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soofsaphony's review
3.0
3.5 stars
It was a beautiful read, but at times the stories within the overall plot felt quite disjointed. At the end the author explains all the historical events and fairy tales she weaved into this book, and I think that contributes quite a bit. Honestly, the level of research that went into the book is amazing, and it tells an important story of the persecution and the perseverence of Jews.
At times it felt like things happened or characters made certain decisions because that's how it happened in the source material, or it was needed to connect to the next story of the source material, and not necessarily because it made sense from the characters' perspective or personality.
Overall, definitely worth your while if you like historically-inspired fantasy with romance.
It was a beautiful read, but at times the stories within the overall plot felt quite disjointed. At the end the author explains all the historical events and fairy tales she weaved into this book, and I think that contributes quite a bit. Honestly, the level of research that went into the book is amazing, and it tells an important story of the persecution and the perseverence of Jews.
At times it felt like things happened or characters made certain decisions because that's how it happened in the source material, or it was needed to connect to the next story of the source material, and not necessarily because it made sense from the characters' perspective or personality.
Overall, definitely worth your while if you like historically-inspired fantasy with romance.
dewinter's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisawreading's review
3.0
Rounding up from 2.5 stars.
Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me, which is a huge disappointment. I loved the author's first novel, and had high hopes. This book suffers from being too much -- simply too much story, too much allegory, too many flights of fantasy -- and it distracts from the main plot, which actually has some powerful and moving moments.
I received a review copy from the publisher. Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me, which is a huge disappointment. I loved the author's first novel, and had high hopes. This book suffers from being too much -- simply too much story, too much allegory, too many flights of fantasy -- and it distracts from the main plot, which actually has some powerful and moving moments.
I received a review copy from the publisher. Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
booksandbedtime's review
4.0
This book is delightfully weird and quirky, and I’m here for it. It’s beautifully written and captures your attention into this dreamworld immediately.
It’s a mix of Jewish folklore, history and magic. It’s the story of Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters. All of the daughters have their own unique magic. We watch them grow as women, in power and faith. It’s based on true and some horrible events. (Think Black Plague, anti-semantic behavior, Jewish faith and folklore). It’s a hard book to describe, but if you like fantasy and enjoy truly unique books, then pick this one up!
It’s a mix of Jewish folklore, history and magic. It’s the story of Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters. All of the daughters have their own unique magic. We watch them grow as women, in power and faith. It’s based on true and some horrible events. (Think Black Plague, anti-semantic behavior, Jewish faith and folklore). It’s a hard book to describe, but if you like fantasy and enjoy truly unique books, then pick this one up!
the_wandering_library's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
eawtcu2015's review
4.0
Fantastic story tying together the jewish faith/mysticism, local legends, and historical events. While the plot meanders and gets bogged down in spots, pick this up for a unique fantasy read with a surprising bonus dollop of LGBTQI+ rep.
danielleboor's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kellyvandamme's review
4.0
The Light of the Midnight Stars is marketed as a blend of fantasy, history and Jewish folklore. I didn’t really know what to expect from that but it turned out to be a combo that worked really well for me and I had an excellent time with it. I found it to be massively addictive: I started it one evening, planning to just dip my toe in and before I knew it I was halfway through.
The Light of the Midnight Stars tells the story of the three daughters of a rabbi. Their religion is based on Judaism but they also have magic, which they practice in secret, lest they be persecuted as witches. The eldest daughter has healing powers, like their mum, the middle daughter can summon fire and the youngest one can see the future in the stars. The narrative alternates between these three points of view, interlaced with stories they tell each other and that read like mini fairy tales, and each section starts with an epigraph from the Book of the Solomonars, which is fictional but based on actual Hebrew religious texts.
The first part of The Light of the Midnight Stars allows us to familiarise ourselves with the sisters and their lives as they’re meant to be. There’s a bit of squabbling here and there, as sisters are wont to do, and stubborn daughters do not always see eye to eye with their father who is well-meaning but traditional, but all in all they form a rather contented family that I enjoyed being a part of for a little while.
