“Her skin prickled but she couldn’t tell if it was because of the all the divine magic… or something else.”

This is an incredible enemies to lovers young adult fantasy containing sapphic girls that are witches/monsters on a quest to obtain the purest of hearts to give to the witches they serve. This standalone young adult novel reads like a cautionary fairy tale. The story has morally grey characters and an enemies to lover trope. I definitely enjoyed this story! After reading the e-copy, I immediately started the audiobook. I didn’t want this story to end! I sincerely hope Alicia Jasinska writes another story like the midnight girls.

If you enjoy young adult fantasy with morally-grey characters and the enemies to lovers trope, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Alicia Jasinska for this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.

So the moment i saw this book was about gay witches i was asking for it. one as i love witch books and two i am a WLW and to i like to see this in books as well. this book was a mix of the one bed trope and the enemy to lovers.

the two main characters are easy to read and so you don't have to think who is who in the book. its one of those books you can put down for a time and come back to without an issues as it have the normal YA kind of story line.

but it was a good book and well written just one you can read in a day as its easy to guess where it is going

I haven’t read fantasy in a while but this book was so interesting and opened up a new world that intrigued me almost immediately. I personally have been growing fond of the “we don’t know that we know of each other “ trope and this had an lovely twist, in the fact that they’re rivals. I loved the banter. And I’m always a sucker for dual povs. This is definitely something you need on your shelf and tbr list if you want to try out sapphic fantasy. I’m hoping that there is a sequel in the future!!!

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for the free access! I was so intrigued by a review I read that I was so excited that Sourcebooks Fire was so generous to have opened a “Read Now” option for this title! Did not have second thoughts on clicking the button.

this book was available in the "read now" section when i discovered it and even though enemies to lovers are the trope i most read, sapphic enemies to lovers is something that i do want to read more of, and this was a perfect book to start.

the world building was great, and there are a lot of elements in the fantasy that i do not see a lot in the ones i've read, which is always good for me. to put it simply, this was one amazing book to escape to.

Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars

This was a monstrously GREAT read! I cannot believe it was a debut! It is surely one to be celebrated! Jasinska did an AMAZING job with this very much character-driven novel. I look forward to seeing, and most DEFINITELY *reading,* more from this author!!!

WHEW! What a captivating, chaotic (in the best way, of course), & brilliant read!! I flew through this book in what felt like only moments, and was completely obsessed with both the characters and the adorable sapphic relationship before long.

Marynka and Zosia were complete opposites but seemingly fated to be, with their vicious, villainous competitions and mutual obsessions turning into a BEAUTIFULLY DONE back & forth with addictive chemistry, before long, edged on by the powerful clashes between Marynka's fiery temperament and Zosia's calm but blade-sharp wit.

The unique & *monstrous* magic of Morning, Midday and Midnight was beautifully depicted, and the Polish setting added a fascinating twist to the book overall. There are some pacing issues, but nothing that changes my opinion too much. I just loved this so much!!

Thank you to the author, netgalley & the publisher for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

Villanous, sapphic, rivals to lovers are here to steal your heart....figuratively and literally.

The Midnight Girls was a witchy fantasy full of Eastern European lore and monstrous girls. While the middle of the book dragged on a bit, I had a fun time following Marynka and Zosia's rivalry as they sought Prince Jozef's pure heart. All of the characters and relationships could've been developed more and the themes introduced in the final third of the story deserved to be expanded on more. However, the overall vibes were fantastic and left me wanting more Marynka x Zosia content.

The book begins with Marynka, who’s 12 years old and is on her first mission to bring a heart of a prince to Grandmother, the Red Jaga.

The book has some sort of witches but they’re more like monsters with claws and pointy teeth and each of them got different powers and is nicknamed Midnight, Midday, Morning – each one of them is unique on their own appearance and also what they’re capable of.

I really enjoyed a couple of tropes touched into this book such as: enemies to lovers but the sapphic version, the grumpy/gloomy type, anti-heroine all these elements in the book made the book even more interesting. I really enjoyed the competition between Zosia and Marynka and the fact the girls were the monsters going after the guy's hearts and not the way around – this was definitely a new change in between my reads. I also enjoyed the friendship between Beata and Marynka, I found Beata to be different than the other two girls almost like quiet and shy type but so powerful once tested.

As much as I enjoyed the book there were also a couple of things I felt were missing. I really wanted to feel more chemistry between Zosia and Marynka especially since this is a sapphic book, I felt that part of it was missed. In the beginning, there was some chemistry between them but after that just died down and I couldn’t feel anymore the tension, the chemistry their enemies to lovers heat – it felt platonic.

