Full disclaimer: if I'd read this book 4 years ago, I would've devoured it. But after reading and reviewing SO MUCH YA fantasy the past year and a half, I think I'm getting that dreaded book fatigue. The reason why I say this is Nightbirds does absolutely nothing wrong. It's a strong, atmospheric debut with lovable characters and enough intrigue to serve as a series starter; it more than deserves the praise Amie Kauffman heaped on it in her book blurb. But I just didn't feel that special spark, and I found myself able to pick it up and put it down with ease.

For folks new to YA fantasy, or those who are seeking Gatsby-inspired fantasy worlds, I think there's a lot to love. The premise is executed well--girls with magical kisses ("nightbirds") uncover dangerous secrets in their city, awakening their own power in the process--and I really enjoyed the feminist twist. Each of the girls--Matilde, Sayer, and Aesa--has a distinct personality, as well as potential love interests and character arcs that are done with varying levels of strength. Flirty, rich girl Matilde has (in my opinion) the least character growth, but the most interesting romance. Headstrong Sayer and her love interest Fen will appeal to fans of sapphic romance (Sayer was my favorite). And shy Aesa has a sweet romance with her bodyguard, as well a truly fantastic character arc. Together, their girl gang is a fun bunch, and I found the interactions between them to be truly delightful.

But ultimately, I felt like this was a lot of style and not a lot of substance. I am not sure if it's just that I'm burnt out (likely), or that I like a little more social commentary in my fantasy, but I found that Nightbirds talks a lot about girls reclaiming their power...and doesn't say much about the system of power that keeps them oppressed. There's great potential for critique here--magic is banned for being sinful, and the city the girls live in is ultimately an oligarchy--but a slightly-bloated plot and too many POVs makes it feel muddy. The next book in the series, Fyrebirds, may solve all of these problems, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series. 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Nancy Paulson Books, and Kate J. Armstrong for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! 

In an age of Prohibition, magic is only reserved for the rich and powerful. However, even that is only the little tinctures and tricks alchemy can provide. True magic is held by the Nightbirds alone and access to it comes at a high price. As Matilde has discovered, being a Nightbird comes with its privileges, but newcomers Sayer and AEsa only feel trapped in a dangerous system seeking to exploit them. When political machinations and revived religious fervour threaten to destroy the Nightbirds, not even their complex nest of secrets will be enough to protect them. Will this be the end of the witches or an invitation for them to finally fly free?

This book really hits it out of the park with its Jazz Age inspired world where the prohibition of magic has made it an underground luxury. Though it has all of the glamour, secrecy, and seediness you would expect, this is a unique world I was eager to explore from the very beginning. We experience the story through three different characters: Matilde, Sayer, and AEsa. Though each character strongly follows certain archetypes, I loved getting to see the world from multiple viewpoints and watch as they grew both individually and as a group. 

At its heart, this is very much a ‘witch’ story that explores female agency and power in a patriarchal society. I don’t feel it adds much new to this conversation, but I enjoyed how it presents its themes. Though the overall pacing is good, there are a few individual elements of the story that struggle to find the right balance. This can lead to a lack of clarity at certain points in the story, but trust the process. It might take some patience, but everything ties back together in ways that are both surprising and satisfying. I am definitely looking forward to picking up the sequel!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was good, the world felt built out and real, the characters (for the most part) felt multidimensional and believable. There were a couple points where it felt like a side character turned on a dime without enough buildup to why they'd feel that way or change their mind in such a manner, but not enough to make me not love the book.