Then disaster strikes: a generous act of mercy is denounced as witchcraft and the family has to flee. Away from their community they start a new life in the woods of Wallachia. But will they be safe there, in this brave new world that is both full of possibility and empty of hope?
Most fantasy I read doesn’t have a clear factual setting, neither in space nor time, and I thoroughly enjoyed that The Light of the Midnight Stars does have that. Set in 14th-century Hungary, it transported me to a country and era I knew nothing about, but thanks to the beautifully evocative writing I felt right at home from the get-go. The use of foreign words makes it feel very authentic and although there is a glossary at the back of the book, I never needed to consult it, as the meanings were always clear from the context.
The Light of the Midnight Stars has a little something (or even a lot) for everyone. There is suspense, there’s a bit of romance. The fantasy lover in me enjoyed the fantastical bits, such as the shapeshifting and the youngest daughter’s bond with the stars, while the historical fiction lover in me enjoyed the setting and the folklore. Regular readers of my reviews will know I love books that transcend a genre and that is definitely what this book does.
There are some bold stylistic choices, most notably a non-rhyming verse form for the youngest sister’s chapters, that might not be for everyone, but I think for me it was one of the things that propelled the story forward, and me with it, that change in voice, that change in pace, something new around every corner.
The Light of the Midnight Stars is a beautifully written highly original fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s a little bit different, one that’s rooted in both factual history and folklore & fairy tales, this is the one for you.
Massive thanks to Orbit Books for the gorgeous review copy. All opinions are still my own.
The Light of the Midnight Stars tells the story of the three daughters of a rabbi. Their religion is based on Judaism but they also have magic, which they practice in secret, lest they be persecuted as witches. The eldest daughter has healing powers, like their mum, the middle daughter can summon fire and the youngest one can see the future in the stars. The narrative alternates between these three points of view, interlaced with stories they tell each other and that read like mini fairy tales, and each section starts with an epigraph from the Book of the Solomonars, which is fictional but based on actual Hebrew religious texts.
The first part of The Light of the Midnight Stars allows us to familiarise ourselves with the sisters and their lives as they’re meant to be. There’s a bit of squabbling here and there, as sisters are wont to do, and stubborn daughters do not always see eye to eye with their father who is well-meaning but traditional, but all in all they form a rather contented family that I enjoyed being a part of for a little while.
Then disaster strikes: a generous act of mercy is denounced as witchcraft and the family has to flee. Away from their community they start a new life in the woods of Wallachia. But will they be safe there, in this brave new world that is both full of possibility and empty of hope?
Most fantasy I read doesn’t have a clear factual setting, neither in space nor time, and I thoroughly enjoyed that The Light of the Midnight Stars does have that. Set in 14th-century Hungary, it transported me to a country and era I knew nothing about, but thanks to the beautifully evocative writing I felt right at home from the get-go. The use of foreign words makes it feel very authentic and although there is a glossary at the back of the book, I never needed to consult it, as the meanings were always clear from the context.
The Light of the Midnight Stars has a little something (or even a lot) for everyone. There is suspense, there’s a bit of romance. The fantasy lover in me enjoyed the fantastical bits, such as the shapeshifting and the youngest daughter’s bond with the stars, while the historical fiction lover in me enjoyed the setting and the folklore. Regular readers of my reviews will know I love books that transcend a genre and that is definitely what this book does.
There are some bold stylistic choices, most notably a non-rhyming verse form for the youngest sister’s chapters, that might not be for everyone, but I think for me it was one of the things that propelled the story forward, and me with it, that change in voice, that change in pace, something new around every corner.
The Light of the Midnight Stars is a beautifully written highly original fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s a little bit different, one that’s rooted in both factual history and folklore & fairy tales, this is the one for you.
Massive thanks to Orbit Books for the gorgeous review copy. All opinions are still my own.