What a fun and delicious story!
I was drawn in right away and HAD to know more about these girls and their magic!
I want more of this world immediately!!!

"After all, she is not a star made for if only wishes. She’s the kind of star that burns."

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Thank you Netgalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I believe I discovered Nightbirds solely from its beautiful cover while browsing on Netgalley, and was interested by the "dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue". I also read this in a physical copy and with an audiobook.

Nightbirds, for the majority of the book, follows three Nightbirds, girls who are paid and protected by high society to give members of the noble families their magic in a world where magic is outlawed. Matilde, a member of high society herself, wants to remain in a magical world that is quickly narrowing down to being married off to the highest bidder. Sayer barely wants to be a part of this world at all, but has nowhere else to go and wants answers from her noble absentee father. Aesa, the newest Nightbird, wants to return home and is desperate to find a way to survive this brand-new world. Can the three of them all achieve their individual goals alone, or will they find there are far more dangerous threats they'll need each other to survive?

Nightbirds feels like a mix of many things: think Serpent and Dove meets a little bit of Caraval/Hotel Magnifique, Six of Crows, and The Handmaid's Tale. The characters reminded me of Six of Crow, especially in the way they were all so different but had to work with one another in a found family sort of trope, along with multiple side characters who were just as vital to the story along the way. There was plenty of romantic subplots, but they weren't the focus of the characters or their story either.

The atmosphere was top tier!! I believe it was inspired by the 1920s Prohibition Era, and was full of masquerades, hidden identities, and high society-type vibes. This is the part that reminded me a bit of Caraval and Hotel Magnifique. The world is full of hidden magic, but in a way that mostly felt like part of the aesthetic.

I adored the writing in this book, too. There were too many quotes I liked that I struggled to even pick one for this review! I will certainly read book 2 of this series, but I think I would easily a try a book by Armstrong in any other genre with very little hesitation.

The plot was very reminiscent of Serpent & Dove with the witches versus the witch hunters. The magic system is different, but the FMC narrator was even the same in both books! I really enjoyed the narration here as well. It also had a dash of The Handmaid's Tale as the Nightbirds are mostly treated as property, expected to give their magic away to people who won't allow others to have magic (reminded me of the book/magazine scene in THT if you've read it) and are then expected to do nothing else but marry and provide heirs.

This could be due to misreading, but I found the weakest part of Nightbirds to be the logic of the magic system. I am really into elemental magic in fantasy, but felt as though I never had a full grasp on what abilities each person was capable of. I thought each character had a specific elemental power, but then I thought I read a character using a second element twice throughout the story with no explanation?

In total, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Fyrebirds whenever it's released! I would recommend this book to readers who love atmospheric reads, hidden identities, high society type, complex relationship dynamics, and found families!

Nightbirds and its sequel, Fyrebirds, are a great pair of books for summer reading. A group of preternaturally gifted young women uncover secrets and lies about their gifts, learn of conspiracies to control them, and wreak fabulous political and civil havoc as they rise up against (or burrow beneath) a toxic patriarchy. The world-building is lovely and detailed, the characters evolve and develop, they're diverse, they're smart and true to themselves, and the adventure moves along at a good pace. Middle grades and u--and there's plenty for adult readers to enjoy too.

Loved that this book launches right into the tale and interweaves the magic system and world-building as the action is happening. It is a good read and I look forward to the next book as I am hoping to see character growth and less ambiguity on the magic system.

Before even beginning to get into the review of the book itself, it is so worth mentioning that for a debut novel the writing was fantastic. Debut across the fantasy genre, regardless of YA/adult/middle grade, can be seriously hit or miss, and the author absolutely nailed their entry with this with the clear world building and magic system of Simta.

Onto the book itself, I am a self-proclaimed sucker for anything centered around powerful women, and combining that with another love of mine - prohibition era - made this a win for me. The character development was strong for the most part, although I did find that the multiple POVs weakened it and did make threads hard to keep a hold of in places as the weighting towards each of the trio felt a bit unbalanced. It is really ambitious to try and convey multiple protagonists, and that is one thing that I'm hoping has been fine-tuned for the sequel. That being said, this was a really enjoyable and engaging read. I'd say it probably tilts slightly more towards the younger end of the YA spectrum, but the recommendation of 'for lovers of Leigh Bardugo' felt appropriate and I will recommend this to friends with similar reading interests. I'm going to be following Kate's publications because I have no doubt that each book will be stronger than the one before.

