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ramunepocky's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Blood
halfelfschollar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Exceptional. That is the only word I can think of to describe this book. The story is well paced, making for an easy read that can be binged in a day or read over a number of weeks if the reader choses.
All the characters in this story felt alive and relatable. I can't think of one character that I did not like in some way and found aspects of their personality or story that related to my personal experiences. Whether that be Marynka's desire to prove herself or Zosia's hesitance to let herself be close to others. Even characters who did not get a point of view felt realistic and relatable.
The romance in this book had me grinning so hard! If you're a fan or rivals/enemies to lovers definitely pick this up.
All the characters in this story felt alive and relatable. I can't think of one character that I did not like in some way and found aspects of their personality or story that related to my personal experiences. Whether that be Marynka's desire to prove herself or Zosia's hesitance to let herself be close to others. Even characters who did not get a point of view felt realistic and relatable.
The romance in this book had me grinning so hard! If you're a fan or rivals/enemies to lovers definitely pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: War
nutm3g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
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
The Midnight Girls was an exciting and entertaining read, where the villains were given the chance of a romance story for once. The sapphic enemies to lovers felt fully hashed out and believable, exploring the thin line between love and hate (as well as how quickly it can shift between the two). I enjoyed that the author did not set out to write a story where they would be "redeemed" or turn good, but rather let their love and story unfold while they remained true to themselves. While set in a semi-real historical backdrop where Poland and its people grappled for freedom from their oppressors and their right to maintain their identity we see Zosia (Midnight), Marynka (Midday), and even Beata (Morning) grapple with the same ideas of freedom and identity. It was an enjoyable read, with wonderful magical world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Grief, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Death of parent
abbyschalupa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Abandonment
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
amivireads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
TW: Emotional/Child abuse, alcohol, violence/war
Thank you Edelweiss and SourcebooksFire for an arc, here is my honest review.
3.75 stars
Some books just aren’t for you and this is one of those books. I enjoyed my time reading it, but I knew early on that it wouldn’t be a new favorite of mine.
The pacing was mostly great, a few times things dragged a little, but not too much that made reading less enjoyable.
The cycle of abuse and how difficult it is to break away from is a heavy theme in this book. And as someone who has gone through a similar type of abuse, I felt seen.
Anyone who is looking for a sapphic fantasy with enemies to lovers will enjoy this book.
Thank you Edelweiss and SourcebooksFire for an arc, here is my honest review.
3.75 stars
Some books just aren’t for you and this is one of those books. I enjoyed my time reading it, but I knew early on that it wouldn’t be a new favorite of mine.
The pacing was mostly great, a few times things dragged a little, but not too much that made reading less enjoyable.
The cycle of abuse and how difficult it is to break away from is a heavy theme in this book. And as someone who has gone through a similar type of abuse, I felt seen.
Anyone who is looking for a sapphic fantasy with enemies to lovers will enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and War
foreverinastory's review against another edition
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
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