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Nightbirds #1
Nightbirds
In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the ability to change it all.
The Nightbirds are Simta’s best kept secret. Teenage girls from the Great Houses with magic coursing through their veins, the Nightbirds have the unique ability to gift their magic to others with a kiss. Magic—especially the magic of women—is outlawed and the city’s religious sects would see them burned if discovered. But protected by the Great Houses, the Nightbirds are safe well-guarded treasures.
As this Season’s Nightbirds, Matilde, Aesa, and Sayer spend their nights bestowing their unique brands of magic to well-paying clients. Once their Season is through, they're each meant to marry a Great House lord and become mothers to the next generation of Nightbirds before their powers fade away. But Matilde, Aesa, and Sayer have other plans. They know their lives as Nightbirds aren't just temporary, but a complete lie and yearn for something more.
When they discover that there are other girls like them and that their magic is more than they were ever told, they see the carefully crafted Nightbird system for what it is: a way to keep them in their place, first as daughters and then as wives. Now they must make a choice—to stay in their gilded cage or to remake the city that put them there in the first place.
The Nightbirds are Simta’s best kept secret. Teenage girls from the Great Houses with magic coursing through their veins, the Nightbirds have the unique ability to gift their magic to others with a kiss. Magic—especially the magic of women—is outlawed and the city’s religious sects would see them burned if discovered. But protected by the Great Houses, the Nightbirds are safe well-guarded treasures.
As this Season’s Nightbirds, Matilde, Aesa, and Sayer spend their nights bestowing their unique brands of magic to well-paying clients. Once their Season is through, they're each meant to marry a Great House lord and become mothers to the next generation of Nightbirds before their powers fade away. But Matilde, Aesa, and Sayer have other plans. They know their lives as Nightbirds aren't just temporary, but a complete lie and yearn for something more.
When they discover that there are other girls like them and that their magic is more than they were ever told, they see the carefully crafted Nightbird system for what it is: a way to keep them in their place, first as daughters and then as wives. Now they must make a choice—to stay in their gilded cage or to remake the city that put them there in the first place.
480 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2023
323 people are currently reading
28688 people want to read
About the author
Kate J. Armstrong
5 books260 followers Growing up in the bustle of northern Virginia, Kate was forever imagining herself into wilder and more magical worlds. After graduating college, she took some advice from two of her favorite teachers: she grabbed a backpack, bought a one-way ticket, and went off on an adventure. She ended up in Australia, where she got a Masters degree in Journalism and started writing novels for real. She worked as a nonfiction writer and editor, working on travel guides and coffee table books about everything from climbing Mount Everest to life in space to DIYing confetti earrings. She also spent a few years as a high school English teacher. In 2018 she started The Exploress, a podcast that travels back through history to find out what life was like for ladies of the past. When she’s not writing or in her recording booth, you will probably find her hiking mountains, baking brownies, finding excuses to dress up in historical attire, or reading way past her bedtime. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and their noble greyhound, Galahad.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 951 reviews
April 3, 2025
2.5
Zmarnowany potencjał :((
Zmarnowany potencjał :((
April 20, 2023
okay wait, I really liked this ! the aesthetic of this book was top tier - like a magical great gatsby. the era, the secret speakeasy, the gangs, the masquerade balls, the Underground, the elemental magic (kinda was giving Winx saga but witches instead of fairies), all the small details at the end of the chapters. I was obsessed with it all. you can tell that a lot of thought and planning went into this book, well done Armstrong.
it was slow at the start, but once I was in it, I was. IN. IT. I loved the complexity of it and the secrets that were continuously unfurled. can’t wait for the sequel and see where the author takes this story.
it was slow at the start, but once I was in it, I was. IN. IT. I loved the complexity of it and the secrets that were continuously unfurled. can’t wait for the sequel and see where the author takes this story.
February 15, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
“𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆.”
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨📋
╰┈➤ 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙟. 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙩𝙖, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙚𝙙—𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙞𝙩. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨, 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨—𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚, 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙚𝙨𝙖—𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙥𝙩 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ UMMMM?!?! EXCUSE ME?! why in the hell did i let this book rot on my shelf for 3 years? in my pre-read i said 4 years, but i totally got the publication date wrong. anyways, i am genuinely so shocked by how good this book was! i actually picked this book out without looking at tiktok or anything because that’s lowkey my source for book recs… also goodreads…but yeah. i really loved the cover and the description of the book, so i got it…because yes 😝
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 🪡
╰┈➤i think the characters in this book are genuinely really well written. also, the sapphic representation with one (two) of the characters is something i didn’t expect, but i REALLY enjoyed that inclusivity in that aspect.
🔥 matilde is a character who enjoys the glamour, power, and influence that come with being a nightbird; and she’s convinced herself that her status gives her freedom. but she’s controlled by her family and society’s expectations to marry and pass on her magic, forcing her to realize that her power has always belonged to others. she was sort of frustrating at certain points in the book due to her lack of realization, but at the same time, i liked her.
💨 sayer is the orphan outsider of the book. unlike matilde, sayer never romanticizes the nightbird system. she sees it clearly as a transaction—one she must endure to survive. and coming from poverty, sayer understands how the wealthy exploit magic and the girls who possess it. i think sayer was definitely my favorite out of the characters, because she’s fierce and sees things as it is.
🌊 aesa is the more gentle character. she fears her magic and believes it is sinful because she was raised with strict religious beliefs that her powers are something shameful rather than empowering. throughout the book, i really enjoyed seeing how aesa grew more in tune with her powers—learning to overcome what she believed.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i think one of the most powerful aspects of this book is that is doesn’t reject femininity—it reclaims it. like there are so many things that represent a women’s power and it validates our softness, beauty, and emotion as forms of power rather than limitations. i didn’t expect to like this book as much as i did and i really didn’t expect it to be so meaningful. and more bout the sapphic representation; it feels authentic and tender rather than performative. i think it reinforces the theme that women choosing each other—emotionally and politically—is transformative. this book deserves more love.
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
so…i’ve had this book rotting on my shelf for the past 4 years now and i think it’s finally time to get to it 😬 i really liked the cover and the premise so that’s why i got it… hopefully it’s good
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
“𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆.”
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨📋
╰┈➤ 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙟. 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙩𝙖, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙚𝙙—𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙞𝙩. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨, 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨—𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚, 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙚𝙨𝙖—𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙥𝙩 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ UMMMM?!?! EXCUSE ME?! why in the hell did i let this book rot on my shelf for 3 years? in my pre-read i said 4 years, but i totally got the publication date wrong. anyways, i am genuinely so shocked by how good this book was! i actually picked this book out without looking at tiktok or anything because that’s lowkey my source for book recs… also goodreads…but yeah. i really loved the cover and the description of the book, so i got it…because yes 😝
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 🪡
╰┈➤i think the characters in this book are genuinely really well written. also, the sapphic representation with one (two) of the characters is something i didn’t expect, but i REALLY enjoyed that inclusivity in that aspect.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒏.”
🔥 matilde is a character who enjoys the glamour, power, and influence that come with being a nightbird; and she’s convinced herself that her status gives her freedom. but she’s controlled by her family and society’s expectations to marry and pass on her magic, forcing her to realize that her power has always belonged to others. she was sort of frustrating at certain points in the book due to her lack of realization, but at the same time, i liked her.
”𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔.”
💨 sayer is the orphan outsider of the book. unlike matilde, sayer never romanticizes the nightbird system. she sees it clearly as a transaction—one she must endure to survive. and coming from poverty, sayer understands how the wealthy exploit magic and the girls who possess it. i think sayer was definitely my favorite out of the characters, because she’s fierce and sees things as it is.
“𝒀𝒆𝒔, 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒂 𝒋𝒐𝒃, 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒊𝒕? 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓.”
🌊 aesa is the more gentle character. she fears her magic and believes it is sinful because she was raised with strict religious beliefs that her powers are something shameful rather than empowering. throughout the book, i really enjoyed seeing how aesa grew more in tune with her powers—learning to overcome what she believed.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i think one of the most powerful aspects of this book is that is doesn’t reject femininity—it reclaims it. like there are so many things that represent a women’s power and it validates our softness, beauty, and emotion as forms of power rather than limitations. i didn’t expect to like this book as much as i did and i really didn’t expect it to be so meaningful. and more bout the sapphic representation; it feels authentic and tender rather than performative. i think it reinforces the theme that women choosing each other—emotionally and politically—is transformative. this book deserves more love.
