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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.foreverinastory's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Thank you to Source Fire Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this one!!
The Midnight Girls is a dark Polish inspired fantasy about the apprentices of Red, White & Black Jaga. Marynka serves Red Jaga and is always put in competition with Midnight, Black Jaga's servant. She wants to prove she's worthy of being a witch and Red Jaga's approval. After losing to Midnight one too many times, Marynka is determined to take down Midnight once and for all. To do this she'll need to steal a Prince's pure heart.
I loved how monstrous this book was. The fact that the girls are magical, but also have monster forms, I loved it. I loved the rivalry between Midday (Marynka) and Midnight. I was addicted to their competition. I loved seeing the girls trying to figure out the best way to get to the prince. This is the perfect winter book and was so much fun! Cannot recommend enough.
Rep: Sapphic white Polish female MCs, sapphic female side character (lesbian coded), Jewish female side character, Muslim BIPOC male side character, Black male side character.
CWs: Animal death, blood, child abuse, domestic/emotional abuse, body horror, injury/injury detail, murder, toxic relationship (witch and Marynka), violence, death.
I absolutely loved this one!!
The Midnight Girls is a dark Polish inspired fantasy about the apprentices of Red, White & Black Jaga. Marynka serves Red Jaga and is always put in competition with Midnight, Black Jaga's servant. She wants to prove she's worthy of being a witch and Red Jaga's approval. After losing to Midnight one too many times, Marynka is determined to take down Midnight once and for all. To do this she'll need to steal a Prince's pure heart.
I loved how monstrous this book was. The fact that the girls are magical, but also have monster forms, I loved it. I loved the rivalry between Midday (Marynka) and Midnight. I was addicted to their competition. I loved seeing the girls trying to figure out the best way to get to the prince. This is the perfect winter book and was so much fun! Cannot recommend enough.
Rep: Sapphic white Polish female MCs, sapphic female side character (lesbian coded), Jewish female side character, Muslim BIPOC male side character, Black male side character.
CWs: Animal death, blood, child abuse, domestic/emotional abuse, body horror, injury/injury detail, murder, toxic relationship (witch and Marynka), violence, death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
libraryofclaire's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
In her follow-up novel to "The Dark Tide," Alicia Jasinska once again stars angry girls in an enemies-to-lovers arc, but fails to capture the same magic and thrilling atmosphere as before.
While "The Midnight Girls" gets its points for having a gorgeous setting and magic dripping from every scene, it feels too rushed, too heavy-handed, and too simplistic.
One thing that truly did bother me about this book was the way trauma and abuse were handled. Both of our main characters are abused, and while one recognizes it, the other always makes excuses. Personally, I think this would have made an interesting dynamic if the abuser hadn't been made to seem so sympathetic and "did something good" at the end. It felt gross and sloppy, and we never see our main character realize that the abuse she suffered was wrong. This plot point should have been extremely nuanced, but Jasinska sacrifices the exploration of abuse for the romance instead.
I also feel as though Jasinka falls into the problem of having diverse side characters for the sake of having diverse side characters instead of letting them actually contribute to the plot. Which is heavily disappointing and a huge problem.
As with other Jasinska books, the romance felt very perfunctory and simplistic, which I don't always mind, but there is little-to-no character development here other than "angry girl gets less angry." Their romance almost feels forced and less romance than lust. Don't get me wrong, I love the "monsters loving monsters" trope, but I honestly wasn't in love with either character because they felt very two-dimensional.
My biggest complaint with this book is that there is so much going on — revolution, betrayal, abuse, romance — and it is all so incredibly complicated, and the reader never gets to see that explored. Decisions made by characters feel rushed or don't make sense. Also, there is some HEAVY plot magic going on to ensure these girls don't get caught after their first attempt on the prince.
After the Dark Tide, which felt more fairy tale than story and thus avoided many of the criticisms above, "The Midnight Girls" was a disappointment that could have held so much more potential.
While "The Midnight Girls" gets its points for having a gorgeous setting and magic dripping from every scene, it feels too rushed, too heavy-handed, and too simplistic.
One thing that truly did bother me about this book was the way trauma and abuse were handled. Both of our main characters are abused, and while one recognizes it, the other always makes excuses. Personally, I think this would have made an interesting dynamic if the abuser hadn't been made to seem so sympathetic and "did something good" at the end. It felt gross and sloppy, and we never see our main character realize that the abuse she suffered was wrong. This plot point should have been extremely nuanced, but Jasinska sacrifices the exploration of abuse for the romance instead.
I also feel as though Jasinka falls into the problem of having diverse side characters for the sake of having diverse side characters instead of letting them actually contribute to the plot. Which is heavily disappointing and a huge problem.
As with other Jasinska books, the romance felt very perfunctory and simplistic, which I don't always mind, but there is little-to-no character development here other than "angry girl gets less angry." Their romance almost feels forced and less romance than lust. Don't get me wrong, I love the "monsters loving monsters" trope, but I honestly wasn't in love with either character because they felt very two-dimensional.
My biggest complaint with this book is that there is so much going on — revolution, betrayal, abuse, romance — and it is all so incredibly complicated, and the reader never gets to see that explored. Decisions made by characters feel rushed or don't make sense. Also, there is some HEAVY plot magic going on to ensure these girls don't get caught after their first attempt on the prince.
After the Dark Tide, which felt more fairy tale than story and thus avoided many of the criticisms above, "The Midnight Girls" was a disappointment that could have held so much more potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: War