It combines the genre of historical fiction with elements of fantasy, telling the story of two displaced magical creatures in 19th century New York City.

[1] In the Polish town of Konin at the end of the 19th century, a corrupt kabbalist named Yehudah Schaalman creates a golem in the shape of a woman at the request of young Otto Rotfeld, who seeks a submissive, attentive, and curious wife.

Chava seeks to be more human and fears losing control and exposing herself, whereas Ahmad holds a jaded view towards social restraints and engages in hedonistic pursuits.

"[4] The Publishers Weekly review concluded with: "The ending dips into melodrama, but the human touches more than compensate in Wecker's spellbinding blend of fantasy and historical fiction.

"[11] USA Today remarked that the novel is "a traditional story about assimilation, as the Golem and the Jinni navigate life under challenging constraints and are forced to suppress their true natures.

"[12] Reviewer Abigail Nussbaum, writing for Strange Horizons, believes the novel has a strong theme of loneliness, stating: "Chava and Ahmad are doubly isolated, unable to look inward and find solace in their community as the humans around them do, " and "...even human characters like Rabbi Meyer, Michael, and Arbeely are unable to find solace for their loneliness in communal living.