The Night King’s Court

by Elisa A. Bonnin

Caraval meets Flowerheart in this rich and immersive cozy fantasy, where dazzling magic, lush descriptions, and a sweet sapphic romance cast an irresistible spell. 

Ida’s father went missing without a trace seven years ago, last seen at the court of the enigmatic Night King, which comes to life only after dark with magic and revelry.

So when a position opens up for a new court Luminaire, Ida doesn’t hesitate. She inherited her gift for enchantments from her father—and with this position, she’ll use it to find him again.

Ida is swept into the king’s collection of magical beings, those who bring light and entertainment to the Court’s midnight gatherings—and swept away by the Court, where faerie gardens edge into underwater masquerades, dreaming revels offer blissful escapes, and life is a mesmerizing euphoria.

Yet a sinister thread interrupts Ida’s nights of decadence. Memories go missing, the castle’s magic takes on a malevolence, and Ida can’t seem to leave the boundaries of the court itself.

Enlisting the help of the king’s breathtakingly beautiful daughter Lenore, Ida must unravel the castle’s secrets… before this enchanted world destroys her.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Lesbian, Queer, Romance, LGBT, Cozy

398 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2026

About the author

Elisa A. Bonnin was born and raised in the Philippines, then moved to the United States to study chemistry and later oceanography. After completing her doctorate, she moved to Germany, where she now works as a scientific writer. A lifelong learner, Elisa is always convinced that she should “maybe take a class in something” and as a result, has amassed an eclectic collection of hobbies. But writing will always be her true love. Publishing a book had been her dream since she was eight years old, and she is thrilled to finally be sharing her epic fantasy stories. She is the author of Dauntless, Stolen City, Lovely Dark and Deep, and her forthcoming novel, The Night King’s Court.

Reviews

[shreya‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆‎ ‎ ‎ hiatus ‎ ‎ ⑅‎ ‎ ‎ ֺ]

⌗ ρrє-rєα∂ ⭑.ᐟ
⤷ ᯓ the premise seems really interesting so i decided to send a request for the arc, i was curious, bored, and i really needed a good fantasy read atm 😌

𓏲⋆ ִֶָ ๋𓂃 ⋆ im very excited especially because there is no other review yet so i feel very.. motivated to be the first to rate it!

⠀
⤿ thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the eARC!

[Brend · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could only give a half star to one book, this would be it. This was the most 3.5 fantasy to ever 3.5

[Stephieloohoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ rounded up

I had really high hopes for this book but sadly something about it just didn’t click with me. I’m still trying to put my finger on it but we’ll see on the next one.

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this enchanting YA fantasy with a sweet sapphic side romance, a quiet, contemplative look at a girl journeying through grief and coming into her own. It also had a fascinating look at candle magic.

Though I must say that the synopsis advertised this as a cozy fantasy and I think true cozy fans might be a bit disappointed. This had enough stakes and heavy themes that I think it was actually a regular contemporary fantasy, albeit with a whimsical, atmospheric feel to it.

Ida is determined to discover the true whereabouts of a father who abandoned his family for a court posting as a Luminaire, a master illusionist who works with candle magic. She auditions for the post and earns herself an appointment in the strange, elaborate world of the night king that feels more like a dream than reality. Along the way she meets allies and friends, including Lenore, the bastard princess of the king, with whom she feels an instant connection.

But behind the endless revelry and elaborate games of the palace, something sinister is afoot that is tied to Ida's father's disappearance. The magical beings of the King's Collection are captives there.

I would almost have liked more of the atmosphere of court politics and festivities, but overall I had a good time with these characters, including some excellent side characters and found family elements, and the magic system of this creative world. The candle magic was interesting and really well done.

This is my first book by this author and I'd read more of her work.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[M. Stevenson]

Beautifully written YA with fascinating candle magic, gorgeous aesthetics, and a moving treatment of grief. I didn't realize before picking this up that it had a BIPOC/mixed race main character, so that along with the sapphic romance side plot was an unexpected plus. Lovely and very solidly executed book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

[Samantha Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval series. A magical court, a missing father, and a girl with candle magic. Ida is determined to find out the truth about her father that strangely no one remembers. She makes friends with Lenore (her romantic interest) and Vegard. An intriguing story with excellent world building, a mystery, unique magic, and closed door sapphic romance.

