Scan barcode
book_abondance's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
onetwomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dianamallen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Strong start, interesting middle
I took too long to read it so I got confused
Not a one-off, has a sequel
I took too long to read it so I got confused
Not a one-off, has a sequel
tinamama's review against another edition
5.0
Exciting and emotional read! These kinds of books always evoke so much anger in me…the misogyny, the abuse…so much to be pissed about…The religious zealously is intrinsically linked to the misogyny and this is so real in so many cultures in the real world…not just in the past but even today. It brings the story close to home.
This book does a neat twist to the witch hunts of the world’s past in making the magic actually real. And the extra twist of the secret group of women (“Firebirds”) whose magic is both treasured and manipulated, even by those they trust. You cannot help but root the girls on when they (inevitably) fight back!
I always love stories that contain elemental magic (earth, air, water, fire…), and the addition of combining of powers for a true sisterhood connection is one of my favorite parts of this story!
I also loved how many really good men there are in this story…making it not feel like a women against men scenario, but putting the real emphasis on a culture of harm created by the the church.
I am SO looking forward to the next book in this series, due out in 2024!!
One last thing: For those like me that would want to know: This book, thankfully, did NOT contain any graphic scenes of women/girls being raped…though no doubt a misogynistic culture like this would realistically contain plenty of it…Thankfully, it was not detailed or even discussed. I loathe books that always have to contain sexual assault in graphic details. So thankful to the author for not including anything like this.
This book does a neat twist to the witch hunts of the world’s past in making the magic actually real. And the extra twist of the secret group of women (“Firebirds”) whose magic is both treasured and manipulated, even by those they trust. You cannot help but root the girls on when they (inevitably) fight back!
I always love stories that contain elemental magic (earth, air, water, fire…), and the addition of combining of powers for a true sisterhood connection is one of my favorite parts of this story!
I also loved how many really good men there are in this story…making it not feel like a women against men scenario, but putting the real emphasis on a culture of harm created by the the church.
I am SO looking forward to the next book in this series, due out in 2024!!
One last thing: For those like me that would want to know: This book, thankfully, did NOT contain any graphic scenes of women/girls being raped…though no doubt a misogynistic culture like this would realistically contain plenty of it…Thankfully, it was not detailed or even discussed. I loathe books that always have to contain sexual assault in graphic details. So thankful to the author for not including anything like this.
bmichie31's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
cowpaws's review against another edition
3.0
i really wanted to love this book because thematically it’s trying to do something i’m about, however the pacing was abysmal and it just felt like the author had a vision in their head that they couldn’t quite translate onto the page.
canireadthemall's review against another edition
3.0
There are parts of Nightbirds that I really enjoyed and parts that seemed convoluted and pulled away my attention.
Positive: I enjoyed the FMC. The concept behind the novel of magical prohibition and the setting were great ideas and probably what kept my attention the most. I look forward to seeing what comes next. I actually enjoyed it.
Negative: There are a lot of characters, many that aren't fleshed out, that readers should be keeping up with or caring about, but I really didn't. I am sure this a me thing. The magic system seems unclear, but this could be a plot point since it isn't something the MC really understands at this point.
Overall, fans of YA fantasy will find something to enjoy in reading this book.
Positive: I enjoyed the FMC. The concept behind the novel of magical prohibition and the setting were great ideas and probably what kept my attention the most. I look forward to seeing what comes next. I actually enjoyed it.
Negative: There are a lot of characters, many that aren't fleshed out, that readers should be keeping up with or caring about, but I really didn't. I am sure this a me thing. The magic system seems unclear, but this could be a plot point since it isn't something the MC really understands at this point.
Overall, fans of YA fantasy will find something to enjoy in reading this book.
lindsaykatz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
First of all, this was such a fun and entertaining read! I had a great time reading, getting to know the characters. and living in the setting! I will be giving this book 3/5 stars!
Nightbirds follows magical girls called "nightbirds" in a 1920's-esque setting who have magical powers that can be gifted with a kiss. While magic is prohibited in this society, people willing to pay are awarded with a magical gift. When a political scheme turns their lives upside down, the Nightbirds are forced to work together to protect themselves and the ones they love and take down a society that lables them "witches."
