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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Love the fact it was a sapphic enemies to lovers, the women were powerful villains, and the pretty diverse set of characters but I feel like I was dropped into the middle of a story
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The chaotic relationship between these two polish monsters left me smiling
adventurous
medium-paced
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed The Midnight Girls, but I'm a little conflicted about how much I enjoyed it, because it felt like something was missing in the story. I enjoyed the dynamic between Marynka and Zosia, as well as Beata, and seeing how their character arcs evolved over the course of the story. The setting was inspired by Poland, and the winter descriptions were very atmospheric, which I enjoyed. It was also very cool to see mentions of the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) coexisting in the story's region and to see representation for each group of people in the cast of characters. The LGBTQ+ representation of the story was also fantastic, and is a main focus since the book is told from Marynka's and Zosia's perspectives. This is going to be a great recommendation for me to give to customers looking for books as they transition from MG to YA, as there aren't any intimate scenes, which we definitely need more of with the heavy trend to upper YA. Though anyone not okay with gore might want to stay away from this one, as some of the injuries and battle scenes are graphic.
However, it still felt like something was missing. And the more I thought about it, the more I've concluded it's in the magic system and the overall drive of the characters. The story utilizes a soft magic system approach, meaning the rules of the magic are not explained or analyzed in depth. This can sometimes work very well, but here it just really wasn't clear to me what the point of the magic was, because it didn't feel deeply connected to the main characters and their mentors. At the end of the book, I still didn't know what the witches do with their magic. Maybe I missed something, or maybe there isn't supposed to be a point because of the fact that it's a villain/monster story and this was an intentional choice on the author's part. Or maybe it's simply the fact that I like going in depth with worldbuilding and with stories, so I tend to enjoy series more than standalones. Bottom line is, I think it was more me than it was the writing, since I'm still glad I read the book. Hence the four stars.
Buy, Borrow, or Bypass: I would suggest borrowing this one. I'm glad I read it, and I would still recommend you give it a read, but right now I don't see myself rereading this one. Though, to be fair, I'm still kind of considering buying a copy for my collection since Charlie Bowater did the cover art and I love her work. :)
I enjoyed The Midnight Girls, but I'm a little conflicted about how much I enjoyed it, because it felt like something was missing in the story. I enjoyed the dynamic between Marynka and Zosia, as well as Beata, and seeing how their character arcs evolved over the course of the story. The setting was inspired by Poland, and the winter descriptions were very atmospheric, which I enjoyed. It was also very cool to see mentions of the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) coexisting in the story's region and to see representation for each group of people in the cast of characters. The LGBTQ+ representation of the story was also fantastic, and is a main focus since the book is told from Marynka's and Zosia's perspectives. This is going to be a great recommendation for me to give to customers looking for books as they transition from MG to YA, as there aren't any intimate scenes, which we definitely need more of with the heavy trend to upper YA. Though anyone not okay with gore might want to stay away from this one, as some of the injuries and battle scenes are graphic.
However, it still felt like something was missing. And the more I thought about it, the more I've concluded it's in the magic system and the overall drive of the characters. The story utilizes a soft magic system approach, meaning the rules of the magic are not explained or analyzed in depth. This can sometimes work very well, but here it just really wasn't clear to me what the point of the magic was, because it didn't feel deeply connected to the main characters and their mentors. At the end of the book, I still didn't know what the witches do with their magic. Maybe I missed something, or maybe there isn't supposed to be a point because of the fact that it's a villain/monster story and this was an intentional choice on the author's part. Or maybe it's simply the fact that I like going in depth with worldbuilding and with stories, so I tend to enjoy series more than standalones. Bottom line is, I think it was more me than it was the writing, since I'm still glad I read the book. Hence the four stars.
Buy, Borrow, or Bypass: I would suggest borrowing this one. I'm glad I read it, and I would still recommend you give it a read, but right now I don't see myself rereading this one. Though, to be fair, I'm still kind of considering buying a copy for my collection since Charlie Bowater did the cover art and I love her work. :)
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
Buddy read with my darling Ashley!
5 BREATHTAKING STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
The Midnight Girls was everything I wanted and more! I lived and breathed for the sapphic relationship between our MC’s, full of crackling chemistry and heartstopping kisses, and the constant competition between Zosia and Marynka was wicked and exciting – let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down. The Polish-inspired world and wars were fascinating to read about, and I’m so excited to read more by this (Aussie – like me!) author. Such an incredible, captivating, and quick-yet-powerful read!
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
I love, love, LOVED this book! It was fun, gasp-worthy and chaotic – and I loved every bit. Set in a fantasy world of witches that ruled over individual hours of the day, and who gathered servants to pit against one another, you can best believe I was crazy excited to learn more about the magic of this unique land, and I was not let down! The powerful witches who controlled morning, midday and midnight were fascinating to hear about, but even more brilliant were their prodigies and servants – our three main characters.
“Midday, Morning, and Midnight, three tragic girls who had been saved and taken in by the witches”.
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
This book was definitely character-driven, but that wasn’t a problem for me, as I loved our characters. Our most prominently central character, Marynka, was an absolute favourite of mine almost instantly. She was reckless, loud, and made drawing people’s attention an absolute art, and her personality burned as bright as the name Midday would denote. Usually she would be everything that irritates me, but Alicia Jasinska wrote her character so beautifully that I fell in love with her like that. Her polar opposite, and our second MC, Zosia, was equally powerful but preferred the darker, quieter times of day – as a witch of Midnight should – shown with her propensity to caution (well, as cautious as one can be when ripping hearts out of chests) in contrast to Marynka’s daring streak. Zosia definitely grew on me throughout the story, and by the end of the epilogue, she was as dear to me as Marynka.