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
so…i’ve had this book rotting on my shelf for the past 4 years now and i think it’s finally time to get to it 😬 i really liked the cover and the premise so that’s why i got it… hopefully it’s good
March 9, 2023
Thanks to the publisher I was able to grab an early finished copy through Bookish First! 100% enjoyed this book more than any YA I've read in recent memory.
First off the overall presentation is stunning. We get two lovely detailed maps and some internal artwork, and as an added bonus the font is a bit bigger and we'll spaced (typical of YA) but my poor eyes loved reading it.
The magic is lush (reminds me of Roshani Chokshi but toned down). It paints the scene whether it's small, pretty tricks or earth shaking feats of magic. The characters all have unique abilities based off what element they are attracted to. Bowing dragons made of fire, plant magic, it's nothing terribly unique but I liked it.
Plus the writing moves constantly forward. There is none of that repetitive inner monologue crap that YA has gotten so notoriously bad about. It's just so refreshing to read a book that's always moving forward. Another thing that I really dislike about YA these days is that ever book tends to feature "romance", and Nightbirds is blessedly light on any of that content! There are a few crushes and kisses but NO PINING, it's just, oh, I wish they were all like this.
Take a hint publishers, editors, authors: keep the smut in adult books!
There's enough political plotting to keep it interesting too without boring anyone with deep dive details into any of the government structure. It's not too hard to figure out who's in charge and there's enough betrayal to keep it fresh.
Lastly there are the types of epigraphs that I love reading. Those which add little extras to the culture of the world. Some were tied into the story and some were just there to add flavor but I liked them.
Overall? It's not perfect but I've got no content issues, was never bored, and flew through this book. I can't wait for the sequel. If all YA was like this I'd read a lot more of it!
First off the overall presentation is stunning. We get two lovely detailed maps and some internal artwork, and as an added bonus the font is a bit bigger and we'll spaced (typical of YA) but my poor eyes loved reading it.
The magic is lush (reminds me of Roshani Chokshi but toned down). It paints the scene whether it's small, pretty tricks or earth shaking feats of magic. The characters all have unique abilities based off what element they are attracted to. Bowing dragons made of fire, plant magic, it's nothing terribly unique but I liked it.
Plus the writing moves constantly forward. There is none of that repetitive inner monologue crap that YA has gotten so notoriously bad about. It's just so refreshing to read a book that's always moving forward. Another thing that I really dislike about YA these days is that ever book tends to feature "romance", and Nightbirds is blessedly light on any of that content! There are a few crushes and kisses but NO PINING, it's just, oh, I wish they were all like this.
Take a hint publishers, editors, authors: keep the smut in adult books!
There's enough political plotting to keep it interesting too without boring anyone with deep dive details into any of the government structure. It's not too hard to figure out who's in charge and there's enough betrayal to keep it fresh.
Lastly there are the types of epigraphs that I love reading. Those which add little extras to the culture of the world. Some were tied into the story and some were just there to add flavor but I liked them.
Overall? It's not perfect but I've got no content issues, was never bored, and flew through this book. I can't wait for the sequel. If all YA was like this I'd read a lot more of it!
April 6, 2023
3.5 stars
Really impressed with this debut novel. What a great start to what has potential to be a great series. I love all the strong female leads and I can’t wait for the next one to come out and hopefully get some more answers and see relationships develop further.
I read this for book club (crow club on fable) and I was worried it wouldn’t fit the clubs monthly theme “fuck the patriarchy” enough but honestly it ended up fitting into vibe perfectly. This was a really good “burn the witches”, feminist/sisterhood book.
Really impressed with this debut novel. What a great start to what has potential to be a great series. I love all the strong female leads and I can’t wait for the next one to come out and hopefully get some more answers and see relationships develop further.
I read this for book club (crow club on fable) and I was worried it wouldn’t fit the clubs monthly theme “fuck the patriarchy” enough but honestly it ended up fitting into vibe perfectly. This was a really good “burn the witches”, feminist/sisterhood book.
Read
May 9, 2023This is just a flat out DNF. I didn’t skim read or skim listen to it. This book is just not for me. I picked it up because of the beautiful cover!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 13, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up
I'm a little conflicted about this one. Nightbirds is a debut YA fantasy with political elements. In some ways it's very middle of road and covering well-trodden ground in the genre, but it does have moments that elevate it- some scenes with great character work, surprising twists, or interesting political conspiracies. On the other hand, the magic system is messy, the character arcs don't end up doing anything too unexpected, and it's unclear what (if anything) this book is saying about sex work even though the set up is acknowledged in the text to be similar to a brothel.
Sometimes it was highly engaging, sometimes it was a bit dull or cliche. I will say, I am getting tired of fantasies that are supposed to be "feminist" but with a gender-based magic system that doesn't leave a clear space for trans or non-binary folks. This especially stands out in a book like this which includes queer main characters, but fails to create a world drawing on intersectional feminism. I just think that in 2023 we can do better. And honestly, it doesn't even take more than being thoughtful and adding in a few lines to create that space. This criticism isn't just about Nightbirds because it's a broader problem, but I've seen examples of this done well and I would like to see more of it.
So mixed feelings. There's definite potential here and I'm curious to see what the author does in the future, but it very much feels like a debut. I also didn't love the audio narration. Normally I like this narrator, but because we do so much character hopping and it's not written in first person, it can be difficult to keep track of who's perspective is who's. Again, this feels like a craft issue of a new writer. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I'm a little conflicted about this one. Nightbirds is a debut YA fantasy with political elements. In some ways it's very middle of road and covering well-trodden ground in the genre, but it does have moments that elevate it- some scenes with great character work, surprising twists, or interesting political conspiracies. On the other hand, the magic system is messy, the character arcs don't end up doing anything too unexpected, and it's unclear what (if anything) this book is saying about sex work even though the set up is acknowledged in the text to be similar to a brothel.
Sometimes it was highly engaging, sometimes it was a bit dull or cliche. I will say, I am getting tired of fantasies that are supposed to be "feminist" but with a gender-based magic system that doesn't leave a clear space for trans or non-binary folks. This especially stands out in a book like this which includes queer main characters, but fails to create a world drawing on intersectional feminism. I just think that in 2023 we can do better. And honestly, it doesn't even take more than being thoughtful and adding in a few lines to create that space. This criticism isn't just about Nightbirds because it's a broader problem, but I've seen examples of this done well and I would like to see more of it.
So mixed feelings. There's definite potential here and I'm curious to see what the author does in the future, but it very much feels like a debut. I also didn't love the audio narration. Normally I like this narrator, but because we do so much character hopping and it's not written in first person, it can be difficult to keep track of who's perspective is who's. Again, this feels like a craft issue of a new writer. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Want to read
August 18, 2022obsessed with this cover art omg
*Thanks to Penguin Teen for an advance review copy!
*Thanks to Penguin Teen for an advance review copy!
December 13, 2024
Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars. Maybe the real treasure was me not DNFing along the way!
I really wanted to love this book. I used to be a mega YA fantasy fan — I truly devoured them all: Throne of Glass, Red Queen, The Jewel (from The Lone City Trilogy), the entire empire of Shadowhunters books. And while I haven't been in too much of a high fantasy mood in a while, I've found myself itching for one. I expected this book to be engaging — empowering, even. Unfortunately, it was neither.
I found this book to be incredibly pretentious and insignificant. What I wanted from this book — what I think any good fantasy book should do — is bring attention to timely topics in in and outside the book itself. Sure, some books are written more with the intention of whisking you away into another world, but if you are going to write an intolerant fantasy world full of harmful religious rhetoric in the year 2023, you need to have the awareness of what is happening in the world around you. When you don't even acknowledge the flaws in the arguments for intolerance you present? That's how your book can come across as insensitive and out-of-touch.
I am a queer teenager living in Florida in 2023, so I am not a stranger to people, both leaders and neighbors, using religion to police the bodies and rights of individuals, especially women. There was so much room in this book to question bodily autonomy of women. Nightbirds is written within the context of a world that outlaws magic and demonizes women who are born with the gift of it within themselves.
We should have been given the space to question why religious leaders are given authority, who has the right to speak for the "gods" in this world, how religious texts can be misconstrued and ultimately corrupted to fit someone's prejudiced views. But we weren't.