Their powers also aren’t really explained properly how they work, if they have any limitations or if they can actually lose their powers, we just know that the three girls all have been requested by a Jaga (Red, Black, White) and they gave the girls a new chance to live and also powers but other than that this subject hasn’t been touched that much, and I felt it is a shame because their powers were amazing and we needed to know more about it.

The character development I don’t think there was any. From the beginning, the girls considered themselves monsters and until the end, their minds hasn’t changed, and neither them, they didn’t grow up to be better or to do any changes for themselves and considering the things they went through with the Jaga’s I would’ve thought they want to change something for themselves.

There was also a really interesting subject that has never been explored, the relationship between Kajetan and Jozef, it was just quickly mentioned they’re soulmates and that was it, which I really, really wanted to know more because that would’ve been such a taboo subject considering Jozef was a prince and loving his enemy. You also get some more diverse characters in the book but they’re just quickly mentioned and that’s it, they’re not actually part of the plot of the story.

Overall the book has been interesting and captivating, I only felt some things were missing in order for this book to be 5 stars in my opinion.

I love this cover artist (looked up, her name is Charlie Bowater)! Whenever I see a cover by her, the book seems to immediately climb up my TBR pile. It doesn’t hurt that this seemed like the perfect wintery/Christmas fantasy story that gives off hints of “The Night Circus” with its story of dueling sorcerers. And luckily the whole “fighting for the heart of a prince” thing seems like it is just a clever ruse for the true romance at the heart of the story.

Two powerful women find their new friendship quickly put to the test when they discover they each are after the same prize: the pure heart of the young, hapless prince. But nothing is what it seems, and this heart isn’t sought for such soft things like love. No, instead Zosia and Marynka each want the rare power that comes from a heart so pure. As their magical competition grows, so too does the risk they each take in being discovered, for magic is feared and persecuted. But Zosia and Marnka are both discovering that as equal as their determination is to win the prince’s heart, so too may be their growing attraction.

This was a bit of a tough read for me. Mostly because I definitely didn’t dislike it, but I also struggled to really get through it for some reason. There was a lot to like here, but it just didn’t seem to land right. One of the things I liked the most was the story’s roots in Polish culture and fairytales. The descriptions of the town, the fables and legends seen in the festivals, and the food were all lovely and refreshing. I also particularly liked the fact that it was set in winter during a winter festival, a time of year and setting that one doesn’t often see in fantasy stories. There’s definitely something uniquely cozy about reading books featuring others dealing with the winter weather while you are snuggled up in a blanket with hot tea.

I also didn’t mind the two POV characters. But again, I just didn’t mind them. This was another duel POV story, and while I didn’t have a strong preference for one POV over another (usually my problem with this format of storytelling), they also simply read as very similar voices. They each had unique goals and approaches to their task of winning the prince’s heart, but if you plopped med own into a random chapter, it would take some mention of these fact for me to know whose head I was in. The writing was fine for both of them, just not particularly strong overall.

I also struggled with the pacing of the story. I felt like it not only started out rather slowly, it all wrapped up quite quickly in the end. Things fell together much too easily and, overall, the plot seemed to rely far to heavily on the romance to carry the reader through. It wasn’t a huge problem, and I’m sure most readers will be there for the romance mainly anyways, but it did feel a bit rushed and a bit of a let down. Overall, however, I think this book will appeal to readers looking for a wlw fantasy story to c0zy up with this winter!

Rating 7: A fairly middling story in itself, but a sweet fantasy love story that will still likely appeal to many who are looking for a romantic read for the winter season.

I was all about the premise of this book when I first heard of it. I mean a villain-villain sapphic fantasy where two witches are competing against each other to literally steal a prince’s heart and fall for each other instead? Steal as in cut chest, eat heart, not the romantic kind of stealing? Sold. And they’re mortal enemies due to their umm, professions? Super sold.

So imagine my disappointment when the actual execution left me wanting. The story has an ethereal fairy tale quality to it, which could be theoretically great but it sort of made things feel juvenile, very YA. Which also would be fine, except these girls are supposed to be so good at being all bad, but turns out they’re laughably bad at carrying out their plans when it counts? I mean I know it’s for “reasons”, but it does make the story fall flat. It’s fun and all to watch both Zosia and Marynka being unapologetically villainous (occasionally joined by Beata), but it does feel like they’re playing at it sometimes. I don’t think I’m explaining it right, but it’s all very superficial.