[shay♡ (hayley’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. I adored this book; I loved the magic of Asteria and looked forward to solving the mystery of Ida’s fathers’ disappearance. Even though the book wasn’t mainly focused on romance, I loved the relationship between Ida and Lenore. Definitely a good read if you liked Caraval.

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true fantasy novel with beautifully detailed creative souls, memories and magic igniting a flame of illusions so bright.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Night King’s Court by Elisa A. Bonnin is a third person-POV YA Sapphic fantasy. Ida is the daughter of the former luminaire to the Night King, a magic wielder who lights up the castle. But seven years ago, her father disappeared without a trace and Ida wants closure, especially when it seems that everyone is forgetting her father. As she navigates the court, she meets Lenore, a young woman with a connection to the Night King, and Vergard, a young man that might be able to help her get answers.

I can understand why this was marketed as a cozy fantasy as this the writing focused more on the setting and the emotional connections of the characters with the mystery of what happened to Ida’s father as her goal, but not necessarily what got the most page time. There is a smidge of political intrigue as Ida tries to get information, but it’s not done in the same way as a lot of epic fantasy. I’m not entirely sure that I agree that this is cozy fantasy, but if ‘cozy fantasy’ is meant to signal ‘everything you love about YA fantasy, but handled gently,’ then this does fit. This is not without complex topics, as Ida is biracial and she sticks out because of her darker skin and it’s made clear to the reader how the people in her small hometown don’t really welcome her in because of their racism.

The romance is firmly a C or D plot, so this is not a romantasy or even a romantic fantasy. I did really like Lenore and Ida’s slowburn and how they are living in this far-flung court away from pretty much everything else. They have a lot of respect for each other as well, which is nice to see in a YA fantasy as the target audience is often on the cusp of starting or have started their first relationship ever.

I would say that this is borderline fantasy cozy mystery. It’s not quite a mystery, there’s not enough of the beats, but it ticks enough boxes where if I knew someone was a big fan of mysteries and cozy fantasy, I would hand it to them to give it a try.

I would recommend this to young readers who want a fantasy with a gentle hand when it comes to complex themes, like a missing parent and racial discrimination towards biracial individuals

[East of Reality]

If I had read this book at 12, this would have been my whole personality for easily a month. The ominous castle with the constant revels and the enslaved magical creatures ... the pegasi, the labyrinthine castle, the mysteries around every corner, it has so much potential.

But this isn't about that. While it's beautiful dressing, the true story is one about obsession and a need to control, a need for Ida to prove her version of reality -- much as the king is doing with his. Where he preys upon his court for entertainment and magic, we don't see it as much as infer much of what's going on. But we can see Ida learning to enforce her will upon others through her candles, and when she's offered a chance to make the world in her own image ...

I like that it isn't an instant repudiation. She thinks about it, honestly wavers in her desire to create a narrative that fits her desires, even knowing it would keep Lenore and Vegard enslaved in the castle -- even though it would be her benevolent enslavement as opposed to the king's cruelty -- and you can see a world where that happens.

Ida is full of personality and flaws, and is in her own way a bit of a villain. There's a scene where someone asks her for her help and she ends up assaulting them in their dreams -- forcing her will upon them even as they fight against it, and she is not gentle in her single-mindedness, that can be read in a very certain way. I'd argue it is exactly that, because it's all about the power and the control, and she doesn't come out of that scene looking like a hero.

That's the only reason this isn't a five star, for me, because that moment is never addressed. She did something wrong, something violating, and just because the person she did it to isn't a nice guy doesn't make it right. But the story moves on past it without any more thought.

The romance is almost invisible, but works for a YA audience. This is a first crush, the caterpillars that show up when you meet someone you like but haven't yet had the time to for them to grow into butterflies, yet, especially since you're still dealing with the grief of having lost your father and your obsessive need to find him.

Very much worth the read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, rounded up

I liked this book, but I didn't love this book. It absolutely provides the atmospheric magic that the cover and blurb indicate, but what it was really lacking, for me, was strong characters. Don't get me wrong. I liked these characters. But they weren't the kind of characters to leave indelible ink on my brain, and the plot wasn't strong enough here to carry this book without that type of cast, characters who never leave you.

Was this book bad? Absolutely not. The Night Court is ethereal, bewitching, and odd in the best way, and so the setting might be enough to win over a lot of fantasy fans. But it wasn't quite enough for me to move this book from "good" to "great."

Anyway, I've got more to say, but that's all over at Gateway Reviews. The review is already up, so stop by there if you have any interest!

Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.

[Kristen Cote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook narrated by Mirai which is excellent! (only note is the way she pronounces Corridor, a word which comes up a surprising amount, but the more it happened the more I found Cory-door endearing)

Now for the real review:

I did love this book, even as I recognize the flaws. Things I loved:

The protagonist, Ida, was such a great main character. From the beginning she has interesting motivations and desires, she makes interesting and active choices that effect the story. The choices she makes, even when they are 'wrong' are always sympathetic and motivated.

The Magic: I really loved the way Bonnin describes magic in this book, particularly Ida's. The illusions are beautiful, the way we learn the process of Ida making her candles/spells, and the way that process changes as Ida changes and grows always made sense in an intuitive magic system that never broke it's own rules. The way the magic is described is dreamlike and evocative, something half out a fairytale and half out of a dream, all of it tinged in moonlight or stardust. I loved it a lot. (Not one of the comps given but it reminded me a bit of The Night Circus in that way)

The Plot: This is where I may start having some thoughts but overall I loved the main mystery of the story "What happened to Ida's Father/what are the secrets of the castle?" and the questions that eventually bind our main trio together are great hooks. These questions had emotional stakes, the way that the characters went about investigating was clever and entertaining and the answers we get to the secrets and twists were treated with gravity and greatly effected the characters choices. Overall I thought it was a good mystery!

The Side Characters: I liked our main trio, I liked the other allies we meet in castle, overall Ida meets a lot of great allies and a few antagonists. My one note might be that none of the antagonists are particularly active, but the novel manages to maintain a sense of danger/stakes anyway.

The beginning: just need to shout out Bonnin for having the guts to start her story with Ida arriving at the castle. 9/10 novels would start it with her at home, making the decision to leave, but I actually love that Bonnin went, No, we'll learn a little about Ida's life before but that's not where the story starts, it starts here. And she was right!

Things that didn't quite work:

Lenore/Romance: So this book is advertised as being sapphic/queer, and while that is an element it really truly is not the driving force of the story. it's happening in background, not even a B but maybe a C or D plot. That's fine, I didn't need this book to be a capital R romance, the magic/mystery plot is good enough to carry the novel. But. If it's going to be there I wish this thread had been more vibrant. The problem, after some thought is the love interest Lenore. By the end of the novel I didn't feel like we ever actually learned much about her or spent much time with her, and I couldn't really describe what her personality was. She's good. She's nice. She's brave, but otherwise falls kind of flat.

Lenore and Ida's connection if not as dramatic as insta-love, is certainly insta-attraction/insta-lust, which could have been fine, if it felt like we ever learned more about Lenore as a person, or saw that connection change/deepen which we never do. A lot of the interesting character things about her are 1. things we are told (in stead of shown) or 2. things she does and cool choices she makes off screen, which is such a shame for a character I think we really are supposed to think is cool/like.

Here's an example: in something of an establishing characters moment in one of their first scenes together Lenore places a magic bet with Ida on a magic horse race, the bet is for a secret and it's implied Lenore loses on purpose so that she will be the one to give Ida a secret, and thereby earn her trust/endear herself to her. Ida catches this and there's some early thoughts on whether she can really trust Lenore. This is such a cool set up - it implies Lenore is a really manipulative, secretive character, always one step ahead, that she has her own agenda, and even when kind has something conniving running behind her eyes....and then literally nothing is ever done with this. We never SEE Lenore ever do any kind of court politicking (even though we are at a court setting), we never see her make any reckless magical bets or rig them, we never see her trade in secrets or dance circles around the other courtiers like a chess master with six games running at once. She's just nice. Good. Which is fine. But man she could have been 1000% more interesting and it's such a shame for both her character, and the whole romance subplot she makes up.

Contrast Lenore with Vegard, the other part of the main trio in the novel, and Vegard is at least really distinct as a character. he has a distinct way of speaking, distinct mannerisms, he has in other words personality. It is probably not surprising he stands out as the best side character in the novel when he feels like the character with the most interiority and unique characteristics. (I don't really know how else to phrase this, but I'll add it, something that surprised me about the novel/romance arc is how I often I felt like we were being set up for a poly-triad. Like Vegard is never set up as a love interest...but he is kind of always around, to the point where again, I was half convinced he was going to become part of the dynamic?? I can't believe I, a lesbian, am saying this, something I have never in my life said about a sapphic pairing, it honestly feels like a bit of a betrayal but it is true....the romance between Ida and Lenore would have been more interesting with Vegard as a third. Sorry lesbian community I also can't believe I just said 'you know what these lesbians need a man, but in this one specific case...it's kind of bizarrely true???)