And beyond this glaring issue, I also had a lot of trouble falling into the world and caring about the characters and the stakes they were facing. There are three main girls followed in this book: Matilde, Sayer, and Æsa. All three have magic, all three are in the business of giving away pieces of it in exchange for money, all three face hardship in some way before the book and/or during.
But none of them changed throughout the entirety of the novel. Not in any significant way, at least. Matilde remained infuriatingly privileged and disassociated from the world around her. Sayer (one of the only characters I could somewhat stand) was still hot-headed and horrible at communication. Æsa remained impressionable and largely ignorant of new perspectives.
The thing is? None of these characters are new. We've seen these character stereotypes presented over and over again in fantasy. The privileged brat, the street orphan, the naive girl who is largely unaware of her inherent beauty. And honestly, they've been done better in other series, such as Red Queen or The Lone City. The same criticisms go for the magic system — it wasn't anything new or especially impressive.
Also, I'm not sure if it was something with my eARC copy specifically or if this was fixed in the final book, but there was absolutely no indication of a perspective shift, so I spent many paragraphs confused and having to reread to figure out who was thinking or acting in that moment. And OH MY GOD, I cannot take you seriously when you call your father "sire" and mother "dame." This has no business being almost 500 pages.
I know there is a sequel coming out, and the book did indeed end on a cliffhanger, but I am severely lacking the motivation to see this story to its end. I simply do not care enough about the characters or this world. I will not be continuing this series, and I do not recommend it.
1.5 stars. Maybe the real treasure was me not DNFing along the way!
I really wanted to love this book. I used to be a mega YA fantasy fan — I truly devoured them all: Throne of Glass, Red Queen, The Jewel (from The Lone City Trilogy), the entire empire of Shadowhunters books. And while I haven't been in too much of a high fantasy mood in a while, I've found myself itching for one. I expected this book to be engaging — empowering, even. Unfortunately, it was neither.
I found this book to be incredibly pretentious and insignificant. What I wanted from this book — what I think any good fantasy book should do — is bring attention to timely topics in in and outside the book itself. Sure, some books are written more with the intention of whisking you away into another world, but if you are going to write an intolerant fantasy world full of harmful religious rhetoric in the year 2023, you need to have the awareness of what is happening in the world around you. When you don't even acknowledge the flaws in the arguments for intolerance you present? That's how your book can come across as insensitive and out-of-touch.
I am a queer teenager living in Florida in 2023, so I am not a stranger to people, both leaders and neighbors, using religion to police the bodies and rights of individuals, especially women. There was so much room in this book to question bodily autonomy of women. Nightbirds is written within the context of a world that outlaws magic and demonizes women who are born with the gift of it within themselves.
We should have been given the space to question why religious leaders are given authority, who has the right to speak for the "gods" in this world, how religious texts can be misconstrued and ultimately corrupted to fit someone's prejudiced views. But we weren't.
And beyond this glaring issue, I also had a lot of trouble falling into the world and caring about the characters and the stakes they were facing. There are three main girls followed in this book: Matilde, Sayer, and Æsa. All three have magic, all three are in the business of giving away pieces of it in exchange for money, all three face hardship in some way before the book and/or during.
But none of them changed throughout the entirety of the novel. Not in any significant way, at least. Matilde remained infuriatingly privileged and disassociated from the world around her. Sayer (one of the only characters I could somewhat stand) was still hot-headed and horrible at communication. Æsa remained impressionable and largely ignorant of new perspectives.
The thing is? None of these characters are new. We've seen these character stereotypes presented over and over again in fantasy. The privileged brat, the street orphan, the naive girl who is largely unaware of her inherent beauty. And honestly, they've been done better in other series, such as Red Queen or The Lone City. The same criticisms go for the magic system — it wasn't anything new or especially impressive.
Also, I'm not sure if it was something with my eARC copy specifically or if this was fixed in the final book, but there was absolutely no indication of a perspective shift, so I spent many paragraphs confused and having to reread to figure out who was thinking or acting in that moment. And OH MY GOD, I cannot take you seriously when you call your father "sire" and mother "dame." This has no business being almost 500 pages.
I know there is a sequel coming out, and the book did indeed end on a cliffhanger, but I am severely lacking the motivation to see this story to its end. I simply do not care enough about the characters or this world. I will not be continuing this series, and I do not recommend it.
September 21, 2024
3,5 Sterne 🌟🌟🌟
Schönes, ansprechendes Cover und flüssiger Schreibstil.
Die Story hat alles, was es braucht um mich glücklich zu machen: starke, weibliche Charaktere, reichlich Magie, genug Love Interests und einen guten Plot.
Was die Stimmung ein bisschen getrübt hat, war das Worldbuilding, das mir etwas gefehlt hat. Lesende lernen hier eher etwas über die gesellschaftlichen bzw. religiösen Umstände als über das tatsächliche Leben und es gibt auch wenig Beschreibungen.
Die Figuren sind gut gelungen, ich mochte sie alle😊 Die Liebesgeschichten hingegen waren nachvollziehbar, kamen aber emotional einfach nicht so richtig bei mir an. Dafür waren sie vermutlich auch nicht präsent genug. Obwohl sie eine Rolle spielten, lag der Fokus woanders, was ich grundsätzlich super finde!
Das Thema Magieund Alchemie hätte etwas besser durchleuchtet werden können, hier wird man eher reingeworfen und vor vollendete Tatsachen gestellt, von wegen "ist halt so".
Zudem wird das Buch von einer gewissen Trägheit begleitet. Es hat einige Längen, weshalb ich später zum Hörbuch gewechselt habe.
Zum Ende hin gab's eine etwas vorhersehbare Wendung, die sich jedoch sehr gut in die Handlung gewebt hat und das Ende auch sehr gelungen gemacht hat. Hier gibt's auf jeden Fall noch viel Potenzial für den Folgeband, vor allem für Herzschmerz💔
Prinzipiell fühlt sich das Buch wie ein erster Band einer ganzen Reihe an, deshalb bin ich neugierig, wie der zweite Band die Story stemmen wird.
Schönes, ansprechendes Cover und flüssiger Schreibstil.
Die Story hat alles, was es braucht um mich glücklich zu machen: starke, weibliche Charaktere, reichlich Magie, genug Love Interests und einen guten Plot.
Was die Stimmung ein bisschen getrübt hat, war das Worldbuilding, das mir etwas gefehlt hat. Lesende lernen hier eher etwas über die gesellschaftlichen bzw. religiösen Umstände als über das tatsächliche Leben und es gibt auch wenig Beschreibungen.
Die Figuren sind gut gelungen, ich mochte sie alle😊 Die Liebesgeschichten hingegen waren nachvollziehbar, kamen aber emotional einfach nicht so richtig bei mir an. Dafür waren sie vermutlich auch nicht präsent genug. Obwohl sie eine Rolle spielten, lag der Fokus woanders, was ich grundsätzlich super finde!
Das Thema Magieund Alchemie hätte etwas besser durchleuchtet werden können, hier wird man eher reingeworfen und vor vollendete Tatsachen gestellt, von wegen "ist halt so".
Zudem wird das Buch von einer gewissen Trägheit begleitet. Es hat einige Längen, weshalb ich später zum Hörbuch gewechselt habe.
Zum Ende hin gab's eine etwas vorhersehbare Wendung, die sich jedoch sehr gut in die Handlung gewebt hat und das Ende auch sehr gelungen gemacht hat. Hier gibt's auf jeden Fall noch viel Potenzial für den Folgeband, vor allem für Herzschmerz💔
Prinzipiell fühlt sich das Buch wie ein erster Band einer ganzen Reihe an, deshalb bin ich neugierig, wie der zweite Band die Story stemmen wird.
December 31, 2024
What took me so long to pick this up??
From the moment I started reading Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong, I knew it was going to be exceptional. Each of the main characters stands out as distinctly themselves, with strong personalities and compelling arcs. I’ve always admired when characters remain true to the traits their author has crafted for them, allowing readers to anticipate their reactions to events based on a deep understanding of who they are. Armstrong nailed this perfectly.
The story’s setup was equally impressive. The balance between explaining the magic system and society without overwhelming the reader was spot on. There’s enough detail to keep you informed and immersed, but it avoids the heavy-handed world-building that can sometimes bog down a fantasy novel.