This is for the Gatsby lovers. The ones who love secrets and the forbidden. This was a fantasy version of the prohibition period which I thought was a fun spin! I also thought it was cool getting all the girls povs and not just one. I would have preferred if they were broken up over different chapters but that's just a me thing. It would probably make the chapters shorter too for a quicker read BUT that's just again a me preference. Overall, if you're someone who enjoys a lot of politics and a resistance, a fight the power, then you should pick this up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid debut fantasy novel. World building and atmosphere were one of the best things about this book. There was a heavy Jazz Age influence, but it was executed very well. Simta as a whole was beautifully crafted, with no stone unturned when it came to the hidden magic and the forces trying to suppress it. Along with the main characters, we explored a world that felt genuinely delightful. In spite of this, the multiple points of view in this book made the reading experience slightly frustrating. In each chapter, I had trouble remembering which character I was focusing on. In terms of characters, I found them to be underdeveloped, so I did not feel much affinity for them. That being said, I can see the potential and am looking forward to seeing where this goes.

I found this book incredibly boring. Everything was all over the place too, making most of it not make sense. I wouldn’t recommend this book.

A mystical story of rebellion against a place run by church fanatics determined to destroy any forms of magic. Magic is a gross sin and must be expunged from society. In this place, reside three powerful witches whose power has been masked until it erupts into a powerful force. An exciting and engaging story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nightbirds, written by the talented Kate J. Armstrong, immerses readers in a captivating fantasy realm teeming with hidden truths and intricate political schemes. In this mesmerizing world, the use of women's magic is strictly forbidden, yet four extraordinary young girls possess unique abilities that could potentially alter the course of history. The narrative is brimming with suspenseful revelations, shocking betrayals, and unexpected turns that will keep readers engrossed from start to finish. Each character in Nightbirds is skillfully crafted to be both authentic and relatable, showcasing a blend of strengths and vulnerabilities that add depth to the story. The subtle infusion of romance further enriches the plot, creating a perfect balance of intrigue and emotion. Armstrong's debut novel stands out for its original characters and richly descriptive prose, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating series.

Badass women with magical powers, complex magic system and world, dystopian society, and feminist undertones? Yes yes yes !

This book was so well written and done, I think I'll need to read it a second time. The characters were all so complex and well through out, and you can't help but love and connect with them. I will say that this book is more YA than adult fantasy, which is totally fine but that means it's limited in some plot points that could've been expanded upon if it was an adult fantasy.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

At first this book had me hooked but certain parts just really had me not wanting to continue. I did not like Aesa's name just make it normal it would have been pretty and unique enough without the weirdness. It's a little too handmaidy for me, making them breed back in. It at least has a unique magic system although the cards do remind me of One Dark Window. Overall it's an alright book I just needed more.

Nightbirds is an exciting fantasy adventure novel with an ambitious trio of female protagonists. At first, it felt like a lot to follow three main characters with multiple love interests and complex backgrounds, but this nicely, effectively, and clearly conveys each story, twined with the next. There is adventure, romance, and an uncertain future for all three by the end of Nightbirds.
I cannot wait to read the sequel, Fyrebirds, coming out in August 2024!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for sharing this book!

I struggle to put into words how I feel when a book is just that good because I want to tell everyone about my favorite parts. There are so many. I could go on about the found family aspect, or how we see all these girl characters and they all feel distinctly themselves, or how this is an interesting magic system. I could talk about the inclusivity which I hope we see expanded upon in the continuation, but my favourite part: how Armstrong has built a world that she then enriches with such detail and history that reading is truly an immersive experience. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like the author has spent years researching this land and its culture and she is now inviting us to go there. I can’t wait to dive back into this experience.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

Nightbirds is a multi-POV, YA Fantasy novel with magic, witches, politics, and LGBTQIA+ rep. Nightbirds is set in a world where any form of magic has been outlawed. The story follows the main characters, Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer, who each have a different ability, though they are unable to use their abilities for themselves. They do, however, possess the ability to gift temporary traces of their magic to others through a kiss. It cannot be stolen, only gifted. In a patriarchal society whose leaders fear magic and view the Nightbirds as ‘witches’, they are not safe, and as they start to become more involved and entangled in their society’s plots and political schemes, they begin unraveling secrets about the true extent of their abilities.

I really enjoyed this one, and I thought it was a great debut novel from Kate J. Armstrong. It was a slow start for sure, but once I got into it, I found that I really enjoyed the pacing in the second half of the book. I loved the magic system in this book, and I loved that we got to see so many women in positions of power, despite their circumstances.