Themes:

So there are some themes that I think this novel covers really well: grief, done excellently! One of my favourite parts of the book. Race/being an outsider: This is a facet of Ida's character, never the main thing going on but a pretty significant subplot always running under her sense of belonging and self worth, which I think the novel handles well. There's also some ruminations on art, creativity and what it means to make art for profit/a living, what it means to make art for other people as a gift,and what it means to make art for yourself all aspects of a greater exploration into the identity of an artist and their work that I really enjoyed. However, near the end of the book after the secrets of the castle have been revealed and our characters have to decide what to do there's a bit of problem.

Things kind of stall. It starts to feel a little like Hamlet, Ida waffles about what the right thing to do is constantly, the novel seems to think it needs chapters and pages to convince us, the audience, that violence or drastic measures or needed...and I didn't really need convincing. I was all in, it was so clear where the evil was and what to do about it and yet the ending really drags out Ida making a choice that was both 1. obvious and 2. really didn't need to be sold so hard when we, the reader, learn about everything being done at the castle which such fantastic build, such a gut wrenching reveal, we're so ready for Ida to finally get justice...and then she starts moralizing in a way that feels not only out of character but also way over done.

And yet:

I loved following Ida on her journey. I loved how clear her motivations were, her conflicts, her choices even when they were hard or 'wrong' I was always on her side. I loved the court of night, this place seemingly of sweet dreams but full of nightmares. I did love the main friendship between the trio, even as I wished the romantic aspects of it had been just a little better done. I loved how much this book loved magic, and adventure because it is ultimately a love letter to wonder.

[Keziah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a fun and whimsical sapphic read. The world building and plot will literally drag you into this magical adventure. Many of the relationships are found family and overall so wholesome. My absolutely favourite thing about this book was the magic system. The idea of candle magic original and just overall unique and intriguing. I also thought the flashbacks helped tie in the mystery aspect of this book and thought the flashbacks were well written but helped transport you back and experience what the characters were experiencing.

[Aila Krisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

«The Night King’s Court» is a wonderfully atmospheric story of grief and healing. Ida is a mage who can create illusions and imbue them into candles. She returns to the court where her father mysteriously disappeared some years ago, and assumes the position of court Luminaire once held by her father. She is intent on finding out what happened to him and bring him home, and to accomplish this she plans on gaining the night king’s trust, for she believes he will have the answers she seeks.

This was certainly a very lovely YA fantasy adventure and quite an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the three main characters and their dynamic throughout the book. The ambiance of the story, especially during the court’s many festivities was absolutely impeccable. The descriptions of the ballroom were entrancing and created an image of ostentatious glamour that stayed with me through the whole story.

The thing I appreciated the most about this book is its portrayal of grief. Ida’s quest to find her father is, at the same time, heart-warming and heart-breaking to witness. Her journey through grief is absolutely the main throughline of the story, to the point where it sort of suffocates the other plot threads to an extent.

The book tries to also explore Ida’s identity as a visibly bi-cultural person in a seemingly quite culturally homogenous society. It’s definitely an interesting concept, but it feels very half-hearted, because it will be brought up for one paragraph, only to then go unmentioned for the next 4 chapters. The same happens to the sapphic romance subplot, which is very sweet and lovely, but again only seems to pop up a bit sporadically.

I also struggled a bit with the world-building and magic-system, as both are very ‘loose’ and not too well explained. We obviously learn the most about Ida’s powers, seeing as she is the POV character, but the rest is a bit wishy-washy. Obviously, not every fantasy novel needs an intricately fleshed-out magic system, but in this case it did sometimes mess with the immersion.

Overall, I did still enjoy this story, even with its flaws, in large part because of the dynamic between Ida, Lenore and Vegard, with their found family vibes.
----
Many thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!

[Michelle Eisele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Ida, who is a talented girl who can enchant candles to have different properties. She loves her father dearly and has inherited his magic and now she wants to use her talents to find her missing dad. He was last known to be in the Night King's Court so when a position opens up there, she seeks to fill it and do a little sleuthing on the side.

