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allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sapphic rivals-to-lovers make villainy look fun in this ya fantasy standalone. Inspired by late-18th century Poland, the world is brimming with dark forests hiding heart-eating witches and towns and cities hosting a religious milieu of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. External imperial forces may vie for control of the area, but there are internal magical threats to fear, as well. Our story centers on three monsters created by the Jaga sisters in the forest. These monsters are teenage girls honed into weapons that steal princes' hearts. All flavors of heart are fair game for our predators, but the story follows them as they seek out the ultimate prize: a pure heart. Marynka and Zosia have always been rivals, but this is a competition like no other, one with higher stakes and fewer secrets between them.
It's a furious, action-packed standoff as our monsters try to outperform one another and win the prize. They are unapologetically vicious and powerful as they pass through the upper echelons of society to get close to his royal highness. The tension between the two is palpable and fraught as they come to understand one another as something other than the competition. The third monster, Beata, creates an interesting counterpoint, not caught up in the mutual frenzy.
The world-building here is decadent and festive even with the dark patina of magic and the looming imperial threats. The sapphic romance is chaotic and heartfelt, with an equally resounding mlm love story at the periphery. While the hunt for the heart is resolved by book's end, it still leaves us with a bit of an open ending regarding how these girls will move forward and stake a claim on their own future. I enjoyed the read, especially appreciating the anti-imperialist sentiment, even if our monstrous girls don't exactly take up the cause.
It's a furious, action-packed standoff as our monsters try to outperform one another and win the prize. They are unapologetically vicious and powerful as they pass through the upper echelons of society to get close to his royal highness. The tension between the two is palpable and fraught as they come to understand one another as something other than the competition. The third monster, Beata, creates an interesting counterpoint, not caught up in the mutual frenzy.
The world-building here is decadent and festive even with the dark patina of magic and the looming imperial threats. The sapphic romance is chaotic and heartfelt, with an equally resounding mlm love story at the periphery. While the hunt for the heart is resolved by book's end, it still leaves us with a bit of an open ending regarding how these girls will move forward and stake a claim on their own future. I enjoyed the read, especially appreciating the anti-imperialist sentiment, even if our monstrous girls don't exactly take up the cause.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, and War
olivialandryxo's review
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
[Early copy from Netgalley. This doesn’t affect or influence my opinions or review.]
I’m immediately intrigued by any story as soon as the word “sapphic” is mentioned, and in this case, the more I learned about The Midnight Girls, the more my interest was piqued. Though the story Jasinska spins is a slower one, her strength lies in complex, morally grey characters and plot twists you’ll never see coming. It’s easy to get sucked into her intricate, Polish-inspired world, to get invested in Marynka and Zosia’s quick banter and devious scheming.
Though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more in terms of romance, the slow-burn rivals to lovers arc was nonetheless very satisfying; the tension between the girls at every turn, every showdown, was palpable, and I ate it up like a freaking holiday feast. And really, the mildly excruciating build-up worked out well, because I was about ready to cheer when they finally kissed.
If you like character-driven stories, magic, and monstrous girls, I highly recommend you check this out when it releases on December 28. Come for the banter, stay for the kissing. Personally, I can’t wait to buy my own finished copy, and read Jasinska’s debut while I wait for her next release. ✨
Representation
I’m immediately intrigued by any story as soon as the word “sapphic” is mentioned, and in this case, the more I learned about The Midnight Girls, the more my interest was piqued. Though the story Jasinska spins is a slower one, her strength lies in complex, morally grey characters and plot twists you’ll never see coming. It’s easy to get sucked into her intricate, Polish-inspired world, to get invested in Marynka and Zosia’s quick banter and devious scheming.
Though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more in terms of romance, the slow-burn rivals to lovers arc was nonetheless very satisfying; the tension between the girls at every turn, every showdown, was palpable, and I ate it up like a freaking holiday feast. And really, the mildly excruciating build-up worked out well, because I was about ready to cheer when they finally kissed.
If you like character-driven stories, magic, and monstrous girls, I highly recommend you check this out when it releases on December 28. Come for the banter, stay for the kissing. Personally, I can’t wait to buy my own finished copy, and read Jasinska’s debut while I wait for her next release. ✨
Representation
- sapphic protagonists + side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
The book frequently discusses taking hearts out of bodies and eating them, sometimes in detail, though to my memory this is never shown on-page.