I had a lot of fun reading this and many parts were super engaging. I enjoyed a lot of the characters and relationships in this story, as well as the magical, mystical setting in the jazz age. I loved the friendship built between the girls and how they truly worked together by the end. I predict this will continue to have a "found family" aspect in the next book. I'm excited to read book two at some point to see where these characters go next.
The reason for my 3-star rating is that there was a lot to enjoy, but there was also a lot that was very basic and middle-of-the-road for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I felt that it was a back and forth of cliche moments and unique moments. Some really fun chapters, while others felt boring and did not catch my attention. There was not a lot of growth for most of the characters throughout, but that could still happen in book two.
I wish the villains were explained more in depth. I wanted to know more about them and their motivations, especially the religious villains in this story. I felt that we heard about them and how they were villainous but not enough backstory to warrant everything that happened.
Again, overall a fun enjoyable read, but I wish there was more depth to the story! WIll be reading book two at some point.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate J. Armstrong, and Penguin for this review copy!
Nightbirds follows magical girls called "nightbirds" in a 1920's-esque setting who have magical powers that can be gifted with a kiss. While magic is prohibited in this society, people willing to pay are awarded with a magical gift. When a political scheme turns their lives upside down, the Nightbirds are forced to work together to protect themselves and the ones they love and take down a society that lables them "witches."
I had a lot of fun reading this and many parts were super engaging. I enjoyed a lot of the characters and relationships in this story, as well as the magical, mystical setting in the jazz age. I loved the friendship built between the girls and how they truly worked together by the end. I predict this will continue to have a "found family" aspect in the next book. I'm excited to read book two at some point to see where these characters go next.
The reason for my 3-star rating is that there was a lot to enjoy, but there was also a lot that was very basic and middle-of-the-road for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I felt that it was a back and forth of cliche moments and unique moments. Some really fun chapters, while others felt boring and did not catch my attention. There was not a lot of growth for most of the characters throughout, but that could still happen in book two.
I wish the villains were explained more in depth. I wanted to know more about them and their motivations, especially the religious villains in this story. I felt that we heard about them and how they were villainous but not enough backstory to warrant everything that happened.
Again, overall a fun enjoyable read, but I wish there was more depth to the story! WIll be reading book two at some point.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate J. Armstrong, and Penguin for this review copy!
nicolap's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.75
Really enjoyed this, got invested in the wirld of the nightbirds, though the use of words dames and sires really irritated me - words you find more in horse breeding.
kylpon's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Im going to struggle to review this one as I was both quite enjoying it and never really wanting to pick it up and read much at the same time.
I loved the idea of it and the atmosphere. The speakeasies, gangs, masquerade balls, and secreted away magical girls were all things that worked well for me. I'd like more explanation of the magic system as things feel kind of thrown together. Keeping powerful women caged is a theme in this book, and the strength they can have if they band together. It is done well in some aspects and a little frustrating in others.
I liked the 4 fyrebirds but they were a little too much of the expected caricatures. You have the naïve out of towner who is pious, the snobbish rich girl who thinks the world is perfect how it is, the bastard orphaned child with anger issues, and the last one who I don't really want to say too much about here. They all had some interesting moments where they started to see the world but I would have liked more growth. Especially some of the unexpected kind.
I liked it, and for a debut book I thought it was pretty well written. I look forward to seeing what the sequel has in store.
I loved the idea of it and the atmosphere. The speakeasies, gangs, masquerade balls, and secreted away magical girls were all things that worked well for me. I'd like more explanation of the magic system as things feel kind of thrown together. Keeping powerful women caged is a theme in this book, and the strength they can have if they band together. It is done well in some aspects and a little frustrating in others.
I liked the 4 fyrebirds but they were a little too much of the expected caricatures. You have the naïve out of towner who is pious, the snobbish rich girl who thinks the world is perfect how it is, the bastard orphaned child with anger issues, and the last one who I don't really want to say too much about here. They all had some interesting moments where they started to see the world but I would have liked more growth. Especially some of the unexpected kind.
I liked it, and for a debut book I thought it was pretty well written. I look forward to seeing what the sequel has in store.