This book hit a middle spot for me. I actually like how Ida is talented without being this amazing warrior or brilliant genius, but instead lets her determination and creativity take the spotlight. I feel like too many books highlight how physically strong a character is, or how they are this rare brilliance. Ida is a talented magician, but she is also super creative. Ida is a problem solver, which is but it comes out in a different way, which is so underrated in today's FMCs. She also finds good friends along the way who help her solve the mystery of her father's disappearance. That being said, while I haven't read Flowerheart, I have read Caraval and it's one of my favorite books. I can see some minor parallels, but this book fell flat for me in terms of the comparison. Maybe that's unfair? IDK.

I will also add, as a school librarian that lives in a state where books are heavily regulated and censorship seems to be the main goal rather than education, there are no curse words in this book, no drinking, zero sex (it alllllmost seems like two characters might kiss but they don't), and very mild representations of violence (very, very mild). Basically, one of the cleanest YA reads I've read in a long time.

[Chels · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night King’s Court by Elisa Bonnin is an enchanting sapphic fantasy.
While the premise is straightforward, the world building and magic system was lacking and confusing at times. I was hooked in the beginning, but the pacing slowed around the middle mark. Overall, it’s a light, quick read, and I enjoyed the interaction between the 3 main characters.
Thank you HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Elisa Bonnin for the eARC. Expected publication date is April 28, 2026.

[zara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

ngl i feel like i was robbed because i truly expected to LOVE this book. it has everything i wanted (sapphic romance, cozy fantasy with a mysterious court and uncovering a mystery, a unique magic), yet while there's nothing glaringly wrong, i just find it a little bit lackluster, like it's not quite there. It's still a decent read and i would recommend others to check this out, but it didn't blew my mind

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Show me where this ends!’ she screamed. ‘Show me what’s on the other side!’ The mirrors exploded outward, shards of glass bursting one after another with a noise like cannon fire.”

Ida’s father went missing without a trace seven years ago, and neither she or her mother have any clue why—except that before he disappeared he had been in Asteria, where he was acting as the Court Luminaire for King Aurel IV. Determined to find out what happened, Ida runs away from home, using the magic she learned from her father to become the next Court Luminaire and search for answers. There is just one problem: she can’t find any evidence that her father was ever in Asteria. While in Asteria, she meets Lenore, the mysterious illegitimate child of King Aurel, and Vegard, an ice spirit with powerful magic. Together, the three of them work to uncover the truth, and Ida learns more about the secrets of Asteria and her father’s legacy than she ever imagined she would.

This book is a slow burn, but in a way that you don’t notice it moving slowly at all. The Court of Asteria is full of strange and diverse magic put on display for the Revels—events put on to entertain the guests of the court—from illusions summoned with candles to dreams that can be chosen and shared between multiple people. I enjoyed the mystery behind Ida’s father being interlaced with fantastical world-building and intrigue as Ida interacted with members of the court and shared moments with her friends. Bonnin also drops bread crumbs about the lead cast that leave you with questions about them you can’t seem to shake. You’ll spend a lot of the book engaging with the hints about Asteria and Ida’s father, trying to see how it all fits together, so if you like mysteries, you might enjoy this fantasy spin on them. To speak more on relationships, I really appreciated how Ida and Lenore’s connection was handled. In the initial meeting, not unlike real life, there’s uncertainty, and Lenore occupies a lot of Ida’s thoughts. But afterwards, the attraction settles and simmers between them as they search for Asteria’s secrets without completely overshadowing them. It feels natural, almost sapphic, and like an add-on to their dynamic as characters rather than the core of it. I do wish I’d gotten to see a little more of what Ida and Lenore chose to do with that connection, but I was otherwise content with the portrayal of their relationship.

The Night King’s Court releases on April 28th, 2026.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unexpected find! The premise captured my interest, but how could it not when you’re told there is a FMC who decides to leave her home in search of her missing father, who used to work in the king’s palace…..oh and our FMC can weave her magic into candles that will display illusions for as long as the candles burn. Um, yes please! The Night King’s Court follows our FMC as she tries to uncover what happened to her father seven years ago when all communication from him stopped abruptly. When she enters the king’s palace she passes the first test and enters into a working arrangement for the king for the next year. Now that she is in the castle and has access to the last known place her father was at, our FMC sets out to look for clues. However, her path forward is quickly hit with multiple roadblocks. The first of which is that she has to be careful who she talks to and what questions she asks, the second, when she does mention her father to others they get a blank look on their face. Our FMC is soon joined by two other main characters in the story, both of which have their own magic as well. They too are missing memories and are eager to work with the FMC to figure out what happened all those years ago. The story was well written. The character arcs were well thought out. The story progressed nicely and continuously kept me wanting to read to figure out what was going to happen next. There is no spice in this book, making it appropriate for all ages. Heads up though that there is a hint of possible romance between the FMC and one of her female friends mid-way through the book. However, nothing develops or goes in to detail until the last literal two pages in the epilogue section of the book when there is one kiss between the two characters. Otherwise, there is no romantic entanglements, and romantic relationships does not take a forefront in this plot.