I’m already thinking about all the people I want to recommend this book to. It’s no question that Nightbirds has earned a spot on my favorites of the year list! If you love feminist, character-driven fantasy set in a lush, Jazz Age-inspired world, this is a must-read. From speakeasies brimming with magical cocktails to the complex dynamics of the Nightbirds themselves, this story dazzles at every turn.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book.
From the moment I started reading Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong, I knew it was going to be exceptional. Each of the main characters stands out as distinctly themselves, with strong personalities and compelling arcs. I’ve always admired when characters remain true to the traits their author has crafted for them, allowing readers to anticipate their reactions to events based on a deep understanding of who they are. Armstrong nailed this perfectly.
The story’s setup was equally impressive. The balance between explaining the magic system and society without overwhelming the reader was spot on. There’s enough detail to keep you informed and immersed, but it avoids the heavy-handed world-building that can sometimes bog down a fantasy novel.
I’m already thinking about all the people I want to recommend this book to. It’s no question that Nightbirds has earned a spot on my favorites of the year list! If you love feminist, character-driven fantasy set in a lush, Jazz Age-inspired world, this is a must-read. From speakeasies brimming with magical cocktails to the complex dynamics of the Nightbirds themselves, this story dazzles at every turn.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book.
February 7, 2023
A huge thank you to the publisher for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm happy to scream it from the rooftops! The worldbuilding is exquisite, the writing just as lovely, and the three distinct voices we have for our main characters, Mathilde, Sayer, and Æsa, are perfect because they each have their own, very different stories to tell. Just when you think you know where things are going, the author takes you on a wild ride and twists things around.
I love following these girls in this sumptuous world with their unique magic. The story that unfolds regarding their powers, the mystery of the Nightbirds, really has you turning the page for more. I liked how things were brought to a stark reality for Mathilde and her world comes shattering around her. She's loyal, yes, but also a bit naive, though she's very much willing to do whatever it takes to protect her fellow Nightbirds and her family. The revelations regarding her birth and the (maybe?) budding romance between her, Alec, and dare I say Dennen will be an interesting dynamic in the second book. I'll admit that Sayer was my least favorite of the Nightbirds, and I'm rather worried where her quest for revenge will take her. As for Æsa, if I could but give that girl a hug and let her know everything is going to be okay. She's incredibly insecure in the beginning of the work and the religion of Eudea really played with her head, causing her to be unsure of her powers. I'm glad, though, she has Mathilde and Sayer to fight with and for her.
One of the things I didn't really care for, however, is how we were introduced to the fourth girl. I desperately hope we get her POV in the next book because she seems just as vengeful as Sayer, and I'm eager to know more of her story to make it seem like she wasn't just thrown in at the last minute.
I'll admit I was a little frustrated at the entire religious, "girls are witches so we must hurt/kill them" thing that was prevalent, but I like how it seemed like a reflection of our past and even current times of women being vilified just because people are scared of them. I'm interested to see if the Pontifex will truly hold power or if he will be overshadowed by the suzerain. I also have a lot of questions about Epinine because the way Mathilde second guesses lot of things toward the end had me raising my eyebrows.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm happy to scream it from the rooftops! The worldbuilding is exquisite, the writing just as lovely, and the three distinct voices we have for our main characters, Mathilde, Sayer, and Æsa, are perfect because they each have their own, very different stories to tell. Just when you think you know where things are going, the author takes you on a wild ride and twists things around.
I love following these girls in this sumptuous world with their unique magic. The story that unfolds regarding their powers, the mystery of the Nightbirds, really has you turning the page for more. I liked how things were brought to a stark reality for Mathilde and her world comes shattering around her. She's loyal, yes, but also a bit naive, though she's very much willing to do whatever it takes to protect her fellow Nightbirds and her family. The revelations regarding her birth and the (maybe?) budding romance between her, Alec, and dare I say Dennen will be an interesting dynamic in the second book. I'll admit that Sayer was my least favorite of the Nightbirds, and I'm rather worried where her quest for revenge will take her. As for Æsa, if I could but give that girl a hug and let her know everything is going to be okay. She's incredibly insecure in the beginning of the work and the religion of Eudea really played with her head, causing her to be unsure of her powers. I'm glad, though, she has Mathilde and Sayer to fight with and for her.
One of the things I didn't really care for, however, is how we were introduced to the fourth girl. I desperately hope we get her POV in the next book because she seems just as vengeful as Sayer, and I'm eager to know more of her story to make it seem like she wasn't just thrown in at the last minute.
I'll admit I was a little frustrated at the entire religious, "girls are witches so we must hurt/kill them" thing that was prevalent, but I like how it seemed like a reflection of our past and even current times of women being vilified just because people are scared of them. I'm interested to see if the Pontifex will truly hold power or if he will be overshadowed by the suzerain. I also have a lot of questions about Epinine because the way Mathilde second guesses lot of things toward the end had me raising my eyebrows.
November 9, 2022
How can you not become engrossed with a book about a bright, mystical underworld where young girls with inherited magic, power that comes from a sheldar, witches who, long ago, "shot does with magic-kissed arrows" and "rode bears with antlers" (among other things) assemble together to be called Nightbirds? A page turner that once started, can't be put down as we meet this group and are led into a majestic, vibrant, and closed society due to the illegality of their abilities (their magic). As the girls struggle to deal with all they must endure that comes from the different abilities they wield, I have never found a book that makes the statement "Great power comes with great expectations", more true.
The girls readers are first introduced to are Matilde, AEsa and Sayer. Three Nightbird's, as they attend a masked ball in Simta, much like those thrown over a hundred years ago to introduce rich women to society. But, here, on the pages, readers are transported to a gala full of otherworldly mystery, intriguing images, glitz and glam, we have never read about, as they pursue the ballroom, their last summer of freedom.
Matilde, AEsa and Sayer are the current Nightbirds, the magic they wield, important to the men who want to wed them, those of the "great houses", the "social diamonds", men with privilege, power and money. When they wed, their powers are then reserved only for their husband, no longer a paid service for others as they are as a Nightbirds. Society demands that the girls pass down their powers to the next generation so they are encouraged to wed, so much so, the Nightbirds have little choice regarding the entire manner. It is an expectation, even to the point of force. Even though the girls have great power, their decisions, most of them, are rarely their own.
As the book continues, we learn more of the girls, that some, like Sayer, came to her power later than others, not wanting to ever really recognize it. But, as society gives the best to these "special" girls, the privileges and power afforded them because of their magic, we see this life is hard for a girl to renounce. After all, when given the gift of magic, it is their duty.
Only some do not seem to want, or like, this gift. Regardless, other options, outside becoming a Nightbird, seem dim in comparison. After all, as a Nightbird, girls are "ladies", have lavish room and board, are afforded an advantageous marriage, when they could be servants, menial workers, living, almost, in squalor? While this is not true of all the girls, that each needed this life, it is true of some, Sayer, especially, who wants to be a "star that burns".
AEsa has troubles all her own. Her own father thinks magic is blasphemous, thinks that all women who wield magic have corrupted it and is a follower of the Church of Eshamein, or Four Gods. They believe mortal hands should not touch the holy power, certainly not a female. And, long ago, the church paters hunted down those women who had touched such power and wanted to rid the world of the very thing that runs through the Nightbirds veins. What would the Four Gods, their paters do, if they could that women still were wielders of what they deem so sacred?
All of the Nightbirds world strong powers along with carrying big secrets, things that are not known to any other. Will these secrets, in the end, be discovered and be their destruction? Will the magic they inherited, the power they wield, take away their livelihood, be their demise, rather than be the grand life that is being designed by others, those who want to direct the girl's power, instruct them on what to do with this magic? And what will the men who all vye for the Nightbirds hand in marriage, do to win it? Will they all be gentlemen or will their desire for magic unveil their monstrous nature?
While the Nightbirds have an inherited strength, power, all anyone could desire, their powers are not their own to use as they will. Will the price others pay to use them, destroy the girls before they can be overtaken into marriage, by a husband who wants this power, for himself? And, what will happen if the paters, the followers of the Four Gods, find that women still work the holy power? Instead of having clients and husband's use the girls, will the paters hunt them down and take their lives? Or, will the Nightbirds be taken by the royal family, a close relation to a member, usurped for political purposes? Who will bring ruin to the girls while so many want to clip their wings and own them for themself?