I was looking forward to the tension between them, but I didn’t really feel it or I just didn’t care. I was, in fact, more invested in a secondary and diametrically opposite love story happening at the same time. And even though this ended up being a fairly quick read, I wish it was a standalone because now I need to know what happens next but I don’t know if I care about the main heroines (villains?) enough to continue.

Literally such a fun, unique fantasy. I loved the romance and the premise, and was just completely sold from the start. Would definitely recommend to everybody. Fresh ideas like this are exactly what ya romance needs!

ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
Buddy read with my darling Ashley!

5 BREATHTAKING STARS

Three Minute Thoughts:
The Midnight Girls was everything I wanted and more! I lived and breathed for the sapphic relationship between our MC’s, full of crackling chemistry and heartstopping kisses, and the constant competition between Zosia and Marynka was wicked and exciting – let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down. The Polish-inspired world and wars were fascinating to read about, and I’m so excited to read more by this (Aussie – like me!) author. Such an incredible, captivating, and quick-yet-powerful read!

The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
I love, love, LOVED this book! It was fun, gasp-worthy and chaotic – and I loved every bit. Set in a fantasy world of witches that ruled over individual hours of the day, and who gathered servants to pit against one another, you can best believe I was crazy excited to learn more about the magic of this unique land, and I was not let down! The powerful witches who controlled morning, midday and midnight were fascinating to hear about, but even more brilliant were their prodigies and servants – our three main characters.

“Midday, Morning, and Midnight, three tragic girls who had been saved and taken in by the witches”.
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

This book was definitely character-driven, but that wasn’t a problem for me, as I loved our characters. Our most prominently central character, Marynka, was an absolute favourite of mine almost instantly. She was reckless, loud, and made drawing people’s attention an absolute art, and her personality burned as bright as the name Midday would denote. Usually she would be everything that irritates me, but Alicia Jasinska wrote her character so beautifully that I fell in love with her like that. Her polar opposite, and our second MC, Zosia, was equally powerful but preferred the darker, quieter times of day – as a witch of Midnight should – shown with her propensity to caution (well, as cautious as one can be when ripping hearts out of chests) in contrast to Marynka’s daring streak. Zosia definitely grew on me throughout the story, and by the end of the epilogue, she was as dear to me as Marynka.

And then there was Beata – precious, overlooked, darling Beata. Honestly, I thought Beata deserved so much more page time, because I couldn’t help but love her combination of pure angel and brutal witch. I do love that this book is a standalone, but if it wasn’t then I would pray with all my heart for Beata to find love in a sequel! What a sweetheart. Not that I’m saying she was meek – because she certainly wasn’t, all three of the girls were powerful and strong and willing to do wicked, horrid things to get what they wanted – and who doesn’t love sapphic villains??

“I won’t go back to that forest with its never-changing sky. I won’t stand in the shadows with my head bowed and my hands laced behind my back waiting for instructions. I am tired of always living in the dark. I am tired of being someone’s pet monster. I am tired of all this.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

Ahh and the romance! I won’t say too much about it, but rest assured, I loved it. One of my favourite sapphic couples ever, I have to say!! I wish the book was longer so we got more of them, though I did love what a short read this was, as it really made you feel that no time had passed when you picked it up. Such gorgeous writing!

This was a chaotic review, and for that I’m sorry, but it’s almost 1am and I’m calling it a night! Thank you so much to author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review❤.

The Midnight Girls is everything I could've asked for in a sapphic ya fantasy book. Enemies-to-lovers, monster girls, and morally grey characters. Not to mention, it was a fast, easy read.

Our side characters are just as entertaining as the main cast, and offer more queer relationships. there's a good mix of good, bad, and everything in between.

This is an entertaining, quick paced read. I enjoyed the story of three girls who embody Morning, Midday, and Midnight as they apprentice to sister witches. The witches give the girls power in exchange for bringing them hearts of princes and apparently there are a lot of princes out there haha. Marynka, aka Midday, loves to compete with Zosia, aka Midnight, for the hearts but when they meet in person for the first time she starts to have some romantic feelings as well.

I liked that this flew by and had some fun fight scenes with a bit of underlying romance. I did think it could have delved a bit deeper into the world and I would have liked more of an ending. I would totally read a spinoff of Jozef and Kajetan as they have a lot of history together and sort of an enemies to lovers vibe.

This is definitely a fun book and I'm looking forward to more from the author!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the copy

*3.5 Stars*

The world building reminded me of the Bring Me Their Hearts series by Sara Wolf, where there are different witches who bring children/teens back to life to be their heartless monster servants, yet with a different very rushed plot. I was super excited for this read (I mean, look at how pretty the cover is!) but for some reason the book fell a little flat. At times it felt like the book jumped around a lot with no actual direction or purpose and I found my attention waning. I wanted a lot of magic and battles and danger, but instead there was more angst and inner turmoil than I was interested in.