I was gifted an ALC of The Night King’s Court and thought the narrator, Mirai, did a fantastic job. The intonation and pacing of the narration was executed well, which also helped keep me engaged throughout the entire novel. During moments of the story where more whimsical and enchanting stories were taking place, the narrator’s voice followed suite. And when more urgency needed to be portrayed, the narrator adjusted accordingly. Thank you to author Elisa A. Bonnin, NetGalley, and HarperAudio Children’s for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ALC team.

#TheNightKingsCourt #ElisaABonnin #NetGalley #Fantasybooks

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night King’s Court is an immersive, spell-binding new YA fantasy that follows Ida, a girl on a mission to find her father. He went missing 7 years ago, after being appointed as the court luminaire for the Night King. Ida shares the same magical abilities as her father – she can create candles and imbue them with tailored illusions – so she applies to take for his former post at the Night King’s court in Asteria, the king’s castle. She is offered a probationary position and starts her work designing candles for King Aurel, and trying to find out what happened to her father. No one else in the castle appears to remember her father’s presence as Court Luminaire, but Ida sets her sights on two people who might be able to help her: Lenore, the king’s illegitimate daughter, and Vegard, a winter spirit trapped in the king’s private collection of magical creatures. Ida and her family are described as having darker hair and tan skin while other characters cue as white. 

I loved this book, and I think it’s a great new addition to the YA fantasy genre! Bonnin’s writing is very atmospheric and detailed, and she really brings the story to life, especially her descriptions of the illusions that Ida creates as the Court Luminaire. Bonnin makes sure to evoke all five senses when describing Ida’s illusions, and it provides such an immersive experience for the reader. I found the mystery of Tomas, Ida’s father, to be well-crafted, and it kept me engaged throughout the length of the story. It can be hard to incorporate and sustain a mystery sub-plot in a story, but Bonnin accomplishes this without having it drag down the plot. I also really enjoyed the book’s sapphic elements. Ida and Lenore’s relationship starts friendly but then evolves to something more, with lots of sweet moments between them. I loved the descriptions of Ida realizing her feelings for Lenore, and they truly evoked the feelings of falling in love with your first crush. The romance element doesn’t overpower the story, and is also focused on the emotional connections between the characters, which makes this book suitable for younger YA readers. This story is a great selection for a Pride month display, but is also an excellent recommendation year-round for any reader looking for more queer representation in their fantasy reads. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[CR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to give this book a try on a whim and ended up falling in love with it! The magical elements and the setting were wonderfully done, creating a world that was easy to get lost in. It definitely left me excited to see what this author might have in store for readers in the future.



The characters were enjoyable overall, though I did find myself wishing the main character had been a bit more thoughtful at the beginning of the story. She came across as somewhat reckless, especially after repeatedly being told not to ask certain questions. While it didn’t completely take away from the story, it did make some of her early choices a little frustrating.



The romance was very sweet and charming, but I wish it had been explored a bit more before the story wrapped up. With more development, it could have added even more emotional depth to the book. Because of that, I’d place this story toward the younger end of the young adult age range. It would make a great introduction to fantasy for newer readers. If the romantic elements had been woven more deeply into the plot, it could easily have become a fantastic starter romantasy as well.



Toward the end, when everything begins to come together and the story moves toward its resolution, I did find myself skimming a little. The final stretch felt slightly drawn out, and I think tightening it up just a bit would have helped maintain the pacing.



Overall, this was a cute standalone story that was definitely worth the read. While I don’t necessarily see myself rereading it in the future, I still enjoyed the experience and would be interested in reading more from this author.

[Krystina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Review ❤️ all my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher

I was blown away by this book. I went into it expecting a cute YA romantic fantasy (which I love), but I got so much more than that.

It is described as a cozy fantasy, and I would agree, but it felt like it had higher stakes than other cozy books I've read. That is not a criticism. I like to have depth in what I read and I found this to have that, but it did give me the warm tinglies as expected with a cozy book. 