While in the midst of following so many rules and regulations for the girls' own protection, will the group of girls, their power combined, be enough for all who want them? And,if anyone, could the ultimate destruction of the girls, of the Nightbirds as a whole, be brought on by themselves? Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong is one that will catch and keep you till the end. It is my suggestion to readers that the day you start reading you have nothing going on because once you pick it up you're not going to want to put it down. God forbid you have plans that day as I guarantee they will be missed.
Happy reading!
Jeneane Vanderhoof
The girls readers are first introduced to are Matilde, AEsa and Sayer. Three Nightbird's, as they attend a masked ball in Simta, much like those thrown over a hundred years ago to introduce rich women to society. But, here, on the pages, readers are transported to a gala full of otherworldly mystery, intriguing images, glitz and glam, we have never read about, as they pursue the ballroom, their last summer of freedom.
Matilde, AEsa and Sayer are the current Nightbirds, the magic they wield, important to the men who want to wed them, those of the "great houses", the "social diamonds", men with privilege, power and money. When they wed, their powers are then reserved only for their husband, no longer a paid service for others as they are as a Nightbirds. Society demands that the girls pass down their powers to the next generation so they are encouraged to wed, so much so, the Nightbirds have little choice regarding the entire manner. It is an expectation, even to the point of force. Even though the girls have great power, their decisions, most of them, are rarely their own.
As the book continues, we learn more of the girls, that some, like Sayer, came to her power later than others, not wanting to ever really recognize it. But, as society gives the best to these "special" girls, the privileges and power afforded them because of their magic, we see this life is hard for a girl to renounce. After all, when given the gift of magic, it is their duty.
Only some do not seem to want, or like, this gift. Regardless, other options, outside becoming a Nightbird, seem dim in comparison. After all, as a Nightbird, girls are "ladies", have lavish room and board, are afforded an advantageous marriage, when they could be servants, menial workers, living, almost, in squalor? While this is not true of all the girls, that each needed this life, it is true of some, Sayer, especially, who wants to be a "star that burns".
AEsa has troubles all her own. Her own father thinks magic is blasphemous, thinks that all women who wield magic have corrupted it and is a follower of the Church of Eshamein, or Four Gods. They believe mortal hands should not touch the holy power, certainly not a female. And, long ago, the church paters hunted down those women who had touched such power and wanted to rid the world of the very thing that runs through the Nightbirds veins. What would the Four Gods, their paters do, if they could that women still were wielders of what they deem so sacred?
All of the Nightbirds world strong powers along with carrying big secrets, things that are not known to any other. Will these secrets, in the end, be discovered and be their destruction? Will the magic they inherited, the power they wield, take away their livelihood, be their demise, rather than be the grand life that is being designed by others, those who want to direct the girl's power, instruct them on what to do with this magic? And what will the men who all vye for the Nightbirds hand in marriage, do to win it? Will they all be gentlemen or will their desire for magic unveil their monstrous nature?
While the Nightbirds have an inherited strength, power, all anyone could desire, their powers are not their own to use as they will. Will the price others pay to use them, destroy the girls before they can be overtaken into marriage, by a husband who wants this power, for himself? And, what will happen if the paters, the followers of the Four Gods, find that women still work the holy power? Instead of having clients and husband's use the girls, will the paters hunt them down and take their lives? Or, will the Nightbirds be taken by the royal family, a close relation to a member, usurped for political purposes? Who will bring ruin to the girls while so many want to clip their wings and own them for themself?
While in the midst of following so many rules and regulations for the girls' own protection, will the group of girls, their power combined, be enough for all who want them? And,if anyone, could the ultimate destruction of the girls, of the Nightbirds as a whole, be brought on by themselves? Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong is one that will catch and keep you till the end. It is my suggestion to readers that the day you start reading you have nothing going on because once you pick it up you're not going to want to put it down. God forbid you have plans that day as I guarantee they will be missed.
Happy reading!
Jeneane Vanderhoof
August 6, 2024
Rounding up the 3.5 because it was really well written. Wish I had enjoyed this a little bit more.
February 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this. I've been reading quite a bit of adult fantasy lately and I have to say it was a breath of fresh air getting back into young adult fantasy. It's quick moving, gets straight to the point and isn't bogged down by a ton of world-building. You're just dropped into the story and the world develops as you follow these three girls and their story. It was great.
I loved the 1920's prohibition vibe so much. I'm finding I quite enjoy reading books with this feel. I say this feel instead of this era because while it is based off of the 20's, it's technically set in a different world entirely. I don't know if that will come into play more in the future books, but I will say I kept forgetting that this was a fantasy book (new world) instead of an alternate historical fantasy set in our world. One thing I did have a hard time reconciling was how easily families offered up their daughters into what could almost be considered prostitution (although it was only kissing, not sex). Matilde especially had such a close relationship with her family, all the while they're sending her off to sell herself, as a teenage girl. And they weren't really looked down on for it, and the family relationship doesn't seem strained, which I didn't understand at all. Of course this is something that may be worked out in future books.
Something I loved was the dynamic between the girls, and their questioning of the misogynistic system that they've found themselves trapped in. Each of the girls comes from a different background and brings their own history and magic with them. I also found the magic system intriguing and enjoyed reading as the girls learned what they were capable of. There are multiple romantic relationships developing as well, and I definitely like the direction that things were going and the turns the author chose to take.
I flew through this one and I'm excited to see where it goes from here!
I loved the 1920's prohibition vibe so much. I'm finding I quite enjoy reading books with this feel. I say this feel instead of this era because while it is based off of the 20's, it's technically set in a different world entirely. I don't know if that will come into play more in the future books, but I will say I kept forgetting that this was a fantasy book (new world) instead of an alternate historical fantasy set in our world. One thing I did have a hard time reconciling was how easily families offered up their daughters into what could almost be considered prostitution (although it was only kissing, not sex). Matilde especially had such a close relationship with her family, all the while they're sending her off to sell herself, as a teenage girl. And they weren't really looked down on for it, and the family relationship doesn't seem strained, which I didn't understand at all. Of course this is something that may be worked out in future books.
Something I loved was the dynamic between the girls, and their questioning of the misogynistic system that they've found themselves trapped in. Each of the girls comes from a different background and brings their own history and magic with them. I also found the magic system intriguing and enjoyed reading as the girls learned what they were capable of. There are multiple romantic relationships developing as well, and I definitely like the direction that things were going and the turns the author chose to take.
I flew through this one and I'm excited to see where it goes from here!
January 3, 2024
a beautiful, fantastical story abt how men use class, sexism, religion, and the law to oppress women. this book is definitely on the heavier side with practically zero romance but it is beautifully written for all women looking to break free
August 25, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, just not the book for me. Certain aspects were really well done. But most of it just fell really flat for me.
The concept of this forbidden magic is cool. And how the world doesn’t accept it, but there’s a black market for it is cool. It’s even cooler when you realize that it’s not just the initial three girls that are gifted but many more. And this world that is like prohibition era America but set in Victorian era British Isles is such a cool world.
But after that it started to lose me.
First and foremost, much of the magic isn’t really developed. And I don’t feel like much magic was used in the story. Secondly we understand very little about the religion and why it doesn’t like magic. And we know even less about the government and how that operates.
The first half was very slow. The second half picks up but gets convoluted. Especially towards the end. Why is Sayer’s father suddenly interested in her? He’s clearly known about her all her life and what power she has. How did Matilde poison Epinine? I might have missed that somehow until we got to the reveal. Dennan? Just like… what’s his motivation! Why does Matilde trust him?
And then there’s the romance. It was hinted at but other than that was completely lackluster. I was also disappointed Willan didn’t have a more active roll in the story as he was the character I felt I understood and liked the most.
Honestly, just not the book for me. Certain aspects were really well done. But most of it just fell really flat for me.
The concept of this forbidden magic is cool. And how the world doesn’t accept it, but there’s a black market for it is cool. It’s even cooler when you realize that it’s not just the initial three girls that are gifted but many more. And this world that is like prohibition era America but set in Victorian era British Isles is such a cool world.
But after that it started to lose me.
First and foremost, much of the magic isn’t really developed. And I don’t feel like much magic was used in the story. Secondly we understand very little about the religion and why it doesn’t like magic. And we know even less about the government and how that operates.
The first half was very slow. The second half picks up but gets convoluted. Especially towards the end. Why is Sayer’s father suddenly interested in her? He’s clearly known about her all her life and what power she has. How did Matilde poison Epinine? I might have missed that somehow until we got to the reveal. Dennan? Just like… what’s his motivation! Why does Matilde trust him?
And then there’s the romance. It was hinted at but other than that was completely lackluster. I was also disappointed Willan didn’t have a more active roll in the story as he was the character I felt I understood and liked the most.
March 6, 2023
I thought this book did excellent world building and setting up for the next book(s). I think it was so in depth with world building that it was a little slow. I also didn’t think any of the characters really got fully developed so I hope in the next book (yes I enjoyed it enough to read the next one for sure) there is some deeper character development. I want to cheer these girls on but I had a hard time since I felt pretty indifferent to them in this one. I loved the idea of magic that can be gifted with a kiss but never stolen. Magic is mostly outlawed but the rich and powerful support a small flock of girls who share their magical talent for a price, The Nightbirds. But there is a lot about their powers that is kept from them and as the conservative religious faction cries louder for the death of all witches the Nighbirds will learn what they are truly capable of.
April 14, 2023
In a world where magic is outlawed, four girls are kept hidden to avoid being burned by religious sects. Gifting their unique magic via a kiss to those willing to pay, they learn that there are other girls like them. Are they destined to always live in a cage or can they be set free?
NIGHTBIRDS was a fascinating fantasy that had me immediately swept up into the complex magical world. I loved the political intrigue and how the plot was skillfully paced. It kept me quickly turning pages, completely engrossed in what was happening. The world-building was excellent. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the different types of magical aspects, though the character development was slightly lacking overall. I liked that the story was told from each girl’s point of view. There was some romance but it didn’t feel overbearing and there wasn’t the typical teenage angst seen in many YA books which was a nice change of pace. The included maps were gorgeous and a lovely bonus. The epigraphs leading into each chapter were a great addition. The ending was not quite a full cliffhanger but not entirely satisfying. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book.
NIGHTBIRDS is book one of Kate J. Armstrong’s Nightbirds series. I’d highly recommend it to fans of YA fantasy.
NIGHTBIRDS was a fascinating fantasy that had me immediately swept up into the complex magical world. I loved the political intrigue and how the plot was skillfully paced. It kept me quickly turning pages, completely engrossed in what was happening. The world-building was excellent. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the different types of magical aspects, though the character development was slightly lacking overall. I liked that the story was told from each girl’s point of view. There was some romance but it didn’t feel overbearing and there wasn’t the typical teenage angst seen in many YA books which was a nice change of pace. The included maps were gorgeous and a lovely bonus. The epigraphs leading into each chapter were a great addition. The ending was not quite a full cliffhanger but not entirely satisfying. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book.
NIGHTBIRDS is book one of Kate J. Armstrong’s Nightbirds series. I’d highly recommend it to fans of YA fantasy.
Read
March 9, 2023Dnf 27%
It must be groundhogs day bc this book seems good but I’m moody so I have to take my emotions out on something!
It must be groundhogs day bc this book seems good but I’m moody so I have to take my emotions out on something!
May 6, 2024
3.5/5
Estuvo bien, de hecho, disfruté bastante el inicio del libro. Me fascinan esas historias de fantasía urbana pero ambientadas en otras épocas, sin embargo, la segunda mitad del libro tuvo un giro del que no fui tan fan.
Las Nocturas son un secreto en la sociedad, chicas con poderes que buscan esposos entre los nobles, pero que mantienen sus poderes en secreto. Las Nocturnas solo puedan dar su poder a través de un beso, no usarlo ellas mismas. Matilde, Aesa y Sayer son las Nocturnas, pero todas esconden secretos que podrían poner a las demás en peligro.
Veo este libro como dos partes super claras; la primera, con ellas viviendo esta vida de bailes y lujos mientras atienden los clientes y esconden sus secretos. La segunda, es cuando se produce un quiebre y sus vidas corren peligro, por lo que deben abandonar la vida que conocían hasta el momento. Fui más fan de la primera, me gustó la lógica de ellas lidiando con todo en secreto, era muy de ambientación victoriana con toques de fantasía, además, cada una tenía su trama y romance propio por lo que era bien interesante.
Lo que me sucedió con la segunda parte, fue que se sintió más como el clásico YA de fantasía en el que un grupo oprimido intenta luchar contra el sistema opresor. Quizá no de forma tan evidente como otras historias, pero fue básicamente así como funcionó y dejó de ser tan divertido para mí, porque perdí la ambientación que estaba disfrutando tanto al inicio.
Sobre las tres protagonistas, me gustó que mucho se tratara de ellas creando lazos, que no fuera instantáneo sino que tuvieran que trabajar para generar confianza entre todas. Creo que lo que más rescato del libro fue que se centrara en las relaciones entre ellas y aprender a ser realmente hermanas. Me gustó Matilde, era más como la clásica protagonista YA, pero me gustó que fuera alguien que estaba contenta con su estilo de vida y que no buscara más. Admito que estaba completamente dentro de sus romances, eran bien clichés y adolescentes y los disfruté, aunque fuera super predecible y una zona común dentro del juvenil.
Aesa era la clásica chica asustada de sus poderes, de la gente a su alrededor y que no quería lastimar a nadie. Es probable que sus capítulos fueran los que me aburrían más, como dije, era un personaje que hemos leído varias veces y no aportó mucho. Sin embargo, es el clásico personaje que después tiene una gran evolución. Sayer caía más en el tipo rebelde, la chica a la que obligaron a estar ahí, pero no quería estarlo. No le interesaba ser una Nocturna ni el honor de casarse con un noble, además, ocultaba un pasado más complejo que las demás, por lo que sabía el peso del poder que cargaba. La verdad es que no me importaban mucho, de hecho, estaba más interesada en la historia de Matilde que en las otras dos, pero no porque fueran malos personajes o así, fue solo por gusto personal o el tipo de historia que quería leer en ese momento.
La historia estaba bien, era interesante y tenía un trasfondo más complejo de lo que parecía al inicio. Me gustó que todo el mundo fuera una metáfora del poder que tenemos las mujeres y que siempre se nos es arrebatado o visto como algo malo. Quizá no terminé de entender bien cómo funcionarían los demás libros, o todo el worldbuilding que estaba planteando la autora, pero se me hizo interesante.
El beso de las nocturnas es un inicio de saga entretenido con foco en tres protagonistas que buscan su lugar en el mundo y que van construyendo su relación. Una historia llena de poder femenino juvenil, con varios toques de romance, traiciones y escenas de acción.
Estuvo bien, de hecho, disfruté bastante el inicio del libro. Me fascinan esas historias de fantasía urbana pero ambientadas en otras épocas, sin embargo, la segunda mitad del libro tuvo un giro del que no fui tan fan.
Las Nocturas son un secreto en la sociedad, chicas con poderes que buscan esposos entre los nobles, pero que mantienen sus poderes en secreto. Las Nocturnas solo puedan dar su poder a través de un beso, no usarlo ellas mismas. Matilde, Aesa y Sayer son las Nocturnas, pero todas esconden secretos que podrían poner a las demás en peligro.
Veo este libro como dos partes super claras; la primera, con ellas viviendo esta vida de bailes y lujos mientras atienden los clientes y esconden sus secretos. La segunda, es cuando se produce un quiebre y sus vidas corren peligro, por lo que deben abandonar la vida que conocían hasta el momento. Fui más fan de la primera, me gustó la lógica de ellas lidiando con todo en secreto, era muy de ambientación victoriana con toques de fantasía, además, cada una tenía su trama y romance propio por lo que era bien interesante.
Lo que me sucedió con la segunda parte, fue que se sintió más como el clásico YA de fantasía en el que un grupo oprimido intenta luchar contra el sistema opresor. Quizá no de forma tan evidente como otras historias, pero fue básicamente así como funcionó y dejó de ser tan divertido para mí, porque perdí la ambientación que estaba disfrutando tanto al inicio.
Sobre las tres protagonistas, me gustó que mucho se tratara de ellas creando lazos, que no fuera instantáneo sino que tuvieran que trabajar para generar confianza entre todas. Creo que lo que más rescato del libro fue que se centrara en las relaciones entre ellas y aprender a ser realmente hermanas. Me gustó Matilde, era más como la clásica protagonista YA, pero me gustó que fuera alguien que estaba contenta con su estilo de vida y que no buscara más. Admito que estaba completamente dentro de sus romances, eran bien clichés y adolescentes y los disfruté, aunque fuera super predecible y una zona común dentro del juvenil.
Aesa era la clásica chica asustada de sus poderes, de la gente a su alrededor y que no quería lastimar a nadie. Es probable que sus capítulos fueran los que me aburrían más, como dije, era un personaje que hemos leído varias veces y no aportó mucho. Sin embargo, es el clásico personaje que después tiene una gran evolución. Sayer caía más en el tipo rebelde, la chica a la que obligaron a estar ahí, pero no quería estarlo. No le interesaba ser una Nocturna ni el honor de casarse con un noble, además, ocultaba un pasado más complejo que las demás, por lo que sabía el peso del poder que cargaba. La verdad es que no me importaban mucho, de hecho, estaba más interesada en la historia de Matilde que en las otras dos, pero no porque fueran malos personajes o así, fue solo por gusto personal o el tipo de historia que quería leer en ese momento.
La historia estaba bien, era interesante y tenía un trasfondo más complejo de lo que parecía al inicio. Me gustó que todo el mundo fuera una metáfora del poder que tenemos las mujeres y que siempre se nos es arrebatado o visto como algo malo. Quizá no terminé de entender bien cómo funcionarían los demás libros, o todo el worldbuilding que estaba planteando la autora, pero se me hizo interesante.
El beso de las nocturnas es un inicio de saga entretenido con foco en tres protagonistas que buscan su lugar en el mundo y que van construyendo su relación. Una historia llena de poder femenino juvenil, con varios toques de romance, traiciones y escenas de acción.
"«Es un don -le respondió-, un don que hay que compartir». Pero ¿de qué sirve un don que solo se puede regalar a los demás? ¿De qué sirve ser poderosa si no puedes ser fuerte por ti misma?"
January 27, 2024
Sięgnęłam po ten tytuł zupełnym przypadkiem, a zrobił na mnie takie wrażenie, że za bardzo nie wiem od czego zacząć. A musicie wiedzieć, że początek nie był łatwy...
"Nightbirds. Nocne ptaki" Kate J. Armstrong jest powieścią pisaną w trzeciej osobie, opowiadającą losy tytułowych Ptaków, dziewczyn władających potężną magią, a jeśli dołożyć do tego rozbudowany system magiczny można się tutaj nieźle pogubić. Ja się niestety gubiłam wielokrotnie 🥺 Trudno mi było złapać wspólny rytm z tą książką, ale nie porzuciłam jej. Najbardziej zachwycił mnie tutaj świat i to, jak autorka go zaprezentowała. Wyczuwalny tajemniczy, brutalny, mglisty klimat, który do końca utrzymywał mnie w niepewności. Do tego każdy rozdział kończył się w ciekawy sposób - krótkim wycinkiem, opowiastką od bohaterów tego świata. To z pewnością jedna z oryginalniejszych historii, jakie dane mi było poznać, choć nie jest tak łatwa w odbiorze.
Jeśli chodzi o Nocne Ptaki - Matilda, Sayer, Æsa, to niestety za wiele Wam o nich nie powiem, poza tym co można wnioskować z opisu. W świecie, gdzie magia jest zakazana, istnieją te, które jednym pocałunkiem potrafią odmienić czyjeś życie. Każda z nich ma jakiś cel, misję, lecz gdy połączą siły mogą stać się... niezniszczalne? Poza tym, brakowało mi jednak takiego przestoju w pędzącej akcji na jakieś rozbudowanie. Może w kolejnym tomie to się odmieni? Na to liczę.
Na koniec muszę wspomnieć o pewnym aspekcie związanym z wydaniem "Nightbirds" - audiobook. Wiecie jakie było moje zdziwienie, gdy usłyszałam, że nie jest on czytany przez jedną lektorkę? Dialogi nagrało aż pięć osób, w tym cztery to dziewczyny z bookstagrama!! Co za niespodzianka 🤭 W rolę bohaterek wcieliły się Agata Gładysz, Lena Freitag, Kinga Marszałek, Roksana Kapturska oraz Zuzanna Bernat. Taki podział na głosy zdecydowanie umilił i podbił moją sympatię do tej historii.
"Nightbirds. Nocne ptaki" Kate J. Armstrong jest powieścią pisaną w trzeciej osobie, opowiadającą losy tytułowych Ptaków, dziewczyn władających potężną magią, a jeśli dołożyć do tego rozbudowany system magiczny można się tutaj nieźle pogubić. Ja się niestety gubiłam wielokrotnie 🥺 Trudno mi było złapać wspólny rytm z tą książką, ale nie porzuciłam jej. Najbardziej zachwycił mnie tutaj świat i to, jak autorka go zaprezentowała. Wyczuwalny tajemniczy, brutalny, mglisty klimat, który do końca utrzymywał mnie w niepewności. Do tego każdy rozdział kończył się w ciekawy sposób - krótkim wycinkiem, opowiastką od bohaterów tego świata. To z pewnością jedna z oryginalniejszych historii, jakie dane mi było poznać, choć nie jest tak łatwa w odbiorze.
Jeśli chodzi o Nocne Ptaki - Matilda, Sayer, Æsa, to niestety za wiele Wam o nich nie powiem, poza tym co można wnioskować z opisu. W świecie, gdzie magia jest zakazana, istnieją te, które jednym pocałunkiem potrafią odmienić czyjeś życie. Każda z nich ma jakiś cel, misję, lecz gdy połączą siły mogą stać się... niezniszczalne? Poza tym, brakowało mi jednak takiego przestoju w pędzącej akcji na jakieś rozbudowanie. Może w kolejnym tomie to się odmieni? Na to liczę.
Na koniec muszę wspomnieć o pewnym aspekcie związanym z wydaniem "Nightbirds" - audiobook. Wiecie jakie było moje zdziwienie, gdy usłyszałam, że nie jest on czytany przez jedną lektorkę? Dialogi nagrało aż pięć osób, w tym cztery to dziewczyny z bookstagrama!! Co za niespodzianka 🤭 W rolę bohaterek wcieliły się Agata Gładysz, Lena Freitag, Kinga Marszałek, Roksana Kapturska oraz Zuzanna Bernat. Taki podział na głosy zdecydowanie umilił i podbił moją sympatię do tej historii.
Read
August 9, 2024DNF @ 20%
All the main characters meld together into one indistinguishable girl.
All the main characters meld together into one indistinguishable girl.
January 17, 2023
Nightbirds is quite the start to a thrilling new YA Fantasy series.
It's filled with action and adventure, forbidden magic, political intrigue, and strong female main characters.
Easily five stars! Incredibly unputdownable!
This story has so many little details about the magic system and the court hierarchy and Armstrong has woven it in such a way that it makes perfect sense as you traverse each page. I felt that the plot flowed quite smoothly. I was easily engrossed the entire time.
All the Nightbird ladies are fantastic in their own way...completely different from each other, but I think Matilde is my favorite with her sassy, sarcastic personality.
"He doesn't answer--just stands there like a handsome piece of driftwood."
I laughed out loud at some of her inner thoughts.
Being the first in a new series, Nightbirds does end on 'To Be Continued'. I do think the story wraps up nicely with a 'happy for now' type ending, but there was one loose end in particular that I am completely bummed didn't get wrapped up. That being said, I cannot wait for the next book as I need to know what happens next!
If you're looking for your next witchy read, I highly recommend this one!
HUGE thank you to PenguinTeen for the ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review!
It's filled with action and adventure, forbidden magic, political intrigue, and strong female main characters.
Easily five stars! Incredibly unputdownable!
This story has so many little details about the magic system and the court hierarchy and Armstrong has woven it in such a way that it makes perfect sense as you traverse each page. I felt that the plot flowed quite smoothly. I was easily engrossed the entire time.
All the Nightbird ladies are fantastic in their own way...completely different from each other, but I think Matilde is my favorite with her sassy, sarcastic personality.
"He doesn't answer--just stands there like a handsome piece of driftwood."
I laughed out loud at some of her inner thoughts.
