Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Pomegranate Gate | 2023 | Ariel Kaplan | Buy |
| 2 | The Republic of Salt | 2024 | Ariel Kaplan | Buy |
| 3 | The Kingdom of Almonds | 2026 | Ariel Kaplan | Buy |
The Mirror Realm Cycle by Ariel Kaplan is a historical fantasy trilogy rooted in Sephardic Jewish history and folklore. The Pomegranate Gate, the first book, is set in an alternate version of the medieval Mediterranean world where magic is real and certain people can pass through gates into a mirror realm. Kaplan draws on the history of the Jewish expulsion from Spain and the communities of the diaspora to build a rich, grounded setting that feels nothing like standard fantasy fare.
The Republic of Salt continues the story, deepening the political and magical conflicts as characters navigate the dangers of both the ordinary world and the mirror realm. The trilogy concludes with The Kingdom of Almonds in 2026. Kaplan’s worldbuilding is detailed and specific, pulling from real historical traditions and religious texts to create a magical system and a sense of place that feel earned rather than invented from scratch.
The series has drawn praise for its originality and its thoughtful treatment of Jewish culture and history within a fantasy framework. Readers who enjoy authors like Guy Gavriel Kay or Naomi Novik will appreciate the combination of real-world history and imaginative storytelling. The books should be read in order.