Ida runs away from her small mountainside home, where she lived with her mother and regularly received racist jabs from her extended family, to become the new court Luminaire. She is trying to find out what happened to her father who seemingly vanished during his tenure in the same position 7 years ago. I love when the MC's motivations lie in uncovering a mystery. I want to know what happened too!

Ida goes through so much growth as a character throughout the book with her magic, herself, and her relationships with others. The friendships and eventual romance were important and cute layers that I really enjoyed. 

I also found the magic system and the castle's secrets to be unique enough to keep me engaged throughout. I haven't read anything else that has magic linked to candles, so I quite enjoyed it here. 

It would be a mistake for me to skip over mentioning how amazing the narrator is. I kept needing to come back to the book because I just loved how she told the story.

If you're looking for a YA fantasy, with cozy vibes, a well developed world, and a cute sapphic subplot, then this is the book for you. 

[Cris Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me in from the start—I love lush, mysterious fantasy settings, and the Night Court absolutely delivered. The idea of a court that only exists after dark, filled with magic, revelry, and something just slightly off, immediately hooked me.
Ida was a really easy character for me to root for. Her determination to find her father gave the story a strong emotional core, and I found myself constantly hoping she’d get the answers she was looking for. Experiencing the court through her perspective made everything feel even more immersive—equal parts wonder and unease.
The setting was probably my favorite part. The imagery is so vivid, from glittering midnight celebrations to strange, dreamlike corners of the court that feel both beautiful and dangerous. I loved how the story balanced that sense of enchantment with an underlying tension—there’s always this feeling that something isn’t quite right.
As the story unfolds, that darker edge really starts to come through, and I found myself getting more and more invested in the mystery behind the court and its magic. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Ida and Lenore—it added another layer of intrigue and emotion that kept me engaged.
Overall, this was a really captivating read for me. It’s enchanting, eerie, and emotionally driven, with a setting that lingers in your mind even after you’ve finished. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy dark, whimsical fantasy with a touch of mystery and a strong personal journey at its heart.

Thank you Harper Collins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This royal fairytale felt lush, detailed, and beautifully imagined from beginning to end, with some of the most vivid world building I’ve read in quite some time.

First of all, the cover is absolutely stunning and probably my favorite cover of 2025. The atmosphere of the story matched it perfectly with lovely detail, immersive settings, and breathtaking illusion magic that felt incredibly unique. I honestly wanted even more of the candle magic scenes because they were some of the strongest parts of the book for me.

Ida was a wonderful lead heroine—smart, creative, and brave in ways that made her easy to root for. I also liked Lenore and Vegard quite a bit, although I never really connected with the maid. The mystery unfolds slowly for most of the story before leading to several bigger reveals toward the end, which kept me interested even when the pacing felt quieter.

One thing I do wish had been clearer going in was the same-sex romance element. I didn’t realize that was part of the story beforehand, and for a children’s/YA book, I personally think that should be more openly communicated.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. While I personally would have preferred less focus on romance, I still enjoyed the richly imagined world, the beautiful writing, and the unforgettable illusion magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night King's Court is yet another valuable lesson in how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Ida learned how to make enchantments from her father and her skill is in incorporating those enchantments into candles. After her father disappears following his assignment to the Night King's Court, Ida is determined to figure out what happened to him. So when the position of Court Luminaire opens, she decides to go to court and see if the king will choose her. While there, she meets Lenore, the king's daughter, and Vegard, one of the king's Collection of magical beings. They don't remember meeting her father... but they should. So the three of them decide to dig into the mystery and expose the rot that is corrupting Asteria.

I really enjoyed the story here, and seeing Ida's brand of magic/enchantments/illusions. I will say that the magic "system" as it were was a bit all over the place. While not super complex, it also wasn't cohesive so it lost me a bit at times. But the descriptions of the court and the people was great. I also enjoyed how the author built the relationships between Lenore, Vegard, and Ida and explored Ida's grief too. I would definitely recommend as a quick read! I'd give 4.25 stars but rounding to 4 stars here.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced reader's copy!

[Lb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a great job keeping everything kind of eerily mysterious throughout and as the mystery unravels and Ida finds ways to help her friends regain their missing memories will they ever be the same? Sometimes lost memories should stay lost.

