time. A well-written book from an up and coming author.

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This is an excellent work of historical fiction with true history added. The descriptions and portrayal of life in the 1600s along with alluring characters and eroticism is exquisite.
It is definitely a page turner for me and I recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Catherine in New Jersey

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I found this book to be somewhat disappointing in the end. It was a tragic romance novel. The final years we dealt with so superficially, and for Jacob to make the monumentous decision without knowing him, well was disappointing.

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I feel I should preface this review by informing the reader that my review comes from the perspective of me and my family - and that we are (as a whole) very informed about Judaism, REAL kaballa, history of the Jewish people and secular history.

We couldn't get past the first few pages of this.

I can see why people who know very little of the above subjects might find this book intriguing. Unfortunately, it not only presents a VERY false view of Jews, Judaism, etc. but it so distorts the truth as to be damaging.

As a Jewish woman in particular, I feel that this type of book only serves to perpetuate the myth that women are second class citizens in Torah true Jewish life and that the only way to gain power is to challenge the status quo.

I have the book on my bookshelf and actually have doubts as to whether I should trade it.

Even my son in law, who is a rabbi and generally enjoys reading books like this for the comedy factor couldn't get past the first few chapters, that's how bad it is - you can't even turn it into a joke.

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