It definitely reminded me a lot of the W.I.T.C.H book series I loved so much when I was younger, as well as the Winx saga, Six of Crows, and These Violent Delights. The atmosphere was amazing, very much Gatsby vibes, and you can tell that the author really took her time with the world building.

There was some romance, but the plot was definitely the central focus of the book. As for the characters themselves, Sayer was by far my favourite Nightbird. She’s bold, a little bit unhinged, and queer.

I’m hoping to see more character development in all the characters in the sequel, since the ending does leave off quite abruptly. I’m excited to see where Kate J. Armstrong takes us in the sequel, Fyrebirds (which comes out August 27, 2024, so mark your calendars!!)

Overall I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of Chloe Gong, Leigh Bardugo, or were a Winx/WITCH girly as a child.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

Nightbirds is a delightfully tense and dark YA fantasy following the stories of three girls bestowed with power that they can only give away, not use for themselves—until revelations turn their world on their head. With captivatingly flawed characters and immersive worldbuilding, I found myself unable to put the book down as I followed these characters through the tribulations of political rivalry, religious intolerance, and the dizzying world of nobility. I’m eagerly awaiting the chance to read the sequel.

“‘Your magic is something rare, Aesa, and no doubt powerful. But it isn’t a poison.’ Her throat is tight. ‘You can’t know that.’ ‘I can, because it comes from you.’”

What I loved:
The worldbuilding is so rich and easy to immerse yourself in, especially with the inclusion of the short—for lack of a better word—”flavor text” between chapters. Song lyrics, journal scraps, notes from characters… it all just helped to suck me in.
The complex characters. Even in similar situations, each character felt fleshed-out, real, and full of life and personality. Rarely did a character feel one-note or like they were only there to serve the plot, and the relationships between characters felt electric in all the right ways.
The magic system! Without divulging too much, the eventual expansion of the originally explained system was right up my alley, and I feel like the way that each facet of the system fits to the individual characters is so interesting to read and ponder.
How the plot handled twists, reveals, and betrayals. Not once did I feel as though a surprise twist came fully out of left field. Instead, I found myself tracing back the events leading up to each twist and mentally chastising myself for not realizing sooner—save for the one twist I managed to predict, which left me feeling vindicated rather than bored.

And what I didn’t:
While it may have just been my copy of the book, but I felt like the changes in POV were hard to follow. I wish they had been more overt, especially when changing mid-chapter.
I feel like certain aspects of the main characters being special felt forced, especially as at one point there was a moment where the purpose seemed to be to prove they weren’t special, only to immediately undermine that message.
There was ample opportunity to say something meaningful about the demonization of sex, sexuality, and sex work in the religious framework, but that aspect felt sadly unexplored, relegated to a few moral judgements against the main characters to stir conflict. For a book touting a feminist YA fantasy, I wish this topic had actually been explored in the way the story was set up perfectly for.

You Should Read This If:
You love stories centered around women taking back their agency
You’re fascinated by tales of political intrigue and complex social intricacies
You enjoy being immersed into a world with a unique magic system, political structure, and religious culture

Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This book had a slower build than I expected, and it took a little while for me to buy in to Matilde, Sayer, and Aesa, but once they really became a sisterhood, I was fully engaged! I really like the world building in this, and a lot of it reminded me of a mix of Six of Crows and Blood and Honey.

"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 chance to change it all.

The Nightbirds are Simta's best-kept secret: Girls with a unique and powerful magic they can gift with just a kiss. Some would kill to possess them; the church would kill them outright. But protected by the Great Houses, the Nightbirds are well-guarded treasures.

As this Season's Nightbirds, Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer will spend their nights bestowing their gifts to well-paying clients. Once their season is through, they're each expected to marry a Great House lord and become mothers to the next generation of Nightbirds before their powers fade away. But as they find themselves at the heart of a political scheme that threatens not only their secrets, but their very lives, their future suddenly becomes uncertain.

When they discover that there are other girls like them and that their magic is far more than they were told, they see the Nightbird system for what it is: a gilded cage. Now they must make a choice - to remain kept birds or take control, remaking the city that dared to clip their wings."

Anyone else getting magical Hunger Games vibes? With perhaps a touch of Carnival Row?

Kate J. Armstrong has a way with words, with plot, with characters, with this book!

Prohibition but make it magic, women coming into their power, discovering more about themselves, and learning about each other.

I'm still reeling at the climax/conclusion of this book and just absolutely loved it.

If you love magic, if you love witches, if you love tales of strong women, if you love the flash of the roaring '20s (that's how I imagined this setting), if you love twists and turns, heartbreaks, shocks, and love screaming into the void because of these fantastic characters, then this is the book for you.