As far as the "romance" aspect goes it's really on the light side like barely there like a few "glances" or a brushed hand but I would say this more focused on the mystery surrounding Ida and her missing father but the story pulled me in and I wanted to know what happened to Ida's father as much as she did by the end of the story.

I think that I might have an advantage when listening to this story as I am just starting my romantasy journey so I don't have much to compare it to and might have enjoyed it more over others who have read loads of romantasy. Over all I enjoyed this story and would recommend this to those interested in Young Adult, Cozy Mysteries, Romantasy's (light on the romance) with detailed world building with unique magic systems.

book blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*2026 ALC Netgalley *Young Adult *Romantasy *Sapphic *Closed Door

*ALC 1/12 (Netgalley) *Unique magic system *fast friends *sweet cozy fantasy

[Monica Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night King's Court is being marketed as a cozy romance, and it is really true. This is a book that covers some dark topics - a missing father, racism, and this is one of the few fantasies I've read which seems to suggest that the problem isn't the fact that a bad king is charge, but maybe the idea of a monarchy in general. But it's credit to the atmosphere that Bonnin is able to handle all of these deep topics and still keep it as a cozy atmosphere.

Ida comes to court to become the Court Luminaire and to find her father, who went missing after holding the role seven years ago. Bonnin manages to make the magic system unique - Ida uses magic through candlemaking (as someone who has avoided Yankee candles for years, this makes me tempted to go adorn my home in a bunch of candles), and the book is full of descriptions of delicious pastries (see me on my way to get a chocolate croissant) and beautiful horses. The book is a really enjoyable world, and I think this would mean that this book would really work for a younger YA audience. I think that those who enjoyed the tenor of Sarah Beth Durst's The Faraway Inn would enjoy this one. Thanks to Harper Collins for the early copy.

[Elisa Lanzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 🫑

This was a perfect novel for resetting my brain. Filled with mystery and magic and perfect for younger readers or those who prefer closed-door romance,

The Night King's Court follows Ida in her search for the truth behind her father's death. To do so, she seeks employment in the Night King's Court and soon discovers that no one seems to remember him. Along the way, she learns that her father's death was just part of a larger problem in the kingdom. Along the way, she creates her own found family arc and starts to fall in love. Full of mystery, magic, and LGBTQ representation, The Night King's Court was the perfect magical mystery.

The mystery in the story really kept me engaged, and I ended up finishing it in two sittings. The plot and characters are both well thought out and easy to like. I also enjoyed seeing the diverse representation of the LGBTQ community. The book easily stands alone, but the ending has made room for more books in the series as well.

I also listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Marai, who did an excellent job bringing both the story and characters to life.

A big thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children's for allowing me to advance listen to this book. This review is being left voluntarily.

[Jayla Metzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

really enjoyed this audiobook. It kept me guessing the whole time and made me want to keep listening to find out what would happen next.
The story follows Ida, whose father disappeared seven years ago after being last seen at the mysterious court of the Night King—a magical place that only exists after dark. When Ida gets the chance to join the court as a Luminaire, she doesn’t hesitate, hoping it will finally lead her to answers about her father.
Once inside, the world is beautifully strange and almost hypnotic, filled with magical beings, enchanting performances, and dreamlike settings—from faerie gardens to underwater masquerades. It’s easy to get swept up in the magic right along with Ida.
But beneath all the beauty, something feels off. Memories begin to slip away, the magic turns darker, and Ida realizes she may not be able to leave the court at all. With the help of the Night King’s daughter, Lenore, she starts uncovering secrets that could destroy everything.
Overall, this was a captivating and mysterious listen. The atmosphere was immersive, and the slow unraveling of secrets kept me hooked until the end.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. My friend picked this up believing due to the cover, that it was going to be a Cinderella tale (Cinderella books marathon ongoing), was swiftly corrected and while interested didn't want to read this right away so asked if I was interested and I traded some of my retellings and started reading. Its a YA book for sure but its still entertaining and I haven't come across a magic system like this. I'm not sure if its rightfully considered "candle magic" but that's the best description of it that I can think of and I've seen other reviews that also called it that so that's what we'll stick with unless the author comes up with a name. While there is magic in this world the magic isn't the focus of the story, but a tool that gives the main character a way into the castle, while she searches for her missing father. There is some romance but its not something I particularly care about, I'm here for the fantasy/mystery element but there's nothing truly spicy in here if that's something parents are worried about. I think this book should be well received and I'll be keeping an eye out for future books by this author.