I did like how the world did not care who was a romantic partner, there was no issue or judgment, and soulmates were destined and could be anyone. I really liked that the story was dual narrated by two different voices, very much opposites, and the interaction between them was at times hysterical as well as real and occasionally violent. The main characters are enemies to lovers (which was done perfectly so if you like that trope this is a great option!), with the battle of wits and challenges that go along with it, and gender was not really relevant, it was more about the person (at least in my opinion). Every main/important character in the story is lgbtq+ so if you are looking for a clean (only one real kiss right at the end) standalone fantasy read with some flavor here you go

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a free ARC of this book!

5 stars.
This was such a captivating Polish-inspired fantasy! I absolutely loved Marynka and Zosia, and loved that this book centered on morally-grey sapphics. I love the enemies to lovers trope, and this book did it so well! I loved the setting, it was so evocative and magical. I also loved how unapologetic the witch characters were about literally tearing hearts out of men's chests, AND how unapologetically sapphic this book is. It did not hold back from making Marynka and Zosia as gay as possible, and it was amazing. Loved it!

The Midnight Girls is a Polish inspired fantasy that is perfect for winter.
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I absolutely loved this book! I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of enjoyment that I experienced, but what else could I have expected from a villains sapphic fantasy. In my opinion, this book is already supremely underrated and needs to be picked up by more people.
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Between our two chaos main characters, court intrigue, and lovable side characters, there is nothing not to love! I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. Fans of The Cruel Prince and the Grishaverse will love this story.
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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

If I had one word to describe this book, it would be delightful. I am not ashamed to admit that I originally requested this book (and subsequently bought a finished copy before I even read it) based mostly on the stunning cover and the fact that it’s a fantasy stand-alone novel. Although now that I’ve read it, I can confirm that the inside of this book matches the fantastic outside.

What I loved the most about The Midnight Girls is that Marynka and Zosia are both unrepentantly monstrous - there is no redemption arc for these monsters, mostly because they are perfectly happy with being monstrous. Which was entirely refreshing.The competition between them was just so much fun to read, it’s been a while since I was so engaged with a book. I’ve also very rarely read an enemies to lovers trope that was done quite so well. The yearning was A+, as was their denial of their feelings (and the subsequent realization of those feelings).

The secondary characters were also so well-written and nuanced. It’s always wonderful when a character does something unexpected, but after thinking about it, you realize that it’s completely in character and the author had actually laid the seeds for it much earlier in the book. There is also a wonderful use of the only one bed trope that actually made me laugh out loud. The world itself made me want to research Polish history and folklore, which is always a sign that the author knocked the world-building out of the park. And the epilogue is probably one of the best I’ve read, it was unexpected but wrapped things up perfectly.

I completely adored this book, and would highly recommend it to fans of fantasy romance. While this one is technically shelved as YA, I think there’s enough cross-over appeal that it will appeal to fans of adult fantasy as well. I actually loved this one so much that I immediately bought the author’s debut book!

While I do love a series, sometimes having just a standalone novel where you can sigh in satisfaction at the end is perfection. And The Midnight Girls offers just that. Our two mains are fighting against each other, quite literally, in order to kill the prince and steal his heart. The characters were great and well developed. I loved how you got to know them right along with them figuring out each other. And as they build so does their romance. Great for fantast fans looking for something new without wanting to start an entire series.

The Midnight Girls is a lovely, sapphic YA fantasy following the rivalry between two witches’ servants as they fight for the heart of the most pure prince in the land. Midday wants to make her grandmother, the Red Witch, proud, but she has always felt like she’s one step behind Midnight. Midnight, the Black Witch’s servant, who can control shadows and manifest fear in every city she enters. Midday thinks the winter festival is the perfect time to catch the prince off guard and finally beat Midnight. But when she finds out more about her mysterious rival, Midday starts to rethink everything she knows about her world and what it means to be a monstar.

Alicia Janiska writes beautifully evocative descriptions of the winter wonderland, the fantastical clothing and festivities, and the magic that Midday and Midnight create. The writing made me shiver like I was right there in the snow with everyone. Janiska also develops both Midday and Midnight with alternating POV chapters that dive into each girl’s motives and deepest aspirations. Although they are villainous characters, they are complex and caring in their own ways, and I found myself rooting for them both from the beginning. Finally, I loved the side characters, including Morning (the White Witch’s servant), the prince, and the prince’s former best friend. They were all snarky and fun in their own ways and helped round out the story in the best way.