And then there was Beata – precious, overlooked, darling Beata. Honestly, I thought Beata deserved so much more page time, because I couldn’t help but love her combination of pure angel and brutal witch. I do love that this book is a standalone, but if it wasn’t then I would pray with all my heart for Beata to find love in a sequel! What a sweetheart. Not that I’m saying she was meek – because she certainly wasn’t, all three of the girls were powerful and strong and willing to do wicked, horrid things to get what they wanted – and who doesn’t love sapphic villains??
“I won’t go back to that forest with its never-changing sky. I won’t stand in the shadows with my head bowed and my hands laced behind my back waiting for instructions. I am tired of always living in the dark. I am tired of being someone’s pet monster. I am tired of all this.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
Ahh and the romance! I won’t say too much about it, but rest assured, I loved it. One of my favourite sapphic couples ever, I have to say!! I wish the book was longer so we got more of them, though I did love what a short read this was, as it really made you feel that no time had passed when you picked it up. Such gorgeous writing!
This was a chaotic review, and for that I’m sorry, but it’s almost 1am and I’m calling it a night! Thank you so much to author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review❤.
Buddy read with my darling Ashley!
5 BREATHTAKING STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
The Midnight Girls was everything I wanted and more! I lived and breathed for the sapphic relationship between our MC’s, full of crackling chemistry and heartstopping kisses, and the constant competition between Zosia and Marynka was wicked and exciting – let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down. The Polish-inspired world and wars were fascinating to read about, and I’m so excited to read more by this (Aussie – like me!) author. Such an incredible, captivating, and quick-yet-powerful read!
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
I love, love, LOVED this book! It was fun, gasp-worthy and chaotic – and I loved every bit. Set in a fantasy world of witches that ruled over individual hours of the day, and who gathered servants to pit against one another, you can best believe I was crazy excited to learn more about the magic of this unique land, and I was not let down! The powerful witches who controlled morning, midday and midnight were fascinating to hear about, but even more brilliant were their prodigies and servants – our three main characters.
“Midday, Morning, and Midnight, three tragic girls who had been saved and taken in by the witches”.
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
This book was definitely character-driven, but that wasn’t a problem for me, as I loved our characters. Our most prominently central character, Marynka, was an absolute favourite of mine almost instantly. She was reckless, loud, and made drawing people’s attention an absolute art, and her personality burned as bright as the name Midday would denote. Usually she would be everything that irritates me, but Alicia Jasinska wrote her character so beautifully that I fell in love with her like that. Her polar opposite, and our second MC, Zosia, was equally powerful but preferred the darker, quieter times of day – as a witch of Midnight should – shown with her propensity to caution (well, as cautious as one can be when ripping hearts out of chests) in contrast to Marynka’s daring streak. Zosia definitely grew on me throughout the story, and by the end of the epilogue, she was as dear to me as Marynka.
And then there was Beata – precious, overlooked, darling Beata. Honestly, I thought Beata deserved so much more page time, because I couldn’t help but love her combination of pure angel and brutal witch. I do love that this book is a standalone, but if it wasn’t then I would pray with all my heart for Beata to find love in a sequel! What a sweetheart. Not that I’m saying she was meek – because she certainly wasn’t, all three of the girls were powerful and strong and willing to do wicked, horrid things to get what they wanted – and who doesn’t love sapphic villains??
“I won’t go back to that forest with its never-changing sky. I won’t stand in the shadows with my head bowed and my hands laced behind my back waiting for instructions. I am tired of always living in the dark. I am tired of being someone’s pet monster. I am tired of all this.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
Ahh and the romance! I won’t say too much about it, but rest assured, I loved it. One of my favourite sapphic couples ever, I have to say!! I wish the book was longer so we got more of them, though I did love what a short read this was, as it really made you feel that no time had passed when you picked it up. Such gorgeous writing!
This was a chaotic review, and for that I’m sorry, but it’s almost 1am and I’m calling it a night! Thank you so much to author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review❤.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
“Every day she was becoming a little less human, a little more of a monster.”
So much happens in this book, I honestly feel like I missed details all over the place. One day I hope to reread this book and maybe my rating will change, but as of right now, it wasn't a BAD book, but it wasn't for me. I'm left confused and honestly just feeling 'eh' about the book.
I greatly agree with another review I read, that states that this book does not deal with abuse in the best way. The two main characters deal with blatant abuse, but one character never comes to realize that that's what it was. While this can be realistic for people - some people will never accept that they've been abused - it left a bad taste in my mouth at the end of the book.
The romance was a nice enemies to lovers, but didn't feel like anything to write home about. It felt like that was really all there was to go on. I actually would have rather heard more about the romance between the prince and his 'friend' over the main pairing.
I liked the premise, but I think that too much was trying to happen in a single book. Maybe if this had been split into a duology and gone more into detail on certain aspects, I'd feel that it was less rushed and confusing.
So much happens in this book, I honestly feel like I missed details all over the place. One day I hope to reread this book and maybe my rating will change, but as of right now, it wasn't a BAD book, but it wasn't for me. I'm left confused and honestly just feeling 'eh' about the book.
I greatly agree with another review I read, that states that this book does not deal with abuse in the best way. The two main characters deal with blatant abuse, but one character never comes to realize that that's what it was. While this can be realistic for people - some people will never accept that they've been abused - it left a bad taste in my mouth at the end of the book.
The romance was a nice enemies to lovers, but didn't feel like anything to write home about. It felt like that was really all there was to go on. I actually would have rather heard more about the romance between the prince and his 'friend' over the main pairing.
I liked the premise, but I think that too much was trying to happen in a single book. Maybe if this had been split into a duology and gone more into detail on certain aspects, I'd feel that it was less rushed and confusing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse