A mix of legend and historical fiction, this book is unlike anything else I've read in the last year! I was drawn in by the historical fiction aspect and was not prepared for how lovely of a writer the author is. The storytelling in this book is fantastic and you will connect deeply with the characters. A dream to read, highly recommended.

"The Light of the Midnight Stars", by Rena Rossner, was incredibly interesting. The foundation of this novel is packed full of Romanian history and folklore and Jewish tenets. We follow a family as they are always wandering because home is ever changing. Abba is the father of 3 daughters: Hannah, Levana, and Sarah. Each of them so different, but close to each other. They each end up on their own path, and hopefully find their own purpose.

Rossner has the gift for storytelling. I loved how she incorporated Romanian tales and history with the history of the Jews in the 14th century. The Jews were an easy scapegoat for many things that went wrong such as the Plague. As a result, they fled to many different places, always wandering.

The characters were developed well, and the dynamics and dialogue were great! I did feel that the relationship between Theodora and Sarah was not needed, nor was it needing to be implying of certain nature.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jewish culture through a medium with beautiful description intertwined with magical components. I will definitely recommend this book for our store and will handsell it for years to come

Thank you so much to Orbit books and Netgalley. I am so incredibly grateful for being given the opportunity to review this book. As someone raised in a Jewish family, this novel spoke directly to my heart. Every page was filled with beauty, magic, heartache and hope; both fairy tale and history interwoven into an unforgettable tale.

The Light of the Midnight Stars tells the story of three sisters: Hannah, the eldest, with her affinity for the natural world; Sarah, the middle daughter with her fiery heart; and Levana, the youngest, transfixed by the stars. The narrative follows the family's story from each sister's point of view, with each sister making choices that alter their fate, resulting in the family needing to hide their magic and their faith, as well as questioning who they truly are.

What I loved most about the book was that each sister's story was equally compelling. Often in books where there are multiple narrative points of view, I find that I am eager to return to a particular character and not as interested in others. That was not the case with the Solomonar sisters. I loved all of them. I also loved how well researched this books was. The author's note at the end discusses many of the stories, myths and historical events that influenced the tale which was fascinating to read in of itself. This book has inspired me to research more of my family's own history and to reconnect with faith in my own way. I would recommend this to fans of historical, cultural and literary fantasy and can't wait to share it with more people!

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner was a captivating read that I could not put down!
There are three main characters that are sisters who are from a Jewish descent. It has a fairytale, historical vib to it that leaves you educated and mesmerized. There is magic, love, loss, and heartbreak. The author has a Jewish background and comes from a storytelling family. I really enjoyed this book. I gave it 5 stars, I will definitely think about it for some time. Highly recommend.

'The Light of the Midnight Stars' weaves a mystical tale about the space between light and dark where self-discovery is illuminated. Part folklore, part legend, part history- this fairytale is an intricate melding of Jewish heritage and Eastern European mythology. The love, heartbreak, faith, and courage experienced by all of the characters constellate a tale about the stories we keep, the stories we create, and the stories that we believe.

It follows the tale of three sisters each with a story to tell via special magical gifts whose powers lead to fated events and encounters. Perilous journeys burned by love, tests the sisters faith and resilience, in lands where their faith is viewed as dark and dangerous. Each sister must learn to forge her own path in life where her luminescence can be found. It is this hidden light that contains their destiny and divine wisdom. Set against the backdrop of the starry night sky, each sister’s soul ponders the stars in her own unique way, leading to surprising revelations and difficult truths.

This story is entangled with folklore, legend, and history that creates a rich tapestry of complex characters and lyrical prose that is moving and enchanting. It is a fantasy book that contains mythical creatures, shapeshifters, starmen, and beguiling forests, but its magical facade hides a much darker, sinister, and draconic story that is painful and tragic.

There is something metaphysical and sacred contained within this story that is able to connect the reader to the characters in a much deeper way. Perhaps it was the author’s exploration of her family heritage that brought a soul and passion to this elaborate tale? Or maybe it was the religious texts and epigraphs woven throughout that infused wisdom and inspiration into my reading experience?


One thing is for certain...we can only see the stars when it’s dark.