Being the first in a new series, Nightbirds does end on 'To Be Continued'. I do think the story wraps up nicely with a 'happy for now' type ending, but there was one loose end in particular that I am completely bummed didn't get wrapped up. That being said, I cannot wait for the next book as I need to know what happens next!
If you're looking for your next witchy read, I highly recommend this one!
HUGE thank you to PenguinTeen for the ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review!
May 12, 2023
DNF @ approx. 60 pages in. The book/story was not necessarily bad, it just wasn't for me at this time. I had no interest in picking it up, and when I did, I would only read a few pages at a time and lose interest. The concept seemed promising, but the execution was much too slow burn and boring. I also think there were too many characters which made it a bit confusing at times. I can see why someone would enjoy it though so don't let my review steer you away from giving it a fair shot!
I added a star for that absolutely beautiful cover.
I added a star for that absolutely beautiful cover.
October 12, 2023
Ugh, byłam uparta, więc dosłuchałam do końca, ale nie było warto.
September 3, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy of this book!
Born with ancient, hidden magic, the Nightbirds are captives within a gilded cage where they can only gift their magic to others. Thus begins a story of desire, independence, and sisterhood that shapes each of the young women who tell their tale in this story driven by others' need for power. The plot moves along briskly, and the characters are heartwarmingly believable despite their unique magical gifts. What is revealed is a hidden female matriarchy that drives its society while hidden from public power. These women must hide themselves in order to avoid persecution or abuse of their magical gifts. Add in the vicious, driven antagonist of the Red Hand who is passionate about sending these "witches" to their deaths, and you have some serious conflicts that help drive the story and induce some wicked paranoia and fear. Overall, this was a page turner that kept my attention and made me want to read the sequel. Yes, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but you could stop at the first book and still feel satisfied. I, however, will look forward to reading the next tome.
Teachers: This would be a great novel for a literature circle as it has many powerful thematic topics to explore including female subjugation, leadership, community, sisterhood, family, friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. There are a bunch of literary devices worth examining, too. The characterizations are probably the weakest part of this book, but there is enough depth to make these characters come alive.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this novel and can definitely recommend it to others. Enjoy, my friends!
Born with ancient, hidden magic, the Nightbirds are captives within a gilded cage where they can only gift their magic to others. Thus begins a story of desire, independence, and sisterhood that shapes each of the young women who tell their tale in this story driven by others' need for power. The plot moves along briskly, and the characters are heartwarmingly believable despite their unique magical gifts. What is revealed is a hidden female matriarchy that drives its society while hidden from public power. These women must hide themselves in order to avoid persecution or abuse of their magical gifts. Add in the vicious, driven antagonist of the Red Hand who is passionate about sending these "witches" to their deaths, and you have some serious conflicts that help drive the story and induce some wicked paranoia and fear. Overall, this was a page turner that kept my attention and made me want to read the sequel. Yes, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but you could stop at the first book and still feel satisfied. I, however, will look forward to reading the next tome.
Teachers: This would be a great novel for a literature circle as it has many powerful thematic topics to explore including female subjugation, leadership, community, sisterhood, family, friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. There are a bunch of literary devices worth examining, too. The characterizations are probably the weakest part of this book, but there is enough depth to make these characters come alive.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this novel and can definitely recommend it to others. Enjoy, my friends!
April 24, 2024
Neskutečné překvapení a jedna z nejlepších knih za letošek. Kam se hrabe Čtvrté křídlo, tohle mě bavilo daleko víc! Všechny tři hrdinky mi neskutečně sedly, bavil mě jak politický systém, tak i systém magie... a rozhodně plus za to, že romantika nehrála moc velkou roli (což mě trošku vadilo v Křídlu). Do světa ptáčat jsem se zamilovala a jsem neskutečně zvědavá, jakým směrem se vydá autorka dál.
4.5/5*
4.5/5*
July 25, 2025
Kate J. Armstrong is a Fyrebird
Nightbirds is a magic book. I am usually a very analytical reader, who thinks in terms of abstractions like world-building and magic systems. But Nightbirds took me out of myself -- the magic just happened.
Armstrong has an extraordinarily deft hand for a debut novelist. The three main characters of Nightbirds are the three nightbirds Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer. Matilde, the goldfinch, is the daughter of one of the Great Houses of Simta and is accustomed to luxury and to getting her way. Æsa, the nightingale, is the daughter of a poor family of the Island country Illan, come to Simta to make her fortune. Sayer, the Ptarmigan, is the daughter of an unwed former nightbird who lived in the sketchy part of Simta, and is a friend of criminals.
Described baldly like this, they sound like a literary cliché -- the group of ill-assorted friends. But I didn't think that as I read. Armstrong introduced each magic girl in some detail, with her own adventure, and I was so caught up in the persons and personalities of these fascinating girls that I barely noticed that Armstrong was assembling a cast of characters.
The magic was similar. As I read, I had no thoughts or questions about the magic system. I just believed -- it was utterly convincing. In fact, it wasn't really a matter of believing or understanding -- I felt quite literally as if Armstrong was using her magic on me. (Words, after all, are the real magic.) The magic was not just a thing that happened sometimes, it permeated every page. Johnny Cash sang, "Well, I tell you I've fought tougher men, But I really can't remember when." Surely I must have read books that felt more magical than Nightbirds, but I really can't remember when.
In Simta only girls and women have intrinsic magic, although there are alchemists who practice magic with potions and formulas. Simta has a religion that regards magic as something stolen from the Wellspring, their concept of the Divine. Magic is prohibited, but that does not by any means imply it isn't practiced. The religious officials are men. Also, the rulers -- the Table, as they call their council, are mostly men of the Great Houses. The prohibition of magic thus has a male supremacist bent to it. They have a mythology according to which the magic of women did great harm long ago, until men managed to extirpate it. Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer find themselves entangled in the politics and power plays of Simta.
According to those old legends,
I give Nightbirds five stars because that is how I felt as I read it, and even as I finished it. An extraordinary debut. I certainly intend to read Fyrebirds.
Blog review.
Nightbirds is a magic book. I am usually a very analytical reader, who thinks in terms of abstractions like world-building and magic systems. But Nightbirds took me out of myself -- the magic just happened.
Armstrong has an extraordinarily deft hand for a debut novelist. The three main characters of Nightbirds are the three nightbirds Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer. Matilde, the goldfinch, is the daughter of one of the Great Houses of Simta and is accustomed to luxury and to getting her way. Æsa, the nightingale, is the daughter of a poor family of the Island country Illan, come to Simta to make her fortune. Sayer, the Ptarmigan, is the daughter of an unwed former nightbird who lived in the sketchy part of Simta, and is a friend of criminals.
Described baldly like this, they sound like a literary cliché -- the group of ill-assorted friends. But I didn't think that as I read. Armstrong introduced each magic girl in some detail, with her own adventure, and I was so caught up in the persons and personalities of these fascinating girls that I barely noticed that Armstrong was assembling a cast of characters.
The magic was similar. As I read, I had no thoughts or questions about the magic system. I just believed -- it was utterly convincing. In fact, it wasn't really a matter of believing or understanding -- I felt quite literally as if Armstrong was using her magic on me. (Words, after all, are the real magic.) The magic was not just a thing that happened sometimes, it permeated every page. Johnny Cash sang, "Well, I tell you I've fought tougher men, But I really can't remember when." Surely I must have read books that felt more magical than Nightbirds, but I really can't remember when.
In Simta only girls and women have intrinsic magic, although there are alchemists who practice magic with potions and formulas. Simta has a religion that regards magic as something stolen from the Wellspring, their concept of the Divine. Magic is prohibited, but that does not by any means imply it isn't practiced. The religious officials are men. Also, the rulers -- the Table, as they call their council, are mostly men of the Great Houses. The prohibition of magic thus has a male supremacist bent to it. They have a mythology according to which the magic of women did great harm long ago, until men managed to extirpate it. Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer find themselves entangled in the politics and power plays of Simta.
According to those old legends,
Once in a generation rise ... Fyrebirds who are heart tied. Once joined, they are forever bound, strongest together, sending ripples through the world.Nightbirds is the first book of a series -- the second book is entitled Fyrebirds. So I think it is not a spoiler to tell you that the nightbirds are heart-tied.
—a passage from Canton’s Secret Histories
I give Nightbirds five stars because that is how I felt as I read it, and even as I finished it. An extraordinary debut. I certainly intend to read Fyrebirds.
Blog review.
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